6 Aug 2013

Egrets, Mai Po, - lots of them


It has been one of those days when the Hong Kong Observatory "Hot Weather Warning" has sizzled on the computer screen.

Pond 12, Mai Po Nature Reserve


At Mai Po Nature Reserve this morning the air was clear and still.  I met Andrew Hardacre just before sunrise and we paused for a few "scenics", then headed out through Border Fence Gate 107 to the boardwalk hides overlooking Deep Bay.

Hong Kong's "Border Security Fence" - yes, we've still got one !


David Diskin had beaten us to the hide, and John Allcock joined us later.

In the distance a large congregation of Egrets, mainly Great and Little, shuffled along the banks of a creek as the tide came in.

Egrets in Deep Bay, Shenzhen in background

Mostly Great Egrets (Ardea alba) - did I mention "lots" ?

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
There were some waders around, too....

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Common Redshank (juvenile) (Tringa totanus)


Grey-tailed Tattler  (Tringa brevipes)
and egrets as the tide rolled in
Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) (Edited)
Common Redshank  (Tringa totanus)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)


Shenzhen sand barges are a constant feature of higher tides in Deep Bay, but the tower blocks beyond them just get higher and higher.





Andrew H has been far more diligent concerning insects that Yours Truly..here's his post about today..


And, in a day or two, it's autumn - according to the Lunar Calendar and Cantonese tradition. But I don't think I'll need a pullover in the great outdoors for a few weeks yet  !




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