Monitoring of Measures to Minimise
Disturbance to Water Birds in Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River, Shek
Sheung River and Long Valley
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
8.1
As
required under Section 12.3.2.5 of 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).
8.2
The
purpose of the survey was 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 Methodology specified in Table
12.1 in Updated EM&A Manual.
8.3
Monitoring
in Long Valley should follow the methodology adopted by the regular HKBWS bird
monitoring programme in order to obtain comparable
results and complete coverage of the area in the shortest time possible.
Monitoring
Frequency
8.4
High
tide and low tide avifauna monitoring is required to be carried out on weekly
basis.
|
Date
of avifauna monitoring: |
7th
, 13th, 20th,27th July 2020 |
Monitoring
Location
8.5
The
avifauna monitoring was carried out at Sheung Yue
River and Long Valley in Reporting Month according to construction works. The
transect routes in the Reporting Month were as follows:
•
T3. Sheung Yue River
•
T5. Long Valley
For Sheung
Yue River, only one bank of the river was followed as the waterbirds
utilizing the river channel were easily visible.
8.6
The location of
Transects T3 and T5 is shown in Figure 6
for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
8.7
The monitoring
parameters and survey methodology for each transect are described below:
•
Abundance of
birds
•
Types of habitat
which birds in use
•
Notable bird behaviours such as roosting, feeding, nesting and presence
of juveniles
•
Birds heard
though birdcalls that could not be located would be marked as “heard”, while
birds flying over the survey area would be marked as “flight”. Species of
conservation significance would be specified.
8.8
Other
information at the time of survey such as weather condition, tidal condition,
tide level and noticeable natural or anthropogenic activities would be
documented.
8.9
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
Result
8.10
In total, 46
species of birds were recorded during the bird surveys within assessment area. Among
the recorded birds, there were 16 species of waterbirds.
The detailed list of waterbirds and all recorded
birds are shown in Appendix H1i and H1j respectively.
8.11
Among the two
transects, the transect T5 had higher species diversity and abundance due to
its diverse habitat types within Long Valley. Species such as Egretta garzetta and Ardea alba were commonly found
flying and foraging at wetland habitats such as agricultural land and
riverbank.
8.12
Along the
transect T5 in Long Valley, species with conservation interest such as Himantopus himantopus which
is a passage migrant species of conservation interest was also commonly
observed in shallow water habitat. Grass cutting was noted in agricultural
farmland in Long Valley.
8.13
Transect T3 was
conducted along the Sheung Yue River. Bird species
such as Acridotheres cristatellus
and Egretta garzetta were commonly noted. Fishing activities were
observed along the river during the survey.
8.14
Avifauna
monitoring in construction phase was conducted during the reporting month and
the detailed results are attached in Appendix
H1.
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
8.15
As
required under Section 12.3.2.14 of Updated EM&A Manual, aquatic faunal
monitoring should be carried out during the construction phase.
8.16
Larger
organisms such as fish would be monitored by direct counting, while
kick-netting and sweep-netting would be used for invertebrate sampling. There
would be three replicates for invertebrate sampling at each sampling point. For
kick-netting, the net would be placed with the opening facing the water current,
and the substrate would be disturbed by kicking to dislodge organisms from the
stream bed. Sweep-netting would be conducted when kick-netting was not
feasible, such as in area with no water current. Small organisms that could not
be identified with naked eye would be brought to the laboratory for
identification under the dissecting microscope.
Monitoring
Frequency
8.17
Quantitative
aquatic fauna replicate surveys of stream fauna is required to be carried out
on monthly basis during wet season. Three replicates for invertebrates sampling
and direct counting of fish fauna would be performed respectively.
|
Date
of aquatic fauna monitoring: |
29th
July 2020 |
Monitoring
Location
8.18
During
the Reporting Month, the monitoring location carried out in Ma Tso Lung Stream according
to construction works are as follow:-
|
•
MS_01 |
•
MS_02 |
•
MS_03 |
•
MS_04 |
•
MS_05 |
|
•
MS_06 |
•
MS_07 |
•
MS_08 |
•
MS_09 |
•
MS_10 |
8.19
The
location of Monitoring Stations shown in
Figure 7 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
8.20
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
8.21
Other
information at the time of survey such as weather condition and noticeable
natural or anthropogenic activities would be recorded.
Monitoring
Result
8.22
In the survey
of aquatic fauna, total 20 aquatic fauna species were found, including worms,
snails and insects, were recorded in Ma Tso Lung Stream. Fish species Predaceous chub (Parazacco spilurus)
was recorded. No aquatic macroinvertebrate species of conservation
importance were recorded.
8.23
According
to the observation during the survey, water level in MS_04 was found at an
inaccessible level. To reach the monitoring station in MS_04, walking from
MS_06 towards MS_04 along the stream was required. In accordance with
unfavorable weather condition and current in MS_06, accessing from MS_06 to
MS_04 was impossible due to the safety reason. Moreover, the stream quality was
strongly impacted by the runoff from frequent rain events during the week of conducting
aquatic fauna survey in July which might pose influence towards the
overall monitoring result.
