1 Introduction

1.1 Background

In March 2005, the Project Proponent, Profit Point Enterprises Limited, acquired the development site at Wo Shang Wai in Yuen Long. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was then carried out and approved under the EIA Ordinance (EIAO), and the Environmental Permit (EP) for construction of the comprehensive development in Wo Shang Wai was first granted by Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on 9 September 2008 (EP-311/2008) and has been subsequently varied, with the current version (EP-311/2008/D) issued by EPD on 20 March 2013.

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, while the 30-month establishment period of the WRA was concluded in October 2012 – this indicated that planting works as scheduled in the approved Wetland Restoration and Creation Scheme (WRCS; Nov 2009) were completed, except along the western and southern boundaries 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. This factor remains applicable in the current valid EP (EP-311/2008/D) which also 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.

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 10^th Biannual EM&A report and it summarises the findings on EM&A results of ecological aspects during the period from 1 November 2014 to 30 April 2015. This report documents surveys and management activities conducted in the Survey Area and WRA from 1 November 2014 to 30 April 2015, which is based on ecological surveys and advices on management which were 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 Requirements 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	Daytime: 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 size 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 Introduction

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 and frequency outlined 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 64 bird species were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding the WRA) in November 2014 to April 2015, 35 of which were species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence. A summary of survey data is provided in Appendix B.

A total of 66 species were recorded in the WRA in the survey periods, 36 of which were species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependent species. Of all three target species (i.e. Little Egret Egtretta garzetta, Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus and Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus), two of them i.e. Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron were recorded in the WRA during regular survey; while Eastern Cattle Egret was recorded in the additional survey. The WRA has attracted a number of species of conservation interest, including Yellow Bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis and Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus which are both listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Local Concern” in 2002; Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor, which is listed as “endangered” species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list and Collared Crow, Corvus torquatus, which is listed as “near threatened” species on the IUCN red list; indicating that the WRA was effective in providing habitats suitable for species of conservation interest.

A juvenile of Little Ringed-Plover, Charadrius dubius, was observed in the WRA, indicated that the WRA provided not only suitable wetland habitats but also important breeding ground for wetland-dependent 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, 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 per month in November 2014 and April 2015. Further, notable herpetofauna observations during other surveys were also recorded.

A total of two herpetofauna species were recorded in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) in the reporting period; for amphibian, Gunther's Frog, Hylarana guentheri, was recorded, while for reptile, Changeable Lizard, Calotes versicolor was observed.

No amphibian species and reptile species were recorded in the WRA in the reporting period. A summary of survey data is provided in Appendix C.

2.4 Monitoring of Dragonflies and Butterflies

Monitoring of dragonflies and butterflies was conducted once per month in November 2014 and March 2015 and twice per month in April 2015. Further, notable dragonfly and butterfly observations during other surveys were recorded.

A total of one dragonfly species and one 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 (5 species) and butterfly species (3 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 was recorded in the Survey Area (excluding WRA) within the reporting period.

Two unidentified bat species and scats of Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis, were recorded in the WRA during regular survey. 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. Monitoring parameters followed that in the EM&A Manual. pH of Cell 4 reached action level in December 2014; while the pH of Cell 2 and Cell 3 reached action levels in March 2015. Water level of Cell 2 and Cell 4 reached action levels from November 2014 to April 2015; while the water level of Cell 1 reached action levels from February 2015 to April 2015. According to the ecological monitoring data, the low water level in the WRA attracted wetland-dependent species including Chinese Penduline Tit, Remiz consobrinus. Yellow Bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis and Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius. As the low water level attracts wetland-dependent birds, the existing water level will be maintained and monitored regularly. Monitoring data are presented in Appendix D.

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, tree pruning, 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. Lowering the water level;

2. Restocking the Cell in the WRA;

3. Installing flooding platform; and

4. Controlling the vegetation.

The first two measures aim to increase the foraging area and food sources for the target species respectively. The third measure aims to increase foraging ground for the target species. According to Horiuchi et al (2007), floating platform can gather fish in the pond and this provides opportunities for the target species to prey for the fish and they can use the platform as fishing platform. The fourth measure aims to maintain suitable habitat for target species.

