Birds in bronze - SanXingDui

More than three thousand years ago there was a population of sun-worshipping people living on the plains of Sichuan, near what is now Chengdu. The museum is about 50km north of Sichuan's capital city, where a treasure trove of mainly bronze relics was discovered in the summer of 1986.

The museum is really well laid out, and the artefacts speak for themselves, but it seems that not much is known for sure about the SanXingDui era.


A gold-plated mask.

The mask and other displayed items, including jade knives, were some of the objects apparently used in rituals of human sacrifice.

Birds were important symbols to this ancient culture as well, perhaps because birds could move freely between the earth and the heavens. A few examples:-







SanXingDui Museum - near Chengdu - well worth a visit !

Towards Sichuan's "Wild West" - Bamei, Ganze Prefecture

Bamei is a town north of Tagong, about 3000m in elevation. There is a monastery nearby.

Until a few days ago, to me, it was just a dot on a map between Tagong and Danba, in western Sichuan.

But when we got there I was pleasantly surprised. The place was a bit dusty, but the view of the snow-capped peak of Yala Shan - obscured by a new radio mast, I admit - helped to make the place feel a bit special.

I sat on the steps outside our hotel and took these photos. It was really great spending a couple of hours just watching the world go by.













I must be getting a bit obsessed images of Tibetan motorcyclists, I admit.

Bamei to Danba, Ganze, Western Sichuan

There has been a LOT of rain in parts of China this year, bringing tragedy to many people.

Our 18 days in Sichuan were - luckily for us - mostly dry.

We found the plains very hot and hazy near Chengdu, but the weather around Kangding and further west was bright and clear, as you can see here.....

Grasslands near Bamei


Yala Shan, 5820m

Then the road followed the river through an interesting gorge, with a few noteworthy birds to be seen.


Apus pacificus, race "kanoi" ?


Snow Pigeon


distant Himalayan Griffon Vultures


Approaching Danba

P.S. And no, I'm afraid we didn't see any pheasants. We were travelling with my non-birding sister and not really "birding" at all.

Don't be sad

We're leaving today for three weeks in sunny Sichuan; well beyond the realms of bl*gger


Orang, Danum Valley

Regular postings will be resumed in August.

Meanwhile, - enjoy your summer !

White-shouldered Starling - Sturnus sinensis

Although this species occurs in small numbers in winter and as a passage migrant, it is easiest to see as a breeding species in the summertime in Hong Kong.

Sturnus sinensis

From my 1974 edition of "Hong Kong Birds" by G.A.C. Herklots

"This beautiful little starling arrives in the Colony towards the end of March and leaves in mid-September or shortly afterwards… It feeds for the most part on insects collected in the treetops.. As a rule it nests in crevices in buildings but occasionally in holes in trees."

Herklots was interned during the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong (1941-45)and added: -

"Every spring during our enforced stay at Stanley we welcomed the return of these starlings; they nested in holes in the outer walls of the prison."

Sturnus sinensis


In New Territories villages White-shouldered starlings still nest in crevices of old buildings, but they also make use of power cable switchboxes in the fishpond areas around Deep Bay.

Independence Day

But not yet for this juvenile Bonelli's Eagle, photographed with an adult from our rooftop this morning....

Bonelli's Eagles


Bonelli's Eagle -adult


Bonelli's Eagle - juvenile

HOT again today - "Phew - whatta scorcha !" (Old summertime headline from the British SUN newspaper)