8.24
Aquatic
faunal monitoring in construction phase was conducted during the Reporting Month
and the results are attached in Appendix
H2 to H3.
Monitoring
Requirements and Protocol
8.25
As
required under Section 12.3.2.17 of Updated EM&A Manual, monitoring of
measures to minimize impacts should be carried out during the construction
phase.
8.26
The
purpose of survey is to monitor the effectiveness of measures to minimize
impacts on ecologically sensitive habitats from disturbance and pollution by standard
faunal transect surveys.
Mammal
survey
8.27
Mammal
survey would 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 would be observed. Mammals directly observed would be
recorded, and identification would be made as accurate as possible form the
field signs observed.
8.28
Bat
survey would 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 would be estimated using a scale from one
(single individual recorded) to five (very abundant). Nomenclature of mammal
will be based on Shek (2006).
Herpetofauna
survey (Amphibians and Reptiles)
8.29
Amphibian
surveys would be conducted whenever possible on evenings following or during
periods of rainfall, focusing on areas suitable for amphibians (e.g. forest, shrublands, grasslands, streams, ponds, marshes, etc.).
Calling amphibians would be recorded, supplemented by visual observation of
eggs, tadpoles, adult frogs, and toads.
8.30
Active
searching of appropriate microhabitats such as stones, pond bunds, crevices and
leaf debris would be performed mainly. Observation of exposed, basking and
foraging reptiles would also be conducted. Nomenclature of amphibian and
reptile will be based on Chan et al. (2005) and Karsen
et al. (1998), respectively.
Insect
survey (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
8.31
Butterflies
and dragonflies observed along the transects would be
identified and counted. Preferable habitats of the insects such as
watercourses, fishponds, and vegetated areas would be observed with special
attention. Nomenclature and protection status of the species will be based on
Lo et al. (2005) for butterflies and Tam et al. (2011) for dragonflies
Monitoring
Frequency
8.32
Monitoring
surveys of ecological sensitive receivers such as mammals, insects (butterflies
and dragonflies), and herpetofauna will be undertaken
on a monthly bases.
|
Date
of Monitoring surveys of ecological sensitive
receivers: |
17th
July 2020 |
Monitoring
Location
8.33
The
transect routes in the Reporting Month according to 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; and
•
T6. Areas in the
western part of KTN
8.34
The
location of Transects is shown in Figure
8 for reference.
Monitoring
Parameters
8.35
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
Result
Mammal
8.36
During the
survey, total 3 mammal species were recorded from transects T1 and T6. Domestic
cat, Felis catus and
Domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris,
were commonly found at T1 where associated with human settlements.
8.37
Bat species, Cynopterus sphinx was observed roosting in the
tent-shaped shelter under fronds of Chinese Fan-palm during daytime survey of
birds and herpetofauna.
8.38
According to
EIA, echolocation calls of bats were recorded. The structure of the
echolocation calls from these 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
impossible, and some species remain unidentified from the recordings).
Herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles)
8.39
Along the transects, total 6 herpetofauna
species were observed. Species including toad, frog and gecko were noted near
wetland habitats and watercourse. Transect T1 has higher species diversity and
abundance than T6.
Insects (Butterfly and Dragonfly)
8.40
During the
insect survey, total 23 butterflies species and 10 odonata species recorded from transect T1 and T6. Transect
T1 had higher species diversity than T6. Uncommon species such as Yellow Rajah,
Charaxes marmax was also
found in transect T1. 10 odonata species were found
in transect T1. Most of the dragonfly species recorded were also common and
abundant in Hong Kong.
8.41
Ecological
sensitive receivers such as mammals, insects (butterflies and dragonflies), and
herptofauna monitoring in construction phase was
conducted during the reporting month and the results are attached in Appendix H4 to H7.
Details of the Influencing Factors
Major Activities
8.42
During the
survey of Monitoring of Measures to Minimise
Disturbance to Water Birds in Sheung Yue River and
Long Valley, anthropogenic activities such as grass cutting in Long Valley and
fishing at the river banks were observed.
8.43 During the survey of Monitoring of Measures to Minimise Impacts to Ma Tso Lung Stream and Monitoring of
Measures to Minimise Impacts on Ecological Sensitive
Habitats from Disturbance and Pollution, no major anthropogenic disturbances
were observed.
Weather Conditions
8.44
According
to the observation during survey and the rain flow record in the Reporting
Month (Reference: http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/metob202007.htm),
weather condition might pose influence towards the monitoring result.
8.45
Since
the Final Baseline Ecological Monitoring Report has not been issued yet during
the Reporting Month, the Action and Limit Level of ecological monitoring will
be compared with the monitoring results in the Reporting Month and track back
exceedance reporting (if any) after the Final Baseline Ecological Monitoring
Report has been issued.
8.46
The
detailed Ecological monitoring results are attached in Appendix H.