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Greater Painted Snipe nesting at Mai Po : May 2008

I have not been to Mai Po to see this nest yet, but Kenneth's comments are rather concerning. In my experience, Painted-snipe sneak away from the nest if they are disturbed and do not return until the perceived threat has passed. Because the adults are not as demonstrative as stilts, it is possible that observers are not aware of the disturbance they are causing.

Without the adult on the nest, the eggs are exposed to predators and, more importantly, to the sun. If the adult does not return soon, there is a serious risk that the eggs will bake in the sun and the chicks will die. This is a very serious problem in HK, and is the reason for the concern about boats landing on the tern islands each year.

If, as suggested, this painted-snipe nest is so close to the hide that the bird is disturbed by visitors, then it would perhaps be best for the bird if access into the hide (or at least, the end closest to the nest) is restricted temporarily until the bird has finished nesting.

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