Mid-Autumn around Mai Po

Common Redshank - Tringa totanus

England’s cricket series against Australia (“The Ashes”)  finally came to an end, and messages on Local WhatsApp groups reminded me there were some autumn birds to be found here and there.

A rising tide at Mai Po yesterday morning impelled me to make the effort to get out to the boardwalk hides, even though it turned out to be a hot, steamy morning.

Black-faced Spoonbill - Platalea minor

Black-faced Spoonbill - Platalea minor

I was surprised to see the mudflat covered with so much seagrass and sonneratia mangrove, but then I hadn’t been out there since mid-May.

For the time being, the greenery makes an interesting backdrop to the waders as they fly over the hides on their way to the centre of Mai Po Nature Reserve, but some “gardening” is going to be necessary soon.

The Black-faced Spoonbills have been over-summering - HK’s migrant BFSs and wintering population will not start arriving until mid-October.

A variety of waders then - these are just a few of them.

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica

Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis

Common Redshank - Tringa totanus

Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus

Dunlin - Calidris alpina (in front !)

Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus

A Grey-headed Lapwing loitered on Ponds 16/17.

Grey-headed Lapwing - Vanellus cinereus

And nearby, a first-winter shrike that is probably a Brown Shrike, but I’m still not 100% certain. 

Brown Shrike - Lanius cristatus

And, apologies in advance that I don't seem to be able to reply to comments on my own blog...I'll keep fiddling with the settings.