A nest belonging to a white-bellied sea eagle - a species so rare that only 10 to 20 breeding pairs are thought to inhabit Hong Kong - has been found virtually on the doorstep of the Disney theme park.

An Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department spokesman said Tuesday the species had been discovered in Pa Tau Kwu in north Lantau.

He said the fireworks might have a ``minor impact'' on the habitats.

Yu Yat-tung of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society said the government was reaching a premature conclusion by making the claim.

He said the species is sensitive to human disturbance and fears the fireworks might cause the parent sea eagles to abandon their young.

The possibility was mentioned in a 2000 environmental impact assessment report by the Environmental Protection Department, which stated the theme park's fireworks may result in ``a disturbance to the white-bellied sea eagles, leading to possible site abandonment or breeding failure as a worst-case result.''

Despite the department's confidence, ``we worry this threat will prove true,'' said Yu, adding that the birds are extremely sensitive to disturbances.

Disney has begun a series of firework rehearsals that end Monday.

The displays will become a nightly feature when the park opens September 12.

``It is too early to draw a conclusion. We have to look at the long-term impact, which can be reflected by their breeding rate,'' said Yu, adding that the society had observed a drop in the species' fertilization rate in recent years. ``According to my understanding, there was no breeding of white-bellied sea eagles last year,'' he said.

The first recorded sighting of the eagles in Pa Tau Kwu was considered ``the most significant finding'' of the avian survey in 1999 when the department conducted its environmental impact assessment on construction projects planned for the theme park and related infrastructure.

The report said Disneyland's operations had the potential to disturb the birds through noise and light from its fireworks and laser shows, transportation noise and operational plant noise.

World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong senior conservation officer Alan Leung said the impact of the fireworks ``cannot be underestimated'' and urged the government to monitor the effect on the birds.

``If necessary, Disney should adjust the frequency as well as the location of the fireworks to minimize the disturbance,'' he said.

A department spokesman said no fireworks would be launched within 800 meters of Pa Tau Kwu to minimize disturbances to the birds, and said the department would monitor the situation.

The white-bellied sea eagle is about 75 centimeters long and can be found in Tolo Harbor, Mirs Bay, Port Shelter, Hong Kong Island and Lantau.

It ranges from India and Sri Lanka, as far east as New Guinea and as far south as Tasmania. In the mainland, it is found only in Guangdong and Fujian.