happyman

Taken on Apr 17, 2021 @Maipo Mudflat.

Understand from the below link that it was ringed on Sep 20, 2020:
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/view ... 57&highlight=W0

Meaning that it has been staying in HK for 7 months already!  Will it stay here for the rest of its life?

lkatherine

Thank you very much.

This Whimbrel is a young bird which born in summer 2020, and it has been staying in Deep Bay for the winter.
It is likely going to over summer in Deep Bay this year as it is not sexually mature to head to breeding ground yet.

Satellite tracking study along East Asian-Australasian Flyway show that some young Whimbrel could stay in their wintering ground for 2 full years, and then migrate north to breeding ground in spring in their 3rd year of life.

Katherine
Waterbirds Ringing Group

happyman

Thanks very much Katherine for the valuable information which helps me understand more of the migratory pattern of birds.