Nicobar Pigeon

Nicobar Pigeon (綠蓑鴿)

Solomon Islands (1993)

4th May, 2008. Honiara

Nicobar Pigeon is resident bleeding bird which can be found in south-west Pacific islands from Philippines to Indonesia, of course includes Nicobar Islands, in the easternmost of Indian Ocean. Its conservation states is near threatened. Same as Seychelles' cover, I don't know the exact registered tariff to Hongkong, but I think it is not enough. By the way, thanks Solomon Islands post office of their kindly help.

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover (小環頸鴴)

Japan (1994)

27th November, 2007. Futami, Mie

This located stamp issued by Mie Prefecture to show the famous sight Meoto Iwa in Futami, Ise. Which are two rocks in the middle of sea, according to Wikipedia, the large rock is man and small one is his wife. I don't have any idea why the design of the stamp have three birds, those birds are Snowy Plover, it is migratory bird living in northern earth and fly over to southern in winter.

Caribbean's birds (1) - St Lucia

95c : Bridled Quail-Dove (轡頭鵪鶉) ; 70c : St Lucia Oriole (聖盧擬鸝)

$1,10 : Semper's Warbler (淡腳森鶯)

St Lucia (1998)

29th July, 2008. Castries

I am very surprise on the market price of this bird stamp set when I checked 2009 catalogue in library this afternoon, it marked US$8,00 either used and new set. But I don't care it as I have one duplicate set and I decided send it to St Lucia Post Office. Thanks their nice postmarks, even it is not traditional British format steel postmark. St Lucia Oriole and Semper's Warbler are only found in St Lucia and near extinct, nevertheless Bridled Quail-Dove is quite common in Caribbean islands.

Seabirds of Portugal

0,30 € : Sanderling (三趾濱鷸) ; 0,52 € : Razorbill (刀嘴海雀)

0,61 € : Wilson’s Storm Petrel (黃蹼洋海燕) ; 1,00 € : Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗)

Portugal (2008)

23rd June, 2008. Lisbon (First day special postmark)

10th July, 2008. Vila de Sagres

Four beautiful stamps issued by Portugal to commemorate International Polar Year of 2007 to 2008, thanks Portugal Post who sent me this first day cover immediately. Four birds are Sanderling, Razorbill, Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Arctic Tern. Information comes from Hongkong Post, Sanderling nests in the High Arctic in such remote locations as Greenland, Siberia and Ellesmere island, however it migrates to southern places include Hongkong, but no records of Razorbill, Wilson’s Storm Petre and Arctic Tern. Sagres is in the south-westernmost of Europe, a small fishing village nearby Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

Seabirds of Senegal

Caspian Tern (紅咀巨鷗)

Senegal (1993)

27th November, 2008. Fatick

Caspian Tern is a migratory bird, mainly live in northern Europe, Middle-East and Far Asia, and migrating to southern part of the world. Parc National du Delta du Saloum is located in Fatick region, which is one important place for Caspian Tern bleeding in winter.

Gull-billed Tern (鷗咀噪鷗)

Senegal (1993)

27th November, 2008. Saint-Louis

Gull-billed Tern also a migratory bird, same as Caspian Tern, it widely found in northern Europe and Africa, Middle-East and Far East, and bleeding in southern America, Indian Ocean and Australia. Parc de la Langue de Barbarie near the city of Saint-Louis, an important wetland in north-west Senegal, and also in the world.

145F : Gull-billed Tern (鷗咀噪鷗) ; 90F : Caspian Tern (紅咀巨鷗)

Senegal (1993)

1st December, 2008. Avenue Peytavin, Dakar
1st December, 2008. Dakar Central
13th December, 2008. Hongkong

Special thanks Kristiina who sent me many beautiful postcards, although they are fully printed in Russian on the back side, I could use them to make many maxicard. I spit my block of 4 for the cards and above envelope.

