Waterfowl Count February 2002
Summary Report

The February 2002 waterbird count took place on the 17th, and coverage of the Ramsar Site was complete. Elsewhere, Shenzhen River B and San Tin were not counted.

A total of 29,632 waterbirds were recorded in the Deep Bay area (including Fu Tian), of which 23,753 were present in the Ramsar Site. The total count is somewhat down on previous February totals, and it may be that the relatively mild winter with few cold surges later on encouraged greater numbers than usual to depart early.

Ducks and grebes formed the most numerous group with 11,014 birds present, constituting approximately 37% of birds recorded in the bay. Of the remainder, 7,864 (26.5%) were gulls and terns, 3511 (11.8%) were waders, and 2860 (9.7%) were ardeids.