Birding Shanghai has its personal particular annoyances other than birds not displaying up. One is the persevering with destruction of a lot of its surroundings. Anyplace that was once good for an fascinating species final 12 months is more likely to have been became one other development web site this 12 months. The opposite is that increasingly more locations are closed to the general public, jealously guarded by black-clad, Mussolini-inspired watchmen who with none trace of irony inform you {that a} particular place is privately owned although non-public land possession doesn’t exist on this supposedly socialist nation. Lastly, there are particular restrictions for foreigners – I suppose we would steal some important state secrets and techniques which have some type of relationship with the native birds.
However anyway, Shanghai in March. Just a few modifications occur in March – for instance, many European international locations and the USA change to sunlight financial savings time. On Chongming Island, some birds change their first names – particularly, the Northern Lapwings change their names to Gray-headed Lapwings.
Gray-headed Lapwings are listed as Least Concern, which is a bit puzzling because the species was once categorized as Close to Threatened, and the HBW doesn’t sound too constructive about their inhabitants measurement and growth: “Beforehand thought of Close to Threatened. Inhabitants, excluding Japan, numbers lower than 10,000–25,000 birds, and possibly reducing”.
Gray Herons flaunt their magnificence fairly overtly (I’m nonetheless considering of Gustav Klimt when seeing the patterns on the wings) …
… whereas different birds like Black-crowned Evening Herons present their magnificence a bit extra fastidiously.
Tianmashan had two fascinating birds in March. One, a Ryukyu Minivet.
The scientific identify tegimae honors Seiichi Tegima (1850-1918), a Japanese educationalist, bureaucrat, and museum director. I don’t suppose many different hen species are named after Japanese residents.
Tegima was a key determine in establishing the Japanese pavilion on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (supply). After his arrival in Chicago in preparation for the exhibition, he was featured in Arthur’s House Journal, Vol 62 (which to me doesn’t sound like essentially the most thrilling publication on the earth) and described as “a most courtly, elegant gentleman, who, besides on events of maximum ceremonial, appeared in European costume. He was wined and dined on the Chicago golf equipment and in essentially the most unique houses.”
I type of like birds named after nasty guys (makes for higher tales), however Tegima (additionally named Tejima, see right here) was not certainly one of them. He was a robust promoter of technical training and one of many founders of a ladies’s college. Actually not a lot enjoyable to put in writing about good guys.
Till not too long ago, the Ryukyu Minivet was thought of a subspecies of the Ashy Minivet, and certainly the variations from that species – as described within the HBW – appear comparatively refined. Additionally, there are fairly some variations inside every species – for particulars, see right here. The creator of that paper proudly states “This work, counting on a comparatively giant knowledge set, significantly improves our understanding of the geographic sample in morphometric variation in Pericrocotus spp. in northeast Asia.”
Whereas range-restricted, it’s apparently frequent on Ryukyu Island – however a uncommon sight right here in Shanghai.
The opposite fascinating species – additionally on Tianmashan – was a Verditer Flycatcher. As I didn’t discover any new and fascinating details about the species, I did what everyone does today – I requested ChatGPT. It appears to be impressed by the species: “The Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus) is a strikingly lovely hen present in South Asia.” And concludes “General, the Verditer Flycatcher will not be solely admired for its beautiful look but additionally performs an necessary ecological position as an insect predator in its native habitats.”
Bonus birds on Tianmashan: Gray-capped Greenfinch …
… a species that – whereas described by eBird as gregarious – appears to desire nesting in obscurity, with the three components of environmental concealment, nest location concealment, and nest location inaccessibility listed as the principle nest location choice standards in a paper …
… and Black-throated Bushtit. That is certainly one of my favorites amongst cute birds – however that’s simply my private opinion. So, once more I requested ChatGPT a query: “Is the Black-throated Bushtit a cute hen?”
