Late September birding, Mai Po and Long Valley, Hong Kong

Pied Kingfisher - Ceryl rudis

Yellow-bellied Prinia - Prinia flaviventris

Here we are - umpteen pictures in search of a theme. Some migrant and some resident birds at Mai Po.

(Asian) Brown Flycatcher - Muscicapa dauurica

Collared Crow - Corvus torquatus

On Sept 27th I spent some time at Mai Po Nature Reserve where the mostly migrating waders were disturbed by a Black Kite and swirled around near Hide 1 for some (heavily-cropped) in-flight photos.  Hide I is intact after Typhoon Mangkhut, not so roofless Hide 3. 

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica

Pacific Golden Plovers - Pluvialis squatarola

Pacific Golden Plovers - Pluvialis fulva

Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva

Pacific Golden Plovers - Pluvialis fulva

Lesser Sand Plover, Kentish Plover (in flight), Broad-billed Sandpiper, Dunlin, and Dunlin

I was reminded of that World War Two-era story about shops damaged by bombing in London.  The first had a sign at the door : “Open as usual”.  The second had a sign “More open than usual…”

After Typhoon Mangkut - a damaged hide, Pond 16/17 Mai Po

Yellow-billed (Chinese) Grosbeak - Eophona migratoria

Trees on the reserve have had some damage, but the boardwalk outside the Border Fence is okay.

Re-profiling Pond 7, Mai Po

Black Drongo - Dicrurus macrocercus

On Sept 30th I visited Long Valley, where four or five Red-necked Phalarope have been delighting admirers since Typhoon Mangkhut. Putting up a snipe I hoped for "Swintail" at least but this is a Common (Fantail) Snipe, perhaps returning for the winter, or heading further south later on. 

Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago

Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus

Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus

Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus

I thought the Phalarope were very admirable, too.