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A launch ceremony for the Bird Watching Festival 2010, which included a "Birds and Wetlands" Funfair and a seminar on "Bird and Wetland Conservation in Hong Kong", was held at the Hong Kong Wetland Park today (November 6).
The festival aims to raise public awareness of bird and wetland conservation, and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the designation of Mai Po Inner Deep Bay as Ramsar Site, which is an important feeding and resting ground for migratory birds.
According to the bird monitoring data of Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, there were a total of 70,000 to 80,000 migratory waterbirds using the area during winter in recent years, including some globally threatened species such as Black-faced Spoonbill, Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Spoonbill Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew and Saunders's Gull.
Located next to the Ramsar Site, the Hong Kong Wetland Park also attracts over 230 bird species, which accounts for about 50% of total bird species recorded in Hong Kong, making it an ideal place for bird watching.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Alan Wong noted that the park was not only an eco-tourist attraction but also a nature's classroom.
"Since its opening in May 2006, through the concerted support of over 5,800 volunteers and AFCD colleagues, the 60-hectare park has become a habitat suitable for wildlife," Mr Wong said.
Birds have important roles in seed dispersal and pollination. They are also used as one of the indicators of biodiversity. To enable a better understanding of the importance of conserving birds, an array of activities will be presented from today to February 2011. Highlights include:
* Bird Watching Guided Tours - Wetland interpreters and volunteers will take visitors to look for birds in various kinds of wetland environments. They will also introduce bird identification techniques and the close relationship between birds and wetlands. Visitors can also make use of the telescopes installed at the bird hides to observe birds.
* Wetland Classroom: Bird Watching ¡ª the park is excited to offer introductory course on bird watching for beginners. The course will cover the basic knowledge in bird watching and observing common birds in the urban areas and in wetlands. Participants will have a chance to practise in the field.
* "Hong Kong Wetland Park X Crayon Shinchan" limited edition soft toy - From November 18 to February 28 next year, upon purchase of an annual pass, visitors will receive a soft toy of Crayon Shinchan while stock lasts. The lovely collection infuses the cartoon character Crayon Shinchan with the beauty of wetlands as he dresses up as black-faced spoonbill, crocodile and butterfly.
Other activities include treasure hunt, photo exhibition, origami workshops, inter-school bird race and a musical. For more information about the Bird Watching Festival 2010, please visit www.wetlandpark.com/wwd2011/ .
Ends/Saturday, November 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:43
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