Monitoring Requirements and Protocol
9.1
As required under Section 12.3.2.5 of the Updated
EM&A Manual, where development under the NDAs project is undertaken within
200m (the maximum distance at which it is predicted there may be some
disturbance, and hence a reduction in numbers of large waterbirds) of Sheung
Yue River and Long Valley, weekly transect at both high and low tides should be
followed (It is considered high tide when the tidal levels are above 1.5m and
low tide when the tidal levels are below 1.5m at Tsim
Bei Tsui Station).
9.2
The purpose of the survey is to identify
and enumerate all bird species utilizing the river channels and Long Valley
Nature Park (LVNP) and identify any sources of actual or potential disturbance
to birds due to construction activities throughout the construction period
according to the methodology specified in Table 12.1 in the Updated
EM&A Manual.
9.3
Monitoring in Long Valley followed the
methodology adopted by the regular HKBWS bird monitoring programme
in order to obtain comparable results and a complete
coverage of the area in the shortest possible time.
Monitoring Frequency
9.4
High tide and low tide avifauna monitoring was required to
be carried out on a weekly basis. Additional night-time avifauna monitoring in Long Valley was required to
be carried out twice monthly from September to April.
|
Date of avifauna monitoring: |
5, 15, 16, 19, 23, 27 and 28 February 2024 |
|
Date of night-time monitoring: |
5 and 16 Febuary 2024 |
Monitoring Location
9.5
The avifauna monitoring was carried out at Ng
Tung River, Sheung Yue River and Long Valley in the reporting
month according to the construction programme. The transect routes in
the reporting month were as follows:
•
T1. Ng
Tung River
•
T2. Ng
Tung River
•
T3.
Sheung Yue River
•
T5. Long
Valley
9.6
As the sensitive receivers (large waterbirds) were easily
visible, the transect route only needed to follow one bank of the rivers.
9.7
The location
of Transects T1, T2, T3 and T5 is shown in Figure
9 for reference.
Monitoring Parameters
9.8
The
monitoring parameters and survey methodology for each transect are described
below:
• Abundance of birds
• Types of habitat
of which birds in use
• Notable bird behaviours
such as roosting, feeding, nesting and presence of juveniles
•
Birds
heard through birdcalls that could not be located were marked as “heard”, while
birds flying over the survey area were marked as “flight”. Species of
conservation significance were specified.
9.9
Other information at the time of survey such
as weather condition, tidal condition, tide level and noticeable natural or
anthropogenic activities were documented.
9.10
For Avifauna survey, Ornithological
nomenclature would make reference to The Avifauna of
Hong Kong (Carey et al. 2001), The
Birds of Hong Kong and South China (Viney et
al. 2005), and the most recent updated list from other sources (e.g. Hong
Kong Bird Watching Society).
Monitoring Results
9.11 In total, 80 species of birds
were recorded during the bird surveys within assessment area. Among the
recorded birds, there were 24 species of waterbirds. The detailed list of
waterbirds and all recorded birds are shown in Appendices L1k and L1l respectively.
9.12 Among the four transects,
transect T5 had a higher species diversity and abundance due to its diverse
habitat types within Long Valley. Species such as Ardeola bacchus and
Egretta garzetta were commonly found roosting and
foraging at wetland habitats such as agricultural lands and shallow water
habitats.
9.13 Along transect T5 in Long Valley,
species with conservation interest such as Himantopus
himantopus,
which is a passage migrant, was commonly observed in shallow water habitats.
9.14 Construction
works were observed in T5 in the reporting month.
9.15 Transect T3 was conducted along
Sheung Yue River. Bird species such as Ardeola bacchus and Egretta garzetta were
commonly observed feeding and roosting on the river bank and river bed. Construction
works were observed beside Sheung Yue River.
9.16 Transects T1 and T2 are located
at Ng Tung River. Ardeola bacchus and Egretta garzetta were
commonly found feeding and roosting along the Ng Tung River. Fishing activities
were observed at both T1 and T2. Potential anthropogenic sources of disturbance
observed along T1 and T2 including the usage of remote
control boats.
9.17
Avifauna monitoring in construction phase was
conducted during the reporting month and the detailed results are attached in Appendix L1.
