Two one-day visits this week, Tuesday and Thursday.
Surprise of the week was to find the Black-throated Tits have not gone, two seen on Tuesday by the Lower School
Other wintering species included at least one Hoopoe, the Grey-headed Flycatcher and a Brown Shrike wintering near the Ferry Pier.
The first spring migrants have started to arrive, a Common Kingfisher, several Barn Swallows, three White and a single Grey Wagtail. All regular arrivals for the last week of February except the Grey Wagtail which is just a week or so early. It always surprises me how consistent migrants are on arrival dates although not on numbers which can vary considerably from year to year.
Another surprise is the complete absence of wintering thrushes. All seem to have gone, the first time this has happened before the end of February in the past seven years. It must be related to the very warm February we have had, with average daily temperatures a few degrees above normal on every day since 11 February.
Has a thrush exodus happened elsewhere?
I always leave the best photos to last. Bird of the week was a young lady modelling swimwear next to the Ferry Pier as the ferry left on Thursday
She managed to choose the coldest day in February, I was freezing in regular gear, can't imagine how she felt.
Best news of the week is a notice at the Aberdeen Ferry Station stating that the concessionary fare of $2 for all eligible HK Residents (aged 65 and over) will apply to Ferry fares from 3 March. I estimate I have made around 500 ferry journeys over the past seven years at a total cost of $10,000.
When she heard the news, my wife said - 'You should go more often now - you can save more money'. There's no arguing with feminine logic.
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Last edited by wgeoff at 1/03/2013 07:01 ]