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: |
8th , 15th , 22nd
,29th September 2020 |
|
Date of night-time monitoring: |
22nd ,
29th September 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 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, 53
species of birds were recorded during the bird surveys within assessment area. Among
the recorded birds, there were 19 species of waterbirds.
The detailed list of waterbirds and all recorded
birds are shown in Appendix H1k and H1l respectively.
8.11 Among the two
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.
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. Passage migrant and winter visitor Gallinago gallinago and Anthus richardi, winter visitor Ardea cinerea, Charadrius alexandrines
and Saxicola stejnegeri,
passage migrant Sturnia sinensis, and
scarce passage migrant Hydrophasianus chirurgus
were observed in Long Valley for the first time since the first monitoring
month. Human disturbances including soil turning with excavator was noted on 8th , 15th and 22nd September 2020, vegetation clearance was
observed on 22nd September 2020, and bird repelling alarm
was heard on 29th September 2020.
8.13 Transect T3 was
conducted along the Sheung Yue River. Bird species
such as Ardeola bacchus, Actitis hypoleucos 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.
8.15
For avifauna monitoring’s high tide session at
Transect T5 on 15th September 2020, a small part of the transect
route was inaccessible due to active construction site. The transect route was
adjusted to cover and complete the area included in the original transect. The
adjusted route are shown in Figure 7.
|
|
|
Photo 1. Inaccessible part of transect T5 during high tide avifauna monitoring
session on 15th September 2020 |
Monitoring Requirements and Protocol
8.16
As required under Section 12.3.2.14 of
Updated EM&A Manual, aquatic faunal monitoring should be carried out during
the construction phase.
8.17
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
8.18
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: |
23rd September 2020 |
Monitoring Location
8.19
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 |
8.20
The location of Monitoring Stations shown in Figure 8 for reference.
Monitoring Parameters
8.21
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
8.22
Other information at the time of survey such
as weather condition and noticeable natural or anthropogenic activities would
be recorded.
Monitoring Result
8.23
In the survey of aquatic fauna, total 18 aquatic invertebrate
species were found, including worms, snails and insects, were recorded in Ma
Tso Lung Stream. 5 fish species were
recorded including Oreochromis niloticus and Barbodes semifasciolatus. No aquatic macroinvertebrate species
of conservation importance were recorded.
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: |
18th , 25th September
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;
•
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
8.34
The location of Transects is shown in Figure 9 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, a total of 3 mammal
species were recorded from transects T1, T4, T5 and T6. Domestic cat, Felis catus was
found at T1, and Domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, was found at T1, T4, T5 and T6, 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, and found in flight at
nighttime at T1, T4, T5 and T6.
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 13 herpetofauna
species were observed. Species including toad, frog, 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)
8.40
During the insect survey, total 27 butterflies
species and 14 odonata species were recorded from
transects. Transect T1 had higher butterfly species diversity than other
transects. Uncommon species Iambrix salsala and Neopithecops zalmora were found in
transect T1 and T5 respectively.
8.41
Transect T1 and T6 had higher dragonfly species
diversity than T4 and T5. Most of the dragonfly species recorded were also
common and abundant in Hong Kong.
8.42
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
8.43 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.
8.44 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 and Charadrius alexandrines were found on the
agricultural land in close proximity to the bird repelling alarm.
8.45 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. No major environmental
pollution was found during the monitoring. However, litter such as tissue paper
was found in the monitoring station MS_06 and MS_07.
Weather Conditions
8.46
During the Monitoring of avifauna on 15th
September 2020, Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal and Thunderstorm Warning were
hoisted during low tide. In addition, according to the observation during
survey, temperature and the rain flow record in the Reporting Month (Reference:
http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/metob202009.htm), weather condition
might pose influence towards the monitoring result.
8.47
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.
8.48
The detailed Ecological monitoring results
are attached in Appendix H.