9.18 Table 9.1
summarises the
avifauna monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.1 Summary Table of Avifauna Monitoring Results
to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Monitoring
Parameter |
Result in Reporting Month |
Baseline Level in Corresponding Month |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
Mean abundance of large water birds* using Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River
and Shek Sheung River |
52.75 |
31 |
21 |
15 |
|
Mean abundance of Ardeola bacchus using Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River and
Shek Sheung River |
17.75 |
11 |
8 |
5 |
|
Mean Abundance of Bird recorded in LVNP |
791.25 |
596 |
417 |
298 |
|
Mean Abundance of Ardeola bacchus recorded in LVNP |
14.5 |
11 |
8 |
5 |
|
Environmental disturbance and damage from activities in LVNP |
- |
- |
Activity likely to cause
unacceptable environmental disturbance or damage noted in LVNP. |
Activity causing unacceptable
environmental disturbance or damage noted in LVNP. |
|
*Note Large Waterbirds includes: Ardea alba, Ardea cinerea,
Egretta eulophotes,
Egretta garzetta, Ardea intermedia and Phalacrocorax carbo |
9.19
No Action or Limit Level exceedance in avifauna monitoring was recorded
during the reporting month.
Monitoring Requirements and Protocol
9.20
As required under Section 12.3.2.14 of the Updated
EM&A Manual, aquatic faunal monitoring should be carried out during the
construction phase.
9.21
Larger organisms such as fish should be
monitored by direct counting, while kick-netting and sweep-netting should be
used for invertebrate sampling. There should be three replicates for
invertebrate sampling at each sampling point. For kick-netting, the net should
be placed with the opening facing the water current, and the substrate should
be disturbed by kicking to dislodge organisms from the stream bed.
Sweep-netting should be conducted when kick-netting is not feasible, such as in
area with no water current. Small organisms that could not be identified with
naked eye should be brought to the laboratory for identification under the
dissecting microscope.
Monitoring Frequency
9.22
Quantitative
aquatic fauna replicate surveys of stream fauna was
required to be carried out on a monthly basis only
during wet season. Three replicates for invertebrates sampling and direct
counting of fish fauna should be performed respectively.
Monitoring Location
9.23
During wet season, the monitoring locations required
to be carried out in Ma Tso Lung Stream are as follow:
|
•
MS_01 |
•
MS_02 |
•
MS_03 |
•
MS_04 |
•
MS_05 |
|
•
MS_06 |
•
MS_07 |
•
MS_08 |
•
MS_09 |
•
MS_10 |
|
•
MS_11 |
•
MS_12 |
•
MS_13 |
•
MS_14 |
•
MS_15 |
9.24
The location of monitoring stations is shown in Figure 10 for reference.
Monitoring Parameters
9.25
The monitoring parameters and survey
methodology for each monitoring station are described below:
• Species composition
• Abundance
• Distribution for invertebrates
and fish fauna
• Species of conservation
significance would be specified
9.26
Other information at the time of survey such
as weather conditions and noticeable natural or anthropogenic activities were recorded.
Monitoring Status
9.27
According
to the Updated EM&A Manual, quantitative aquatic fauna replicate surveys of
stream fauna is required to be carried out on monthly basis during wet season.
During the reporting Month, no aquatic fauna replicate surveys was carried out.
Monitoring Requirements and Protocol
9.28
As required under Section 12.3.2.17 of the Updated
EM&A Manual, monitoring of measures to minimise
impacts should be carried out during the construction phase.
9.29
The purpose of survey is to monitor the
effectiveness of measures to minimise impacts on ecologically
sensitive habitats from disturbance and pollution by standard faunal transect
surveys.
Mammal
survey
9.30
Mammal survey should be performed during both
day and night times, in areas along the transect routes which may potentially
be utilized by terrestrial mammals. Field signs such as droppings, footprints, diggings and burrows left by larger terrestrial mammals
should be observed. Mammals directly observed should be recorded, and
identification should be made as accurate as possible form the field signs
observed.
9.31
Bat survey should be conducted along the
transect routes shortly after sunset, with the use of a bat detector to record
the echolocation calls. The relative abundance of the species encountered
should be estimated with reference to the baseline monitoring results, i.e.
using a scale from one (species recorded within transect routes) to three
(dominant species within transect routes), for comparison between baseline
results and the current monitoring results. Nomenclature of mammal should be
based on Shek (2006).
Herpetofauna
survey (Amphibians and Reptiles)
9.32
Both day-time and night-time amphibian surveys
should be conducted whenever possible following or during periods of rainfall,
focusing on areas suitable for amphibians (e.g. forest, shrublands, grasslands,
streams, ponds, marshes, etc.). Calling amphibians should be recorded, supplemented
by visual observation of eggs, tadpoles, adult frogs, and toads.
9.33
Active searching of appropriate microhabitats
such as stones, pond bunds, crevices and leaf debris should be performed
mainly. Observation of exposed, basking and foraging
reptiles should also be conducted. Nomenclature of amphibian and reptile should
be based on Chan et al. (2005) and Karsen et al. (1998), respectively.
Insect
survey (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
9.34
Butterflies and dragonflies observed along the
transects should be identified and counted. Preferable habitats of the insects
such as watercourses, fishponds, and vegetated areas should be observed with
special attention. Nomenclature and protection status of the species should be
based on Lo et al. (2005) for butterflies and Tam et al. (2011) for dragonflies.
Monitoring Frequency
9.35
Monitoring surveys of ecological sensitive
receivers such as mammals, insects (butterflies and dragonflies), and
herpetofauna was undertaken on a monthly bases.
|
Date of monitoring
surveys of ecological sensitive receivers: |
22, 26 February 2024 |
Monitoring Location
9.36
The transect routes in the reporting month according
to the construction works are as follows:
•
T1. Ma Tso Lung riparian
zone and associated wetland habitats;
•
T1. Green belt areas E1-8, D1-8 and G1-3 in KTN NDA;
•
T1. AGR one C2-4 and C2-2 in
KTN NDA;
•
T1. Area north of Ng Tung
River;
•
T3. Area west of Siu Hang
San Tsuen Stream;
•
T4. South side of Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road in the vicinity of Pak
Shek Au;
•
T5. Area west and east of
the southern limit of the FLN NDA work area; and
•
T6. Areas in the western
part of KTN.
9.37
The location of Transects is shown in Figure 11 for reference.
Monitoring Parameters
9.38
The monitoring parameters and survey
methodology for each transect are described below:-
• Species composition
• Abundance
• Distribution for fauna observed
• Species of conservation
significance would be specified
Monitoring Results
Mammal
9.39 During
the survey, a total of 6 mammal species were recorded from transects. Two (2)
species of conservation importance were recorded, namely Cynopterus sphinx and Pipistrellus abramus.
9.40 Domestic dogs, Canis lupus familiaris,
were commonly found at transect T1 and T6, where associated with human
settlements, whilst domestic cats, Felis
catus, was found at T1.
9.41 Echolocation calls of bats were
recorded with a bat detector. The bat detector would list out possible bat
species having similar echolocation calls in pattern and frequency. The
structure of the echolocation calls from the recordings was later analysed to identify species as far as possible (the lack
of literature on echolocation call structure makes the field identification of
some bat species in Hong Kong difficult, and some species could only be
identified to genus level, or remain unidentified from the recordings).
9.42 Identification of bat species
encountered in the surveys was made with consideration of the possible bat
species suggested by the bat detector, the distribution of suggested bat
species in Hong Kong, previous records of bat species in the EIA Report and
Baseline Monitoring Report, and the structure of echolocation calls of the
recordings (including call structure, frequency, duration, inter pulse interval
etc., with reference to relevant literatures).
9.43 Pipistrellus abramus
was recorded with FM/QCF call structure and
frequency around 45 kHz to 68 kHz (Ma et al., 2010, p.319). The above characteristics
were further compared with data from relevant literatures to confirm the
identities. References were also made to Tong (2016).
9.44 Bat species, Pipistrellus abramus were recorded in flight at nighttime at
transect T1, T3, T4 and T6.
Herpetofauna (Amphibians and
Reptiles)
9.45 Among the transects, a total of 4
herpetofauna species were observed. Species including toads and geckos were
recorded near wetland habitats and watercourse. Transects T1 had the highest
species diversity among all transects.
Insects (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
9.46
During
the insect survey, a total of 47 butterfly species were recorded from
transects. Three (3) species of butterfly recorded was of particular
conservation interest, namely Aeromachus jhora, Charaxes marmax, Pieris rapae. Transect T1 had recorded the highest butterfly
diversity among all transects.
9.47
4 species
of odonata were recorded in the reporting month. Transect
T1 & T5 had recorded the highest odonatan diversity among all transect.
9.48
Ecological sensitive receivers such as
mammals, insects (butterflies and dragonflies), and herpetofauna monitoring during
construction phase was conducted in the reporting month and the results are
attached in Appendices L2 to L5.
