Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004–2006
Transcription
Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004–2006
The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004–2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006) Edited by David Li Zuo Wei and Rosie Ounsted July 2007 Produced by Wetlands International Project implementation supported by Malaysian Nature Society Sarawak Forestry Corporation Bird Conservation Society of Thailand Myanmar Bird and Nature Society Principal sponsor Loke Wan Tho Memorial Foundation © Wetlands International 2007 Pages from this publication may be reproduced freely for educational, journalistic, and other noncommercial purposes. Prior permission must be given for all other forms of reproduction. Full credit must always be given to the copyright holder. ISBN 978-90-5882-041-9 This publication should be cited as: Li, Z.W.D. and Ounsted, R. (eds.). 2007. The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004–2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006). Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The individual country reports should be cited as: Li, Z.W.D., Yeap, C.K. and Kumar, K. 2007. Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004–2006. In: Li, Z.W.D. and Ounsted, R. (eds.). The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004–2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006), pp. 1–40. Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Round, P., Chanittawong, W. and Manopawitr, P. 2007. Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006. In: Li, Z.W.D. and Ounsted, R. (eds.). The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004–2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006), pp. 41–67. Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Naing, T.Z. 2007. Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006. In: Li, Z.W.D. and Ounsted, R. (eds.). The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004–2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006), pp. 68–83. Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Published by Wetlands International. Available from: Wetlands International – Malaysia Office 3A39, Block A, Lobby C, Kelana Centre Point Jalan SS7/19, Petaling Jaya 47301 Selangor Tel: 03-78046770 Fax: 03-78046772 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wetlands.org Cover photograph: Nordmann’s Greenshank by Chaiwat Chinuparawat. Design by Muse Studio. Printed by CG Print. Printed on 128 gsm matt art. Contents Foreword .........................................................................................................................................v Preface ...........................................................................................................................................vii Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004–2006....................................1 Summary.......................................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1 2. Methods ....................................................................................................................................6 3. Results by State and Site ..........................................................................................................7 4. Results by Major Waterbird Group ........................................................................................25 5. Discussion and Conclusions ...................................................................................................34 6. Recommendations ..................................................................................................................36 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................37 References ..................................................................................................................................38 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006................................................................................................................................................41 Summary.....................................................................................................................................41 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................41 2. Methods ..................................................................................................................................42 3. Sites Covered..........................................................................................................................42 4. Results ....................................................................................................................................48 5. Discussion...............................................................................................................................62 6. Recommendations ..................................................................................................................64 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................66 References ..................................................................................................................................66 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006..................................................................................68 Summary.....................................................................................................................................68 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................68 2. Methods ..................................................................................................................................68 3. Itinerary ..................................................................................................................................69 4. Results ....................................................................................................................................70 5. Discussion...............................................................................................................................81 6. Recommendations ..................................................................................................................81 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................82 References ..................................................................................................................................82 iii Figures Figure 1: Coastal wetlands surveyed in Peninsular Malaysia, 2004–2006 ..................................... 8 Figure 2: Coastal wetlands surveyed in East Malaysia, 2004–2006 ............................................... 9 Figure 3: Maximum counts of waterbirds at coastal wetlands surveyed in Malaysia, 2004–2006 9 Figure 4: Distribution of internationally and potentially internationally important sites identified during surveys in Malaysia, 2004–2006 ....................................................................... 10 Figure 5: Distribution of Chinese Egret in Malaysia, 2004–2006 ................................................ 30 Figure 6: Distribution of Nordmann’s Greenshank in Malaysia, 2004–2006 ............................... 32 Figure 7: Wetland sites in the Inner Gulf and in Peninsular Thailand covered during the AWC, January 2006 ................................................................................................................. 43 Figure 8: Locations counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand during the AWC, January 2006 ....... 44 Figure 9: Areas of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, covered by surveys, December 2005 – March 2006 ................................................................................................................... 74 Tables Table 1: Interwader shorebird* counts in Malaysia, 1983–1986 .................................................... 2 Table 2: Coastal wetland and waterbird counts in Malaysia, AWC 1989–1996 ............................ 4 Table 3: Coastal wetland and waterbird counts in Malaysia, AWC 1999–2004 ............................ 5 Table 4: Coastal wetland sites surveyed in Malaysia, 2004–2006 ............................................... 10 Table 5: Total numbers of waterbirds recorded at each coastal wetland site in Malaysia, 2004– 2006 ................................................................................................................................ 13 Table 6: Internationally important and potentially internationally important sites in Malaysia identified by surveys, 2004–2006 ................................................................................... 24 Table 7: Waterbird species recorded in surveys of the coast of Malaysia, 2004–2006 ................ 26 Table 8: Locations of Chinese Egret recorded on the coast of Malaysia, 2004–2006 .................. 29 Table 9: Maximum wintering (migration) shorebird counts recorded in surveys in Malaysia, 1983–1986 and 2004–2006 ............................................................................................. 31 Table 10: Locations of Nordmann’s Greenshank recorded on the coast of Malaysia, 2004–2006 ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Table 11: List of sites covered during the AWC in Thailand, January 2006 ................................ 42 Table 12: Waterbirds counted on sections 1–11 of the Inner Gulf of Thailand during the AWC, January 2006 ................................................................................................................... 49 Table 13: Waterbirds counted on sections 12–20 of the Inner Gulf of Thailand, and totals for all sections, during the AWC, January 2006 ....................................................................... 51 Table 14: Waterbirds counted in Central and Southern Thailand during the AWC, January 2006... ........................................................................................................................................ 55 Table 15: Waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, mid-March 2006 ........................... 57 Table 16: Waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, mid-April 2006 ............................. 57 Table 17: Waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, May 2006 ..................................... 58 Table 18: Comparison of two successive counts at Pak Nam Krabi, Thailand, 18 and 23 January 2006 ................................................................................................................................ 63 Table 19: Comparison of shorebird numbers and linear density (birds/km of shoreline) along sections of the shoreline of the Inner Gulf of Thailand made during five count periods 63 Table 20: Waterbird and wetland-dependent bird species recorded during surveys in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 .................................... 77 Table 21: Waterbird counts at Let Khoke Kone, Myanmar, 1991–2006 ...................................... 79 Table 22: Waterbird counts at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar, 1993–2006 ..... 80 iv Foreword Southeast Asian wetlands support a variety of life: local people gaining a livelihood go hand in hand with a rich biodiversity. In many cases this cohabitation is not in balance however – typically at the expense of biodiversity - and with the enormous and growing demographic pressure in this part of the world the risk for further deterioration of the situation is real. Initiatives to address this issue are badly needed. The Flyway Partnership for the East Asian– Australasian Flyway, launched in November 2006, is a good example of such initiative, looking at safeguarding wetlands and their biodiversity, using waterbirds as flagships. Wetlands provide indispensable habitats for many waterbird species, both migratory and resident. Many waterbird populations are in rapid decline worldwide, but this development is most pronounced in Southeast Asia. Rapid economic growth in the region, resulting in major development along the coasts, including wetland reclamation has been identified as the greatest threat to waterbirds. This in not just a problem for biodiversity, the loss of these wetlands means a loss of all the services these wetlands had for people as well, The lack of up-to-date information on the status of wetlands and waterbirds has hindered the ability of government agencies to make decisions and take prompt action to ensure that developments that involve wetlands, including coastal developments, are sustainable, safeguarding the ecosystem services for people and biodiversity. To aid the sustainable development and conservation of wetlands, Wetlands International works with national agencies and organisations to provide the most up-to-date information on the status of wetlands and waterbirds; such activities include the publication of regularly updated Waterbird Population Estimates and organisation of the annual International Waterbird Census (IWC) to collect waterbird information worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region the IWC takes the form of the Asian Waterbird Census, which has been held annually since 1987, with over 1,000 volunteers participating each year and over 6,000 wetlands being covered so far. This publication presents a comprehensive update of the status of waterbird populations along coasts of Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar resulting from surveys undertaken in 2004–2006. It covers a total of 134 wetland sites across the whole of Malaysia, 16 sites in Central and Southern Thailand (including the Inner Gulf of Thailand) and 11 sites in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta in Myanmar. Internationally important sites have been identified and conservation recommendations are proposed. The country reports provide updates on many individual waterbird species, particularly those that are globally threatened. For example the Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank, which was recorded in significant numbers in all three countries. Also there is a comprehensive update of the status of the Vulnerable Chinese Egrets that winter in Malaysia, and reports of the Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper in the Inner Gulf of Thailand. All in all this publication provides important information to inform decision makers and other stakeholders in planning and implementing wetland development and conservation. This information is brought together and published for them to use it and I would like to use this opportunity to encourage government agencies and other decision makers and stakeholders in the three countries this work relates to, to put the information into practice, use it and undertake