Along the casuarinas at Mai Po last Wednesday (23rd March) there were a few Black-faced (formerly "Masked") Buntings Emberiza spodocephala.
Most Masked Buntings winter in Hong Kong, but these came and went so quickly, they must be early passage migrants.
Most Masked Buntings winter in Hong Kong, but these came and went so quickly, they must be early passage migrants.
Blacked-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala)
Elsewhere, there seemed to be a few more White-shouldered (formerly "Chinese") Starlings around than there have been in previous weeks. They must be coming up from SE Asia. A few will breed here, but most will breed further north in China.
White-shouldered Starling (Sturnus sinensis)
And a few Oriental Pratincoles, behaving like newly-arrived and very tired on some fishpond banks near Mai Po Nature Reserve.
"Strange human ! Why are you lying in the road ?"
"Just trying to get a better angle...."
Some of my clothes were due for a wash, anyway.
LOL, you have to say the Pratincole is right and on the whole us birders are a pretty strange lot........
ReplyDeleteNice capture!
ReplyDeleteJust saw a few Black-faced Buntings around here as well. The pratincole looks very cute...and I have to agree with Stu that birders are pretty strange lol
ReplyDelete"Birders are strange..." Yes, I have to own up to this one !
ReplyDeletenice! I got the oriental pratincole too. They seem to be quite settled along the pond area...i am pretty scared for them. since its so near the road...
ReplyDelete