Luding is at 1550 m above sea level, so it is a steep climb up the old forest road, to get to the top of Erlang Shan which is 2,120 m high.
It was a dark & gloomy morning on 25th May, but the clouds eventually parted & the day proved to be an excellent one.
Buff throated Warbler
Buff barred Warbler
Large-billed Leaf Warbler
White collared Yuhina.
The next morning I drove up to the mid elevation forest. it was a beautiful morning will low cloud in the valley below & glimpses of high mountain peaks in the far distance.
Spotted Nutcracker
Male Firethroat.
Sichuan Leaf Warbler
Aberrant Bush Warbler.
Himalayan Griffon Vulture.
White-tailed (Himalayan) Rubythroat.
Rufous browed Accentor.
White capped Redstarts were common
along the river.
Erlang Shang.
The Old Forest Road at Erlang Shan.
Spotted Nutcracker
Chestnut Thrush
The incredibly skulking Firethroat.
White-browed Fulvetta
Male Mr's Goulds Sunbird.
Olive-backed Pipit singing.
Rosy Pipit on the top of the mountain,
in the low cloud.
Birds seen included: 2 male Lady Amherst's Pheasant; 4 Crested Honey Buzzard migrating over the pass; Himalayan Buzzard; 50+ Spotted Nutcracker; 20+ Chestnut Thrush; a superb male Firethroat; Buff throated Warbler; Greenish Warbler; 10+ Buff barred Warbler; Claudia's Leaf Warbler; 25+ Elliot's Laughing Thrush; Black-faced Laughing Thrush; 3 Chinese Babax; White-browed Fulvetta; White collared Yuhina; Mrs Gould's Sunbird; 15+ Olive-backed Pipit; 2 Rosy Pipit; Dark breasted Rosefinch; 2 Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch; 2 Grey-headed Bullfinch; 2 White-winged Grosbeak & 4 Yellow throated Bunting.
The next morning I drove up to the mid elevation forest. it was a beautiful morning will low cloud in the valley below & glimpses of high mountain peaks in the far distance.
Dawn from the mountain.
I slowly walked down the mountain, birding all the way. Best birds were: many Spotted Nutcrackers; another male Firethroat; 3 Daurian Redstart; Verditer Flycatcher; Japanese Tit; 4 Sichuan Leaf Warbler; 2 Spotted Laughing Thrush' 2 Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler; 2 Common Rosefinch;and White-winged Grosbeak.
As I descended the mountain,, the vegetation became progressively drier & agriculture became more prevalent. A Grey faced Woodpecker & a Moupinia were the avian highlights.
Then it was time to commence the long drive to Rilong. I was secretly dreading this journey as I thought it would be largely a waste of time. I couldn't have been more wrong! The road was lightly travelled & passed through stupendous scenery. It was one incredible vista after another.
There was a distinct Tibetan feel to the countryside.
The highest point of the road was over 4,000 m.
Tibetan homes
Buddism is the norm here.
along the river.
Birding was surprisingly good along the way: Himalayan Griffon Vulture; Lammergeir; 3 Black-capped Kingfishers; 2 Hill Pigeon; 25+ Red-billed Chough; 30+ Daurian Jackdaw; 10 Kessler's Thrush; 5 White-capped Redstart; Russet Sparrow; Robin & rufous browed Accentors & Godwelski's Bunting.
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