Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Hainan Blue and Brown-breasted Flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. A scenic option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, extending up and down the main stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just beyond the warden's hut. A range of species such as Chestnut Bulbul, Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker and Chinese Barbet may be seen or heard from this vantage point.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Mountain and Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed, Pallas' and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Huet's Fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain Tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Hainan Blue and Brown-breasted Flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. A scenic option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, extending up and down the main stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just beyond the warden's hut. A range of species such as Chestnut Bulbul, Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker and Chinese Barbet may be seen or heard from this vantage point.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Mountain and Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed Yellow-browed, Pallas' and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Hainan Blue and Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers Flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. A scenic option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, extending up and down the main stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past beyond the warden's hut. A range of species such as Chestnut Bulbul, Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Flowerpecker and Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen or heard from here.
this vantage point.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Mountain and Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. A scenic option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, extending up and down the main stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Mountain and Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. A scenic option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, extending up and down the main stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Mountain and Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An attractive A scenic option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension extending up and down the main stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An attractive option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have what they have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black.black (ignore the Nature Tail on the left, which is strenuous but not particularly productive for birds). Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An attractive option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black. Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An attractive option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These The steps lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black. Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An attractive option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can might happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black. Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An attractive option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
developed). The walk begins with a fairly steep climb up the access road to the warden's hut and toilet black. Half way up the access road, a view opens up over an open area where one can pause to survey the scene. Birds such as shrikes, drongos, pipits and in some winters, Red-flanked Bluetails may be seen here.
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, half to two hours, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen, except when they are at their most vocal in March-April.spring. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen.seen, except when they are at their most vocal in March-April. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Orange-bellied Leafbirds and Sunbirds are especially fond of their nectar. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map above by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make the hil;y hilly terrain less appealing and the variety of species is lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it the hil;y terrain less appealing and the variety of species is less, lower, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream (shown in black dots on the map).
starting near Picnic Site no.3.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
species. An option recommended by local guide David Diskin is to follow the Red Walk plus a loop of the Blue Walk, a scenic extension up and down the stream (shown in black dots on the map).
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Outdoor Study Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Edited by
Twq Ywq
on
2021-10-08 15:10
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Po Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Edited by
Twq Ywq
on
2021-10-08 15:08
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.tailorbirds.
PRO TIP: Many experienced birders in Hong Kong, when they visit Tai Po Kau, would go back and forth between Picnic Sites 1 and 2, half-expecting that what have come to twitch (usually a rare wintering warbler) will turn up in a 'bird wave' in that very part of the forest. This strategy seems to work well for the less assiduous.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. A range of species such as Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but marked on the map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (for (especially for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown marked on the map) map by a black dot) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be a frustrating place as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds (someintes (sometimes including Mrs Gould's Sunbird), especially from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing leafbirds and sunbirds and leafbirds, (someintes including Gould's Sunbird), especially in spring from January to March when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out fruiting fig trees (for barbets) and flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires calls for at least two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk (a 3 km loop) which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the area beside along the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be are often difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders aim to start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
can choose to:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk area beside the stream ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut (not signposted, but shown on the map) leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. One solution is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One solution is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. The other Another solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed and other leaf warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees which attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination. The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or Blue Walk, or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Indochinese Yuhina, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Indochinese Yuhina, Rufous-capped Babblers, Babbler, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at the warden's hut and toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees, trees which will usually attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination.
pollination. The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Indochinese Yuhina, Rufous-capped Babblers, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hog Hong Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the 'red' route Red Walk which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at te the warden's hut and tolie toilet block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the red route Red Walk which is useful if time is short. The blue walk Blue Walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees, which will usually attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination.
The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Indochinese Yuhina, Rufous-capped Babblers, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hog Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the 'red' route which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at te warden's hut and tolie block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the red route which is useful if time is short. The blue walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved rad road and turn right again down the steps at the Education Centre. This leads These lead to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be difficult to see. Great Barbets, for example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees, which will usually attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination.
The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, Scarlet and Grey-chinned minivets, Yellow-browed warblers, Yellow-crested tit, White-bellied erpornis, Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Indochinese Yuhina, Rufous-capped Babblers, Common and Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hog Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the 'red' route which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at te warden's hut and tolie block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the red route which is useful if time is short. The blue walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved rad and right again at the Education Centre. This leads to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be diffirult difficult to see. GRet Bearbts, Great Barbets, for exmaple, example, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees, which will usually attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination.
The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. A single flock today contained at least 9 species: chestnut In winter such flocks may contain Chestnut as well as Light-vented bulbuls, scarlet Scarlet and grey-chinned Grey-chinned minivets, yellow-browed Yellow-browed warblers, yellow-crested Yellow-crested tit, white-bellied White-bellied erpornis, velvet-fronted Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta and a grey-headed canary flycatcher. A second flock included several fulvetta, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Indochinese yuhina, rufous-capped babblers, common Yuhina, Rufous-capped Babblers, Common and mountain tailorbirds as well as more chestnut bulbuls. Pleasing to report that there were many more chestnut bulbuls in the forest than red-whiskered or Chinese bulbuls.
