Mai Po Logo: Pied Kingfisher |
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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. |
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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. |
