BIRDING INXINJIANG,CHINA12-18 October 2017Paul Holt & Jan-Erik Nilsenpiholt@hotmail.com INTRODUCTIONIn October 2017 I made my eighth birding trip to Xinjiang, western China. It was an excellent trip - all the logistics worked well and everything ran smoothly. As on all of my previous trips Qingyu WANG & Urumqi based GOU Jun organised the logistics.During this trip we covered about 3000 kilometres and recorded a very modest 108 species. Highlights included three globally threatened species, as defined by BirdLife International was noted with Saker Falcons being noted on four dates, a single White-headed Duck on two dates at Moguhu, Shihezi and two migrating Greater Spotted Eagle in Aertai.Noteworthy other sightings included – one Brown-headed Gull at Moguhu, Shihezi on the 12 October; both Great Grey & Steppe Grey Shrikes; a Hooded Crow at Yawugou reservoir, Manasi on the 16 October; a White-crowned Penduline Tit at Dahaizi reservoir, Manasi on the 13 October; a late Rosy Starling at Yawugou [...... read more ]