Raptor migration monitoring in the spring of 2009 at Baiwangshan, Beijing

Following a series of surveys since 2003, a full-seasonal raptor count was undertaken at Baiwangshan, a mountain in the vicinity of Beijing, from 6 March to 22 May 2009, when 3802 individual birds of 23 species were recorded. Four species, i.e., Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus), Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Eurasian Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) and Gray-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus) together accounted for up 90% of the total and P. ptilorhynchus alone for 70%. Raptor passage of such magnitude and diversity at an inland site in China was unheard of up to then. As well, 113 other migrants were recorded at the site during this period, including 24 water birds, 74 passerines and 15 others (cuckoos, owls and other migrants).