Vietnam

8th – 28th March 2015

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: David Bradford, Andrew and Ann Duff, Erkki Holopainen, Markus Lagerqvist, Jonathan Newman.

Bar-bellied Pitta, Cat Tien © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia This comprehensive tour of Vietnam targeted almost all of the countries endemics and near-endemics, and incredibly, we saw every single one of them amongst a total 358 species recorded on the tour. Starting in the hot and humid south, with Bar-bellied Pitta, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and Orange-necked Partridge, we quickly pulled in all the Dalat endemics including spectacular views of all the laughingthrushes, Hodgon’s Frogmouth and Grey-crowned Crocias. We then worked our way north through the central highlands, enjoying Chestnut-eared and Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrushes, Sooty Babbler, Red-collared Woodpecker and Black-crowned Barwing among a whole range of great birds, before finishing in the north with Short-tailed Parrotbill, Pied Falconet and climaxing with perched views of the little-known White-eared Night Heron. 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 Red-shanked Douc and Hatinh Langur. From our starting point 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 Vietnam. 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!), a pair of Blue-bearded Bee-eater, female Bar-bellied Pitta for some of us, a brief Pale-headed Woodpecker, several Swinhoe’s Minivet, and a pair of cooperative Black-and-buff Woodpecker. We were particularly lucky with one of the main targets inside the park, the Galliformes. On our first morning we aimed for the hardest of the regions specialities – Orange-necked Partridge – a shy, little-known bamboo-dweller. We heard a pair relatively quickly, and with us anticipating a long, hard struggle to entice the birds into view we carefully headed into the bamboo towards the source of the noise, only to be stopped in our tracks by a Slaty-legged Crake feeding in clear view just metres from us. The bird was totally unconcerned by our presence and continued to feed for several minutes before disappearing behind a termite mound, only for it to be replaced by an Orange-necked Partridge when it was supposed to reappear! The partridge, clearly unaware of us, continued to feed for a short while in amongst some ginger stems before getting itchy feet and rather nonchalantly heading out of view. We decided to stick it out, and wait for a reappearance, which we did get, as a pair of them wandered back across the open area in clear view but not before a male Blue-rumped Pitta decided to do just the same, only to stop and pose with a glimmer of sunlight catching his blue nape. Was this for real?! Back on the road we were entertained by various other, less desired but appreciated species, including a Thick-billed Flowerpecker at its nest, Laced Woodpecker, Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, Asian Barred Owlet, a fruiting tree full of Golden-crested Myna, and after a short wait a Pale-headed Woodpecker shot out of the bamboo, perching for a surprisingly long time (for this species that is!) on a tree, before heading back into its comfort zone of dense bamboo. After much waiting around the harsh cackling of a Germain’s Peacock Pheasant started up exactly where we had the partridges earlier, so back in we went. After just a few seconds the male pheasant appeared in the open, standing tall, looking straight at us before turning himself to reveal the wonderful purple ocelli dotted across his wings and tail, which he paraded to us time and again as he gracefully circled us. Following lunch we spent an hour in the temporary hides that have been erected by regional photographers for the pittas, which resulted in another pair of Blue-rumped Pitta, Siberian Blue Robin, Abbott’s Babblers and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher. Determined not to be outdone by their smaller, forest-dwelling cousins, in the afternoon we found several Green Peafowl feeding in the grasslands. As dusk descended on us, so did the Great Eared Nightjars, as one in particular performed a wonderfully close fly-over of the ‘harrier of the night’.

Blue-rumped Pitta, Cat Tien © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia The parks other main prize, Bar-bellied Pitta was easily found on our second morning, as we sat waiting in the hides once again. A female was waiting for us on arrival, though ‘unfortunately’ the feeding area was taken up by the pair of Blue-rumps, fending off any intruders, including the male Bar-bellied that kept trying to return only for the larger, bulkier Blue-rumped to chase him off until they had their fill. By the time the Bar-bellied Pitta had free reign of the feeding area, there was no more food for him! A pair of Scaly-breasted Partridge were also present, scratching in the shaded leaf-litter in the background. On the forest edge a female and baby Buff-cheeked Gibbon were feeding and howling away right next to the HQ – a really nice sighting given how rare primates now are in the country away from this park.

