Waterfowl Count March 2002
Summary Report

The March 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 13,957 waterbirds were recorded in the Deep Bay area (including Fu Tian, which is now being regularly surveyed), of which 12,383 were present in the Ramsar Site. The total count is somewhat less than those obtained in March in previous years.

By March a large number of waterbirds have departed their wintering grounds in Deep Bay and headed north, and this appears to be especially the case this year. As with the February count, this month’s count was also relatively low, possibly due to mild winter weather encouraging the departure of more birds than usual. March 2002 was one of the warmest on record.

The largest two groups comprised waders and ducks and grebes, at approximately 48% and 28% of the total number of waterbirds present respectively.