請注意，基圍8a由現時至6月放乾，以進行必須的生境改善工程。Please note Pond #8a will be drained down until June for essential works.
在1980年代尾，基圍8號近岸的一邊被改造成水鳥棲息地，其後在2009年改為淡水塘（現改稱為8a塘）。淡水塘及淺水地方，吸引為數不少的黑臉琵鷺夜間在島上棲息。春季及秋季，這個塘吸引不少鷸鴴。然而，因為有幾個島的高度過高，所以未能吸引水鳥使用。另外，水生植物開始侵入開闊的淺水地方，減少了適合水鳥棲息開闊生境。
In the late 1980s, the landward end of
Gei wai #8 (now called Pond #8a) was converted into a roost area for waterbirds and then into a freshwater pond in 2009. The combination of shallow freshwater and islands has attracted good numbers of waterbirds including a Black-faced Spoonbill night-time roosting flock, and shorebirds during spring and autumn migration periods.
However it is observed that a number of the islands are not used by roosting nor breeding waterbirds due to their elevation above the operational waterline and dry surface. Also aquatic grasses and other vegetation continue to encroach into the core shallow water areas used by roosting waterbirds.
為了解決以上問題及改善8a塘的生境，我們會以挖土機及推土機 (1) 重整四個島的外型，降低島的高度至操作水位十厘米高；(2) 減少水生植物的面積；（3）在西邊的橫壆挖一條河道。在西北的島上建立鷺鳥林，我們會在這島上種植本土植物及竹。這項工程由2010年4月下筍至6月進行。
To address these problems and enhance the pond, a backhoe and bulldozer will (1) re-profile 4 of the highest islands – lower their height to ~10cm above the operational waterline and re-contour their edges, (2) reduce the coverage of encroached vegetation, and (3) create a perimeter ditch along the western pond boundary. An egretry will also be planted using native tree and bamboo species in the far northwestern corner to attract herons and egrets in the long-term.
圖：基圍8a生境改善工程
Work period: late-April to June 2010
