Being a Sniper - Long Valley 28 AUG 2015

Aiming to see some snipes, especially the Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii, which is still not on the HK List but potential to be one day. Of course, no Latham's today but still saw many Swin/tail Snipe (Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala and Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura). These two are extremely difficult to be separated unless you can see the outer tail, clearly.

Here is a picture from the book: Shorebirds of Japan. Thanks to a Taiwan birder for giving translation.

This is the Pintail Snipe, with no problem. Note the outer tail pattern.

And comes to a "Swinhoe's", which I think it is. I can't see the outertail clearly but the bird at least showing a longer tail, and different moulting-pattern than the Pintail above.

Besides snipes.. also some other common birds.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus, testing the ISO 1600

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

an odd one...

And Asian Swallowtail, a beautiful butterfly.