action to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the important areas identified. A publication like this is not possible without the contribution of the large network of observers, almost all volunteers, and a strong and dedicated network of national coordinators, mostly doing v their work almost invisibly. A big ‘thank you’ goes to all of them. Wetlands International collaborates with partner organisation in bringing the waterbird data together and both the coordination team in the Wetlands International’s Malaysia Office and the colleagues of our collaborating organisations, namely Malaysian Nature Society, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and Myanmar Bird and Nature Society are to be congratulated on having conducted these comprehensive waterbird surveys Besides being important documents in contribution to achieving the mission of Wetlands International to sustain and restore wetlands, their resources and biodiversity for future generations, they are also nice and interesting to browse through and read: so enjoy!!. Ward Hagemeijer Programme Head Biodiversity Conservation Wetlands International vi Preface The extensive coastal wetlands of Southeast Asia provide ideal habitat for many waterbird species, including the globally threatened Milky Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Chinese Egret, Nordmann’s Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. In the early 1980s, Interwader, the forerunner of the Asian Wetland Bureau (AWB), conducted detailed studies of shorebirds on the coasts of Southeast Asia, and baseline information was gathered in Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra (Indonesia) for future study. In 1987, the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) programme was initiated by AWB and the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB), and waterbird counts were conducted by volunteers on an irregular basis. However, due to the inconsistent and poor coverage of sites each year it was not possible to obtain a comprehensive picture of the status of waterbirds in the region. In 1995 AWB and IWRB amalgamated with Wetlands for the Americas to form Wetlands International. In order to ascertain the current status of coastal waterbirds in Malaysia, from November 2004 to April 2005 a survey focusing on the Globally Threatened Nordmann’s Greenshank and Chinese Egret was carried out. Funding support was provided by Asia Ecological Consultants Ltd. (AEC)/Oriental Bird Club (OBC) Award for Conservation, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)/British Bird Watching Fair Research Fund for Endangered Species and the Australian Government’s Department of Environment and Heritage, through Wetlands International – Oceania. A large amount of data on waterbirds was collected during this survey, however a number of gaps were also identified, particularly in East Malaysia. In order to understand the importance of the coast of the whole of the Thai-Malay Peninsula and other countries in Southeast Asia, it was decided to extend survey coverage to the coast of Thailand and Myanmar in the following year. The support of the Loke Wan Tho Memorial Foundation and Australian Government’s Department of Environment and Heritage, through Wetlands International – Oceania, made this possible. From August 2005 to May 2006, a survey of coastal waterbirds in Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar’s Ayeyarwaddy Delta was carried out by Wetlands International – Malaysia Office, Malaysian Nature Society, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and the Myanmar Bird and Nature Society. The survey of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta is the first comprehensive survey of this area ever undertaken; the survey along the southwest coast of Sarawak was the first comprehensive update in 20 years since the original comprehensive survey made by Interwader in 1985; and particularly important updated information was collected for the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the Inner Gulf of Thailand. We hope that the information presented in this report will contribute to the conservation of the important wetland sites and provide an updated baseline for future waterbird studies in the region. David Li Zuo Wei June 2007 vii Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004–2006 David Li Zuo Wei1, Yeap Chin Aik2 and Kandar Kumar2 1 Wetlands International – Malaysia Office 2 Malaysian Nature Society SUMMARY The report presents the results of waterbird counts made at a total of 134 sites across the whole of Malaysia in 2004–2006. The numbers of waterbirds recorded in each period were 56,267 (74 sites – AWC 2005); 15,885 (26 sites – 2005 northern migration count); 27,280 (39 sites – 2005 southern migration count); 73,151 (73 sites – AWC 2006); and 11,075 (15 sites – 2006 northern migration count). A total of 16 sites (12%) of the 134 surveyed met the 1% criterion for international importance, and 39 sites were identified as being potentially of international importance by supporting large numbers of unidentified waterbirds, almost 1% of a waterbird species or at least one individual of a globally threatened species. Totals of 87 species of waterbirds and 20 wetland-dependent species were recorded. Herons and egrets, shorebirds, and gulls and terns were the three major waterbird species groups recorded. These three groups constituted 10–12%, 76–77% and 11–12% respectively of the total number of waterbirds recorded. Seven globally threatened species were recorded: the Endangered Storm’s Stork and Nordmann’s Greenshank, and Vulnerable Spot-billed Pelican, Chinese Egret, Milky Stork, Lesser Adjutant and Greater Spotted Eagle. Furthermore, six Near Threatened species were recorded: Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Malaysian Plover, Asian Dowitcher, Blacktailed Godwit and Brown-winged Kingfisher. The surveys confirmed that the coast of Malaysia, particularly the coast of Selangor and Sarawak, is very important for waterbirds, however shorebird numbers showed a decline of 22.4% in Malaysia between 1983–1986 and 2004–2006. The reclamation/conversion of mangrove forest and mudflats for aquaculture, agriculture, industry, housing and recreational purposes is the major threat to waterbird habitat. Recommendations are made for the conservation of Malaysia’s coastal wetlands and waterbirds, future surveys and monitoring activities, and the development of a training and education programme. 1. INTRODUCTION The extensive coastline of Malaysia (4,675 km in total, comprising 2,068 km for Peninsular Malaysia and 2,607 km for East Malaysia) supports a large number of resident and migratory waterbirds. Waterbird surveys, focusing mainly on shorebirds, were carried out by Interwader in the early 1980s (Parish and Wells 1984, 1985; Edwards et al. 1986; Hawkins and Howes 1986; Howes et al. 1986; Howes and NWPO 1986a, b; Silvius et al. 1987) and established baseline information on coastal wetlands and shorebird distribution in Malaysia (Table 1). Interwader was 1 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 later renamed Asian Wetland Bureau (AWB) and subsequently became part of Wetlands International. Since the late 1980s, no large-scale coastal waterbird surveys have been conducted in Malaysia apart from those carried out for the annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), from 1989 to 2004, which covered various wetland sites (Scott and Rose 1989; Perennou et al. 1990; Perennou and Mundkur 1991, 1992; Mundkur and Taylor 1993; Lopez and Mundkur 1997; Yeap 2002; Yeap et al. 2003, 2004; Li and Mundkur 2004, 2007). The coastal sites in Malaysia were surveyed for the AWC from 1989 to 2004, and count results are summarised in Tables 2 and 3. To fully understand the current status of the coastal wetlands of Malaysia and their waterbirds, comprehensive surveys were carried out from November 2004 to May 2006. The surveys focused on the wintering period and were undertaken in January 2005 and 2006 in conjunction with the annual AWC activities. The surveys were conducted and participated in by staff and volunteers of Wetlands International – Malaysia Office and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), as well as other NGOs and government agencies. The aims of the surveys were: • To promote better understanding of the importance of coastal wetlands in Malaysia for waterbirds through comprehensive coastal waterbird surveys. • To promote the conservation of waterbirds and their natural habitats by recommending appropriate conservation actions to the relevant government agencies. Table 1: Interwader shorebird* counts in Malaysia, 1983–1986 State Perlis Kedah Penang Perak Selangor Site Total Total Total Total Sg Burung Kuala Kurau – Bagan Serai rice field Tg & Sg Rubiah Kelumpang and Gula mudflat Kelumpang Lake Kuala Sangga Besar & Selinsing Pulau Terong mudflat and river Terong Lake Sg Larut river mouth Pulau Pasir Hitam Pantai Panchor Rungkup Total Sg Burong 470 4,800 13,340 1,106 120 Sekinchan rice field 779 Pantai Jeram Sg Sembilang Pulau Tengah Pulau Ketam Dec 1983 – Jan 19841 3,000 1,352 406 6,046 P Aug – Oct 19842 Nov – Dec 19842 2,593 P 646 Aug – Oct 19853,4 Nov 1985 – Feb 19864 5,0194 8,764 Mar – May 19864, 5, 6, 7 5,6414 211 Sg Haji Durani Sekinchan – Kuala Selangor Pantai Rasa Sayang Tg Karang Kuala Tengi Banjar South Forest Reserve Kuala Selangor – Kapar Kuala Selangor 2 Aug – Oct 19831 16 108 130 12,161 1,422 998 549 400 1,200 1,743 P 753 181 562 59 296 656 71 462 2,577 1,845 1,416 1,889 937 274 7,210 P 4,625 P 951 162 1,560 791 2,6536 P4 3,166 270 14 1,690 1,255 700 326 1,006 742 1,033 3,618 167 1,019 3,130 1,948 2,078 3,820 1,805 1,250 3,419 5,551 3,014 1,213 1,357 667 242 12,938 3,419 64 92 12,000 207 8,212 450 675 1,466 1,180 24,590 P 18,471 P4 4,700 1,700 1,284 2,300 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia State Negeri Sembilan Melaka Johor Pahang Terengganu Kelantan Sarawak Site Sg Sepang Total Total Total Sg Muar – Melaka border Sg Muar – Parit Jawa Tg Tohor – Parit Kuda Batu Pahat – Sg Suloh Kecil Benut Forest Reserve Pontian Kecil Pulau Kukup – Tg Piai Johor Bharu coast Sg Johor estuary Jason Bay Mersing bay Sg Buta Total Sg Rompin Tg Agas Pasir Panjang Total Sg Ular Paka Kg Chenering Total Beting Lintang Cherang Rulu Tumpat Total Aug – Oct 19831 1,155 86 1,144 4,931 P Dec 1983 – Jan 19841 Aug – Oct 19842 Nov – Dec 19842 Sabah Nov 1985 – Feb 19864 Mar – May 19864, 5, 6, 7 35 27 P 3,1125 , 6 108 189 4,221 320 390 939 (1,531) 151 (357) 39 (139) 450 (453) 175 60 257 737 7 8846 80 760 24 1076 12 21 74 3516 40 9 302 422 28,688 (35,736) P3 1,611 (1,772) 149 (159) 98 34 4,054 (4,442) Bako – Buntal Bay West Bako NP Muara – Tebas Tebas – Kuala – Samarahan Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong Kuala Sadong – Kuala Kupur Kuala Lupus – Kuala Saribas (Maludam NP) Kuala Saribas – Kuala Kabong Kuala Kabong – Kuala Rajang Kuala Rajang – Kuala Belawai Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh Pulau Bruit Pulau Patok Muara Lassa – Kuala Igan Tekajong marsh and ricefield Kuching Airport Brunei Bay: Tg Api Api – Sg Pandaruan Brunei Bay: Sg Bangau Total Padas Damit Kg Nusong Kg Mempakul Bongawan Lok Kawi Likas Bay Bota Beloh Bird Sanctuary Tg Bidadari Aug – Oct 19853,4 154 (161) 622 (657) 1,263 (1,276) 600 (2,929) 746 (1,648) 368 (1,011) 18,597 (18,784) 15,231 (30,252)7 256 (264) 317 (321) 134 (149) 223 74 (236)8 952 (1,516)8 6,310 435 191 68 1,217 171 840 P 672 168 754 3,474 Notes: 1: *– Sites where total waterbird count is available are shown in brackets (). P – Count for only part of the state coast. 2: Sg – Sungai (river); Kg – Kampung (village); Tg – Tanjung (cape). 3: References: 1 – Parish and Wells 1984, 2 – Parish and Wells 1985, 3 – Edwards et al. 1986, 4 – Silvius et al. 1987, 5 – Hawkins and Howes 1986, 6 – Howes et al. 1986, 7 – Howes and NWPO 1986a, 8 – Howes and NWPO 1986b. 3 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Table 2: Coastal wetland and waterbird counts in Malaysia, AWC 1989–1996 Site No.1 Region 1 Perlis 2 Perlis/Kedah Perlis 3–6 Kedah Kedah Kedah 7 Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah 8 Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Kedah Penang 11 Penang Penang 15 Penang Penang Penang Penang Penang 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 16 Perak 17 Perak 18 Perak 18 Perak 18 Perak 19 Perak 26 Perak Perak Perak Selangor 28 Selangor 34 Selangor 38 Selangor 40 Selangor 41 Selangor 43 Selangor 44 Selangor 45 Selangor 48 Selangor 50 Selangor 51 Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor 4 Name Kuala Perlis Kuala Sanglang Sub-total Pulau Langkawi Alor Janggus Kuala Kedah – Kuala Sg Kangkong coast Kuala Kedah Kuala Kangkong Kuala Pendang Kuala Udang Yan Besar Kuala Sala Pulau Sayak Sg Merbok Kg S Meriam Kg Hujung Matang, Padang Salim Kuala Muda Kuala Sedaka Kuala Daun Kuala Kerpau Tg Dawai Pantai Singkir Laut Sub-total Permatang Binjai Pulau Batu Kawan, Bukit Tambun Tg Batu Batu Maung (Batu Uban/Free Trade Zone) Gelugor coastal area Permatang Damar Laut Pasir Panjang Sub-total North Kuala Gula: Sg Labu North Kuala Gula: Tg Piandang North Kuala Gula: Parit Besar North Kuala Gula: Ban Siang Aik, Parit Hj. Ali North Kuala Gula: Beting North Kuala Gula: Ladang Tin Sing North Kuala Gula: Sg Burung North Kuala Gula: Kuala Bagan Tiang North Kuala Gula: Kuala Gula – Kuala Kurau North Kuala Gula: Kuala Gula – Muala North Kuala Gula: Parit 30 North Kuala Gula: Sg Ayer Hitam North Kuala Gula: Sg Betul – Bagan Tiang North Kuala Gula: Teluk Rubiah (Bang Zhu Kao) Matang Forest: Kuala Kelumpang Matang Forest: Selinsing Matang Forest: Sg Gula Matang Forest: Pulau Kelumpang Rungkup: Sg Tiang Rungkup: Bagan Datuk coast Sub-total Air Tawar Bagan Nakhoda Omar Sg Haji Durani Kg Parit Empat / Pantai Rasa Sayang Tg Karang Tg Karang rice field Kuala Selangor Nature Park Jeram coastal mudflat Pantai Remis, Sg Sembilang Kapar Power Station ash ponds Pulau Tengah (Klang Islands) Tg Tumbuk Teluk Piai salt pan Pulau Kelang (Klang Islands) Pulau Lumut (Klang Islands) Pulau Tonggok (Klang Islands) Km 45 Morib/Klang Batu Laut Bagan Lalang 1989 1,161 1990 4,717 1991 1,016 1,161 4,717 1,016 8,935 930 2,203 361 36 19 1,855 344 38 613 237 1,120 110 46 12 76 554 340 316 24 11,525 23 557 277 5,898 594 2,975 295 36 630 63 3,333 2,239 83 5,096 2,869 1,476 3,619 4,742 246 1,079 22 1,164 56 23 22,714 49 1,075 843 2,320 2,910 214 744 239 203 1,447 178 14 234 1,022 2,531 1,594 0 8 7,184 529 2,090 4,047 196 308 7,170 89 232 154 1992 1,270 1,008 2,278 130 1993 239 1,695 1,934 238 1994 1995 1,610 240 36 647 8 155 16 83 578 27 774 31 528 1,538 850 277 7,528 295 93 527 72 205 433 431 284 2,190 3,254 52 15 1,887 1,035 3,709 1,887 1,035 16 2,960 6,524 2,510 3,025 1,754 9,053 193 697 4,555 1,120 3,410 1,179 3,695 73 3,038 504 453 209 14 18,749 758 23 356 416 1,887 1,113 387 2,236 1,983 53 25,164 256 24 742 1,193 289 681 173 1,305 3,467 17,576 713 4 1,317 562 2,276 11,150 53 17,015 2,645 65 394 1,796 127 453 1,775 33,320 17 129 881 1,813 389 39 119 537 1,884 2,379 23 10 1,152 10 1,254 58 115 18 370 39 441 1,674 3,174 3,587 140 379 104 673 3,446 14,793 13,384 15,949 3,882 1996 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Site No.1 52 53 55 54 59 63 64–65 77 80 101 104 130 132 Region Selangor Sembilan Melaka Melaka Melaka Melaka Melaka Melaka Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Pahang Pahang Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sabah Sabah Sabah Name Sub-total Pantai Port Dickson, N.S. Teluk Pasir Panjang, N.S. Bandar Hilir Kuala Sg Serkam Kuala Sg Baru Pantai Kg Portugis Sub-total Sg Balang Parit Jawa Sg Suloh Kecil Tg Sepenting Pontian Kecil And Besar Sg Buntu Kukup Kuala Sedili Kuala Mersing Kuala Parit Kedongdong Kuala Parit Rambah Pantai Tg Labuh Parit Hylam (Tambak Batu) Parit Sri Menanti Parit Terus Tg Emas coast Tg Langsat Tebrau coast Sub-total Balok Beach Sub-total Santubong Bay Santin Bako – Buntal Bay and surrounding areas Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong Sub-total Kota Kinabalu City (Likas) Bird Sanctuary Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary Sub-total Total Waterbirds 1989 13,301 541 88 98 15 82 336 1,160 1990 29,055 106 1991 19,594 67 273 31 410 31 9 38 331 476 1992 12,960 121 60 36 21 11 622 871 653 13 153 208 45 14 1,014 13 102 457 138 16 199 869 214 9 28 902 38 415 93 90 17 488 314 57 7 68 181 289 784 106 78 20 55 140 657 3,197 14 14 289 297 719 3,471 7 15 499 171 57 51 15 405 85 2,384 51,800 65,350 19 347 366 64,407 1993 1994 18,239 15,949* 1995 3,882 1996 11 2,513 63,050 24,250 30,407 198 2,016 1,235 3,449 66 92 1,767 1,082 3,007 7,331 3,007 Notes: 1: Site No.1 – refers to the site numbers in Table 4. 