Vietnam

1st – 21st April 2018

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: John Archer, Jan-Joost Bouwman, Robert Carr, Mike Coverdale, Peter Maaskant, Richard Rowland and Graeme Spinks.

Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia This comprehensive tour of Vietnam targeted almost all of the countries endemics and near-endemics, and we saw nearly every single one of them, with a total 382 species recorded on the tour. Starting in the hot and humid south, with Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and a haul of woodpeckers, we quickly pulled in all the Dalat endemics including spectacular views of all the laughingthrushes and Grey-crowned Crocias, with a bonus Blue Pitta. We then worked our way north through the central highlands, enjoying Golden-winged and Chestnut-eared Laughingthrushes, Sooty Babbler, Red-collared Woodpecker, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Black-crowned Barwing and our fourth pitta, Rusty-naped, among a whole range of great birds, before finishing in the north with Short-tailed Parrotbill, Grey Laughingthrush and White-winged Magpie. These were just a small selection of the highlights, but perhaps the biggest joy of the tour was not just the number of specialities seen, but the wonderful views we had of just about all of them. A special mention also for the primates encountered during the tour, including prolonged views of Buff-cheeked Gibbon, Red-shanked Douc, Hatinh Langur and Delacour’s Langur. After gathering the day before in Ho Chi Minh City we headed northeast to Cat Tien National Park after breakfast on the first morning. Cat Tien is one of the most important protected areas in Indochina harbouring a number of lowland eastern Indochinese endemics, many of which are largely restricted to here and just across the border in Eastern

Cambodia. With two full days to play with we managed an impressive haul of the parks specialities helped by the fine weather and some very co-operative birds. On the opening afternoon we familiarised ourselves with the common birds of the park and also took in a few notables; Grey-faced Tit Babbler (perhaps better named, Indochinese Tit Babbler to avoid confusion with the Grey-cheeked Tit Babbler of Java!), Blue-bearded Bee-eaters – which were noticeably conspicuous during our stay, a very responsive pair of Pale-headed Woodpecker, Swinhoe’s Minivet, and a cooperative Black-and-buff Woodpecker. A troop of some 15 Black-shanked Douc Langurs, a speciality of the park showed beautifully in canopy, nervously peering down at us, trying to decide if we were to be trusted or not. Just after dusk we quickly pulled in a male Blyth’s Frogmouth, that continued to call, open-mouthed in the spotlight. A couple of Common Palm Civets and Lesser Mouse-deer was as good as it got with the nocturnal mammals during the whole tour in this heavily hunted country! Though much of our mornings were spent in-and-around bamboo clumps completely failing with even hearing the regionally-endemic Orange-necked Partridge, we scored just about everything else possible. On our first morning we twice scored views of Scaly-breasted Partridge, nest-building Dusky Broadbills, the first of several Germain’s Peacock Pheasants – though it took some time for us all to get decent views. Then the park’s two other jewels, first up was a male Blue-rumped Pitta that after already showing several times in clear view decided to dive up to the mid-canopy, peering down at us. This was shortly followed by the real jewel in Cat Tien’s crown as a male Bar-bellied Pitta put on a stunning show, bouncing back-and-forth just feet from us for as long as we wanted, lighting up the dark undergrowth like a firefly at night. Continuing the ground-inhabitant theme, the afternoon was spent out in the grasslands for Green Peafowl, four of which were seen beautifully. We also scored with a pair of Chinese Francolin staring up at us by the vehicle, not a regularly seen species here. A pair of Gold-crested Myna flew-by, adding to Robert’s temporary stationary birds earlier in the afternoon. A fruiting tree was a commotion of birds continually visiting; both Pink-necked and Orange-breasted Green Pigeons were numerous, as were Blossom-headed Parakeet while we also recorded Indochinese Cuckooshrike, 40+ Green Imperial Pigeons and eight Sambar came out to feed. At dusk, three Great Eared Nightjars came out to play. On our second morning, we delayed kick-off to see the family of wild Buff-cheeked Gibbon that swing by every morning to sing with the captive gibbons at the rehabilitation centre. Keeping with the wild versus captive, an adult Great Hornbill was feeding high in a fruiting tree, as two recently-released immature birds literally chased some of us around. Into the forest, and another Green Peafowl appeared by the track, a rather unwelcome surprise as it was Siamese Fireback we were driving around for, which we found, albeit all too briefly to soak in the true beauty of the bird. We continued to pick up a variety of classic tropical Asian species – White-browed Piculet, Abbott’s Wren Babbler, Black-and-red Broadbill, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, 10 circling migrant Oriental Pratincole, Little Bronze Cuckoo and a much better Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, perched, peering at us through holes in the vegetation. Back out in the afternoon, we hit a purple patch, literally, with several male Violet Cuckoo around us, nest-building Banded Broadbill, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, more Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, along with Laced, Great Slaty and Greater Yellownape and finally, Golden-crested Myna perched, though the threatening skies didn’t make for the most perfect light!

