15 Mar 2022

Tree Pipit - a HK “First”, and seasonal supporting cast

HK's first Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) - in a tree, where else ?

Many Thanks to Matthew Kwan, discoverer of this bird (among Olive-backed Pipits) at Mai Po on 3rd March. 

A reminder to us all to look at everything carefully.  

At the boardwalk, Saunders Gulls have sometimes showed well. They are elegant creatures, and will leave us soon to breed on the northeast Chinese coast.

Saunders's Gull - Chroicocephalus saundersi

Saunders's Gull - Chroicocephalus saundersi

Saunders's Gull - Chroicocephalus saundersi

Saunders's Gull - Chroicocephalus saundersi (1st winter)


Another boardwalk specialty -

Eastern Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla tschutschensis (macronyx)


I don’t have a mirrorless camera yet, but the old 1DX 2 (and 500mm lens) is still good enough for some of the old favourites...

House Swift - Apus nipalensis

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica

Cool and clear weather recently, but damp spring should be just around the corner.

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the Tree Pipit, John, and kudos to Matt for finding and identifying it. We watched scores of Meadow Pipits in Scotland, and many were perched in trees. We scanned them all trying to turn one into a Tree Pipit; sadly they all remained Meadow Pipits. We did get a Rock Pipit later in the day though!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, David - Matt did a grand job finding this one...Tree Pipits are better in trees, and Meadow Pipits should know their place, too !

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