4 Summary of Wetland Restoration Area Performance

4.1 Summary of Findings

Ecological monitoring between 1 November 2014 and 30 April 2015 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 2014 and April 2015 (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)	64	66
Birds (of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence)	35	36
Amphibians	1	0
Reptiles	1	0
Mammals	0	3
Dragonflies	1	5
Butterflies	1	3

A total of 66 bird species, 3 mammal species, 5 dragonfly species and 3 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 the three target species to varying degrees. During the survey period (i.e. November 2014 to April 2015), the site was particularly attractive to Little Egret, which was recorded on nearly-weekly basis, with monthly means ranging from 3.0 to 6.3 birds per survey. Chinese Pond Heron was also recorded every month in regular survey under review (November 2014 to April 2015) with monthly means ranging from 1.2 to 2.8 birds per survey. Eastern Cattle Egret was least attracted to the site, Eastern Cattle Egret was only recorded in January under survey period (November 2014 to April 2015), out of the regular survey. A list of the bird species recorded at the WRA since completion of site formation is provided in Appendix B (Table B4 to B6).

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 fulfill 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 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 (Nov 2009, hereafter WCRS), the WRA is anticipated to be fully operational after an establishment period of 2.5 years (30 months).

Of the three target species, all of them were recorded using the site under the reporting period (November 2014 – April 2015). Among all target species, Little Egret and Chinese Pond Heron were recorded in all six months and Eastern Cattle Egret was recorded in one month during the six-month reporting period.

Table 4.2: Annual Mean of the Three Bird Target Species Recorded at the WRA between May 2010 and Apr 2015

Common Name	Scientific Name	Conservation Status ⁽²⁾	Baseline Annual Mean ⁽³⁾	May 10 – Apr 11	May 11 – Apr 12	May 12 – Apr 13	May 13 – Apr 14	May 14 – Apr 15	May 14 – Oct 14	Reporting period (Nov 14 – Apr 15*)
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC, (RC)	1.3	0.2	2.7	1.3	1.9	2.0	1.9	2.2
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC, (RC)	5.5	1.6	1.0	0.9	2.3	2.0	2.0	4.4
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	(LC)	1.3	0.0	1.2	0.0	0.1	0.0	/	/

Note:

(1) Values in bold indicate that the Target Level was achieved.

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

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

* The mean number of the target species was calculated in annual basis.

Based on Table 4.2 above, the target level of the Chinese Pond Heron have been achieved between November 2014 and April 2015 while the target levels for Little Egret and Eastern Cattle Egret have not been achieved.

As the Proposed Comprehensive Development at Wo Shang Wai is still under construction phase, it is considered acceptable. According to the ecological monitoring data of the survey area (excluding the WRA), Eastern Cattle Egret was observed only in one fourth of the regular ecological survey (i.e. 5 out of 21) and the annual mean of the Eastern Cattle Egret of the survey area (excluding the WRA) is 0.5 birds per survey, the results indicated the number of Eastern Cattle Egret in the whole area was 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.

In addition, though the target levels for Little Egret and Eastern Cattle Egret have not been achieved between November 2014 and April 2015, the WRA continuous to attract wetland dependent species. Among all the wetland dependent species, Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea,Great Egret, Ardea alba, White-breasted Waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus, Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius, Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos and Common King Fisher, Alcedo atthis, were recorded in all six months between November 2014 and April 2015. Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis and Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius, are listed by Fellowes et al. as of “Local Concern” in 2002. The presence of these wetland-dependent species indicates that the WRA was effective in providing habitat suitable for species of conservation interest.

Although the target level for Little Egret and Eastern Cattle Egret have not been achieved between November 2014 and April 2015; based on Table 4.2 above, when comparing the annual mean of Little Egret between May 2014 to October 2014 and November 2014 to April 2015, it has increased from 2.0 bird per survey to 4.4 birds per survey. The increase of annual mean of the target species might indicate the mitigation actions taken in the WRA to increase the bird utilization showed positive results. The mitigation actions will be continued in the coming wet season and the result will be closely monitored.

4.3 Conclusions

A total of 117 bird species have been recorded within the WRA since completion of site formation. Of the 117 species, 74 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 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

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 et al., 2002. Wild Animals to Watch: Terrestrial and Freshwater Fauna of Conservation Concern in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Bird Watching Society 2014. List of Hong Kong Birds - 2015-1-12. <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 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 07 October 2011.

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).

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 (1^st edition). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Friends of Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.

