Conservation of Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) in Peninsula,

ID 03324317

Host country China

Site location and the dates in the field , located in the southern province, China, covering an area of over 7,800 square kilometers. Our fieldwork focused mainly on the east coast of it, and was carried out between November 2017 and January 2017.

Names of any institutions involved in organising the project or participating

School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University (support the fieldworks) Bird Watching Society (logistics, cooperate in the workshop and support with volunteers), Hong Kong Bridwatching Society (support the fieldwork), Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, Spoon-billed Sandpiper in China (Communicate with other NGO, cooperate in the workshop), Zhanjiang Yizhong Peicai School (cooperate in environmental education), Xinmin primary school (cooperate in environmental education).

The overall aim summarised in 10–15 words Local population can be protected and monitored. Local conservation awareness is increased to high degree.

Full names of author(s) Chengyi Liu, Xia Zhan, Leyi Su

Permanent contact address, email and website

Chengyi Liu

Room 204, Mawenhui Hall No.135, Xingangxi Road , 510275 P. R. China

[email protected]

Date which the report was completed January 4th, 2019

Section 1:

Summary Spoon-billed Sandpipers (Calidris pygmeus, SBS) is a critically endangered shorebirds endemic to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway[1]. Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong as the largest wintering area for them in China (43 individuals recorded in 2016[2]), is important for this species of high conservation concern.

To understand the wintering ecology of SBS habitat (especially their potential food resources) and carry out effective conservation action plan in the future, we conducted synchronous population survey and habitat studies in Leizhou during November 2017 - January 2018. Furthermore, we also carried out social survey to evaluate the current status of local conservation awareness. Finally, environmental education was conducted with local NGOs as preliminary work of long-term awareness rising.

In the synchronous survey, we found 14 individuals and located 39 feeding patches. Moreover, we identified 21 groups of benthic animals (including some species and unidentified genera and families) as potential food resources for SBS. Based on the social survey results, we learned that illegal hunting, one of the biggest threats to SBS in this , had decreased during recent years, though local people still lacked knowledge of local wild birds and conservation. Regarding to environmental education, we organized activities and gave lectures in local schools, which set a good example for local NGOs.

In all, we understood the basic conservation situation of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula, and our project set up the foundation for continuing future research programs in understanding the wintering ecology of SBS in this area. Combined with our environmental education models, these efforts would benefit the long-term conservation plans for wintering SBS in Leizhou Peninsula and beyond.

Introduction Spoon-billed Sandpipers (Calidris pygmeus, SBS) is a shorebird which migrate for long distance in east , and they suffered human impacts such as habitat alteration and illegal hunting, and are classified as critically endangered in IUCN Red List[1].

Leizhou Peninsula, in the southern tip of mainland China, is a newly founded wintering habitat for SBSs. In winter of 2016, investigators found 43 individuals in Leizhou Peninsula[2], pointing

an important site with great conservation value.

However, basic understanding on the wintering ecology of SBS in this region generally lacks. Habitat and food choice of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula are yet unclear, which would be a barrier to decide the specific conservation strategy for local SBS population. And human effects such as illegal hunting are still completely eradicated in Leizhou Peninsula, and the degree of local conservation awareness is not yet evaluated, which are the necessary information to design the awareness-rising plan.

In our conservation project, we intended to understand the basic SBS conservation status in Leizhou Peninsula. First, we planned to investigate SBS distribution in Leizhou and further explore potential food resources. Then, we plan to assess locals’ conservation awareness and try to minimize human disturbance to SBS. Meanwhile, we will have a close association with local conservation NGO for awareness rising in a long term.

In our project, we cooperated with Zhangjiang Bird Watching Society, a local conservation NGO. They provided valuable information of SBS and helped us recruit volunteers, which made a great contribution to our fieldwork and environmental education activities. Hong Kong birdwatching Society, as an experienced conservation NGO that has been working in Leizhou

Peninsula for years, provided us some information of local condition. We the three conservation teams held wintering population synchronous survey together. And we also cooperated with local schools: Zhanjiang Yizhong Peicai School and Xinmin primary school in environmental education.

Figure 1 The map of Leizhou Peninsula (© Google Earth)

In all, our conservation project will not only promote local SBS conservation, but also document wintering ecological data for SBS in scientific research. And our basic social survey results will be as a reference, for conservationists, local NGOs and government managers to design better SBS as well as bird conservation strategy of Leizhou Peninsula in the future.

Project members Chengyi Liu As a student major in biological science, Chengyi Liu has a great interest in bird conservation and biodiversity. He has two-year experience working as a part-time natural education volunteer and has sharpened his skills in fieldwork and project management. He has now graduated from Sun Yat-sen University and continues studying ecology and conservation in Uppsala University. He provided novel but sensible ideas to develop this project and built good relationships with stake holders in Leizhou Peninsula, including cooperation groups and local people. As a team leader, he coordinated well and organized teamwork properly.

Qin Huang Qin has rich experience in bird survey and survey design. He is now working as a bird guide and also engaged in natural education. He helped design fieldwork plan and contacted with local government and NGOs. Also, he gave practical suggestions during the program.

Xuecong Zhang Xuecong has masted excellent data analysis skills in his undergraduate stage and was responsible for habitat quality evaluation and community field survey.

Xin Lin Xin is talented and skillful in field survey and experiment design. He now studies breeding ecology of Kentish Plover in Sun Yat-sen University. In this program, he was responsible for SBS’s population monitoring.

Leyi Su Leyi studies population genetics of Common Swift and also shows great enthusiasm in conservation and natural education. She engaged in community survey and publicity in the program and tried her best to illustrate conservation concepts in easy and live way.

Xia Zhan Xia had both experience in bird survey and community education. She participated in community education in local schools and shared experience with local NGOs to help future conservation work in this area.

Nan Zhang Nan has studied shorebirds for three years and he is familiar with shorebird ecology. He took charge in financial management and access feasibility of activities.

Section 2:

Aim and objectives (1) Objective 1: Understanding wintering population size and distribution of SBS, as well as its potential food resources in Leizhou Peninsula.

(2) Objective 2: Having a better understanding of locals’ attitude towards bird conservation and potential threats caused.

(3) Objective 3: Improve local bird conservation awareness in long term.

Changes to original project plan Our aim and objectives are generally based on the logical framework which we submitted after training from CLP Workshop. The changes to original project plan are showed below:

(1) Considering we have little information of local residents’ conservation awareness and it is impossible to carry out awareness-rising activities (e.g. long-term environmental education) within one year.

(2) It is very hard to conduct effective education project with limited time and workforce, so we considered education itself a secondary result. And we turned to design and conduct our environmental education based on results of social survey experimental, and provide valuable suggestion and set environmental education model for local NGO.