Still only mid-morning we headed out along the track until we found Siamese Firebacks, of which we found 3 males quite easily before our walk back produced more Indochinese Tit Babblers, Great Hornbill, Great Iora, Purple-naped Spiderhunter and Pale-legged Leaf Warbler. Our final afternoon, with the diurnal specialities seen, was quite relaxed – we enjoyed a large troop of Black-shanked Doucs, found a nest of an Orange-breasted Trogon right next to the workers camp, Banded Bay Cuckoo, more Golden-crested Myna and a fine pair of very noisy, excited Heart-spotted Woodpecker. As dusk approached, we positioned ourselves to entice a male Blyth’s Frogmouth to land just above the road after a mere 20 seconds wait! Our final morning at Cat Tien we opted for the ‘tall forest’ as we were missing some of the more widespread birds found here. On the drive we were stopped in our tracks by a pair of Siamese Fireback, with the male seemingly keener to display to us than his mate, walking straight to us, clucking, before standing upright and rapidly flapping his wings in display. Dusky Broadbill, 3 of them, were busy building their raised nest at the end of a single rattan branch, while a pair of Banded Broadbill were perched higher up. Scaly-crowned Babbler finally showed also. The Black-and-buff Woodpeckers were still around, along with pairs of both Great Slaty and Rufous Woodpeckers. A large feeding flock at the end held several Swinhoe’s Minivets, feeding Vernal Hanging-Parrots and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird.

Grey-crowned Crocias and Collared Laughingthrush, Dalat 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, possibly the best we’ve ever had – literally our first bird was a male White-throated Rock Thrush, followed by a close Black-crowned Parrotbill. A flock of Grey-crowned Tits were very confiding, then we found a pair of Blue-throated Flycatchers of the highly-distinct klossi race, based on its rich vocalisations, dark blue upperparts, large size and lack of orange on the breast, a taxon ripe for splitting. Our first of many Annam Barbets was perched up on bare-branches, chocking away. Several small feeding flocks passed-by, usually containing Black-throated Sunbird, Kloss’s Leaf Warbler, Ashy Bulbul, Mountain Fulvetta (again, of a highly-distinct near-endemic race), more Black-crowned Parrotbill and one flock even containing 5 species of minivet (Swinhoe’s, Ashy, Grey-chinned, Scarlet and Long-tailed). The loud chorus of Black-hooded Laughingthrush raised the pulses and after a long wait (and too many passing motorbikes) we eventually managed to get them out, shortly before our first flock of White-cheeked Laughingthrush and a Yellow-vented Green Pigeon perched by the roadside. The purple patch continued as a bit further down the road the rich melody of the endemic Orange-breasted Laughingthrush emanated from the dense tangles and scrub. This species was common and vocal on my first visit here 12 years ago but due to capture for the illegal bird-trade is now in real trouble with very few remaining here, or at other sites. We picked our position carefully, and after finding the perfect stage for the birds we patiently waited, for all of 10 seconds when the pair suddenly appeared right where expected, and proceeded to give us varying views over the next 15 minutes as we toiled and teased each other, occasionally the male would sit breast-on, flashing his bright orange breast in the increasingly dark tangles as he belted out his wonderful whistles while the female hopped around. Flushed with success, we stretched our luck a bit too far, as after a hawking Grey Nightjar we tried unsuccessfully for Hodgson’s Frogmouth – its time would come! Eager and keen the following morning we returned to the same area. Our first good bird of the day was a pair of Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, shortly followed by a big surprise as a Jerdon’s Baza soared very low