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

Appendix A. Schedule of Ecological Monitoring

November 2014	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Mammals				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü
Birds				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü
Herpetofauna																		ü
Dragonflies & butterflies																		ü
Water Quality																												ü
Inspection Visits				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü
December 2014	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
Mammals		ü							ü							ü							ü							ü
Birds		ü							ü							ü							ü							ü
Herpetofauna
Dragonflies & Butterflies
Water Quality																						ü
Inspection Visits		ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü				ü			ü
January 2015	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
Mammals						ü							ü								ü						ü
Birds						ü							ü								ü						ü
Herpetofauna
Dragonflies & Butterflies
Water Quality																					ü
Inspection Visits		ü				ü			ü				ü			ü					ü		ü				ü			ü

February 2015	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28
Mammals			ü							ü							ü							ü
Birds			ü							ü							ü							ü
Herpetofauna
Dragonflies & Butterflies
Water Quality																											ü
Inspection Visits			ü			ü				ü			ü				ü							ü			ü
March 2015	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
Mammals			ü							ü							ü							ü
Birds			ü							ü							ü							ü							ü
Herpetofauna
Dragonflies & Butterflies																	ü
Water Quality																									ü
Inspection Visits			ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü				ü			ü
April 2015	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Mammals		ü						ü						ü							ü							ü
Birds		ü						ü						ü							ü							ü
Herpetofauna														ü
Dragonflies & Butterflies								ü													ü
Water Quality																													ü
Inspection Visits		ü						ü		ü				ü							ü			ü				ü

Note:

1. Light grey cells indicate public holidays, Saturdays or Sundays.

2. Dark cells indicate that no survey was required during the relevant month.

Appendix B. Summary of Bird Surveys

Table B1. Summary of bird monitoring (for species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence) within the Survey Area (excluding the WRA)

Common Name ⁽³⁾	Scientific Name ⁽³⁾	Conservation Status ⁽¹⁾	Wetland Dependent	Nov Mean ⁽²⁾	Dec Mean ⁽²⁾	Jan Mean ⁽²⁾	Feb Mean ⁽²⁾	Mar Mean ⁽²⁾	Apr Mean ⁽²⁾
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	LC	ü	12.5	6.4	3.8	4.0	3.4	4.8
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	PRC	ü	6.5	5.0	18.8	1.5	0.6
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	PRC	ü	3.8	3.8	21.3	1.8	1.0
Great Egret	Ardea alba	PRC, (RC)	ü	7.8	5.2	12.5	0.8	11.8	2.8
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC, (RC)	ü	9.0	13.8	8.0	4.3	15.4	13.8
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	LC	ü	0.8		0.5		0.4	0.8
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC, (RC)	ü	15.8	10.4	3.5	3.0	6.0	9.5
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	(LC)	ü						1.5
Black-faced Spoonbill	Platalea minor	PGC	ü	V	V	1.8	V
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	RC	ü	0.8
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	RC	ü	1.0	24.8	4.3
Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula	LC	ü	3.0	28.6	42.5	30.3	16.8
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	RC	ü		0.2	V	0.3	0.2	0.3
Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	-	x		0.2
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	LC	ü						0.3
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	ü	1.5	0.6	V	0.8	0.6	0.5
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	-	ü	0.5	0.2		V	0.2	V
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	(RC)	ü		1.8	V		V
Pied Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	RC	ü	8.0	4.4	0.8		2.8	0.3
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	(LC)	ü	1.8	1.8	V			3.0
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	LC	ü	0.3
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	ü	V	V			V	0.8
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	(LC)	ü	0.3	1.6	V	V	V	1.5
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	-	ü	7.3	4.6	2.8	1.3	2.2	2.3
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	-	ü	0.3	V
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Calidris acuminata	LC	ü						0.5
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	(LC)	ü	V	0.8	1.0		0.4
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	LC	ü	0.8	0.2	0.5	0.5	V
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	ü	3.3	1.8	1.0	1.5	1.4	1.0
Eastern Yellow Wagtail	Cecropis daurica	-	ü	1.3	4.2	1.3	1.0	1.2	1.5
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	ü	8.0	15.2	18.8	12.0	7.6	2.0
Richard's Pipit	Anthus richardi	-	ü	0.3		0.3	V	0.2	0.5
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	LC	ü		0.4		0.3	V
Red-billed Starling	Spodiopsar sericeus	-	ü	V	32.4	1.3	49.0	14.2	0.5
Collared Crow	Corvus torquatus	LC	ü	0.3	0.4	0.3	1.3	0.4	1.3
			No. of species recorded	28	28	25	21	25	22

Note:

(1) Conservation status follows that of Fellowes et al. (2002) and BirdLife International listing (2010). See Table B3.