Caspian Tern and Gull-billed Tern are very common in Hongkong during winter. However, I haven't court how many Terns can be found in Hongkong.

Birds of Falkland Islands

5p : Falkland Islands Steamerduck (福克蘭海鴨)

20p : Black-browed Albatross (黑眉信天翁) ; 1p : Chiloe Wigeon (智利野鴨)

2p : Magellan Gull (麥哲倫海鷗) ; 22p : Rolland's Grebe (白簇鸊鷉)

10p : Black-throated Finch (黑紅喉刺鶯)

Falkland Islands (2003, 2006)

11th June, 2008. Stanley

The above envelope shown six of 13 last definitive issue of Falkland Islands, which values from 1p to £5. When I known that it will replaced by aeroplane definitive stamps in this August, I decided order some stamps, include single stamps or block of 4. Meantime I arranged a maxicard, it is Black-necked Swan. The original photo was taken in Kowloon Park of Hongkong, as there feeding couple of birds. Publisher combined some butterfly, bird and lotus photos in one postcard book, and sells it in low price.

Maxicard

Black-necked Swan (黑頸天鵝)

Falkland Islands (2003)

7th June, 2008. Stanley

Water birds of Algeria

10,00 Dinar : White Stork (白鸛) ; 15,00 Dinar : Black Stork (黑鸛)

30,00 Dinar : Common Crane (灰鶴) ; 20,00 Dinar : White Spoonbill (白琵鷺)

Algeria (2006)

14th June 2008. Ain-tebinet, Sétif

This is not first day cover but glued with full nice set of Algeria water bird stamps, they are White Stork, Black Stork, White Spoonbill and Common Crane separately. This is second cover with Black Stork post in here while the first one is came from Belarus, sent by Arabian (as the return address is full of arabic) from Sétif and spent near one month dispatch to Hongkong, disappointingly it doesn't carry any 'arrival postmark' of Hongkong.

Whimbrel and Redshank

Whimbrel (杓鷂)

Iceland (2003)

21st April, 2008. Reykjavík

A series of bird stamps issued by Iceland during 2002 to 2005, these 8 stamps are beautiful and lovely. Unfortunately I miss two as Icelandic post office out of stock. Whimbrel is migratory bird, living in Iceland, northern Canada, Europe, north-east of Russia and Alaska but breeding in Caribbean, south Asia and Australia, include Hongkong. The above envelope, with three Whimbrels and two berries stamps, was sent from Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland. Redshank also is migratory bird, widely seen from Iceland to England, and Indian Ocean in summer. The cancellation of below maxicard is Garður, is an 1300 inhabitants village in north part of Iceland.

Maxicard

Redshank (鶴鷸)

Iceland (2002)

7th May, 2008. Garður

Rough-legged Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk (粗腿鷹)

St. Pierre et Miquelon (2000)

7th May, 2008. Saint-Pierre

I don't have any idea of this bird, as it only can be found in northern part of the world, from Canada to Norway and Russia. I bought this block of four in many years ago, when I wanted to collect envelopes from the world, I tried to franked these stamps and send many many coins to St. Pierre et Miquelon post office. The envelope came back after two months, but two things are not good, those two flower stamps which on the front side of envelope and import registered label overlap the postmark.

Formosan Magpie

Aerogramme

Formosan Magpie (台灣藍鵲)

Taiwan (2008)

9th July, 2008. Yangmingshan

It is third time of Taiwan issued Formosan Magpie stamp. The bird as know as Formosan Blue Magpie is a national bird of Taiwan and named because whole blue coloured body, mostly it habits in low-level mountain area of Taiwan. The above aerogramme, was issued in 10 years ago, it shown how magpies flying over the valley and breeding their chicken. Full set of new Formosan Magpie stamps on the front of aerogramme and it sent at Yangmingshan, which place is one of national park in northern of Taiwan. Below first day cover, is franked with a block of four, the cancellation is Tamsui date postmark.