over head, trying to find a thermal at this early hour, presumably a migrant, the movements of this species is still very little-known. A large flock of White-cheeked Laughingthrush kept us entertained for some time and eventually all the noise brought in more species; Black-crowned Parrotbill, a furtive Collared Babbler, and a pair of Indochinese Green Magpie that after much waiting came across the road as we had expected them to do so. We headed back into the undergrowth for further looks at the Orange-breasted Laughingthrush in better light, which we all got– at one point the pair sitting side-by-side, bowing heads with tails spread, jumping over one another! In the more open forest we found a pair of Blue Pitta, the male of which couldn’t get enough of us, circling 270 degrees as it bounced across several open areas. Back on the roadside we found a pair of extremely skulking Spot-throated Babblers that popped out for a few precious seconds, though as we waited at one point a Yellow-bellied Weasel stuck its head out of the grass, peering up at us as we sat just a few feet away before it raced across the track – an exciting discovery as the seldom-seen Indochinese form is most likely an undescribed species, differing from the Himalayan animals. What really captivated us though was the large flock of Silver-backed Needletails that swirled and dived over and around us, below eye-level at times – wonderful. A fly-over Rufous-bellied Eagle was almost the last act of the morning until a pair of Bar-backed Partridge nervously walked towards, then across us, in the open coniferous undergrowth. The aptly named Dreams Hotel (complete with both vertical and horizontal shower!) was our base for the next three nights as we birded around the Dalat Plateau for a couple of days. We were blessed with fine weather throughout and we couldn’t have hoped for a better start. With a couple of hours in the afternoon at our disposal, a visit to a forested valley yielded our first view of the critically endangered Grey-crowned Crocias – the most-wanted and rarest bird of the region – as a group of four fed in the dense tangled canopy viewed through our scopes. A spritely Grey-cheeked Warbler sang close-by, and a Hill Prinia popped up to have a look at us, though keeping our eyes to the canopy again paid dividends as a Red-vented Barbet was found, calling away on top of a dead snag. At dusk another Grey Nightjar appeared and a Hodgson’s Frogmouth called close-by, but not quite close enough.

‘Himalayan’ White-throated Needletail and Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Dalat Our first morning on the plateau was high up on Mount Lang Bian, and with patience and hard-work we were richly rewarded. Our number one target, Collared Laughingthrush is a renowned skulker, with good views difficult to come-by. Within minutes of arrival we had positioned ourselves looking across at another log and suitable arena for this endemic laughingthrush with the birds finally appearing, first hopping fast across the log, then perching on the open branches around it, offering great, though brief looks. Typically though, as good as these views were we ended up getting views on a further 3 occasions as we randomly bumped into small groups feeding, including a pair that were really close to the trail in a dark tangle, before finding 4 of them perched up in the mid-canopy feeding on tiny berries. The mountain produced several birds without us finding any sizable feeding flocks (and a complete lack of the once common Silver-eared Mesia) and we slowly connected with nearly all our targets, with views of Clicking Shrike Babbler, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, ocularis White-spectacled Warbler, just a solitary singing Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, several Black-headed Sibia, Large Niltava, White-browed Scimitar Babbler feeding oblivious to our nearby presence, Golden-throated Barbet and a singing Vietnamese Cutia that was too brief for some of us. The only frustration of the trip so far was a singing Green Cochoa that sang away for an hour, from various canopy perches, but getting a view of the canopy proved too much for us as we barely managed anything more than flight views. With time pressing we still hadn’t found the peaks other speciality, Black-crowned Fulvetta, so with a final throw-of-the-dice we headed up a different narrow trail, and right when we were ready to turn round our one-and-only decent feeding flock appeared. A Yellow-billed Nuthatch excitingly alighted above us, then the distinct chattering of the fulvetta had us on tender

hooks before eventually they came up the gulley to inspect us, before all 4 of them melted back away into the undergrowth. An afternoon visit to the pine forest surrounding Tuyen Lam lake enabled us to clean-up on our remaining Dalat endemics. As soon as we got out of the vehicle we could hear Vietnamese Greenfinches, several of which were found, either drinking from a puddle, resting in the mid-canopy or perched up calling from open snags. Slender-billed Oriole was next to appear, 2 pairs chasing each other around before we found a couple more male White-throated Rock Thrush and our first, female, Dalat Shrike Babbler. We gave the frogmouth another random crack, though all was silent till we returned to our vehicle when a sudden brief, distant call was heard. Rushing over we had the bird calling loudly in front of us but the roadside vegetation was too thick to see through so after much agonising and moving around, there it was, a female Hodgson’s Frogmouth perched below us in a tangle. Typically after all the agro she had caused she posed for us, giving great scope views before we just walked away from her. Our second morning on the plateau saw us return to Tuyen Lam (‘thanks’ largely to the opening up of the area for development which means plenty of new roads cutting into the once pristine evergreen forests that used to be inaccessible). After a perched Mountain Hawk Eagle and a couple of nice feeding flocks, containing much the same but with two new additions for us – a wintering Alstrom’s Warbler, and Collared Owlet to check out what all the commotion was about, we found a male Vietnamese Cutia singing from an open snag, then bringing along his female and two other friends to feed in the conifers immediately above our heads. Entering a patch of native, broadleaved forest almost instantly brought us into contact with a trio of Grey-crowned Crocias and a pair of Rufous-backed Sibia offering great views in the low canopy. In the afternoon we returned, finding the local race of Red Crossbill the moment we stepped out of the vehicle – a pair feeding high above us. With all the specialities under the belt it was a rather easy and relaxed afternoon, taking in a few new birds for the trip – Chestnut-capped Babbler, Large Cuckooshrike, Little Grebe (!), more Slender-billed Orioles and a hopeless Osprey unsuccessfully fishing before we called it a day. A driving day followed, driving down from the plateau across the dry open lowlands was an easy day to forget – we picked up our only Grey-breasted Prinia of the trip, along with some roadside House Sparrows (they only reached central Vietnam 4 years ago). Anyway, we finally arrived at our accommodation in the early evening, ready for a new batch of birds the next day.

Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush and Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Mang Den 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. Fortunately much of the area is the still same, though the forest has much reduced in size, a few new roads have appeared and hunting has obviously had its toll on the larger birds, but allowing us to have a great days birding. 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. Our first stop was perfect as seeding bamboo by our bus soon attracted several gaudy Pin-tailed Parrotfinch within seconds of us predicting them to be here! While waiting for them to land (which they did), the sweet, melodic song of a Laughingthrush started up from inside the bamboo and after a couple of minutes we had a pair of Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, singing from both sides of the road– very easy!

Further along the road we found another pair of Laughingthrushes, which showed even better, as they perched on fallen logs in the sunlight, flashing their orange, certainly not chestnut, ears. As these melted back into the undergrowth we swung our attentions to the other side of the road with a large party of Black-hooded Laughingthrush sitting out, displaying to one another. We didn’t know which way to turn at this point as a pair of Austen’s Hornbills flew over the road for some of us. Feeding flocks were few and far between during the course of the day. Those that did turn up held the usual variety of Grey-crowned Tit, Mrs Gould’s and Black-throated Sunbird, Erpornis, Black-chinned Yuhina, Grey-chinned Minivet, Golden-throated and Annam Barbets, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, with pairs of Yellow-billed Nuthatch appearing twice, and Rufous-faced Warbler occasionally. A pair of Indochinese Green Magpie were typically furtive, though the lead bird decided to make a dash for it, hopping across the final tree before gliding across the road in front of us, with its mate not quite so daring. Keeping our eyes to the sky produced a pair of Crested Goshawk, two Oriental Honey Buzzard, a pair of Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon flying along the roadside and a small number of Mountain Imperial Pigeon. The afternoon may have been a little quieter but the quality remained high as after an initial struggle a pair of Indochinese Wren Babbler couldn’t have been more cooperative as they bounced around us, perching on several fallen logs, including one in the middle of the trail. After that, a pair of Grey-headed Parrotbill were busy building their roadside nest, though a pair of Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler were less cooperative, giving us ‘jigsaw views’ as they continually skirted around us, as did a furtive Spot-throated Babbler. The final bird of the day was a Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, which popped inside his hole to roost.

Black-crowned Barwing, Lo Xo and Indochinese Wren Babbler, Mang Den With all the major targets in the bag, we birded a different area of newly opened forest. Species composition was a little different here as we picked up a few different birds, including a glowing male Emerald Cuckoo, several Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, our first Japanese White-eye and even a couple of vagrant Oriental Turtle Doves. After this we headed north for a very pleasant afternoons birding which started with a raucous flock of White-winged Magpie, swiftly followed by a wonderful fly-over of a pair of Austen’s Hornbill and ending with great views of a displaying pair of Black-crowned Barwing, jumping over each other, bowing heads with their raised crown and spread wings. This is another species that was discovered as recently as 1996, and still only known from a tiny area of Vietnam, and a couple of sites in central Laos. We returned to the area the following morning reacquainting ourselves with the barwings once more though Red-tailed Laughingthrush failed to materialise. Heading to the coast we located 3 White-faced Plover on their breeding beach, along with Grey-capped Greenfinch before arriving at Bach Ma National Park for a two-night stay. Once again putting in the time and effort at Bach Ma reaped its rewards. Our first foray into the forest in the afternoon brought about an inquisitive pair of ground-dwelling Rufous-throated Fulvetta – a much-underrated bird – followed by the rather underwhelming, ‘subdued’ Black-browed Fulvetta. On the first morning we found another pair of Indochinese Wren Babblers, only to be blown away by the views as one came within literally inches of us at times, even sitting on the wall either side of us, singing from the water pipe and generally just showing ridiculously well, making a mockery of its ‘shy and elusive’ name tag. Birding was most enjoyable for the majority of our full day and following morning with plenty of birds kicking about – Indochinese Yuhina and Long-tailed Broadbill being particularly conspicuous, black-crested gayeti Sultan Tits were good value, with sightings of singing Black-throated Laughingthrush, Masked Laughingthrush, Silver-breasted Broadbill, relatively brief male Japanese Thrush, Red-headed Trogon, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, and Ratchet-tailed Treepie all new for the trip

