Proposed Comprehensive

Development at Wo Shang Wai,

Yuen Long

Biannual EM&A Summary Report on Ecology for

November 2019 – April 2020 (Rev A)

3 July 2020

 

 

 


 

 

Contents

1       Introduction                                                                                            

1.1      Background                                                                                                     

1.2      Survey Area                                                                                                     

1.3      EM&A Requirement on Ecological Impact                                                         

2       Ecological Monitoring                                                                              

2.1      Ecological Monitoring                                                                                       

2.2      Monitoring of Birds                                                                                           

2.3      Monitoring of Herpetofauna                                                                              

2.4      Monitoring of Dragonfly and Butterflies                                                             

2.5      Monitoring of Mammals                                                                                    

2.6      Monitoring of Water Quality                                                                              

3       Ecological Issues                                                                                    

3.1      Vegetation Management                                                                                   

3.2      Wildlife Management                                                                                        

4       Summary of Wetland Restoration Area Performance                            

4.1      Summary of Findings                                                                                       

4.2      WRA Performance for the Bird Target Species                                               

4.3      Conclusions                                                                                                   

5       References                                                                                                          

5.1      List of References                                                                                          

Appendices                                                                                                                      

A.      Schedule of Ecological Monitoring                                                                     

B.      Summary of Bird Surveys                                                                                    

C.      Summary of Herpetofauna Monitoring, Mammals and Insect Surveys     

D.      Summary of Water Quality Monitoring                                                            

 

Tables

Table 1.1: Summary of Ecological Impact EM&A Requirements 

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

Table 4.2: Biannual mean & Annual mean of the three target species of the WRA from November 2018 to April 2020 

Table 4.3: Mean number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence in the WRA during reporting period 

Table 4.4: Total number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded in the WRA from November 2010 to April 2020 

 

Figures

Figure 1.1         General Site Layout and Locations of Monitoring Stations

Figure 1.2         Survey Area and Transect Walked

 

 

 

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 and associated infrastructure and 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 (hereafter 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 by the Contractor, Heng Shung Construction Co. Ltd., 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. From August 2016, the Project Proponent, Profit Point Enterprises Limited, commissioned MMHK to continue the ET services.

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 the 20th Biannual EM&A report and it summarises the findings on EM&A results of ecological aspects during the period from 1 November 2019 to 30 April 2020. This report documents surveys and management activities conducted in the Survey Area and WRA from 1 November 2019 to 30 April 2020, which is based on ecological surveys and advice on management which was undertaken by the appointed Non-Government Organisations (Green Power / Eco-Education & Resources Centre) during the reporting period.

1.2          Survey Area

Surveys were conducted within 500m of the Project area. The WRA was 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. A summary of ecological impact EM&A requirements is presented 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

 

 

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 methodology 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 period. A total of 76 bird species were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding the WRA) in the survey period (i.e. November 2019 to April 2020), 42 of which were species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence. A summary of survey data is provided in Appendix B.

A total of 71 species were recorded in the WRA in the survey period, 36 of which were species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependent species. All of the three target species[1] (i.e. Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, Eastern Cattle Egret, Bubulcus coromandus, and Chinese Pond Heron, Ardeola bacchus) were recorded in the WRA during regular survey. The WRA continues to attract a number of species of conservation importance, including Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea, Great Egret, Ardea alba, Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia, Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia, Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor, Western Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, Black Kite, Milvus migrans, Eurasian Teal, Anas crecca, Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus, Greater Painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis, Pacific Golden Plover, Pluvialis fulva, Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius, Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum, Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia, Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola, Black-headed Gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis, Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis, White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis, Pacific Swift, Apus pacificus and Chinese Penduline-Tit, Remiz consobrinus. Little Grebe, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-crowned Night Heron, Peregrine Falcon, Greater Painted-snipe, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Oriental Pratincole, Wood Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher and Pacific Swift are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Local Concern” in 2002. Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Egret and Black-headed Gull are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Potential Regional Concern” in 2002. Intermediate Egret, Western Osprey, Black Kite, Eurasian Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank and Chinese Penduline-Tit are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Regional Concern” in 2002. Black-faced Spoonbill is listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Potential Global Concern” in 2002. Black-faced Spoonbill is also listed as “Endangered” species on the IUCN red list.In addition to wetland dependent birds, the WRA also attracts a number of terrestrial birds including Greater Coucal, Centropus sinensis which are listed as vulnerable (VU) in the China Red Data Book and it is protected under terrestrial wildlife state protection (category II). Survey findings indicate that the WRA not only provides important habitat for wetland-dependence birds but also the terrestrial birds.