9.49 Table 9.4
summarises the mammal
monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.4 Summary Table of Mammal Monitoring Results to
Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Native Species Recorded in each transect |
Result in Reporting Month |
Baseline Level in
Corresponding Month |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
T1 |
3 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T3 |
1 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T4 |
1 |
0 |
NA |
NA |
|
T5 |
0 |
0 |
NA |
NA |
|
T6 |
2 |
0 |
NA |
NA |
9.50 Table 9.5
summarises the
herpetofauna monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.5 Summary Table of Herpetofauna Monitoring
Results to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Native Species Recorded in each transect |
Result in Reporting Month |
Baseline Level in
Corresponding Month |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
T1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
T3 |
0 |
1 |
NA |
NA |
|
T4 |
1 |
2 |
NA |
1 |
|
T5 |
2 |
2 |
NA |
1 |
|
T6 |
1 |
2 |
NA |
1 |
9.51 Table 9.6
summarises the
butterfly monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.6 Summary Table of Butterfly Monitoring
Results to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Species Recorded in each transect |
Result in Reporting Month |
Baseline Level in Corresponding
Month |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
T1 |
30 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
|
T3 |
17 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
T4 |
12 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
T5 |
25 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T6 |
10 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
9.52 Table 9.7
summarises the odonata monitoring results during the reporting month.
Table 9.7 Summary Table of Odonata Monitoring Results
to Corresponding Action and Limit Levels.
|
Number of Native Species Recorded in each transect |
Result in Reporting Month |
Baseline Level in
Corresponding Month |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
T1 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T3 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
T4 |
0 |
2 |
NA |
1 |
|
T5 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
T6 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
9.53
Three (3) Action Level exceedances and three (3)
Limit Level exceedance was recorded in non-aquatic fauna monitoring during the
reporting month.
9.54
For the monitoring conducted on 22 Febuary 2024 at Transect T5, a section of the transect route
was found located within a private property and hence not accessible. The inaccessible part are shown
in Photo 1 below. The adjusted
accessible transect route is shown in Figure
11.
|
|
|
Photo 1. Inaccessible part of transect T5 located within a private
property. |
Results and Observation
Action and Limit Level Exceedance
9.55
Three (3) action level exceedance and three
(3) limit level exceedance for non-aquatic fauna were recorded at T3, T4 and
T6. The exceedances were considered non-project related.
9.56
Large proportion of vegetative habitat along
T3 (including some shrubs, wood and tall grass) were
observed either removed, tarmacked, and concreted as haul road by construction
works outside of project, first reported in the Monthly Monitoring Report in
December 2021. The altered condition at transect might have been less favourable to inhabitance of odonates,
as some species of these taxonomic groups prefers wet vegetated habitats that
provides shelters, as opposed to open and dry habitat
such as a tarmacked haul road. Previous odonate
monitoring results see a drop in odonate records
between summer of 2021 and 2022, during the period which construction
activities outside of project were observed.
9.57
During the reporting month, total rainfall was
4.1mm, 34.8mm lower than normal according to HKO. The limited rainfall of the
reporting month may affect the availability of microhabitat for odonates, such as puddles and ponds. No evidence to suggest
that the exceedance were related to project
activities, as supported by environmental monitoring data. Future results of
these transects will be continuously reviewed.
Details of the Influencing Factors
Major Activities
9.58 During the survey of Monitoring
of Measures to Minimise Disturbance to Water Birds in
Sheung Yue River and Long Valley, anthropogenic activities including soil
turning with excavator and other construction activities were observed in Long
Valley. Construction works were observed beside Sheung Yue River.
9.59 The anthropogenic activities
affected only a small area of the habitat in Long Valley during monitoring and
would only pose minor disturbances to the birds..
9.60 During the survey of Monitoring
of Measures to Minimise Disturbance to Water Birds in
Ng Tung River, anthropogenic activities including construction works beside T2,
recreational usage of remote control boats and
helicopters at both T1 and T2, and recreational fishing by fishing rod at both
T1 and T2 were observed.
9.61 During the survey of Monitoring
of Measures to Minimise Impacts on Ecological
Sensitive Habitats from Disturbance and Pollution, construction activities NOT
under this Project were observed at T3 and T5.
Weather Conditions
9.62
According to the observation during survey,
temperature and the rain flow records in the reporting month (Reference:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/metob202402.htm), weather conditions might pose influence towards the monitoring results.
9.63
The detailed ecological monitoring
results are attached in Appendix L.
Ma, J., Jones, G., Zhu, G. J.,
& Metzner, W. (2010). Echolocation behaviours of
the Japanese pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus
abramus during foraging flight. Acta Theriologica, 55(4), 315-332.
Tong, C. F. (2016). Distribution and preference of
landscape features and foraging sites of insectivorous bats in Hong Kong urban
parks. (Master dissertation)