though we had to wait until the afternoon to finally find a pair of Rufous-throated Partridge, which scurried away a bit too fast for some of us. Interestingly we had 3 Jerdon’s Baza drift over – a sign of migration – and later an adult and immature Mountain Hawk Eagle making use of the strong afternoon thermals, as a Black Eagle just hung, kestrel-like, in the wind. We had plenty of repeat views of several appreciated species including a showy male Blue-rumped Pitta, Indochinese Green Magpie, Crimson and Fork-tailed Sunbirds, big numbers of Asian House Martin moving through and Brown-backed Needletail. Pride of place though went to the two galliforms on our second morning, firstly we picked the perfect spot to entice a pair of Annam Partridge into view on several occasions, then at the very last moment, we finally found a pair of regal Silver Pheasant, including a majestically plumed male walking through a sunlight open area of forest just below us. A long day drive heading towards Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park took us across a different route to that taken by everyone else. Following on from our pioneering 2012 tour we birded a forested area close to the Laos border. Our target, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush was already calling as we stepped out of the bus for breakfast, though it took some time before we all eventually got great views as they had a bizarre habit of feeding in the dense low bushes in a large clearing rather than sticking to the good forest. The laughingthrush is a rarely encountered species restricted to the central Annamites, Ba Vi and Hainan. Birding was otherwise relatively quiet; we had hoped the remoter rivers might yield a Blyth’s Kingfisher but that was all wishful thinking. Indochinese Wren Babbler, with a different call to our earlier sightings, once again revelled in our company as a pair bounced around in front of us for more cracking views. We spent the rest of day travelling to our final destination, driving through some diverse scenery with occasional stops along the old Ho Chi Minh Trail, through heavily-bombed defoliated forest, spectacular limestone karst, rice-fields and eventually some intact lowland forest that we spent a short time in, without much reward bar a lone male Austen’s Hornbill flying along a distant ridge.

Austen’s Hornbill and Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Annamites An exciting full day was had inside the difficult to access Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The park protects a vast area of limestone karst forest. Although much of it still remains heavily degraded due to the intense bombing the region received during the American War, it still plays host to a number of mammals virtually unknown outside the 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. We immediately found a flock of Sooty Babblers, doing their thing – chirping to each other as they hopped about on the exposed limestone with tail spread and their short wings used to balance themselves as they searched for spiders right by the road at times. The rest of the day was spent trying several areas for the parks most elusive prize, Red-collared Woodpecker, though other than a distant call we hadn’t a sniff, and surprisingly Limestone Leaf Warbler was conspicuous by its absence. Birding was generally quite productive though, with Indochinese Green Magpie again encountered, Racket-tailed Treepie being new, Laced Woodpecker got our hearts briefly racing but the highlights were two very unexpected birds, the first was a ‘Tonkin Partridge’, our fifth partridge, and a split from Chestnut-necklaced, a rarely seen taxon restricted to north Vietnam that walked right across where we had hoped it would. Second was David’s surprise announcement of a hawfinch-like bird, we found ourselves watching Southeast Asia’s (and Vietnam’s second) third Japanese Grosbeak, a stonking males no less, with the sharper-eyed among us scoring two birds! Despite all the great birds the best moments of the day involved the parks primate inhabitants, first was a wonderful family group of Red-shanked Doucs, perhaps the funkiest, vividly coloured primate around and, in the late afternoon, a group of Hatinh Langur somehow leaping across, then up (!) the sheer rock face as they moved from the trees to the safe haven of the limestone to roost.

