The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS), EAAFP Partner, coordinated the  International Black-faced Spoonbill Census 2021 (the Census) from 15th to 17th January. The global population of the Endangered Black-faced Spoonbills (BFSs) hits a record high of 5,222, which is a 7.4% increase (i.e. 358 individuals) compared with last year.

Black-faced Spoonbill A40 © Walter Ma/HKBWS

Global population of BFSs hits record high with steady rise

The Census has been carried out since 1994, covering more than 100 sites all over the world and mobilizing nearly 200 birdwatchers, conservation experts and researchers. It shows that the global population of BFSs has been growing steadily over the past 20 years. Mr. Yu Yat-tung, the Senior Research Manager of HKBWS, said, “The number of BFSs worldwide has reached a new high. The numbers in Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan have even broken records, indicating the success in regional conservation. However, the habitat of the BFSs in Hong Kong is facing continuous development threats.”

According to the Census, the number of BFSs in Japan and Vietnam are 570 and 82 respectively, which is an increase of 4.8% and 36.7% compared with 2020. 3,132 individuals wintered in Taiwan, which account for 60% of the global total and increased by 347 individuals (+12.5%) from 2020.

Fig. 1. Numbers of wintering Black-faced Spoonbill in the world from 1989-90 to 2020-21

Fig. 2. Distribution map of Black-faced Spoonbill during International Census 2021

Development threats in Deep Bay lingers, leading to uncertain future for BFSs in Hong Kong

While the global number continues to surge, a downward trend is observed for the number of BFSs recorded in Deep Bay, Hong Kong, one of the main wintering grounds of the species. A total of 336 individuals were recorded in Deep Bay (including Hong Kong and Shenzhen side), which is a decline of 6.9% from last year. The number even dropped by 15% over the course of 7 years. The habitat of BFSs continues to be threatened by development and may deteriorate further in the future.

Mr. Yu Yat-tung pointed out, “These figures reflect the decline in the quality of the wetland environment in Deep Bay, which discourage some BFSs from wintering in Hong Kong. In the past few years, the government and developers have constantly proposed developments in the Deep Bay wetlands and its buffer zone, destroying the integrity of the wetland ecosystem and threatening the habitats of the BFS.”

Fig. 3. Numbers of wintering Black-faced Spoonbill in Deep Bay from 1989-90 to 2020-21

Building network between breeding and wintering grounds for joint conservation effort

Threats in wintering grounds would impact the Black-faced Spoonbill in the breeding grounds and vice versa. Therefore, international collaboration for information exchange and promote joint conservation effort is important. Under the EAAFP Flyway Site Network, Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Flyway Network Site (EAAF 003) in Hong Kong and Songdo Tidal Flat (EAAF 145) in Incheon City of Ro Korea signed an MoU in 2019 to link the two sites under the Sister Site Programme, aiming to enhance conservation of Black-faced Spoonbill and shared migratory waterbirds. Incheon Black-faced Spoonbill (BFS) Conservation Guild to enhance local conservation of the breeding ground of the bird was established in 2020.

Table 1.  Results of different locations in 2021 Census

Fig. 4. Proportion of wintering Black-faced Spoonbill at different locations to the global total in 2021 International Census

Chinese version

黑脸琵鹭全球数量首度破 5 千创新高

由香港观鸟会统筹的《黑脸琵鹭全球同步普查 2021》已於 1 月 15 至17 日顺利完成。本年度普查结果是有纪录以来最高，全球黑脸琵鹭数量达 5,222 只，较去年上升 7.4%，即增加了 358 只，再度破纪录。

黑脸琵鹭全球数量再创新高   数目持续稳定上升

黑脸琵鹭全球同步普查自1994年起首次举行至今，调查覆盖全球超过 100 个地点，动员近200位观鸟者、保育工作者、研究员及鸟类学家等。综合过去20多年的数据，显示全球黑脸琵鹭的数目正持续及稳定地上升。香港观鸟会高级研究经理余日东说：「全球黑脸琵鹭数量再创新高，於日本、越南及台湾的数量均破纪录，可见跨地域保育成效。然而，在香港，黑脸琵鹭的栖息地正面临发展威胁。」根据是次普查数据，日本及越南的黑脸琵鹭数量为 570 及 82 只，按年上升 4.8%及 36.7%。全球有 60%的黑脸琵鹭於台湾度冬，共有 3,132只，相比 2020 年上升 12.5%，增加了 347 只。

后海湾发展威胁持续    琵鹭栖息地前景不明朗

然而，全球黑脸琵鹭数量大幅增加的同时，在香港栖息的黑脸琵鹭数量却显著下降。今年在后海湾（包括香港及深圳）录得 336 只， 按年下跌 6.9%，在过去 7 年间跌幅达15%。 黑脸琵鹭的栖息地后海湾持续受发展威胁，将来或进一步恶化。

余日东指出：「数字反映后海湾的湿地环境质素下降，使黑脸琵鹭不选择来港栖息。而过去几年，政府及发展商相继提出发展后海湾湿地及其缓衝区,破坏后海湾湿地生态系统的完整性，亦对黑脸琵鹭的栖息地构成威胁。」

建立繁殖地和越冬地联繫网络  共同保护黑脸琵鹭

在越冬地的威胁会影响繁殖地的黑脸琵鹭，反之亦然。因此，进行信息交流和促进国际间的合作对保育黑脸琵鹭非常重要。EAAFP香港米埔内后海湾的迁飞区鸟区网络点（EAAF 003）和韩国仁川市松岛潮滩迁飞区鸟区网络点（EAAF 145）於2019年签署了谅解备忘录，成为姊妹栖息地。 该计划旨在加强黑脸琵鹭和迁徙水鸟的保育。另外， 仁川黑面琵鹭保护联网亦於2020年成立，旨在加强对黑脸琵鹭繁殖地的保护。

Original Article: Black-faced Spoonbills population hits record high of over 5,000, Number in HK continuously declines and the habitat is threatened by development – Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (hkbws.org.hk)

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