Subject: Gei wai #21 de-silting works and gei wai #22 operate as inter-tidal [Print This Page] Author: WWF Mai Po Time: 15/10/2008 12:36 Subject: Gei wai #21 de-silting works and gei wai #22 operate as inter-tidal
The management of gei wai 21 was taken over by WWF Hong Kong in 1995 and at that time, the mangroves in the pond were in a poor condition because the previous operator had been managing the pond for fish production and had been keeping the water level high for long periods, so drowning many of the mangroves within the pond. As the gei wai attracted few birds, trials were carried out in the late 1990’s to manage it as an inter-tidal pond in winter to provide feeding site for ducks, egrets and spoonbills. In summer, the gei wai would be flooded to prevent colonization by grasses and climbers.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s when earthmoving works had to be carried out on gei wai 16/17, it was realized there was no alternative high-tide roost for shorebirds in case gei wai 16/17 had to be taken out of operation. As a result, it was suggested that gei wai 21 could be converted as an alternative high tide shorebird roosting site.
The de-silting work in gei wai #21 works would be carried out in two phases due to the enormity of the work. Phase I - clearance of internal vegetation - would be done 2008 summer, and phase II – de-silting – early 2009 summer. During winter 2008/09, the gei wai would be permanently flooded to reduce vegetation regrowth, and therefore it would cease function as an inter-tidal gei wai. Gei wai #22 would operate as inter-tidal during winter 2008/2009 as a compensatory measure for the works at gei wai #21.
Janet Lee
Conservation Officer, Mai Po Projects
Mai Po Nature Reserve
[ Last edited by WWF Mai Po at 15/10/2008 12:39 ] Author: WWF Mai Po Time: 9/10/2009 10:54
Conversion works at Gei wai #21 are complete and it is now functioning as a high-tide roost. Being one of the largest-scale single gei wai projects ever at Mai Po Nature Reserve, its construction spanned two summers and cost nearly HK$1.5 million.
For the time being, bird viewing is only possible from the FCA road, but the roadside hut will be opened for public use in early November as a birdwatching hide (a further posting will be made).
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