Returning inside the park, in the drizzle, for a concluding two hours birding the following morning we knew we had our work cut out with the weather and the difficulty of our target. Well, we needn’t have worried as a distant call from the roadside forest of a Red-collared Woodpecker had our ears pricked, and binoculars at the ready. It took some time but eventually the call was getting increasingly louder, then a whir of wings as the birds must have moved up from ground to tree and across the road flew the dark-green, short-billed woodpecker. Our next attempt was a great success as we picked an open spot whereby the male Red-collared Woodpecker came out, heading straight for us, then banking as it flew across and away from us giving us a great views of his red shawl – elation! With time pressing we picked up a very showy Limestone Leaf Warbler right at the end too, a species only described to science in 2009 and known only from the limestone regions of eastern Indochina. After a short flight from Hue to Hanoi, we were greeted by the usual thick, thick mist and light drizzle of Tam Dao National Park – unfortunately due to mismanagement and a complete disregard for the law the park optimizes everything that is wrong with conservation in the country making it generally tough birding in trying conditions. We gave ourselves one full day at Tam Dao, knowing the weather would be terrible (and it was!), with much of the day in thick mist and light to heavy drizzle, though we did have a couple of prolonged dry periods.

Thankfully the birds cooperated. As soon as we got out the bus we could hear a Green Cochoa which we quickly located in a roadside tree, silhouetted of course! A pair were on view and finally the male did the decent thing and came within 20 metres of us at eye-level, allowing wonderful views as he sang is monotone whistle. Walking not much further we discovered the parks main attraction, Grey Laughingthrush with 5 birds regularly on view offering some of the best views we’ve ever had, though it was hard to decide if the thick mist was helping or hindering our views – it no doubt helped conceal us, bringing them closer but made it difficult to see anything on them, it’s a good job they’re grey! Feeding flocks were irregular, David’s Fulvetta and Black-chinned Yuhina being the main component with a sprinkling of other species; Bianchi’s, ‘Blyth’s’, Pallas’s and Yellow-bellied Warblers, Red-headed Trogon, Golden Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia and White-browed Piculet though Short-tailed Parrotbill frustrated, remaining a heard only until we finally got a bird close, in view but by this point the mist was too thick to see little more than a moving silhouette for those of us who could actually make out a shape! Pale-footed Bush Warbler was much more obliging, perching out to rattle off his Cettia-like song (it’s now considered a stubtail, bizarrely), and a really confiding Asian Stubtail busy washing itself in a fern leaf. Tristram’s Bunting, a species we see less and less here was found, as many as 10 favouring the roadside, with a single male Chestnut Bunting. A Slaty-bellied Tesia was a welcome addition to the list, producing several fine views, even flashing his bright orange gape at us. How long this area remains viable for birding though remains a mystery, with the popping up of new buildings and indications of a new road to be built. As we were still missing one target here, Short-tailed Parrotbill, we returned for the early morning, seeing very little until we finally hit a feeding flock and hearing the tell-tale high-pitched shrills of the parrotbill, waited in anticipation until they finally moved up the slope from beneath us and into the roadside bamboo, offering 5 minute views of this feisty little gem of a bird, a real Bobby Dazzler!

