Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. Birdwatchers were at fever pitch a few weeks ago when they spotted the scaly-sided merganser , an endangered diving duck, for the first time in the central New Territories. The month before that, conservationists were thrilled to find a group of rare leopard cats thriving in and around the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden’s restored forests in Tai Mo Shan. Every year, hundreds of species of birds are recorded in Hong Kong. Occasionally, Hongkongers can even spot rare birds flying across the city’s wild, open spaces. This flourishing life shows that Hong Kong is a vital habitat for many wild animals, including birds. But the survival of this wildlife – and the rural villages of Hong Kong – is being called into question , with the large-scale development of new towns in the northern New Territories. The plan to build 12,000 public housing flats on part of the Fanling golf course and the choice of rural Lin Tong Mei as a light public housing site are two examples of the careless attitude towards the preservation of nature and wildlife near the verdant villages of Fanling. Within the golf course, for example, are many tall green trees vital to the well-being of the nearby villagers. Squirrels move around the golf course searching for food while flowers attract pollinating bees. Various birds flit about in the forests and even the aquatic plants near the little streams of the golf course host a variety of small living creatures. I wonder why the government cannot find other sites on which to build public housing. For sure, there is an urgent need for public flats. But this should not come at the expense of the abundant wildlife that Hong Kong is fortunate to still have. The government must strike the right balance between addressing the housing crisis and protecting the fragile living environment from the forces of development. Pages Ng, Tuen Mun Bad first impression, but Hong Kong grew on me The article, “‘I really like Hongkongers’” ( February 18 ), made me recall my first day in Hong Kong about three years ago. Upon arriving at the airport with my young ones exhausted, I approached local people for help in getting to the immigration counters, but to no avail. After managing to clear immigration, I then had to figure out how to get our luggage – and only a foreigner offered his help. I came away with such a negative impression of Hongkongers! But over the course of my stay, I have had a change of heart. While every place has its good and bad apples, I have met wonderful and caring Hongkongers who are good neighbours, good friends and good colleagues. Adeoti Joy, Causeway Bay