Northern Hawk Cuckoo and Indochinese Wren Babbler One morning remaining, and a handful of species still remained. We found the first, Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, at breakfast before heading back to the bamboo, two more peacock pheasants, Purple-naped Spiderhunter and singing Pale-legged Leaf Warbler followed before our second target, Siamese Fireback were feeding in clear view by the track, a stunning male, surely one of the finest-looking galliforms, with two intricately plumaged females. Further

down the track, a magnificent male Green Peafowl was regally stood in the middle of the road before trying to get some leverage for lift-off with its huge trailing vail, leeping up onto an open branch, 20 metres high – a fitting final sighting inside the park. Next it was time for some true Vietnamese endemics as we headed east to the Dalat highlands. Firstly, we made two excursions to Deo Nui San, a beautiful area of hill forest with a winding road cutting through the heart of it. Like any large forest block in Vietnam, there was plenty of legal and illegal timber extraction and hunting tracks leading into the forest, but there were still plenty of birds here. We had a fabulous time here, one of the best we’ve ever had – the afternoon session was frantic. The very first bird we lay our eager eyes on was the areas speciality and arch-skulker, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, with one of the pair singing in clear view for over two minutes. With such a performance we didn’t need to bother them again and left them to it. It’s a bittersweet sighting of this species, so highly-valued by us, but also by the bird trade. We used to find small groups of them easily here, but now a single sighting like this is to be treasured. Feeding flocks were omnipresent here – Black-crowned Parrotbills were the star in one, Grey-crowned Bushtits were regular components, Indochinese Barbets at a nest-hole, a hulking Red-vented Barbet sat out by the roadside and White-cheeked Laughingthrushes fed close-by. In addition to these, nest-building Long-tailed Broadbills, flyover Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons, Red-headed Trogon, Orange-headed Thrush and a single nudipes White-throated Needletail gave a nice fly-past – our third sighting here of this distinct Himalayan breeder on its presumed wintering grounds that were unknown until we discovered them here.

White-cheeked Laughingthrush and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush Returning predawn we were left frustrated as a Hodgson’s Frogmouth suddenly appeared by the roadside, only to be spooked by a vehicle allowing just a two second, at best, view for those looking the right way – frustrating even more with hindsight as this proved to be our only sighting as they remained largely silent from here on. After this, the diurnal birding soon took over, and for the first half of the morning we were awash with birds. Keeping a close eye to the sky, among the numerous Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Barred Cuckoo Doves and Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons we got an excellent, prolonged flyover from a much-wanted Yellow-vented Green Pigeon. A pair of Indochinese Green Magpies then gave us a typical run-around, how a great big, luminous-yellow, raucous species can evade near total dedication was beyond us but eventually it showed bits-and-pieces, and a lot of breast. Black-hooded Laughingthrush was next, with a pair perching up, followed by three Vietnamese Cutia putting on quite a display just in front of us. Feeding flocks contained several new species including Clicking Shrike Babbler, Speckled Piculet, Black-throated Sunbird and even a Collared Owlet was attracted, causing mayhem. A pair of Bar-backed Partridge then revealed themselves to some of us, but a Blue Pitta managed to completely evade our eyes in an impressive feat of camouflage. Not to be outdone, we tried a different area, where again a pitta remained invisible but this time three partridges put on a superb performance, throwing their heads back to call in clear view and running around manically to end the morning in style. Pushed a little bit for time, in the afternoon we birded a large area of conifer plantation, noting several Vietnamese Greenfinch, Red Crossbill, perched Eye-browed Thrush and a close flyby from a striking male Siberian Thrush. Just before dusk descended upon us, we scoped three Grey-crowned Crocias, one of the stars of Dalat, and nice to get this out the way so soon, typically with a Rufous-backed Sibia in-tow. Grey Nightjar perched and displayed around us, though the frogmouth again frustrated, and would do for the next couple of nights with just a couple of distant calls, giving us little hope of a sighting. The aptly named Dreams Hotel (the best possible breakfast, and complete with both vertical and horizontal shower – always a tour favourite!) was our base for the next three nights as we birded around the Dalat Plateau for a couple of days. We were pleased with clear skies on the first day and dreadful drizzle and high winds on our second morning.

