Birds on the move

Red-backed Shrike - Lanius collurio

Hong Kong’s 7th or 8th Red-backed Shrike was found (Thanks, JAA) at Long Valley on Sept 28th.  So far (Oct 2nd) it’s the only “Rarity” seen in Hong Kong during this autumn migration season.

But October can be a busy month, so perhaps other things will turn up.

Red-backed Shrike - Lanius collurio

Meanwhile, some shots from the last few days, mostly migrants or arriving Winter Visitors. 

Warning ! One of these is not a migrant and not a bird either !

Common Redshank - Tringa totanus

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus

Small Asian Mongoose - Herpestes javanicus

Pied Harrier - Circus melanoleucos

 For me, this is a typical Pied Harrier view !

Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago

"Swintail" Snipe - Gallinago megala/stenura

Long-toed Stint - Calidris subminuta

Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva

Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis

Black-naped Oriole - Oriolus chinensis

Black-naped Oriole - Oriolus chinensis

Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida

Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida

Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida

Last year it was mid-October before I caught up with Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, 

Blue-tailed Bee-eater - Merops philippinus

but a small party on 30th September along Mai Po Access Road seemed a good birding harbinger for October.

Heaven knows, we'll need all the distraction we can get.