1 Introduction

1.1 Background

In March 2005, the Project Proponent, Profit Point Enterprises Limited, acquired the development site in Yuen Long at Wo Shang Wai. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was then carried out under the EIA Ordinance (EIAO), and the Environmental Permit (EP-311/2008) for construction of the comprehensive development in Wo Shang Wai was first granted by EPD on 9 September 2008 and has been subsequently varied, with the current version (EP-311/2008/E) issued by EPD on 19 December 2017.

The Project involves the residential development, associated infrastructure, wetland restoration area and linear landscape area. The construction works under the Environmental Permit commenced on 12 May 2010. The site formation construction works of the Wetland Restoration Area (WRA) were completed on 15 November 2010, and the WRA was established by October 2012, within 30 months from the commencement of construction as stipulated in the EP. This indicated that planting works as scheduled in the approved Wetland Restoration and Creation Scheme (WRCS; November 2009) was completed, except along the western and southern boundary where the planting is affected by the existing site boundary and noise barrier, and for which a Variation to Environmental Permit (EP-311/2008/C) to defer planting at the location was approved. The current valid EP (EP-311/2008/E) includes specific mitigation measures to minimise certain identified noise impacts during the operation phase of the Project.

Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Ltd. (“MMHK”) has been commissioned to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services to carry out environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for both pre-construction and construction phases of the Proposed Comprehensive Development at Wo Shang Wai, Yuen Long.

According to the EP Condition 4.6, the EM&A results on ecological aspects during the construction phase should be reported to the EIA Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE), EPD and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on a biannual basis. This is the27^th Biannual EM&A report and it summarises the findings on EM&A results of ecological aspects during the period from 1 May 2023 to 31 October 2023. This report documents surveys and management activities conducted in the Survey Area and WRA from 1 May 2023 to 31 October 2023, which is based on ecological surveys and advice on management undertaken and provided by the appointed Non-Government Organisation (Eco-Institute) during the reporting period.

1.2 Survey Area

Surveys were conducted within 500m of the Project area. The WRA has been surveyed since early September 2010. The survey area and transect are provided in Figure 1.1.

1.3 EM&A Requirement on Ecological Impact

The EM&A programme requires environmental monitoring of ecology as specified in the approved EM&A Manual, summarised in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Summary of Ecological Impact EM&A Requirements

Descriptions	Locations	Frequencies
Birds	Within the Project Area and Assessment Area of 500m	Weekly
Dragonflies and Butterflies	Within the Project Area and Assessment Area of 500m	Once per month during Mar and Sep to Nov, and twice per month during Apr to Aug
Herpetofauna	Within the Project Area and Assessment Area of 500m	Day-time: Once per month during Apr to Nov Night-time: Once per month during Mar to Aug
Water quality of Wetland Restoration Area (WRA)	WRA	After filling of WRA with water, monthly for in situ water quality and every six months (end of wet season and end of dry season) for laboratory testing
Site Inspections	Within the Project Area and Assessment Area of 500m	Weekly

Source: Extract from Table 7-1 of the Proposed Comprehensive Development at Wo Shang Wai, Yuen Long EM&A Manual (March 2008)

2 Ecological Monitoring

2.1 Ecological Monitoring

In accordance with the EM&A requirements, monitoring of birds, dragonflies and butterflies, and herpetofauna were carried out during the reporting period. In addition, monitoring of mammals was also conducted concurrently with other surveys and the results were reported although it is not required by the EM&A Manual. The dates of surveys are summarised in Appendix A.

2.2 Monitoring of Birds

Monitoring was undertaken following the survey requirements in the EM&A Manual (Table 7-1). Since September 2010, monitoring included the newly formed cells to monitor faunal usage of this area. All bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland dependent were identified and enumerated. Flying birds were not recorded unless they were foraging and/or associated with the habitat (such as swifts). Further, notable bird observations during other surveys were also recorded.

Bird surveys were conducted on a weekly basis throughout the reporting period. A total of 59 bird species were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding the WRA) in the survey period (i.e. 1 May 2023 to 31 October 2023), 28 of which were species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence. A summary of survey data is provided in Appendix B.

A total of 63 species were recorded in the WRA during the survey period, 29 of which were species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependent species. Two of the three target species[1] (Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)) were recorded in the WRA during regular surveys.

