CHINA’S SICHUAN TOUR REPORT 2026

7/10 – 30 May 2026

Pete Morris

Sichuan really is becoming a strong contender for one of those “must-do” tours! I guess it always has been, but now we are able to see more than ever, better than ever, and in more comfort than ever before. All of the accommodations are extremely good, the food is excellent (although you do have to enjoy Chinese cuisine!), the roads are incredible (the tunnels and bridges have to be seen to be believed), and a series of hides has made some previously very difficult species easy to see!

As usual we recorded in the region of 350 species of birds in total, and amongst these were a mouthwatering array of specialities! Perhaps pride of place went to the clean sweep of eighteen species of incredible gamebirds, which included such sought-after species as the stunning Chinese Monal, the eye-wateringly beautiful Lady Amherst’s and Golden Pheasants, the beautiful polka-dotted Temminck’s Tragopan and the rare and localized Sichuan Partridge. Other favourites included such stunners as Przevalski’s Finch (the unique ‘Pinktail’ is now in its own family), powerful Saker Falcons, the fabulous Firethroat, beautiful Chinese Rubythroats, nine incredible species of parrotbills, stunning Crested and White-browed Tit-warblers, the gorgeous Przevalski’s Nuthatch, a plethora of rare and attractive laughingthrushes, and rarities such as Blue-fronted Robin and Golden-fronted Fulvetta. Oh, and we also saw a fine Red Panda. The highlights were really too plentiful to list, and the above is merely scratching the surface!

We began the tour with a pre-tour visit to Yunnan where we spent three days cleaning up a modest target list of goodies. We began in an area of coniferous forest close to the capital Lijiang, where, at dawn, quite literally the first bird of the tour was a superb Himalayan Owl. The forest here yielded the smart Yunnan Nuthatch as well as a number of other goodies including a showy Large Hawk Cuckoo, Green Shrike-Babbler, Black-browed Bushtit, Spectacled and Rusty-capped Fulvettas, Black-streaked Scimitar Babler, colourful Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds, and the smart Yunnan form of Godlewski’s Buntings. Moving on we checked an area of riverine scrub where we soon found a small group of Eye-ringed Parrotbills (see the systematic list for the confused taxonomy of the birds here), as well as Striped Prinia, our first of many Rufous-breasted Accentors, smart white-headed Black Bulbuls, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Pale Martin, and a Rosy Minivet. After a fine lunch, we made the scenic drive to the Liju area and checked in to our comfortable country hotel.

During our brilliant stay in the Liju area, we were assisted by the excellent local bird guide who has set up a series of feeding stations, and we spent much time around these areas. Pride of place went to the laughingthrushes, and we enjoyed fabulous views of the rare White-speckled and (Western) Moustached Laughingthrushes at virtual touching distance! Also present was a fabulous Spotted Laughingthrush, as well as a smart White-throated and numerous Elliot’s Laughingthrushes. We spent some time at a hide where we were fortunate to see a brilliant pair of Mrs Hume’s Pheasants, whilst other favourites during our stay included our first Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, smart Manipur and White-browed Fulvettas, White-collared and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-winged Blackbirds, (Yellow-billed) Blue Whistling Thrush, colourful Daurian, Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts, Crested Finchbills, pretty Grey-headed and subtle Brown Bullfinches and stunning Yellow-throated Buntings as well as our first immersion into confusing Phylloscopus warblers which included Ashy-throated, Yellow-streaked, Buff-throated, Grey-crowned, Blyth’s Leaf and Davison’s Leaf Warblers. A diverse genus in this part of the world, and one that was sure to cause much head-scratching over the next few weeks!

Having seen all that we hoped to at Liju, we set off early the following morning and headed back towards Lijiang. Having passed a vast solar farm, we paused to admire the Yangtze River, finding an unexpected Hill Blue Flycatcher. Some targeted birding then finally yielded our first Rufous-tailed Babbler (a bird that gave us a real runaround this year!), a smart pair of Black-bibbed Tits and an Indian Blue Robin, and some stops around a wetland yielded some Grey-backed Shrikes as well as a Clamorous Reed Warbler and a few common waterbird species. After lunch in Liju we embarked upon a bit of an afternoon adventure, crossing a tortuous pass up to a village where we soon found a pair of the hoped-for Black-tailed Crake. Also here were a couple of Chestnut Thrushes and Southern Nutcrackers, rounding off our birding in Northern Yunnan. Later that evening we flew to Chengdu, where we kicked off the main tour the following morning.

We quite literally started with a stroll in a park, where we found an unexpected Eye-browed Thrush as well as numerous Chinese Blackbirds, Light-vented Bulbuls, White-browed Laughingthrushes, a smart male Fork-tailed Sunbird, a cheeky flock of Black-throated Bushtits and a Vinous-throated Parrotbill amongst a group of hybrid Vinous-throated x Ashy-throated Parrotbills. We returned to the hotel for a buffet breakfast and then made our way to the Tanshi area, where we spent a day and a half, largely in a series of hides!

Hides in China, and indeed anywhere else, are a double-edged sword. Intensely boring at times and thrillingly rewarding at others, and these hides were no exception. Long stints of tedium, watching little but squirrels were eventually rewarded with stunning views of exquisite Lady Amherst’s and Silver Pheasants as well as Chinese Bamboo Partridges and, on our second morning, the real star of the show, a brilliant pair of attractive Sichuan Partridges. A few other interesting species visited the hides including gangs of Buffy Laughingthrushes, smart endemic Emei Liocichlas, brilliant Grey-hooded and Golden-breasted Fulvettas, superb Golden Parrotbills, countless colourful Red-billed Leiothrix, and smart Chinese Babaxes amongst others. With a no show from the hoped-for tragopan (that one would have to wait) we had little time for proper birding, but did still manage to see a confiding Sichuan Bush Warbler, some distinctive Sulphur-breasted Warblers, our first genuine Ashy-throated Parrotbill, David’s Fulvettas, Indochinese and Black-chinned Yuhinas, and an impressive Great Barbet. Tragopanless, we made the short drive to Wawu Shan, where we settled in to our next comfortable base.

Wawu Shan is a very popular destination for Chinese tourists, and for the next three mornings we queued with and took the exhilarating cable car ride up the mountain with hordes of other visitors. Once at the top you enter another world, and an easy walkway leads around the ‘table mountain’ top, passing through great swathes of bamboo forest. It was easy enough to escape the crowds, and other than the persistent fog, the birding was superb. Pride of place went to a simply stunning male Firethroat which glowed out at us from just a few metres away, sometimes even hopping under the boardwalk. Our focus was on parrotbills, and to this end we were very successful with great views of the rare Grey-hooded Parrotbill, the endemic Three-toed Parrotbill, the hulking Great Parrotbill and more widespread Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills. Also here were Necklaced, Darjeeling and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers (the latter of the localized black-bodied form), a smart Golden Bush Robin, Spotted, Yellow-bellied and Aberrant Bush Warblers, Bianchi’s, Buff-throated, Claudia’s, Large-billed, Ashy-throated, Buff-barred and Sichuan Leaf Warblers, smart Black-throated Laughingthrushes, exquisite Red-tailed Minlas, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Rufous-gorgeted, Ferruginous and Dark-sided Flycatchers, a surprise Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, Rufous-vented and Yellow-browed Tits, our first Vinaceous Rosefinch and, perhaps best of all, a Red Panda. We also birded a little lower down, where a female Temminck’s Tragopan was see; yes we’d seen one but we’d not sated our appetite for this species. Also here were a Bay Woodpecker,  smart Red-winged Laughingthrushes, a showy Pygmy Cupwing, Chestnut-flanked White-eyes and Marten’s Warbler, whilst lower still we found Alstrom’s Warbler and a confiding Dusky Fulvetta. It had been a good, if somewhat foggy visit to this wonderful site, but it was time to move on, and we made the longish but straightforward drive to Moxi, before transferring to the park bus and entering the scenic Hailuoguo Glacier Park.

Hailuoguo was a stunning area, but will leave mixed memories in our minds after macaque-gate!! That aside, it was a pleasant visit and we found some key birds including some confiding Sichuan Treecreepers, rare Blue-fronted Robins, a perky (Chinese) Scaly-breasted Cupwing and smart Fire-fronted Tits, as well as more widespread species such as spritely Chestnut-headed Tesias, a fantastic pair of Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers and a couple of Rufous-bellied Niltavas. Sadly, the hoped for Pere David’s Tits failed to materialize…another one for later!

