ajohn 13/12/2008 22:41
Unusual stint at Mai Po
At the Mai Po Boardwalk today were many Dunlin and Red-necked Stints. One bird was structurally different from the red-necked stints. It had slightly longer legs, bill and neck than the red-necked, as well as being slightly slimmer. The bill was also slimmer than on red-necked, and was especially fine at the tip. The structural differences gave the bird a different feeding behaviour - more dainty than red-necked as well as being more active, but the most distinctive behavioural feature was that the bird was tipped slightly forward while feeding (not horizontal as red-necked). Plumage was very similar to nearby red-necked.
I think this bird was a Little Stint - if so, it would be the first winter record of this species in HK. Other similar species include semipalmated and Western sandpipers - both American species which have not been recorded in HK.
If anybody is visiting the boardwalk in the coming days, it may be worth keeping an eye out for this bird. It is easiest to pick out by the longer legs and body tipped forward while feeding (ie tail held higher than the rest of the body). Any other observations would be useful, and it would be very useful if anyone can get photos of the bird.
By the way, the new boardwalk hide is currently very good for small waders (stints, dunlin, small plovers, etc.). Anyone wanting to get good views of these species should consider making a visit.