4 Sept 2014

Bonelli's Eagle at Mai Po

Bonelli's Eagle (juv)

Bonelli's Eagle (juv)

Bonelli's Eagle (juv)
Not a species seen very often by me, but reports are regular in Hong Kong. The Water Buffalo on Mai Po's Pond 24 were suitably impressed.




Out on the mudflats, a few southbound Whimbrel can be seen in late August..

Whimbrel

Whimbrel
For wader fans, there were also a few Asian Dowitchers dotted around, often associated with Black-tailed Godwits

Asian Dowitchers (front)

Asian Dowitcher (juvenile)
Most wildfowl won't turn up until the end of October, so the appearance of this Ferruginous Duck in mid-August was strange.  It's been a big favorite of photographers here…

Ferruginous Duck
So I can say "large as life" but maybe not "twice as natural" !

7 comments:

  1. Still getting great birds, probably more waders in that one frame than I'll see all autumn!

    Bonellis Eagle: nice!

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  2. The Eagle is beautifully marked underneath, isn't it? I saw Red-necked Stints, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Curlew Sandpipers (some still quite rufous) at Werribee today, but no Godwits yet, and we never get Whimbrels or Asian Dowitchers in Melbourne unfortunately, so nice to see them.

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    Replies
    1. Bonelli's is a well-marked Eagle, I agree, and just a bit bigger than the Black Kites that are our "default" big raptor !

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  3. Excellent pictures, John. The Bonelli's is a real rush. Congratulations.

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  4. The Bonelli's eagle is magnificent. The tawny orange colour separate it from any other! Great work as usual John!

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