The following morning found us on the lower slopes of Erlang Shan. Here, the undoubted highlight was a ridiculously confiding pair of Barred Laughingthrushes! Ridiculous as this species can often be difficult to see! Also here was another appreciated Rufous-tailed Babbler, a flock of Speckled Wood Pigeons, a couple of endemic Sharpe’s Rosefinches, subtle Yellow-streaked Warblers, and a feisty little Collared Owlet, peering down at us from a roadside sapling! Further explorations in the area were thwarted by the fact that more areas were now closed to visitors, and we made our way to Longcanggou, our next base. That afternoon we got some excellent views of Kloss’s Leaf Warbler, and walked up and down nearly 1200 slippery steps! One lives and learns!!

We were out early the following morning and soon had our eyes popping out of our faces as an absolutely jaw-dropping male Temminck’s Tragopan paraded on the road in front of us! So much better as a complete surprise, it was hard to wipe the smiles off our faces!! We then embarked upon our Golden-fronted Fulvetta hunt… The first one was elusive, but then we got some amazing views of one of these tiny little gems. Further explorations yielded a number of great birds including the hoped for Emei Leaf Warbler, some gorgeous Yellow-bellied Tits, more Golden Parrotbills, a family of White-backed Woodpeckers, Grey-headed and more Necklaced Woodpeckers, lots of Brown Dippers, ‘Black-billed’ Whistling Thrushes and, after significant effort, a pair of Chinese Blue Flycatchers! The skies were busy too, with Mountain Hawk-Eagles, displaying Black Bazas, smart Chinese Sparrowhawks, White-throated Needletails and Himalayan Swiftlets. Remarkably, we had more amazing views of a pair of Tragopans the following morning, a smart Little Forktail before once again moving on!

We paused for lunch in the steamy lowlands near to Ya’an, where we took a short stroll through some gardens, notching up several hoped-for species including Swinhoe’s Minivet, attractive Rufous-faced Warblers, Black-naped Oriole and a busy flock of Ashy-throated Parrotbills. We then made our way to the Wolong area, and spent an hour or two at Lama Temple, where the highlight was a cracking male Slaty Bunting.

We had three mornings to explore the higher areas above Wolong, along the road up to Balang Shan. The weather was perfect for us revealing the stunning vistas, and giving us multiple opportunities to enjoy the incredible Chinese Monals. Also here were attractive White Eared Pheasants and Chestnut-throated Monal Partridges, whilst a variety of passerines included lovely Blue-fronted and White-throated Redstarts, Himalayan Bluetails, Dark-breasted, Chinese White-browed and more Sharpe’s Rosefinches, the stout Crimson-browed Finch, White-winged Grosbeaks, Rosy and Olive-backed Pipits, (Alpine) Tickell’s Leaf Warblers and our first impressive Giant Laughingthrushes. It took a concerted effort to find the sneaky Sichuan Thrush, but find it we did! As the temperatures rose, Himalayan Buzzards, Himalayan Griffons and Lammergeiers lifted into the skies, whilst higher up, we scanned the ridges, finding distant Snow Partridges, Tibetan Snowcocks, a Golden Eagle, Grandalas and Red-billed and Alpine Choughs. We also came across our first Sichuan Tits, and Pink-rumped and Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinches

In the intervening afternoons, we again explored lowland areas nearer to Wolong. Here the absolute stars of the show were the superb Golden Pheasants that put on quite a show. Some confiding Speckled Wood Pigeons were appreciated, and we also spent a lot of time seeking out the localized Sooty Bushtit, but came up short, only finding birds which appear to be clear intergrades between Sooty and Black-browed, and indeed it seems that nearly all recent records from the area refer to such individuals!

We left Wolong on another gloriously sunny day and made our way north to Mearkang. On what was another fairly long and windy but scenic drive, we made an extended stop along a river gorge with some impressive cliffs. Here we found the attractive ‘Chinese’ Long-tailed Rosefinch as well as some smart Hodgson’s Redstarts, plenty of Eurasian Crag Martins, some Salim Ali’s Swifts, and, for some, Hill Pigeons and a brief Wallcreeper – two more to add to the find again list!!

Our full day on Mengbi Shan was another great day! Stunning weather and gorgeous vistas were supplemented by a great list of desired birds, headed by a showy group of Sichuan Jays, a brilliant pair of Przevalski’s Nuthatches and a pair of exquisite Crested Tit-warblers. We also found our first Chinese Fulvettas, and Slaty-backed Flycatchers, got some great looks at Tibetan Serins, saw some incredibly confiding Giant Laughingthrushes and, in the afternoon, found a singing Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler which gave some great views and was much appreciated. Other goodies included our first Blood Pheasants, another White-eared Pheasant, numerous Hume’s Warblers and our first attractive White-backed Thrush.

The following day was a travel day with numerous birding stops, as we made our way into real Tibetan territory. We began at a pass where delightful White-bellied Redstarts, Dusky Warblers and ‘normal’ Godlewski’s Buntings entertained. As the landscape turned to open grassland with huge herds of yak, Black-eared Kites and Upland Buzzards became more frequent, and we began to see our first stately Black-necked Cranes, a species which is pretty widespread on the plateau. A trio of Giant Grey Shrikes were much appreciated, and other roadside stops added numerous Ruddy Shelducks, smart Bar-headed Geese, a handful of Daurian Jackdaws, including a well-trained bird, interesting Ground Tits and, around the frequent colonies of cute Plateau Pikas, our first smart White-rumped Snowfinches. As we neared Rouergai, excitement rose, and almost as soon as we began to explore an attractive scrubby side valley, a glowing pink blob could be seen on top of a shrub. It was of course a male Przevalski’s Finch (Pinktail) that was facing us, its ridiculous tail the colour of a fluorescent pink highlighter! We watched the pair for a while, soaking it in… what an unreal bird! A couple of other stops yielded our first Rufous-necked Snowfinches and a delightful pair of pastel-hued White-browed Tit-warblers; it had been a decent day!

The following day we explored the open terrain north of Rouergai. Here, Tibetan Gazelles, Tibetan Foxes and a Greater Hog Badger entertained, and after a couple of brief views, we found a fantastic pair of Saker Falcons of the heavily-barred milvipes subspecies. They had just dispatched a poor Red-billed Chough, and we watched the female pluck, decapitate and eat the poor chough whilst the male kept the scavenging kites at bay. Quite a sight! We then made our way to Flower Lake, once again joining the hordes of domestic tourists. We spent an excellent few hours on the boardwalks here, enjoying such goodies as Tibetan Lark, the black-backed form of Citrine Wagtail and, perhaps best of all, a confiding Brown-cheeked Rail. Also here were smart Ferruginous Ducks and Red-crested Pochards, a surprise Whooper Swan, White-winged and Whiskered Terns and a number of other more common and widespread waterbirds. Later, we visited a scrubby valley nearer to our hotel, finally finding our first White-browed Tit, and we also saw a smart pair of Tibetan Partridges.

The following full day was spent in the vicinity of Baxi. The weather was a bit wet and changeable, and we got off to a sluggish start before finally finding some much appreciated Blue-eared Pheasants wandering around in a field. A showy Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush was much appreciated, and an extremely confiding Koklass Pheasant a complete surprise! We tried hard to find Chinese Grouse, but only succeeded in hearing their wing-beat display, found a smart male Three-banded Rosefinch, and worked hard to find Spectacled Parrotbill, eventually getting some great looks and seeing our first Chinese Leaf Warblers nearby. After a decent day, we still had a few birds to find!

The next day we set off early in the rain, and once again the weather did not look great. Roadside Blood and Blue Eared Pheasants raised the spirits, and, as the rain abated, we took a lovely walk through some fantastic old pine forest where we found a fabulous male Chinese Grouse. Also here was a confiding White-browed Bush Robin, some smart Maroon-backed Accentors, and some sneaky Long-tailed Thrushes. Continuing on, a roadside stop produced our only Peregrine of the tour. It flew past, with prey dangling and perched. Low and behold, two of the world’s fasted birds had combined, and the Peregrine was tucking in to a hapless White-throated Needletail. Quite amazing! Right by our lunch stop, some flowering elms were alive with colourful Collared Grosbeaks and Grey-headed Bullfinches, and continuing on we were delighted to find a smart male Wallcreeper on a roadside cliff.

