Dahu Beach, Haifeng, Guangdong 06-05-12.
Very interesting change on the beach. Most of the wintering breeding plumage Kentish Plover (unidentified sp.) had apparently moved on when the Swinhoe's Plover returned. There were still 8 juveniles which are now 5 weeks old with 12 adults. These birds will probably stay during the Summer and breed again as I noticed several birds of this unidentified Kentish Plover species amongst the Swinhoe's Plover last year. Unfortunately the very heavy rains we have had along the coast during the past few weeks has I am sure drowned quite a few chicks. But 127 Swinhoe's Plover recently arrived on the beach with more on the sandspit was very good news. The Terns are beginning to build up in number with 80 Great Crested, 25 Caspian, 1 Bridled, I Gull-billed, 20 white-winged, 8 Whiskered and good numbers of Little and Common. Very slow year so far for migrant waders but a few Great Knot and Sand Plover on the beach including my first breeding plumage (4) Lesser Sand Plover ,group Atrifrons, sp. parmirensis ?.
This Saturday should prove interesting as more Waders should be about and it will tell me if the winter KPs really have left or not.
The images show a Swinhoe's Plover, male, note how pale these birds are on arraival in Guangdong. We still don't know wherer the majority of these birds are wintering. Two images of 5 week old juveniles of the unidentified Kentish Plover species. Very similar to Swinhoe's Plover juveniles but slightly shorter legs and beak. The legs are also a little darker without the yellowish hue.
Lesser sand Plover, group atrifrons probably either sp. parmirensis or atrifrons.
Very interesting change on the beach. Most of the wintering breeding plumage Kentish Plover (unidentified sp.) had apparently moved on when the Swinhoe's Plover returned. There were still 8 juveniles which are now 5 weeks old with 12 adults. These birds will probably stay during the Summer and breed again as I noticed several birds of this unidentified Kentish Plover species amongst the Swinhoe's Plover last year. Unfortunately the very heavy rains we have had along the coast during the past few weeks has I am sure drowned quite a few chicks. But 127 Swinhoe's Plover recently arrived on the beach with more on the sandspit was very good news. The Terns are beginning to build up in number with 80 Great Crested, 25 Caspian, 1 Bridled, I Gull-billed, 20 white-winged, 8 Whiskered and good numbers of Little and Common. Very slow year so far for migrant waders but a few Great Knot and Sand Plover on the beach including my first breeding plumage (4) Lesser Sand Plover ,group Atrifrons, sp. parmirensis ?.
This Saturday should prove interesting as more Waders should be about and it will tell me if the winter KPs really have left or not.
The images show a Swinhoe's Plover, male, note how pale these birds are on arraival in Guangdong. We still don't know wherer the majority of these birds are wintering. Two images of 5 week old juveniles of the unidentified Kentish Plover species. Very similar to Swinhoe's Plover juveniles but slightly shorter legs and beak. The legs are also a little darker without the yellowish hue.
Lesser sand Plover, group atrifrons probably either sp. parmirensis or atrifrons.