September

It is now the migration period again! Among all winter visitors from the north, Common Greenshank has never disappointed anyone who expects their arrival. They used to breed in the north of the Euro-Asia continent and migrate to the south before winter. Their migratory route can be far up to Australia! During the incredibly long journey, some of them will settle down midway if there are appropriate habitats until winter ends. Fortunately, Hong Kong is one of these habitats for overwinter.

Though Common Greenshank is not as big as an Egret and therefore probably not as conspicuous, it is already a giant among other tringines. Usually Common Greenshank may forage in dense flock of conspecifics near shallow water. Common Greenshank usually preys on insects and their larvae. Unsurprisingly small fish and invertebrates are also its nice meals. During feeding, Common Greenshank usually pecks and probes in shallow water with steady walking speed. However when Common Greenshank encounters its preys, it may suddenly change its direction erratically and start running!

Favourite habitats of Common Greenshank are many and varied, ranging from freshwater wetlands to intertidal mudflats. Do not hesitate to take a glimpse of it from either one of the three birdhides during your visit to Wetland Park. Find difficulties in indentifying Common Greenshank from a flock of waders? Try to take a careful look on its bill. It is long, rather heavy and slightly uptilted.