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China - Southeast in Spring

© Yellow-bellied Tit by Glen Valentine
China - Southeast in Spring 2026

13 Apr 2026 - 29 Apr 2026 (17 days)

USD7,000 - 4 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Daniel Danckwerts

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD7,000 * GBP5,586 * EUR6,731 * AUD11,243

Our southeast China in Spring tour targets some Asia’s rarest species, drawing the attention of even those with already impressive Asia and world lists. Seldom visited by western birders, we shall embark on an action packed adventure beginning at north of Shanghai searching for the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, which fattens up on the mud flats near Rudong before making its final flight to breed in Russia. We then fly south to Minjiang Estuary, Fuzhou for the very skulky White-necklaced Partridge in Fuzhou itself. We move north east to Emei Feng, to find one of the world’s rarest pheasants, Cabot’s Tragopan and the scarce Spotted Elachura, now placed in its own family. We also target Elliott’s Pheasant and Blyth’s Kingfisher before moving onwards to Wuyuan for the recently discovered Blue-crowned (Courtois’s) Laughingthrush, of which perhaps 200 individuals still exist. Aside from the big draw card species, we shall collect a host of migrant passerines and other sought after species including Nordmann’s Greenshank, Saunders’s Gull, Fujian Fulvetta, Hartert’s Warbler, Siberian Blue Robin, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Thrush, Pallas's Reed Bunting and a bevy of Phylloscopus warblers. We complete our tour in the country of Henan Province, traversing Dongzhai Nature Reserve, Ling Shan mountain and the marshes surrounding Xinyang searching for Reeves's Pheasant and Crested Ibis – both Critically Endangered species.

Top Birds

Cabot’s Tragopan; Spoon-billed Sandpiper; Reeves's & Elliot’s Pheasants; Crested Ibis; Blue-crowned (Courtois’s) Laughingthrush; Spotted Elachura; Collared Crow; Nordmann’s Greenshank; Saunders’s Gull; Fujian Fulvetta; Siberian Blue Robin; Red-flanked Bluetail; Pallas's Reed Bunting; Chestnut & Brown-breasted Bulbuls; Fork-tailed Sunbird; Chinese Bamboo & White-necklaced Partridges; Grey-sided & Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers; Collared Finchbill; Indochinese Yuhina; Yellow-bellied Tit; Chinese Hwamei; Buffy, Moustached & Masked Laughingthrushes; Buff-throated, Hartert's Leaf, Kloss's Leaf, Sulphur-breasted, Bianchi's, Rufous-faced and Alstrom's Warblers; Mandarin Duck; Pied Falconet; Swinhoe's Minivet; Japanese Grosbeak; Short-tailed, Reed & Grey-headed Parrotbills; Amur Falcon; Swinhoe's Plover; Sharp-tailed Sandpiper; Long-toed Stint; Far Eastern Curlew; Grey-tailed Tattler; Narcissus & Yellow-rumped Flycatchers; Black-capped & Crested Kingfishers; Orange-headed Ground Thrush.

Habitats Covered

Open mudflats, broad-leaved forest, bamboo, secondary forest, wetlands (open water & reedbeds), scrub, open fields, humid subtropical broadleaved forest, ice paddies

Expected Climate

Humid and warm, but cool at higher elevations and early/late in the day

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Moderate to brisk paced tour suited for those in good health with a good level of fitness. Not suited for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Many early mornings & long days.

Accommodation

Comfortable for the most part, some more basic with non-western WC facilities.

Ease of Birding

Moderate. Several rare/difficult species, many low-density species require repeat searches.

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good, some purpose-built hides & blinds.

What our clients say about us

Glen Valentine
PK, China 2018

As usual, Glen Valentine was fantastic. I have travelled with him before and it never ceases to amaze me how he can hear and spot birds so effectively. And his enthusiasm is contagious. You know that he has seen any given bird on previous trips but it's as though he is seeing it for the first time with you! Daniel Danckwerts was also on the tour "learning the ropes". Very knowledgeable and a good asset to have on the tour. A superb spotter! All in all, this was a fantastic trip. I would recommend it to anyone.

David Hoddinott
PS, China 2018

David Hoddinott is an outstanding leader. Always conscious of the need to ensure that everyone sees each bird, he does, rightly, expect concentration and a positive approach throughout. This is the second time that I have travelled with David and I hope that I have the opportunity again in the future. Thank you.

David Hoddinott
JG, China 2018

David Hoddinott was an excellent bird guide, finding and identifying birds at amazing speed and ease. He had researched the field well, and knew where to find the birds. He also had researched the literature and was versed in all the newest taxonomic changes. He was very patient in assuring that all the participants got on the bird.

Paul Varney
NH, China 2024

Paul Varney, was very well prepared, despite not having birdied much in China before he had studied the likely birds at each place and particularly he had leaner the calls, so vital in identifying almost identical leaf warblers. He was calm and flexible when logistical issues arose. I would happily tour with him again.

Daniel Danckwerts
MN, China 2018

Glen Valentine is an incredible guide and has real talent. We very much appreciate him and always find his tours fun and so rewarding with great birds, great views even in freezing conditions. Any tour with Glen is a guaranteed success and a good time. Daniel Danckwerts will be a great asset to RBT and contributed to the success of the tour. He is also personable and has a great sense of humour. He wasn't all that slow with his scope either and we all saw some fine birds through his scope. We are never surprised at the excellence of RBT guides.

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