Methodology Objective 1 We decide to carry out a synchronous survey of SBS in the whole Leizhou Peninsula in cooperation with Zhanjiang Bird Watching Society and Hong Kong Birdwatching Society in January because it is the time when wintering population are relatively sedentary. The synchronous survey means that several groups of investigators conduct the counting work of SBS respectively at the same time in different places of Leizhou Peninsula.

Objective 2: We also located the foraging areas of SBS and sampled the benthos in some of these foraging areas to learn about the composition of potential food for SBS during November 6th - 10th 2017, December 6th - 10th 2017 and January 12th - 16th 2018. Also, we sampled on December 21st - 23rd 2017 as a complement of the second sampling because we didn’t finish all collecting tasks in. December 6th - 10th, 2017.

On account of the uneven distribution of SBS, we chose the mudflat near Hebei Village as our study site, where most individuals of SBS recorded.

Our sampling method is described as below[3]. Firstly, we searched for SBS by telescopes, then we walked to the spot where SBS foraged after them leaving, record the GPS coordinate, and sample the benthos immediately or after two or three days (because tides rise quickly and

sampling sometimes would be time-consuming). We use a PVC pipe with an inner diameter of 15.5 cm to collect four mud samples with a depth of 5 cm in each spot. Each mud sample will be screened via a 0.5 mm aperture sieve on the spot to get rid of silt, leaving the benthos exposed. Then we will pick up all the benthic macrofauna and conserve them with absolute ethyl alcohol.

Figure 2 Collecting the benthic macrofaunal samples from the mudflat

We then identified species in our samples. Besides, we also conducted some quantitative analyses by calculating the following indexes. However, we only carried out analyses on the samples collected in December because of the heavy workload of sample treatment and measurement. And the samples from November and January are used to identify the species. We estimated the following parameters for these samples. 1. Average shell height and width, and the number of mollusk in each sample; 2. Dry weight of worms; 3. Shannon - Weiner index of mollusk in genus level, SWI; 4. Ratio of Meretrix, Crassula veneriformis and Potamocorbula laevis (RoM, RoC, RoP), which were commonly found in SBS’ s feeding patches (we defined RoX = individual number of X species in each samples/total individual number of mollusk in each samples);

Objective 3: We conducted online interviews on social media with students from Leizhou Peninsula, to learn about the local situation of illegal hunting and consuming of wild birds, their knowledge of avian conservation and so on. Besides, we also carried out on-site interviews on October and

recorded human activities which might threaten SBS in surrounding areas of the habitat .

Based on our survey results, we designed our environmental education plans aiming at making up deficiencies in knowledge among local students (Appendices), and carried out them in a local primary school and a middle school in cooperation with Zhanjiang Bird Watching Society. After summing up our experience and lessons, we offer a feasible environmental education model and good suggestions to local NGOs.

Outputs and Results Objective 1: We conducted a synchronous survey of SBS on January 1st 2018 cooperated with Zhanjiang Bird Watching Society and Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. And we mainly visited the Donghai island and Leizhou bay. In this survey, all teams recorded 14 SBS individuals and all of them are recorded on the mudflat from Hebei to Nandu estuary. 12 individuals were recorded Hebei in north while two individuals were in southern Lanbei Village on 16th January 2018.

Figure 3 The distribution of recorded SBS in synchronous survey, 2018. Left map shows the position of recorded area in the east coast. Right maps show the specific environment of this area. Orange arrow shows the position of Hebei and green arrow shows the position of Lanbei (© Google Earth)

Another conclusive data came from our fieldwork on November 11th 2017. We recorded 29 individuals near Lanbei Village when the tide was rising. However, some individuals recorded at that time might be immigrants passing this region and the survey cover a limited range.

In addition, we recorded six individuals with leg-flags on December 2nd 2017 in Leizhou Peninsula, during a workshop developed by Spoon-billed Sandpiper in China and other organizations and societies. These individuals include:

Table 1 Recorded ringed SBS

ID Ring on Left Leg Ring on Right Leg

M4 / light green

2L white /

M1 / light green

YU yellow /

53 yellow /

L5 / light green

We took benthos samplings for three times in order to evaluate the habitat quality. In total, we located 39 plots with SBS foraging samplings on the mudflat (Appendix 2).

Objective 2: We identified macrobenothos to explore the potential food source of SBS and other shore birds (Table 2). However, we did not identify worms like polychaete and sea anemones due to limit of time and references.

Table 2 The list of identified macrobenthos in SBS feeding patches in Leizhou Peninsula.

Groups Species

Mollusk

Meretrix spp.

Crassula veneriformis

Potamocorbula laevis

Ruditapes philippinarum

Musculus senhousei

Pharella

Moerella iridescens

Retusa borneensis

Cerithidea cingulata

Batillaria sp.

Thais sp.

Pyramidellidae

Nassariidae

Umbonium thomasi

Crustacea

Philyra carinata

Macrophthalmus sp.

Penaeidae

Amphipoda

Cumacea

Paguroidea

Fish

Gobiidae

Meanwhile, we measured traits of the samplings took in December (n = 32, original data see Appendix 3).

Table 3 The average value of some of macrobenthos factors in SBS feeding patches in Leizhou Peninsula.

Factor Average value

Dry weight of worms (mg) 0.0124±0.0197

Average height of Mollusk (mm) 2.81±1.54

Average weight of Mollusk (mm) 3.45±1.96

SWI of Mollusk 0.531±0.454

Number of Mollusk 17±15 / 264±656 *

* Here we show two average value of the number of Mollusk separately, since different samplings show big variations. Thus, we calculated the average value of 4 samplings with over 1000 Mollusk and another value of the rest samplings.

Objective 3: We conducted online interviews and received 26 valid interview results. Combined with our field investigation in July 2017 and October 2017. Generally, based on our interviews, we found illegal hunting has decreased but local conservation awareness still lacks, and more details are showed in Appendix 4. Based information from the surveys, providing valuable suggestion and environmental education model for local NGO.

We organized two environmental education activities (one for Grade 7 students in No.1 Zhanjiang Peicai Secondary School in Zhanjiang and another for Grade 5 pupils in Xinmin Primary School on Donghai Island, Zhanjiang). We gave a 2-hour lecture to the Grade 7 students No.1 Zhanjiang Peicai Secondary School instead of lessons after communicating with their teachers. In Xinmin Primary School, we gave 5 lessons to approximate 30 pupils and made art design with them to promote bird conservation (Figure 3, Appendix 5).

Figure 4 An art design the pupils made using shells picked on Leizhou Bay, showing the head of SBS (photographed by volunteers from Yuyang).

Communication & Application of results (1) As the object presenting, we will submit specific suggestions and environmental education model to a local NGO, Zhanjiang Bird Watching society. They will continue to work for SBS conservation after the completion of our project.

