Watching the storm roll in

Check out this nice piece of time-lapse video of clouds and rain rolling over Kowloon, initially East to West (across the camera line of sight), but sometimes and later southward into the camera. Kudos to Christopher DeWolf.

http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2010/07/06/watching-the-storm-roll-in/

Submitted by martinturner on 10 July 2010 - 6:27pm

Ways to make Hong Kong more livable

Just had email from Designing Hong Kong, noting that Hong Kong ranks among world's most expensive cities, and yet not in top 50 most livable cities. Asked for ideas on how to make Hong Kong more livable; here's a quick list I sent:

Submitted by Martin Williams on 18 June 2010 - 2:03pm

HK EcoWarriors online

Sai Kung python attacking dogs

Explore Sai Kung and the South China Morning Post have recently had reports on a four-metre python attacking a man's dog, on a trail between Pak Tam Chung and Tai Mong Tsai Road, in the Sai Kung area. The man - Bob Stearns - managed to save his dog by pulling the python by its tail: it let go, released the dog, and Mr Stearns and the two dogs he had been walking made their escape.

Explore Sai Kung account at:

Submitted by Martin Williams on 4 June 2010 - 4:33pm

Hong Kong Wildlife Forum

Average number of typhoons forecast for 2010

After seeing news re unusually active Atlantic hurricane season being forecast, just checked about forecast for Wast Pacific tropical storms n typhoons, from Hong Kong's City University:

Quote:

For the number of tropical storms and typhoons, most of the predictors consistently forecast a below-normal activity (ranging from 24 to 26) and therefore a below-normal TC activity (24 tropical storms and typhoons) is expected for this category
...

Submitted by Martin Williams on 28 May 2010 - 7:45pm

Scenes of Wild Cheung Chau in spring

Video I shot during April and in May 2010.

Submitted by Martin Williams on 2 May 2010 - 8:35pm

2 comments

Input for HK Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan

Here are answers I've provided to some questions on Hong Kong's biodiversity, following a request from Civic Exchange - which in turn is responding to Hong Kong being about to sign the Convention on Biodiversity.

Quote:Civic Exchange is reviewing Hong Kong’s biodiversity conservation policy and programmes in preparation for making a suite of policy recommendations that would bring Hong Kong up to date with global best practice. As a part of this process we are seeking the views of experts and stakeholders to further develop a strategic framework for biodiversity conservation in Hong Kong and we would seek your views on the following questions.

As you'll see, not fully organised, but maybe of some interest. Your comments would be welcome.

Input for Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan by Civic Exchange

1. What is the value of Hong Kong’s biodiversity?

Various values, some tangible – including financial, some intangible.

Submitted by Martin Williams on 14 April 2010 - 11:49pm

Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve

mai po Hong Kong’s Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve is like a natural theatre, a place where you can enjoy impressive wildlife spectacles.

Submitted by Martin Williams on 17 February 2010 - 11:22pm

Migrations of Hong Kong ducks revealed by satellite tracking

WWF Hong Kong press release, on study showing ducks wintering in Hong Kong travel impressive distances, with one wigeon flying 2000km in a single flight:

Quote:

The first phase of a multi-partner project to track the global movements of Hong Kong's wild ducks has ended successfully. The 12-month period of satellite tracking discovered that coastal regions of the Yellow Sea are critical staging areas for Hong Kong's ducks within the East Asia-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), and that these ducks require a diverse range of wetland habitats scattered across many countries to complete their migration.

"The Hong Kong ducks clearly undertake epic migration journeys and rely on a wide range of inland and coastal wetland habitats. The Yellow Sea in particular appears crucial as a staging area for over 90% of the duck, and we observed the importance of protected wetlands to complete their migration," said Bena Smith, WWF-Hong Kong Mai Po Reserve Manager.

Submitted by Martin Williams on 14 January 2010 - 11:08am

Two cheers for the Government

The government has designated some of those lovely old waterworks buildings at the reservoirs as 'statutory monuments'. So that's a good thing, even if the associated legislation to protect them isn't as watertight as the Tai Tam Reservoir Dam.

Gov't press release:
http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/090918/htm...

Submitted by martinturner on 19 September 2009 - 9:25pm

government heritage reservoirs

Shek Kwu Chau is a quirky island

shek wu chau statue Lying just west of Cheung Chau, off the southern coast of Lantau, Shek Kwu Chau (石鼓洲) is one of the quirkier islands in Hong Kong.