Birds As Useful Indicator for Biodiversity
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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) © H. Lui © H. Lui © M. Kwan © H. Lui 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) © M. Ho © H. Lui © M. Ho 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 © J. Holmes Western Osprey 鶚 (Pandion haliaetus) Grey-chinned Minivet 灰喉山椒鳥 (Pericrocotus solaris) © O. Chiang © 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” .