(2) We also wrote brief reports both in English and Chinese. English report will be provided to Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, an international SBS conservation organization, to know about our project and valuable data. And a Chinese version will be offered to Zhanjiang Bird Watching society and other Chinese NGOs for reference.

Monitoring and Evaluation

To evaluate our fieldwork, rarefaction curve with species number of shells (which are the one of the main and representative constituent parts of macrobenthos) versus sample size (how many samples we collected) from Dec. 2019 is showed below.

14

12

10

8

6

4 Species number Species 2

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Sample size

Figure 5 Rarefaction curve of shells samples from Nov. 2019

We found the species number raises in the beginning and becomes flat after size adds to 10. So, we may carry out relatively effective sampling during the fieldwork in general. But surely there were more details about feeding behaviors of SBS need to be explained.

We evaluated the promotion effect of the lecture using questionnaires (Appendix 6). We randomly chose 100 middle school students to answer the questionnaire before (A group) and after (B group) the 2 hours lecture (200 students totally). We designed a question “Draw a simple picture of Spoon- billed Sandpaper and Black-faced Spoonbill without reference books and pictures. Just based on your own idea and memory.”, in order to test their cognition of the endangered birds. Only 2% of A group can draw the typical trait of SBS such as special beak, but after the lecture of 77% of B group can do this (Figure 5).

Figure 6 The random-selected pictures of SBS drew by Grade 7 students before (left, A group) and after (right, B group) 2-hour lecture.

Achievements and Impacts (1) We conducted surveys on the population size of wintering populations of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula. Since our synchronous survey was carried out at the same time as the worldwide water bird census and our cooperator Hong Kong Birdwatching Society has submitted these results to census organizers, our survey result contributes to a better knowledge of the total population size of SBS in the world. Additionally, based on this survey, we reconfirmed that the mudflat along from the estuary of Nandu River to Hebei Village is the largest and most important habitat of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula, which is important for the future conservation management, wintering ecology research of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula.

(2) We collected data about the foraging behavior ecology of SBS wintering population. Since most studies on SBS focus on population investigation and habitat conservation, the behavioral ecology studies on SBS are very few, especially studies on foraging behavior. The great number of unsolved ecological questions about SBS actually hinders the progress of the habitat conservation of SBS. Thus, our data about its foraging behavior ecology might contribute to answering questions such as the use of habitat and food choice of SBS, and play an important role in determining conservation strategy.

(3) After our online and in situ interviews, we have a basic understanding of local people’s attitude towards bird and SBS conservation. We conducted social investigation in Leizhou Peninsula mainly via instant messaging software to collect information about local people’s attitude towards bird conservation and the local situation of wild bird conservation. This innovative investigation method can continue to be used by other researchers and NGOs in the future, and our investigation results are also referential to them when determining conservation and education strategies.

(4) We carried out some conservation and environmental education activities in local primary and middle schools. Compared to previous similar education activities, our education plans aimed at making up specific deficiencies in the knowledge of avian conservation among local students, which were exposed in our social investigation. Our education plans as well as all the lessons we have learned from our practice will be provided to local NGOs for reference to promote future conservation and environmental education in Leizhou Peninsula.

(5) We gained a better understanding of the important role of Leizhou Peninsula in the conservation of SBS for it provides a large area of habitat for the wintering population of SBS. After publicizing the data we gained from our project, Leizhou Peninsula, as the largest suitable habitat for wintering

SBS in China, will be more familiar to the public. It might be a good chance to raise the attention of the public, government and researchers to the SBS conservation in Leizhou Peninsula.

Capacity Development and Leadership capabilities (1) Most of our team members are undergraduate students, which means we lacked the experience to carry out a conservation project. However, during this year, we learn about the structure and process of building a wildlife conservation project. Additionally, we were lucky to be guided by experienced conservationists and cooperated with NGOs.

(2) We also learn how to manage a team. During our fieldwork, we always needed to work as a group with different volunteers, which means we had to assign jobs, determine schedule, and resolve conflicts between members. Through these practice, we can improve our leadership capacity.

(3) It is important to learn field ecology technique during the fieldwork, and we also need to read references to design macrobenthos sampling plan. So, this conservation project no doubt developed our capabilities and skills in avian and ecological research.

(4) During the social survey, we needed to communicate with local residents. It is not only a practice for communication skills, but also a chance to learn about conservation from different perspectives. Conservationists and local people have different opinions on nature conservation. After the communication, when thinking about issues, we would take culture, economy and welfare into consideration, rather than only species or habitat conservation.

Section 3:

Conclusion In our conservation project, we found 14 individuals of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula via synchronous survey this winter, and all the individuals are recorded in Hebei-Lanbei mudflat. It suggests that this habitat is most important for SBS in Leizhou Peninsula. Our mapped feeding patches and collected macrobenthos samples basically show the situation of potential food condition and habitat use of SBS. However, human impacts in their habitats (e.g. shellfish farming and digging on mudflat) are still unclear to SBS.

Social survey provides information that illegal hunting has been declining but local conservation awareness as well as knowledge are still in deficiency and needed to be promoted. Targeted education activities have been tested in local schools, and feedback and experience from them will be presented to NGO to improve their education activities. But we still cannot reach the most benefit-related group in Leizhou Peninsula (e.g. fishermen). Wider communication, including social survey and education, needs to be considered for local SBS conservation.

Problems encountered and lessons learnt (1) When we wanted to carry out social survey, we encountered two problems. First of all, with limited resources, it was very hard to conduct a large-scale survey to know the general conservation status in Leizhou Peninsula. Secondly, we were not familiar with local situation (e.g. transportation) and may get into dangers when we asked some sensitive questions like illegal hunting.

Thus, we decided to carry out online interviews, and recruited college students from Leizhou Peninsula. We think this alternative method has several advantages: (1) With the internet, we could contact people from every part of Leizhou Peninsula. Compared to field interview, it is more time- saving and money-saving. (2) Since the interviewer and interviewee are both college students, the interview would be easy for both sides and dangers can be reduced. Finally, we received 29 available interview records, and interviewees are nearly from all the area of Leizhou Peninsula. It is only a qualitative survey, however, using internet to conduct a social survey would be an effective method when facing similar situation.

(2) We also encountered problems when we wanted to carry out environmental education. It is hard to carry out such activities in many schools because of limited resources and time. Besides, most of schools may not welcome extra part-time activities.

As a result, we decided to change our goals. Designing and then testing an environmental education model would be more practical than holding a large-scale education in one-year project. What is more, our cooperators could use this model after our project. We decided different plans for rural and urban school. It is possible to run a long-term course in rural school. However, in urban school, short-time courses like a conservation-relevant lecture would be more welcomed. In the end, we successfully carried out different activities both in rural and urban school. However, students are not the most benefit-related group, and for us, these groups like local fishermen may be hard to contact or communicate on account of language barrier. Thus, it would be a remaining issue needed to be solved in education.

In the future As for the future, we believe larger scale of ecological and social surveys are necessary. We need to understand the environmental situation of SBS habitats in Leizhou Peninsula, including both biological or abiotic factors (e.g. sediment substrate characters). Quantitative social survey will be designed, and environmental education to the most benefit-related groups will be needed.

And for our conservation team, some junior students SYSU will keep on this conservation project. With our basic work, they will carry out advanced survey and education activities. And they will

also try to solve some ecological questions of SBS wintering population in Leizhou Peninsula.

Zhanjiang Bird Watching Society, as the local NGO, will certainly keep working on bird conservation of Leizhou Peninsula. And we will provide our experience and suggestions to them, to promote their conservation plans especially in environmental education. And other NGOs will also play their roles in SBS conservation in Leizhou Peninsula.

Financial Report

Unit Total Receip Reaso cost price Excha Total Budge t Descri Quanti n for Date Phase (local (local nge USD t line Numb ption ty Purch curren curren Rate ($) er ase cy) cy)

Food for one Food person for trip *3 d = A- of 100*3 Phase commi = 1 nicatio 300,fro Project Recon n with m 2017/6/ prepar naissa local 2017/6/ 12 ation nce P101 NGO 100 3 300 0.155 46.50 10-12 Accom modati on for Accom one modati person on for from A- trip of 2017/6/ Phase commi 11, and 1 nicatio 2 Project Recon n with nights 2017/6/ prepar naissa local on the 12 ation nce P102 NGO 96 1 96 0.155 14.88 train Transp ortation for trip Train A- of tickets Phase commi and 1 nicatio bus Project Recon n with ticket 2017/6/ prepar naissa local for one 12 ation nce P103 NGO 268.5 1 268.5 0.155 41.62 person Materia ls includi ng marker s, sticky A- Materia notes, Phase ls for papers 1 team and Project training other 2017/8/ prepar Team worksh supplie 28 ation training P201 op 300 1 300 0.155 46.50 s Accom Accom Accom C- modati modati modati Phase on for on for on for 2 team social 4 2017/1 Project membe field person 0/5 implem rs and I101 survey 1646 1 1646 0.155 255.13 from

entatio local 2017/9/ n guides 30- 10/5 Food for 4 people *5 d = C- Food 100*4* Phase for 5 = 2 team Food 2000, Project membe for from implem rs and social 2017/9/ 2017/1 entatio local field 30- 0/5 n guides I102 survey 100 20 2000 0.155 310.00 10/5 Includi ng car ranking fee, C- Travel fuel fee Phase and Transp and 2 local ortation tolls, Project transpo for from implem rtation social 2017/9/ 2017/1 entatio (includi field 4983.0 4983.0 30- 0/5 n ng fuel) I103 survey 8 1 8 0.155 772.38 10/5 Insuran ce for A- social Phase survey 1 Insuran from Project ce for 2017/9/ 2017/9/ prepar Insuran social 30- 30 ation ce I104 survey 100 1 100 0.155 15.50 10/5 Food for Food commi for one nicatio person n with *2 d = local 100*2 A- NGO = Phase and 200,fro 1 prewor m Project Recon k for 2017/1 2017/1 prepar naissa fieldwo 0/20- 0/21 ation nce P301 rk 100 2 200 0.155 31.00 21 Accom modati on for commi nicatio n with Accom local odation A- NGO for one Phase and person 1 prewor from Project Recon k for 2017/1 2017/1 prepar naissa fieldwo 0/20- 0/21 ation nce P302 rk 96 1 96 0.155 14.88 21 Transp ortation for commi nicatio n with local Train A- NGO tickets Phase and and 1 prewor bus Project Recon k for ticket 2017/1 prepar naissa fieldwo for one 0/21 ation nce P303 rk 258 1 258 0.155 39.99 person C- Accom Accom Accom Phase modati modati odation 2017/1 2 on for on for for 5 1/11 Project team I201 1st 3384 1 3384 0.155 524.52 people,

implem membe fieldwo from entatio rs and rk 2017/1 n local 1/5- guides 11/11 Food for 5 people *7 d = C- Food 100*7* Phase for 5 = 2 team 3500, Project membe Food from implem rs and for 1st 2017/1 2017/1 entatio local fieldwo 1/5- 1/11 n guides I202 rk 100 35 3500 0.155 542.50 11/11 Transp ortation includi ng car ranking fee, C- Travel fuel fee Phase and and 2 local Transp tolls, Project transpo ortation from implem rtation for 1st 2017/1 2017/1 entatio (includi fieldwo 5145.0 5145.0 1/5- 1/11 n ng fuel) I203 rk 6 1 6 0.155 797.48 11/11 Scientif Consu ic/field mable equipm items Sampl B- ent and for e 2017/1 Equip supplie fieldwo tubes, 1/1 ment s I204-1 rk 180 1 180 0.155 27.90 alcohol Equip ment and Scientif consu ic/field mable equipm items B- ent and for 2017/1 Equip supplie fieldwo Interph 1/1 ment s I204-2 rk 68 3 208 0.155 32.24 ones Equip ment and Scientif consu ic/field mable equipm items B- ent and for 2017/1 Equip supplie fieldwo Wader 1/1 ment s I204-3 rk 108 4 432 0.155 66.96 s Equip ment and Scientif consu ic/field mable equipm items B- ent and for 2017/1 Equip supplie fieldwo 1/1 ment s I204-4 rk 32 4 128 0.155 19.84 Sifters Equip ment and Scientif consu ic/field mable equipm items Measur B- ent and for ing 2017/1 Equip supplie fieldwo cylinde 1/1 ment s I204-5 rk 15.8 1 15.8 0.155 2.45 r Equip Scientif ment B- ic/field and 2017/1 Equip equipm consu Scoop 1/1 ment ent and I204-6 mable 8.7 6 52.2 0.155 8.09 net

supplie items s for fieldwo rk Insuran ce for A- 1st Phase Insuran fieldwo 1 ce for rk from Project 1st 2017/1 2017/1 prepar Insuran fieldwo 1/5- 1/4 ation ce I205 rk 20 3 60 0.155 9.30 11/11 Local investi gator training worksh op, holding with Zhanjia ng birdwat ching soceity , Spoon- billed sandpi per in China and several NGOs. C- And Phase every 2 organiz Project ations implem Works handle 2017/1 entatio Works hop d part 2/3 n hops I301 supply 2000 1 2000 0.155 310.00 of fee Accom Accom C- modati odation Phase on for Accom for 5 2 team modati people, Project membe on for from implem rs and 2nd 2017/1 2018/1 entatio local fieldwo 2/5- 2/11 n guides I401 rk 3234 1 3234 0.155 501.27 12/11 Food for 5 people *7 d = C- Food 100*7* Phase for 5 = 2 team 3500, Project membe Food from implem rs and for 2nd 2017/1 2018/1 entatio local fieldwo 2/5- 2/11 n guides I402 rk 100 35 3500 0.155 542.50 12/11 Transp ortation includi ng car ranking fee, C- Travel fuel fee Phase and and 2 local Transp tolls, Project transpo ortation from implem rtation for 2nd 2017/1 2018/1 entatio (includi fieldwo 2/5- 2/11 n ng fuel) I403 rk 5532 1 5532 0.155 857.46 12/11