The fish ponds to the north of the 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. Further, 36 bird species of conservation importance and /or wetland dependence, were observed using the site during survey period, including some bird species which are highly sensitive to disturbance and three target species (i.e. Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret and Chinese Pond Heron). Thus, the WRA is considered to be effective both in acting as a buffer against potential disturbance impacts from the construction site, and in providing suitable wetland habitats at the fringe of the Deep Bay system.

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 November 2019 and April 2020. Night-time herpetofauna surveys were conducted once a month between March 2020 and April 2020. Further, notable herpetofauna observations during other surveys were also recorded.

No amphibian species and one reptile species was recorded in the survey area (excluding the WRA) within the survey period.

No amphibian species nor reptile species were recorded in the WRA within the survey period.

A summary of survey data is provided in Appendix C.

2.4          Monitoring of Dragonfly and Butterflies 

Monitoring of dragonflies and butterflies was conducted once per month in November 2019 and March 2020, and twice per month in April 2020. Further, notable dragonfly and butterfly observations during other surveys were recorded.

A total of 4 dragonfly species and 4 butterfly species were recorded using the ponds in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) in the reporting period. At the WRA, a higher diversity of dragonfly species (6 species) and butterfly species (11 species) were recorded.

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.

No mammal species was recorded in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) within the reporting period. Two unidentified bat species were recorded within the WRA during the reporting period.

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. In November 2019, December 2019, January 2020, February 2020, March 2020 and in April 2020, the water level of all Cells reached the action level.

According to the ecological monitoring data, the low water level in the WRA attracted wetland-dependent species including Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-faced Spoonbill, Western Osprey, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black Kite, Eurasian Teal, Eastern Buzzard, White-breasted Waterhen, Common Moorhen, Greater Painted-snipe, Pacific Golden Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Oriental Pratincole, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Red-necked Stint, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail and Chinese Penduline-Tit. As the low water level attracts wetland-dependent birds, the existing water level will be maintained.

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

Removal of exotic vegetation in all cells was undertaken; these included but not limited to Ipomoes sp., Mikania sp., Mimosa sp., Pennisetum sp. and Typha sp..

Vegetation management activities undertaken at the site primarily involved watering of plants, weeding and grass cutting.

3.2          Wildlife Management

Golden Apple Snails were removed on an “as-seen” basis.

All red fire ant nests were treated with approved pesticide and covered with overturn baskets for a week. All pesticide used was in powder form and the pesticide usage was confined to Fire Ants’ nest found on terrestrial area which were further away from the Cells to prevent the contamination of water. All treated fire ant nests were inactive within one week of treatment.

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.

These mitigation actions aim to increase the foraging area and maintain suitable habitat for target species.

 

 

 

 

4        Summary of Wetland Restoration Area Performance

4.1          Summary of Findings

Ecological monitoring between 1 November 2019 and 30 April 2020 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 November 2019 and April 2020 (Table 4.1):

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

Species

Number of species recorded in Survey Area (excluding WRA)

 Number of species recorded in WRA

Birds (total)

76

71

Birds (of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence)

42

36

Amphibians

0

0

Reptiles

1

0

Mammals

0

2

Dragonflies

4

6

Butterflies

4

11

A total of 71 bird species, 2 mammal species, 6 dragonfly species and 11 butterfly species were recorded in the WRA, including 36 bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence, while all dragonfly species are wetland-dependent. These findings indicate that the WRA is supporting wetland-dependent birds and other species of conservation importance.