Thanks James Chen the excellent works of first day covers and aerogramme.

First day cover

16th July, 2008. Tamsui

20th July, 2008. Hongkong

European Robin

European Robin (知更鳥)

Luxembourg (2007)

14th December, 2007. Luxembourg (First day special postmark)

European Robin is popular actor on many Christmas cards and stamps. Selected two are issued by Luxembourg and Great Britain, which cancelled by first day postmark or 'post early' machine postmark.

Great Britain (1995)

8th December, 1995. London West

Birds' paradise in Hongkong

$1,30 : Yellow-breasted Bunting (黃胸鵐) ; $2,50 : Great Knot (細嘴濱鷸)

$3,10 : Falcated Teal (羅紋鴨) ; $5,00 : Black-faced Spoonbill (黑面琵鷺)

Hongkong (1997)

27th April, 1997. Maonshan, Shatin

There are many places in Hongkong can be observe birds and other species, like Taipo Au, Shataukok, Kamtin and northwest of New Territories, those places are attractive for bird as there have many fishing pounds in the ancient years. But in recent years, especially Tinshuiwai and Santin, fishing pounds became repository sites or be developed. Those places do not suitable for natural lives to have their own home or migration. Maipo and Wetland Park in northern Tinshuiwai are only two places protected by law, which prohibit to develop or damage, while Wetland Park is open to public. Nevertheless, as lack of eduction and government ignores of the environment problem, quantity of species are decreasing.

The above first day cover, was issued on 1997 during Hongkong under British colony. And other one, is a booklet contain two sheetlets to commemorate the opening of Wetland Park, different of stamps is only the country name is Hongkong, China.

Hongkong (2000)

22nd December, 2008. Sun Chui Estate, Shatin

Crow Honeyeater and Caledonian Greybird

Caledonian Greybird (山鵑鵙)

New Caledonia (2007)

13th October, 2008. Nouméa

Again, these two birds are rare in the world and only can be found in New Caledonia. Caledonian Greybird is the first time appear on stamp. The last one in this stamp set is Kagu, which is national bird of New Caledonia. These envelopes seem quite normal but nice enough.

New Caledonia is group of islands located in North-east of Australia, and southern boundary of Asia.

Crow Honeyeater (紅臉裸吸蜜鳥)

New Caledonia (2007)

13th October, 2008. Nouméa

Mauritius Parakeet

Mauritius Parakeet (毛里求斯長尾小鸚鵡)

Mauritius (2003)

23rd November, 2008. Port Louis

Thanks Tasneem for the nice cover, she franked whole set of beautiful parrot stamps with postage label. Mauritius Parakeet is a rare bird which only can be seen in Mauritius and islands near Madagascar, locals named katover. In 60's year of last century, it became near-extinction, following 20 years, dedicated research and conservation effort was launched to save the birds, the situation had at stabilized. Nowadays the population around 250-300 birds.

Greater Flamingo and Mediterranean Shag

L : Greater Flamingo (火烈鳥) ; R : Mediterranean Shag (地中海鸕鶿)

Gibraltar (2008)

19th March, 2008. Gibraltar

Gibraltar Post done a good job in this year, it issued new series of definitive set which contains 14 different bird stamps. Those species are very common in Gibraltar and Mediterranean. I contacted a vendor in there to help me find some block of 4 and single stamps of all low values, and advised him use those stamps on envelope in the meantime. When I contacting vendor, I also sent one IRC to Gibraltar post office, but they don't have any respond, little bit disappointed. The envelope, I was hidden some parts as the vendor used DL size envelope, it is not good for my album.

Black Stork

Black Stork (黑鸛)

Belarus (2005)

17th February, 2008. Minsk

28th February, 2008. Hongkong

It is quite common migratory bird in Europe and Far East Asia, and some habitant in southern Africa. In Hongkong, winter is good season to find them in Maipo wetland. But as many different reasons, Black Stork becomes rare in northern Europe, the amount of them are decreasing. Stamps on this envelope is a whole set issued on 2005, and also franked with other bird definitive stamps which are other species. Thanks to Alexander Rusak for the great help.

Congo African Grey Parrot

Congo Grey Parrot (剛果灰鸚鵡)

Angola (2006)

17th March, 2008. Lunada

Grey Parrot only be found in Africa, countries near Equator. I collected 9 stamps are came from different countries. But this one is quite interesting, you can't find any country name on the stamp. In 2006, there are few issues of Angola don't bear its country name, it is not in complicate with article 8 of UPU convention.

Little Egret

Little Egret (小白鷺)

Hongkong (2006)

20th October, 2007. Kam Tai Court, Maonshan

Little Egret is quite abundant resident in Far East, southern Europe and Africa, however they are migratory occasionally. In Hongkong, I can find couple of them breeding at beach not far away from my home. Also largely find in two shores of Shing Mun River of Shatin, wetlands of Taipo, Maipo and Tai O. The above maxicard, was cancelled by Kamtai Post Office, Kamtai is an housing estate at the end shore of Shing Mun River.

Below envelope, is a registered mail sent to Lisbon for Poste Restante. As little fee must be charged by Portugal Post, receiver should stamp postage due labels on the envelope to prove it be charged, here can observe that 0,65 euro have been charged by post office. Many thanks Carlos Silvério for the great help.

16th September, 2008. Yautong, Kowloon

26th September, 2008. Telhelras, Lisbon

Azores Bullfinch

Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)

Azores (2008)

28th May, 2008. Lisbon (First day special postmark)

17th June, 2008. Nordeste, Azores

Azores Bullfinch is subspecies of Eurasian Bullfinch, Portuguese calls them Priolo, it only habits Serra da Tronqueira and around Nordeste municipality of São Miguel Island, Azores. This first day cover, although not posted on first day of issue, it carries postmarks of Nordeste. Portugal Post also issued a set of maxicard and two sheetlets on the same day, however the illustration of 4 cards are same, and it same as one of sheetlet.

Thanks José Ladeiro from Pombal, Paula and José Manuel Dias from Lisbon who sent me whole range of product and covers.

Maxicard

28th May, 2008. Ponta Delgada, Azores (First day special postmark)

Aldabra Drongo and Aldabra Red-headed Fody

Front

Back

R : Aldabra Drongo (阿爾達巴拉卷尾)

L : Aldabra Red-headed Fody (阿爾達巴拉紅頭雀)

Seychelles (2008)

2nd December, 2008, Victoria, Mahé

9th December, 2008, Hongkong

One of latest WWF issue on 2008 which issued by Seychelles, a small islands country in East Africa. Those two birds, can only be found in Aldabra Island of Seychelles.

Stamps are purchased from local dealer, the stamp set are quite cheap. I bought 4 sets and frank three of them on above envelope, with some old definitives of Seychelles. Actually I don't know exactly tariff of registered mail to Hongkong when I sent this request, but seem it still a petty envelope for my collection.

Cover features four definitive stamps issued on 2000, are Seychelles Tree Frog (塞舌耳樹蛙), Seychelles Killifish (塞舌耳鏘魚), Seychelles Splendid Palm (塞舌耳扶搖櫚) and Seychelles Skink (塞舌耳蜥) separately.

Wandering Albatross

Wandering Albatross (漂泊信天翁)

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (2006)

12th March, 2008, King Edward Point

This is the first time post philatelic item on this board. I sent the request to South Georgia post office last year and waited near three months for the respond. Finally it is fine, except the quality of the postmark. The postcard, was issued by TAAF postal admission.

Wandering Albatross is one of the largest bird bird in the world, mostly they live in Southern ocean circle. However their quantity is decreasing in these 50 years as they killed by fishing net.