John Holmes 30/10/2015 15:50
Eastern Marsh Harrier and Garganey
MPNR boardwalk, 25th Oct 2015
800mm + 7D Mk 2
The Harrier disabled the duck with a strike from above, then drowned it in the shallow water on the outgoing tide.
Later the harrier carried the duck for about a hundred metres and then dropped it onto the mudflat.
lexusjohn 30/10/2015 16:07
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing
Thank you very much for sharing the great photos.
3551face87445 3551face87445 3551face87445 3551004445 3551004445 3551004445
wcaptain 30/10/2015 17:23
Hi John,
Is a teal the victim?
THX
Captain
John Holmes 30/10/2015 18:55
Hi Captain,
Thanks for pointing out that possibility, I can't see the forewing colour well on any of the shots and the duck was very distant before being pressed under the water.
Actually, I have spent most of my time concerned about the harrier identification. I'm not 100 % sure (confession) that this is EMH !
ajohn 30/10/2015 19:23
I would say that the duck is a Garganey - the white on the trailing edge of the speculum is slightly wider than in the centre of the wing (greater coverts). Teal should have a broader white band across the centre of the wing. See this photo for a useful comparison of the two species (teal in the top right and bottom left): [url]http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=176&Bird_Image_ID=109196&Bird_Family_ID=&p=4[/url]
I agree with Eastern Marsh for the harrier.
((華仔)) 30/10/2015 20:35
Beautiful picture John!3551004445