A couple of days ago we bashed out to Pak Nai in the Wild West of the New Territories, to try to see the Oystercatcher first reported there some weeks ago.
Pak Nai overlooks Deep Bay, famous in Hong Kong for its’ cultivated oyster beds. The Deep Bay water quality has plummeted in recent decades, and the oysters can now contain more heavy metals pound-for-pound than a Tesla car battery.
But I digress. But anyway, where else should an Oystercatcher hang out ?
On a hazy morning we searched in vain for the target bird, but the conditions were favourable to photograph two Black-faced Spoonbills, feeding in a shallow creek beside the beach; -
....and a couple of other characteristic “winter seashore” species besides, Little Ringed Plover, two “ocularis” White Wagtails, and a Grey Plover.
Lunar New Year (and the official Cantonese spring) is only days away.
Hello John: It is sad to heat that the quality of the water has diminished so terribly. It makes you wonder what level of bioaccumulation occurs in other organisms higher up the food chain. The news we hear from Hong Kong of late is not good, so I am glad to read your blog and know that birding at least continues as normal. Stay well. All the best. David
ReplyDeleteShame, I really love oysters.......
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