Survey findings indicate that the WRA is attracting all of the three target species (Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret and Chinese Pond Heron) to varying degrees. During the survey period (i.e. November 2019 to April 2020), the site was particularly attractive to Little Egret. Little Egret was recorded on nearly a weekly basis, with monthly means ranging from 4.8 to 16.4 birds per survey; while Chinese Pond Heron was also recorded on nearly a weekly basis in the regular survey period (November 2019 to April 2020) with monthly means ranging from 1.4 to 5.6 bird per survey. Eastern Cattle Egret was least attracted to the site. Eastern Cattle Egret was recorded once in a monthly regular survey and once outside surveys within the survey period. A list of the bird species recorded at the WRA since completion of site formation is provided in Appendix B (Table B4 to B7).

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 not intended to be maintained as a long-term tree density at the WRA. It is a standard arboricultural practice to apply appropriate horticultural/ arboricultural maintenance methods in the subsequent five or six years after initial planting to remove less desired specimens to facilitate the successful growth of those which are of higher landscape and/or ecological value. Further, some fine tuning of planting locations and tree/shrub mix is required in order to fulfil the design intent of the habitat structure at WRA after reviewing the site configuration following site formation. Vegetation management hereafter should largely consist of maintenance of planted trees and shrubs for the creation of suitable habitats for target species and long-term habitat structure of the site.

4.2          WRA Performance for the Bird Target Species

The provision, maintenance and operation of a WRA are a requirement 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; they are Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret and Chinese Pond Heron. Target levels of these species are the annual mean number 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).

Of all three target species, all of them (i.e. Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret and Chinese Pond Heron) were recorded using the site under survey period (November 2019 to April 2020).  Among all target species, Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron were recorded in all six months during the regular survey.

Table 4.2: Biannual mean & Annual mean of the three target species of the WRA from November 2018 to April 2020

Common Name

Scientific Name

Conservation Status (2)

Baseline Annual Mean (3)

Biannual Mean

Annual Mean

Nov 18 -

Apr 19

May 19 -

Oct 19

Nov 19 - Apr 20

May 18 - Apr 19

May 19 - Apr 20

Chinese Pond Heron

Ardeola bacchus

PRC, (RC)

1.3

2.6

3.1

3.6

2.2

3.4

Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

PRC, (RC)

5.5

5.9

5.4

8.7

4.8

6.9

Eastern Cattle Egret

Bubulcus coromandus

(LC)

1.3

0.0

0.0

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

Notes:

(1)    Value in bold indicated the Target Level was achieved.

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

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

Based on Table 4.2 above, the target annual mean level of the Chinese Pond Heron and Little Egret have been achieved between May 2019 to April 2020 while the target level for Eastern Cattle Egret has not been achieved.

As the Proposed Comprehensive Development at Wo Shang Wai is still under construction phase, it is considered acceptable for the target species levels have not been achieved. According to the ecological monitoring data of the Survey Area (excluding the WRA), Eastern Cattle Egret was observed only in 9 out of 28 regular surveys and 7 out of 22 outside surveys  and the biannual mean of the Eastern Cattle Egret of survey area (excluding the WRA) is 1.2 bird per survey (November 2019 – April 2020), the results indicated that the number of Eastern Cattle Egret in the whole area is low and the low number of Eastern Cattle Egret in the WRA is considered acceptable. 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) Lowering the water level; and 2) Controlling the vegetation; have been taken in the WRA since November 2014 to increase the WRA utilization by birds, especially for the three target species of the WRA. Since the implementation of the mitigation actions, the annual means of Chinese Pond Heron and Little Egret, two of the three target species reached the target level. This may indicate the mitigation actions taken in the WRA are effective. The mitigation actions will be continued in the WRA and monitoring will be continued to investigate the effectiveness of the mitigation actions.

