Xin Chow ! (Hello! in Vietnamese).
I would consider this trip more like an impromptu birding rather than an actual birding trip per se. Just shoot whatever which came along the tourist spots. Didn't see many birds though, most likely due to the poor weather up in the mountains (most of the time it was misty) and locals told me that it's an early raining season in Northern parts of Vn in June. Luckily I still managed to see a few nice birds.
Japanese Tit
Parus minor
This Tit was seen at 1500 m asl and its identity is confirmed by Dr James Eaton.
Japanese Tit
Parus minor
It only appeared briefly then it flew down the valley.
It looks like this species of Tits are quite common in this area. I saw about 5 of them flying around. This was one of them and I think this could be a Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus).
Cinereous Tit
Parus cinereus
Here is another one.
Cinereous Tit
Parus cinereus
Not sure whether it was pecking for food or excavating for a nest hole. This one its belly is more whitish.
I think I was very lucky to see this bird. It's the only resident bird which I've manage to photographed.
Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis
Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis
It was seen near the Rong May Glass Bridge which is about 2200m asl.
Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis
It came and grab something to eat and off it went. Saw two of them. I also saw a Wren like bird under the thick under growth. The weather at that time was foggy and very windy. I also saw a Fire-tailed Myzornis (Myzornis pyrrhoura) moving swiftly along the tree trunk like our Nuthatch. I can clearly see its green colour feathers as well as a few white spots near its tail. Unfortunately I can't get a shot of it as goes with a Drongo like bird at the same vicinity.
This set up looks quite similar like those found in our highlands here.
This is a Hill Prinia (Prinia superciliaris)
It appeared just when the mist came flowing down from the mountains. This Prinia was shot at a much lower altitude - about 1500 m asl.
I think this is a Siberian Thrush (Geokichla sibirica). It appeared at the same time as the above Hill Prinia. Looks like the birds here likes foggy weather.
It looks just like our common Tree Sparrow (Passer rutilans). Chilling out on a cold windy weather.
Initially I thought this might be a Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) but was corrected by Dr Eaton as just an Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), formerly known as an Oriental White-eye.
Indian White-eye
Zosterops palpebrosus
Looks like a Thrush I think.
Barn Swallow are pretty common here.
I think this one looks like a White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis)
Finally this is an unmistakable bulbul. They are as common as our Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier).
Red-Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
Their calls are very distinctive.
Red-Whiskered Bulbul
(Pycnonotus jocosus)
They can also be found in the highlands but I think they are more common in the lowland areas.
Their vegetation are just like some other tropical jungle. According to a local guide, he recommends a good birding spot at Ninh Binh province which is about 5 hours drive from Hanoi. Over there lies the oldest Vn national park i.e the Cuc Phuong National Park. Generally the locals here are friendly and their food are delicious.
COME URN ! or KWANG ! (i.e Thank You in Vietnamese)
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