Limestone Leaf Warbler and White-eared Night Heron, Ba Be National Park With one final destination left on the tour, we headed north, deep in northern Bac Kan province, close to the Chinese border for one of Asia’s least-known species; White-eared Night Heron. Up until about 7 years ago, this species was only known from a handful of sites in remote areas of south-east 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. Thankfully, a Birdlife survey 5 years ago rediscovered the species in Vietnam at two sites, including Ba Be National Park where we headed to, reaching the impressively scenic lake in the late afternoon in time to squeeze in a search for the heron, which we found extremely close to the lake, so well camouflaged it took us a while to realise it was the bird and not a branch as it faced us, head-on. As dusk began to creep in the night heron started to get fidgety, wing and neck stretching, shaking its shaggy crest before disappearing back into the forest. Leaving in our boat pre-dawn we headed back to the secluded bay, part of the 8km long Ba Be Lake that’s surrounded by dramatic limestone karst cliff-faces and forest. As we entered the bay, a rather long-necked looking night heron was already flying around, and over the next 30 minutes until dawn we had several White-eared Night Herons flying around us, once perched they would then begin to call their deep, low growl. Occasionally a bit of plumage could be seen, but it was still quite amazing to see so many of this once mythical species flying around us. As dawn arrived, the herons had disappeared into the forest, so we decided to go birding and return later. At breakfast, a Pied Falconet was sat typically on a prominent perch over a forested clearing, while Hainan Blue Flycatcher was also finally seen. Another clearing held a vocal Limestone Leaf Warbler before we headed back to ‘heron bay’. White-winged Magpies greeted us and eventually we located a single roosting heron, perched high in an overhanging tree in good light – wonderful views of a seemingly mythical species some of us thought we’d never clap eyes on, a perfect way to end one of our most successful Vietnam tours ever, before we made the uneventful, slow-going 240km drive back to Hanoi. For information regarding our tours to Vietnam please click here. Alternatively please contact us via email or telephone us +441332 516254 regarding organising a custom tour. For information regarding our tours to Vietnam please click here. Alternatively please contact us via email or telephone us +441332 516254 regarding organising a custom tour.

Bird-of-the-tour

1 Bar-bellied Pitta 2= Siamese Fireback 2= Hodgson's Frogmouth

4 Vietnamese Cutia 5= Red-collared Woodpecker 5= Germain's Peacock Pheasant

More photos from the tour

Golden-crested Myna and Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Cat Tien

Abbott’s Babbler and Siberian Blue Robin, Cat Tien

Buff-cheeked Gibbon and Green Peafowl, Cat Tien

Mountain Imperial Pigeon and Jerdon’s Baza, Dalat

White-cheeked Laughingthrush and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Dalat

Grey-crowned Tit and Vietnamese Cutia, Dalat

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker and Indochinese Wren Babbler, Mang Den

Annam Partridge, Bach Ma and White-faced Plover, Da Nang

‘Annam Fulvetta’ and Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Bach Ma

gayeti Sultan Tit and Indochinese Yuhina, Bach Ma

Dark-necked Tailorbird and ‘Kloss’s Blue Flycatcher’, Annamites

Indochinese Wren Babbler, Annamites and Mandarin, Ba Be

Systematic List

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Mandarin Aix galericulata

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae

Scaly-breasted Partridge Tropicoperdix chloropus cognacqi Annam Partridge Tropicoperdix merlini Tonkin Partridge Tropicoperdix [charltonii] tonkinensis Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis annamensis Heard only

Arborophila rufogularis guttata

Bar-backed Partridge Arborophila brunneopectus henrici Orange-necked Partridge Arborophila davidi Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera beli 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 Casmerodius [albus] modestus Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Casmerodius [albus] modestus Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Striated Heron Butorides striata White-eared Night Heron Gorsachius magnificus

PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni jerdoni Oriental Honeybuzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Heard only

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Crested Goshawk Tachyspiza trivirgatus Shikra Tachyspiza badius Grey-faced Buzzard Bustastur indicus Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus limnaetus Mountain Hawk Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides telmatophila

CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae

Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Swinhoe's Plover Charadrius [alexandrinus] dealbatus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis orientalis Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall minor Little Cuckoo Dove Macropygia ruficeps engelbachi Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Ashy-headed Green Pigeon Treron phayrei Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Yellow-vented Green Pigeon Treron siemundi Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides Heard only

Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor Heard only Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus

Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Heard only Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Heard only

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 Heard only Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia distans Heard only Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica Heard only 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 Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

Germain's Swiftlet Aerodramus 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

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae

Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

Black-billed Roller Coracias [benghalensis] affinis Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae

Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Austen's Hornbill Anorrhinus austeni Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus

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

Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiatica davisoni 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 Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus delacouri Stripe-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos atratus annamensis Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus

Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus krempfi

Picus chlorolophus annamensis

Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus hessei Heard only

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

Pied Falconet Microhierax melanoleucus Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti

Falco peregrinus japonensis

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae

Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis

PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae

Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus laoensis Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos siamensis Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae dalhousiae

Psarisomus dalhousiae divinus

Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus atrestus

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

Blue-rumped Pitta Hydrornis soror soror

Hydrornis soror annamensis

Blue Pitta Hydrornis cyanea Bar-bellied Pitta Hydrornis elliotii

PASSERIFORMES: Tephrodornithidae

Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis hainanus

Tephrodornis gularis mekongensis

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 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus fraterculus

