Subject: [Sandpipers] Where should I go? [Print This Page] Author: feuerl Time: 3/12/2013 12:30 Subject: Where should I go?
Hello, This is my first time posting, so I am not sure I am posting in the proper place.
I am from the States, and I am on sabbatical in Shenzhen for the year. I recently joined the HKBWS, and I thoroughly enjoyed an outing to Mai Po.
I only speak English, so I was unable to speak with the guide. I am wondering if you all might be able to help me figure out where to go to see the following:
I would love to see a spoon-billed sandpiper, but is that even possible these days? I am also very interested in Migratory birds such as the Great White Pelican, and any type of Stork, Owl, and Crane.
ANY suggestions, advice or tips would be most welcome.
Thank you,
Laura Feuerborn Author: HFCheung Time: 3/12/2013 21:30
The guide for HKBWS should be able to speak English, although may not be totally fluent. Author: kmatthew Time: 3/12/2013 23:12
Hello Laura,
Welcome to HKBWS! I hope you will enjoy birding in HK, it is a great place. About the birds you wish to see, Spoon-billed Sandpipers are still being seen annually though numbers are decreasing rather alarmingly, however you will still be able to find them in April at Deep Bay, Mai Po if you are lucky, feeding along with stints on the mud flats. We don't really have the Great White Pelican, however we do have Dalmatian Pelican, which also have declined significantly in the last decade, they have been absent these past years from Deep Bay. Storks are rare winter visitors but they do occur. Cranes are super rare in Hong Kong, I don't think we have had a record since a juvenile Siberian Crane landed in Mai Po in 2002.
Other then Mai Po, I suggest you can try Long Valley in Sheung Shui, a patch of farmland that is great for meadow birds and winter migrants such as buntings. It is also just a very pleasant place to walk.
Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve near Tai Po is a good place to explore the woodland birds in Hong Kong, it will give you a glimpse at some South China woodland species as well as winter migrants like thrushes and flycatchers.
Po Toi Island is the place to be in Spring and Autumn, it is a small island situated South of Hong Kong island, accessible by taking a ferry at Aberdeen. It is a major refuelling station for any migrants coming off the sea, it is now a major birding site in Hong Kong annually.
I am sure you will pick up a few more places as you go around Hong Kong, you will be surprise how birds can pop up in most unusual of places (Like the recent Pied Wheatear that landed in West Kowloon Waterfront Park!).
Happy Birding,
Matthew
[ Last edited by kmatthew at 3/12/2013 23:13 ] Author: feuerl Time: 5/12/2013 13:03
Thank you so very much for taking the time to reply to this post! I will explore all the options you've listed! Author: feuerl Time: 5/12/2013 13:07
I have to add that it is heartbreaking to read about the decline in the numbers of bird species. I experienced this back in the States, but the situation here appears even more alarming. I feel so helpless!
Welcome to HKBWS Forum 香港觀鳥會討論區 (http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/)