Our aim was to bird an area of mixed montane forest late in the afternoon and this proved to be extremely successful, as first we found a group of four lovely Pere David’s Tits, followed by a cheeky group of half a dozen or more Sooty Bushtits. And these were textbook examples, quite unlike the birds we had struggled with at Wolong a few days earlier! Another great day, and we rolled into our comfortable hotel in Chuanzhusi, ready for yet another lavish Chinese buffet!!

We explored the higher reaches of Xuebaoding NNR the following morning, in what is known as the Huanglong Scenic Area. We began with a pair of Streaked Rosefinch and a smart male Siberian Rubythroat. And then another male Siberian Rubythroat, and another male Siberian Rubythroat… I think we actually got to a dozen before we finally found what we were looking for, a fantastic male Chinese Rubythroat! It’s not often one finds twelve male Siberian Rubythroats and is disappointed!! We also got some great looks at White-browed Tits, and higher up some close views of smart Tibetan Snowcocks and scope views of Grandalas. Plain Mountain Finch was new, and three White-cheeked Starlings at the pass were a complete surprise. It had been another lovely morning in, once again, incredible scenery.

That afternoon we explored some forest lower down. Here our objective was to find a Snowy-browed (or Chinese) Nuthatch, and fortunately that did not take us too long. We enjoyed more views of a number of now familiar species and stopped off at a pass where another Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush and more Maroon-backed Accentors obliged.

On our final day, we had very little to look for and a long way to go. We did enjoy some point blank views of some attractive species such as Chinese Fulvetta and Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, and attempted to see Spectacled Fulvetta in Sichuan, though only managed to hear and glimpse them. We took the time on the journey to reflect back on what had been an awesomely successful tour around a fantastic part of the world. It had been more than ten years since I had been in this part of the world and things had really moved on. Hotels are now largely excellent, roads and transport vastly improved and modern phone translators, and eSims also combine to make the whole experience much easier and more fulfilling! On top of that, the birding is as good as ever, or even better, thanks to the new hides! Indeed I can see this rapidly becoming one of my favourite tours and I cannot wait to return!

BIRD OF THE TOUR

MAIN TOUR (SICHUAN)

1^st Chinese Monal

2^nd= Temminck’s Tragopan

2^nd= Lady Amherst’s Pheasant 

4^th Firethroat

5^th Sichuan Partridge

6^th Crested Tit-warbler

7^th Saker

8^th Przevalski’s Nuthatch

9^th Przevalski’s Finch (Pinktail!)

10^th Giant Laughingthrush

In what was a great tour with so many stunning highlights, no fewer than 43 species received at least one vote!

PRE-TOUR (YUNNAN)

1^st White-speckled Laughingthrush

2^nd= Mrs Hume’s Pheasant

2^nd= (Western) Moustached Laughingthrush

4^th Black-tailed Crake

5^th Himalayan Owl

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

BIRDS

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g.: it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species). 

Species marked (Y) were only recorded on the pre-tour extension to Yunnan.

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows AviList v2025 (AviList Core Team. 2025. AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025). AviList was first published in June 2025, and is a global checklist which brings together the taxonomies of the eBird (Clements taxonomy), IOC, and Birdlife International checklists, and will ultimately replace those checklists. The AviList Global Avian Checklist is available at www.avilist.org.

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses, usually at the end of the species comment.

Whooper Swan  Cygnus cygnus   One seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Bar-headed Goose ◊  Anser indicus   21 seen in two groups on the drive to Rouergai, and c10 more seen at Flower Lake.

Greylag Goose  Anser anser   Plenty seen well, including many pairs with cygnets, at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [rubrirostris].

Ruddy Shelduck  Tadorna ferruginea   Common on the Tibetan Plateau. First seen on the drive to Rouergai.

Red-crested Pochard  Netta rufina   12+ seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Ferruginous Duck  Aythya nyroca   c15 seen at Flower Lake, c45kms north of Rouergai, with stunning views of several pairs.

Common Pochard  Aythya ferina   c20 seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata   c6 seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Gadwall  Mareca strepera   c10 seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [nominate].

Mallard  Anas platyrhynchos   A few seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also a few in Sichuan [nominate].

Sichuan Partridge ◊  Arborophila rufipectus   Great views of a pair at the Tanshi hides. A great bird that showed really well. Also heard distantly at Wawu Shan and at Dashiba (Dove Tree Park), Longcanggou.

Snow Partridge ◊  Lerwa lerwa   A couple scoped distantly at Balang Shan.

Blood Pheasant ◊  Ithaginis cruentus  A few seen well, the first at Mengbi Shan. Also seen well in Baxi Forest and in Gouwa Forest [berezowskii].

Temminck’s Tragopan ◊  Tragopan temminckii   Heard a couple of times at Tanshi, but no luck. A female seen feeding in a littler-filled gully at Wawu Shan, then brilliant views of a stunning male on the road on the way to Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou, and brilliant views of a pair in the forest there the following day. Mega!!

Chestnut-throated Monal-Partridge ◊  Tetraophasis obscurus   Excellent views of three at Balang Shan. A few others heard.

Chinese Monal ◊  Lophophorus lhuysii   Great views of male and female on three dates at Balang Shan. On the second day seen giving a strange flapping display whilst prostrate, only 20m away!!

Koklass Pheasant ◊  Pucrasia macrolopha   Brilliant views of an unbelievably confiding female in Baxi Forest [ruficollis].

Chinese Grouse ◊  Tetrastes sewerzowi   Superb views of a couple of males in Gouwa Forest. Also heard in Baxi Forest [nominate].

Tibetan Partridge ◊  Perdix hodgsoniae   Decent views of a sneaky pair in the scrubby valley near Rouergai [sifanica].

Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant ◊  Syrmaticus humiae (Y)  Great views of a female at the pheasant hide at Liju. She came in about an hour before dusk and then came back almost at dusk, and was joined by a stunning male [burmanicus].

Golden Pheasant ◊  Chrysolophus pictus   Brilliant views of a couple of males and a female at Huangcaoping, near Wolong.

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant ◊  Chrysolophus amherstiae   An immature male seen well at Liju, Yunnan. Many more heard in Yunnan. Brilliant views of c10 individuals, along the road and at the Tanshi hides. Also several seen on the lower slopes of Erlangshan.

Common Pheasant  Phasianus colchicus   Several seen well around the Tibetan plateau, the first seen on the drive to Rouergai [suehschanensis].

White Eared Pheasant ◊  Crossoptilon crossoptilon   Good scope views of c12 around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan. Also a couple seen at Mengbi Shan [nominate].

Blue Eared Pheasant ◊  Crossoptilon auritum   Excellent views of six at Baxi Forest and another six or so along the road around Gouwa Forest.

Silver Pheasant ◊  Lophura nycthemera   Brilliant views of c6 individuals at the Tanshi hides [omeiensis].

Chinese Bamboo Partridge ◊  Bambusicola thoracicus   Several seen well along the road and at the Tanshi hides.

Tibetan Snowcock ◊  Tetraogallus tibetanus   A few scoped distantly at Balang Shan. Also stunning views of a pair and another more distantly in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR.

Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis   Good numbers seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also one seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [poggei].

Great Crested Grebe  Podiceps cristatus   Very common, with many nesting, some even carrying chicks, at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also a few at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [nominate].

Asian Koel  Eudynamys scolopaceus   Heard at several sites. First seen in flight along the road on the way to Dove Tree Park [chinensis].

Large Hawk-Cuckoo  Hierococcyx sparverioides   A couple seen well in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Many more heard.

Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo ◊ (Whistling H-C)  Hierococcyx nisicolor   Heard only at Tanshi and pre-dawn at Longcanggou, but no luck.

Lesser Cuckoo  Cuculus poliocephalus   Many heard, and one seen at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Himalayan Cuckoo  Cuculus saturatus   Heard only at a number of sites, but never especially close.

Common Cuckoo (Eurasian C)  Cuculus canorus   Many seen well, particularly at Balang Shan and on the Tibetan Plateau [bakeri].

Spotted Dove (Eastern S D)  Spilopelia [chinensis] chinensis   First really noted in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu. A few others noted.

Red Collared Dove (R Turtle D)  Streptopelia tranquebarica   One seen briefly by some.

Oriental Turtle Dove  Streptopelia orientalis   Small numbers at several sites, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Several seen well at various sites in Sichuan [nominate].

Speckled Wood Pigeon ◊  Columba hodgsonii   A flock of 12 seen well on the lower slopes of Erlangshan. A flock of 8 seen in flight at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou, and then seen very well at Huangcaoping, near Wolong.