The WRA continues to attract a number of species of conservation importance, including Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia), Little Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis), Cinnamon Bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus Himantopus), Pacific Swift (Apus pacificus), Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), White-shouldered Starling (Sturnia sinensis) and Collared Crow (Corvus torquatus). Little Grebe, Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-winged Kite, Eurasian Hobby, Pacific Swift, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, White-shouldered Starling and Collared Crow are listed by Fellowes et al. (2002) as of “Local Concern”. Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron are listed by Fellowes et al. (2002) as of “Potential Regional Concern”. Purple Heron, Intermediate Egret, Black Kite and Black-winged Stilt are listed by Fellowes et al. (2002) as of “Regional Concern”. Collared Crow is also listed as “near threatened” species on the IUCN list.

In addition to wetland-dependence birds and/or species of conservation importance, the WRA also attracts a number of terrestrial birds including Besra (Accipiter virgatus), Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) and Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) which are protected under terrestrial wildlife state protection (Category II). Greater Coucal is also listed as vulnerable (VU) in the China Red Data Book.

The fish ponds to the north of the WRA (i.e. within the Survey Area (excluding WRA)) are at a greater distance from the residential portion and any disturbance impact(s) from the construction works would have first affected the WRA (with 28 bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded during the survey period). Nevertheless, 29 bird species of conservation importance and /or wetland dependence were also observed using the site within the WRA during the survey period, including some bird species which are highly sensitive to disturbance. The WRA is therefore considered to be effective both in acting as a buffer against potential disturbance and impact from the construction site, and in providing suitable wetland habitats at the fringe of the Deep Bay system which includes the Mai Po Marshes and the Ramsar Site as a whole.

2.3 Monitoring of Herpetofauna

Monitoring was undertaken following the survey methodology in the EM&A Manual. Day-time herpetofauna surveys were conducted once a month in May, June, July, August, September and October 2023. Night-time herpetofauna surveys were conducted once a month in May, June, July and August 2023. Further, notable herpetofauna observations during other surveys, site inspections and habitat management works were also recorded.

A total of five amphibian species and three reptile species were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) during the reporting period. Within the WRA, a total of seven amphibian species and seven reptile species were recorded during the reporting period.

A summary of survey data is provided in Appendix C.

2.4 Monitoring of Dragonfly and Butterflies

Monitoring of odonates and butterflies was conducted once a month in September and October 2023, and twice a month in May, June, July and August 2023. Further, notable odonate and butterfly observations during other surveys were recorded.

A total of 16 odonate species and 26 butterfly species were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) during the survey period. Within the WRA, a higher diversity of odonate species (33 species) and butterfly species (56 species) were recorded.

Among the odonate species recorded in the WRA in the survey period, Blue Sprite (Pseudagrion microcephalum), Dingy Dusk-hawker (Gynacantha subinterrupta), Coastal Glider (Macrodiplax cora), Ruby Darter (Rhodothemis rufa) and Scarlet Basker (Urothemis signata signata) are listed by Fellowes et al. (2002) as of ‘Local Concern’. Mangrove Skimmer (Orthetrum poecilops) is listed by Fellowes et al. (2002) as of ‘Global Concern’ and is also listed as “Vulnerable” (VU) species on the IUCN list. Among the butterfly species recorded in the WRA during the survey period, Danaid Egg-fly (Hypolimnas misippus), Small Grass Yellow (Eurema brigitta) and Pale Palm Dart (Telicota colon) are listed by Fellowes et al. (2002) as of ‘Local Concern’.

A summary of the survey findings is provided in Appendix C.

2.5 Monitoring of Mammals

Monitoring of mammals was conducted concurrently with other surveys. Further, notable mammals observed during site inspections and habitat management works were also recorded.

Two mammal species, Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx) and Japanese Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus abramus), were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) during the reporting period. Four mammal species were recorded within the WRA during the reporting period, including Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx), Japanese Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus abramus) and an unidentified bat species.

A summary of the survey findings is provided in Appendix C.

2.6 Monitoring of Water Quality

Monthly water quality monitoring continued during the reporting period. Excessive water due to typhoons and heavy rain was discharged from the WRA after site inspections. Water of all Cells was kept within operational level. The water levels were kept to maintain a suitable habitat for fish, aquatic invertebrate and water plants which will provide food and a habitat for wetland birds.

Monitoring data is presented in Appendix D. Locations for the monitoring of water quality for the ecological monitoring are shown in Figure 1.2.

