FAQ

How to enter Mai Po Nature Reserve?

Members should note that entry to the Mai Po Nature Reserve is restricted in order to minimize disturbance to the wildlife.
Applications for permits to enter the restricted area will not normally be entertained unless the applicants are experienced bird watchers, scientists conducting research or on official duty to the area.
Members are advised to state their reason(s) clearly when initially applying and when applying for renewal permit:

(1) Mai Po Marsh Entry Permit (Mai Po Permit)
- An annual permit for entering the Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve

by post to:

Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
5-7/F., Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

or by fax at: (852) 2377 4413

A sample letter for HKBWS member is available at the following link:
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=6183

Please mark "Apply for Annual Permit" on the envelope.
For enquiry, please contact AFCD by phone at 2150 6925 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

*All permit holders entering Mai Po Marshes are required to register at the Nature Warden Post every time when they enter the Restricted Area.

(2) Frontier Closed Area Permit (FCA/ Boardwalk Permit)

- Entry to the Boardwalk hides beyond the security fence at Mai Po is strictly controlled by the Hong Kong Police Force.
- WWF-Hong Kong accepts online FCA permit renewal application for their current members, details are available at https://www.wwf.org.hk/reslib/resources/forms/fca_permit_application_form/
- For enquiries, please contact WWF-Hong Kong at 64390461 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2. Bird Record Submission

Keeping bird records of Hong Kong very important for their protection.
Members are encouraged to tidy up your records after each bird watching tour and send to us. We welcome both common and rare species. This could help us to analyze migration patterns and population trends, and as useful background for us to initiate relevant studies.
The Records Committee has upgraded the existing EXCEL Report Form which included an updated checklist of birds of Hong Kong and data records sheet for download.
A record form for rare species is also available here.
Records can be submitted by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or by mail to: 7C, V Ga Building, 532 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Rare Species are recommended to be submitted as soon as possible. You can send it by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or mail to: 7C, V Ga Building, 532 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

3.If you encounter the following situations related to birds, you should:

Injured wild birds

Do not directly contact the injured bird to avoid aggravating the injury or being attacked by the bird.
If the wounded bird is entangled in mist net or fishing lines with hooks, please immediately report to AFCD via 1823 (Gov. Hotline)
If the injured bird was found lying on the floor, immediately cover it with a box or basket which is larger than the bird and with holes for ventilation.
* Wounded birds are calmer in darkness. This can avoid the aggravation of the injury when they are panicking.
Contact the following Organization/ Department
1. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) 24 Hours Emergency Hotline 2711 1000,
2. AFCD via 1823 (Gov. Hotline) or
3. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) Wild Animal Rescue Centre (WARC) 2483 7200
  (You need to transfer the injured bird(s) to KFBG by yourself.
  Address of KFBG: Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories)
Report the following information:
1. “I found an injured bird. Please send staff to rescue.”
2. Number of bird(s)
3. Exact Location
4. Your name and contact number

* If you cannot wait until the staff arrives, please try to ask people working nearby for assistance.

Juveniles on the ground

For juveniles which are new born or with a few feathers, you may attempt to return them to the nest if you are able to identify and locate their nests.
For juveniles with developed feathers and reaching maturity, please stay at least 10 meters away from the juveniles and observe for around 10 minutes. Their parents may be nearby and will guide them back to the nests if you do not disturb them.
If the parents are still absent after 10 minutes, you can try to translocate the juveniles to a safe place high off the ground to avoid the predation of cats (in urban areas) or snakes (in rural areas). You can translocate them by putting a stick of about the width of your little finger close to the juveniles’ feet and wait for them to cling onto the stick tightly.
If you fail to carry out the above procedures, please refer to the suggestions for injured birds.
Never take wild bird juveniles back home and raise them by yourself. Keeping wild birds is illegal. Juveniles have special dietary requirements and need special care from well-trained specialists. Inappropriate care and treatment will lead to unnecessary suffering of the bird.

Dead wild birds

Contact AFCD via 1823 (Gov. Hotline)
Report the following information:
1. “I found a dead wild bird. Please send staff to pick it up."
2. Number of dead bird(s)
3. Exact Location
4. Your name and contact number

* If you cannot wait until the staff arrives, please try to ask people working nearby for assistance

2. Report the date, location and possible cause of death to HKBWS
Take photos of the dead bird(s) and the surrounding environment, then inform
HKBWS for our record and follow up.

* Common causes of death:

Colliding with buildings or noise barriers
Exhausted during migration
Swifts accidentally fell onto the ground
Entangled in mist nets or fishing lines with hooks
Religious release of animals

4. If you encounter the following situations related to birds, you should:

Situations

Suggested Actions

Illegal Activities
‧ Any behaviour disturbing the wild birds, nests and eggs

Please be reminded that:

In accordance with WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE (Cap 170), all wild birds are protected wild animals. Birds of endangered species, e.g. parakeets, cockatoos, macaws, are protected pursuant to PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS ORDINANCE (Cap 586).

*** One should not publicise the location of the nests on forums, social media (e.g. Facebook) or to the mass media, in order to avoid disturbance to wild birds.

In case of emergency, please contact the Police 999,
Please also contact Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) via 1823 (Gov. Hotline) ; and
Please report to HKBWS as well#

‧ Sale or export of wild or endangered birds

Please be reminded that:

Do not publicly enquire HKBWS about the case or publicise any evidence on our forum or Facebook page, to avoid interfering the investigation by the Authorities.

Contact AFCD by Email or Phone (Gov. Hotline: 1823)

(*Please inform the staff that the case involves wild birds or endangered species)

(Please refer to AFCD’s suggestion for reporting
http://www.afcd.gov.hk/tc_chi/conservation/con_end/con_end_rew/con_end_rew.html );

Please also report the incidence to HKBWS by Email or Phone#

Attachments:
2019 鳥類記錄表格 2019 Record Form	[ ]	283 kB
Rare Species Report Form 罕有鳥類紀錄表格	[ ]	44 kB

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