Snow Pigeon ◊  Columba leuconota   First seen at Balang Shan. Also seen very well north of Rouergai and in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [gradaria].

Hill Pigeon ◊  Columba rupestris   Best views were of four in fields near Hongyuan, on the drive to Rouergai [turkestanica].

Rock Dove (Feral)  Columba livia ‘feral’   A few seen. All assumed to be feral birds?!

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron sphenurus   One seen briefly at Liju, Yunnan [nominate].

Black-necked Crane ◊  Grus nigricollis   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Brown-cheeked Rail ◊  Rallus indicus   Great views of one from the boardwalk at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus   Several seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also seen at a few sites in Sichuan [nominate].

Eurasian Coot  Fulica atra   Quite a few seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also common at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [nominate].

Black-tailed Crake ◊  Zapornia bicolor (Y)  Great views of a skittish but responsive pair near to Lijiang. Seen in a ditch and coming out into an adjacent field.

Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus   A few seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola   One seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Common Redshank  Tringa totanus   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai. Common at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [eurhina].

Little Tern  Sternula albifrons   One seen at the lunch stop at Waqie, on the drive to Rouergai [sinensis].

Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida   c25 seen well at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [nominate].

White-winged Tern  Chlidonias leucopterus   A couple of smart summer-plumaged adults seen well at Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo   First seen at the lunch stop at Waqie, on the drive to Rouergai. Also plenty seen well at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [tibetana].

Brown-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus   Good numbers seen at and around Flower Lake, near Rouergai.

Great Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo   Three seen at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [sinensis].

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta   First seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also many seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [nominate].

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax   First seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. Also many seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [nominate].

Chinese Pond Heron  Ardeola bacchus   A few seen well, the best views at the lunch stop at Waqie, on the drive to Rouergai, where three were present.

Medium Egret  Ardea intermedia (Y)  One seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang.

Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda   A few seen, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea  Many seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu. Also one at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [jouyi].

Grey Nightjar  Caprimulgus jotaka (Y)  One heard only at dawn from the hotel at Liju, Yunnan [hazarae].

White-throated Needletail  Hirundapus caudacutus   Four seen chasing each other around just below the Jin Shan Hotel at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park. Also seen overherhead at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou. A few others seen and remarkably a Peregrine seen with one as prey at a roadside stop on the drive from Rouergai to Chuanzhusi. The Himalayan form seen, nudipes, differs from the nominate in several respects and is largely resident as opposed to a long distance migrant. The two may be better treated as separate species?

Fork-tailed Swift (Salim Ali’s S)  Apus [pacificus] salimalii   A few seen well, the first along the roadside close to the cliffs at Bajiaoxiang on the way to Maerkang.

Fork-tailed Swift (Cook’s S)  Apus [pacificus] cooki (Y)  A flock seen overhead at at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen.

House Swift   Apus nipalensis   A few seen from a petrol station on the drive to Tanshi [nominate].

Himalayan Swiftlet  Aerodramus brevirostris   Good numbers seen overhead at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [innominatus].

Collared Owlet  Taenioptynx brodiei   Excellent views of one on the lower slopes of Erlangshan [nominate].

Collared Scops Owl  Otus lettia   Non leader heard from the hotel near Tanshi.

Oriental Scops Owl  Otus sunia   Heard distantly a couple of times including near to the hotel at Longcanggou [japonicus-group].

Himalayan Owl ◊  Strix nivicolum   Great views of one and another more briefly in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Others heard there. Quite literally the first bird of the tour!! Also heard distantly near to the hotel at Longcanggou [nominate].

Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier)  Gypaetus barbatus   Many great views, especially at Balang Shan. Also, plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau [nominate].

Black Baza  Aviceda leuphotes   Several seen well at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [syama].

Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental H B)  Pernis [ptilorhynchus] orientalis   A few seen flying over near to the hides above Tanshi. Also one seen from the road in to Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Himalayan Vulture  Gyps himalayensis   Many great views, especially at Balang Shan. Also, plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau.

Mountain Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus nipalensis   An immature bird photographed high above at Liju, Yunnan, was identified as this species. Three individuals (two adults and an immature) seen well overhead at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou. Also one seen along the access road to Baihe Jinsihou Nature Reserve.

Golden Eagle   Aquila chrysaetos   First seen looking towards Balang Shan from the north side of the new tunnel. Also seen at Mengbi Shan and in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [daphanea].

Besra  Tachyspiza virgata   Heard only, just below the Jin Shan Hotel at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [affinis].

Chinese Sparrowhawk ◊ (C Goshawk)  Tachyspiza soloensis   Brilliant views of a couple of males along the road in to Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus   A few seen, the first at Balang Shan [affinis].

Eurasian Goshawk  Astur gentilis   One seen in flight just below the Jin Shan Hotel at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [schvedowi].

Black Kite (Black-eared K)  Milvus [migrans] lineatus   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Upland Buzzard ◊  Buteo hemilasius   Several seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Himalayan Buzzard  Buteo refectus   A few, assumed to be this species, seen well, the first at Balang Shan.

Common Hoopoe  Upupa epops   Non leader, one seen on the drive to Rouergai.

Great Barbet  Psilopogon virens   Excellent views of one along the road, below Tanshi Vilage. Others heard and a couple seen more briefly. Also seen well in Yujiacun Village, just south of Ya’an [clamator].

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Black-naped W)  Picus [canus] guerini   Best views were of the male seen well at Xiaoshiba (Dove Tree Park), Longcanggou.

Bay Woodpecker  Blythipicus pyrrhotis   A few heard and excellent views of a female at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker ◊ (Dark-bodied W)  Picoides [tridactylus] funebris   A female seen well and at close range, though sadly in the fog, at Wawu Shan.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus canicapillus (Y)  One seen at Liju, Yunnan [kaleensis].

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker  Dendrocopos hyperythrus   Excellent views of a pair, attending a nest in Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [subrufinus].

White-backed Woodpecker  Dendrocopos leucotos   Excellent views of a female and a juvenile at Xiaoshiba (Dove Tree Park), Longcanggou [tangi].

Darjeeling Woodpecker ◊  Dendrocopos darjellensis   Good views at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [desmursi].

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopos major   A female seen at a roadside stop on the drive from Rouergai to Chuanzhusi [stresemanni].

Necklaced Woodpecker ◊  Dryobates pernyii   A female seen in the fog at Wawu Shan, then excellent views of a pair at Xiaoshiba (Dove Tree Park), Longcanggou and a male at Dashiba the following day.

Common Kestrel  Falco tinnunculus interstinctus   One circling distantly from Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Also seen at a roadside stop on the drive from Rouergai to Chuanzhusi (long way around!) [interstinctus].

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus   One seen, initially in flight, carrying a White-throated Needletail (!!)  at a roadside stop on the drive from Rouergai to Chuanzhusi. Scoped perched – an incredible observation!!

Saker Falcon ◊  Falco cherrug   Brilliant views of a pair at Zhasage Gorge, near Rouergai. The female was eating a freshly killed Red-billed Chough, whilst the male chased off Black-eared Kites [milvipes]!!

Long-tailed Minivet  Pericrocotus ethologus   Fairly common and widespread. First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Also common in Sichuan [nominate].

Swinhoe’s Minivet ◊ (Brown-rumped M)  Pericrocotus cantonensis   Excellent views of a pair at Yujiacun Village, just south of Ya’an.

Rosy Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus roseus (Y)  A couple of brief views of a calling bird in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen.

White-browed Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus   First seen well in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Heard at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [ricketti].

Green Shrike-Babbler  Pteruthius xanthochlorus (Y)  Excellent views in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [pallidus].

Black-naped Oriole (Eastern B-n O)  Oriolus [chinensis] diffusus   One seen well in Yujiacun Village, just south of Ya’an.

White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis (Y)  First seen in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen.

Hair-crested Drongo  Dicrurus hottentottus   First seen well along the road, below Tanshi Vilage. Plenty seen at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [brevirostris].

Ashy Drongo (Blackish A D) Dicrurus [leucophaeus] hopwoodi (Y)  One seen in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen and another at Liju.

Black Drongo  Dicrurus macrocercus   First seen in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Also a few seen in Sichuan [cathoecus].

Giant Grey Shrike ◊  Lanius giganteus   Excellent views of three on the drive to Rouergai. The first just north of Hongyuan, then a pair northwest of Waqie.