3 Ecological Issues

3.1 Vegetation Management

Vegetation management activities undertaken within the WRA included the removal of exotic and excessive vegetation in all cells and along the emergency vehicular access (EVA). These activities primarily involved removal of excess grass and sedges, shrubs and tree branches, as well as excessive climbers and floating vegetation. Removal of vegetation included but was not limited to Ludwigia spp., Typha angustifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Macaranga tanarius, Ficus macrocarpa, Rhaphiolepis indica, Lantana camara, Mimosa sp., Pennisetum sp., Ipomea sp., Bidens alba, Paederia foetida and Mikania micrantha (See Photos 1 to 3). Broken and dangling branches which resulted from the typhoons were cleared and all access roads and cell bunds were made accessible for ecological surveys and site inspections.

Photo 1	Clearance of fallen leaves along the EVA (October 2023)

Photo 2	Clearance of exotic species (September 2023)

Photo 3	Weeding along WRA cell bund (September 2023)

3.2 Wildlife Management

Golden Apple Snails and their eggs were removed on an “as-seen” basis. (See Photo 4)

Red Imported Fire Ant nests were located during site inspection and weeding works. These nests were treated with approved pesticides during the dry season. Pesticide usage was only be confined to nests found on terrestrial areas which were further away from the Cells to prevent the contamination of water.

Preliminarily actions have been taken to increase the WRA utilization by birds. The mitigation actions are:

1. Maintaining the low water level of Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3 and Cell 4;

2. Controlling the vegetation at Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3 and Cell 4 (See Photo 5).

These mitigation actions aim to increase the foraging area and maintain a suitable habitat for target species, wetland-dependent species as well as species of conservation importance.

Photo 4

Clearance of apple snails and their eggs (September 2023)

Photo 5

Clearance of fallen branches and leaves at Cell 2 (September 2023)

4 Summary of Wetland Restoration Area Performance

4.1 Summary of Findings

Ecological monitoring between 1 May 2023 and 31 October 2023 was carried out following the survey methodology and frequency outlined in the EM&A Manual.

Summary of ecological monitoring in the Survey Area and WRA between 1 May 2023 and 31 October 2023 (Table 4.1):

Table 4.1: Summary of Ecological Monitoring in Survey Area and WRA Survey Area

Species	Number of species recorded in Survey Area (excluding WRA)	Number of species recorded in WRA
Birds (total)	59	63
Birds (of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence)	28	29
Amphibians	5	7
Reptiles	3	7
Mammals	2	4
Dragonflies	16	33
Butterflies	26	56

A total of 63 bird species, 4 mammal species, 33 dragonfly species, 56 butterfly species,7 amphibian species and 7 reptile species were recorded in the WRA, including 29 bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence. These findings indicate that the WRA is supporting wetland-dependent birds and other species of conservation importance. The diversity of dragonflies and butterflies within the WRA is higher than those in the Survey Area (excluding WRA), indicating that the wetland and vegetation management works could promote dragonflies and butterflies in using the WRA.

Venn diagrams showing the number of common species and species only found in the WRA or Survey Area (excluding the WRA) are presented in Appendix B and Appendix C. An ecological connection between the WRA and Survey Area (excluding the WRA) is observed given the number of common species attracted to both areas. Particularly for birds, 47 common species were recorded within both the WRA and Survey Area (excluding the WRA) during the reporting period (see Appendix B, Chart B1). The WRA attracts a higher number of species (i.e., 16 birds, 2 amphibian, 5 reptiles, 2 mammal, 17 dragonflies and 34 butterflies recorded only in the WRA), indicating that ecological restoration can enhance biodiversity (see Appendix C, Charts C2 to C5). From the species only recorded in the WRA, 7 birds, one reptile (Red-eared Slider) and five dragonflies (Blue Sprite, Scarlet Basker, Dingy Dusk-hawker, Ruby Darter and Mangrove Skimmer) were of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence.

Survey findings indicate that the WRA is attracting two of the three target species (Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron) to varying degrees. During the survey period (i.e. May 2023 to October 2023), Chinese Pond Heron was recorded in all months between May 2023 to October 2023, with monthly means ranging from 1.4 (August 2023) to 3.3 (May 2023) birds per survey. Little Egret was recorded in all months between May 2023 to October 2023 except for August, with monthly means ranging from 1.4 (October 2022) to 4.8 (May 2023). Eastern Cattle Egret was not recorded during the survey period (i.e. May 2023 to October 2023).