Pericrocotus speciosus semiruber

Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus annamensis Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris deignani

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides nigricapillus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach schach

PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae

Dalat Shrike Babbler Pteruthius annamensis Blyth's Shrike Babbler Pteruthius aeralatus ricketti Clicking Shrike Babbler Pteruthius intermedius indochinensis Black-eared Shrike Babbler Pteruthius melanotis 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 robinsoni

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus thai Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus bondi

Dicrurus leucophaeus leucogenis

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 Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone incei

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius leucotis Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha magnirostris White-winged Magpie Urocissa whiteheadi Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis chinensis 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 Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus legendrei Heard only

Parus monticolus ssp nov Heard only

Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus basileus 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 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus sinensis

Hypsipetes leucocephalus leucothorax

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica japonica Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata stanfordi Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus dasypus

PASSERIFORMES: Pnoepygidae

Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla annamensis Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Cettidae

Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea Pale-footed Bush Warbler Urosphena pallidipes Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae

Grey-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis

PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Pallas's Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 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

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris klossi Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens beavani Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii erro Plain Prinia Prinia inornata herberti

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae

Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata Pin-striped Tit Babbler Mixornis gularis versuricola

Mixornis gularis lutescens

Indochinese Tit Babbler Mixornis kelleyi Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps pagana 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 ochraceiceps alius Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis reconditus Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Spot-necked Babbler Stachyris striolata tonkinensis Collared Babbler Gampsorhynchus torquatus Black-crowned Fulvetta Schoeniparus klossi Rufous-throated Fulvetta Schoeniparus rufogularis Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum indochinense Buff-breasted Babbler Pellorneum tickelli Spot-throated Babbler Pellorneum albiventre Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Abbott's Wren Babbler Turdinus abbotti Indochinese Wren Babbler Napothera danjoui Streaked Wren Babbler Napothera brevicaudata Black-browed Fulvetta Alcippe grotei David's Fulvetta Alcippe davidi schaefferi Annam (Mountain) Fulvetta Alcippe [peracensis] annamensis Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni 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 Heard only

Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti milleti

Garrulax milleti sweeti

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush Stactocichla annamensis Collared Laughingthrush Trohalopteron yersini Black-headed Sibia Heterophasia desgodinsi robinsoni Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris ricketti Rufous-backed Sibia Minla annectens exima Black-crowned Barwing Actinodura sodangoram Blue-winged Siva Actinodura cyanouroptera orientalis

Actinodura cyanouroptera sordida

Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae

Black-crowned Parrotbill Psittiparus margeritae Grey-headed Parrotbill Psittiparus gularis Short-tailed Parrotbill Neosuthora davidiana

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 Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla White-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula monileger Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Large Niltava Niltava grandis Hainan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hainanus Blue-throated (Kloss's) Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides klossi Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas whitei 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 Plumbeous Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucurum Heard only

White-throated Rock Thrush Monticola gularis Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura stejnegeri Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys langbianensis White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti indicus Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus

PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis c. cochinchinensis

Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons inornata Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii melliana

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile modestum Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor olivaceum Heard only

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum cruentatum

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

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

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja mangini Purple-naped Spiderhunter Arachnothera hypogrammicum mariae Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Pin-tailed Parrotfinch Erythrura prasina

PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidea

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra meridionalis Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti Grey-caped Greenfinch Chloris sinica Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus House Sparrow Passer domesticus

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus rufulus Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae

Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila Tristram's Bunting Emberiza tristrami

MAMMALS Northern Treeshrew Tupaia belangeri

Northern Slender-tailed Treeshrew Dendrogale murina Hatinh Langur Trachypithecus hatinhensis Red-shanked Douc Pygathrix nemaeus Black-shanked Douc Pygathrix nigripes

Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina Buff-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus gabriellae Annam Gibbon Nomascus annamensis Heard only

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki Heard only Yellow-bellied Weasel Mustela kathiah

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 Cambodian Striped Squirrel Tamiops rodolphei Eastern Striped Squirrel Tamiops maritimus Indochinese Ground Squirrel Menetes berdmorei Red-cheeked Squirrel Dremomys rufigenis

358 species recorded including 16 heard only

Mandarin, Ba Be Lake © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia