Avifauna. 2.4.1 Avifauna surveys were conducted in three different habitat types: Uplands, lowlands (fishponds), inter-tidal mudflats. Sampling locations are shown on Figure 9.2 & 9.3.
Avifauna. 3.2.4 In total 30 bird species were recorded in shrubland habitats between September 2001 and May 2002 at Xxxx Xxx Shek (Annex B). Bird abundance in shrublands (20.4 birds ha-1) was lower than in other local immature and older woodlands (20-year old woodland: 21.9 birds ha-1, 40- year old woodland: 37.8 birds ha-1) (Xxxx and Xxxxxxx 1999, Xxxx and Lock 2002), but higher than in shrublands less than 10 years of age (4.0 – 7.4 birds ha-1) (Leven 2000). Apart from Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela, all bird species recorded in shrubland (e.g., Black Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus) are generally widely distributed in Hong Kong (Xxxxx et al. 1996). Crested Serpent Eagle usually inhabits forests (Xx 1995).
Avifauna. Avifauna survey was conducted during post construction monitoring period. Special attention was given to the river channel and corridor area which birds used as feeding and foraging habitat. Avifauna surveys were undertaken in the early morning plus species recorded in the rest of the day when conducting other taxonomic groups (benthic, fish, insect) monitoring. Numerical abundance was recorded at fixed count points within a radius of 30-50m according to landscape feature and visual penetration extent. The duration of the point count of birds was standardized for 10 minutes at each location in order to collect comparable data. Transect count along accessible section of river channel were used in order to collect qualitative data. Binoculars and digital camera were the main items of equipment used. Nomenclature and protection status of the species follows the AFCD website (xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx) and Xxxxx et al. (2001). The point count was conducted at four locations with two located at the lower portion of the river channel (T3&T4) and the other two located at the upper section of the river (T1&T2). The point count and survey transect locations for the bird survey and sampling sites for surveys of other faunal groups and flora were presented in Figure 1.
Avifauna. An avifauna survey was undertaken along survey transects and at four selected point count locations. In total, 22 species of birds were recorded during the bird survey and 6 of the total were wetland dependent species including Motacilla cinerea, Egretta garzetta (Photo 5), Alcedo atthis (Photo 6), Ardeola bacchus (Photo 7), Tringa ochropus and Motacilla alba, they were commonly observed foraging in the river channel. Pycnonotus jocosus was a dominated species along the river. All the birds in Hong Kong are under protection of Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). Among the recorded species, Ardeola bacchus and Egretta garzetta are both classified as Regional Concern by Xxxxxxxx et al. (2002). Apart from above mentioned species, the others recorded in Xxx Tsuen River were common species in Hong Kong. Transect and Point Count locations were shown on Figure 1. Result of bird survey was presented in the Table 4.3.
Avifauna. 4.17 Eleven species of bird were recorded in the Study Area (Appendix 4.3). All species recorded are common and widespread in Hong Kong.
Avifauna. As birds are highly mobile, they can move away from unfavourable areas and habitats. They are therefore not directly affected by small, localised developments unless they are directly dependent on the habitat that will be subject to the development. It must, however, be noted that habitat destruction is the leading cause of species decline, and the cumulative effects of localised habitat destruction needs to be taken into consideration. The openness of the proposed development area and the relatively localised extent of the proposed development activities mean that there is limited cumulative impact. This is reiterated by proposed alignment route being closely associated with an existing servitude roadway, railway line and a substation, together with powerlines, making for the concentration of impacting features within an open landscape. It should be noted, however, that the increased capacity for electricity generation will increase the density of powerline infrastructure, which will eventually pose a threat to avifauna within area. The avifaunal species recorded from the region (a combined list including the QDS grids of 2821DB and 2821DD) amounts to 240 species. This is a relatively low number and is due to the general aridity of the region leading to limited food supplies and limited cover. This species list is presented in Appendix A, Table 12Table 12Table 12, with the species observed during the field survey being indicated as bold text. Of the 240 species recorded from the region, there are seven species classified as vulnerable. These include larger raptors, scavengers (vultures) and species that require large ranges for hunting or territory establishment. Many of the larger raptor species have historically been actively persecuted by farmers due to them preying on livestock and have therefore suffered decline through poisonings. Further decline has been suffered through collision impacts with powerlines and habitat transformation. A further ten species are classified as near threatened. These species also include smaller species that are regarded as habitat specialists and are suffering from habitat transformation and decline. None of the species of conservational concern were observed during the field survey and no habitat of suitable quality was noted that could support any sensitive species in viable numbers. The proposed development activities are to take place in association with a railway and a roadway, both of which impose disturbance featu...