Brown Shrike  Lanius cristatus   One seen at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang. One seen at Wawu Shan, and a few others subsequently [cristatus/confusus].

Grey-backed Shrike  Lanius tephronotus   Several seen, the first in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Plenty more seen well in Sichuan [nominate].

Alpine Chough (Yellow-billed C)  Pyrrhocorax graculus   Just a couple seen high up at Balang Shan [forsythi].

Red-billed Chough  Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax   Plenty seen well at Balang Shan, and very common on the Tibetan Plateau [himalayanus].

Grey Treepie  Dendrocitta formosae   One seen at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Red-billed Blue Magpie  Urocissa erythroryncha   Fairly common and widespread. First seen near to Lijiang [nominate].

Azure-winged Magpie ◊ (Asian A-w M)  Cyanopica cyanus   A few seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai [nominate].

Sichuan Jay ◊  Perisoreus internigrans   One seen briefly then brilliant views of a flock of six at Mengbi Shan.

Eurasian Jay  Garrulus glandarius   One seen flying over on the lower slopes of Erlangshan. Many seen at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [sinensis].

Oriental Magpie  Pica serica   Seen at a number of sites, the first at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang [nominate].

Black-rumped Magpie ◊  Pica bottanensis   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Southern Nutcracker   Nucifraga hemispila   First seen in flight near to Lijiang. Seen again at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park and on the lower slopes of Erlangshan [macella].

Daurian Jackdaw ◊  Coloeus dauuricus   Just a few seen on the drive to Rouergai, but one showed amazingly well.

Northern Raven (Common R)  Corvus corax   A few seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai [tibetanus].

Carrion Crow ◊ (Oriental C)  Corvus [corone] orientalis   A few seen. The first in Baxi Forest and others on the drive to Chuanzhusi.

Large-billed Crow  Corvus macrorhynchos   Fairly common and widespread. First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [tibetosinensis].

Yellow-bellied Fantail  Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus   First seen well at Liju, Yunnan. Also seen well at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park.

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis   Common and widespread. First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [calochrysea].

Fire-capped Tit ◊  Cephalopyrus flammiceps   A male seen well at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park, with a pair seen there the following day [olivaceus].

Yellow-browed Tit  Sylviparus modestus   First seen at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. Plenty more subsequently [nominate].

Ground Tit ◊  Pseudopodoces humilis   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai. Great birds!

Green-backed Tit  Parus monticolus   Fairly common and widespread. First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [yunnanensis].

Cinereous Tit (Asian T)  Parus cinereus   Seen at a number of sites, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [tibetanus].

Yellow-bellied Tit ◊  Periparus venustulus   Brilliant views of a pair along the road near to Xiaoshiba (Dove Tree Park), Longcanggou. A few others subsequently.

Coal Tit (Himalayan C T)  Periparus [ater] aemodius   First seen at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. A few others seen elsewhere [eckodedicatus].

Rufous-vented Tit  Periparus rubidiventris   Several seen well at higher elevation the first along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. A few others seen elsewhere [whistleri].

Grey-crested Tit  Lophophanes dichrous   A few seen well at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park. A few others seen elsewhere [wellsi].

White-browed Tit ◊  Poecile superciliosus   One seen briefly, but well in the scrubby valley near to Rouergai, then brilliant views in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR.

Pere David’s Tit ◊  Poecile davidi   Stunning views of a group of 4+ north of Chuanzhusi, near to Juizhaigou National Park.

Black-bibbed Tit ◊  Poecile hypermelaenus   Excellent views of a pair in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang.

Sichuan Tit ◊  Poecile weigoldicus   Seen well on a few occasions, the first at Balang Shan.

Oriental Skylark  Alauda gulgula   First seen in the small agricultural clearing in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Very common on the Tibetan Plateau [inopinata].

Horned Lark ◊ (Tibetan H L)  Eremophila [alpestris] longirostris   Several seen well on the Tibetan Plateau. Seen best along the access road to Zhasage Gorge, near Rouergai.

Tibetan Lark ◊  Melanocorypha maxima   Stunning views of two or three at Flower Lake, near Rouergai. One even landed on the boardwalk!

Striped Prinia (Striated P)  Prinia striata (Y)  One seen well in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen, and another just above there when looking for moupinia [catharia].

[Oriental Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus orientalis   A large Acro seen as we entered Gouwa Forest must have been this species or Thick-billed Warbler].

Clamorous Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus stentoreus (Y)  Good scope views of a couple at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang [amyae].

Spotted Bush Warbler ◊  Locustella thoracica   Brilliant views of one at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. Others heard.

Sichuan Bush Warbler ◊  Locustella chengi   Stunning views of a singing bird at Tanshi. Also heard (4+) by the hotel at Longcanggou

Scaly-breasted Cupwing ◊ (Chinese C)  Pnoepyga [albiventer] mutica   Several heard, and brilliant views of one at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park.

Pygmy Cupwing  Pnoepyga pusilla   Several heard and good views of one at Wawu Shan.

Pale Martin  Riparia diluta  A few seen near to a colony at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Also seen distantly over the water at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [fohkienensis].

Eurasian Crag Martin  Ptyonoprogne rupestris   Great views of good numbers in the valley along the roadside close to the cliffs at Bajiaoxiang on the way to Maerkang.

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica   Reasonably common and widepread.

Asian House Martin  Delichon dasypus   First seen well around the various tourist centre buildings at Wawu Shan. Many more seen, including breeding birds around the old tunnel at Balang Shan [cashmeriense].

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica   First seen near to Tanshi Village. Plenty seen subsequently [nominate].

Crested Tit-warbler ◊  Leptopoecile elegans   Brilliant views of a pair at Mengbi Shan. Also seen well in Gouwa Forest.

White-browed Tit-warbler ◊  Leptopoecile sophiae   Stunning views of a male in the scrubby valley near Rouergai. Also seen well in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [obscurus].

Black-throated Bushtit (B-t Tit)  Aegithalos concinnus   Particularly memorable sightings in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [talifuensis].

Black-browed Bushtit ◊ (B-b Tit)  Aegithalos [iouschistos] bonvaloti   First seen well in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Seen at a few sites in Sichuan too, including on the lower slopes of Erlangshan,

Sooty Bushtit ◊ (S Tit)  Aegithalos fuliginosus   Some obvious hybrids seen at the Lama Temple (Lamasery), near Wolong. Fortunately an excellent flock of 6+ seen brilliantly north of Chuanzhusi, near to Juizhaigou National Park.

Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler ◊  Cettia major   Brilliant views of a singing bird at Mengbi Shan [nominate].

Chestnut-headed Tesia  Cettia castaneocoronata   Many heard and a few seen well at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [ripleyi].

Rufous-faced Warbler ◊  Abroscopus albogularis   A couple seen very well in Yujiacun Village, just south of Ya’an. Others heard [fulvifacies].

Brown-flanked Bush Warbler   Horornis fortipes   Plenty heard with some good views at Wawu Shan [davidianus].

Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler ◊  Horornis acanthizoides   Many seen well at higher elevations, especially along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Aberrant Bush Warbler ◊ (Perplexing B W)   Horornis [flavolivaceus] intricatus   A few seen well at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Buff-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus pulcher   Common at higher elevations. First seen well along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [vegetus].

Ashy-throated Warbler  Phylloscopus maculipennis   Fairly common at a few higher elevation sites. First seen well along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Hume’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus humei   Plenty seen well, with first close up studies at Mengbi Shan [mandellii].

Chinese Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus yunnanensis   Took a while, but first seen well at c2800m, north of Baxi. A few seen and heard subsequently.

Sichuan Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus forresti   Common at higher elevations. First seen well at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Yellow-streaked Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus armandii   First seen at Liju, Yunnan. A few seen very well on the lower slopes of Erlangshan and others heard and seen more briefly.

Tickell’s Leaf Warbler (Alpine L W)  Phylloscopus [affinis] occisinensis   Plenty seen well at high elevations, the first at Balang Shan.

Dusky Warbler  Phylloscopus fuscatus   Most interesting was the singing bird around the pass at Chazhen Liangzi, just north of Rangkou [robustus].

Buff-throated Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus subaffinis   First seen at Liju, Yunnan. A few others seen, with excellent views at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Grey-crowned Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus tephrocephalus   Common in Yunnan where first seen well at Liju. Plenty elsewhere, and particularly common on the lower slopes of Erlangshan, where a few were seen well.

Martens’s Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus omeiensis   Noted at a few sites, with our first good views at mid levels at Wawu Shan.

