Introduction
This reserve in south-west Hunan comprises relatively disturbed habitat but was found recently to still support Elliot’s Pheasant. In addition this is perhaps the most northerly site for Spotted Forktail and is one of the few sites in the region where Moustached Laughingthrush can be found.
Key Species
Elliot’s Pheasant, Spotted Forktail, Moustached Laughingthrush.
Other Species
Black Baza, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Besra, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Common Pheasant, Grass Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Owlet, Speckled Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, Collared Finchbill, Mountain Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Little Forktail, White-crowned Forktail, White-tailed Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Dusky Fulvetta, Black-chinned Yuhina, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Eurasian Jay.
Other Wildlife
n/a
Birding
As well as the species noted above, Mountain Scops Owl is also close to its northern limit here and the subspecies here appears to be O.s. latouchi. The subspecies of Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler occurring here is P.r.hunanensis. Jonathan Martinez visited this site in May 2016 and recorded Elliot’s, Golden, Koklass, Silver Pheasant, Cabot’s Tragopan, Fairy Pitta, Brown Wood Owl, Crow-billed Drongo, Emei Leaf Warbler, Claudia’s Leaf Warbler, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Grey-winged Blackbird, Rosy Pipit, Slaty Bunting, Yellow-browed Tit.
Habitat and Vegetation
Extensive strands of bamboo cover the lower slopes of the mountains interspersed with pines and semi-deciduous broadleaf forest. There is an off-limits core area which may harbour a greater variety and quality of species.
Getting there
From Xin Ning 新宁 head north along highway 1864 for 15km and then turn right at Guanqiao官桥. Take the right-hand fork when the road branches at the village of Jingshui 井水 after a further 7km. The reserve station of Shunhuangshan will be reached after climbing up through another 16km. It is necessary to walk 10km and climb 1200m to reach the good forest. There is an abandoned temple at 1700m.
General Information
County: Xin Ning, Dong An Area: 227 sq. kmAltitude: 500-1650m Location: 26°20’-26°40’N, 110°55’-111°08’E
Disturbance: local farmers, some tourist facilities.