Our first morning was superb. Once again we started the birding session with an endemic laughingthrush, this time with a pair of the outrageously coloured Collared Laughingthrush, shinning up a fallen trunk, then venturing across the open earth for us all to enjoy. Next, an agitated Lesser Shortwing appeared in full view too, before we headed into the forest. It was a bird-filled morning, in a small open area, created for photographers, Large Niltava, White-tailed Robin, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, and even an Indochinese Wren Babbler were practically begging for food, then a furtive party of Black-crowned Fulvetta suddenly appeared, giving cracking, close views. A Pygmy Cupwing was found calling next to the track, while further on we picked away at the Dalat endemic taxa – ocularis White-spectacled Warbler, prolonged views of Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktails, Blyth’s and Kloss’s Leaf Warblers, more Grey-crowned Bushtits, Golden-throated Barbet, robinsoni Black-headed Sibia, Grey-cheeked Warbler and a manic feeding flock contained a pair of excellent Yellow-billed Nuthatch. In the afternoon we birded more open grassland and conifers around Tuyen Lam lake, picking up ‘Dalat Grasshopper Warbler’, which predictably looked just like a Russet Grasshopper Warbler which it has generally considered part of. It also behaved just like one, running mouse-like around us giving excellent views but given it’s now split we decided to make a concerted effort for it at one of our old sites. An illegal gambling meet-up meant we had to turnaround shortly after so at a different spot we came across a real surprise, an adult Northern Hawk Cuckoo – seemingly the first documented record of the species in Southeast Asia. It was only a matter of time before one got identified on the mainland, given it winters in Borneo (and Sulawesi subregion) and breeds as close as Northeast China, perhaps now it will be found to be regular as more birders take note of their ‘Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo’ sightings in Vietnam. Once again, frogmouths were silent, but we did find a male Dalat Shrike-babbler roosting in front of us – strange way to see a new bird!

Rufous-throated Fulvetta and Rusty-naped Pitta Our second morning on the plateau saw us return to the higher elevation forests, this time however in drizzle and high winds, curtailing the first couple of hours to little action other than a bit of roadside walking! Eventually, the birding picked-up, and despite birding exactly the same area, had several additions, most notably the Blue Pitta, sat tall and proud as it called back to us, particularly pleasing for Graeme, as the long-running nemesis finally put to the sword. White-browed Scimitar Babbler, a brief Dalat Shrike-babbler, more Black-crowned Fulvetta and Vietnamese Cutia, Black-headed Sibia, Grey-bellied Tesia, Maroon Oriole, Little Pied Flycatcher, four Indochinese Wren Babbler, and even a Pygmy Flycatcher (possibly a new record for South Annam?) were all recorded. We returned once again to Tuyen Lam Lake in the afternoon, noting that the nice grassland we used to find Brown Prinia was now filed with half-built, decaying buildings already! Some very casual birding resulted in an array of more regular species such as Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Slender-billed Oriole, more greenfinch, five tame, eye-level Vietnamese Cutia, Hill Prinia, even finding an exposed Oriental Scops Owl in broad daylight, while at dusk, more Grey Nightjars were in full display. Leaving Dalat it was a long driving day, heading north into Kon Tum province. We did manage a bird of early morning birding, in the much changed Ta Nung Valley, that since our last tour has had a resort, restaurant and duck farm placed inside the forest! Incredibly, the reliable flock of Grey-crowned Crocias still linger in and around their favoured trees, despite the changes and we had great views, along with a sprinkling of other niceties. Further on, we fortuitously heard Brown Prinia from the bus, pulling over for great looks at a pair of the endemic rocki race, which is due for splitting very soon, and a rarely searched for bird in Vietnam. Mang Den is, or until very recently was, a huge area of submontane forest, visited by very, very few people until the local government decided to have a ‘Dalat of Kon Tum province’ and open up the forest with lots of new roads, bulldozers and ill-planned hydro-electric dams. When we first visited here in 2012 it offered perfect birding – quiet,

new roads cutting through large tracts of beautiful montane forest with little traffic and hunting levels were still quite low. How times change, with the larger birds vastly reduced and even the squirrels now noticeably rare. Clearings have popped up all over the place but the forest is still extensive and enjoyable to bird. Our main reason for being here was to find Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, found in 1996, described in 1999 and since only known from a couple of sightings until being discovered here. It took a while to find, but by late morning we were soaking in prolonged and repeated views of a parading pair that initially crept around us to sitting up to sing in their favoured forest edge and bamboo habitat. Besides this excitement, our day had many additional highlights of ‘supporting-cast’ species. When Coral-billed Scimitar Babblers are the first birds of the day, you know it’s going to be a good day, and so it proved. Though there were a few lulls in the birding, like everywhere in Vietnam, it was interspersed with feeding flocks, that contained such goodies as Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Rufous-faced Warblers, Grey-headed Parrotbills, black-crested gayeti Sultan Tits, more Grey-crowned Bushtits, and also the occasional solitary highlight such as Pale Blue Flycatcher, pairs of Black-hooded Laughingthrush, a cooperative Bay Woodpecker, Dalat Shrike Babbler, soaring Jerdon’s Baza, Besra, and Spot-throated Babbler – a fine songster that usually refuses to reveal itself from the dark interior. In the late afternoon, with little but monkeys left to search for we almost jumped out of our skin when a Rusty-naped Pitta called just off the road. Typically, it emanated from a near-impenetrable mess of rattan and tangles. We went through the motions and tried, but it continued to tantalize us just out of sight so we jokingly vowed to return at night and find it roosting… Back to the spot post-dusk, James went back into the tangles, knowing that pittas like slightly more open areas to roost and five minutes later announced it had been found! Instead of the very much circular route getting to the spot in the daylight the group ploughed straight through the rattan to the spot, and there it was, a big bundle of buff, green and rust! A single eye was keeping check on our silent excitement before our slightly disorientated selves left it in peace – what a day!

