2 May 2021

Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus optatus) and birds of passage, mostly

A year ago in May we had a Twitch for Common Cuckoo, but the attraction this morning was an Oriental Cuckoo, catching caterpillars in the banyans at the entrance to Mai Po. A "scarce passage migrant"...they don't call much so may be overlooked.
An Asian Barred Owlet appeared briefly, mobbed by a a Cinereous/Japanese Tit. Both have young at the moment, and the Tit doesn't want to give up its young to make dinner for the Owl.
At the boardwalk hides, waders waders waders
Did I mention waders ?
And this unusually-flagged Broad-billed Sandpiper, (duly reported and found to be ringed in Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu about 18 months ago).
I'd never have guessed "India" but "Bombay" (from Bombay Natural History Society) was readable on the ring, once I had the image on the computer. (Added 31 May 2021 - from the BHNS website)

4 comments:

  1. I have heard Common Cuckoo many times in the UK, but have only ever seen it in Africa. That is quite a tag on the Broad-billed Sandpiper, but if it made it from India to HK it obviously doesn't restrict the bird at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi David, I think the Broad-billed Sandpiper has deviated on it’s long migration to/from northern Siberia, so yes, the flag doesn’t seem to affect it

      Delete
  2. Well we're getting the cuckoo and tattler here too.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They must be having good years, unlike the humans in these parts !

      Delete