edyip1999

taken at Mai Po mudflat in Sep 14, 2015

[ Last edited by edyip1999 at 17/09/2015 21:37 ]

irsychan

Interesting!  Common Redshanks have green shanks!  Or should these be Common Greenshanks instead, as characterised by the slightly upturned bill and the green legs.

[ Last edited by irsychan at 16/09/2015 15:09 ]

ajohn

Yes, this is a Common Greenshank.
It will be interesting to see how long this bird stays. In previous years it has returned during autumn migration only - all sightings in HK are between 9th September and 22nd October. Presumably the wintering grounds are further south. Most other flagged Greenshanks stay in HK through the winter.

irsychan

Quote:

Original posted by ajohn at 16/09/2015 15:34
Yes, this is a Common Greenshank.
It will be interesting to see how long this bird stays. In previous years it has returned during autumn migration only - all sightings in HK are between 9th September ...

Yes indeed.  This first wave of waterbirds are on transit to somewhere else, and only those that arrive later the year will stay in HK, as I was told by someone last October inside WWF bird hide.  It would be amazing if this bird is still seen in December.

ajohn

Quote:

Original posted by irsychan at 16/09/2015 18:49

Yes indeed.  This first wave of waterbirds are on transit to somewhere else, and only those that arrive later the year will stay in HK, as I was told by someone last October inside WWF bird hide.  It ...

While this is true for many species, it is not quite the case for all. In fact, some Common Greenshanks are present for much of the year - we have at least one flagged adult bird that has been present at Mai Po from July until May. I'm always surprised that it manages to reach the breeding grounds, breed and return in the just a few weeks. The wader leg flags are helping us to discover some of these surprising behaviours.

edyip1999

Thanks for the correction

I also saw three black-headed gulls in the same day

[ Last edited by edyip1999 at 17/09/2015 21:39 ]