Scientif Consu ic/field mable equipm items Sampl B- ent and for e 2018/1 Equip supplie fieldwo tubes, 2/11 ment s I404 rk 322 1 322 0.155 49.91 alcohol Insuran ce for A- 2nd Phase Insuran fieldwo 1 ce for rk from Project 2nd 2017/1 2018/1 prepar Insuran fieldwo 2/5- 2/5 ation ce I405 rk 28 3 84 0.155 13.02 12/11 Accom Accom C- modati odation Phase on for Accom for 1 2 team modati person, Project membe on for from implem rs and 3rd 2017/1 2018/1 entatio local fieldwo 2/23- 2/25 n guides I501 rk 365 1 365 0.155 56.58 12/25 Food for 1 person *3 d = C- Food 100*1* Phase for 3 = 2 team 300, Project membe Food from implem rs and for 3rd 2017/1 2018/1 entatio local fieldwo 2/23- 2/25 n guides I502 rk 100 3 300 0.155 46.50 12/25 Transp ortation includi ng car ranking fee, C- Travel fuel fee Phase and and 2 local Transp tolls, Project transpo ortation from implem rtation for 3rd 2017/1 2018/1 entatio (includi fieldwo 2/23- 2/25 n ng fuel) I503 rk 3103 1 3103 0.155 480.97 12/25 Accom Accom C- modati odation Phase on for Accom for 5 2 team modati people, Project membe on for from implem rs and 4th 2018/1/ 2018/1/ entatio local fieldwo 11- 17 n guides I601 rk 3204 1 3204 0.155 496.62 1/17 Food for 5 people *7 d = C- Food 100*7* Phase for 5 = 2 team 3500, Project membe Food from implem rs and for 4th 2018/1/ 2018/1/ entatio local fieldwo 11- 17 n guides I602 rk 100 35 3500 0.155 542.50 1/17 Transp ortation includi C- Travel ng car Phase and ranking 2 local Transp fee, Project transpo ortation fuel fee implem rtation for 4th and 2018/1/ entatio (includi fieldwo 5137.9 5137.9 tolls, 17 n ng fuel) I603 rk 9 1 9 0.155 796.39 from

2018/1/ 11- 1/17 Scientif Consu ic/field mable equipm items Sampl B- ent and for e 2018/1/ Equip supplie fieldwo tubes, 11 ment s I604 rk 180 1 180 0.155 27.90 alcohol Insuran ce for 4th A- fieldwo Phase Insuran rk, 1 ce for from Project 4th 2018/1/ 2018/1/ prepar Insuran fieldwo 11- 17 ation ce I605 rk 20 3 60 0.155 9.30 1/17 Accom Accom C- modati Accom odation Phase on for modati for 5 2 team on for people, Project membe environ from implem rs and mental 2018/4/ 2018/4/ entatio local educati 10- 18 n guides I701 on 1854 1 1854 0.155 287.37 4/14 Food for 5 people (but not all people C- Food joined Phase for Food whole 2 team for trip), Project membe environ from implem rs and mental 2018/4/ 2018/4/ entatio local educati 10- 18 n guides I702 on 100 19.5 1950 0.155 302.25 4/14 Includi ng car ranking fee, train tickets C- Travel Transp and Phase and ortation bus 2 local for tickets Project transpo environ from implem rtation mental 2018/4/ 2018/4/ entatio (includi educati 10- 18 n ng fuel) I703 on 2149 1 2149 0.155 333.10 4/14 Insuran ce for environ mental A- Insuran educati Phase ce for on, 1 environ from Project mental 2018/4/ 2018/4/ prepar Insuran educati 10- 9 ation ce I704 on 20 2 40 0.155 6.20 4/14 Outrea ch/Edu cation activitie s and Includi materia ng the C- ls water Phase (broch Materia color 2 ures, ls for pens, Project posters environ papers, implem , video, mental scissor 2018/4/ entatio t-shirts, educati s and 9 n etc.) I705 on 50 1 50 0.155 7.75 glue

Includi ng the fund to hold the worksh op and field practic e for student D- Fundin s work Phase g for on this 3 Post new conser Fieldw team vation ork Other membe work in 2018/1 Expens (Phase rs‘ train the 2/24 es 3) A101 ing 3000 1 3000 0.155 465.00 future

Details & Justification Proposed Total CLP (Justification Itemized Total CLP Spent Spending Requested % Difference must be expenses (USD) (Preliminary (USD)* provided if figure Report Only) in column D is +/- 25%) PHASE I - PROJECT

PREPARATIO N Mostly we Communicat use free ions online 200.00 (telephone/in contact and ternet/posta meeting ge) -100% directly. Field guide books, maps, journal 200.00 We have articles and borrowed other printed them from materials -100% our lab Some of us have long- term insurance, and some 350.00 short-term insurance are for part- time Insurance 53.32 -85% volunteers Visas and 0.00 permits / We borrowed lecture room 200.00 and other multimedia Team equipments training 46.50 -77% to hold the

workshop for free We held several times travel for contacting 0.00 local NGO and pre- surveying Reconnaissa the research nce 188.87 / site. Other 0.00 (Phase 1) /

EQUIPMENT Most cost are from consumable 0.00 items (e.g. Scientific/fiel sample d equipment tubes and and supplies 235.29 / Alcohol) Photographi 0.00 c equipment / We found local hotels 200.00 rather than Camping camping in equipment -100% the field Boat/engine/ truck 0.00 (including car hire) / Other 0.00 (Equipment) / PHASE II - IMPLEMENTA TION Prizes of Accommoda local hotels tion for team are cheaper 4,000.00 members than we and local assumed in guides 2121.49 -47% the plan. Food for team members 2,000.00 and local guides 2286.25 14% Travel and local transportatio 3,300.00 n (including fuel) 4037.77 22% Customs and/or port 0.00 duties / 200 We held Workshops 310.00 55% workshop

with other NGO and this cost are shared with these holders Finally we successfully cooperate with local schools, thus we did not need to pay for 1,000.00 ranking Outreach/Ed lecture room ucation or other activities and equipment materials and we also (brochures, collected posters, materials video, t- from wild shirts, etc.) 7.75 -99% (e.g. shells) Other 0.00 (Phase 2) / PHASE III - POST- PROJECT EXPENSES Administratio n Report We wrote production both English and results and Chinese disseminatio brief reports n to our 350.00 cooperators as well as other NGO or researchers -100% for free. Other 500.00 (Phase 3) 465.00 -7% Total 12,500.00 9,752.23

