Section 3 ( Peel Rise > Wan Chai Gap )
Entering the third section,the first thing that catches your attention is the sound of flowing water, which comes from rapid headwaters of “Serene Mountain Streams”. As you stand on the bridge, you hear the roar of the rushing waters beneath your feet, and the splashes of water droplets on your skin bring a cool sensation.
As you continue along the trail into the dense forest, you suddenly hear rustling sounds. When you stop to investigate, you discover that it's a small group of black-throated laughing thrushes rummaging through the fallen leaves, searching for insects to eat!
Black-throated Laughingthrush
The black-throated laughing thrushes (Pterorhinus chinensis) are the source of the “hoo-hoo” calls you occasionally hear while hiking along the trail. The most fascinating thing about these little birds is that they mimic the calls of other birds, and even human whistles or the sound of car alarms!
The black-throated laughing thrush loves to move around in forested areas and scavenge for insects among fallen leaves. If you approach quietly, you might even get a chance to observe them up close!
Little Umbrellas
After Peel Rise, the trail with broad views turns into a shaded forest path. Among the trees, you may find dainty yellow flowers that point downwards. They are the Nodding Wikstroemia (Wikstroemia nutans), a native scrub commonly seen in the Hong Kong countryside. The special tiny flowers are tube-shaped, just like closed umbrellas!
Blue-spotted Crow
Blue-spotted Crow (Euploea midamus) is very common in winter, and has the habit of overwintering in groups in woodlands to resist the chilly winter. It has dark brown wings with purple blue scales on the forewings that shine elegantly under the sun! The caterpillars feed on the poisonous plant Goat Horns (Strophanthus divaricatus), and hence the adult contains toxins in its body-- the best weapon against its natural enemies.
Hong Kong Newt
You can also find Hong Kong's only tailed amphibian species, the Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis), in this area. Unlike amphibian species such as frogs and toads, the Hong Kong Newt does not have webbed feet, but instead uses its flat tail like an oar to swim in the water. During courtship, the males use their tails to point at potential mates, making slight and swift movements with their tails in the water to stimulate the female's desire for mating.
Serene Mountain Streams
In the valley between Mount Kellett and Tin Wan Shan foothill, you can find the famous stream – Keung Fa Kan. The ever-running water flows through rocks into the pool to create whitish splashes… Capture also its fluvial visage in the dry season – be amazed by the bumpy boulders that tower over the flowing streams!
Creeper plants
Leaving Keung Fa Kan, you will pass through a dense forest with entangling climbers. Creeper plants grow slowly but heavily around the tree canopy and make the woodland more impenetrable. There are over 300 creeper plants in Hong Kong. They cannot grow separately but have to attach onto other objects such as trees and walls or crawl on the ground.
Creeper plants direct their growth to better locations with more sunlight for photosynthesis and propagation of pollens and seeds. They strangle on tree trunks by structures such as rolling roots and hairs. They are the real climbers in the plant kingdom!
Chinese Fevervine (Paederia scandens)
Wood Gossip Caesalpinia (Caesalpinia crista)
Creeping Psychotria (Psychotria serpens)
