HKBWS Vicky

長春社及香港觀鳥會在塱原重新引入稻米種植後，除了成功吸引珍貴的雀鳥（如黃胸鵐）到訪塱原之外，亦吸引了近千隻的文鳥，每逢穀收季節就來到稻田覓食。今年秋天亦不例外，我們種植的稻米開始結出一粒粒金黃色的米粒，在昨天亦已錄得9隻黃胸鵐。
塱原是一片農耕式淡水濕地，我們一直努力提升塱原的生態價值和農業經濟效益，並在兩者之間取得平衡，因此我們計劃開展一項護稻工作，以不傷害雀鳥及影響生態為原則，進行有限度的驅鳥措施直至兩星期後稻米收成，以保留部份稻米作項目宣傳和教育活動之用，並作為明年稻米種植的穀種。同時，我們會預留部份稻田不作收割，為雀鳥提供食物和棲息地。這樣不但能繼續塱原的雀鳥保育工作，我們亦希望可以為保育計劃增加收入，令濕地保育工作可以持續進行。

措施包括在稻米田間掛光碟和彩帶，放置合共2個超聲波驅鳥器(每個有效範圍為6米)，也會參考台灣農民利用時裝塑膠模特兒公仔驅鳥，每隔一段時間轉換姿勢及衣服（參考片段：http://www.happyplays.com/discuz/viewthread.php?tid=10721）。

我們仍在籌募有關措施所需物品 (塑膠模特兒公仔、大量光碟、反光彩帶)，如有以上提及的各項物品，請透過電郵(yvicky@hkbws.org.hk)通知我們，並註明姓名、聯絡電話、物品及數量，亦可致電2377 4387與楊小姐聯絡。

After re-introduction of paddy rice planting to Long Valley, we have successfully attracted some rare birds such as Yellow-breasted Bunting. Besides, over a thousand munias were attracted to paddy fields and consumed most of the rice produced. There is no exception this autumn. The rice we have planted begins to produce grains and 9 Yellow-breasted Buntings were recorded yesterday.
Long Valley is long been an agricultural wetland. The project team work hard to gain benefit in both ecological and agricultural aspects, and take a balance point between the two. This autumn, we are going to implement a paddy rice protection work by putting some bird repelling materials in some of the paddy fields until the harvesting two weeks later, with the principle of not hurting any bird and other wildlife. At the same time, some of the paddy fields will be reserved for birds and will not be harvested. This aims to continue our bird conservation work and, on the other hand, protect and reserve some of the rice for project promotion, education, generate income for wetland protection as well as the seeds for rice planting next year.

Bird repelling materials include CDs, colored ribbons and altogether two ultrasonic bird repelling devices (effective range of 6 meters each). We have also refered to farmers in Taiwan to put plastic fashion model to repel birds (video for reference (Chinese only): http://www.happyplays.com/discuz/viewthread.php?tid=10721).

We are still recruiting the above mentioned materials. If you would like to donate, please contact Miss Vicky Yeung (yvicky@hkbws.org.hk or tel: 2377 4387).

HKBWS Vicky

Thank you for all your comments.
The project team agrees that rice is important to birds esp. migrants and we are glad that our work attracted Yellow-breasted Bunting successfully. It is hard to make this decision that to implement bird repelling practices to paddy fields. However, we hope all of you understand that the LV management project comprises of three major elements: agriculture, ecological conservation and public education/involvement. All three elements are included in the whole process of rice planting and harvesting which is the only crop that can have such fulfillment. And rice is a key component to bring the project towards sustainability. In addition, the funding agency, Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), strongly requested us to increase the project sustainability, income, public involvement and publicity when we have submitted the project proposal. Therefore, after taking a balance point between bird conservation and all other factors. We decided to have the rice protection works on only part of the paddy fields.

The ultrasonic bird repelling device is not installed to the field due to some technical problem. After reading your comments, we will re-consider and sort out a mild and suitable approach.

Please feel free to give advises and comments on this issue.
Thank you!!

Vicky