In addition, though the target levels for Eastern Cattle Egret have not been achieved between November 2019 to April 2020, the WRA continues to attract wetland dependent species. Among all the wetland dependent species, Little Grebe, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-crowned Night Heron, Peregrine Falcon, Greater Painted-snipe, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Oriental Pratincole, Wood Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Pacific Swift are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Local Concern” in 2002. Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Egret and Black-headed Gull are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Potential Regional Concern” in 2002. Intermediate Egret, Western Osprey, Black Kite, Eurasian Teal, Common Greenshank and Chinese Penduline-Tit are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Regional Concern” in 2002. Black-faced Spoonbill is listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Potential Global Concern” in 2002. Black-faced Spoonbill is also listed as “Endangered” species on the IUCN red list.

A summary of the annual mean of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded in the WRA from November 2019 to April 2020 is shown in Table 4.3.

The increase of the number of the species of conservation interest indicates the WRA is providing a suitable habitat for them.

Table 4.3: Mean number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence in the WRA during reporting period

Common Name

Scientific Name (3)

Wetland Dependence

Conservation Status (1)

Annual mean number recorded during the Baseline Ecological Monitoring

Mean number recorded between Nov 2019 - Apr 2020 (2)

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

Y

LC

0.0

1.1

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Y

PRC

0.5

0.5

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Y

PRC

0.1

1.8

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Y

PRC, (RC)

V

1.8

Intermediate Egret

Egretta intermedia

Y

RC

0.0

V

Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

Y

PRC, (RC)

5.5

8.4

Eastern Cattle Egret

Bubulcus coromandus

Y

(LC)

1.3

<0.1

Chinese Pond Heron

Ardeola bacchus

Y

PRC, (RC)

1.3

3.5

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Y

(LC)

0.2

V

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

Y

LC

0.0

V

Black-faced Spoonbill

Platalea minor

Y

PGC, EN

0.0

V

Eurasian Teal

Anas crecca

Y

RC

0.0

V

Western Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Y

RC

0.0

V

Black Kite

Milvus migrans

Y

(RC)

1.2

<0.1

Eastern Buzzard

Buteo japonicus

Y

-

0.0

V

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

N

(LC)

0.0

V

White-breasted Waterhen

Amaurornis phoenicurus

Y

-

0.2

0.5

Common Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

Y

-

0.0

0.1

Greater Painted-snipe

Rostratula benghalensis

Y

LC

0.0

V

Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Y

RC

0.0

0.2

Oriental Pratincole

Glareola maldivarum

Y

LC

V

0.8

Pacific Golden Plover

Pluvialis fulva

Y

LC

0.0

0.1

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius

Y

(LC)

0.1

<0.1

Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

Y

RC

0.0

0.1

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

Y

-

0.0

0.3

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareola

Y

LC

0.0

0.4

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Y

-

0.2

0.6

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Y

-

0.1

0.0

Red-necked Stint

Calidris ruficollis

Y

LC

0.0

<0.1

Black-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Y

PRC

0.0

V

Pacific Swift

Apus pacificus

N

(LC)

V

V

Pied Kingfisher

Ceryle rudis

Y

(LC)

0.0

0.1

White-throated Kingfisher

Halcyon smyrnensis

Y

(LC)

0.0

<0.1

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Y

-

0.0

0.7

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla tschutschensis

Y

-

10.0

0.2

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

Y

-

2.2

0.0

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Y

-

0.9

1.0

Oriental Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus orientalis

Y

-

0.1

0.0

Zitting Cisticola

Cisticola juncidis

Y

LC

0.1

0.0

Chinese Penduline-Tit

Remiz consobrinus

Y

RC

0.0

V

Red-billed Starling

Spodiopsar sericeus

Y

(RC)*

0.9

0.0

White-shouldered Starling

Sturnia sinensis

Y

(LC)

