TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 Outline
of monitoring programme for the next quarter
List of Tables
Table 5.1
Summary of Monitoring Results from April 2008 to June 2008
Table 6.1 Tentative Monitoring
Programme from July 2008 to September 2008
List of Figures
Figure 3.1 Bridge Alignment for Bridge
Lighting Scheme and Bird Collision Monitoring
1.1 As required under the Environmental Permits (EP) and the approved EM&A Manuals for the Project, monitoring of bridge lighting scheme and bird collision during operational phase have to be conducted monthly for 3 years.
1.2 The EM&A Manuals require the monitoring of the operation of the bridge lighting schemes and their relationship with bird mortality. Monitoring effort should be concentrated in autumn migration, winter, and spring migration seasons. Various combinations of illumination scheme, weather condition, season of year, and time of day should be monitored. Monthly surveys are recommended.
1.3 This is the fourth quarterly report prepared as required by EPs and documents the monitoring methodology and results, including types and schemes of illumination used on the bridge, weather conditions and records of bird mortalities. This report also provides an outline of the monitoring programme in the next quarter.
2.1
A camera and a pair of
binoculars were required during the monitoring process.
3.1
The monitoring of bird
collision took place along the HK-SWC alignment, which is approximately 5.
4.1 Surveys were conducted to assess potential impacts of different lighting schemes on bird mortality as caused by collision with the bridge and associated structures. In order to monitor the bird mortality, surveys were carried out along the HK-SWC at both sides of the carriageway covering both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sections. Attention was paid to the road surface while attempts were made to spot dead birds. Sea surface was also scanned for any floating dead birds. The monitoring lasted for about 30 – 40 minutes. The monitoring frequency is once every month.
4.2 The four lighting schemes are listed as follows:
Scheme 1 – Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 19.30-22.00. Architectural lighting for the tower.
Scheme 2 – Friday, Saturday and general festival, 19.30-22.00. Architectural lighting for the tower and side faces of the deck.
Scheme 3 – Special festival and events, 19.30-22.00 Architectural lighting for the tower, stay cables and the side faces of the deck.
Scheme 4 – During inclement weather. Turn off the architectural lighting.
5.1 The following Table 5.1 summarizes the results, including the types and schemes of illumination used on the bridge, the weather conditions and records of bird mortalities by species, number, location and estimated cause of death.
Table 5.1 Summary of Monitoring Results from April 2008 to June 2008
Date |
Time |
Lighting Scheme |
Weather Condition |
Records of Bird Mortality |
Remarks |
|||
Species |
No. |
Location |
Estimated Cause of Death |
|||||
8
Apr 08 (Tue) |
7.30pm |
Scheme
1 |
26
oC, 80% humidity. |
- |
0 |
- |
- |
No
record of dead bird. |
6
May 08 (Tue) |
7.35pm |
Scheme
3 (Labour Day Week) |
25oC,
81% humidity, rained during daytime. |
- |
0 |
- |
- |
No
record of dead bird. |
13
Jun 08 (Fri) |
7.30pm |
Scheme
2 |
25oC,
87% humidity. |
- |
0 |
- |
- |
No
record of dead bird |
6.1
During the next quarter, from July 2008 to
September 2008, bridge lighting scheme and bird collision monitoring surveys
will be carried out monthly. Our
aim is to allocate the same amount of opportunities for the monitoring of each
of the four lighting schemes. It is
important to note that Scheme 3 (used during special festivals and events), and
Scheme 4 (used during inclement weather) are rarely used, thus opportunities
for the monitoring of these schemes are less. Effort will be made to monitor
combination of various lighting schemes, weather conditions, time of day
(7.30pm - midnight) and seasons. A
tentative monitoring programme is given in Table
6.1.
Table 6.1 Tentative Monitoring
Programme from July 2008 to September 2008
Monitoring Month |
Tentative Date |
Target Scheme |
July 2008 |
17 July 2008 (Thur) |
Scheme 1 |
August 2008 |
8 August 2008 (Fri) |
Scheme 2 |
September 2008 |
2 September 2008 (Tue) |
Scheme 1 |
7.1
No dead bird was spotted on the
HK-SWC nor floating on sea surface.
No bird mortality was recorded during the operation of HK-SWC during the
monitoring surveys from April to June 2008.