Birds As Useful Indicator for Biodiversity

Birds as useful indicator for biodiversity

• Well-studied (taxonomy, distribution, ecology) • Easy to identify, survey and monitor • Habitat requirements are specialized • Sensitive to environmental changes • Presence/absence reflects habitat conditions which they use

Hoi Ha’s Diverse Habitat (8 natural habitats) = Diverse Bird Composition

© H. Lui • Waterbirds (egrets, herons, kingfishers, hens) • Seabirds (terns) • Woodland birds (flycatchers, warblers, thrushes…) • Raptors (eagles, goshawk, kites) © HF Cheung • Open area land birds (pipits, nightjar) Bridled Tern 褐翅燕鷗 (Onychoprion anaethetus)

White-bellied Sea Eagle 白腹海鵰 (Haliaeetus leucogaster) Pacific Reef Heron 岩鷺 © H. Lui (Egretta sacra)

Japanese Paradise-flycatcher Savanna Nightjar 林夜鷹 Chinese Hwamei畫眉 Verditer Flycatcher 銅藍鶲紫綬帶 (Caprimulgus affinis) (Garrulax canorus) (Eumyias thalassinus) (Terpsiphone atrocaudata) Brown Fish Owl at Hoi Ha Brown Fish Owl:

Scarce resident in HK which feeds in undisturbed, unpolluted © O. Chiang lowland streams and tidal creeks

Indicator of pristine conditions of streams at Hoi Ha

Other locations: - Tai Tan (Ecologically Important Stream, EIS) - Yung Shue O (EIS) - Pak Tam Chung (EIS) - Pui O (EIS) - Cheung Chau - Tai Lam Brown Fish Owl 褐魚鴞 (Ketupa zeylonensis) Pak Lap © H. Lui © H. Lui

• Waterbirds (egrets, herons, hens) • Land birds (pipits, starlings) • Woodland birds (warblers, flycatchers, cuckoo, etc.) • Raptors (eagles, kites)

Greater Coucal 褐翅鴉鵑 (Centropus sinensis) Red-billed Starling 絲光椋鳥 (Spodiopsar sericeus)

Crested Serpent Eagle 蛇鵰 Black Kite 黑鳶 (Milvus migrans) (Spilornis cheela) White-cheeked Starling 灰椋鳥 (Spodiopsar cineraceus) © P. Wong So Lo Pun • Waterbirds (egrets, herons) © H. Lui • Woodland birds (warblers, minivets, cuckoos, flycatchers, etc.) • Raptors (eagles, kites) • Riverine species

Western Osprey 鶚 (Pandion haliaetus) Grey-chinned Minivet 灰喉山椒鳥 (Pericrocotus solaris)

© H. Lui Crested Kingfisher冠魚狗 (Megaceryle lugubris) Scarce resident of Regional Concern - Last record of Crested Kingfisher in Hong Kong (2009) - Specific habitat requirements Grey Treepie 灰樹鵲 Common Emerald Dove 綠翅金鳩 (Chalcophaps indica) (Dendrocitta formosae) - Dependent on natural stream habitats surrounded by wooded areas

Conclusion • TPB is requested to: Note our scientific evidence supporting the importance of Hoi Ha, Pak Lap and So Lo Pun Plan according to the “Principles of Conservation (Ch10) of the HK Planning Standards and Guidelines” to: • “Retain significant landscape, ecological and geological attributes and heritage features as conservation zones” • “Control adjoining uses to minimize adverse impacts on conservation zones and optimize their conservation value” Uphold zonings for Hoi Ha, Pak Lap and So Lo Pun proposed by the “Save Our Country Park Alliance”