Zixishan Nature Reserve
From Kunming, known as the City of Eternal Spring, we will drive southwest through hilly terrain to reach Zixishan Nature Reserve. The surrounding coniferous and mixed broadleaf forests are rich in birdlife. Key species include Black-headed Greenfinch, Black-headed Sibia, Black-breasted Thrush, Chinese Thrush, and Godlewski’s Bunting.
In the extensive stands of pine trees, we will search for Giant Nuthatch, Yunnan Nuthatch, and Chestnut-vented Nuthatch. Other birds that may be encountered include Rosy Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black-browed Bushtit, Black-throated Bushtit, Russet Sparrow, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Ashy-throated Warbler, Brown-breasted Bulbul, and Blyth’s Shrike-Babbler.
We will explore smaller pockets of broadleaf forest in the wetter gullies for species such as Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Yunnan Fulvetta, Spectacled Fulvetta, White-tailed Robin, Rufous-capped Babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Vivid Niltava, Chinese Blue Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Red-billed Leiothrix, and Grey-crowned Warbler.
An early morning drive will be essential to search for the elusive Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, which can occasionally be found feeding near the road. Spotting this rarely seen and declining pheasant will require some luck.
Gaoligongshan
Gaoligongshan is a stunning chain of forested mountains that stretches from north to south along the Burmese border. This area is home to a rich variety of bird specialties, making it a prime location for birdwatching. We will spend significant time exploring the lush, mid-altitude broadleaf forests that blanket the surrounding mountains, as well as the secondary forest above our accommodations.
The diverse habitats here promise an enjoyable birding experience along trails that wind through beautiful forests and from several well-equipped hides at the forest's edge.
In the pristine higher elevations, we will seek out notable species such as Beautiful Sibia, Golden-throated Barbet, Grey-bellied Tesia, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, and the rare and elusive Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler. Other key targets include Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Collared Owlet, and the striking Yellow-cheeked Tit. Expect to find richly colored Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Blyth’s Shrike-Babbler, and various Minla species, including Chestnut-tailed, Red-tailed, and Blue-winged Minla. Rusty-fronted Barwing and the secretive Rufous-throated and Hill Partridges may also appear.
The lower altitude secondary forests host additional avian inhabitants like Wedge-tailed and Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Black-breasted Thrush, Blue-throated Barbet, Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler, and the splendid Scarlet-faced Liocichla. We may also see Blue-winged and Red-tailed Laughingthrushes, along with Striated, Brown-breasted, Flavescent, and Mountain Bulbuls. Other species likely to be observed include Crested Finchbill, Black-throated Bushtits, Chestnut-flanked White-eye, Silver-eared Mesia, Yunnan Fulvetta, Grey Treepie, Grey Bush Chat, Hill Prinia, Blue Whistling Thrush, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, and Black-throated Sunbird.
We will utilize the many hides and blinds set up throughout the lower altitude area, providing great opportunities to see species like Rufous-throated and Mountain Bamboo Partridges, Red-tailed and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, Beautiful Sibia, and Scarlet-faced Liocichla up close.
If fortune favors us, we may spot some of the rare inhabitants of Gaoligong such as Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, Grey-bellied Wren-Babbler, or Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler. An evening excursion to the forest edge might yield sightings of the Collared Scops Owl.
Lijiang Area
Lijiang’s prized birds live in the forested slopes of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains, which rise to an impressive 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). While the peaks reach this altitude, our birding will primarily take place between 2,000 and 2,800 meters (7,000 and 9,200 feet) throughout the morning. Our main target will be the Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, an uncommon but regularly seen species, particularly during early morning or late afternoon along the roads.
In addition to the pheasant, we’ll be on the lookout for various notable birds, including Spotted Nutcracker, the rare and endangered White-speckled Laughingthrush, Chinese Babax, and multiple tit species such as Grey Crested, Coal, Japanese, and Green-backed Tits. Expect to see Red-billed Blue Magpie, Indian Blue Robin, and several warblers including Grey-crowned, Black-faced, Chestnut-crowned, Davison’s, Alpine, and Blyth’s Leaf Warblers. We’ll also search for Slaty-backed and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatchers, Rufous-tailed Babbler, the scarce Grey-headed Bullfinch, and the elusive Upland Pipit.
Open fields near the roads may reveal Eurasian Hoopoe, Oriental Skylark, Siberian Stonechat, Grey-backed Shrike, and Russet Sparrow.
In this area of mixed bamboo and broad-leaved forest along the river, our main target will be the scarce and range-restricted Brown-winged Parrotbill. Other species we may encounter include Black-breasted Thrush, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, and Black-headed Greenfinch, with a chance to see the rare Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker.
In the nearby wetland, which typically hosts an array of waterbirds and thicket-associated species. Common sightings may include Eurasian Wigeon and Ferruginous Duck, as well as Oriental Reed Warbler, Dusky and Alpine Leaf Warblers, Taiga Flycatcher, and Black-faced Bunting in surrounding thickets. The wetland edges provide habitat for migrating Citrine and White Wagtails, Little Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Rosy and Blyth’s Pipits, and Oriental Pratincole.
Yingjiang County,
located in Yunnan Province, China, is an excellent birding destination known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. The area is characterized by a mix of forests, rivers, and mountains, providing diverse habitats for a wide variety of bird species. Here are some key highlights and target species for birdwatching in Yingjiang County: Grey Peacock Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Oriental Pied Honrbill, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Blue-throated and Blue-eared Barbet, Greater and Lesser Yellownape, Greater Flameback, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Golden-fronted, Orange-bellied and Blue-winged Leafbird etc.
