tsheunglai

Morning breeze from the north/north-easterly brings hotness down to 24 Celsius and about thirty towards noon.

Return to the site with pleasure
Migrants seen further enhance the trip's delights

Business seemed as usual until the steps were being climabed from the minibus stop. Some noisy chattering of a great bird was heard among the thickets and short trees on the slope side of the dam. Some quiet observation revealed it to be a Greater coucal - common in Mai Po but nevertheless the first personal encounter at this site - later confirmed to be an immature.

Walking above the water collection duct alongside the AFCD quarters, some Blue-winged minlas met the eyes and patience paid when my first Asian paradise flycatcher of the autumn was seen.

Birds seen or heard came slowly with the tenth species recorded at eight forty from a start at seven thirty-five.  A birdwave of minor significance was encountered with a brief view of an Eastern crown leaf warbler. Walking up to the top of Lead Mine Pass, besides confirmring my physique being in proper order, was poorly rewarded with birds.

Totally nineteen species wrapped up the morning's work when the trip ended at twelve fifteen.

S L Tai

On returning to Ma Wan two Common sandpipers and a White wagtail were seen on the shoals near the pier on low tide, the latter was a migrant and the waterbirds need to be determined later as regards status.