ChatGPT first replies in a barely evasive method however then will get virtually annoyingly constructive:
“Opinions on whether or not the Black-throated Bushtit is cute could range relying on private preferences and views. Nonetheless, many individuals discover this hen lovable attributable to its small measurement, fluffy look, and vigorous conduct. With its distinctive markings and sociable nature, it typically captivates birdwatchers and nature fans alike.”
Personally, I’m a bit fearful that after completely everybody makes use of ChatGPT, sentences corresponding to “captivates birdwatchers and nature fans alike” will change into much more frequent than they already are.
The variety of Hooded Cranes on Chongming is scaling down …
… and there additionally appear to be fewer Eurasian Spoonbills.
They nonetheless combine with Black-faced Spoonbills, which in any other case would presumably really feel fairly lonely given their low international numbers.
I’m certain some individuals will hate this picture of a Eurasian Hoopoe, framed as it’s by human artifacts. In fact, me being me, it is a good purpose to point out it.
As I’m certain I’ve talked about earlier than, numerous science work appears to goal to show the plain – although the researchers nonetheless phrase their outcomes very fastidiously. For instance, here’s a assertion based mostly on analysis on the Goldcrest (supply): “These outcomes recommend that the flexibility to deposit fats within the face of an energetically demanding migration could also be affected by a person’s state of well being.” Or in my phrases: If you’re sick, it’s laborious to get fats (however please don’t take this as dietary recommendation).
One other paper – additionally marginally mentioning goldcrests – describes how totally different tit species keep away from one another, very like I attempt to keep away from different individuals when birdwatching, if potential:
“Nice tits happen solely in forests close to homes, and the crested tit averted the foraging websites of the nice tit in these forests. The willow tit averted bushes utilized by the crested tit when each have been foraging collectively. In one of the best studied case, willow tits moved to outer and higher components of spruce within the presence of nice tits, which forage in decrease and interior components, however within the presence of crested tits, which desire higher and outer components of bushes, willow tits moved to interior and decrease sections of spruce.”
Aren’t all of us a minimum of just a little bit fascinated by psychology? So, when taking a look at papers on the Eurasian Siskin, I used to be completely satisfied to seek out one with the title “Antipredator behavioral compensation of proactive persona trait in male Eurasian Siskins“.
Apparently, male siskins which have a bigger black bib are extra proactive, which makes them extra liable to predation. Nonetheless, they compensate by being extra vigilant when feeding, thus compensating for the elevated dangers. The authors (who presumably consider themselves as proactive as effectively) conclude that the proactive males are “not reckless”.
Considerably equally, male Eurasian Siskins – that are a lot brighter coloured than the females – additionally usually present better vigilance than the females, presumably as compensation for his or her larger visibility
Little Grebes are already changing into a bit extra engaging than in mid-winter …
… whereas Pied Avocets look excellent all 12 months spherical anyway.
Just a few photographs of species that I can’t consider writing something fascinating proper now …
Yellow-bellied Tit
Reed Parrotbill
Daurian Redstart
Silver-throated Bushtit
Yellow-throated Bunting
Little Bunting (considerably surprisingly not consuming seed regardless of the winter season)
Oriental Magpie (doubtlessly contributing to China’s actual property points by including one other nest)
Frequent Moorhen
Siberian Rubythroat ( admittedly not an ideal instance, however nonetheless)
… and an previous favourite of mine, White’s Thrush.
And to finish the publish, some raptors, by no means a quite common sight in Shanghai.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Based mostly on one paper, one may suggest this feminine to breed in a metropolis as apparently city nesters have larger breeding success (although admittedly, that paper checked out rural vs. city in Scotland, not China).
One thing comparable appears to use to the Northern Goshawk: “… goshawks seem to thrive in some city environments, most probably because of excessive native availability of worthwhile pigeon prey. We conclude that the Northern Goshawk could be categorized as an city exploiter in components of its distribution.” (supply).
Lastly, there’s the Japanese Marsh Harrier. As there are hardly ever any marshes in city areas, I suppose this species higher stays exterior of the cities.
Due to Paul for the assistance with getting data on Mr. Tegima.