0.1

0.0

Notes:

(1) 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)
(2) Refers to the mean number of individuals recorded between Nov 2019 – Apr 2020 in the WRA
(3) Follows HK bird list (dated 2017-09-05)
V indicates the species is recorded outside regular surveys                                                                                                
*
Red-billed Starling is considered by Fellows 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 globally 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. (Wetland Restoration Plan, Mott, 2008).  Red-billed Starling is now listed as Least Concern by IUCN. (IUCN, 2016)

4.3          Conclusions

A total of 139 bird species have been recorded within the WRA since completion of site formation. Of the 139 species, 84 were species of conservation importance and/or wetland dependence – indicating that the WRA provides suitable habitats for these species despite the construction work within the residential portion of the Project Site.

The site is also considered achieving the 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.

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 biannual change of bird species number and composition since the WRA establishment in Oct 2012 is presented in Table 4.4, which shows steady number of conservation importance species and/or wetland-dependent species continuously recorded in the WRA.

Table 4.4: Total number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded in the WRA from November 2010 to April 2020

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 - Apr 20

Bird species of conservation importance and/ or wetland-dependence

48

33

36

39

45

46

46

42

34

36

According to Table 4.4, the total number of bird species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence recorded in the WRA is stable which indicates the WRA provides a suitable habitat for these species despite the construction work within the residential portion of the Project Site.

The site is also 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 provides not only a buffer for potential disturbance during the 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

Chan, S.K.F., K.S. Cheung, C.Y. Ho, F.N Lam & W.S. Tam, 2005. A Field Guide to the Amphibians of Hong Kong. Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.

Fellowes, J.F., M.W.N. Lau, D. Dudgeon, G.T. Reels, G.W.J. Ades, G.J. Carey, B.P.L. Chan, R.C. Kendrick, K.S. Lee, M.R. Leven, K.D.P. Wilson, Y.T. Yu, 2002.Wild Animals to Watch: Terrestrial and Freshwater Fauna of Conservation Concern in Hong Kong. Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Bird Watching Society 2016. List of Hong Kong Birds - 2017-09-05. <www.hkbws.org.hk>.

Horiuchi, S., Odawara, T., Yonemura, S., Hayashi, Y., Kawaguchi, M., Asada, M., Kato, M. & Yasuhara, K. (2007, November). Floating structure using waste tires for water environmental remediation. In Scrap Tire Derived Geomaterials-Opportunities and Challenges: Proceedings of the International Workshop IW-TDGM 2007. p. 291. CRC Press.

Karsen, S., M.W.N. Lau & A. Bogadek, 1998. Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles. Provisional Urban Council, Hong Kong.

IUCN 2016. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016-3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 7th December 2016

Lo, P. Y. F. and W.L. Hui, 2004. Hong Kong Butterflies. Hong Kong, Cosmos Books Ltd.

Mott, 2008. WSW Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual (March 2008).

Mott, 2008. WSW Environmental Impact Assessment Report Volumes 1 to 3 (March 2008).

Mott, 2008. WSW Wetland Restoration Plan (March 2008).

Shek, C. T. 2006. A Field Guide to the Terrestrial Mammals of Hong Kong. Friends of the Country Parks Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.

Tam, T.W., K.K. Leung, B.S.P. Kwan, K.K.Y. Wu, S.S.H. Tang, I.W.Y. So, J.C.Y. Cheng, E.F.M. Yuen, Y.M. Tsang, and W.L. Hui, 2011. The Dragonflies of Hong Kong (1st edition). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.

Wilson, K.D.P., Tam, T.W., Kwan, B.S.P., Wu, K.K.Y., Wong, B.S.F., Wong J.K. 2004. Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Hong Kong. AFCD, Friends of Country Park and Cosmos Books Ltd. Hong Kong.

Young, J.J. & Yiu, V., 2002. Butterfly Watching in Hong Kong. Wan Li Book Co. Ltd., Hong Kong.


 



[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.