Alström’s Warbler ◊ (Plain-tailed W)  Phylloscopus soror   Only noted at low levels near to the entrance at Wawu Shan, where several were heard and one was seen very well.

Bianchi’s Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus valentini   Several seen well at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Emei Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus emeiensis   Severall excellent views of singing birds at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Greenish Warbler  Phylloscopus trochiloides   Fairly common and widespread, with many seen very well including at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. The form concerned shows a darker, greyish crown, and is surprisingly similar to Large-billed Leaf Warbler [obscuratus]!

Large-billed Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus magnirostris   Fairly common with many seen well, the first at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Arctic Warbler  Phylloscopus borealis   One seen briefly at Tanshi.

Chestnut-crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus castaniceps   A few noted, the first at mid levels at Wawu Shan [sinensis].

Sulphur-breasted Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus ricketti   Several seen very well around Tanshi Vilage.

Blyth’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus reguloides (Y)  Several seen well in Yunnan, with some good views around the hotel at Liju [assamensis].

Claudia’s Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus claudiae   Common with many seen well in Sichuan. First seen at Tanshi, and many seen well at Wawu Shan, with a few at other sites.

Kloss’s Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus ogilviegranti   Plenty heard with some excellent views just around the hotel at Longcanggou [disturbans].

Davison’s Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus intensior (Y)  A few seen well in Yunnan, especially around Liju, Yunnan [muleyitensis].

Collared Finchbill ◊  Spizixos semitorques   Plenty seen well, the first around Tanshi Village and feeders [nominate].

Crested Finchbill  Spizixos canifrons (Y)  A few seen well at Liju, Yunnan [ingrami].

Brown-breasted Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus xanthorrhous   Fairly common and widespread at lower elevations. First noted at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen [nominate].

Light-vented Bulbul (Chinese B)  Pycnonotus sinensis   First seen well in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu. A few others in the lowlands [nominate].

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Y)  Pycnonotus aurigaster   A few seen at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen [latouchei].

Mountain Bulbul  Ixos mcclellandii   A few seen well in the Tanshi area [holtii].

Black Bulbul  Hypsipetes leucocephalus   A few birds with black heads at Liju, Yunnan, were assumed to be the form sinensis. Many smart individuals with white heads were the form stresemanni.

Rufous-tailed Babbler ◊ (R-t Moupinia)  Moupinia poecilotis   Brilliant views of a singing bird at the Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Another seen well on the lower slopes of Erlangshan.

Golden-breasted Fulvetta ◊  Lioparus chrysotis   A few of these stunners seen well, the first close to the feeders at Tanshi [swinhoii].

Spectacled Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta ruficapilla   A few seen well in Yunnan, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Also heard and glimpsed along the access road to Baihe Reserve [sordidior].

Chinese Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta striaticollis   First seen very well at Mengbi Shan, with a few others later in the trip, including at close range at the Gami Temple, north of Chuanzhusi.

White-browed Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta vinipectus   Stunning views of a pair at Liju, Yunnan. Also seen well on the lower slopes of Erlangshan [bieti].

Manipur Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta manipurensis (Y)  Stunning views of at least 5 at Liju, Yunnan.

Grey-hooded Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta cinereiceps   A smart little bird, first seen really well at the upper (small bird) hide above Tanshi [nominate]. 

Great Parrotbill ◊  Paradoxornis aemodius   Brilliant views of several at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Brown Parrotbill ◊  Paradoxornis unicolor   Brilliant views of a few at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Three-toed Parrotbill ◊  Paradoxornis paradoxus   Brilliant views of several at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Fulvous Parrotbill ◊  Suthora fulvifrons   Brilliant views of a pair at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [cyanophrys].

Golden Parrotbill ◊  Suthora verreauxi   First seen well at Tanshi. Others seen well there and at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [cyanophrys].

Spectacled Parrotbill ◊  Suthora conspicillata   Having heard them near to Baxi Forest, it was brilliant to see a superb pair in roadside forest nearby [nominate].

Grey-hooded Parrotbill ◊  Suthora zappeyi   Brilliant views of one at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Eye-ringed Parrotbill ◊  Suthora ricketti   Plenty seen well in riverside scrub at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Note the form concerned, styani, is actually included in Brown-winged Parrotbill S. brunnea by AviList. However, this is probably an error, and styani would be better included in this species, and indeed, the birds we saw are generally recorded as Eye-ringed Parrotbill.

Ashy-throated Parrotbill ◊  Suthora alphonsiana   Some hybrid types, showing mixed characters, seen well in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu. A pure bird seen well near Tanshi Vilage, and a small flock seen very well in Yujiacun Village, just south of Ya’an.

Vinous-throated Parrotbill ◊  Suthora webbiana   One individual, closely resembling a pure example of this species, seen well in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu. A few others will pale irides were presumably hybrids with Ashy-throated [suffusa].

White-collared Yuhina ◊  Parayuhina diademata   Pretty common and widespread. First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [ampelina].

Indochinese Yuhina ◊  Staphida torqueola   A couple of flocks, totalling c30, seen well around and below Tanshi Vilage.

Black-chinned Yuhina  Yuhina nigrimenta   A few seen, the first at the hides above Tanshi. 

Stripe-throated Yuhina  Yuhina gularis   A few seen well, the first at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [omeiensis].

Rufous-vented Yuhina ◊  Yuhina occipitalis   First seen at Liju, Yunnan. Also a couple seen at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [obscurior].

Chestnut-flanked White-eye ◊  Zosterops erythropleurus   A few seen at several sites, the first at Wawu Shan.

Swinhoe’s White-eye  Zosterops simplex   Pretty common and widespread, first seen in riverside scrub and gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen [nominate].

Rufous-capped Babbler  Cyanoderma ruficeps   Commonly heard, first seen well in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [davidi].

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus ruficollis   Seen well at several sites, the first at Liju, Yunnan.

Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler  Erythrogenys gravivox   More often heard than seen, and first seen well in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang.

Golden-fronted Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus variegaticeps   One seen briefly and then a second seen fantastically well at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou. Seen again the following day.

Rusty-capped Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus dubius (Y)  First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Best views were at the laughingthrush feeding area Liju, Yunnan.

Dusky Fulvetta ◊ (Brown-capped F)  Schoeniparus brunneus   Several heard, but one very showy individual seen very well at low levels near to the entrance at Wawu Shan [weigoldi].

David’s Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe davidi   A few seen well, with the first noted along the road, above Tanshi Vilage [nominate].

Black-faced Laughingthrush  Trochalopteron affine   A few seen well at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Elliot’s Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron elliotii   The most common and widespread highland laughingthrush. First seen at Liju, Yunnan.

Red-winged Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron formosum   A few heard but this stunner was only seen at Wawu Shan [nominte].

Black-headed Sibia ◊  Heterophasia desgodinsi   A few seen, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, and at Liju/Bomiluo, Laujunshan (both west of Lijiang). Also seen at Wawu Shan [nominate].

Blue-winged Minla  Actinodura cyanouroptera   Small numbers at scattered sites, the first at Liju, Yunnan [wingatei].

Red-billed Leiothrix  Leiothrix lutea   Fairly common, especially around Tanshi where many attended the feeders.

Red-tailed Minla  Minla ignotincta   A couple seen at the upper laughingthrush feeding area Liju, Yunnan [nominate]. Also, brilliant views on a couple of occasions at Wawu Shan [jerdoni]. A real cracker!

Emei Shan Liocichla ◊  Liocichla omeiensis   Superb views around the upper hide above Tanshi. A few others heard and seen less well.

Chinese Hwamei ◊  Garrulax canorus   Only heard in the remnant forest along the road, below Tanshi Village [nominate].

Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla sukatschewi   Great views on a couple of occasions, first in Baxi Forest and then again along the small trail at the Gonggangling Pass.

Moustached Laughingthrush ◊ (Western M L)  Ianthocincla [cineracea] cinereiceps   Absolutely stunning views of three at Liju, Yunnan [strenua].

Spotted Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla ocellata   Great views of one at Liju, Yunnan [maculipectus].

Giant Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla maxima   First seen below the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan. Some great looks at Mengbi Shan where some tame individuals were seen very well.

White-speckled Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla bieti (Y)  Incredible views of a superb pair at Liju, Yunnan.

Barred Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla lunulata   Brilliant views of a confiding pair on the lower slopes of Erlangshan, just above the barrier. A few others heard elsewhere [liangshanensis].

