Mai Po 16 Feb 2019 - false harrier

After lectures and meetings this morning, we had a short walk in Mai Po in afternoon, mainly went for the Hen Harrier which was reported few days ago again. We waited till dark and saw a very white-rumped bird, with barred secondaries and uppertail, but still, turned out to be a Eastern Marsh Harrier..... Well I told Chelsea its better to go Mai Po rather than Shek Kong.......

Anyway, still a tick for her - a well seen Ruff, making the best bird of the day.

To me, the 3 Eurasian Spoonbill, a noisy Asian Barred Owlet and a male Yellow-fronted Canary were also highlights.

My 2019 Big Year is 157.

Eurasian Spoonbill and Black-faced Spoonbill - it is more difficult to see Eurasian in HK

two Eurasian Spoonbill - one was eating shrimp

two Eurasian Spoonbill and one Black-faced Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill - close but not good lighting

Eurasian Spoonbill eating fish

Eurasian Spoonbill eating shrimp

Eurasian Spoonbill

don't give up every single wader! Like this Ruff among Wood Sandpiper

Ruff and Wood Sandpiper

a nice looking Ruff, but we want breeding plumage one haha

Rook and Collared Crow

Eastern Marsh Harrier - I firstly thought this was a Marsh but we then identified as Hen..... because of the barred secondaries. But for Hen, the underwing should be much strongly barred to the outer primaries, and also smaller size and slender wings, with whiter underparts and less bulkier chest 

Eastern Marsh Harrier - the white rump is less extensive than Hen, the tail should be more strongly barred in Hen with a less plainer upperwing, unlike the fully dark upperwing of this Marsh, very different to this bird: https://lovingthetodiesforever.blogspot.com/2019/02/mai-po-2-feb-2019-hen-harrier.html

Eastern Marsh Harrier - a photo by Chelsea - she saved us all! This photo shows all Eastern Marsh features. Anyway, still a good lesson to learn and the Harrier reminded us that ticks are meaningless number in our birder lives.