A Rare Close Up Look
This is a very rare opportunity to have an intimate look at the Nordmann's Greenshank held in hand. On 05 April 2005, Adrian Boyle, a researcher from Australia, had caught 2 out of 3 Nordmann's Greenshanks present at Chongming Dao Nature Reserve, near Shanghai, China.

The birds were on their spring northwards trip to the breeding ground. Photos have shown that the bird has assumed partial breeding plumage. The heavily spotted breast and head as well as dark upper parts with white notches are the characteristics of breeding plumage.

If you have any further comments/inputs on its plumage, feel free to write to myself (copsychus at yahoo dot com) or Adrian (adrianboyle at westnet dot com dot au)

Nordmann's Greenshank has pure white underwing and axillaries, whereas Common Greenshank has finely barred underwing and axillaries.

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This is the legendary web that many would love to see it in the field. Nordmann's Greenshank is quite unique among Tringa sandpipers in having partial toe-webbing especially the outer toe (left photo).

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In contrast with the Common Greenshank (right photo, courtesy of Adrian Boyle and al) the web is significantly reduced in the outer toe(right) and almost webless in the inner toe (left).

Nordmann's Greenshank released after ringing

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Special acknowledgements: Many thanks to Adrian Bolye who has kindly permitted the use of the photos.

Some Special Moments in 2006/2007




First record in Java (Photo courtesy of Iwan Londo)









There were at least 3 spectacular sightings in season 2006/2007 which is worth noting:

1) First ever record in Java, Indonesia - 1 November 2006
Photographed by Iwan Londo at Delta of Kulon Progo River, Jogyakarta (Central Java), Indonesia. This is the first confirmed record in Java.



First record in Java (Photo courtesy of Iwan Londo)









2) First ever photographic evidence in Australia continent - 2 Dec 2006
Sighted and photographed by Adrian Boyle and Tony Kirkby near Broome, Western Australia. This is the first photographic evidence of Nordmann's Greenshank in Australia.



Smaller Nordmann's Greenshank with two Common Greenshank. Note the color of the legs. (Photo courtesy of Adrian Bolye)











"Cutier" Nordmann's Greenshank infront of Little Curlew and Common Greenshank. The difference between NG and Common Greenshank can be very obvious when standing side by side.(Photo courtesy of Adrian Bolye)




3) Sighting of at least 70 Nordmann's Greenshanks in west coast of Peninsular Malaysia - 3 Feb 2007.
Recorded by David Li of Wetlands International near Sekinchan town, Selangor State, Malaysia. This is the largest number recorded in Malaysia, or probably anywhere in its wintering site.


Unprecedented large flock of Nordmann's Greenshanks in Malaysia. (Photo courtesy of David Li)