The southern Chinese province of Hainan is a tropical island in the South China Sea that offers much to the bird photographer with endemic species including the endangered Hainan Peacock-Pheasant, the colourful Hainan Partridge and the lemon-yellow Hainan Leaf Warbler. There are only two areas of tropical rainforest in China, in parts of southern Yunnan Province and on Hainan Island and these rainforests are also home to a number of range-restricted species including the Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Red-headed Trogon and Sultan Tit, all of which we will work towards enjoying close photographic encounters. After sun down our attention will turn to obtaining portraits of a number of owls including Oriental Bay Owl, Eastern Grass Owl, Eastern Barn Owl, Mountain Scops Owl and Collared Scops Owl. [For those photographers wanting a longer Bird-Photo-Tour to this part of China, Bird-Photo-Tours Asia does offer a 12-day post-tour extension to Guangxi and Guangdong Provinces respectively where our main photographic objectives are to obtain portraits of many of the endemic species from this region of China including the recently discovered Nonggang Babbler, White-winged Magpie, Cabot's Tragopan, White-necklaced Partridge and Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler].
Pheasants / Partridges: Hainan Peacock Pheasant / Silver Pheasant / Hainan Partridge
Owls: Oriental Bay Owl / Eastern Grass Owl / Eastern Barn Owl / Collared Scops Owl / Mountain Scops Owl
Others: Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush / Red-headed Trogon / White-winged Magpie / Indochinese Green Magpie / Hainan Leaf Warbler
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-7, Hainan Province [6N / 5D / 10S]. Arrive in Sanya International Airport and drive 4-hours to Ledong County. Photographic Targets: Hainan Peacock Pheasant / Hainan Partridge / Hainan Leaf Warbler / Yellow-billed Nuthatch / Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush / Black-throated Laughingthrush / Sultan Tit / Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler / Red-headed Trogon / White-bellied Erpornis / Chestnut Bulbul / Huet’s Fulvetta / Spot-necked Babbler / Puff-throated Bulbul / Grey-chinned Minivet/ Oriental Bay Owl / Eastern Grass Owl / Eastern Barn Owl / Collared Scops Owl / Mountain Scops Owl.
Day 7, Hainan Province [0N / 0D / 0S]. Depart Sanya International Airport [END].
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day]
Zhengping was born and raised in Hainan Province and has an expert knowledge of the birds in this area. With speciality birds to photograph including Hainan Peacock Pheasant, Hainan Partridge, Hainan Leaf Warbler, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Sultan Tit, Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Red-headed Trogon, Oriental Bay Owl and Eastern Grass Owl, Zhengping is well-placed to provide guidance and support to ensure close photographic encounters of Hainan's birds are enjoyed.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
: Sichuan
