HK Shunned As Black-faced Spoonbills Fly Elsewhere

Birdwatchers had good news and bad on Wednesday as they reported a soaring population of black-faced spoonbills worldwide, but a plummeting number choosing to visit Hong Kong.

A study in January involving more than 200 birdwatchers, researchers and ornithologists found 6,603 of the rare migratory birds across the world – a seven percent rise from the year before.

But the number in Hong Kong fell 19 percent from last year, with only 299 spotted – the lowest figure since the 252 seen back in 2014.

Taiwan was once again the top winter destination for black-faced spoonbills, with 64 percent of the total number found there. The mainland attracted 1,307 this year, or 20 percent of the global population.

The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society said the declining number of the birds in the SAR is alarming and habitats outside of the wetland in Mai Po are facing threats.

The society's director, Yu Yat-tung, said the government needs to put more effort into conservation.

"It is especially important to establish comprehensive protection laws, long-term conservation strategies and good land use planning, which can restore endangered species and even biodiversity around the world,” Yu said.