【明報專訊】Autumn is a good time for bird watching in Hong Kong as migratory birds fly here for the warm southern weather. Mai Po Nature Reserve (米埔自然保護區) is a wetland located near Yuen Long where guided birdwatching tours with professional explanations are available.

◆Tools and gears

Clothes with dim colours

Do not wear clothes in bright colours such as white, red and yellow as these colours are a sign of danger to birds. Wear clothes that matches the natural habitats, such as those in brown, green and grey .

Binoculars

Help us to observe birds from a distance. Some who want to stay longer prefer using it with a tripod for extra support.

Notebook and camera

Keeping a record of the birds you have seen is fun and rewarding.

Guidebook to birds

A good guidebook can help you identify the birds easily. (picture 2)

◆The Trend

In her Policy Address (《施政報告》), Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the government is planning to develop eco tourism in Hong Kong and hopes this will support the growth of the tourism industry in a sustainable way. Bird watching is one of the popular activities in such tours.(picture 3)

◆Mysterious number

Hong Kong has more than 530 bird species, representing one-third of the total species recorded in the whole of China. You can spot black-faced spoonbills (黑臉琵鷺), pied avocets (反嘴鷸) and grey herons (蒼鷺) in conservation areas in Hong Kong in winter.

■Glossary

migratory (adj) 遷徙的

observe (v) 觀察

eco tourism (n) 生態旅遊業

sustainable (adj) 可持續發展的

[Smarties' Power English 第199期]