IMG
© Stephen Matthews

Tai Sang Wai

22.47097 , 114.04271

Hong Kong

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Twq Ywq : 22.4710/114.0427 (2022-01-01 10:34:00 )

Site name was set by Twq Ywq as "Tai Sang Wai" (2022-01-01 10:34:00 )

Not available yet

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Red Collared-Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica)
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor)
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus)
Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
Collared Crow (Corvus pectoralis)
Red-billed Starling (Spodiopsar sericeus)
Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis)
Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala)

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2023-11-02 12:49:56)

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) was added by Stephen Matthews (2023-11-02 12:49:02)

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2023-11-02 12:48:25)

Red Collared-Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) was added by Stephen Matthews (2023-11-02 12:44:03)

Red-billed Starling (Spodiopsar sericeus) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:42:45)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) was deleted by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:41:29)

Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:40:20)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:35:34)

Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:33:10)

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:30:24)

Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:30:06)

Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:29:53)

Collared Crow (Corvus pectoralis) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 12:29:30)

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was deleted by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 10:34:50)

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was added by Twq Ywq (2022-01-01 10:34:24)

  • Timing and strategy

If you're going out to the northwest New Territories for some birding, Tai Sang Wai is not a bad option. It is an area of fishponds with paths around them.

Along some of the ponds are reedbeds and grassy edges, which can hold reed warblers, cisticolas, prinias, buntings and the like. Ponds filled with water are a good habitat for ducks, grebes, egrets and spoonbills. Drained ponds attract smaller waders as well as wagtails. Flocks of crows and starlings are often around. You might also want to look out for Oriental and Red Turtle Doves, as well as Brown and Long-tailed Shrikes, not to mention huge flocks of cormorants.

Early autumn and late spring are best for flocks of terns that are attracted to fishponds for food. The other birds I mention above can turn up at any time in autumn, winter or spring.

If you have enough time, it might be worth heading as far as Lut Chau. The habitat is the same as in Tai Sang Wai - it's just that since Lut Chau is on the edge of Mai Po Nature Reserve, rare birds that get found in that reserve sometimes find their way into Lut Chau. 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Twq Ywq on 2022-01-01 11:17
If you're going out to the northwest New Territories for some birding, Tai Sang Wai is not a bad option. It is an area of fishponds with paths around them. Along some of the ponds are reedbeds and grassy edges, which can hold reed warblers, cisticolas, prinias, buntings and the like. Ponds filled with water are a good habitat for ducks, grebes, egrets and spoonbills. Drained ponds attract smaller waders as well as wagtails. Flocks of crows and starlings are often around. You might also want to look out for Oriental and Red Turtle Doves, as well as Brown and Long-tailed Shrikes, not to mention huge flocks of cormorants. Early autumn and late spring are best for flocks of terns that are attracted to fishponds for food. The other birds I mention above can turn up at any time in autumn, winter or spring. If you have enough time, it might be worth heading as far as Lut Chau. The habitat is the same as in Tai Sang Wai - it's just that since Lut Chau is on the edge of Mai Po Nature Reserve, rare birds that get found in that reserve often find sometimes find their way into Lut Chau. 
Edited by Twq Ywq on 2022-01-01 10:53
If you're going out to the northwest New Territories for some birding, Tai Sang Wai is not a bad option. It is an area of fishponds with paths around them. Along some of the ponds are reedbeds and grassy edges, which can hold reed warblers, cisticolas, prinias, buntings and the like. Ponds filled with water are a good habitat for ducks, grebes, egrets and spoonbills. Drained ponds attract smaller waders as well as wagtails. Flocks of crows and starlings are often around. You might also want to look out for Oriental and Red Turtle Doves, as well as Brown and Long-tailed Shrikes, not to mention huge flocks of cormorants. Early autumn and late spring are best for flocks of terns that are attracted to fishponds for food. The other birds I mention above can turn up at any time in autumn, winter or spring. If you have enough time, it might be worth heading as far as Lut Chau. The habitat is the same as in Tai Sang Wai - it's just that since Lut Chau is on the edge of Mai Po Nature Reserve, rare birds that get found in that reserve often find their way into Lut Chau. 
  • How to get there

The two ends of the green minibus route 36 are Fook Hong Street Minibus Terminus at Yuen Long and Tai Sang Wai Village Office. The village office is very close to the start of the fishponds.

The route has stops in between. But don't count on being able to get on the minibus at these intermediate stops, especially during rush hour - i.e. there's no telling whether the seats will have all been taken when the minibus leaves the terminus. 

Alternatively, the bus route 76K and a few other minibuses ply Castle Peak Road (Tam Mi) and San Tam Road, i.e. the roads that run parallel to San Tin Highway. These roads are a bit far from the village office, however. 

If you have a car, you can drive all the way to Lut Chau. The road through Tai Sang Wai to Lut Chau is not smooth, and you will have to drive slowly. But plenty of birders do drive into there. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Twq Ywq on 2022-01-01 11:07
The two ends of the green minibus route 36 are Fook Hong Street Minibus Terminus at Yuen Long and Tai Sang Wai Village Office. The village office is very close to the start of the fishponds. The route has stops in between. But don't count on being able to get on the minibus at these intermediate stops, especially during rush hour - i.e. there's no telling whether the seats will have all been taken when the minibus leaves the terminus.  Alternatively, the bus route 76K and a few other minibuses ply Castle Peak Road (Tam Mi) and San Tam Road, i.e. the roads that run parallel to San Tin Highway. These roads are a bit far from the village office, however.  If you have a car, you can drive all the way to Lut Chau. The road through Tai Sang Wai to Lut Chau is not smooth, and you will have to drive slowly. But plenty of birders do drive into there. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There are toilets at the village office next to the minibus stop.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Twq Ywq on 2022-01-01 11:15
There is a toilet are toilets at the village office next to the minibus stop.
Edited by Twq Ywq on 2022-01-01 11:15
There is a toilet at the village office next to the minibus stop.

Mosquito repellent is recommended.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2023-11-10 11:36
Mosquito repellent is recommended.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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2021-12-01 to 2021-12-31 Tai Sang Wai, December 2021 Twq Ywq
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