Activity Reviews 2008

1.Shell Nature Watch—Butterfly Explorer Launch Ceremony

2.My Favourite Butterfly Online Election

3.Butterfly Photography Contest II

4.Butterfly Surveyor Training Scheme

5 .Shell Butterfly Day

6.Butterfly Learning Class

7.Butterfly Watching Day

8.Magnetic Butterfly Bookmarks

9.Shell Butterfly Club

10.Butterfly Education Kits

Shell Nature Watch—Butterfly Explorer Launch Ceremony

Date	： 18 May 2008 (Sunday)
Venue	： Sau Tau, Tung Chung
Time	： 10:30 – 11:30am
Guests	： Ms. Anissa Wong, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Director of Environmental Protection Mr. Daniel Ng, Director of Shell HK Dr. Man Chi Sum, CEO, Green Power Dr. Cheng Luk Ki, Division Head of Scientific Research & Conservation, Green Power

Hong Kong is a "Butterfly Paradise", However, many butterfly habitats are not properly protected, and may be damaged by development at any time. San Tau, of Tung Chung, is an example. To rouse public awareness of this issue, the launch ceremony was held in San Tau. Sha Lo Wan as the best landing site in Hong Kong for the planned Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. After landing, the bridge will connect with Airport Channel, Airport Island south and the North Lantau Highway. The linkage road will run by San Tau.

Dr. Cheng Luk Ki, Division Head of Scientific Research & Conservation, Green Power, expressed concerns that the construction will affect the Sau Tan butterfly diversity. Although an environmental assessment report must be submitted before the construction is started, the ecological assessment cannot fully reflect the actual ecological status, due to shortages of resources and time. There were similar situations with construction of Tung Chung Cable Car and the North Lantau Development Project.

Shell Nature Watch – Butterfly Explorer, this year launches a Butterfly Surveyor Training Scheme. This is the first time in Hong Kong that members of the public are being invited to participate in a survey of butterfly ecology. It is hoped that the scheme will attract more manpower to help with butterfly ecology baseline studies, and build up a public butterfly ecology database, which can provide important data for the conservation of butterfly hotspots. The butterfly surveyors will complete all training and assessments, and will be sent to San, Tung Chung; as well as Luk Keng, Fanling; and Wu Kau Tang, Tai Po, to conduct surveys.

During the launch ceremony, guests participated in another of this year's highlighted activities – My Favourite Butterfly Online Election. Ms. Anissa Wong, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Director of Environmental Protection, voted for the Red-base Jezebel, which represents joy and hope. Mr Daniel Ng, Director of Shell HK, voted for the toughest butterfly - Blue-spotted Crow, which is among the few species that can withstand the cold winter. Dr Man Chi Sum, CEO of Green Power, voted for the Common Mime, because it can mimic poisonous Tigers and Crows, so is called "The most cunning butterfly".

	Ms. Anissa Wong, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Director of Environmental Protection (third from the right), and Daniel Ng, Director of Shell HK (at right), presented letters of appointment to the first group of butterfly surveyors.
	Guests voted for their favourite butterflies
	Dr. Cheng Luk Ki explained ways the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge could threaten butterfly hotspots in Tung Chung

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Shell Butterfly Day

Date	： 28 September 2008 (Sunday)
Venue	： Mount Austin Park, the Peak
Time	： 10 to 12am
Guests	： Dr. Kitty Poon (Under Secretary for the Environment) Mr. Daniel Ng, Director of Shell HK Dr. Man Chi Sum, CEO, Green Power Dr. Cheng Luk Ki, Division Head of Scientific Research & Conservation, Green Power

First-phase results of surveys of local butterfly hotspots were announced on Shell Butterfly Day. The surveys were carried out from August onwards, by about 60 Butterfly Surveyors, at San Tau, Tung Chung; Wu Kau Tang, Tai Po; and Luk Keng, of Fanling in August. Initial surveys of the first two months recorded a total of 104 butterfly species, including 13 rare and 4 very rare species, at the three sites.

More rare butterfly species were discovered in this round of surveys than during previous Butterfly Surveyor research. At Luk Keng, 59 butterfly species, including 2 very rare and 5 rare ones, were recorded; at Wu Kau Tang, there were 60 species, including 3 very rare and 6 rare ones; and at San Tau, there were 55 species, three of which are rare. Dr. Cheng Luk-ki, Division Head of Scientific Research & Conservation of Green Power, remarked that the survey confirmed the rich butterfly diversity of the three sites, and that butterfly data can be effectively collected by the Butterfly Surveyors, as they focus on butterfly surveys. Butterfly Surveyors will continue to conduct surveys at the three sites during the year ahead, and more notable discoveries are expected.

In addition, “My Favourite Butterfly On-line Election” and “Butterfly Photography Contest II” award ceremonies were also held that day. After the ceremonies, about 100 participants went butterfly watching along Harlech Road. Divided into groups of 20 and guided by Butterfly Surveyors and ecological instructors, participants appreciated the beauty of butterflies on Victoria Peak.

	Dr. Kitty Poon (Under Secretary for the Environment)

Butterfly Learning Class

Butterfly Learning Class is an exclusive activity for members of Shell Butterfly Club. Subjects include butterfly ecology and techniques for butterfly watching. The class was held over two sessions during September; 400 members participated.

Magnetic Butterfly Bookmarks

A set of four magnetic bookmarks, featuring rare butterfly photos, including the world’s smallest Swallowtail – the White Dragontail, and one of the only two protected butterfly in Hong Kong – the Common Birdwing – was produced. Participants in the My Favourite Butterfly Online Election, Butterfly Photography Contest II, the Butterfly Surveyor Training Scheme and the Shell Butterfly Club can get a set of the magnetic bookmarks.