Get Up Close and Personal With The Waders (3)-----Plovers

Many of the Plover family shorebirds are long-distance migratory birds and are often seen feeding on mudflats.  

Kentish Plover

Unlike most of the waders, the Plovers have relatively short bills but big eyes.

Kentish Plover

Little Ringed Plover (Winter Plumage)

Little Ringed Plover (Summer Plumage)

They prefer to keep away from water and are often spotted on dry ground. Unlike the longer billed waders, the plovers hunt by sight.

In order to catch the prey, some Plovers, such as the Little Ringed Plovers, use one of their feet to scratch the ground first,  

and then peck at the disturbed prey with their bill.

Get Up Close and Personal With The Waders (2)---Marsh Sandpiper

Like the Pied Avocet, the Marsh Sandpiper is another species that takes advantage of the warm winter in Hong Kong.

Unlike the Pied Avocet, the Marsh Sandpipper has a fine and needle-like thin bill with a white “eyebrow” above the eye. 

They are often seen wading in shallow water, 

as well as mudflats，

looking for small aquatic insects. 

Occasionally, they even dip their head in the water for a quick catch.

   The fact that the appearance of Marsh Sandpiper is very similar to the Common Greenshank makes it very hard to distinguish these two species. A correction would be appreciated if there has been a case of mistaken identity. 

Get Up Close and Personal With The Waders (1)---Pied Avocet

Each year, thousands of Pied Avocets come to Hong Kong and spend the winter in Mai Po Nature Reserve.

When  the tide is low, sometimes they get really close to the Birdhides on the mudflats while searching for food. 

Occasionally, some of them get carried away feeding right underneath my nose.

It is a privilege to be able to watch these beautiful birds so closely, and it always makes my day.

A Fishing Egret

  Little Egrets are often seen hunting in mudflats and wetlands in Hong Kong. However, recently I saw a Little Egret fishing in the sea from a small boat.

   It reminded me of a lonely fisherman. 

   The Little Egret was standing patiently on the boat for ages before catching a small fish.