Section 4:

Appendix 1 CLP M&E measures table

Output Number Additional Information Number of CLP Partner Staff involved in mentoring the Project 0 Number of species assessments contributed to 14 SBS recorded in (E.g. IUCN assessments) 14 synchronous survey Number of site assessments contributed to (E.g. IBA assessments) 0 Number of NGOs established 0 Amount of extra funding leveraged ($) 0

Number of species discovered/rediscovered 0 Number of sites designated as important for biodiversity (e.g. IBA/Ramsar designation) 0 The largest area for SBS in Number of species/sites legally protected for Leizhou Peninsula is nature biodiversity 1 reserve

Number of stakeholders actively engaged in Chairman of primary school species/site conservation management and some teachers in primary 5 and secondary school Number of species/site management plans/strategies developed 0 Including local fishermen, pond fish farmers, local Number of stakeholders reached student and teachers and so 282 on. Examples of stakeholder behaviour change brought about by the project. Examples of policy change brought about by the project 0 Number of jobs created 0 Number of academic papers published 1 Graduation Thesis 55th Annual Meeting of the Number of conferences where project results have Association for Tropical been presented Biology and Conservation 1 (ATBC), 2018

Appendix 2 Location of SBS feeding patches in Fucheng

Name Longitude Latitude Low / High tide Recording time 1-1 110.18561 20.888922 Low tide 2017/11/6 9:39 1-2 110.185814 20.887632 Low tide 2017/11/6 9:54 1-3 110.18179 20.886822 Low tide 2017/11/6 10:19 1-4 110.18471 20.890203 Low tide 2017/11/8 10:23 1-6 110.18581 20.889725 Low tide 2017/11/8 9:27 1-8 110.18423 20.890585 Low tide 2017/11/8 10:40 1-9 110.18257 20.889816 High tide 2017/11/8 11:58 1-11 110.18171 20.88906 High tide 2017/11/8 12:29 1-12 110.183716 20.891598 Low tide 2017/11/9 9:23 1-13 110.18519 20.888882 Low tide 2017/11/9 11:17 1-14* 110.184746 20.88783 High tide 2017/11/9 12:29 1-15* 110.18432 20.88759 High tide 2017/11/9 12:43 1-16* 110.18424 20.887175 High tide 2017/11/9 12:47 1-17* 110.18356 20.886927 High tide 2017/11/9 13:06 1-18* 110.18332 20.886635 High tide 2017/11/9 13:17 1-19* 110.18309 20.886414 High tide 2017/11/9 13:19 1-20* 110.18273 20.88624 High tide 2017/11/9 13:26 1-21* 110.18229 20.886095 High tide 2017/11/9 13:39 1-22* 110.18165 20.886124 High tide 2017/11/9 13:52 1-23* 110.18102 20.88589 High tide 2017/11/9 13:58 1-24* 110.18116 20.885286 High tide 2017/11/9 14:02 1-25 110.18362 20.886524 Low tide 2017/11/10 10:01 1-26 110.18355 20.886974 Low tide 2017/11/10 10:19 1-27 110.18438 20.887518 Low tide 2017/11/10 11:05 1-28 110.18404 20.887623 Low tide 2017/11/10 11:07 1-29 110.184555 20.888712 Low tide 2017/11/10 12:27 1-30 110.18335 20.887852 High tide 2017/11/10 14:19 1-31 110.1831 20.887506 High tide 2017/11/10 14:32 1-32 110.18295 20.887354 High tide 2017/11/10 14:34 1-33 110.18245 20.88723 High tide 2017/11/10 14:42 2-1 110.193543 20.89211358 Low tide 2017/12/6 9:01

2-3 110.1895322 20.8909879 Low tide 2017/12/7 7:42 2-4 110.1892794 20.89122002 Low tide 2017/12/7 7:43 2-5 110.1901077 20.89286331 Low tide 2017/12/7 8:44 2-6 110.1890857 20.89286401 Low tide 2017/12/7 10:50 2-7 110.190529 20.890058 Low tide 2017/12/8 8:35 2-8 110.1827313 20.89002 Low tide 2017/12/8 9:08 2-9 110.18324 20.89023649 Low tide 2017/12/8 9:16 3-3 110.182655 20.887892 High tide 2018/1/14 16:56

Note: 1. Low / High tide means the feeding patches recorded in low tide time (the period that mudflat exposes for large area) or in high tide time (the period that most mudflat is covered with water or the tide changes quickly). This factor is decided qualitatively and only for reference. If you want to use these data for analyzing, please refer position, recorded time and tide table to distinguish them.

2. Feeding patches with * (1-14 to 1-24) recorded a group of successive feeding patches choices of the same group of SBS during tide rising. They finally flew away and was back to inland in 1-24 because of high tide.

Appendix 3 Raw data of benthonic animal samples

Dry Numbe Average Average Ratio of Ratio of Na weight of SWI of r of Ratio of height of weight of Crassula Potamocorbula me worms Mollusk Mollus Meretrix Mollusk (mm) Mollusk (mm) veneriformis laevis (mg) k

2-1- 0.0085 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

2-1- 0.0023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

2-1- 0.0057 3.857421875 0.9765625 0 1 0 0 0 3

2-1- 0.0021 1.275 6.116 0 1 0 0 0 4

2-3- 0.6122448 0.1428571 0.0108 1.915405777 2.414030261 8 0.428571429 0.428571429 1 98 43

2-3- 0.6666666 0.0072 2.369863014 3.047945205 6 0.5 0.166666667 0.166666667 2 67

2-3- 0.0013 1.809912171 2.197302384 0.59375 8 0.5 0.375 0 3

2-3- 0.0053 2.99858156 3.920567376 0.64 5 0.4 0.2 0.4 4

2-4- 0.7222222 0.3333333 0.0175 2.536337209 3.122577519 18 0.222222222 0.055555556 1 22 33

2-4- 0.6049149 0.5217391 0.0193 2.345823636 2.834871946 23 0.304347826 0 2 34 3

2-4- 0.5190311 0.6470588 0.0212 2.460151803 2.910815939 17 0.235294118 0.058823529 3 42 24

