Consisting of marshes and the internationally known Deep Bays mudflats, Mai Po Wetlands is a natural reserve located in proximity to Yuen Long in Hong Kong. Also known as Mai Po Marshes, it was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest by the Hong Kong Government in 1976, in view of its significance. Having been listed as a Ramsar Site, the reserve is under the management of the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong.
Some of the best times for bird watching at the reserve are said to be during autumn and the spring when over 300 bird species visit the area. The migrant birds in the vicinity of Mai Po Wetlands usually feed on crabs, shrimps and fish among the mangroves. Migratory shorebirds that arrive during autumn fly southward to habitual wintering grounds in Australasia and South-East Asia.
It is during the winter months that the reserve sees the arrival of some 20,000 to 30,000 migratory birds such as the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. The wetlands are home to other animal species including butterflies, otters and mammals such as leopard cats.
Classified as a Biodiversity Management Zone under the Ramsar Site zonation, the nature reserve offers innumerable benefits for the local community and regional wildlife, through education, conservation and recreational activities.
The main types of wetland habitat at Mai Po and nearby areas include freshwater pond, inter-tidal mudflat, mangrove, reedbed and fishpond. Jointly, these habitats provide shelter and food to an amazingly diverse and rich wildlife.
The reserve has proven to be a great visit for bird lovers and those who enjoy taking a walk in the outdoors. Various groups and organizations at the reserve have undertaken ecological research, including bird-watching societies, local and international academic institutions, the Hong Kong government and individual specialists.
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