The Great Parrotbill Hunt

A final morning on Longcanggou in search of the magically vanished parrotbills actually scored some success, as Granville found a Great Parrotbill as we walked back to the waiting minibus which some of us got brief looks at. I don’t know why, but it was a single bird and it disappeared off down the valley below us, not responding to the tape or being in a group as they often are. Prior to that we had enjoyed a relatively successful time with Kevin finding a male Temminck’s Tragopan that unfortunately did not hang around for the rest of us.

Grey-hooded Fulvetta

A fine male Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher was new and we had a few flocks of previous seen species, White-throated Needletails flying over, a Spotted Laughingthrush flew across the path and perched up for us, Emei Shan Liocichla showed quite well, and a Crimson-breasted Woodpecker was seen. Leaving here we drove down the mountain, stopping to get Marten’s Warbler and further views of Emei Leaf-warbler. A Chestnut-flanked White-eye was spotted by Russell as well before we headed on to pastures new and a five hour drive to our next overnight stop. The route passed through spectacular scenery and we realised just how ‘big’ this country is! A random roadside stop for a quick leg-stretch proved to be a good move, with Russet Sparrow and Godlewski’s Bunting being found.