gayeti Sultan Tit and Indochinese Fulvetta Next destination was even more exciting, we finally visited Mount Ngoc Linh – a mountain James first tried to gain access to in 2004, being turned away by local officials at the time, then returning again in 2011, attempting to hike up the south side but running out of time. Now, there is a road slicing through the mountain range – great for us birders but such an ecological disaster with so little untouched tracts of forest now left here giving little long-term hope for its biodiversity. Our first bird, Black-crowned Barwing, is another found in 1996, described in 1999 species, we went on to find nine during the afternoon. Taking a trail upslope, made for some very lucrative Ginseng crops, we found a migrant Grey-crowned Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, all-to-brief Red-tailed Laughingthrush and even a fairly-brief female Purple Cochoa (a new Central Annam record), before finally hearing our target at the last minute – Golden-winged Laughingthrush. Another species found in 1996, but largely unobtainable until the construction of this new road, we got ourselves in position, and eventually had excellent, prolonged views of a pair hopping about around the trail, a real thrill for us all, and particularly for James, his final laughingthrush! Next up, without having to even move our binoculars, an Indochinese Fulvetta came into view – second lifer for all of us. Final bird of the day was a pair of Stripe-breasted Woodpecker before we called it a day. We returned to Ngoc Linh for half a morning, our main target, Red-tailed Laughingthrush finally showed superbly after a bit of a battle, with a pair opting to climb all the way up a large roadside tree, then gliding across the road in wonderful light, followed thereafter by another pair. Indochinese Fulvetta appeared at the roadside, and Ashy Woodpigeons also appeared – a recent addition to the Central Annam list. Feeding flocks were a little thin on the ground but we did find our only Ashy-throated Warbler of the trip, numerous Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, Green-tailed Sunbird and kingi Black-headed Sibia – much more numerous here than around Dalat now. Returning to the Purple Cochoa area, we must have been close to a fruiting tree as we discovered several Green Cochoa here giving beautiful

views, and a male Purple Cochoa for Graeme. A very long drive then followed to the coast, reaching Bach Ma National Park in the evening. Once again putting in the time and effort at Bach Ma reaped its rewards, despite its slow birding in general. Pre-dawn once again a Hodgson’s Frogmouth called, this time close but a protracted battle miraculously resulted in a negative outcome. After breakfast we kicked off proceedings the first of many Indochinese Yuhina, then pulses raced higher with a Blue-rumped Pitta feeding on the slope above us, then a klossi Hainan Blue Flycatcher – previously considered a Blue-throated, this taxon has an unstable plumage with a range of varieties within the population, and its exact placement is still a bit of a puzzle – particularly as nominate Hainan occurs on the lower slopes. A heavy-footed Indochinese Wren Babbler then came to check us out, hearing it hopping in well before it came into view, and a Black-throated Laughingthrush whistled away. A pair of Ratchet-tailed Treepie were enjoyed next, firstly feeding quietly close-by, then sitting out, calling. Keeping with the Corvidae theme, a pair of White-winged Magpie tree-hopped distantly above us before we headed to the lower slopes of the park. Heading a little lower, the first of several Black-browed Fulvetta appeared, then a stunning male Blyth’s Paradise-flycatcher in full song, a not-so-stunning Buff-breasted Babbler, before finishing the morning off in style with a particularly inquisitive Rufous-throated Fulvetta circling us, culminating in it sat singing for several minutes. The afternoon was pretty quiet until a pair of Chestnut-winged Cuckoos started ‘singing’, what must be the most ear-aching, awful song in Asia! These soon appeared, repeatedly coming into view, though usually briefly, and speaking of brief, another Indochinese Green Magpie appeared! A Ferruginous Flycatcher sallied from its favoured perch and a Silver-breasted Broadbill ate a fat bug before the heady mix of male Government officials and female western backpackers having their photos taken and chatting away made our mind up for heading elsewhere! A Collared Owlet sat calling above the car-park but then it all went quiet pretty quickly. Finally, this time our night-birding proved to be a resounding success, but for different reasons, first was the Malayan Krait, one of Asia’s most venomous snakes, but then, more importantly we found a gargantuan Spot-bellied Eagle Owl eyeing us up, really close, and just below eye-level. After disappearing then reappearing over a few minutes we went to bed extremely satisfied, a much-wanted bird for most of us. A second morning at Bach Ma was noticeably hotter, and far less birdy – in fact, we struggled to find anything much beyond our first Fork-tailed Sunbird, and distantly calling Annam Gibbons, despite our concerted efforts. Fitting for the day, it was not a bird that stole todays show, but a primate, as a troop of Red-shanked Douc’s were found feeding right above us, in the roadside trees giving us prolonged views of several female and babies, and the huge male, the last in line. A not-so-pleasant sweaty walk around the paddies and rubber in the heat of the day resulted in success with Masked Laughingthrush (along with displaying Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes).