Many of these species have recolonized Hong Kong following the regrowth of secondary forests, with Tai Po Kau being the most mature such site. To some extent the resulting avifauna may be representative of Hong Kong before its historical deforestation.
Mountain tailorbirds.
Like other sites in Hog Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the 'red' route which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at te warden's hut and tolie block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the red route which is useful if time is short.
short. The blue walk is at a higher level, offering a longer walk but a generally similar set of species.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen from here.
(b) turn left at the warden's hut and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers according to the season, Mountain and Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved rad and right again at the Education Centre. This leads to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for photographing sunbirds and leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be diffirult to see. GRet Bearbts, for exmaple, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees, which will usually attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination.
The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. A single flock today contained at least 9 species: chestnut bulbuls, scarlet and grey-chinned minivets, yellow-browed warblers, yellow-crested tit, white-bellied erpornis, velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta and a grey-headed canary flycatcher. A second flock included several Indochinese yuhina, rufous-capped babblers, common and mountain tailorbirds as well as more chestnut bulbuls. Pleasing to report that there were many more chestnut bulbuls in the forest than red-whiskered or Chinese bulbuls.
Many of these species have recolonized Hong Kong following the regrowth of secondary forests, with Tai Po Kau being the most mature such site. To some extent the resulting avifauna may be representative of Hong Kong before its historical deforestation.
Like other sites in Hog Kong, Tai Po Kau is most rewarding from September to May. In the summer months heat and humidity make it less appealing and the variety of species is less, although breeding birds such as Chinese Barbet, Brown-breasted and Hainan Blue flycatchers are certainly of interest.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the 'red' route which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. Starting at te warden's hut and tolie block, one can follow this circuit in either direction, though most walkers turn left at the warden's hut and continue clockwise. There is a short cut leading across the stream to the red route which is useful if time is short.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested tit, Tit, Plain flowerpecker Flowerpecker, Chinese Barbet and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen frmo from here.
(b) turn left at the wrdne's warden's hut nad and explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers acording according to the season, Mountain and CHestnut bulbuls Chestnut Bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved rad and right again at the Education cAntre. THis Centre. This leads to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for hatogaing sunbairds photographing sunbirds and leafbirds.
leafbirds, especially in spring when their favourite food plants (coral trees and rhodoleia) are flowering.
Tai Pao Kau can be frustrating as the birds can be diffirult to see. GRet Bearbts, for exmaple, are often heard but rarely seen. There are two main solutions. One is to seek out flowering trees, which will usually attract nectar-feeding birds. In particular, the rhodoleia trees beside the stream on the Red Walk flower from January to March and largely depend on birds for their pollination.
The other solution is to be lucky or patient enough to encounter a 'bird wave' or mixed feeding flock. This can happen anywhere on the Red Walk or along the shortcut connecting the Red Walk to the stream. A single flock today contained at least 9 species: chestnut bulbuls, scarlet and grey-chinned minivets, yellow-browed warblers, yellow-crested tit, white-bellied erpornis, velvet-fronted nuthatch, Huet's fulvetta and a grey-headed canary flycatcher. A second flock included several Indochinese yuhina, rufous-capped babblers, common and mountain tailorbirds as well as more chestnut bulbuls. Pleasing to report that there were many more chestnut bulbuls in the forest than red-whiskered or Chinese bulbuls.
Many of these species have recolonized Hong Kong following the regrowth of secondary forests, with Tai Po Kau being the most mature such site. To some extent the resulting avifauna may be representative of Hong Kong before its historical deforestation.
Birders start as early as possible in the morning as there are fewer visitors and birds are more active (the exception being raptors which begin soaring around mid morning, after thermals have developed).
A satisfying visit requires two to three hours. This will allow at least a circuit via the 'red' route which is well signposted and shown on maps at the site. There is a short cut leading across the stream which is useful if time is short.
If one only has an hour an a half, a worthwhile visit can be achieved by going only as far as the warden's hut/toilet block. From here one can:
(a) watch from the platform just past the warden's hut. Yellow-crested tit, Plain flowerpecker and Chestnut Bulbul may be seen frmo here.
(b) turn left at the wrdne's hut nad explore the riverside walk ('flycatcher alley'). As well as various flycatchers acording to the season, Mountain and CHestnut bulbuls and Striated Heron may be seen here.
(c) turn right at the hut along the paved rad and right again at the Education cAntre. THis leads to a nature trail and a pond which is popular for hatogaing sunbairds and leafbirds.