2: Sg – Sungai (river); Kg – Kampung (village); Tg – Tanjung (cape). 2: *– the 1994 counts at Pulau Tengah and Kapar Power Station Ash Ponds are duplicated as both the feeding ground and high tide roost were counted. Table 3: Coastal wetland and waterbird counts in Malaysia, AWC 1999–2004 Site No.1 1 7 9 13 14 15 16–18 35 35–36 37 38 43 44 45 48 50 51 52 53 66 72 Region Perlis Perlis Kedah Kedah Penang Penang Penang Penang Penang Perak Perak Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor Johor Johor Johor Johor Name Kuala Perlis Sub-total Kuala Kedah Sub-total Telok Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast Gurney Drive Pantai Mas (Pantai Acheh Village) Batu Maung (Batu Uban/Free Trade Zone) Sub-total Matang Forest and Northern Kuala Gula Sub-total Sg Nibong Beach Sg Nibong – Sekinchan coastline (12 km) Sekinchan rice fields Kg Parit Empat / Pantai Rasa Sayang Kuala Selangor Nature Park Jeram coastal mudflat Pantai Remis, Sg Sembilang, Jeram Kapar Power Station ash ponds Pulau Tengah, S. Tip (Klang Islands) Tg Tumbuk Sub-total Sg Balang Parit Jawa Tg Piai Kg Punggai 1999 2,114 97 414 2,625 1,274 1,274 2000 196 196 937 166 169 1,272 2001 103 103 336 336 1,998 2002 766 766 1,959 309 2,307 804 804 2003 63 63 427 427 7,526 2004 52 52 4,319 191 1,437 1,959 4,057 4,057 8,963 1,269 1,269 818 5,328 1,015 1,015 588 3,910 27 39 260 31 786 144 205 230 5,863 5,639 4,049 6,162 7,393 4,279 24 18 4,455 8,933 545 5,024 106 382 828 9,779 158 690 48 120 9 45 7,657 685 513 12,846 98 255 221 5 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Site No.1 70 77 80 91 101 102–103 104 124 130 131 132 134 134 134 Region Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Name Tg Pengelis, Penggerang Kuala Sedili Kuala Mersing Pasir Gogok Sub-total Sg Galing riverbank Kuala Rompin Tg Sepat Sub-total Bako – Buntal Bay and surrounding areas Sejingkat Power Station Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong Kuala Baram Total Kota Kinabalu City (Likas) Bird Sanctuary Likas lagoon Likas mudflat Jelatik mangroves Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary Sembulan Pulau Mantanani Kinabatangan: Kg Mumiang/Tg Bidadas Kinabatangan: Lower Floodplain Kinabatangan: Terusan Kinabatangan Sub-total Total Waterbirds 1999 2000 2001 24 24 248 4,423 45 53 6 101 261 134 600 10,661 4,423 109 33 1 248 5,329 171 27 5,527 97 2002 488 1,695 1,695 15 158 13,246 2003 43 702 567 10 2,338 212 57 39 308 5,998 440 2,254 8,692 49 127 2004 228 75 877 239 32 271 2,726 564 1,474 4,764 163 2,719 97 13,725 231 389 620 14,609 3,058 34,897 461 112 277 850 26,003 Notes: 1: Site No.1 – refers to the site numbers in Table 4. 2: Sg – Sungai (river); Kg – Kampung (village); Tg – Tanjung (cape). 2. METHODS The surveys were conducted from November 2004 to May 2006 (hereinafter 2004–2006) and were divided into five periods: (1) November 2004 – February 2005 (AWC 2005); (2) March – May 2005 (2005 northern migration count); (3) August–October 2005 (2005 southern migration count); (4) November 2005 – February 2006 (AWC 2006); and (5) March–May 2006 (2006 northern migration count), respectively. The surveys attempted to cover as many of Malaysia’s coastal wetlands, i.e. intertidal mudflats, river mouths, estuaries, mangroves, ponds associated with the coast, and ricefields, as possible. Standard site and count forms developed by Wetlands International were used in the surveys. Counts were conducted mostly from land but some were conducted from boats in areas where land access was limited or impossible. An aerial survey was also carried out at the Matang mangrove forest, under a Wetlands International project, which focused on the Milky Stork in the area (Li et al. 2006). Experienced counters were selected to lead the surveys at each site to ensure reliability and high-quality data. Discussions and consultations were held with the experienced counters before decisions were made about doubtful counts. In most cases, the sites were surveyed when the tide was rising. When there was enough time for an extended survey, counts were undertaken under different tidal conditions to ensure that the maximum possible number of waterbirds was recorded. However, considerable care was taken to avoid duplication of counts for feeding and roosting sites. Binoculars and telescopes were used for identification and counting purposes. When the survey team comprised two members, one undertook the identification and counting and the other recorded the count details. Assessments of habitat conditions and threats were made and recorded for each site. These assessments will be useful for management purposes and for developing future conservation strategies. 6 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia The data were analysed according to the wintering season or migration period. A number of sites were surveyed more than once within a single period; the maximum counts of each species were taken as the total count for the site. English and scientific names of waterbirds used throughout the report follow Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition (Wetlands International 2006); other wetland-dependent species follow BirdLife International (www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html). Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance www.ramsar.org/key_criteria.htm The criteria adopted by the 7th (1999) and 9th (2005) Meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (the Ramsar Convention) were used to identify internationally important sites for the 2004–2006 surveys. Criterion 2: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities. Criterion 5: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds. Criterion 6: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird. (The population here refers to the biogeographical population of a species as given in Wetlands International (2006); details of the 1% criterion for species recorded in Malaysia under this report are given in Table 7). However, as there is no individual site in Malaysia that supports more than 20,000 waterbirds Criterion 5 is not applicable, and Criterion 2 requires detailed evaluation of factors that are difficult to measure. Therefore, in this report, only Criterion 6 has been used to identify internationally important sites: sites that support a large number of unidentified waterbirds, almost 1% of the population of a waterbird species, or at least one individual of a globally threatened species were identified as being potentially of international importance. 3. RESULTS BY STATE AND SITE A total of 134 sites across the whole of Malaysia were surveyed at least once in 2004–2006. The site distribution is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Information on each of the sites is summarised in Table 4. The total waterbird count for each wetland site at different times is given in Table 5. The maximum count of waterbirds at each site in the 2004–2006 surveys is shown in Figure 3. The numbers of waterbirds recorded in each period were 56,267 (74 sites – AWC 2005); 15,885 (26 sites – 2005 northern migration count); 27,280 (39 sites – 2005 southern migration count); 73, 151 (73 sites – AWC 2006); and 11,075 (15 sites – 2006 northern migration count). Information on AWC 2005 and the 2005 northern migration counts has been summarised by Li et al. (2005, 2006). A total of 10 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as identified by the Malaysian Nature Society (2005) and Yeap et al. (2007) were surveyed: Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast (Penang, site #9 in 7 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Table 5), Matang Mangrove Forest (Perak, ##18–23), North Central Selangor coast (Selangor, ##27–50), Southwest Johor coast (Johor, ##52–66), Bako – Buntal Bay (Sarawak, #101), Kuala Sadong – Kuala Saribas coast (Sarawak, ##105 & 106), Pulau Bruit National Park (Sarawak, #112), Klias Peninsula (Sabah, #126), Tempasuk plains (Sabah, #132), Lower Kinabatangan (Sabah, #134). Of these IBAs, two are Ramsar sites and four are national parks. Figure 1: Coastal wetlands surveyed in Peninsular Malaysia, 2004–2006 8 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Figure 2: Coastal wetlands surveyed in East Malaysia, 2004–2006 Figure 3: Maximum counts of waterbirds at coastal wetlands surveyed in Malaysia, 2004– 2006 A total of 16 sites (12%) of the 134 surveyed in 2004–2006 met the 1% criterion for international importance, and 39 sites were identified as being potentially of international importance by supporting large numbers of unidentified waterbirds, almost 1% of the population of a waterbird species or at least one individual of a globally threatened species. A comprehensive list of the internationally and potentially internationally important sites is given in Table 6 and the distribution of the sites is shown in Figure 4. 9 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Figure 4: Distribution of internationally and potentially internationally important sites identified during surveys in Malaysia, 2004–2006 Table 4: Coastal wetland sites surveyed in Malaysia, 2004–2006 No State Site Name1 Status2 Wetland Type Area Covered 2 km Coordinates3 Threats 1 Perlis Kuala Perlis coast River mouth, mudflat 2 3 Perlis Kedah River mouth, mudflat Mudflat, mangrove, ricefield, grassland 500 ha 4 Kedah 5 6 Kedah Kedah Rocky shore River mouth, ricefield Typha wetland 5 km 100 ha 100 ha N0626, E09942 N0621, E09943 Agriculture, development N0618, E09943 Human disturbance 7 8 9 River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat 1.5 km 1 km 4 km Kuala Juru – Sg Sembilang River mouth, mudflat 1 km Batu Kawan – Bukit Tambin River bank, estuary 1.5 km Sg Udang – Acheh River mouth Gurney Drive coast River mouth N0606, E10016 Destruction of mangroves N0535, E10020 Destruction of mangroves N0530, E10022 Destruction of mangroves, poaching, aquaculture N0521, E10026 Destruction of mangroves, industrial pollution N0516, E10027 Destruction of mangroves, industrial pollution N0511, E10026 Destruction of mangroves, industrial pollution N0527, E10019 Pollution, construction Pantai Acheh River mouth, mudflats 2 km Batu Maung – Jelutong coast Mudflats, estuary 3 km 16 Kedah Kedah Penang (Mainland) Penang (Mainland) Penang (Mainland) Penang (Mainland) Penang (Island) Penang (Island) Penang (Island) Perak Kuala Sanglang Kubang Badak mangroves and adjacent area (Pulau Langkawi) Pasir Tengkorak beach to Datai Bay, (Pulau Langkawi) Padang Matsirat (Pulau Langkawi) Wetland along coast of Langkawi Airport (Pulau Langkawi) Kuala Kedah Kuala Muda Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast Coastal mudflat 15 km 17 Perak Kuala Gula – Kuala Kurau – Tg Piandang Bund Zhu Kao mudflat Coastal mudflat 100 ha 18 Perak pI Mangrove island 5 km 19 Perak P, pI Lake in mangrove island 20 ha N0453, E10030 Natural drought 20 Perak pI Mangrove island 5 km N0447, E10034 Logging 21 Perak pI Mangrove island 2 km N0446, E10035 Logging 22 Perak P, pI 50 ha N0445, E10035 Logging, natural drought 23 Perak Lake on mangrove island Mangrove island 5 km N0440, E10035 Erosion, logging 24 Perak Pond, mangrove, mudflat 3 km N0410, E10039 10 11 12 13 14 15 10 Pulau Kelumpang and Sg Gula, Matang Mangrove Forest Pulau Kelumpang Lake, Matang Mangrove Forest Pulau Sanga Kecil & Besar, Matang Mangrove Forest Pulau Terong, Matang Mangrove Forest Pulau Terong Lake, Matang Mangrove Forest Pulau Pasir Hitam & South Sg Kerang, ,Matang Mangrove Forest Majiang Power Plant and associated coast I pI N0624, E10008 Destruction of mangroves, reclamation N0614, E10011 Aquaculture N0625, E09944 Fishing N0523, E10011 Land conversion for aquaculture, poaching N0520, E10018 Coastal reclamation, pollution N0500, E10024 Development, erosion, fishing N0456, E10027 Potential development, fishing N0453, E10029 Fishing Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 25 26 27 Perak Perak Selangor Sg Burung, Rungkup Sg Tiang, Rungkup Beting Kepah to Bapar Telok Ru, North Central (NC) Selangor coast Bagan Nakhoda Omar, NC Selangor coast Sg Banting, NC Selangor coast Sg Pulai, NC Selangor coast Sg Burung, NC Selangor coast Sg Burung – Sg Besar fishpond, NC Selangor coast Sg Besar, NC Selangor coast Sg Haji Dorani – Sg Limau, NC Selangor coast Sg Nibong, NC Selangor coast Sekinchan coast, NC Selangor coast pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat Coastal mudflat 2 km N0357, E10042 Aquaculture N0354, E10042 Fishing, aquaculture N0347, E10049 Aquaculture, erosion 28 Selangor pI Coastal mudflat 2 km N0346, E10052 Tourism, development 29 30 31 32 Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor pI pI pI pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat Fish pond 1 km 1 km 2 km 2 km N0345, E10054 Mussel harvesting N0343, E10055 N0341, E10056 N0341, E10058 Fish farm 33 34 Selangor Selangor pI pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat 2 km 3 km N0340, E10059 Fishing N0339, E10100 Tourism, development 35 36 