2-4- 0.3456790 0.7777777 0.0161 2.224993073 2.680798005 9 0.222222222 0 4 12 78

2-5- 0.019 2.442916094 2.968363136 0.72 5 0.2 0.2 0.2 1

2-5- 0.0022 3.142123288 3.895547945 0.375 4 0.75 0.25 0 2

2-5- 0.4444444 0.6666666 0.0026 2.958899371 3.513993711 3 0.333333333 0 3 44 67

2-5- 0.0098 2.206177296 2.651423987 0 3 1 0 0 4

2-6- 0.6274238 0.4736842 0.0128 2.070707071 2.440191388 38 0.368421053 0.078947368 1 23 11

2-6- 0.2659279 0.8421052 0.0098 2.309022556 2.621052632 19 0 0.157894737 2 78 63

2-6- 0.3641975 0.7777777 0.007 3.147031963 3.828041857 18 0.166666667 0 3 31 78

2-6- 0.0109 2.103067485 2.506748466 0.5472 25 0.6 0.28 0 4

2-7- 0.0091 1.339883073 1.910955824 0 2192 0 0 1 1

2-7- 0.0077218 0.0025 1.294023256 1.884073643 2064 0 0.003875969 0.996124031 2 92

2-7- 0.0175771 0.0096 1.442982925 2.087842354 1924 0 0.006246746 0.991150442 3 72

2-7- 0.1174 1.431741336 2.069288884 0 1792 0 0 1 4

2-8- 0.4536489 0.2564102 0.0093 3.954589744 5.500820513 39 0 0.692307692 1 15 56

2-8- 0.3261012 0.2051282 0.0045 5.198991126 7.082843431 39 0 0.794871795 2 49 05

2-8- 0.4595538 0.1147540 0.001 5.983806386 8.680006387 61 0 0.721311475 3 83 98

2-8- 0.0072 3.537191599 4.143656801 0.736 25 0.36 0 0.32 4

2-9- 0.0171 4.4245 4.7031 0.68 10 0.2 0 0.5 1

2-9- 0.5069204 0.2647058 0.0151 3.759558824 4.599 34 0 0.647058824 2 15 82

2-9- 0.7928994 0.2307692 0.0034 5.496153846 4.065 13 0 0.307692308 3 08 31

2-9- 0.5803489 0.1818181 0.0079 4.020650954 4.445791246 33 0 0.606060606 4 44 82

Note: Names of each sample are corresponding to the names in Appendix 2. For example, 2-1-2 is the second sample of spot 2-1.

Appendix 4 Detailed summary of social survey 1. Survey of the communities around the habitat We conducted online interviews and received 26 valid samplings. Combined our field investigation 1n July 2017 and October 2017, we summarized the results as below:

1.1 Illegal hunting and consumption of wild bird (1) Illegal hunting and wild bird consumption remained and we found mist nest on the beach and trap in the fish pond during our filed survey.

(2) Illegal hunting of wild birds has become less common recently and interviewer believed that strict regulation and public promotion both contributed to this improvement.

(3) The wild bird consumption showed a decreasing trend but was not eliminated in this region. Here we focused on consumption for food and SBS is not likely to be the main food source since locals hardly knew this species. However, SBS may be captured by accident.

(4) The consumption of wild bird was mainly motivated by hobby or nutrition demand. Also, a small number of people eat wild bird to seek novelty.

1.2 Awareness and management of bird conservation (1) Locals did not have a clear understanding of wild bird. They could not judge if birds like barn swallow belong to wild bird and lack basic knowledge of local common birds. Moreover, they hardly knew SBS as an endanger species.

(2) Locals had basic concepts of bird conservation, including national protected animals. But they also had some misunderstanding. For examples, they did not know which animals were under protected and thought wild birds without protection could be hunt for food. However, nearly all wild birds are protected by law and hunting are prohibited in our country.

(3) With regard to hunting management, it was said that strike force had been enhanced in recent years, especially in Zhanjiang Mangrove Nature Reserve, the biggest habitat of SBS in Leizhou Peninsula, according to interviewers. Illegal hunting in this area was under strict supervision. However, most of the public did not aware of the consequences and penalty of illegal hunting and consumption of wild bird.

1.3 Aquaculture and Conflicts between Human and Birds (1) In SBS’s habitat, human-bird conflict is most likely occur in fish pond. The owners may set up mist nets to prevent birds like gulls predating their fish. This may impose a potential threat to SBS

because they may use fish ponds to rest when tide is high. In the interview with pond owners, some of them supposed that bird only have a slight impact on aquaculture. Shore birds only predate non- economic fish or predate after the water in pond has already been pumped dry. Therefore, wild birds slightly affect the yield of aquaculture and sometimes even help clean sick fish or shrimps. However, some owners showed their concern on epidemic in aquatic products transmitted by wild birds.

(2) In the field, we found that most ponds did not install any equipment to disrupt birds. In some ponds, owners used long pole to drive gulls away. Only a small number of ponds installed sonic cannons to disrupt birds but those cannons did not show excellent effect. However, it was said that there were some nests in the pond even though we did not find any.

2. Survey of SBS Threating Factors Based on the interviews and field survey, we think there are several threating factors as below:

2.1 Illegal hunting Even though the situation has been improved, but hunting sometimes occurs in this region (Figure 2). As we mentioned above, nests and traps are main tools for hunting. Even though hunting does not aim at SBS but it still faces risks of being capture. Furthermore, the nests set up near the pond may influence habitat use of SBS during high tide.

Figure 1 Mist nest found on the beach with a plover

2.2 Cultivation and Gathering on Mudflat In SBS’s biggest wintering habitat in Leizhou Peninsula, the beach from Hebei to Nandu estuary, locals developed shellfish cultivation, cultivating . Also, locals gathered other bathos animals. We learned that they used poison to clear species that could not be sold as seafood before the cultivation.

This not only threats shore birds including SBS, but also reduce their available food source. On the other hand, some locals shock fish on the beach, which may lead to rapid decline of available food.

2.3 Waste Dump Near SBS’s habitat, we found a few waste dumps that likely pollute the habitat and affect the quality of water and air. Fortunately, some dumps have been cleaned this year.

2.4. Sea Reclaimation SBS’s main habitat is protected as nature reserve and well managed in recent years. Thus, this area is faced low risk of reclamation and development. However, on the beach of Xiwan Village, Donghai island, another small-scale habitat for SBS (recorded 1 or 2 individuals each year) is going to be developed. Future work should pay attention to this area.

2.5 Tourism (1) Public tourism: A small number of local people entertain on the coast from Hebei to Nandu estuary, gathering shellfish and swimming. However, Leidong Highway crossing Xiwan Village is going to be put in use. Since the beach is lack of management, the human interference may increase as the result of public tourism. Also, the development of tourism may bring problems like increasing waste and water pollution.

