Remove mangrove
seedlings on the mudflat
Every summer, mangrove seedlings settle on the Inner
Deep Bay mudflat. If left unmanaged, these seedlings will
grow into young saplings and reduce the open area of mudflat
which is used as feeding ground for migratory waterbirds
found during November to March. Mangrove seedlings which
grew on a 45 hectare area of mudflat through natural colonization
in front of all floating hides were removed in September
and October 2006. Mai Po staff used ‘mudscooters’ to
travel across the mudflat and step the mangrove seedlings
into the mud so that they do not grow again. Permission
was obtained form the District Lands Office – Yuen
Long to remove pre-agreed number of mangrove seedlings
over the set area.
Mangrove seedlings grew on the Inner Deep Bay mudflat
before removal. |
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The Inner Deep Bay mudflat after removal of mangrove
seedlings. |
Earthmoving and re-build the boardwalk in Gei
wei 8
Reedbeds studies, with the collaboration of the Hong
Kong Bird Ringing Group, on the effect of different age
and structure of reed stands on bird usage had recently
finished. Two out of five 1-ha plots reedbeds of Gei
wai 8 will be rejuvenated by lowering the floor of
the ponds. Gei wai 8 was drained down in late September
2006 so that earthmoving works can be carried out to lower
this part of the pond floor. A bulldozer and backhoe are
used to carry out the works, and the silt that removed
was placed along the side of the pond. The work completed
at the end of October. To minimize disturbance to the wintering
waterbirds, we have lowered the water levels in a number
of other gei wai (e.g. G ei wai 6 and 11),
so that these waterbirds can use other ponds in the reserve
in the meantime.
The original boardwalk was removed for the earthmoving
work. And will be rebuilt by mid-November to allow mist-nets
to be set again.
The reedbeds in Gei wai 8 before earthmoving. |
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Gei wai 8 after earthmoving. |
Fish stocking in Gei wai 3
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Winter fish stocking in Gei wai 3. |
|
Over the coming winter months, trash fish mainly Tilapia
with length from 3 inch to 5 inch will be stocked on a
bi-weekly basis into Gei wai 3 at Mai Po Nature
Reserve for feeding Cormorants. This is part of a programme
to reduce the predation by Cormorants on the commercial
fish in the fishponds around Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay.
From 21 November 2006 until the end of March 2007 (exception
being the Chinese New Year period: 13 - 26 February 2007
and if temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius) , fish
farmers will deliver two trucks of fish (approximately 1,300
catties each), every Tuesday and Friday for stocking into G
ei wai 3. The feeding commences at 08:00 and lasts for
about 20 minutes, birds will remain in the gei wai for
much longer afterwards. This stocking programme has been
attracting up to 1,000 Cormorants into Gei wai 3,
along with hundreds of herons and egrets. Thus, the stocking
presents a great opportunity to watch and photograph thousands
of birds congregating together as they feast on the fish.
The small bird-watching hide/hut by the road can allow for
close up views. |