Selangor Selangor pI pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat 3 km 1 km pI Ricefield 100 ha N0336, E10104 Tourism, development N0330, E10106 Fishing, agriculture, human disturbance N0330, E10108 Pesticides, fertiliser 37 Selangor 38 39 40 41 Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor 42 Selangor 43 Selangor 44 Selangor 45 46 47 48 Selangor Selangor Selangor Selangor 49 Selangor Sg Nibong – Sekinchan – Parit Empat rice field, NC Selangor coast Kg Parit Empat, NC Selangor coast Sg Tengkorak, NC Selangor coast Tg Karang, NC Selangor coast Tg Karang rice field, NC Selangor coast Kuala Selangor river mouth, NC Selangor coast Kuala Selangor Nature Park, NC Selangor coast Bagan Sungai Buloh, NC Selangor coast Pantai Remis, NC Selangor coast Sg Sembilang, NC Selangor coast Sg Janggut, NC Selangor coast Kapar Power Station ash ponds, NC Selangor coast Pulau Ketam, NC Selangor coast pI pI pI pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat Ricefield 2 km 2 km 1 km pI Mudflat pI Pond adjacent to coast 1 km N0320, E10114 Tourism pI River mouth, mudflat 0.5 km N0316, E10118 Fishing pI pI pI pI 2 km 1 km 3 km 300 ha N0313, E10118 Fishing N0312, E10118 Fishing N0310, E10118 Fishing, reclamation N0308, E10120 200 ha N0300, E10113 Illegal logging, fishing 500 ha N0258, E10114 Port development pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat Ash ponds adjacent to coast Mangrove island, mudflat Mangrove island, mudflat Coastal mudflat River, grass land 50 Selangor Pulau Tengah, NC Selangor coast 51 52 Selangor Johor 53 Johor Tg Tumbok Sg Balang – Sg Sarang Buaya, Southwest (SW) Johor Coast Parit Jawa, SW Johor Coast pI River mouth, mudflat 2 km 54 55 56 Johor Johor Johor Tg Sepenting, SW Johor Coast Sg Ayam, SW Johor Coast Sg Pungor, SW Johor Coast pI pI pI River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat 1 km 1 km 3 km 57 58 Johor Johor River mouth, mudflat River mouth, mudflat 5 km 2 km Johor Sg Tapok – Sg Benut, SW Johor Coast pI Sg Benut – Sg Sanlang, SW Johor pI Coast Pontian Kecil, SW Johor Coast pI 59 River mouth, mudflat 3 km 60 Johor Sg Rambah, SW Johor Coast pI River mouth, mudflat 1 km 61 62 63 64 Johor Johor Johor Johor Parit Serong, SW Johor Coast Teluk Kerang, SW Johor Coast Sg Buntu, SW Johor Coast Pulau Kukup, SW Johor Coast pI pI pI P,R, pI Coastal mudflat Coastal mudflat River mouth, mudflat Mangrove island 0.5 km 0.5 km 1 km 1 km 65 Johor Kukup Village, SW Johor Coast pI Coastal mudflat 1 km 66 67 Johor Johor Tg Piai, SW Johor Coast P,R,pI Coastal mudflat 1 km 68 69 70 pI pI Sg Lebam and river mouth Mudflat, mangrove, river Johor Johor Tg Belungkor Mudflat, mangrove, river Sg Santi & Sabena adjacent coast area Mudflat, mangrove, river Johor Tg Pengelih, Penggerang Coastal sand beach N0328, E10107 Fishing, agriculture N0327, E10108 Fishing, agriculture N0323, E10110 Fishing, agriculture N0322, E10122 N0320, E10113 N0239, E10135 N0158, E10238 Agriculture N0157, E10239 Development/destruction of mangroves N0147, E10253 Development N0145, E10256 N0141, E10306 Development, severe erosion N0136, E10315 N0135, E10317 N0129, E10324 Development, gradual disappearance of high-tide roost N0126, E10325 Development, low quality mangrove to the south N0125, E10325 Development, erosion N0125, E10325 Development, erosion N0121, E10326 Development, erosion N0119, E10326 Tourism, fishing, aquaculture, domestic pollution N0119, E10327 Housing development, fishing, aquaculture, domestic pollution N0116, E10330 Erosion, tourism Oil palm, aquaculture N0129, E10403 development N0127, E10403 Oil palm, aquaculture N0124, E10406 development N0122, E10405 11 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 71 72 73 74 75 76 Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Johor Teluk Ramunia Tg Punggai Batu Layar Tg Balau Tg Gemoh Sedili Kecil – Kg Sri Gading 77 Johor Sedili Bersar – Kg Sri Gading 78 79 Johor Johor Tg Sekakap Telok Iskandar 80 Johor Sg Mersing estuary 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 Johor Johor Johor Johor Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Pahang Kg Air Papan ricefield and fishpond Tg Resang, Mersing Tg Penyabong, Endau Pulau Aur and Layang Pulau Seri Buat Pulau Tokong Burung Pulau Tioman Pulau Sepui & Pulau Labas Pulau Tulai Pulau Cebeh Kg Jawa, Tg Gemuk Kuala Rompin and adjacent area Nenasi – Sg Bebar 94 95 Pahang Pahang Kg Pasir Panjang Tg Agas, south of Sg Pahang 96 Pahang Kg Beruas, north of Sg Pahang 97 98 99 100 Pahang Terengganu Terengganu Kelantan Lagoon 2 km north of Kg Beruas Kuala Ibai estuary Setiu – Beting Lintang Tumpat Lagoon 101 Sarawak Bako – Buntal Bay 102 Sarawak Bako – Muara Tebas 103 Sarawak Muara Tebas – Kuala Samerahan 104 Sarawak Kuala Samerahan – Kuala Sadong 105 Sarawak Kuala Sadong – Kuala Kupur pI 106 Sarawak P, pI 107 Sarawak Maludam NP (Kuala Lupar – Kuala Saribas) Kuala Saribas – Kuala Kabong 108 Sarawak Kuala Kabong – Kuala Rajang 109 Sarawak Kuala Rajang – Kuala Belawai 110 Sarawak Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh 111 Sarawak Southwest Bruit 112 113 Sarawak Sarawak Northern Pulau Bruit and Pulau Patok Daro 114 Sarawak Sarikei to Kg Bruit 115 Sarawak Bruit – Kuala Igan 116 117 118 119 120 Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Kuala Tatau Kuala Bintulu ABF coast in Bintulu City Similajau National Park Kuala Nyalau 12 Coastal sand beach Coastal sand beach Coastal sand beach Coastal sand beach Coastal sand beach River mouth, sand/mudflat River mouth, sand/mudflat Sand/mudflat River mouth, sand/mudflat River mouth, sand/mudflat Ricefield, fish pond N0122, E10416 N0126, E10418 N0127, E10418 N0136, E10416 N0145, E10412 N0150, E10408 N0155, E10407 N0221, E10357 N0224, E10352 N0225, E10353 Human disturbance, development N0230, E10349 N0235, E10349 N0239, E10346 N0227, E10430 N0241, E10355 N0247, E10358 N0250, E10410 N0254, E10403 N0255, E10406 N0256, E10406 N0242, E10335 N0249, E10329 N0306, E10327 Housing development Island I P,I Sand beach, mangrove Lagoon Mangrove, nipa forest River mouth, sand beach, mangrove, aquaculture ponds River mouth, sand beach, mangrove Lagoon River mouth, sand beach lagoon Lagoon, sand beach, mangrove, nipah forest Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove mudflat Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove Coastal mudflat, mangrove River mouth River mouth Mudflat Sand beach, river mouth Sand beach, river mouth N0330, E10327 Agriculture N0330, E10328 Sand mining, aquaculture – shrimp pond N0332, E10327 2 km 500 ha N0333, E10326 N0518, E10310 Construction N0540, E10250 Aquaculture development N0613, E10209 N0142, E11021 Fishing, pollution N0141, E11030 N0137, E11031 N0135, E11037 N0133, E11050 N0140, E11101 N0146, E11105 N0157, E11110 N0210, E11110 N0222, E11111 N0236, E11117 N0246, E11122 N0231, E11124 N0209, E11129 N0246, E11133 2 km 2 km 1 km 30 km 200 m N0305, E11248 N0311, E11302 Development N0314, E11304 Development N0325, E11312 N0338, E11323 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 121 122 123 124 Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak 125 126 Sabah Sabah 127 128 129 130 131 132 Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah 133 Sabah 134 Sabah Southeast Kuala Niah coast and ponds Sibuti National Park and coast Kuala Rait (Teacher's Training College) Kuala Baram southern coast and associated ponds Sipitang Klias Peninsula (Western Lumbok – I Menumbok coast) Tasik Sitomipok 5 km south of Tg Aru, Kota Kinabalu 2 km south of Tg Aru, Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary Likas Lagoon Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary, Tempasuk pI plains Sandakan (Sg Bungon to Pulau Nunuyan Laut ) Lower Kinabatangan (Kg Mumiang to I Sukau to Kuala Kinabantangan Besar) Sand beach, ponds Sand beach, mangrove River mouth, sand beach Sand beach, river mouth, ponds Coastal mudflat Mangrove & nipah forest, coastal sandflat Mangrove lagoon Coastal mudflat Coastal mudflat Mangrove Lagoon Grassland, freshwater marsh adjacent to coast Sand beach, mangrove 7 km 5 km 2 km 5 km N0357, E11341 N0359, E11343 N0420, E11358 N0435, E11358 Reclamation, disturbance Reclamation, disturbance Development Development, pollution 2 km 10 km N0505, E11533 Development N0511, E11533 Pollution, development 500 ha 0.5 km 0.5 km 300 ha 10 ha N0532, E11535 N0551, E11602 N0553, E11602 N0559, E11605 N0559, E11606 N0625, E11625 200 sq km N0552, E11807 Development, pollution Mangrove, nipah, river 200 sq km N0546, E11822 Land development, logging Development Development Pollution Agriculture development Notes: 1: Sg – Sungai (river); Kg – Kampung (village); Tg – Tanjung (cape). 2: P – National Park or protected as permanent Forest Reserve, R – Ramsar Site, I – Important Bird Area, pI – part of an Important Bird Area. 3: E.g. N0230, E10130 = 2 degrees 30 minutes North; 101 degrees 30 minutes East. 4: For locations of wetland sites refer to Figures 1 & 2. Table 5: Total numbers of waterbirds recorded at each coastal wetland site in Malaysia, 2004–2006 Site No.1 1 2 Perlis sub-total 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kedah sub-total 9 Nov 04 – Feb 05 Mar – May 05 Aug – Oct 05 360 34 394 Mar – May 06 60 35 113 69 102 284 12,137 Nov – Feb 06 6,342 35 1,056 60 150 4 393 343 368 1,258 4,139 10 17 79 11 12 13 56 63 197 14 15 Penang sub-total 16 244 827 13,344 773 6,342 283 17 473 244 18 491 607 19 115 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Perak sub-total 27 1,056 60 2,966 (1,741 birds same as at #9) 444 400 6,484* 245 176 1,018 (may be same birds as at #9) Maximum Winter (Migration) Count2 360 34 394 150 4 393 343 368 102 1,360 12,137 79 197 63 1,225 1,194 444 400 14,545 773 379 473 234 724 724 48 439 193 193 + (246) 199 331 143 709 709 11 297 10 5 35 69 3 10 11 297 10 (361) 946 176 4,312 + (607) 611 361 946 176 3,491 611 1,553 945 2,263 274 361 13 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Site No.1 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Selangor sub-total 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Nov 04 – Feb 05 Mar – May 05 Aug – Oct 05 735 201 44 585 427 317 1,415 2,787 1,199 76 1,413 819 522 274 63 180 1,460 3,676 377 1,617 398 138 Mar – May 06 555 302 160 5,390 236 702 413 2,101 688 9 296 1,566 9 129 57 616 284 6,897 (duplicate count of 6,000 birds at #48) 13,007 912 425 26,867 242 608 3 2 480 245 301 1,250 Nov – Feb 06 10,410 18,593 265 13,232 2,106 (duplicate count of 2,003 birds at #48) 690 26,726 375 180 1,433 6,536 13,232 103 912 425 35,075+ (2,475) 375 608 3 2 480 245 301 1,250 + (183) 60 61 62 63 64 126 1 1 17 40 15 2 96 126 1 1 17 40 + (56) 65 126 26 53 126 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 Johor sub-total 89 14 27 2 17 25 535 91 2 249 26 28 5 0 0 6 8 41 446 2 530 724 5,927 85 86 87 88 4 6,536 Maximum Winter (Migration) Count2 735 302 160 5,390 427 702 1,415 + (45) 2,787 + (889) 1,199 76 + (1,541) 1413 819 522 296 1,566 129 57 616 284 897 74 62 2 149 22 40 356 778 253 441 4 5 56 6 627 2,395 40 1,000 314 69 1,286 42 3,371 89 249 26 28 25 535 91 6 (8) 40 356 778 2 530 1,286 42 (5) (56) (6) 7,658+ (314) (40) (1,000) (314) (69) Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Site No.1 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 Pahang sub-total 98 99 Terengganu sub-total 100 Kelantan sub-total 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 Sarawak sub-total 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 Sabah sub-total Total Waterbirds Nov 04 – Feb 05 Mar – May 05 Aug – Oct 05 76 42 29 53 1,623 19 19 3,256 6,882 (Bako – Semera Coast) 2,633 3,256 1,436 92 104 442 2,074 56,267 6,882 14 249 22 37 28 69 62 481 15,885 2,633 27,280 Nov – Feb 06 Mar – May 06 5 4 3 124 187 20 343 38 38 57 57 6,871 252 282 8,917 485 1,218 838 2,428 1,982 4,961 620 2,120 892 1 684 1,699 32,551 32 17 39 10 12 3 12 13 47 1,884 73,151 378 722 1,100 11,075 Maximum Winter (Migration) Count2 (76) (42) (29) 5+ (48) 4 3 124 187 20 343 + (1,618) 38 19 57 57 57 6,871 252 282 8,917 485 1,218 838 2,428 1,982 4,961 620 2,120 + (513) 892 1 684 (32) (17) (39) (10) (12) (3) (12) (13) (47) 32,551 + (698) (14) 1,436 (22) (37) (28) 92 104 442 (378) (722) 2,074 + (1,201) 98,426 + (6,913) Notes: 1: For site numbers and names refer to Table 4; for locations of sites refer to Figures 1 & 2. 2: The maximum wintering count at each site was used for the comparison, however where the wintering count for a site is not available, or the count was not comprehensive, a count made during the migration period was used for the comparison by assuming that the migration count at the site represents the maximum wintering count. 15 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 3.1 Perlis Two sites in the state of Perlis, Kuala Perlis (#1) and Kuala Sanglang (#2, which is an estuary straddling the Perlis/Kedah border), were surveyed (Tables 4 & 5). Both Kuala Perlis and Kuala Sanglang supported 394 waterbirds (mainly pond-herons) during AWC 2005. The number of waterbirds recorded has declined compared to the over 3,000 waders (mainly Lesser Sandplover and Curlew Sandpiper) at Kuala Sanglang on 18 January 1984 (Table 1) and 1,016–4,717 waterbirds (mainly terns) recorded along the coast of Kuala Perlis to Kuala Sanglang in AWC 1989–1993 (Table 2). However, due to a lack of resources and volunteers, the coverage of these areas in 2004–2006 was poor. Surveys were conducted at the two sites only; the coast between the two sites was not surveyed. Detailed and comprehensive surveys along the coast from Kuala Perlis to Kuala Sanglang need to be conducted in the future to achieve a better understanding of the waterbird population trends along the Perlis coast. There was widespread destruction of the mangroves at Kuala Perlis, the main port for Perlis, and clearing of the mangroves for aquaculture at Kuala Sanglang. It is anticipated that expansion of the port at Kuala Perlis and opening up of more areas for aquaculture in Kuala Sanglang and other mangrove areas along the Perlis coastline will further impact the mudflats at these sites. 3.2 Kedah Six sites were surveyed in Kedah, including four sites on Pulau Langkawi, in 2004–2006 (Table 4 & 5). Kuala Kedah (#7) was surveyed for the AWC in both 2005 and 2006; the highest count was of 368 individuals in February 2006. Kuala Muda (#8) was surveyed once, in February 2005, with 102 waterbirds recorded. The number of waterbirds on the Kedah coast has declined greatly compared to the 1,352 recorded in December 1983 (Table 1) and 2,190–11,525 recorded for AWC 1989–1993 (Table 2). The status of the coastal wetland system was similar to that of Perlis, with mangroves being cleared for aquaculture and coastal development. Most of the mangroves north of the port of Kuala Kedah have been cleared, leaving a completely bare coastline. Kuala Muda, which borders the Teluk Ayer Tawar – Kuala Muda coastline (#9) in mainland Penang, has seen widespread destruction of the mangroves over the years, with dwellings and other buildings constructed very close to the high tide mark. The coast of Kuala Muda was the coastal area of Malaysia hardest hit by the tsunami in December 2004. The extensive ricefields on Pulau Langkawi supported good populations of egrets, pond-herons, Red-wattled Lapwing, Pacific Golden Plover and snipe. However, wetlands on this island, primarily coastal mangroves and ricefields, face threats such as coastal development and potential use of fertilisers. 3.3 Penang Seven sites in the state of Penang were surveyed – three on Penang Island and four on the mainland (Tables 4 & 5). AWC 2005 and 2006 recorded 13,344 and 6,484 waterbirds respectively. The counts showed a large increase compared to the 406 waders recorded in December 1983 (Table 1) and 3,333–7,170 waterbirds recorded by AWC 1990–1992. It is possible that some of the increase in numbers was due partly to the presence of birds that were recorded on the coast of Perlis and Kedah in the 1980s. The Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast (#9) was surveyed during all periods, with the highest count, 12,137 waterbirds (10,937 shorebirds), recorded by AWC 2005. This unexpectedly high count was believed to be the result of a shift in the usage of wintering grounds from northern 16 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Sumatra and western Thailand in the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami. These ‘traditional areas’, especially those in northern Sumatra, suffered major coastal damage and this may have affected their ability to support wintering waterbirds. The close proximity of the Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast to northern Sumatra (100 km) provided an attractive alternative. Prior to this rise, the coast supported a lower count: 4,319 individuals were recorded by AWC 2004, and 4,139 individuals by AWC 2006. However, the assumption that the increased number of shorebirds in AWC 2005 resulted from the effects of the tsunami may not be entirely correct as a high count of 16,414 waterbirds (13,359 shorebirds) was also recorded during AWC 2007 (D. Bakewell, Z.W.D. Li and K. Kumar, pers. obs., December 2006 – February 2007). The extensive accreting mudflats and expansion of mangroves along this coast are recent (less than 10 years old), possibly resulting from coastal development, i.e. port expansion and dredging, along the narrow strait between Butterworth and Penang. Threats identified at the site are destruction of mangroves and development of aquaculture. Mist-nets for trapping birds have also been observed on the mudflats and bordering ricefields. Annual AWC counts at the Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast site have been conducted since 1999 by MNS – Penang Branch volunteers. Since 1999, the number of waterbirds recorded here has increased. During the 2004–2006 surveys, counts of five wader species, Pacific Golden Plover (2% of the population), Lesser Sandplover (1.6%, AWC 2005), Greater Sandplover (1.6%), Whimbrel (1%) and Nordmann’s Greenshank (5%), exceeded the 1% criterion. The site is particularly important for the globally threatened Nordmann’s Greenshank: AWC counts in 2004 and 2005 recorded 31 and 38 individuals, respectively; the latter is the highest count of this species for the site to date. Furthermore, 24 Near Threatened Asian Dowitchers were recorded at the site during AWC 2005. This area also supports large numbers of egrets, herons and wagtails. It is believed that wagtails could number more than 5,000 individuals and Chinese Pond-Heron may number up to 1,000 individuals. The Gurney Drive coast (#3) on Penang also recorded significant numbers of waterbirds. During AWC 2006, 2,966 waterbirds were recorded at high tide, including 15 Asian Dowitchers. The waterbirds using the site at high tide were believed to be the same birds that foraged at the Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast site at low tide. However, to minimise double counting, only the higher count of each species at the Gurney Drive coast was included in the final total. The site is highly polluted by domestic waste from coastal settlements and the city of Penang; it is also threatened by a major reclamation and coastal development project. The Kuala Juru – Sungei Sembilang site (#10), located on the mainland, supported nearly 1,000 Redshanks (1%) during high tide in the later northern migration season in early May 2006, making it a potentially internationally important site for the species. The Juru River is among the most polluted rivers in Penang as a result of contamination from the area’s industrial zone. Fewer waterbirds were recorded on the Batu Maung – Jelutong coast (#15) on Penang, however: AWC 2005 recorded 827 individuals and AWC 2006 recorded 400 individuals, compared to AWC counts from 1990–1992, when 2,000–4,000 waterbirds were recorded. The east coast of Penang has been progressively reclaimed for industrial and commercial land use: only a few degraded mangroves remain, with reduced areas of mudflats. The coast will eventually be totally reclaimed, with hardly any mangrove ecosystems left other than those on the banks of the estuaries. A marshy high-tide roost at the end of the airport runway in the Sungei Kulang – Batu Maung area, which supported more than 1,000 waders in the late 1990s, has largely been drained. 17 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 3.4 Perak A total of 11 sites were covered in the state of Perak during the 2004–2006 surveys (Tables 4 & 5); of these, eight were located within the Matang Mangrove Forest and on the north coast of Kuala Gula (##16–24). Collectively, these sites supported a total of 2,369 and 2,263 individuals during AWC 2005 and 2006, respectively. An earlier, detailed study was carried out on the status of the waterbirds and wetlands in this region under a project to survey Milky Stork in Malaysia. A full account of the results is given in Li et al. (2006). The study made comparisons between previous AWC counts (1989–1992) with the more recent AWC surveys (2002–2006). Between 1989 and 1992, the area supported between 18,526 and 31,520 waterbirds annually. However, since 2002 only 1,015–4,057 waterbirds have been recorded during the same survey periods. These comparisons reveal a catastrophic decline of 75–95% in the overall wintering waterbird populations in the Matang mangroves and adjacent Kuala Gula coastal areas over a period of 10– 17 years. Closer scrutiny of these figures shows that the most dramatic declines took place along the coast north of the Matang mangroves – specifically from Kuala Gula to Kuala Kurau (including the Bund Zhu Kao mudflat) and Tg Piandang (##16–17) on the Penang state boundary. Between 1989 and 1992, this stretch of coast supported a total of 16,872–29,154 waterbirds, but this declined to only 624–1,245 waterbirds between 2005 and 2006. However, the Bund Zhu Kao mudflat (#17), which is located inside Sungai Rubiah, could potentially support a much higher population of waterbirds (particularly shorebirds). Less than 10% of the area that has easy access was visited in the 2004–2006 surveys. A comprehensive survey of the whole Bund Zhu Kao area is recommended in order to determine the overall population of waterbirds. The Vulnerable Milky Stork, in Malaysia found only in the Matang Mangrove Forest, has declined over 90% from 100–150 individuals to fewer than 10 birds. During the 2004–2006 surveys, the highest counts were of seven individuals at Pulau Kelumpang Lake (#19) in AWC 2006 and six at Pulau Terong Lake (#22) in AWC 2005. The latest count, for AWC 2007, recorded six individuals at Pulau Kelumpang Lake (Rahmah Ilias, pers. comm., January 2007). Two sites, namely Sungai Burung (#25) and Sungai Tiang (#26) on the Rungkup peninsula, recorded a total of 1,122 waterbirds during AWC 2005 (Tables 4 & 5). This count is also lower than the 1983–1986 count (1,200–4,800 shorebirds) and AWC 1991 and 1992 (about 2,000 waterbirds at Sg Tiang) (Tables 1 and 2). 3.5 Selangor A total of 25 sites were surveyed in Selangor in 2004–2006. The most comprehensive wintering waterbird surveys were conducted by AWC 2005 and 2006, with a total of 26,867 and 26,726 waterbirds recorded, respectively (Tables 4 & 5). The low-tide counts of 6,000 unidentified shorebirds at Sungai Janggut (#47) in January 2005 and 2,003 waterbirds in Pulau Ketam (#49) in February 2006 were believed to have overlapped with the high-tide counts at the Kapar Power Station ash ponds (#48), therefore these counts were not included in the total for Selangor. AWC 2006 addressed several gaps along the north-central Selangor coast, namely the river mouths at Kuala Selangor (#42) and Sungai Burung (#31); a high-tide roost was discovered at the latter site. The internationally important and potentially internationally important sites include the following: The Sungai Burung (#31) high-tide roost was surveyed by boat during AWC 2006, and a total of 5,390 waterbirds were recorded. Significant counts included several globally threatened 18 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Nordmann’s Greenshank (12–14 individuals, 1.5% of the flyway population), Chinese Egret (1 individual) and high numbers of Common Redshank (1.5%), Terek Sandpiper (2.6%) and Lesser Sandplover (0.9%). Sungai Nibong (#35) held 2,787 and 2,101 waterbirds respectively in AWC 2005 and 2006; most of the birds were seen at high tide, from a considerable distance. T. Mundkur and Z.W.D. Li (Yeap et al. 2004) recorded up to 1,300 Black-tailed Godwits (0.8% of the population) at this site in AWC 2004. In AWC 2007, up to 5,000 waterbirds were recorded during a boat survey of the high-tide roost, including the largest flock of 75 Nordmann’s Greenshanks (9.4%) and Common Redshanks (1.8%), as well as more than 2,000 sandplovers (Li 2007). The Kuala Selangor Rivermouth (#42) supported a total of 770 Whimbrel (1.4%) and 400 Eurasian Curlews (1.1%) in January 2006, which makes it a site of international importance. The survey also detected a high-tide roost north of the river mouth, but it was not possible to determine the composition and size of the roosting flock due to the difficulty of counting small birds from the boat on the receding tide. A further survey of this area is therefore recommended. Sungai Janggut (#47) recorded 6,897 waterbirds, including 6,000 unidentified shorebirds, in AWC 2005; this makes it potentially a site of high international importance. The Kapar Power Station ash ponds (#48) have shown increased importance for shorebirds on the surrounding coast. High populations of several wintering shorebirds have been consistently counted each year. The 2004–2006 counts of Lesser Sandplover (2.6% of the population), Eurasian Curlew (4.7%), Whimbrel (1.8%) and Common Redshank (2.9%) met the criterion for international importance. Nordmann’s Greenshank has previously been recorded regularly in small numbers at the ash ponds. However, the February 2006 survey recorded an astonishing 15– 19 birds (2%). The Near Threatened Asian Dowitcher has also been regularly observed in small numbers (four individuals during AWC 2005). The Klang islands, especially Pulau Ketam (#49) and Pulau Tengah (#50), continue to remain one of the key waterbird wintering sites along the north-central coast of Selangor. Pulau Tengah, which used to support 11,000–18,000 waterbirds during AWC 1990–1994, recorded only 683– 912 waterbirds in AWC 2004–2006 (Li et al. 2004). However, the site still supported internationally important numbers of Whimbrel (1.2%) in AWC 2005 and 2006 and 72 Chinese Egrets (2.4%) in AWC 2005. Six Lesser Adjutants were also recorded in AWC 2005. A survey of the southwest part of Pulau Ketam was carried out in February and March 2006 to find the birds that had been recorded on the southern tip of Pulau Tengah in the early 1990s: totals of 2,106 and 6,536 waterbirds were recorded respectively. This significant count included 38 Chinese Egrets (1.3% of the population), Terek Sandpiper (2%) and >1% of curlew species (1,048). Furthermore, eight Lesser Adjutants, 0.7% of the population of Gull-billed Terns and 1,500 Common Terns were also recorded. The survey also detected two gulls, one first-winter and one second-winter bird, on the mudflats; these were tentatively identified as Heuglin’s Gull (Li and Howes, in prep.). Field notes and photographic evidence have been submitted to the Records Committee of the MNS – Bird Conservation Council for verification as a new country record for Malaysia. The survey results suggested that the feeding flocks that used the southern tip of Pulau Tengah in the early 1990s have shifted to the west coast of Pulau Ketam. These surveys further confirmed the suspicions of Sebastian et al. (1993): that, based on the direction in which they fly, the shorebirds feeding on the mudflat of the Kelang Islands return to their traditional roost site at Kapar Power Station ash ponds once the tide rises. 19 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Taking into account peak counts in both years from each site (excluding possible duplicates); the coast of Selangor is predicted to support about 37,550 waterbirds (including 27,434 shorebirds). Shorebird numbers seem have declined 26% compared to those counted by Interwader in 1983– 1986 (see Table 1 and 9, peak counts from each site (total 13 sites) between August 1983 and May 1986 recorded 36,988 shorebirds). Based on these results, several sites have been identified as internationally important, especially Sungai Burung, Sungai Nibong, Kuala Selangor rivermouth, Kapar Power Station ash ponds, Pulau Ketam and Pulau Tengah. Sungai Janggut is also likely to meet the 1% criterion if further surveys are conducted to determine the large numbers of unidentified shorebird species. Selangor is one of the country’s most developed states, consequently its north-central coast is threatened by land development, infrastructure (e.g. port) development, pollution, possible overfishing and human disturbance. Illegal logging has also been recorded in the Forest Reserve on the Klang Islands. 