Black-crowned Fulvetta and Limestone Leaf Warbler A long day drive heading towards Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park took us across a different route to the standard, shorter route. Following on from our pioneering 2012, and 2015, tour we birded a forested area close to the Laos border. Our target, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush was soon heard calling, with just a single bird that showed for a couple of seconds right where it was supposed to, at the right time. A Spot-necked Babbler, a denizen of the dark tangles then gave itself vertigo by sitting five metres up in a bare tree before we went back to the laughingthrushes, finding a new pair that presented themselves. The laughingthrush is a rarely encountered species restricted to the central Annamites, Mount Ba Vi and Hainan. As the weather turned for the worse, we continued on this remarkably traffic-free road cutting through beautiful tracts of sadly empty forest. The hunting along this stretch of the Annamites is kiddingly high, and very few, particularly terrestrial, mammals cling on here, so it was nice to find perched Pin-tailed Green Pigeons here once again, and we scoped a perched Mountain Hawk Eagle. Driving through some diverse scenery with occasional stops along the old Ho Chi Minh Trail, though not just beautiful tall forest but

also heavily-bombed defoliated forest and spectacular limestone karst we made a few birding stops but picked up surprisingly little of note. Our first Cook’s Swift came low ahead of a dark-looking front with the rain putting an end to any further birding. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, such an enthralling area of the Annamites, ‘protecting’ a large number of ungulates and primates, as well as home to some very range-restricted birds, amid a beautiful karst landscape, despite the mass carpet bombing of the entire park. The jaw-dropping landscape revealed itself as the light improved with huge, limestone cliffs towering over us on each side of the beautiful open gorge we walked along in the morning. Mist lay heavy on top of the vertical karst cliffs, and it took a while for things to get going, but once they did, they wouldn’t stop. First, a Limestone Leaf Warbler showed, albeit pretty distantly, then a single Sooty Babbler doing its thing –using its short wings and fanned tail to somehow feed on the cliff-face in search of spiders. Distant birds and primate-less cliff is not what we were here for however. Moving to a different spot, we hit jackpot immediately, with a Red-collared Woodpecker already drumming right next to our parking spot! One of the region’s most difficult species to encounter, we were ready for a struggle. Within 30 seconds the bird had flown up, clinging to a bare white trunk for those crucial few seconds, before flying across the road. It then did the unthinkable, and did the same over-and-over again for the next 15 minutes until we were all left totally satisfied with the jaw-dropping views of this fugacious species, and the fourth tour in a row we've found it here. Not to be outdone, John then announced he had some monkeys – Hatinh Langurs were sat in a tree beyond, munching away on their favourite leaves. A large flock of Thick-billed Green Pigeon sat digesting contained a pair of Yellow-vented Green Pigeon, great scope views. We rode out the rest of the morning on the back of these sightings before returning for more warbler action, this time finding a Limestone Leaf Warbler singing at eye-level by the roadside.

Grey Laughingthrush and Short-tailed Parrotbill Back out in the afternoon in much brighter conditions immediately finding a flock of Sooty Babblers, doing their thing – chirping to each other as they fed in the dense tangles and bits of exposed karst. With the parks main three prizes out of the way we birded a couple of different spots, with another threatening weather front bringing down large numbers of Cook’s Swifts. Asian Drongo Cuckoos were particularly conspicuous, possibly the most any of us have seen in a single afternoon (7?), sat out calling, and a Banded Bay Cuckoo also appeared. Sitting down for another coffee, our debating was suddenly halted by the cry of “HORNBILL”! Surprisingly, it was the rarest one of the possibilities, a single majestic Great, flying across the valley, though not the one we had been sat waiting for. Five minutes later, Jan-Joost pulled it out the bag, when a pair of Austen’s Hornbills decided to fly directly overhead, perfect! With no rarities to be found during our half morning, we returned inside the park, choosing another spot. On the way down we lucked out when a Large Scimitar Babbler flew across the road, so out we got and we treated to rare views of four calling birds of this usually coy and reclusive species. Further along, very pleasant birding resulted in Yellow-vented Flowerpeckers, Rufous Woodpeckers, yet more Asian Drongo Cuckoos and Chestnut-winged Cuckoos, Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo sat out calling until it was mobbed out of sight, and a passage of Black-naped Oriole. We then drove down to Húe, and flew up to the capital, Hanoi, with a short drive up to Tam Dao, with the locally rare Pied Kingfishers on the way. Tam Dao National Park epitomises everything that is wrong with law enforcement and mismanagement for preserving the country’s rich biodiversity. The old French hill-station is a favourite among Hanoi’s elite for its gambling, prostitution, karaoke and bushmeat, and for birders for its thick mist, rain and tough birding. However, it is the one realistic site in the country for finding two species difficult elsewhere, Grey Laughingthrush and Short-tailed Parrotbill.

