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Natural History
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DESPITE its small area and one of the highest population densities in the world, Hong Kong manages to accommodate a rich and surprisingly diverse flora and fauna. To a large extent, this is due to the rapid spread of urban development being offset by three principal deterrents the territory's generally hilly topography, and the designation of water catch- ment areas and Country Parks. By constraining building sites, for the most part, to shores, foothills and reclamations, they have enabled large expanses of the countryside to be preserved - and with it, a wide variety of the indigenous animal and plant life.
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Most of Hong Kong's countryside is additionally protected by the Forests and Country- side Ordinance, the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, and the Country Parks Ordinance. During the year, the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance was amended to totally ban game hunting from January 1, 1981. Underlying the ban is the increased urbanisation of parts of the New Territories, the designation of most of the scenic hill lands as Country Parks, and the growth of the population - all of which have left very few areas, if any, where a firearm may be discharged without the risk of endangering human life.
Wildlife
The Mai Po Marshes, which form a restricted area under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, is an important attraction for Hong Kong birdwatchers. The 380 hectares of mudflats, shrimp ponds and dwarf mangrove form a very rich bird habitat, particularly for ducks and waders. Of more than 250 species of birds which have been recorded in this marshy area, at least 110 are rarely, if ever, seen elsewhere in the territory.
Yim Tso Ha, also restricted, is the largest egretry in Hong Kong and five species nest there regularly the Chinese Pond Heron, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, and
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the rare Swinhoe's Egret. About 1,000 egrets can be found there during the nesting season between April and September. There is one other egretry in Hong Kong, but it is not visited by the Swinhoe's Egret or Night Heron.
Traditional fung shui woods near the older villages and temples are becoming increasing- ly scarce, yet they continue to provide a very important habitat for many birds. Recent new sightings in wooded areas have included an assortment of Phylloscopus Warblers, and there is growing evidence to suggest that the Black Baza, a bird of prey, may breed in Hong Kong.
Of the larger indigenous animals, the Chinese Pangolin (Scaly Anteater) is seen oc- casionally. It grows to a length of about one metre and is protected by horny scales. Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys that originated from specimens either released or which escaped from captivity, and they will emerge from the trees to be fed by visitors. There are breeding groups of both Long-tailed Macaques and Rhesus Monkeys. Smaller mammals are common, with the Grey Shrew and the House Shrew