(2) Refers to the mean number of individuals recorded in each survey in the Survey Area (excluding the WRA).

(3) Follows HK bird list (dated 2015-1-12).

“V” Indicates the species is recorded outside regular surveys.

Table B2. Summary of bird monitoring (for species of conservation importance and/or wetland-dependence) in the WRA

Common Name ⁽³⁾	Scientific Name ⁽³⁾	Conservation Status ⁽¹⁾		Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr
Common Name ⁽³⁾	Scientific Name ⁽³⁾	Conservation Status ⁽¹⁾	Wetland Dependent	Mean ⁽²⁾	Mean ⁽²⁾	Mean ⁽²⁾	Mean ⁽²⁾	Mean ⁽²⁾	Mean ⁽²⁾
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	LC	ü	2.5	1.2	2.0	2.0	2.0	0.8
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	PRC	ü	0.5	1.8	2.0	0.8	0.6
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	PRC	ü	2.3	2.6	5.3	4.8	0.8	V
Great Egret	Ardea alba	PRC, (RC)	ü	0.5	1.6	0.8	0.3	V	0.3
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC, (RC)	ü	3.0	3.6	5.3	3.5	4.6	6.3
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	LC	ü			V
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC, (RC)	ü	2.0	2.8	2.3	2.8	1.2	1.8
Yellow Bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis	LC	ü	0.3	0.2			0.2	0.5
Cinnamon Bittern	Ixobrychus cinnamomeus	LC	ü						V
Black-faced Spoonbill	Platalea minor	PGC	ü		V	V		V
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	RC	ü		0.2
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	RC	ü		0.4		0.3	0.4	0.5
Greater Spotted Eagle	Clanga clanga	(LC)	ü			0.3
Eastern Imperial Eagle	Aquila heliaca	GC	ü				0.3
Eastern Buzzard	Buteo japonicus	-	x				V	0.2
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	ü	0.5	V	0.8	1.0	0.8	0.3
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	-	ü	V		V		0.2
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	(RC)	ü				0.3	0.2
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	(LC)	ü	1.8	0.2	0.8	0.5	1.6	1.8
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	LC	ü	V	V	V
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	ü	0.3	0.2		0.3	0.2
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	(LC)	ü		2.2	V	V	V	1.0
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	-	ü	0.8	1.2	3.0	2.0	2.2	0.5
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	-	ü					V
Eurasian Eagle Owl	Bubo bubo	RC	x		V		V
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	(LC)	ü		0.4	0.5	0.3	0.2
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	LC	ü		0.2				0.3
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	ü	1.3	0.8	1.8	2.8	1.4	1.5
Eastern Yellow Wagtail	Cecropis daurica	-	ü	1.8	0.4	2.0	4.3	2.0	1.0
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	ü	4.0	5.6	6.3	9.5	4.8	3.3
Richard's Pipit	Anthus richardi	-	ü	0.3		0.5	V
Black-browed Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus bistrigiceps	-	ü		V
Chinese Penduline Tit	Remiz consobrinus	RC	ü		0.4	1.5	4.5	3.2	V
Red-billed Starling	Spodiopsar sericeus	-	ü				24.5	V
White-cheeked Starling	Spodiopsar cineraceus	PRC	ü		V
Collared Crow	Corvus torquatus	LC	ü						V
			No. of species recorded	17	25	21	23	24	18

Note:

(1) Conservation status follows that of Fellowes et al. (2002) and BirdLife International listing (2010). See Table B3.

(2) Refers to the mean number of individuals recorded in each survey in the Survey Area (excluding the WRA)

(3) Follows HK bird list (dated 2015-1-12)

V Indicates the species is recorded outside regular surveys.

Table B3. Conservation Status Categories of Bird Species

Code	Category	Brief/Description	Source
GC	Global Concern	Habitat loss/damage in Hong Kong would pose significant threat to global survival	Fellowes et al. (2002)
RC	Regional Concern	Habitat loss/damage in Hong Kong would pose significant threat to regional survival.
LC	Local Concern	Habitat loss/damage in Hong Kong would pose significant threat to local survival.
PGC	Potential Global Concern	Large, secure population in Hong Kong is of global significance.
PRC	Potential Regional Concern	Large, secure population in Hong Kong is of regional significance.
CR	Critically Endangered	Best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Critically Endangered, and it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.	BirdLife International (2010)
EN	Endangered	Best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Endangered, and it is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
VU	Vulnerable	Best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Vulnerable, and it is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
NT	Near Threatened	Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

