摘要

A questionnaire on ardeid nesting colony distribution and nesting numbers in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. South China was sent to academics, forestry officials and nature reserve staff in 2001. A total of 44 colonies was reported, of which a third was found in Pearl River Delta, the most important ardeid nesting area in south China according to this study. Although data were missing from over half of the known colonies, 2,300 nests of seven species were reported in Guangdong. In Guangxi, there were 2,365 nests of at least seven species, but little information was available for Hainan. Field counting of nests, and strengthening the protection of colonies against egg and chick collection, are recommended.