Over the coming months, WWF Hong Kong will be draining down several of the
gei wai inside Mai Po Nature Reserve. First and foremost this is done for the benefit of waterbirds who congregate at the
gei wai as the waterlevel is gradually lowered. In particular Egrets, Herons and Black-faced Spoonbill benefit because their principle food items (mainly small fish, shrimp and larvae) are exposed and become concentrated into smaller and smaller areas of water.
13th March 2006
Gei wai #7 Bena Smith
13th March 2006
Gei wai #7 Bena Smith
Past observations show that day numbers, particularly 3-4 days after draining starts, can reach in excess of 1000 waterbirds including over 90% of the Deep Bay BFS wintering population. Results from last winter’s study are shown below for guidance purposes.
The proposed
gei wai drain down dates for the winter 2006/07 period are:
03 Nov - 08 Nov
Gei wai #18
18 Nov - 30 Nov
Gei wai #11
02 Dec - 06 Dec
Gei wai #12
17Dec - 22 Dec
Gei wai #13
01Jan - 05 Jan
Gei wai #14
16 Jan -19 Jan
Gei wai #10
31Jan – 04 Feb
Gei wai #19
14 Feb – 19 Feb
Gei wai #22
01 Mar – 05 Mar
Gei wai #23
16 Mar – 19 Mar
Gei wai #7
This information is provided so that bird-watchers can plan their visit to Mai Po Nature Reserve to see (or photograph) the wildlife spectacles offered by this management.
Bena Smith
WWF Reserve Officer
