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| Changeable Lizard on guard at the vegetable patch |
09 January 2012
Nature spotted recently
Over Christmas we made a trip to Cheung Chau. As we were sat on the seafront, minding our own business and watching the fishing crews sort out their nets we saw five or six kites wheeling around and diving down to pick up scraps floating in the harbour. Nothing new there except for the arrival of a very sleek falcon that seemed to be joining in the fun too. It was too far away to identify it properly. It was obviously smaller than the kites by about 25% or so and had the classic falcon wings but with a rather long and squarely shaped tail.
(June 25th - Now after much trawling of bird books and silhouette images, I am pleased to say the bird was or was probably an Eastern Marsh Harrier. Another first for me too.)
Out at Man Kok Tsui on New Years Day we watched a large and powerful bird of prey cruising the updrafts from the hill sides. Square winged with fingered feathers and a wide rounded tail. Alas, again it was just a silhouette and we had no way of sizing it against other birds but it was certainly large and soured perfectly.
Over on the Mui Wo side we were treated to a great daytime view of a Muntjak deer that had wandered out onto the raod from the hillside at Nam Shan. Somehow, despite the rattling diesel engine of our taxi the deer seemed completely unflustered and after blocking the taxi's path for a few seconds it decided to turn back and calmly sauntered off into the trees.
A splendid example of a red billed blue magpie was seen sunning itself in the treetops in the Tung Chung Road pass between Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak on Sunday morning and later that same day I spotted a Jay hunting in the treeline at the Western side of the airport (near to the business aviation buildings).
(June 25th - Now after much trawling of bird books and silhouette images, I am pleased to say the bird was or was probably an Eastern Marsh Harrier. Another first for me too.)
Out at Man Kok Tsui on New Years Day we watched a large and powerful bird of prey cruising the updrafts from the hill sides. Square winged with fingered feathers and a wide rounded tail. Alas, again it was just a silhouette and we had no way of sizing it against other birds but it was certainly large and soured perfectly.
Over on the Mui Wo side we were treated to a great daytime view of a Muntjak deer that had wandered out onto the raod from the hillside at Nam Shan. Somehow, despite the rattling diesel engine of our taxi the deer seemed completely unflustered and after blocking the taxi's path for a few seconds it decided to turn back and calmly sauntered off into the trees.
A splendid example of a red billed blue magpie was seen sunning itself in the treetops in the Tung Chung Road pass between Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak on Sunday morning and later that same day I spotted a Jay hunting in the treeline at the Western side of the airport (near to the business aviation buildings).
02 January 2012
What on earth is going on?
Sadly our neighbours have decided to make a fish farm at Man Kok Tsui. The land us is designated as for agricultural purposes only, fish farming not being agriculture noone is quite sure what is going to happen. Suffice to say there are diggers everywhere and pallets of cement and bricks have been delivered and line up along the beach. An area of about 500 square meters has been completely flattened, all the trees removed and a huge hole is being dug down into the sand.
Its a real mess and a real shame, however there is light at the end of the tunnel as yesterday two reporters were on hand taking photos and asking questions. They told me that they will check the land use carefully before approaching the government to ask what is going on. If the works are found to be illegal then the work will be stopped and someone will have to put it all back to how it was. I only hope that the do this quickly.
Its a real mess and a real shame, however there is light at the end of the tunnel as yesterday two reporters were on hand taking photos and asking questions. They told me that they will check the land use carefully before approaching the government to ask what is going on. If the works are found to be illegal then the work will be stopped and someone will have to put it all back to how it was. I only hope that the do this quickly.
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