8
ECOLOGICAL MONITORING
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.
Additional night-time avifauna monitoring in Long Valley is
required to be carried out twice monthly from September to April.
|
Date of avifauna monitoring: |
5th , 15th,
22nd ,29th October 2020 |
|
Date of night-time monitoring: |
5nd, 15th
October 2020 |
Monitoring Location
8.5
The avifauna monitoring was
carried out at Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River and
Long Valley in Reporting Month according to construction works. 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
As the sensitive receivers (large waterbirds)
are easily visible, the transect route will only need to follow one bank of the
rivers.
8.6
The location of Transects T1, T2,
T3 and T5 is shown in Figure 7 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, 63 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 Appendix H1k and H1l respectively.
8.11
Among the four transects, the
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. Juveniles of Gallinula chloropus was found in shallow water
habitat and wet agricultural land in T5. Juveniles of Nycticorax nycticorax was found in T3.
8.12
Along the transect T5 in Long
Valley, species with conservation interest such as Himantopus himantopus, which is a passage migrant, and Tringa glareola, which is a passage migrant and
winter visitor, were also commonly observed in shallow water habitat. A high
abundance of Himantopus himantopus and
Tringa glareola were
found roosting at night-time in wet agricultural lands and shallow water
habitats. Gallinago gallinago was also found in Shallow
Water Habitat during the night survey. Phoenicurus auroreus,
Phylloscopus fuscatus, Buteo japonicas, Anas crecca, Motacilla cinerea, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Anthus hodgsoni, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Recurvirostra avosetta,
Anthus cervinus and Anthus richardi were
recorded for the first time since the first reporting month for avifauna survey
in July
2020. Soil turning with excavator, vegetation
clearance, bird repelling alarm and burning of plant
materials were observed in the reporting month.
8.13
Transect T3 was conducted along
the Sheung Yue River. Bird species such as Ardeola bacchus, Actitis hypoleucos
and
Egretta garzetta
were commonly observed feeding and roosting on the river bank and river bed.
8.14
Transect T1 and T2 are located at
Ng Tung River. Ardeola bacchus
and Egretta garzetta were
commonly found and were observed feeding and roosting along the Ng Tung River.
Fishing activities were observed during the avifauna monitoring.
8.15 Avifauna monitoring in construction phase was conducted
during the reporting month and the detailed results are attached in Appendix H1.
8.16 For
avifauna monitoring’s low tide section on 22nd October 2020, construction
activity was observed near the Sheung Yue River on
Transect T3 (Photo 1), and burning
of plant materials was observed in dry agricultural lands of Transect T5 (Photo 2).
|
|
|
|
Photo 1. Construction activity was observed at T3 during
the low tide monitoring section on 22nd October 2020. |
Photo 2. Burning of plant materials was observed at
T5 during the low
tide monitoring section on 22nd October 2020. |
Monitoring
of Measures to Minimise Impacts to Ma Tso Lung Stream and Siu Hang San Tsuen
Stream, and Long Valley
Monitoring Requirements and Protocol
8.17
As required under Section 12.3.2.14 of
Updated EM&A Manual, aquatic faunal monitoring should be carried out during
the construction phase.
8.18
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
8.19
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: |
30th October 2020 |
Monitoring Location
8.20
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 |
8.21
The location of Monitoring Stations shown in Figure 8 for reference.
Monitoring Parameters
8.22
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
8.23
Other information at the time of survey such
as weather condition and noticeable natural or anthropogenic activities would
be recorded.
Monitoring Result
8.24
In the survey of aquatic fauna, total 26 aquatic
invertebrate species were found, including worms, snails and insects, were
recorded in Ma Tso Lung Stream. 6 fish species were recorded including Oreochromis niloticus and Barbodes semifasciolatus. No aquatic
macroinvertebrate species of conservation importance were recorded. No adverse
environmental impacts was observed during monitoring.
8.25
Aquatic faunal monitoring in construction
phase was conducted during the Reporting Month and the results are attached in Appendix H2 to H3.
Monitoring of Measures to Minimise
Impacts on Ecological Sensitive Habitats from Disturbance and Pollution
Monitoring Requirements
and Protocol
8.26 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.
8.27 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
8.28 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.
8.29 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)
8.30 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.
8.31 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)
8.32 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
8.33 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: |
23th , 30th
October 2020 |
Monitoring Location
8.34 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;
•
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
8.35 The location of Transects is shown in Figure 9 for reference.
Monitoring Parameters
8.36 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
8.37
During the survey, a total of 3
mammal species were recorded from transects T1, T3, T4, T5 and T6. Domestic
cat, Felis catus was
found at T1, and Domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, was found at T1, T3, T4, T5 and T6, where
associated with human settlements.
8.38
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, and was found in flight at nighttime at T1,
T3, T4, T5 and T6.
8.39
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)
8.40
Along the
transects, a total of 11 herpetofauna species
were observed. Species including toad, frog and gecko and lizard were noted
near wetland habitats and watercourse. Transect T1 has higher species diversity
and abundance than other transects.
Insects (Butterfly
and Dragonfly)
8.41 During
the insect survey, total 32 butterflies species and 15 odonata
species were recorded from transects. Transect T1 had higher butterfly species
diversity than other transects. Very rare species Megisba malaya and Jamides alecto
were found in transect T6 and T5 respectively.
8.42 Transect
T1 and T6 had higher dragonfly species diversity than T3, T4 and T5. Most of
the dragonfly species recorded were also common and abundant in Hong Kong.
8.43 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.
Results and Observation
Details
of the Influencing Factors
Major Activities
8.44
During the survey of Monitoring
of Measures to Minimise Disturbance to Water Birds in
Sheung Yue River and Long Valley, anthropogenic
activities such as soil turning with excavator, vegetation clearance, bird repelling alarm and burning of plant materials were
observed in Long Valley. Construction work was observed beside Sheung Yue River.
8.45
The anthropogenic activities
affected only a small area of habitat in Long Valley during the monitoring, but
might sill pose minor disturbances to the birds. It was observed that Egretta garzetta
utilized the agricultural land with soil turning in progress, and that Charadrius dubius was
found on the agricultural land in close proximity to the bird repelling alarm.
8.46
During the survey of Monitoring
of Measures to Minimise Disturbance to Water Birds in
Ng Tung River, anthropogenic activities such as recreational fishing by fishing
rod and fishing net were observed.
Weather
Conditions
8.47
According to the
observation during survey, temperature and the rain flow record in the
Reporting Month (Reference:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/metob202010.htm), weather condition
might pose influence towards the monitoring result.
8.48 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.
8.49 The detailed Ecological monitoring results are attached in Appendix H.