White-browed Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus sannio   A few seen, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang [comis]. Plenty seen well in Sichuan where first seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [oblectans].

Plain Laughingthrush ◊ (Pere David’s L)  Pterorhinus davidi   A few seen well, the first around the pass at Chazhen Liangzi, just north of Rangkou.

Chinese Babax ◊  Pterorhinus lanceolatus   First seen along the road at Tanshi, and also seen brilliantly at the upper hide there. A few others seen elsewhere.

White-throated Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus albogularis   One seen well at the upper laughingthrush feeding area Liju, Yunnan. Also one briefly at Wawu Shan [eous].

Buffy Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus berthemyi   Common and vocal around the hides above Tanshi, and a few others seen in the forest there.

Goldcrest  Regulus regulus   A few seen, the first at Menbi Shan [yunnanensis].

Wallcreeper  Tichodroma muraria   Excellent views of a male along the S580, heading south from Dalu Village, towards Zhangzha and another seen in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [nepalensis].

Przevalski’s Nuthatch ◊  Sitta przewalskii   Brilliant views of a couple at Mengbi Shan – a little stunner! A couple heard at other sites.

Yunnan Nuthatch ◊  Sitta yunnanensis (Y)  Several seen well in Yunnan, with some great looks in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang.

Chinese Nuthatch ◊ (Snowy-browed N)  Sitta villosa   Excellent views of a male in roadside forest along near the Gonggangling Pass.

Hodgson’s Treecreeper ◊  Certhia hodgsoni   Several seen well, especially at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [khamensis].

Sichuan Treecreeper ◊  Certhia tianquanensis   Brilliant views of a couple at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park.

Eurasian Wren  Troglodytes troglodytes   A few heard in the higher areas, with great looks at one at Wawu Shan [szetschuanus].

Red-billed Starling ◊ (Silky S)  Spodiopsar sericeus   First seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu. Also seen several times on journeys in the lowlands and around Service Stations.

White-cheeked Starling ◊ (Grey S)  Spodiopsar cineraceus   Three at the pass along the Pingsong Road (Xuebaoding NNR), at the Xueshanliang Viewing Platform (Huanglong Scenic Area).

Crested Myna  Acridotheres cristatellus   Fairly commonly seen on journeys in the lowlands and around Service Stations [nominate].

Brown Dipper  Cinclus pallasii   Several seen well. The first at Liju, Yunnan. Common and many seen well at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou [nominate].

Grandala  Grandala coelicolor   Some mega distant birds scoped at Balang Shan. Better scope views of a few birds in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR.

Long-tailed Thrush ◊  Zoothera dixoni   Two or three seen briefly in Gouwa Forest.

Sichuan Thrush ◊  Zoothera griseiceps   Two singing birds at Balang Shan. The first was seen briefly in flight, whilst the second gave great flight views and brief perched views.

Chinese Thrush ◊ (C Song T)  Turdus mupinensis   One, heard only, at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Chinese Blackbird ◊  Turdus mandarinus   Several seen well in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [sowerbyi].

White-backed Thrush ◊ (Kessler’s T)  Turdus kessleri   A stunning thrush that was first seen at Mengbi Shan and was then pretty common at sites on and around the Tibetan Plateau.

Chestnut Thrush ◊  Turdus rubrocanus   First seen near to Lijiang. Plenty more seen well in Sichuan.

Grey-winged Blackbird  Turdus boulboul (Y)  Excellent views in the side valley at the pheasant hide at Liju, Yunnan.

Eyebrowed Thrush  Turdus obscurus   Great views of one in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu.

Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis   A few seen, the first in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [nominate].

Ferruginous Flycatcher ◊  Muscicapa ferruginea   First seen at Liju, Yunnan. Several seen well in Sichuan at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park.

Dark-sided Flycatcher  Muscicapa sibirica   Just one seen at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan [rothschildi].

Rufous-bellied Niltava  Niltava sundara   A couple of females seen well at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [denotata].

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus   A few seen, the first around Liju, Yunnan [nominate].

Chinese Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis glaucicomans   Heard a few times and eventually seen well at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

Hill Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis whitei   A male seen in riverside gallery forest at Lamaluoshangcun, near the viewpoint near to Shiguzhen [nominate].

White-bellied Redstart ◊  Luscinia phaenicuroides   First seen very well around the pass at Chazhen Liangzi, just north of Rangkou. A few others heard and seen more briefly. A great bird [ichangensis].

Firethroat ◊  Calliope pectardens   Amazing views of this stunner  at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. Sitting in the open, singing! A couple of others heard.

Siberian Rubythroat  Calliope calliope   One seen well just above Baxi Forest, then at least twelve seen whilst looking for Chinese Rubythroat in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [beicki].

Chinese Rubythroat ◊  Calliope tschebaiewi   Stunning views of two fabulous males in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR.

White-tailed Robin  Myiomela leucura   Several heard, the first at the lower hide above Tanshi was glimpsed by some [nominate]. 

Little Forktail  Enicurus scouleri   Great views of one at Dove Tree Park, Longcanggou.

White-crowned Forktail  Enicurus leschenaulti   One seen briefly in a stream at low levels near to the entrance at Wawu Shan [sinensis].

Blue-fronted Robin ◊  Cinclidium frontale   Pretty good views of a couple of skulking males at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [orientale].

Blue Whistling Thrush (Black-billed B W T)  Myophonus [caeruleus] caeruleus   First seen well at low levels near to the entrance at Wawu Shan. A few others elsewhere. Note that these two whistling thrushes are due to be split in the next AviList update.

Blue Whistling Thrush (Yellow-billed B W T)  Myophonus [caeruleus] flavirostris   Several seen well at Liju, Yunnan [eugenei].

Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea   First seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. Others heard. One seen at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park and a few others heard [nominate].

Himalayan Shortwing  Brachypteryx cruralis   Heard only, at close range at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan, but no access to the habitat. Also several heard at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park.

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula zanthopygia   Good views of a female foraging low down near the temple at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan.

Slaty-backed Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula erithacus   Excellent views of plenty in the higher forests of northern Sichuan. First seen at Mengbi Shan.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra   A couple of males seen at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [nominate].

Slaty-blue Flycatcher  Ficedula tricolor   Heard at Tanshi, then good views of a couple of males at Wawu Shan. Also seen well at Erlang Shan [diversa].

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher  Ficedula strophiata   Lots seen well at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan and elsewhere such as at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [nominate].

Sapphire Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula sapphira   A male seen perching high in leafless trees at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park [tienchuanensis].

Himalayan Bluetail (H Red-flanked B)  Tarsiger rufilatus   Several seen well in the higher parts of Sichuan. First seen around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan.

White-browed Bush Robin ◊  Tarsiger indicus   A male seen by some at Wawu Shan. A few others heard then excellent views of a male in Gouwa Forest.

Golden Bush Robin ◊  Tarsiger chrysaeus   Good views of one at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. Another seen more briefly around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan [nominate].

Blue-fronted Redstart  Phoenicurus frontalis   Excellent views of plenty in the higher parts of Sichuan. First seen at Balang Shan.

White-throated Redstart ◊  Phoenicurus schisticeps   Excellent views of plenty in the higher parts of Sichuan. First seen around the old tunnel at Balang Shan.

White-capped Redstart (River Chat)  Phoenicurus leucocephalus   A few seen well. First seen in the river at Liju, Yunnan. Plenty seen in Sichuan too, and particularly showy around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan.

Plumbeous Water Redstar  Phoenicurus fuliginosus   Plenty seen well. First seen in the river at Liju, Yunnan.  Common along the rivers in Sichuan too [nominate].

Daurian Redstart ◊  Phoenicurus auroreus   Several seen well, the first in the village at Bomiluo, Laujunshan (west of Lijiang). First seen in Sichuan in Tanshi Vilage [leucopterus].

Hodgson’s Redstart ◊  Phoenicurus hodgsoni   A few seen with best views being of a couple of pairs along the roadside cliffs at Bajiaoxiang, on the way to Maerkang.

Black Redstart (Eastern B R)  Phoenicurus [ochruros] rufiventris   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush  Monticola rufiventris   One seen fairly distantly on top of the crags around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan.

Grey Bush Chat  Saxicola ferreus (Y)  A female seen at Liju, Yunnan.

Siberian Stonechat (Tibetan S)  Saxicola [maurus] przewalskii   One seen near to Lijiang and plenty more seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker  Dicaeum ignipectus   First seen well at Liju, Yunnan. Also seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [nominate].