Table B4. Summary of Bird Species Recorded at the WRA and their Respective Monthly Mean between September 2010 and October 2012

Common name	Scientific name	Conservation status	Wetland Dependent	Sep-10	Oct-10	Nov-10	Dec-10	Jan-11	Feb-11	Mar-11	Apr-11	May-11	Jun-11	Jul-11	Aug-11	Sep-11	Oct-11	Nov-11	Dec-11	Jan-12	Feb-12	Mar-12	Apr-12	May-12	Jun-12	Jul-12	Aug-12	Sep-12	Oct-12
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	LC	ü					0.5						1.0	3.8	0.8	0.5	0.5		0.6		1.4	1.6	0.8	1.0	1.3	0.2		0.2
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	PRC	ü					0.8									0.3	0.3	0.4	1.2	0.7	0.2
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	PRC	ü			1.0	1.6	2.0	2.0	0.4							1.0	2.5	1.8	0.8	2.3	0.8				0.3			0.4
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	RC	ü														0.3	0.3
Great Egret	Ardea alba	PRC	ü				0.4	14.0	2.0	0.2	0.5	0.3	0.5	0.3		1.5	1.8	0.8	1.2	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.6	1.0	0.3		0.4	0.5	1.5
Intermediate Egret	Egretta intermedia	RC	ü					1.7	0.8	0.2						1.5	1.5	1.5	1.0	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.6					0.3	0.9
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	PRC	ü				1.8	8.0	2.0	0.4	0.5	0.8	0.3	0.3	1.0	1.0	0.5	1.5	1.6	1.4	2.0	1.6					0.8	0.3	1.2
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus	(LC)	ü										0.3	11.8		1.3	0.3			0.4					0.3		0.2
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus	PRC	ü			1.0	0.2				0.3	0.3	0.3	1.5	4.2	7.8	4.5	5.3	2.4	0.3	2.3	2.6	1.4	0.8	1.0	0.8	2.0	1.8	2.2
Yellow Bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis	(LC)	ü														0.3	0.3
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	LC	ü
Eurasian Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	LC	ü
Black-faced Spoonbill	Platalea minor	PGC, EN	ü					0.3	10.3											0.4
Mandarin Duck	Aix galericulata	-	ü														0.3
Eurasian Wigeon	Anas penelope	RC	ü				1.6	2.5
Eurasian Teal	Anas crecca	RC	ü					1.0
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	RC	ü				0.2	7.0
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	RC	ü
Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula	LC	ü
Garganey	Anas querquedula	-	ü
Western Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	RC	ü				0.2
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	(RC)	x					0.8	0.3	0.2		0.3				0.3				0.2			0.2	0.5					0.4
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela	(LC)	x
Eastern Buzzard	Buteo japonicus	-	x							0.2
Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	-	x			1.0	0.4	1.0	0.3	0.4
Eurasian Hobby	Falco subbuteo	(LC)	ü
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	-	x
Imperial Eagle	Aquila heliaca	-	x
Japanese Quail	Coturnix japonica	LC	ü
White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	-	ü									0.5	0.8	1.3	2.6	1.3	1.5	0.3				0.4			0.5	1.0	0.5
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	-	ü																							0.2
Pheasant-tailed Jacana	Hydrophasianus chirurgus	LC	ü															0.3
Greater Painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	LC	ü								0.5
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	RC	ü	8.0													1.0
Pied Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	RC	ü				0.2															0.2
Oriental Pratincole	Glareola maldivarum	LC	ü								2.5
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	LC	ü	3.0		24.5	7.4	3.8	9.0	6.8	10.5	5.5	0.5		0.2						1.0	0.6
Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	RC	ü
Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus	RC	ü
Common Redshank	Tringa totanus	RC	ü
Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	RC	ü
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	RC	ü			0.5												0.3	0.8	0.2
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	-	ü			1.0	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.4				0.3							0.2		0.2	0.4			0.2
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	LC	ü						0.5	1.2											0.8	0.3					0.6
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	-	ü	1.0		0.5	1.0		0.5	0.6	1.0	0.3			0.2								0.4	0.2					0.9
Eurasian Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	-	ü
Pintail/Swinhoe's Snipe*	Gallinago stenura/G. megala	LC*,	ü			0.5											0.3
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago		ü						0.3	0.2
Red-necked Stint	Calidris ruficollis	LC	ü	3.0
