One of the joys of living in Beijing is the wonderful weather... only joking of course ;-) The actual top three joys would be: 1) great people; 2) draught Guinness, imported from Dublin; and 3) many mountains within easy reach.

The mountains north-east of the city (on the road to inner Mongolia) are a particular favourite.

Last night's rain had thankfully slipped south and the day was bright, although the chilly wind from the north made it feel less than spring-like at times. Despite this, there were birds-a-plenty, many of which were marking their territories.

The most spectacular of the territorial displays was performed by an Ibisbill, which was flying around in big circles while raucously signalling "this is mine!". Its mate wasn't the slightest bit interested in the show, preferring instead to look for snacks.

The next performance on the programme came from a Crested Kingfisher, whose mate at least bothered to watch it flying up and down the river. After five circuits, it flopped down on to a rock for a rest.

Following this, a pair of Long-billed Plovers began to strut their stuff on the banks of the river.

Even the corvids were getting into the swing of things. More than 50 Red-billed Choughs performed an aerial ballet and Oriental Crows chased each other harem-scarem from tree to tree, as a pair of Red-billed Blue Magpies squawked appreciatively. The raven just sat there impassively, as if it had seen it all before.

The pair of Pere David's Laughingthrushes and Chinese Hill Warblers were also active and in fine voice.

Up the mountain, the buntings were back. More than 60 Siberian Meadow and a dozen Godlewski's were far too busy looking for food to bother about giving any kind of show. While watching a Godlewski's, I noticed something moving to its left. I put my bins down just as the something popped up on to a close bush and immediately saw that it was a bright-pink male rosefinch. But which one? By the time I had picked up my bins again it had vanished into thin air. In these parts, it could realistically be one of only two species: long-tailed or pallas's. Alas, it was the one that got away.

But mustn't complain ;-)

7 species photographed (5 new for 2010 are highlighted)

209 Ibisbill (monotypic)
Long-billed Plover
210 Crested Kingfisher (ssp guttulatus)
211 Red-billed Chough (ssp brachypus)
212 Raven (ssp ?)
Siberian Meadow Bunting
213 Godlewski's Bunting (ssp omissa)