TNAG-0532-FCO40-627-Conservation-of-wildlife-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 56

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6.2

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6.1.3 Deep Bay contains the wildest range of hangrove genera of any site in Hong Kong and includes

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the genus Kandelia which is restricted in geographical distribution.

6.1.4 These plants play an important role in colonising and eventually stabilising newly emerged mudflats; they are of great biological significance because of the remarkable "adaptations" to their environment which these plants possess they are among the few emergent land plants which tolerate the salinities of the open sea. Due to the fact that the Deep Bay area is undergoing a geomorphic change and is being gradually uplifted and that accretion is occuring due to continual silt deposition by the Pearl and Shan Chun Rivers, the mangrove community is flourishing and encroaching into Oyster Bed Number Five.

Birds

6.2.1

The Deep Bay Marshes are probably best known, both in Hong Kong and overseas, for their birdlife; particularly ducks, waders and marsh birds. Undoubtedly the area nas always been an important habitat for these birds but with the reduction of paddy cultivation and the change to vegetable farming, it has become increasingly so. Some 340 species of birds have been recorded in Hong Kong, of which over 230 have been recorded in the Deep Bay Arca. At least 109 of these are rarely, if ever, found elsewhere in Hong Kong.

6.2.2 Bird life on the Marshes can be divided into three groups; summer, winter and migratory.

6.2.3 Summer The Marshes provide the specialised habitat required for several species of Ardeidae to breed (e.g. Yellow and Chestnut Bitterns and Little Green Heron) as well as such species as Pheasant- tailed Jacana and Watercock. They also serve as a major feeding ground for three species of egret, and · the Chinese Pond Heron.

6.2.4 Winter The main wintering species are Spotted Redshank, pelicans, harriers, Ospreys and flocks of ducks: mainly Teal, Falcated Teal and Yellow-nib.

6.2.5

Migation Up to 25 species of wader may be scen on a single day during periods of migration, in numbers ranging up to several hundred or more of a single species. As well as the large numbers, some rare and little-known species are recorded; Asiatic Dowitcher and Spoon billed Sandpiper on almost every migration, and occasionally Spotted Greenshank. Another rare species of particular interest is Saunders' Gull,.which is a regular spring migrant and may also be present during the winter. Terns and a wide variety of other species also occur on migration.