Incredibly, and unthinkably, Tam Dao has been blessed with fine weather recently, and we had this during our morning. As usual when nice weather hits the hill-station, birds rarely sing (or show!), making it equally hard work as usual. One of the first birds we found however was a pair of impossibly minute Short-tailed Parrotbills, inquisitively coming over to check us out for a short while before melting back into the bamboo. Migrant Bianchi’s Warbler also appeared, then our first David’s Fulvetta, Silver-eared Mesia, Red-headed Trogon, then Chestnut Bulbul, followed by prolonged views of a pair of reticent Red-billed Scimitar Babbler. Finally, we headed deep into the bamboo forest, where one of the few remaining flocks of Grey Laughingthrush persist. Not long into the walk we found all four of them, which over time ended up giving us our best-ever views of this incredibly smart and under-rated laughingthrush. We then got the Tam Dao experience, as mist floated in, giving an eerie-feel to the landscape and a Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler perched out on open branches appearing completely featureless thanks to the mist! Nearly back to the bus, another Short-tailed Parrotbill appeared, giving prolonged views as the mist had lifted somewhat. A bit of raptor passage also began, bizarrely including Osprey, both Japanese and Chinese Sparrowhawk, and a Pied Harrier. Afternoon we switched to the lower slopes as the weather had closed in higher up. Sadly, much of the habitat here is also having a make-over, and the construction made it difficult for any successful birding. Some migrants appeared, including a gorgerous male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Sunbird were common, our first Japanese Tits but otherwise it was fairly quiet. A couple of remaining hours next morning saw us split between the top and bottom. Up top, it was quiet with wind and some mist making it difficult, frustratingly Asian Stubtail appeared all-to-briefly for most of us, with just a Radde’s Warbler as compensation and some nicely perched Eye-browed Thrushes before they headed off north. While lower down we struggled to find anything of note! With one final destination left on the tour, we headed north, deep in northern Bac Kan province, close to the Chinese border, at the scenic Ba Be National Park, for one of Asia’s least-known species; White-eared Night Heron. Up until about 10 years ago, this species was only known from a handful of sites in remote areas of southeast China where odd birds had been seen flying over rivers at dusk, since then the species has slowly started to be found at several further sites in China, nearly all of which are remote and difficult to obtain anything other than brief flight views at dusk. Ba Be until until last year was still the most reliable place anywhere to find them, with nests being found annually for the past eight years. Unfortunately, despite much effort by the local ranger, Mr Chat, he was unable to locate the nest this year, and instead we had to try and find them ourselves and wait at dusk and dawn without success, really frustrating but not a lot you can do when the local communities are such rabid hunters, even of nocturnal herons! Birding is always hard-work here, Limestone Leaf Warbler was seen again, and the highlight was the outstanding views of a family of White-winged Magpies flying around opposite us, regularly perching, before disappearing over us. White-bellied Green Pigeon was new for the trip, and for many of us, Black-capped Kingfishers were also present and excellent views of a freshly returned, singing Crow-billed Drongo was probably more appreciated by James than the rest of the group of this rarely-encountered late returning migrant. The long journey back to Hanoi was typically uneventful, then finding a lovely little restaurant to toast to the three-weeks of hard birding but with rich rewards and memories. On departure day, a few of us had evening flights, allowing for a morning visit to Van Long Nature Reserve. This natural lake, circuited on the north side by impressive tall limestone karst is the only safe home for the Critically Endangered Delacour’s Langur. Just twenty years ago they were still hunted here, but thanks to massive conservation efforts, this is the one, single success story in the whole country, tragically. Taking a boat out across the lake, towards the feeding langur, we notched up several species not seen elsewhere, including Purple Swamphen, White-browed Crake, Stejneger’s Stonechat, Yellow-bellied Prinia (‘Chinese Prinia’) and Yellow Bittern, before we were treated to good views of the langurs, agilely feeding and jumping around the karst. Around the limestone we also found our single avian target, Limestone Wren Babbler, which were easily found and enjoyed, making a nice ending. Bird-of-the-tour

1 Bar-bellied Pitta 2 Rusty-naped Pitta 3 Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush 4= Rufous-throated Fulvetta 4= Grey-crowned Crocias 4= Bar-backed Partridge

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Blyth’s Frogmouth and Large-tailed Nightjar

