Chinese Grey Shrike - a “HK first"

Chinese Grey Shrike - Lanius sphenocercus

This very handsome HK “First” was found at fishponds near Mai Po Nature Reserve on November 5th.

Chinese Grey Shrike - Lanius sphenocercus

A steady procession of admirers went to see it over the ensuing few days - but the bird seems to have been spending more time on Pond 8 at Mai Po recently. 

Chinese Grey Shrike - Lanius sphenocercus

And at the Mai Po boardwalk on November 9th..

Black-headed Gulls - Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Saunders Gull - Chroicocephalus saundersi

Dunlin - Calidris alpina

Dunlin - Calidris alpina

Common Redshank - Tringa totanus

It seemed inevitable that so many birds along the shoreline would attract a raptor of some sort. I had Eastern Marsh Harrier in mind, instead : -

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus

..the Peregrine swept past once, not trying to catch anything, probably looking for weaker or sicker birds among the disturbed waders.

Great Egret - Ardea alba

Earlier, (Nov 1st) I went to Tai Lam Country Park in an effort to see the Brown Wood Owls in the area. I hadn’t been birding that way for years, so was fortunate to bump into people who actually knew where the birds were. 

Brown Wood Owl - Strix leptogrammica

Brown Wood Owl - Strix leptogrammica

Brown Wood Owl - Strix leptogrammica

Brown Wood Owl - Strix leptogrammica

It’s not WHAT you know,  it’s HOOO you know.

I’ll get my coat.