Recording the location of ‘bird flocks’ - sample of Tai Po Kau
1. Purpose:
Purpose of recording the location of ‘bird flocks’ is to collect information about the relationship between plants and birds. (HKBWS ECF fund project: Studying Landbirds in Important Bird Habitats of Hong Kong, especially in the IBAs)
2. Method:
2.1 Recorder will mark down the location of ‘bird flocks’ which are considered to be important to indicate the relationship to the flowering or/and fruiting plants during the bird surveys along the transect.
2.2 We use seasons to define the different period of ‘bird flocks’.
December to February : Winter
March to May : Spring
June to August : Summer
September to November : Autumn
3. Definition:
For the definition of ‘bird flock’, we will consider the birds as a ‘bird flock’ when they move together across one to three tree canopies, no matter they are the same or different species1. A flock of birds in-flight in open area will not be recorded except raptors, swifts and swallows. Therefore, only when there is a significant number of birds will be considered as “bird flock” during the surveys.
4. Definition of ‘bird flock’ in terms of numbers of birds in group:
Size of bird flock, we define three levels of “bird flock” for different sites.
Sites I - IV / well-wooded area including woodland & scrubland
I) Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve
II) Shing Mun Country Park
III) Ng Tung Chai
IV) Tai Mo Shan
Small - 10 to 20 birds/individuals
Median - 21 to 40 birds/individuals
Large - 41 or above birds/individuals
Sites V - VI / open area including farmland & habitats in wetland
V) Mai Po and surrounding area
VI) Kam Tin
Small - 20 to 40 birds/individuals
Median - 41 to 80 birds/individuals
Large - 81 or above birds/individuals
Note:
The definition of ‘bird flock’ is drawn from the discussion within our HKBWS survey committee where professional experience and different situation among the sites were all being considered.
For map illustration;
Blue line = survey route/transect
Point = survey point section
Attachment
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01_200811_taipokau.jpg
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5/08/2009 17:46
2008 Nov / Autumn
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01_200812-200902_taipokau.jpg
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5/08/2009 17:11
2008 Dec - 2009 Feb / Winter
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01_200903-05_taipokau.jpg
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5/08/2009 17:11
2009 Mar - May / Spring
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01_200906-08_taipokau.jpg
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5/08/2009 17:37
2009 Jun - Jul / Summer