Sichuan

Rod Martins led a successful trip to Sichuan, China in June. With Chris Bradshaw, Ken Cole, Mark Elwonger, Mike Flieg and Tom Pucelik participating, more than 240 species were recorded in three weeks. Taking us from Chengdu to Wolong, up onto the Tibetan Plateau via Hongyuan, then over to Jiuzhaigou and finally to Emei Shan, Rod helped us find ten species of Phasianidae (with another three heard) , thirteen species of Phylloscopus warblers, nine species of Garrulax Laughingthrushes, six species of Paradoxornis (Parrotbills), and nine species of Carpodacus Rosefinches.

Highlights of the trip included:

	A male Temminck’s Tragopan walking onto the road behind our parked van, just minutes after we first ascended above 2,200m.
	Scope views of three White Eared-Pheasants browsing the montane slopes
	Hearing Wood Snipe displaying in the cloudbank immediately overhead, until one finally broke into sight for reasonable looks
	A Tibetan Snowcock exploding into evasive flight after an approach by a Golden Eagle
	Long, careful studies of a Slaty-breasted Rail in an unexpected location at 3,000m in Jizhaigou
	Sixteen Black-necked Cranes sharing the Tibetan grasslands with Upland Buzzards, Tibetan Ground-Jays and Tibetan Larks
	Long looks at a male Firethroat on territory
	Several encounters with furtive Rufous-headed Robins
	Long studies of Barred and Snowy-cheeked (Sukatschev’s) Laughingthrushes
	Slaty Buntings feeding young at two locations

These events, combined with comfortable motels and good food, made the Sichuan trip a memorable one and an experience that should be repeated for the benefit of Ornifolks members.

A trip report is now available in PDF format. Click here to download.

MAE 7/23/00