A list of the bird species recorded within the WRA since the completion of the site formation is provided in Appendix B (Tables B4 to B9). A total of 164 bird species have been recorded within the WRA since the completion of the site formation in November 2010. Of the 164 species, 90 were species of conservation importance and/or wetland dependence.

With the completion of planting as scheduled in the approved Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) in August 2012, establishment work at the WRA is considered complete (except along the western and southern boundary where the planting is affected by the existing site boundary and noise barrier, and for which an approved Variation to Environmental Permit (EP-311/2008/D) to defer planting at the location applies), and the 30-month establishment period concluded in October 2012. A review of the performance of the WRA during the review period in terms of target species attraction is provided in Section 4.2 below.

It should be noted that the high planting density was intended to ensure a rapid establishment of the site prior to occupation intake, and the planted vegetation is not intended to be maintained as a long-term tree density at the WRA. Regular horticultural/ arboricultural practice is applied in the WRA to remove excessive and less desired specimens to facilitate the successful growth of those which are of higher landscape and/or ecological value. Vegetation management is largely consistent of maintenance of planted trees and shrubs for the creation of suitable habitats for target species, as well as removal of excessive and exotic species. These works should maintain and uphold the long-term habitat structure and the overall biodiversity of the WRA.

4.2 WRA Performance for the Bird Target Species

The provision, maintenance and operation of a WRA are requirements under the Environmental Permit for compensation for predicted ecological impacts to species of conservation importance. Three bird target species were identified during the EIA process: Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret and Chinese Pond Heron. Target levels of these species are the annual mean numbers recorded during the Baseline Ecological Monitoring (i.e., a mean of 5.5 Little Egret, 1.3 Eastern Cattle Egret and 1.3 Chinese Pond Heron over a 12-month period). Thus, the ecological impact of the project to the species concerned is considered to have been fully compensated when the target level for each of the three species is achieved. Whilst further discussion and agreement regarding the target level is yet to be undertaken with the relevant Government departments prior to the operation of the WRA, the proposed level offers a clear reference to the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. According to the approved Wetland Creation and Restoration Scheme (November 2009, hereafter WCRS), the WRA is anticipated to be fully operational after an establishment period of 2.5 years (30 months).

Two of the target species (Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron) were recorded using the WRA during the survey period (May 2023 to October 2023). Among them, only Chinese Pond Heron was recorded in all six months during regular surveys.

One of the three target species (Eastern Cattle Egret) was not recorded in the WRA between May and October 2023. This species was only occasionally recorded in the WRA since 2010. Before the establishment of the WRA, the whole Project Area had 11.05ha of short grassland (i.e., 51.73% of the 21.36ha occupied by the Project Area) as stated in the Wetland Restoration Plan (Appendix H in Proposed Comprehensive Development at Wo Shang Wai, Yuen Long, Environmental Impact Assessment, Mott Connell, March 2008). The established WRA only had 0.33ha of short grassland (i.e., 6.96% of the 4.74ha of the WRA) (Mott Connell, March 2008). Since Eastern Cattle Egret tends to forage in larger areas of short vegetation associated with water buffalo and cattle, for insects distributed by these grazing animals, there is a high chance of not sighting this species within the WRA.

Table 4.2: Biannual mean & Annual mean of the three target species of the WRA from November 2021 to October 2023

Common Name	Scientific Name	Conservation Status ⁽¹⁾	Baseline Annual Mean ⁽²⁾			Biannual Mean⁽³⁾		Annual Mean⁽³⁾
Common Name	Scientific Name	Conservation Status ⁽¹⁾	Baseline Annual Mean ⁽²⁾	Nov 21 -Apr 22	May 22 -Oct 22	Nov 22 - Apr 23	May 23 – Oct 23	Nov 21 – Oct 22	Nov 22 – Oct 23
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC, (RC)	1.3	1.7	3.9	2.0	2.2	2.8	2.1
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC, (RC)	5.5	1.5	2.2	2.0	2.4	1.9	2.2
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	(LC)	1.3	0.2	0.3	0.1	0.0	0.2	0.1

Notes:

(1) Conservation Status follows that of Fellow et. al. (2002). See Appendix B (Table B3).

(2) Annual mean number recorded during Baseline Ecological Monitoring.

(3) Values in bold indicated the Target Level was achieved.

Based on Table 4.2 above, the target level of the Chinese Pond Heron has been achieved between May 2023 to October 2023, while the target levels for Little Egret and Eastern Cattle Egret have not been achieved.