Buff-cheeked Gibbon, male and female

Bar-bellied Pitta and Blue-rumped Pitta

Snowy-browed Flycatcher and Orange-headed Thrush

Spotted Forktail and Vietnamese Cutia

White-tailed Robin, female and male

Oriental Scops Owl and rocki Brown Prinia

Collared Owlet and Large Niltava

Hatinh Langur and Red-shanked Douc

Black-browed Fulvetta and Yellow-billed Nuthatch

Red-collared Woodpecker and klossi Hainan Blue Flycatcher

Systematic List GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus Scaly-breasted Partridge Tropicoperdix chloropus cognacqi Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis annamensis heard only Arborophila rufogularis guttata heard only Bar-backed Partridge Arborophila brunneopectus henrici Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi Germain's Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron germaini Green Peafowl Pavo muticus PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae 'Eastern' Great Egret Ardea [albus] modestus Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Little Egret Ardea [albus] modestus Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus Cattle Egret Ardea ibis coromandus Striated Heron Butorides striata Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus haliaetus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni jerdoni Oriental Honeybuzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus hypoleucus White-bellied Fish Eagle Icthyophaga leucogaster Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela burmanicus Spilornis cheela ricketti Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos Crested Goshawk Lophospiza trivirgatus Shikra Tachyspiza badius Besra Tachyspiza virgatus Chinese Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza soloensis Japanese Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza gularis Grey-faced Buzzard Bustastur indicus Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Mountain Hawk Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio viridis White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall minor Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Introduced Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta Ashy-headed Green Pigeon Treron phayrei Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra White-bellied Green Pigeon Treron sieboldii Yellow-vented Green Pigeon Treron siemundi Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura Ashy Woodpigeon Columba pulchricollis Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor Northern Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx hyperythrus Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Little Bronze Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus heard only Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia lettia heard only Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia distans Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides deinani Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae Hodgson's Frogmouth Batrachostomus hodgsoni Blyth's Frogmouth Batrachostomus affinis continentalis CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis cerviniceps Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus bimaculatus Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jokarta APODIFORMES: Apodidae Edible-nest (Germain's) Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus germani Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus nudipes Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Cook's Swift Apus [pacificus] cooki House Swift Apus [affinis] nipalensis TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios stellae CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella heard only White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis leucomelanurus CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

'Indochinese' Roller Coracias [benghalensis] affinis Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis CORACIIFORMES: Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Austen's Hornbill Anorrhinus austeni PICIFORMES: Capitonidae Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineata hodgsoni Red-vented Barbet Psilopogon lagrandieri Green-eared Barbet Psilopogon faiostricta Golden-throated Barbet Psilopogon franklinii auricularis Psilopogon franklinii franklinii Indochinese Barbet Psilopogon annamensis Moustached Barbet Psilopogon incognitus heard only Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon australis cyanotis Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephala indica PICIFORMES: Picidae Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus delacouri Stripe-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos atratus annamensis Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus annamensis Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus hessei Red-collared Woodpecker Picus rabieri Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus guttacristatus Pale-headed Woodpecker Gecinulus grantia indochinensis Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis Black-and-buff Woodpecker Meiglyptes jungularis Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus laoensis Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos siamensis Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus friedmanni Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae dalhousiae Psarisomus dalhousiae divinus Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus elisabethae Serilophus lunatus atrestus heard only PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Blue-rumped Pitta Hydrornis soror soror Hydrornis soror annamensis Rusty-naped Pitta Hydrornis oatesi bolovenensis Blue Pitta Hydrornis cyanea willoughbyi Bar-bellied Pitta Hydrornis elliotii

PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis hainanus Tephrodornis gularis mekongensis Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus picatus PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei siamensis Coracina macei rexpineti Indochinese Cuckooshrike Lalage polioptera Black-winged Cuckooshrike Lalage melaschistos Swinhoe's Minivet Pericrocotus cantonensis Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus semiruber Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus annamensis Short-billed Minivet Phoenicurus fuliginosus Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris deignani PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides nigricapillus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach schach Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae Dalat Shrike Babbler Pteruthius annamensis Blyth's Shrike Babbler Pteruthius aeralatus ricketti Clicking Shrike Babbler Pteruthius intermedius indochinensis Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis diffusus Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris invisus Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii traillii Oriolus traillii robinsoni PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus thai Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus bondi Dicrurus leucophaeus leucogenis Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus aenus Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer tectirostris Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus hottentottus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus grandis Dicrurus paradiseus rangoonensis PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Blyth's Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis indochinensis PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius leucotis

Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha magnirostris White-winged Magpie Urocissa whiteheadi xanthomelana Indochinese Green Magpie Cissa hypoleuca hypoleuca Cissa hypoleuca chauleti Racket-tailed Treepie Crypsirina temia Ratchet-tailed Treepie Temnurus temnurus Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii macrorhynchos PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus templorum Japanese Tit Parus minor commixtus Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus legendrei Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus basileus Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus klossi Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea sultanea Melanochlora sultanea gayeti PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps atriceps Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus johnsoni Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster germani Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni eous Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens sordidus Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier jambu Streak-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus [blanfordi] conradi Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus annamensis Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus hallae Grey-eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua simulator Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala remotus Chestnut Bulbul Hemixos castanonotus Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii griseiventer Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus sinensis Hypsipetes leucocephalus leucothorax PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis Red-rumped (Daurian) Swallow Cecropis daurica japonica Striated (Daurian) Swallow Cecropis striolata stanfordi Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus dasypus PASSERIFORMES: Pnoepygidae Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla annamensis PASSERIFORMES: Cettidae Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis Mountain Tailorbird (Leaftoiler) Phyllergates cuculatus Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae Grey-crowned Bushtit Aegithalos annamensis PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus Radde's Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Two-barred Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarus

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides ticehursti Kloss's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti klossi Limestone Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus calciatilis Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys White-spectacled Warbler Seicercus affinis ocularis Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps collinsi Alstrom's Warbler Seicercus soror Bianchi's Warbler Seicercus valentini Grey-crowned Warbler Seicercus tephrocephalus PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae 'Dalat Grasshopper Warbler' Locustella [mandelli] idoneus PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa rocki Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris klossi Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens beavani Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii erro Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris delacouri PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae Pin-striped Tit Babbler Mixornis gularis versuricola Mixornis gularis lutescens Indochinese Tit Babbler Mixornis kelleyi Golden Babbler Cyanoderma chrysaea Large Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus hypoleucos White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps annamensis Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ferruginosus dickinsoni Red-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus o. ochraceiceps Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis reconditus Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Spot-necked Babbler Stachyris striolata tonkinensis PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae Collared Babbler Gampsorhynchus torquatus Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala Black-browed Fulvetta Alcippe grotei David's Fulvetta Alcippe davidi schaefferi Annam (Mountain) Fulvetta Alcippe [peracensis] annamensis Black-crowned Fulvetta Schoeniparus klossi Rufous-winged Fulvetta Schoeniparus castaneceps stepanyani Rufous-throated Fulvetta Schoeniparus rufogularis kelleyi Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum indochinense Buff-breasted Babbler Trichastoma tickelli annamense Trichastoma tickelli fulvum Spot-throated Babbler Pellorneum albiventre cinnamomeum Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Indochinese Wren Babbler Rimator danjoui parvirostris Rimator danjoui danjoui Rimator danjoui ssp. nov. Abbott's Wren Babbler Turdinus abbotti williamsoni Turdinus abbotti altera Limestone Wren Babbler Turdinus crispifrons annamensis Streaked Wren Babbler Turdinus brevicaudatus stevensi Eye-browed Wren Babbler Napothera epilepidota clara heard only PASSERIFORMES: Leiotrichidae

Black-throated Laughingthrush Ianthocincla chinensis White-cheeked Laughingthrush Ianthocincla vassali Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush Ianthocincla konkakinhensis Grey Laughingthrush Garrulax maesi Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax castinotis Masked Laughingthrush Garrulax perspicillatus White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti milleti Garrulax milleti sweeti Orange-breasted Laughingthrush Stactocichla annamensis Golden-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron ngoclinhense Collared Laughingthrush Trohalopteron yersini Red-tailed Laughingthrush Trohalopteron milnei Black-headed Sibia Heterophasia desgodinsi robinsoni Heterophasia desgodinsi kingi Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris ricketti Leiothrix argentauris cunhaci Rufous-backed Sibia Minla annectens exima Black-crowned Barwing Actinodura sodangoram Blue-winged Siva Actinodura cyanouroptera orientalis Chestnut-tailed Minla Actinodura strigula traii Grey-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Black-crowned Parrotbill Psittiparus margeritae Grey-headed Parrotbill Psittiparus gularis Short-tailed Parrotbill Neosuthora davidiana tokinensis Indochinese Fulvetta Fulvetta danisi PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus siamensis Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus simplex Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta intermedia Indochinese Yuhina Yuhina torqueola PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis grisiventris Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae fortior PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Golden-crested Myna Ampeliceps coronatus Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Vinous-breasted Myna Acridotheres burmannicus leucocephalus Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra

White-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula monileger Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata fuscogularis Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia Pygmy Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsoni Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana Verditer Warbling-flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Large Niltava Niltava grandis decorata Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae Hainan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hainanus hainanus Cyornis hainanus klossi Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucurum Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius pandoo Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea Stejneger's Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys langbianensis Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti indicus heard only Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus robinsoni Blue Whistling-thrush Myophonus caeruleus eugenei Myophonus caeruleus caeruleus PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis moluccensis cochinchinensis Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons inornata Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii melliana PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Thick-billed Flowerpecker Pachyglossa agile modestum Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Pachyglossa chrysorrhea Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor olivaceum Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis malacensis Van Hasselt's Sunbird Leptocoma brasiliana Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis flamaxillaris Cinnyris jugularis rhizophorae Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae annamensis Fork-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga christinae Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Aethopyga singalensis koratensis Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata johnsi Aethopyga saturata ochra Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis ezrai Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja mangini Purple-naped Spiderhunter Arachnothera hypogrammica mariae Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra sordida Arachnothera longirostra pallida Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus House Sparrow Passer domesticus Plain-backed Sparrow Passer flaveolus PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus White Wagtail Motacilla alba alboides Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus rufulus Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidea Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra meridionalis Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila

MAMMALS Northern Treeshrew Tupaia belangeri Northern Slender-tailed Treeshrew Dendrogale murina Delacour's Langur Trachypithecus delacouri Hatinh Langur Trachypithecus hatinhensis Red-shanked Douc Pygathrix nemaeus Black-shanked Douc Pygathrix nigripes Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis Introduced Buff-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus gabriellae Annam Gibbon Nomascus annamensis Masked Palm Civet Paguma larvata Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Lesser Mouse-deer Tragulus kanchil Sambar Cervus unicolor Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor Pallas' Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus flavimanus Callosciurus erythraeus erythraeus Variable Squirrel Callosciurus finlaysonii Eastern Striped Squirrel Tamiops maritimus Red-cheeked Squirrel Dremomys rufigenis Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista philippensis

Tam Dao National Park © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia