Interestingly shaped rocks define Cha Kwo Chau. This small islet has a story to tell a story etched in stone and shaped by time.
Cha Kwo Chau. Its name might sound unusual. The Chinese name means Fruit Platter Islands. Some say it looks like scattered fruit from an overturned plate from heaven. The English name Rocky Islet is descriptive.
Imagine British seamen long ago. They saw these islands and thought of a game. The game was ninepin a British game similar to bowling. So the island got its English name Ninepin.
Cha Kwo Chau is part of the Hong Kong Global Geopark. Here you can see weird volcanic rocks. They are the most spectacular in Hong Kong. Some rocks grow horizontally. They are also known as Cannon Rock. Some are huge with diameters up to two meters.
The Ninepin Group islands consist of North Ninepin Island. They also consist of South Ninepin Island and East Ninepin Island. North Ninepin Island includes Sai Mei Chau. It also includes Hok Tsai Pai.
Cha Kwo Chau is at the southeast of Hong Kong. The islands face relentless wind. They also face big waves. You can only visit on calm summer days. You can also rent a boat at Sai Kung Pier. From there you can view the landscapes.
Migratory seabirds visit Hong Kong’s southern waters. Terns are the most dependable. They arrive to breed in late spring. Terns are elegant birds. They catch fish by diving into the water. Black-naped Terns breed in Hong Kong. Roseate Terns also breed here. Bridled Terns do too. They form small colonies on islets. They greatly enliven the stark rocks of Cha Kwo Chau.
People can disturb the terns. Anglers arrive by boat. They climb on islets to fish. They scare adult terns. The terns should be sitting on eggs. They should feed and shade chicks. Casual visitors disturb the terns too. Even bird photographers can cause harm.
Other seabird species occur as passage migrants. Aleutian Terns are especially noteworthy. They breed in northeast Asia. They also breed in the northwest United States. In 1992 almost 200 Aleutian Terns were seen in Hong Kong. Since then they have been regular migrants.
Long-tailed Skuas are occasionally seen here. These birds fly with the grace of terns. They sometimes act like pirates. They chase terns. They harry them. They steal their prey.
Shearwaters can also be found. These are smaller cousins of albatrosses. They fly over ocean waves. They use long wings to ride air currents. The two main species in Hong Kong are Streaked Shearwaters. Short-tailed Shearwaters also appear here.
Red-necked Phalaropes are more abundant. These small shorebirds swim buoyantly. They pick up plankton. Their numbers peak around the end of March. Inclement weather can halt their migrations. Thousands may gather in Hong Kong waters. You might even see them from the Star Ferry in Victoria Harbour. But seeing them at Cha Kwo Chau is a special experience.
So next time you see Cha Kwo Chau remember its many stories. Remember its fruit platter shape. Think about the British seamen. Imagine the volcanic eruptions of long ago. And keep an eye out for the elegant terns.