Temminck's Stint	Calidris temminckii	LC	ü			0.5			2.5	0.4	1.3
Long-toed Stint	Calidris subminuta	LC	ü																		0.3
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida	-	ü																					1.3
Domestic Pigeon	Columba livia	-	x												DS
Oriental Turtle Dove	Streptopelia orientalis	-	x													0.2
Red Turtle Dove	Streptopelia tranquebarica	-	x
Spotted Dove	Spilopelia chinensis	-	x																DS		DS	DS		DS			DS		0.6
Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus	-	x
Greater Coucal#	Centropus sinensis	-	x
Eurasian Eagle Owl	Bubo bubo	RC	x
Savanna Nightjar	Caprimulgus affinis	-	x
Pacific Swift	Apus pacificus	(LC)	x								0.3
House Swift	Apus nipalensis	-	x	10.0						0.2											DS	DS
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	(LC)	ü				0.2	0.3	0.5	0.2			0.3									0.2				0.5
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	-	ü				0.4	0.5	0.3		0.3	0.5	1.0	0.3	1.0	0.8	0.5	0.8	1.0	0.4		0.8					0.6		0.4
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	(LC)	x															0.3								0.3
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	-	x	25.0					1.5												DS	DS		DS		DS	DS	3.0
Red-rumped Swallow	Hirundo daurica	-	x
Eastern Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla tschutschensis	-	ü			14.5	10.2	15.0	23.5	8.2	11.8	1.8			0.2	0.8	1.5	2.0	1.2	0.6		4.0	1.0
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	-	ü				0.2		0.3	0.2						0.3
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	-	ü	3.0			1.8												DS	DS	DS	DS	DS				DS	1.8	3.2
Richard's Pipit	Anthus richardi	-	ü			1.5	0.8	0.5	1.0	1.0	1.8	0.5					0.3		DS		DS	DS	DS
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	-	x			0.5													DS
Red-throated Pipit	Anthus cervinus	LC	x		2.0	2.5	1.2	0.5	0.5	0.2													0.4						0.7
Buff-bellied Pipit	Anthus rubescens	LC	x		1.0	1.5
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	-	x
Chinese Bulbul	Pycnonotus sinensis	-	x																			DS		DS		DS
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach	-	x																	DS	DS					DS	DS
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	-	x																		DS
Daurian Redstart	Phoenicurus auroreus	-	x
Stejneger's Stonechat	Saxicola stejnegeri	-	x		3.0	0.5	1.0	1.0	0.8	0.2	0.3						1.0		DS	DS		DS
Masked Laughingthrush	Garrulax perspicillatus	-	x																							DS
Lanceolated Warbler	Locustella lanceolata	-	ü														0.3
Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler	Locustella certhiola	LC	ü														0.3
Black-browed Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus bistrigiceps	-	ü														0.3
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	LC	x							0.2	1.5	2.5	2.5	1.0	0.4		0.3	0.8	1.8	0.2	0.3	0.6					0.2
Yellow-bellied Prinia	Prinia flaviventris	-	x																	DS		DS		DS		DS	DS	0.8	0.4
Plain Prinia	Prinia inornata	-	x																			DS		DS		DS	DS
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	-	x														0.5		DS
Yellow-browed warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	-	x																										1.4
Chinese Penduline-Tit	Remiz consobrinus	RC	ü																			1.2	0.2
Japanese White-eye	Zosterops japonica	-	x
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	-	x			0.5
Black-faced Bunting	Emberiza spodocephala	-	x								0.5
Chinese Grosbeak	Eophona migratoria	LC	x														0.3
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata	-	x	20.0				2.5		15.0	7.5													DS		DS	DS	1.5
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	-	x																			DS		DS		DS
Red-billed Starling	Spodiopsar sericeus	GC	x													0.3		0.8	1.6	6.6	39.0	17.4
White-cheeked Starling	Spodiopsar cineraceus	PRC	x												6.6
Black-collared Starling	Gracupica nigricollis	-	x																DS	DS	DS	DS					DS
White-shouldered Starling	Sturnia sinensis	(LC)	x									0.3		0.5	2.4
Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	-	ü																		DS
Crested Myna	Acridotheres cristatellus	–	x	3.0															DS					DS			DS		V
Black-napped Oriole	Oriolus chinensis	LC	x													1.0
Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus	-	x																							DS	DS
Azure-winged Magpie	Cyanopica cyanus	-	x
Eurasian Magpie	Pica pica	-	x																			DS					DS	0.3
Large-billed Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	-	x				0.4