Mai Po

Overview

Migratory Birds

© Neil Fifer

In recent years, over 60,000 waterbirds have wintered in and around the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, including endangered species such as Saunders' Gull and a quarter of the world's population of the Black-faced Spoonbill. During the Spring and Autumn migrations, some 20,000 to 30,000 waders regularly use the Mai Po mudflats as a site to rest and refuel before they continue their long journey.

The highlight at these times, is the chance of seeing rare birds such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Greenshank, Asiatic Dowitcher and Grey-tailed Tattler. Spectacular flocks of birds such as Pied Avocet wheeling around are also a major draw for visitors.

In addition to the birds, the Reserve has many other features of importance. The heart of the reserve is made up of 24 traditionally operated shrimp ponds (locally called gei wai), which are now the only such ponds in Hong Kong, and possibly in southern China. This unique system of shrimp production is increasingly seen as a great way to use wetlands sustainably because the shrimp production relies on the natural productivity of Deep Bay. The ponds are stocked by allowing water and naturally occurring young shrimps from Deep Bay into the gei wai at high tide. The shrimps then feed on detritus and plankton inside the ponds.

The stand of inter-tidal mangroves fringing Mai Po and Deep Bay is the sixth largest in China, and the reedbed stands are one of the largest in Guangdong Province.

The East Asian – Australasian Flyway (EAAF)

The shorebirds at Mai Po travel along the East Asian – Australasian Flyway, which extends from within the Arctic Circle, through Southeast Asia to Australia and New Zealand. Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay lie at the mid-point of this migration route, serving as an important feeding "stop-over" site for the hardy travellers. WWF manages Mai Po, one of the sites under this flyway, to ensure it continues to be a haven for these annual migratory visitors by offering feeding opportunities and a variety of habitats to appeal to species with different needs.

Over 33 key sites from 11 countries have joined the East Asian – Australasian Shorebird Site Network.