According to the ecological monitoring data of the Survey Area (excluding the WRA), Eastern Cattle Egret was observed in 10 out of 27 regular surveys and the biannual mean of the Eastern Cattle Egret at the Survey Area (excluding the WRA) was 2.1 bird per survey (May 2023 – October 2023).

Eastern Cattle Egret is mainly a spring and autumn passage migrant in Hong Kong with peak count in August (Carey et al. 2001). This species mainly forages along short grass habitat, preying on insects, invertebrates and small vertebrates. The large expanse of grassland in the Survey Area (excluding the WRA) and the open storage areas in the vicinity of the WRA and the Survey Area (excluding the WRA) provide foraging sites for the Eastern Cattle Egret. Upon the completion of the WRA, the area had changed from open storage to restored open-water wetland, reedbeds, tall vegetation as well as short grassland along the cell bunds. Apart from short grassland habitat, most other habitats within the WRA are not typical foraging habitats for Eastern Cattle Egret. In the coming months the vegetation along the EVA and pond bunds of the cells will be closely monitored, controlled and maintained, in order to attract more insects and Eastern Cattle Egrets.

Although the biannual mean of Little Egret did not meet the target level, the species was recorded in 19 out of 27 regular surveys within the WRA. The highest count in this period was 6 birds in Cell 4 on 19 September 2023.

Although no Eastern Cattle Egret has been recorded between May 2023 and October 2023, the WRA continues to attract wetland dependent birds and/or species of conservation importance, as well as terrestrial birds of conservation importance.

The biannual change of bird species number and composition since the WRA establishment in Oct 2012 is presented in Table 4.3, which shows a steady number of conservation importance species and/or wetland-dependent species continuously recorded in the WRA. This indicates that the WRA provides a suitable habitat for these species.

Table 4.3: Total number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded in the WRA from November 2010 to October 2023

Common Name	Nov 10 - Oct 11	Nov 11 - Oct 12	Nov 12 - Oct 13	Nov 13 - Oct 14	Nov 14 - Oct 15	Nov 15 - Oct 16	Nov 16 - Oct 17	Nov 17 - Oct 18	Nov 18 - Oct 19	Nov 19 - Oct 20	Nov 20 - Oct 21	Nov 21 - Oct 22	Nov 22 - Oct 23
Bird species of conservation importance and/ or wetland-dependence	48	33	36	39	45	46	46	42	34	52	51	47	49

Common Name

Nov 10

- Oct 11

Nov 11

- Oct 12

Nov 12

- Oct 13

Nov 13

- Oct 14

Nov 14

- Oct 15

Nov 15

- Oct 16

Nov 16

- Oct 17

Nov 17

- Oct 18

Nov 18

- Oct 19

Nov 19

- Oct 20

Nov 20

- Oct 21

Nov 21

- Oct 22

Nov 22

- Oct 23

Bird species of conservation importance and/ or wetland-dependence

4.3 Adaptive Management for WRA

As the Proposed Comprehensive Development at Wo Shang Wai is still under construction phase, it is considered acceptable for the target species levels to have not been achieved. However, should this situation continue, a review of the management of the WRA and adaptive management steps will be required.

The mitigation actions including: 1) Controlling the water level; 2) Controlling the vegetation; and 3) Removal of Red Imported Fire Ant nests have been taken in the WRA during the survey period to increase the WRA utilization by birds, especially for the three target species of the WRA. The mitigation actions will be continued in the WRA, and monitoring will be carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the mitigation actions.

A summary of the annual mean of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded in the WRA from May 2023 and October 2023 is shown in Table 4.4. 17 additional species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence have been recorded in the WRA when compared to the Baseline Ecological Monitoring. The increase in number of the species of conservation importance indicates that the WRA is providing a suitable habitat for them.

Table 4.4: Mean number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence in the WRA during reporting period