3.6 Johor A total of 33 sites were surveyed in the state of Johor (Tables 4 & 5). An extensive survey conducted during AWC 2005 recorded 5,927 waterbirds at 24 sites, while during AWC 2006 3,371 waterbirds were recorded at 14 sites. Taking the highest counts for these sites from both AWC 2005 and 2006, the Johor coast is estimated to support a maximum of 7,650 wintering waterbirds. The number of shorebirds counted along the west coast of Johor showed a 40% decline compared to the number recorded by the Interwader aerial survey in September 1983 (see Section 4.9). The increase in the number of waterbirds recorded along the east coast of Johor may be a result of the better site coverage in the 2004–2006 survey. The most important area in Johor for waterbirds, including several globally threatened species, was the entire west coast, stretching from Parit Jawa to Tanjung Piai (##52–66). This coastline is a major habitat for the Lesser Adjutant: 37 individuals were recorded during AWC 2005. A high count of 13 Chinese Egrets was recorded in January 2005 on the mudflats at Kukup village (#65). This coastal area is generally well protected by mangroves, nevertheless the effects of severe erosion were visible at Sungai Pungor (#56), between Sungai Rambah (#60) and Sungai Buntu (#63), and at Tanjung Piai (#66). Land reclamation and destruction of mangroves were also observed on some parts of the coast. The count of 1,035 Lesser Sandplovers (0.8% of the population) at Pontian Kecil (#59) makes it a potentially internationally important site. The species was recorded at a high-tide roost on land reclaimed for development of a shopping area and new bus station. On the east coast of Johor, two sites, Jason Bay (#76–77) and Mersing Bay (# 80), supported significant populations of waterbirds. A total of 1,142 waterbirds were recorded at Jason Bay (Sedili Kecil and Kg Sri Gading combined) in December 2005, including 22 Near Threatened Malaysian Plovers. The Mersing estuary and associated Teluk Iskandar coast supported 1,254 waterbirds in January 2005. In November 2005, Mersing Bay alone recorded 1,286 waterbirds, including five Chinese Egrets. Currently, Mersing Bay faces threats of human disturbance, pollution and land development near Mersing town. Little human disturbance was noted in Jason Bay, which provides good habitat for resident Malaysian Plovers. 20 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 3.7 Pahang A total of 13 sites were surveyed during August–November 2005 (Tables 4 & 5). Six offshore islands were surveyed for the first time; the birds on them were dominated by Bridled Terns. Tanjung Agas (#95), identified by Howes et al. (1986) as one of the most important wader sites on the east coast, recorded fewer than 30 shorebirds on 31 October 2005. This decline was most probably caused by sand mining activities and human disturbance. However, the Pahang river mouth and associated ricefields (including both Tanjung Agas and Kg Beruas (#96)) supported 311 waterbirds, mainly Great Crested Terns and egrets. 3.8 Terengganu Two sites in Terengganu were surveyed in 2004–2006 (Tables 4 & 5). There have been no significant counts here, either in the past or from this survey. Setiu lagoon (#99) may be a potential site for waterbirds, however only 19 birds were recorded during a brief survey for AWC 2005. Further waterbird surveys are therefore recommended. The entire coast of Terengganu is covered mainly by sandy beaches with small pockets of riverine and coastal mangroves. This coast is exposed to the monsoon (November–December) and the South China Sea, as are the coasts of Pahang and Kelantan. The lack of mudflats, i.e. food resources and shelter, is the probable reason for the low waterbird populations in the states on Malaysia’s east coast. 3.9 Kelantan Tumpat lagoon (#100) was the only site in Kelantan surveyed in November 2005 (Tables 4 & 5). Fifty-seven waterbirds were recorded (including one Chinese Egret) compared to 302 shorebirds recorded in an earlier survey by Howes et al. (1986) (Table 1). The low number of birds recorded may be due to limited site coverage, as boat surveys were not undertaken. Further detailed surveys need to be carried out to identify the importance of the lagoon for waterbirds. 3.10 Sarawak The only comprehensive survey of the southwest coast of Sarawak (##101–115) was conducted by Interwader in September–November 1985; this recorded a total of 35,736 waterbirds (Table 1). Shorebirds dominated the survey, with 28,688 individuals recorded. During AWC 2006 a detailed study was carried out to assess the current status of the waterbirds here two decades later (Mizutani et al. 2006). A total of 32,551 waterbirds were recorded, 26,163 of which were shorebirds. Several globally threatened and Near Threatened species were also sighted: Nordmann’s Greenshank (5 individuals), Chinese Egret (432), Lesser Adjutant (40), Asian Dowitcher (286) and Malaysian Plover (54). The number of waterbirds utilising the southwest coast of Sarawak seems to have remained comparatively stable for the last 20 years. Bako – Buntal Bay (#101) supported 3,256 and 6,871 waterbirds during AWC 2005 and 2006, respectively. During AWC 2006, the site recorded four Nordmann’s Greenshanks and 54 Chinese Egrets (1.8% of the population). Regular AWC surveys from 1995 to 2004 recorded between 1,695 and 5,998 waterbirds. These counts showed an increase in the number of waterbirds utilising the bay compared to Interwader’s 1986 survey (1,772 individuals). 21 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 The Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong coast (#104) supported a total of 8,917 waterbirds in January and February 2006. This figure included more than 1% of the population of Chinese Egret (7.6%), Whimbrel (1.6% of the population) and Terek Sandpiper (2.9%), as well as two Lesser Adjutants. In April 2005, a survey of the Bako – Semera coast (from east Bako to Kuala Samarahan and Kuala Sadong) recorded a total of 6,882 waterbirds, including 67 Chinese Egrets and three Nordmann’s Greenshanks. Results from both the surveys strongly indicate that these areas are the most important wintering sites on the southwest coast of Sarawak. Fifty-six Chinese Egrets (1.9% of the population) and 15 Lesser Adjutants were recorded in January 2006 at Maludam National Park, located along the coast of Kuala Lupar – Kuala Saribas (#106). Thirty-two Chinese Egrets (1%), 1.4% of the Little Tern population and five Lesser Adjutants were sighted along the Kuala Kabong – Kuala Rajang coast. On the coast from Kuala Belawai to Kuala Paloh (#110), 286 Asian Dowitchers (1.1%), the largest wintering population in Malaysia, were recorded. In addition, one Nordmann’s Greenshank, five Chinese Egrets and three Lesser Adjutants were also recorded. Tellingly, only 1,699–2,740 waterbirds were recorded from October 2005 to March 2006 in Pulau Bruit and the adjacent Pulau Patok (##111–113) apart from the 25 Chinese Egrets and four Lesser Adjutants recorded in March 2006. Pulau Bruit had supported 18,852 and 15,231 shorebirds in October 1985 and April 1986, respectively (Table 1). However, a survey in April 1989 recorded only 2,672 shorebirds. The decline in the shorebird population may have been caused by the loss of suitable mudflats and mangroves due to heavy erosion in the southwest of the island (Edwards et al. 1989). The status of the shorebird population seems to have remained at the 1989 level. Mizutani et al. (2006) stated that coastal erosion and accretion occurred at all sites in southwest Sarawak. The changes in the natural cycle will also change the distribution of waterbirds along the coast. Reclamation for housing, industrial, agricultural and aquacultural development has been recorded further from the shoreline. Another survey in Sarawak, conducted in April 2006, was concentrated along the northeast coast from Bintulu to Miri (##116–124). Very low numbers of waterbirds were detected: 185 individuals from nine sites. Unlike the southwest of Sarawak, the coastal area here consists mostly of sandy beaches that lack the food resources necessary to support large numbers of waterbirds. However, slightly higher numbers of waterbirds might have been expected if the survey had been conducted earlier, before the birds started to migrate. Nevertheless, two worthwhile sightings from this survey were of two Vulnerable Chinese Egrets along the Kuala Nyalau (#120) – Kuala Bintulu (#117) coast and a single Near Threatened Oriental Darter in a pond near Kuala Baram (#124). The Sarawakian part of Brunei Bay was not surveyed, therefore comparison with an Interwader count made in 1986 was not possible (Table 1). Six of the total of 15 sites surveyed along the southwest coast of Sarawak met the 1% criterion for international importance, namely Bako – Buntal Bay, Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong coast, Maludam National Park (on the coast between Kuala Lupar and Kuala Saribas), Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh coast and northern Pulau Bruit. However, the remainder of the sites are potentially important as they support globally threatened species, either Chinese Egret or resident Lesser Adjutant. 22 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 3.11 Sabah A total of 10 sites in the state of Sabah were surveyed in 2004–2006, including eight sites on the west coast between the Sarawak/Sabah state boundary and Kota Belud (##125–132) and two sites on the east coast covering Sandakan Bay (#133) and the Lower Kinabatangan coast (#134) (Tables 4 & 5). A lack of financial resources and experienced volunteers made it impossible to conduct surveys on other parts of the coast of Sabah. Totals of 2,074 and 481 waterbirds were counted along the west coast of Sabah during AWC 2005 and in April 2005 respectively. These numbers are lower than those recorded by the Interwader survey in 1984 (Table 1) as ricefields were not covered in the recent surveys. Sandy beaches line most of Sabah’s west coast, thus limiting suitable habitats for coastal waterbirds. The Klias peninsula (#126, west coast between Lumbo and Menumbok) recorded a total of 1,436 waterbirds in November 2004 (Howes 2004) and 249 waterbirds in April 2005. Notable globally threatened and Near Threatened species recorded from this site included four Lesser Adjutants (April 2005), four Chinese Egrets (November 2005) and three Oriental Darters (both surveys). Tasik Sitomipok lagoon (#127) supported at least three Chinese Egrets, while at least a further two individuals were sighted on the coast about 2–5 km southwest of Kota Kinabalu airport in April 2005. A small population of Oriental Darters (16 individuals) was recorded at Likas lagoon, in the city of Kota Kinabalu. On the east coast of Sabah, Sandakan Bay (#133) and Lower Kinabatangan (#134) recorded 378 and 722 waterbirds respectively in April 2006. Both sites qualify as internationally important under the 1% criterion. The 2006 count for Lower Kinabatangan was lower than a 1984 count conducted at Tg Bidadari (Table 1). This may be attributed to the absence of a large Common Sandpiper roost recorded previously at this site and the short duration of the survey. The Lower Kinabatangan coast supported several globally threatened species, seven Storm’s Storks (exceeding the 1% flyway population criterion of four individuals), 24 Chinese Egrets and seven Lesser Adjutants. Near Threatened species recorded included 27 Oriental Darters and 12 Malaysian Plovers. Lower Kinabatangan is Malaysia’s last stronghold for Storm’s Stork. This site is well-known internationally, not only for its waterbirds but also because it supports Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Orang Utan Pongo pygmaeus and Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus. Primary threats to the region are forest destruction, conversion of forest to oil palm plantations and illegal logging. Other potential threats to the area are pollution and over-fishing. In April 2006, Sandakan Bay supported a significant wintering population of Chinese Egrets (197 individuals, 6% of the population). Pollution from the oil palm industry and land development are the major threats to the bay. 23 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Table 6: Internationally important and potentially internationally important sites in Malaysia identified by surveys, 2004–2006 Site No1 State Site Name2 Internationally important sites 9 Penang Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda (Mainland) Species of International Importance >1%3 • 2% Pacific Golden Plover (2,000, AWC 2005 and northern migration 2005) • 1.6% Mongolian Plover (2,100, AWC 2005) • 1.6% Greater Sandplover (1,650, AWC 2005) • 1% Whimbrel (550, AWC 2005) • 5% Nordmann’s Greenshank (38, AWC 2005) • >1% Milky Stork (7, AWC 2006) • >1% Spot-billed Pelican (1, AWC 2005) • >1% Milky Stork (6, AWC 2005) • 1.5% Redshank (1,500, AWC 2006) • 2.6% Terek Sandpiper (1,300, AWC 2006) • 1.5% Nordmann’s Greenshank (12–14, AWC 2006) • 9.4% Nordmann’s Greenshank (75, AWC 2007) • 1.8% Redshank (1,800, AWC 2007) • >2000 sandplovers (AWC 2007) • 1.1% Eurasian Curlew (400, AWC 2006) • 1.4% Whimbrel (770, AWC 2006) • 2.6% Mongolian Plover (3,400, AWC 2006) • 4.7% Eurasian Curlew (1,620, AWC 2006) • 1.8% Whimbrel (1,016, AWC 2006) • 2.9% Redshank (2,911, AWC 2005) • 2% Nordmann’s Greenshank (15–19, AWC 2006) • 1.3% Chinese Egret (38, AWC 2006 ) • 2% Terek Sandpiper (1,000, Mar 06) • >1% curlew species (1,048, AWC 2006) • 2.4% Chinese Egret (72, AWC 2005) • 1.2% Whimbrel (663, AWC 2006) • 1.8% Chinese Egret (54, AWC 2006) 19 Perak Pulau Kelumpang Lake 22 31 Perak Selangor Pulau Terong Lake Sg Burung 35 Selangor Sg Nibong 42 Selangor Kuala Selangor river mouth 48 Selangor Kapar Power Station ash ponds 49 Selangor Pulau Ketam 50 Selangor Pulau Tengah 101 Sarawak Bako – Buntal Bay 104 Sarawak Kuala Samerahan – Kuala Sadong • 7.6% Chinese Egret (228, AWC 2006) • 1.6% Whimbrel (875, AWC 2006) • 2.9% Terek Sandpiper (1,445, AWC 2006) 106 108 Sarawak Sarawak Maludam NP Kuala Kabong – Kuala Rajang 110 Sarawak Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh • • • • 133 134 Sabah Sabah Sandakan Lower Kinabatangan • 6.6% Chinese Egret (197, Apr 2006) • 2% Storm’s Stork (7, Apr 2006) Potentially internationally important sites 13 Penang Gurney Drive Island 10 Penang Kuala Juru – Sg Sembilang (Mainland) 16 Perak Kuala Gula – Kuala Kurau –Tg Piandang 17 Perak Bang Zhu Kao mudflat 18 Perak Pulau Kelumpang and Gula River 20 Perak Pulau Sanga Kecil & Besar 21 Perak Pulau Terong 34 Selangor Sg Haji Dorani 45 Selangor Pantai Remis 47 52 53 Selangor Johor Johor Sg Janggut Sg Balang – Sg Sarang Buaya Parit Jawa 56 57 Johor Johor Sg Pungor Sg Tapok – Sg Benut 24 1.9% Chinese Egret (56, AWC 2006) 1% Chinese Egret (32, AWC 2006) 1.4% Little Tern (1,065, AWC 2006) 1.1% Asian Dowitcher (286, AWC 2006) Other Significant Species4 • Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2005) • 0.88% Redshank (885, AWC 2005) • Lesser Adjutant (31, Aug 05) • Lesser Adjutant (30, AWC 2005) • Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2006) • 0.9% Mongolian Plover (1,200, AWC 2006) • 0.8% Black-tailed Godwit (1,300, AWC 2004) • Lesser Adjutant (1, AWC 2005) • 0.7% Bar-tailed Godwit (1,200, AWC 2006) • 0.7% Gull-billed Tern (686, AWC 2006) • Lesser Adjutant (8, Mar 2006) • 0.7% Gull-billed Tern (730, AWC 2006) • Lesser Adjutant (6, AWC 2005) • • • • Nordmann’s Greenshank (4, AWC 2006) 0.7% Mongolian Plover 886 (AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (2, AWC 2006) Nordmann’s Greenshank (3, Apr 2005 on Bako – Semera Coast) • 0.83% Redshank (835, AWC 2006) • Lesser Adjutant (15, AWC 2006) • Lesser Adjutant (5, AWC 2006) • • • • • • Chinese Egret (15, AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (3, AWC 2006) Nordmann’s Greenshank (1, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (24, Apr 2006) Lesser Adjutant (7, Apr 2006) • 0.8% Pacific Golden Plover (800, AWC 2006) • near 1% Redshank (May 2006) • Lesser Adjutant (6, Aug 2005) • • • • • • • • • • • • • Lesser Adjutant (5, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (8, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (19, AWC 2005 & 2006) Lesser Adjutant (1, AWC 2006) 0.75% Whiskered Tern (750, AWC 2005) Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (1, AWC 2005) unidentified shorebirds (6,000, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (5, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2005 and 2006) Lesser Adjutant (18, AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (2, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (5, AWC 2005) Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Site No1 State 58 Johor 59 Johor Site Name2 Sg Benut – Sg Sanlang Pontian Kecil 60 64 65 Johor Johor Johor Sg Rambah Pulau Kukup Kukup Village 66 Johor Tg Piai 76 80 100 102 103 Johor Johor Kelantan Sarawak Sarawak Sedili Kecil – Kg Sri Gading Sg Mersing Estuary Tumpat Lagoon Bako – Muara Tebas MuaraTebas – Kuala Samerahan 105 107 Sarawak Sarawak Kuala Sadong – Kuala Kupur Kuala Saribas – Kuala Kabong 109 111 Sarawak Sarawak Kuala Rajang – Kuala Belawai Southwest Bruit 112 Sarawak 113 Sarawak Northern Pulau Bruit and Pulau Patok National Park Daro 114 115 117 120 126 Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sabah 127 128 129 Sabah Sabah Sabah Species of International Importance >1%3 Sarikei to Kg Bruit Bruit – Kuala Igan Kuala Bintulu Kuala Nyalau Western Lumbok –Menumbok coastline Tasik Sitomipok 5 km south of Tg Aru, Kota Kinabalu 2 km south of Tg Aru, Kota Kinabalu • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Other Significant Species4 Lesser Adjutant (10, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (2, AWC 2005) 0.8% Mongolian Plover (AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (3, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (5, Oct 2005) Chinese Egret (13, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (4, AWC 2005 & Oct 2005) Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2005) Lesser Adjutant (3, AWC 2005) Malaysian Plover (22, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (5, Nov 2006) Chinese Egret (1, Nov 2005) Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (3, AWC 2006) Nordmann’s Greenshank (3, Apr 2005) Chinese Egret (2, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (6, AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (6, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (9, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (1, AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (4, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (25, Mar 2006) Lesser Adjutant (4, Mar 2006) Chinese Egret (4, AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (1, AWC 2006) Lesser Adjutant (1, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (3, AWC 2006) Chinese Egret (1, Apr 06) Chinese Egret (1 , Apr 06) Chinese Egret (4, AWC 2005), Lesser Adjutant (4, Apr 2005) Chinese Egret (3, Apr 2005) Chinese Egret (1, Apr 2005) Chinese Egret (1, Apr 2005) Notes : 1: Site numbers correspond to those in Table 4. 2: Sg – Sungai (river); Kg – Kampung (village); Tg – Tanjung (cape). 3: For 1% population criteria refer to Table 7. 4: Sites that recorded either large numbers of unidentified waterbirds, almost 1% of the population of any waterbird species, or at least one individual of a globally threatened species. 4. RESULTS BY MAJOR WATERBIRD GROUP Totals of 87 species of waterbirds and 20 wetland-dependent species, including one frigatebird, 12 raptors and seven kingfishers, were recorded in the 2004–2006 surveys (Table 7). Herons and egrets, shorebirds, and gulls and terns were the three major waterbird species groups recorded. These three groups constituted 10–12%, 76–77% and 11–12% respectively of the total number of waterbirds recorded. Other minor waterbird groups constituted less than 1% of the total number of waterbirds recorded. Most of the top ten most numerous species were shorebirds (see details in section 4.9). Detailed counts of each waterbird group are described in the sections below. Seven globally threatened species were recorded, including the Endangered Storm’s Stork (highest count 7 in April 2006) and Nordmann’s Greenshank (53–59 in AWC 2006), and the Vulnerable Spot-billed Pelican (1 in AWC 2005), Chinese Egret (478 in AWC 2006), Milky Stork (9 in AWC 2005), Lesser Adjutant (119 in AWC 2005) and Greater Spotted Eagle (2 in AWC 2005). Furthermore, six Near Threatened species were recorded: Oriental Darter (30 in April 2006), Black-headed Ibis (1 in AWC 2005 and 2006), Malaysian Plover (78 in AWC 2006), Asian Dowitcher (302 in AWC 2006), Black-tailed Godwit (624 in AWC 2006) and Brownwinged Kingfisher (2 in August 2005). 25 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Table 7: Waterbird species recorded in surveys of the coast of Malaysia, 2004–2006 English and Scientific Name1 GREBES Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis PELICANS Pelecanidae Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis DARTERS Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster HERONS, EGRETS & BITTERNS Ardeidae Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (Eastern) Great Egret Ardea modesta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Cattle Egret Ardea (Bubulcus) ibis Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola bacchus Javan Pond-Heron Ardeola speciosa unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. unidentified herons Little Egret Egretta garzetta Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra unidentified egrets Egretta/Bubulcus spp. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Yellow Bitten Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bitten Ixobrychus cinnamomeus STORKS Ciconiidae *Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi IBISES & SPOONBILLS Threskiornithidae Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus SWANS, GEESE & DUCKS Anatidae Whistling ducks Dendrocygna spp. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Northern Pintail Anas acuta RAILS, GALLINULES & COOTS Rallidae Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus White-browed Crake Porzana cinereus Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus unidentified rail Rallidae spp. PAINTED-SNIPES Rostratulidae Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis OYSTERCATCHER Haematopodidae Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus STILTS & AVOCETS Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus COURSERS & PRATINCOLES Glareolidae Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum PLOVERS Charadridae Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Great Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii *Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus 26 Status2 Nov 04 – Feb 05 Mar – May 05 Aug – Oct 05 Nov – Feb 06 6 1 NT 3 19 141 1,078 20 13 406 9 64 170 297 707 2 311 32 4 16 1 18 10 50 1,978 99 1 1,503 223 19 8 VU VU EN 9 119 NT 1 National Winter Population Estimate3 4 VU VU Mar – May 06 10,000 V 30 57 104 42 1 14 64 99 116 1,258 104 1 17 1,304 320 3 264 1 431 470 75 2 2,133 9 761 14 26 167 10 1,603 478 4 1,427 71 1 3 6 6 2 3 54 9 94 24 10,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 10,000 1,000 NA NA 1,000 211 28 1 5 16 50 9 11 3 1 279 273 1,200 (766) 10,000 10,000 10,000 <10 (9) 1 50 4 V 250 19 7 V V 1 1 20 45 1 12 0 6 4 3 61 10,000 30 10,000 91 1 2 2 1 100 150 10 2 5 7 3 5 51 158 1% Criterion4 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 3 1 4 1 250 1 100 31 18 1 1,000 3 5 11 20,000 27 2,898 778 NT V 73 43 10 7,623 2,054 247 1 8 13 1,324 26 170 548 123 2,090 1374 48 55 5,000 (3,585) 2,000 (1,422) V 20 19 2,285 74 687 78 8,603 100 13 927 1,000 (782) 300–500 (122) 1,4000–16,000 (13,507) NA 1000 1300 10,000 250 1000 250 1,300 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia English and Scientific Name1 Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. unidentified plovers Charadrius spp. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS & PHALAROPES Scolopacidae Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura unidentified snipes Gallinago spp. Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica unidentified godwits Limosa spp. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis unidentified curlews Numenius spp. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Red Knot Calidris canutus Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Sanderling Calidris alba Red-necked Stint Calidris. ruficollis Long-toed Stint Calidris. subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris. ferruginea Dunlin Calidris alpina Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus unidentified sandpipers Calidris spp. unidentified shorebirds Charadrii spp. GULLS Laridae Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini Brown-headed Gull Larus. brunnicephalus Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus unidentified gulls Laridae spp. TERNS Sternidae Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis Greater Crested Tern Sterna bergii Common Tern Sterna hirundo Little Tern Sterna albifrons Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana unidentified terns Sterninae spp. Total Waterbirds unidentified shearwater Puffinus spp. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel unidentified frigatebirds Fregata spp. Osprey Pandion haliaetus Black-winged (shouldered) Kite Elanus caeruleus Black Kite Milvus migrans Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus White-bellied Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilinotus Status2 Nov 04 – Mar – May Feb 05 05 2,387 23 1,216 NT NT 1,200 Aug – Oct 05 134 Nov – Feb 06 2,072 Mar – May 06 169 2,510 1 2,203 601 122 15 32 28 3 8 113 1,174 22 146 5 1,071 2,459 2,199 14 459 33 234 1,423 1,759 16 8 EN 3 19 302 624 2,192 15 4,908 2,576 245 350–500 (334) 1000 700 230 22 2,000 (731) 2,500–4,000 (2,415) 1,600 1,700 154 64 6 6,000–8,000 (5,582) 3,500–5,000 (3,271) 300–500 (254) 550 350 380 8,743 667 870 45 1,414 171 157 31 3,515 161 510 81 1,478 224 1 17 482 501 8 152 38 6 39 348 521 1 947 6 764 334 8 12 730 425 30 8 113 13 5,081 1,230 2,359 27 4,482 2,061 150 3 91 2,115 24 1,340 1 57 1 1% Criterion4 NA 57 1 7,912 336 901 53–59 1 132 5,648 673 71 236 315 1,174 100 3,321 4 2,254 593 19 416 National Winter Population Estimate3 4,500–6,000 (4,379) V 3 1,266 273 9 15 1 1 23 107 8,000–10,000 (6,907) 2,000–3,000 (1,087) 100–300 (78) 500 (267) 600–800 (534) 1,200–1,500 (1,178) 300–500 (141) 5,000–7,000 (4,982) 862 3,500–5,000 (3,151) V 200–500 (183) V 1,000 1,000 10,000 1,000 8 1,000 1,000 500 500 400 1,000 2,200 3,800 220 3,200 250 1,800 10,000 1,000 10,000 V 200–300 (161) 20–100 (19) NA 1,500 NA 1,000 250 NA NA NA 750 NA 1000 NA 1,185 14 138 V 15,000–18,000 (14,862) 1,000–2,000 (898) 2,000–3,000 (1,484) 120 (79) V 2 25 19 2 2,169 35 194 1,217 560 1,910 500 1500 50 2,500–4,000 (2,190) 50–100 (36) 500–1,000 (209) 2,000–4,000 (1,582) 2,000–5,000 (2,100) 3,000–5,000 (2,616) 1,432 508 30 3,000–5,000 (2,536) 3,500–5,000 (3,036) 868 73,151 300 11,075 5 2 598 20 15 500 57 442 1,056 1,733 6 1,681 56,268 1 188 9 64 30 190 69 111 150 9 15,885 405 1 141 31 351 1,459 860 1,455 22 1,980 27,280 NA 1 503 4 1 3 4 11 2 140 13 69 6 126 18 190 46 1 2 52 16 2 27 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 English and Scientific Name1 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus unidentified raptors Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting Brown-winged Kingfisher Halcyon amauroptera unidentified kingfishers Alcedinidae spp. Status2 Nov 04 – Mar – May Feb 05 05 640 VU 2 2 3 46 1 6 6 14 NT Aug – Oct 05 Nov – Feb 06 Mar – May 06 8 2 3 111 35 11 41 39 6 2 2 15 2 2 12 10 21 1 1 2 National Winter Population Estimate3 1% Criterion4 17 9 1 Notes: 1: English and scientific names of waterbirds used throughout the report follow Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition (Wetlands International 2006); other wetland-dependent species follow BirdLife International (www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html). 2: Globally threatened and Near Threatened species as identified by BirdLife International (2006): CR – Critically Endangered; EN – Endangered; VU – Vulnerable; NT – Near Threatened. 3: Population estimates are provided only for species that mainly use coastal wetlands and have been adequately counted during the survey. Figures in brackets are the highest count at each site during surveys made in 2004–2006. 4: 1% population criteria follow Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition (Wetlands International 2006). 5: *Milky Stork – Two Milky Storks recorded in Kuala Selangor Nature Park in AWC 2006 were formerly captive birds released from a reintroduction effort. 6: *Lesser Sandplover – Three sub-species can be found in Malaysia, the 1% criteria are as follows, mongolus (Taiwan to Australia) = 400; atrifrons (India to Sumatra) = 1,300; schaeferi (coastal Thailand to Greater Sunda Islands) = 300; stegmanni (Kyushu, Izu Bonin and Ryukyu Islands (Japan) to Australia) = 200. As the non-breeding grounds of these sub-species overlap, it is difficult to apply the 1% criterion to identifying internationally important sites for them, therefore 1,300 individuals (atrifrons, India to Sumatra) have been used to determine the internationally important sites for this species. The same figure was also proposed by Bamford et al. (2006) for the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. 4.1 Grebes – Podicipedidae Little Grebe was recorded on the coast between Batu Maung and Jelutong (Penang) and Teluk Ramunia (Johor). The species generally favours inland wetlands. At both sites, Little Grebe was recorded from man-made ponds associated with coastal areas. 4.2 Pelicans – Pelecanidae A single Vulnerable Spot-billed Pelican was recorded at Pulau Kelumpang Lake in the Matang mangroves, Perak, in January 2005 (Li et al. 2006). According to Wells (1999), this species had not been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia for 45 years. It was speculated that this bird had crossed from the coast of Sumatra after the 2004 tsunami. 