Green Hope Hong Kong says several people landed on site near Po Toi Island during ‘golden week’, warns birds may abandon nests if disturbed
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenTheodora YuPublished: 8:06pm, 4 May 2026Updated: 8:22pm, 4 May 2026A green group has spotted people landing on an uninhabited island in the southern Hong Kong waters known to be a regular breeding site for a seabird species during mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, which coincides with its breeding season.
Terns, known as “sea swallows”, are seabirds with typically white or light grey streamlined bodies, long pointed bills and forked tails.
While about 40 tern species exist globally, one-third of them, or 12, have been recorded in Hong Kong. Three tern species breed on Hong Kong’s outlying rocky islands during the summer. The island is near Po Toi Island.
On the second day of the mainland’s five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, a bird watcher captured five people on the islands unloading backpacks and belongings, according to a photo posted by non-profit Green Hope Hong Kong.
“These birds are extremely sensitive by nature; if disturbed, they may abandon their nests. Once they abandon their breeding grounds on the island, it is very difficult for them to return in the future,” a post by Green Hope stated.
“We urge boat operators and tourists to avoid picking up visitors for transport to, or landing on, these tern breeding islands during the ecologically sensitive period.”
