handrew

Normally I see 1 or 2 Little egrets around the shore here in SK. Today this flock suddenly appeared  (still here as I write) - probably 100 birds all told and undoubtedly a couple of Cattle egrets mixed in as I could see some tobacco colouring on a couple as they settled briefly.(We have what I think are non-domesticated cattle roaming freely here and they regularly give lifts to the Cattle egrets). I am not sure why they should all suddenly converge (very close to Yeung Chau).

Andrew

ajohn

Bad weather at this time of year often results in flocks of egrets suddenly appearing in various locations. These are presumably migrants on their way north.
This is a behaviour I associate more often with Cattle Egrets (although is no doubt possible with Little Egret). You mention that there are apparently some Cattle Egrets in this flock - I don't know how close your views have been but is it possible that more are (non-breeding plumage) Cattle Egrets than you initially thought?

handrew

John  

I can still see them through the scope at 60x - most are definitely Little.

There are also large numbers of Pacific swifts on the move.

Second image added - currently 58 "on the rocks".

Andrew

[ Last edited by handrew at 22/04/2010 16:01 ]

ajohn

Interesting record - these are presumably migrants (Hong Kong Little Egrets are breeding already!)

My previous post was really in case you didn't have clear views, which you clearly have. I hope you didn't interpret it as a suggestion you couldn't ID these species!

handrew

John, no offense taken! They were a long way away. I was in my study and the birds probably 1km away below me - the second shot was taken leaning the 800mm lens on the study window sill.