Egretry and Breeding Ardeids Survey Report

for

Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade

Project

(Environmental Permit No.: EP-598/2022)

June 2023

(Version 4.0)

Prepared By:________________________

(Qualified Ecologist)

Certified By Environmental Team Leader:

(Joan Choi)

Company: Ka Shing Management Consultancy Ltd.

Contents

1. Background ...................................................................................................................... 1

2. Survey Method ................................................................................................................ 2

3. Survey Result and Discussion ....................................................................................... 3

4. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 3

5. Reference .......................................................................................................................... 4

List of Figure

Figure 1: Study Area

List of Appendices

Appendix A: CV of the surveyor

Appendix B: Photographic records

Page 1 of 4

1. Background

1.1 Pursuant to Condition 2.11 of the Environmental Permit (EP) (Permit No.:

EP-598/2022), The Permit Holder shall, no later than one month before the

commencement of construction of the Project, carry out on-site inspection within

500m of the footprint of project elements (i.e. TH2, TH3 and the boardwalk) to

confirm whether egretry and breeding ardeids is identified at a distance that may

be affected by the construction works of the Project. If egretry and breeding

ardeids are identified by the on-site inspection specified in Condition 2.11, the

Permit Holder shall, no later than one month before the commencement of

construction of the Project or otherwise approved by the Director, submit an

Egretry Mitigation Measures Plan (EMMP) to the Director for approval. The

EMMP shall provide details of the mitigation measures to avoid and minimise

adverse impact on the egretry and breeding ardeids.

1.2 The project site is located in Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) where has been

managed by World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (“WWF”) since 1984. More

than 20,000 people per year visiting the MPNR and growing in visitor numbers is

anticipated. Most of the existing facilities have been in use for more than 20 years,

in order to cater for an increasing number of visitors and providing the good

condition of facilities in the future, the upgrade of infrastructure is proposed.

1.3 The commencement of the construction works is dated 30 May 2023. Referring to

the EP condition 2.11, the Permit Holder shall, no later than one month before the

commencement of construction of the project, carry out on-site inspection within

500m of the footpath and project elements (i.e. TH2, TH3 and the boardwalk) to

confirm whether egretry and breeding ardeids is identified at a distance that may

be affected by the construction works of the Project. To fulfil the EP condition,

this report is to present the result of on-site inspection conducted on 07 March

2023.

1.4 Further to the approved EIA report (Register No.: AEIAR-233/2022), EM&A

action ref. E.6 of EIA Report Volume IV: EM&A Manual, ahead of construction,

ET checks will be conducted during the breeding season. These check should be

carried out two weeks prior to construction commencing and the day before. To

fulfil the aforesaid requirement, this report also presenting the result of on-site

Page 2 of 4

inspection conducted from 17 April 2023 to 30 April 2023 and 29 May 2023.

2. Survey Method

2.1 The survey was conducted along the transects within 500m study area of the

footprint of project elements (i.e. TH2, TH3 and the boardwalk) (Figure.1).

2.2 The transects were designed to offer visible views on the potential areas such as

tree crown and bamboo which may support egretry and breeding ardeids. The

transects were shown in Figure 1.

2.3 The period of surveys fell between the breeding season of ardeids in Hong Kong

(March to August). The survey was started from 9:00 am and lasted for more than

three hours to ensure all trees or bamboo within 500m study area were scanned on

07 March 2023, 17 April 2023 to 30 April 2023 and 29 May 2023.

2.4 During the survey, all the potential areas (i.e. tree crown and bamboo) within 500

study area were actively searched/scanned by direct observation by using

binoculars (Minox 8x42 binoculars). If any nest of ardeid was found, it would be

distinguished with the below typical signs/observations:

i) Bird droppings on vegetation or the ground;

ii) Birds carrying nesting material;

iii) Noises made by adult and fledgling birds. Breeding behaviors of ardeids

were recorded, if any. Detailed information including but not limited to

species, abundance and nest materials were provided if egretry and

breeding ardeids were recorded.

2.5 As required by the EP, the on-site inspection and associated survey result was

conducted and prepared by qualified ecologist. The CV of the surveyor is given in

Appendix A.

Page 3 of 4

3. Survey Result and Discussion

3.1 The on-site inspection was conducted on 7 March, 17 April 2023 to 30 April 2023

and 29 May 2023, which fell within the breeding season of ardeids in Hong Kong.

The inspection has covered all the accessible paths within 500m study area of the

footprint of project elements, with particular focus on the potential nesting area of

ardeids (e.g. bamboos and native/exotic trees). The general view of the study area

is shown in Appendix B. During the inspection, ardeids species including Little

Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Great Egret, Grey Heron were recorded. Most of the

recorded ardeids were observed flying, foraging and roosting within the 500m

study area. However, no nest and breeding behavior of ardeids such as nest sitting

and chick feeding were observed within 500m study area.

3.2 According to HKBWS summer 2022 report (HKBWS, 2022), there are two

existing egretries nearby MPNR including Mai Po Village, Mai Po Lung Village,

and one egretries is located at Mai Po Mangrove of MPNR. However, no egretries

and ardeids breeding activities were recorded within 500m study area of the

footprint of project elements (i.e. TH2, TH3 and the boardwalk).

4. Conclusion

4.1 Based on the result of on-site inspection, it is confirmed that no egretry and

breeding ardeids were identified within 500m study area. Therefore, EMMP which

detailing the mitigation measures for avoiding and minimizing adverse impact on

egretry and breeding ardeids is not required.

5. Reference

 The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society to the Agriculture, Fishers and

Conservation Department of HKSAR Government. (2022). Summer 2022

Report: Egretry Counts in Hong Kong, with particular reference to the Mai Po

Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site.