(2) Eco-tourism. This SBS’s wintering habitat has attracted bird watchers, photographers and natural education groups and the number shows an increasing trend. This may interfere SBS and other shore birds.

Based information from the surveys, providing valuable suggestion and environmental education model for local NGO.

Appendix 5 Course model for Community Education in Primary School

Hours: In total, 4 lessons to 5 lessons and 45 minutes for each lesson The lessons will be arranged in two consecutive weeks, including 2 lessons in the first week within one day and 2 or 3 lessons in 2 days in the second week. Staff numbers: Basically 4 people to 5 people, or 6 to 8 people if demanded. Students numbers: less than 30 pupils, prefer to be students in Grade 5 or Grade 6.

First Week Day 1 Birds in My Hometown Lesson 1 What is wild bird? What is the differences between wild bird and poultry? (15 min).

Show the differences and lead students to distinguish wild birds (e.g. Common Black-headed Gull, Little Egret and Barn Swallow) from poultry (e.g. chicken, geese and muscovy duck).

Identification and observation of wild birds in hometown (15 min).

Introduce different habitats including city park, farmland and seashore and list 5 common species in each habitat as examples. Here, students will be leaded to a virtual bird watching tour, aiming to learn about common birds in their hometown. Thus, not only the tour sites but also the birds we intend to introduce are based on the reality, in order to show local features and the relationship between birds and their living habitats. We want students to learn some morphological traits of birds are related to the habitat.

Introduction of bird watching (definition, method and suggestions, 15 min).

Following the virtual guide tour, we will introduce what is a real bird watching and tell students do’s and don’ts in practice.

Lesson 2 Choose sites suitable for bird watching inside the school, such as orchard and garden. This work should be done before Organize a bird watching activity if possible. Separate the students into several groups and one staff is responsible for one group (about 6 or 7 students). Remind students to bring pencils and notebooks, to record what they see using words or pictures.

If there is no suitable place for outdoor bird watching, an indoor presentation can be organized. The aim of this activity is to help students be familiar with common birds in their hometown. In this

activity, students will be divided into several groups. Each group consists 5 students and one staff. Each group should randomly select a kind of habitat that have been introduced in lesson 1 and present the common birds living in the environment. Staff will provide pictures, provide videos and reading materials and illustrate common birds living in a certain habitat before the presentation.

After that, students will present what they have learn independently. In the presentation, 3 or 4 students will imitate common birds living in this habitat while the rest act as guide and narrate the performance. We will encourage students to make use of what they have on hand and help them imitate the birds from multiple aspects, including movements and sound. Before the presentation, students will have 20 minutes to 25 minutes to prepare and each presentation lasts 5 minutes. The whole activity is schedule to last between 50 minutes to 60 minutes.

Week 2 Day 2: Birds with us Lesson 1 The relationship between human and birds (20 min)

Introduction: Talking about the roles birds playing in people’s daily life, using the bird previously introduced as examples.

The relationship between birds and human: we will guide students to consider the interactions between birds and human. We will ask questions like “What is the impact of birds on human?” and “What kind of impact will human impose on birds?”. In this part, both positive and negative impacts will be discussed. Also, we will guide students to think from the direct impacts to those indirect impacts. For examples, some birds predate insects that are harmful for farming and help improve yield, while some birds function as totem or mascot to express best wishes and bless. Students can make a comparison later. In this lesson, we hope students realize the potential conflicts between human and birds and make effort to live in harmony with them.

Take Spoon-billed Sandpiper as an example and show the importance of endangered species conservation and the importance of Leizhou Peninsula in bird conservation. (25 min).

Using videos to assist comprehension. The key points of this part is to introduce the background (e.g. characteristics, habits and habitats, etc.) of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the threats this species faced and the importance of Leizhou Peninsula of this species. Videos showing breeding in the or foraging on Leizhou Bay can be used.

Subsequently, introduce the present situation of Spoon-billed Sandpiper conservation. Here, we will stress the involvement of the public, especially students in other . We will present the

promotion achievement such as Journey of Spoon-billed Sandpiper directed by Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, a shell jigsaw puzzle organized in Rudong and other relevant souvenir designs using Spoon-billed Sandpiper as element.

Lesson 2 (45 min) Based on previous lessons, we hope to evoke the enthusiasm of bird conservation in Leizhou Peninsula. Students will take part in promotion product design. The context will be chosen from a poster, a series of comic, a design of stationery or a short program in advance.

The topic can be chosen from introduction of bird watching, birds in Leizhou Peninsula, bird conservation in Leizhou Peninsula and so on. We will prepare materials and tools they may need, including paper, colorful makers and shells. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts in various ways.

If time allows, students will use 45 minutes to present their work. If not, the presentation will be arranged at the end of last lesson.

Appendix 6 Questionnaire for Grade 7 Students after Lessons

1. Please write down two names of wild birds living in your hometown:

2. In your opinion, what we can benefit from wild birds and what can we do for wild birds?

3.Which one(s) below is/are consistent with the principle of wild bird conservation: A.Eat wildlife without national protection such as pheasants and turtledoves, instead of endangered protected animals. B.Bring injured juvenile back home to treat it and release it after maturation. C.Use binoculars to watch birds, record what you see on paper and share them with your friends. D.Rescue birds in cages in the market by asking your parents to buy and release them.

4. Draw a simple picture of Spoon-billed Sandpaper and Black-faced Spoonbill without reference books and pictures. Just based on your own idea and memory.

Reference [1] BirdLife International . Species factsheet: Calidris pygmaea[EB/OL]. http://www.birdlife.org on 08/10/2017, 2017.

[2] Martinez J, Allcock J A. China's Spoon-billed Sandpiper highest winter count in Leizhou peninsular, Guangdong province[J]. Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force. News Bull, 2016: 23- 27.

[3] Folmer E O, Olff H, Piersma T. How well do food distributions predict spatial distributions of shorebirds with different degrees of self‐organization?[J]. Journal of Animal Ecology, 2010, 79(4): 747-756.

Acknowledgement Thanks to Conservation Leadership Programme, School of life sciences of Sun Yat-Sen University, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang Yizhong Peicai School, Xinmin Primary School, Zhanjiang Birdwatching Society, Hong Kong Birdwatching Society, Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, Spoon-billed Sandpiper in China who gave us precious help, thanks to Dr. Yang Liu, Dr. Evegeny Syroechkovsky, Hebo Peng and Tong Mu who gave us valuable suggestions, and thanks to Wenbin Song, Zhe Li, Wenjing Chen, Haohui Deng, Zhengjiao Liu, Zitong Zhang, Gengshen Wang, Yanzhang Liang, Shan Liao, Peitao Chen, Jiancheng Su, Yuting Rong, Jinhua Zheng, Bingbing Yu, Xinyao Pan who devoted in field and education work.