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird (Scarlet-breasted S)  Aethopyga [gouldiae] dabryii   Good numbers seen well in Yunnan, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. First seen in Sichuan at Wawu Shan. Common but a great bird!

Fork-tailed Sunbird ◊  Aethopyga christinae   A couple of smart males seen in Huanhuaxi Park, in Chengdu [latouchii].

Przevalski’s Finch ◊  Urocynchramus pylzowi   Stunning views of a brilliant pair in the scrubby valley southwest of Rouergai. What a bird – that tail has to be seen to be believed!

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata (Y)  A couple seen in Shiguzhen [yunnanensis].

Alpine Accentor  Prunella collaris   Scoped distantly on high crags in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [nipalensis].

Maroon-backed Accentor ◊  Prunella immaculata   A couple seen well in Gouwa Forest, and also seen well along the small trail at the Gonggangling Pass.

Rufous-breasted Accentor ◊  Prunella strophiata   First seen in riverside scrub at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Also seen around Liju, Yunnan and plenty seen in upland scrubby areas in Sichuan [nominate].

Rock Sparrow  Petronia petronia   Just a couple seen in the scrubby valley east of Rouergai [brevirostris].  

White-rumped Snowfinch ◊  Onychostruthus taczanowskii   Very common on the Tibetan Plateau. First seen on the drive to Rouergai.

Rufous-necked Snowfinch ◊  Pyrgilauda ruficollis   Fairly common on the Tibetan Plateau. First seen in the scrubby valley near Rouergai [isabellina].   

Russet Sparrow  Passer cinnamomeus   First seen at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. First seen in Sichuan at low levels near to the entrance at Wawu Shan. A few others seen [intensior].

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus   Seen at several sites [tibetanus].

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea   Fairly common and widespread [nominate].

Citrine Wagtail (Southern C W, Tibetan W)  Motacilla [citreola] calcarata   First seen just to the north of Hongyuan, on the drive to Rouergai. Brilliant views of several at Flower Lake, near Rouergai [calcarata].

White Wagtail (Himalayan W, Hodgson’s W)  Motacilla [alba] alboides   Common and widespread.

Olive-backed Pipit  Anthus hodgsoni   One flushed from the roadside on the drive back down to Tanshi Village. A few more seen including around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan.

Rosy Pipit ◊  Anthus roseatus   First seen around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan. A few others in that area and also seen in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR.

Collared Grosbeak ◊  Mycerobas affinis   Amazing views of a flock of c40 feeding in the flowering elms in Dalu Village, on the drive from Rouergai to Chuanzhusi.

White-winged Grosbeak ◊  Mycerobas carnipes   First seen well around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan. Also seen well at Mengbi Shan.

Common Rosefinch  Carpodacus erythrinus   Fairly common in several highland sites in Sichuan. Several smart males singing around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan [roseatus].

Pink-rumped Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus waltoni   A few seen, the first by the barrier on the north side of the new tunnel at Balang Shan [eos].

Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch ◊ Carpodacus pulcherrimus   A few seen well, the first below the new tunnel on the north side of Balang Shan [argyrophrys].

Sharpe’s Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus verreauxii   Two calling females seen well on the lower slopes of Erlangshan. A few others seen well including some smart birds around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan.

Vinaceous Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus vinaceus   A male seen at higher elevation along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan. A few others seen subsequently.

Streaked Rosefinch ◊ (Eastern G R)  Carpodacus rubicilloidesm  A female seen briefly in Baxi Forest and a pair seen in the Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [nominate].

Long-tailed Rosefinch ◊ (Chinese L-t R)  Carpodacus [sibiricus] lepidus   Excellent views of a pair and another male along the roadside close to the cliffs at Bajiaoxiang on the way to Maerkang. Also a male seen north of Baxi [henrici].

Crimson-browed Finch ◊  Carpodacus subhimachalus   Seen a couple of times around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan, including excellent views of a pair.

Three-banded Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus trifasciatus   Good views of a smart male perching high in Baxi Forest.

Chinese White-browed Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus dubius   First seen well around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan. Plenty seen and heard subsequently, giving their goat calls, and particularly tame at the Gami Temple, north of Chuanzhusi [femininus].

Brown Bullfinch  Pyrrhula nipalensis   An impressive flock of 40+ seen well at Liju, Yunnan. A few also seen as we drove down from the hides at Tanshi [ricketti].

Grey-headed Bullfinch ◊  Pyrrhula erythaca   Several seen well at Liju, Yunnan. Also seen at higher elevations such as along the summit walkway at Wawu Shan, Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park and elsewhere. Also, brilliant views in the flowering elms in Dalu Village, on the drive from Rouergai to Chuanzhusi.

Dark-breasted Rosefinch  Procarduelis nipalensis   A few seen well, and particularly obvious around the old tunnel on the way up to Balang Shan [nominate].

Plain Mountain Finch  Leucosticte nemoricola   A few seen well around the Xueshanliang Viewing Platform in Huanglong Scenic Area, Xuebaoding NNR [nominate].

Oriental Greenfinch  Chloris sinica   First seen by the hotel at Longcanggou. Only a handful seen [nominate].

Black-headed Greenfinch ◊  Chloris ambigua   First seen in riverside scrub at Lamaluoshangcun, across the river from Shiguzhen. Also seen in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang

Twite  Linaria flavirostris   Plenty seen well on the Tibetan Plateau, the first on the drive to Rouergai [miniakensis].

Red Crossbill (Common C)  Loxia curvirostra   c8 seen in Baxi Forest, including one scoped perched, and others heard [himalayensis].

Tibetan Serin ◊ (T Siskin)  Spinus thibetanus   Best were the excellent views of several at Mengbi Shan. 

Eurasian Siskin  Spinus spinus   A couple seen at Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park.

Slaty Bunting ◊  Emberiza siemsseni   Great views of an excellent male at the Lama Temple (Lamasery), near Wolong.

Yellow-throated Bunting ◊  Emberiza elegans   Plenty seen well, the first in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang, and many more around Liju, Yunnan. First seen in Sichuan along the road, near to the hides above Tanshi [elegantula].

Black-faced Bunting  Emberiza spodocephala   A single male seen along the roadside below the old tunnel at Balang Shan [sordida].

Godlewski’s Bunting  Emberiza godlewskii   A few seen well, the first near to Rangkou, on the drive to Rouergai [omissa].

Godlewski’s Bunting ◊ (Yunnan B)  Emberiza [godlewskii] yunnanensis (Y)  Brilliant views of a few in the clearing in the forest by Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang5. A really bright form, and a possible future split.

MAMMALS

The species names and taxonomy used in the mammal list follow the mammal list on the iGoTerra website (www.igoterra.com). This list largely follows IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) taxonomy with just a few modifications. It is listed in family order, alphabetically by genera within families. Some alternative names are given in parentheses.

Tibetan Fox  Vulpes ferrilata   Three seen in the Rouergai area.

Red Fox  Vulpes vulpes   A couple of pallid individuals on the Tibetan Plateau.

Chinese Red Panda  Ailurus styani   Great views of one in Wawu Shan, though the fog was a nuisance.

Greater Hog Badger  Arctonyx collaris   One seen well near to Rouergi.

Eurasian Wild Pig (Wild Boar)  Sus scrofa   One sniffing around at Balang Shan.

Eastern Roe Deer  Capreolus pygargus   A few seen in the Baxi Forest area.

Tufted Deer  Elaphodus cephalophus   A smart individual seen at Gouwa Forest.

Tibetan Gazelle  Procapra picticaudata   Several seen well near to Rouergai.

Blue Sheep  Pseudois nayaur   A flock scoped up on a mountainside at Balang Shan.

Tibetan Macaque  Macaca thibetana   The less said the better… not our favourite mammal on this tour!

Woolly Hare  Lepus oiostolus   Lots seen well including a very tame one at Gouwa Forest.

Plateau Pika (Black-lipped P)  Ochotona curzoniae   Very common on the Tibetan Plateau.

Moupin Pika (Forest P)  Ochotona thibetana   Cute, and seen well in Baxi Forest.

Pallas’s Squirrel (Belly-banded S)  Callosciurus erythraeus   Too common at some of the feeders!

Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrel  Dremomys pernyi  Also too common at some of the feeders!

Himalayan Marmot  Marmota himalayana   Lots on the Tibetan Plateau… charismatic!

Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel  Tamiops swinhoei   A few seen, and especially cute at Wawu Shan.