John Holmes 6/12/2009 21:49
"Ringtail" Harrier at Mai Po
2009-12-06 Pond 20 and 21 MPNR
ID MKIIN + 800mm
Some record shots only
A "ringtail" harrier with a barred tail, but unstreaked body, my vote is for "Pied", but I'd welcome comments or corrections.
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll134/jwjgh/MaiPo%20091206/Pied_JH_5274-01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll134/jwjgh/MaiPo%20091206/Pied_JH_5300-01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll134/jwjgh/MaiPo%20091206/Pied_JH_5418-01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll134/jwjgh/MaiPo%20091206/Pied_JH_5474-01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll134/jwjgh/MaiPo%20091206/Pied_JH_5481-01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll134/jwjgh/MaiPo%20091206/Pied_JH_5483-01.jpg[/IMG]
countryboy 7/12/2009 07:56
Why not Estern Marsh Harrier?
birdyoung 7/12/2009 08:14
The photo taken shows this harrier is on the progress of moulting (T1)
The plumge of this new feather shows that it is not for pied harrier.
Circus spp. 1st cy winter may start its moulting of T1 from End/Nov~Feb or Mar.
As this harrier doesnt looks like adult female marsh harrier,
I guess this is a marsh harrier juv. (female)
whith a special plumge.
just for your reference.
[[i] Last edited by birdyoung at 7/12/2009 08:16 [/i]]
John Holmes 9/12/2009 10:28
Pied Harrier (?) at Mai Po, 5th December
Birdoung and Countryboy, thanks for your comments.
Having looked at other recent Harrier postings, actually I think this must be the same bird with back photographed by Andy LI on 7th November and described by Geoff Carey as Pied Harrier -- underside view later posted by Andy Li on 17th November - link:
[url]http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=9513&extra=page%3D1[/url]
Andy Li's photos are much clearer than mine !
Anyway, perhaps this Harrier will stay around all winter and we'll get more opportunities to study and photograph it.
[img]http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/images/smilies/default/smile.gif[/img]