13th April, 6.30 to 9am, Shanghai, Ruijin Guest House,

The Ruijin Guest House in the old French quarter of central Shanghai is a wonderful place for an early morning stroll - assuming you can persuade the security guards that you have a good reason to be there.

Taking photos of Chinese Blackbirds and White's Thrushes is perhaps not high on their list of acceptable reasons - particularly when they are expecting a delegation of high-ranking government officials.

But after I showed the guard one of the photos of the Chinese Blackbird I had just taken, he just shook his head and, convinced of my insanity (after all who in their right mind gets up at 6.30 in the morning to take photos of birds?), he left me be.

The 10 or so Chinese Blackbirds (259) showed very well indeed. Anyone who thinks that this is not a valid species, should have a look at the photos. As well as the more-muscular frame, bigger bill, and distinct eye make-up, the song is very different to its European cousin.

The White's Thrushes (260) were also a delight. At one point there were three of them feeding within 30 yards of each other on the lawn. I managed to get a photo of 2 in the same picture, but all 3 would have been a job for a wider lens.

I watched them for about half an hour using the knee-trembling technique straight out of the worm-hunters manual (chapter 7). The rapid stamping on the earth presumably brought the worms to the surface where they were quickly added to the fuel supply for their long trips to Siberia.

I was hoping for a few more photo-nuggets today but things, so far, are conspiring against me.

After checking-out of the hotel, I headed for the Xijiao Guest House, which is one of the best birding locations in Shanghai.

Over the years I have seen some real gems here, but then again I've also, at times, gone away empty handed because of The People's Liberation Army (PLA). Today looks like being one of those days.

The PLA are everywhere, and are preventing access to the core bidring area, so my plan for four or five hours of relaxing birding before taking the short ride to the airport, has fallen apart somewhat.

The core area (the nice bit with the lake) has been reserved for govenment ministers from Beijing who have decided they need a bit of R&R (or, then again, maybe it's just a coincidence that the Chinese president is with Obama on the other side of the world today ;-)

(The best bit is so good, in fact, that even Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, spent time here when she came to Shanghai many years ago.)

There is, though, a small area that's still open to hotel guests (I'm eating a pizza in their restaurant as I type this - one of the best pizzas in Shanghai incidentally - so I'm technically a guest I suppose).

So, as a paying customer as it were, I've just spent 2 hours in this area... an area I usually don't visit. To be on the safe side - because the PLA were also patrolling here, too, even though they haven't blocked it off - I kept my bins and camera in my bag. The camera was within easy reach of course, just in case I found one of several species that would be "new for the year".

I turned a corner and saw something move in a bush, next to the path. I talked myself out of getting my camera out... until at least I had established what it was.

It move again, this time towards me and landed four yards away in the open. I looked at it, blinked, and looked at it again.

Incredibly, I was looking at a new bird. Not just new for the year, and new for me in Shanghai, and in China... but a NEW bird!

I was looking, with my mouth open, at a Japanese Robin.

After a couple of seconds I came to my senses. And slowly made a move for the camera.

New birds don't let you do this of course. And it flitted into the bushes. I waited, and waited, and waited some more. Should I go in? Should I hastily construct a bird table? Or was there a garden spade handy that I could stick into the ground?

After 90 minutes of trying various things, I thought I should try something really radical... retreat to the restaurant, order a pizza and think about the next plan of attack.

The PLA may indeed be heavily armed, but I've got a big lens and I'm on a mission...

So, once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more. Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!