Common Name	Scientific Name ⁽¹⁾	Wetland Dependence	Conservation Status ⁽²⁾	Annual mean number recorded during the Baseline Ecological Monitoring	Mean number recorded between May 2023 – October 2023 ⁽³⁾
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Y	LC	0.0	0.4
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Y	PRC	0.5	0.0
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	Y	PRC	0.1	0.8
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	Y	RC	0.0	0.1
Great Egret	Ardea alba	Y	PRC, (RC)	V	1.1
Intermediate Egret	Egretta intermedia	Y	RC	0.0	0.1
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	Y	PRC, (RC)	5.5	2.4
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	Y	(LC)	1.3	0.0
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	Y	PRC, (RC)	1.3	2.2
Yellow Bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis	Y	(LC)	0.0	1.4
Cinnamon Bittern	Ixobrychus cinnamomeus	Y	LC	0.0	<0.1
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	Y	(LC)	0.2	2.4
Black-winged Kite	Elanus caeruleus	Y	Class II, LC	0.0	<0.1
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	Y	Class II, (RC)	1.2	0.4
Eastern Buzzard	Buteo japonicus	Y	Class II	0.0	V
Eurasian Hobby	Falco subbuteo	Y	Class II, (LC)	0.0	V
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	Y	-	0.2	1.7
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	Y	-	0.0	0.1
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	Y	RC	0.0	<0.1
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	Y	(LC)	0.1	0.0
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Y	-	0.0	0.1
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Y	-	0.2	0.2
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	Y	-	0.1	0.1
Pacific Swift	Apus pacificus	N	(LC)	0.0	<0.1
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	Y	(LC)	0.0	0.7
White-throated Kingfisher#	Halcyon smyrnensis	Y	Class II, (LC)	0.0	0.1
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	Y	-	0.0	0.8
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	Y	-	0.0	V
Eastern Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla tschutschensis	Y	-	10.0	0.6
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	Y	-	2.2	0.0
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	Y	-	0.9	1.1
Oriental Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus orientalis	Y	-	0.1	0.0
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	Y	LC	0.1	0.0
Red-billed Starling	Spodiopsar sericeus	Y	(RC)*	0.9	0.0
White-shouldered Starling	Sturnia sinensis	Y	(LC)	0.1	<0.1
Collared Crow	Corvus torquatus	Y	LC, NT	0.0	0.3

Notes:

(1) Follows the List of Hong Kong Birds (ver. 2020-03-10)
(2) Conservation status follows that of Fellowes et al. (2002) and BirdLife International listing (2017). Letters in parentheses indicate that the assessment is on the basis of restrictedness in breeding and/or roosting sites rather than in general occurrence. (Fellowes et al. 2002)
(3) Refers to the mean number of individuals recorded between May 2023 – October 2023 in the WRA
V indicates the species is recorded outside regular surveys* Red-billed Starling is considered by Fellowes et al. (2002) to be of Global Concern. Since publication, however, the global population estimate has been revised and the species is not now considered threatened. A listing of Regional Concern (RC), based on the importance of the large roosts present near Deep Bay, is considered to be more appropriate.

4.4 Conclusions

After commencement of works in May 2010, the site formation of the Wetland Restoration Area (WRA) was completed on 15 November 2010. In accordance with the requirement as stipulated in Clause 7.2.12 of the EM&A Manual, the WRA was in operation since October 2012 (i.e., within 2.5 years of commencement of construction).

The survey data shows that when compared with the surrounding fishponds which cover a much larger area, the WRA attracts a good number of wetland dependent birds or species of conservation importance, with 29 bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded during the survey period. A significantly higher diversity of dragonfly and butterfly species were also observed within the WRA between May 2023 to October 2023.

The WRA is attracting two of the three target species (Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron) identified during the EIA process, to varying degrees. Even though the target level for Little Egret was not met, the species was recorded in 19 out of 26 regular surveys within the WRA during the survey period. Although the Eastern Cattle Egret has not been recorded between May 2023 and October 2023, the WRA continues to attract wetland dependent birds and/or species of conservation importance, as well as terrestrial birds of conservation importance. It is noted that 90 bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland dependence (out of 164 bird species) have been recorded within the WRA since the completion of its site formation.

The site is therefore considered to have achieved no net loss of wetland in terms of area and function because it continuously attracts bird species of conservation importance, indicating that the WRA not only provides a buffer for potential disturbance during construction phase, but also a valuable habitat for wetland dependent species and species of conservation importance.

5 References

5.1 List of References

BirdLife International. 2017. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Inner Deep Bay and Shenzhen River catchment area. <http://www.birdlife.org> on 06/07/2017.

Carey, G. J., Chalmers, M. L., Diskin, D. A., Kennerley, P. R., Leader, P. J., Leven, M. R., Lewthwaite, R. W., Melville, D. S., Turnbull, M., and Young, L. 2001. The Avifauna of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Hong Kong.

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[1] The target species are: Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, Eastern Cattle Egret, Bubulcus coromandus (formerly known as Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis) and Chinese Pond Heron, Ardeola bacchus.