yyattung

A young BFS was seen at Mai Po boardwalk today. Its plumage is clean and it also shows black colour on its wings. However, the bird was not close to the hide and I just couldn't check it in details. I hope some photos of this bird could be posted in the BBS later.

I think it is possibly the first year bird, which was born in this summer. So, it could be the first BFS returns to Mai Po in this winter.

kmike

Tung

What happened to the birds that appeared to be over-summering?

Cheers
Mike

yyattung

Mike,

The birds oversummering in Mai Po or other wintering sites should have 'dirty' looking because they have more worn feathers. The birds born in this summer just have their feathers for 3 months and it could still look very fresh.

An extra point should also be made that mould of BFS, especially those of young birds, is still poorly studied. Photos taken in close range to show details of wing and tail of the BFS could provide some information of the moult of the BFS. So, I would like to encourage members to post pictures of BFS in such condition and this can help us to understand more to this endangered species.

Thank you very much
Tung

natalie

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11/10/2010 01:03

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11/10/2010 01:03

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11/10/2010 01:03

MaiPo Boardwalk 10/10/2010. However, picture with wings fully stretched cannot be taken.

yyattung

Natalie,

Thanks for sharing your pictures.

This bird is a young bird because it has a pinkish bill and black tips on primary feathers. It also has a clean body feathers and so I think it was born this summer.

I think this is the first BFS return to Hong Kong from the breeding site.

Tung

yyattung

An adult BFS was seen at Mai Po this morning. I think it is the first adult returning to Mai Po this winter.

Sze

Why the 1st year young bird can come back alone and early than the adult more than 10day? How they can know the route from their breeding site to HK but without the adult BFS?

[ Last edited by Sze at 26/10/2010 03:17 ]

yyattung

The young bird might follow other waterbirds to come to Deep Bay. Moreover, when flying high, the bird may find the place easier than just stand on horizon. As they are specialising to use coastal habitat, it is less difficult to find a suitable place along the coast.

All are just speculations!

Sze

Tung! Thanks for your reply and information!

tbob

At 6.30am this morning there were in excess of 30 BFS on both sides of the river at Nam Sang Wai.

This was taken from inside the car