Greenshanks, Hong Kong, April 2017 (1 Viewer)

[PJSharp]

Dear all,

Please see attached two photos of Greenshanks taken at Mai Po in Hong Kong on the 11 April. On the day I identified all of the Greenshanks as Common Greenshanks. However, other birders picked out Nordmann's Greenshank on the same pools that day, so I have looked back at my photos.

The first image I was obviously aiming for the Greenshanks, these are much more in summer plumage than I am used to, and I was struck by the two tone nature of their bills. But, the bills are too pointed and if nothing else the white-marked tertials rule out Nordmann's.

The second image I was aiming at the Great Knots, so the picture of the Greenshank is much less than ideal. The bill looks broader than in the first image and perhaps more yellow - could be an artifact of the image? Also I can't see any white on the tertials (maybe I just can't see them well enough?). In any event of all the Greenshanks I incidentally photographed this is the mostly likely candidate for Nordmann's - what do you think?

I'm not convinced I have to admit, but am interested if there is anything else I should pick out on this bird to ID it one way or another.

Best wishes, Paul

 

[AlinoVegano]

I see Common Greenshank and Great Knot, imho.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I see Common Greenshank and Great Knot, imho.

Agree


A

 

[johnallcock]

I agree with Common for all of these.
Nordmann's do often associate with Great Knot, and I wouldn't want to rule this out for the bird at the back of photo 2 - but I suspect this is also Common.

I did see Nordmann's that day, but only 3 birds compared to 300 Common.

 

[PJSharp]

Alino, Andy, John,

Thank you all for your comments. I have only seen Nordmann's once before in Thailand, and those birds were very distinctive in winter plumage. I was worried I had somehow missed/miss-identified Nordmann's at Mai Po amongst the birds I identified as Common Greenshank, and it is reassuring to know that whilst I missed the birds, I didn't obviously miss-identify any as Common Greenshanks.

Best wishes, Paul