4.3 Darters – Anhingidae Oriental Darter (Near Threatened) was recorded only from Sabah and Sarawak during the 2004– 2006 surveys. The Lower Kinabatangan floodplain probably supports a few hundred individuals with 54, 48 and 29 recorded in AWC 2002, AWC 2004 and April 2006 respectively. Darters were also sighted at Likas lagoon (16 individuals in April 2005), Kuala Baram (1 in April 2006) and the west coast of Lumbok–Menumbok (3 in both November 2004 and April 2005). 28 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 4.4 Herons, Egrets & Bitterns – Ardeidae A total of 16 species were recorded in the 2004–2006 surveys. The highest counts were of 6,621 and 7,407 individuals in AWC 2005 and 2006 respectively. Little and Great Egrets were the most numerous species within the Ardeidae family, with highest counts of 1,978 (AWC 2005) and 1,258 (AWC 2006) recorded respectively. These two species were also amongst the most widely distributed waterbirds along the Malaysian coast. The surveys also identified the Malaysian coast as the most important wintering ground for Chinese Egret, although there are also large numbers in the Philippines (Table 8 and Figure 5). The egrets were found mainly in association with coastal mangroves. Sixty-eight percent (23 of 34) of the sites surveyed in East Malaysia recorded at least one Chinese Egret in the 2004–2006 surveys. In Peninsular Malaysia, Chinese Egret was recorded at 11 sites (11% of the total sites surveyed). Taking the highest count at each site where Chinese Egret was recorded in 2004–2006 and avoiding potentially duplicated counts, a total of 766 Chinese Egrets were recorded in Malaysia, although a large area of the coast of Sabah was not surveyed in 2004–2006. It is estimated that the coast of Penisular Malaysia could support up to 200 individuals and the coast of East Malaysia at least 1,000 individuals. Using these figures, a conservative estimate of the number of Chinese Egrets for the whole coast of Malaysia would be 1,200. Table 8: Locations of Chinese Egret recorded on the coast of Malaysia, 2004–2006 State Penang Selangor Selangor Selangor Johor Johor Johor Johor Kelantan Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sarawak Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Sabah Total Site Name Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda Sg Burung Pantai Remis Pulau Tengah Pulau Ketam Parit Jawa Kukup Village Tg Piai Sg Mersing Estuary Tumpat Buntal Bay Bako – Muara Tebas Muara Tebas – Kuala Samerahan Kuala Samerahan – Kuala Sadong Kuala Sadong – Kuala Kupur Maludam NP Kuala Saribas – Kuala Kabong Kuala Kabong – Kuala Rajang Kuala Rajang – Kuala Belawai Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh Southwest Bruit Northern Pulau Bruit and Pulau Patok Daro Bruit – Kuala Igan Kuala Nyalau Kuala Bintulu Western Lumbok – Menumbok coastline Tasik Sitomipok 5 km south of Tg Aru, Kota Kinabalu 2 km south of Tg Aru, Kota Kinabalu Sandakan Lower Kinabatangan Nov 04 – Feb 05 Mar – May 05 Aug – Oct 05 Nov – Feb 06 Mar – May 06 1 1 1 1 72 1 1 72 1 13 1 0 38 1 25 1 13 3 6 67 14 5 1 54 1 3 228 2 56 6 32 9 15 1 18 4 3 25 1 1 4 3 1 1 99 75 14 478 Maximum Winter/(Migration) Count 197 24 273 5 1 54 1 3 228 2 56 6 32 9 15 1 (25) 4 3 (1) (1) 4 (3) (1) (1) (197) (24) 766 Note: 1: Sg – Sungai (river); Kg – Kampung (village); Tg – Tanjung (cape). 29 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Figure 5: Distribution of Chinese Egret in Malaysia, 2004–2006 4.5 Storks – Ciconiidae Three globally threatened stork species, Milky Stork, Lesser Adjutant and Storm’s Stork, were recorded (Table 7). Milky Stork was found only at the Pulau Kelumpang and Pulau Terong lakes in the Matang mangroves in Perak. The surveys in 2004–2006 estimated that fewer than 10 birds remain in the area. Consequently, Li et al. (2006) concluded that the last remaining Milky Stork population in Malaysia has undergone a steady decline since the 1980s, with a drop of more than 90%. The population ranged from 100 to 150 individuals in the 1980s. Milky Storks may have attempted to breed at Pulau Kelumpang Lake, however breeding success was not confirmed during the survey period. Apart from those seen at Matang, two released captive-bred storks were seen in Kula Selangor Nature Park during AWC 2006. Based on the numbers encountered during the surveys, the Lesser Adjutant population appears to be stable in Malaysia. Significant counts of 119 and 94 individuals were recorded in AWC 2005 and 2006. The species was found mainly in the Matang mangroves and on the north coast of Kula Gula, southwest coast of Johor, southwest coast of Sarawak, Kinabatangan floodplain and the Klias peninsula. Storm’s Stork, however, was recorded only in Lower Kinabatangan, with seven individuals observed in April 2006. 4.6 Ibises – Threskiornithidae An individual Black-headed Ibis, a Near Threatened species, was recorded during AWC 2005 and 2006 at Bund Zhu Kao mudflat, north of Kuala Gula (Perak). 4.7 Ducks – Anatidae About 150 unidentified Whistling Ducks and 10 Northern Shovelers were recorded at the Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary in Sabah, which is a marsh/grassland site adjacent to the coast. An individual Northern Pintail was also recorded from northern Pulau Bruit, Sarawak, in January 2006. 30 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 4.8 Rails, Gallinules & Coots – Rallidae In this survey, Rallidae species were recorded mostly on inland wetlands associated with the coast. Seven species were recorded, with a high count of 232 individuals in AWC 2005. The most common species was White-breasted Waterhen. 4.9 Shorebirds – Rostratulidae, Haematopodidae, Recurvirostridae, Glareolidae, Charadridae and Scolopacidae Shorebirds constitute the largest and most diverse waterbird group in the surveys of 2004–2006, with a total of 41 species. The highest counts were 42,855 and 56,618 in AWC 2005 and 2006 respectively. An overall comparison between the 1983–1986 and 2004–2006 survey results is shown in Table 9. The comparison shows a 22.4% decline in shorebirds across whole Malaysia and 23% in Peninsular Malaysia. The most significant decline (86%) occurred on the Perak coast, while the west coast of Johor and the coast of Selangor showed a 40% and 26% decline, respectively. Table 9: Maximum wintering (migration) shorebird counts recorded in surveys in Malaysia, 1983–1986 and 2004–2006 State Perlis Kedah Penang Perak Selangor Negeri Sembilan Melaka Johor 1983–1986 Maximum Wintering/(Migration) Shorebird Count1 3,000 1,352 406 8,764 + (3,397) = 12,161 25,883 + (11,105) = 36,988 35 + (51) = 86 2004–2006 Maximum Notes Wintering/(Migration) Shorebird Count2 23 Declined. 326 Declined. 12,131 Increased number of shorebirds probably due mainly to presence of birds originally from Perlis and Kedah. 1,614 86% decline. 27,434 26% decline compared to total peak counts in 1983–1986 (see Table 1). Not surveyed. 27 + (1,117) = 1,044 West coast (4,931) South coast (235) East coast (1,001) Total (6,167) (884) (107) (351) Southwest Coast (28,688) Northeast Coast (Not surveyed) Brunei Bay (1,026) Total (29,714) West coast 2,953 South coast 704 East coast 1,906 + (23) Total 5,563 + (23) 77 + (83) 17 15 Southwest Coast 26,163 Northeast Coast (118) Brunei Bay (Not surveyed) Total 26,281 Sabah West Coast 840 + (2,164) East Coast (3,474) Total 840 + (5,638) West Coast 1,020 + (56) East coast (454) Total 1,020 + (510) Total 40,307 + (58,531) = 98,838 74,383 + (734) = 75,117 Pahang Terengganu Kelantan Sarawak Not surveyed. Declined by 40% on west coast, but higher number recorded on southern tip and east coast due to additional sites being surveyed in 2004–2006. Large decline, mainly at mouth of Sg Pahang river. No comments, as different sites surveyed. Probably declined, but November 2005 survey covered a smaller area. The number of shorebirds has been stable in Southwest Sarawak coast. The distribution of shorebirds has changed in response to coastal erosion and accretion. The less of shorebird counted in January 2006 than October 1985 was not significant, Mizutani et. al (2005) concluded that shorebird number reaches to the highest in October and reduced in January after a study from April 2004 to July 2005 at Pulau Bruit, Sarawak. The number of shorebirds on the west coast was lower in 2004–2006 than in 1983–1986 as some ricefields were not covered. The number of shorebirds on the east coast, mainly Tg Bedadari in Kinabatangan in April 2006, was much lower than in October 1984 as the expected large numbers of roosting Common Sandpipers were not observed and the count period was much shorter than the almost month-long survey carried out in 1984. Although more sites were surveyed in 2004–2006 than in 1983–1986, the number of shorebirds still shows a 22.4% decline across the coasts of whole Malaysia if the count in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Brunei Bay in Sarawak in 1986 and Northeast Coast of Sarawak in 2006 is not included. The number of shorebird declined 23% for whole Peninsular Malaysia. Notes: 1: The individual sites are listed in Table 1. The maximum wintering count at each site was used for comparison, however where the wintering count for a site is not available, or the count was not comprehensive, a count made during the migration period was used for the comparison by assuming that the migration count at the site represents the maximum wintering count. 2: The individual sites are listed in Tables 4 & 5. Totals of maximum wintering counts at each site were used for the comparison, however for sites for which a wintering count is not available or counts were not comprehensive a count made during the migration period was used for the comparison by assuming that the migration count at the site represents the maximum wintering count. 31 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 The most numerous species recorded were Redshank (8,743 in AWC 2005), Lesser Sandplover (8,603 in AWC 2006), Terek Sandpiper (5,648 in AWC 2006), Whimbrel (4,908 in AWC 2006), Red-necked Stint (3,321 in AWC 2006), Pacific Golden Plover (2,829 in AWC 2005), Eurasian Curlew (2,576 in AWC 2006), Greater Sandplover (2,387 in AWC 2005), Curlew Sandpiper (2,254 in AWC 2006) and Bar-tailed Godwit (2,192 in AWC 2006). The 2004–2006 surveys also identified the Malaysian coast as a significant wintering site for the globally threatened Nordmann’s Greenshank. A list of sites where the species has been recorded is given in Table 10, and the distribution of the species is given in Figure 6. Thirty-eight individuals were recorded on the Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast (Penang) in AWC 2005. Additionally, up to 14 and 19 individuals were recorded on the coast at Sungai Burung and at Kapar Power Station ash ponds respectively in AWC 2006. In East Malaysia, Nordmann’s Greenshank was recorded in small numbers on the southwest coast of Sarawak, including a high count of four birds at Bako – Buntal Bay in AWC 2006, three on the coast between Bako and Semera in April 2005 and one on the coast at Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh in AWC 2006. The latest record, of 75 individuals at Sungai Nibong, north coast of Selangor, in AWC 2007, shows that the Selangor coast is extremely important for this species (Li 2007). The survey results suggests that the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia is one of the main wintering grounds for Nordmann’s Greenshank, with a total population estimated to be as high as 200 individuals; the southwest coast of Sarawak may also support up to 20 individuals. Table 10: Locations of Nordmann’s Greenshank recorded on the coast of Malaysia, 2004– 2006 State Site Name Penang Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda coast Selangor Sungai Burung Selangor Sungai Nibong Selangor Kapar Power Station ash ponds Sarawak Bako – Buntal Bay Sarawak Bako – Muara Tebas Sarawak Muara Tebas – Kuala Samarahan Sarawak Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong Sarawak Kuala Belawai – Kuala Paloh Total Note: * count from February 2007. Nov 04 – Feb 05 38 Mar – May 05 28 4 3 Nov – Feb 06 21 12–14 15–19 4 3 45 31 Maximum Winter/(Migration) Count 38 14 75* 19 4 (3) 1 53–59 Figure 6: Distribution of Nordmann’s Greenshank in Malaysia, 2004–2006 32 1 154 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Near Threatened species recorded in 2004–2006 include Asian Dowitcher and Malaysian Plover. Asian Dowitcher was found largely on the coast between Kuala Belawai and Kuala Paloh, with a total of 286 individuals recorded. It has been suggested that the population of dowitchers that formerly occurred at Pulau Bruit (470 in October 1985 and 36 in April 1986) has shifted to the south coast in response to heavy erosion in Pulau Bruit between 1986 and 1989. Twenty-four birds were recorded on the coast between Teluk Air Tawar and Kuala Muda in AWC 2005, and 15 at Gurney Drive in Penang in AWC 2006. The species has also been recorded at Kapar Power Station ash ponds (four in AWC 2005), one on the coast between Bako and Semera in April 2005, two at Pulau Kelumpang Lake in August 2005 and four at Pulau Bruit in October 2005. Malaysian Plover was found mainly on undisturbed sandy beaches along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the coast of East Malaysia. Significant counts were: 22 at Jason Bay and 39 on the coast between Kuala Rajang and Kuala Belawai in AWC 2006, 12 at Tg Bedadari in Lower Kinabatangan in April 2006 and eight on the coast between Kuala Rompin and Kuala Pontian in October 2005. Several new distribution and country records were also noted for this waterbird group. One Great Ringed Plover was seen on the coast about 5 km from Kota Kinabalu airport in April 2005, a new record for East Malaysia. A single Eurasian Oystercatcher, a new record for Malaysia, was sighted amongst the shorebirds at Bako – Buntal Bay in AWC 2006. Other rare shorebirds include one Oriental Plover and one Spotted Redshank at Kuala Samarahan – Kuala Sadong in AWC 2006, a Red-necked Phalarope at the fishponds between Sungai Burung and Sungai Besar, and a Dunlin at Kapar Power Station ash ponds in AWC 2005. 4.10 Gulls – Laridae Although the occurrence of gulls in Malaysia is generally rare, three species were recorded. The north coast of Kuala Gula is generally known to be a regular site for Brown-headed Gull: 150 individuals were recorded in AWC 2005 (January), but this had declined to 80 individuals by March 2005. In the following year (AWC 2006), only 25 individuals were recorded. Brownheaded Gull was also recorded on the coast between Teluk Air Tawar and Kuala Muda: 11 individuals were counted during the northern migration period in 2005. Black-headed Gull was seen at Pulau Ketam (5 in both February and March 2006), Kg Sri Gading, Jason Bay (3 in AWC 2005 and 6 in AWC 2006) and the southwest coast of Sarawak (8 in AWC 2006). Apart from these two gulls, a possible gull new to Malaysia was recorded from Pulau Ketam on two occasions, 28 February and 7 March 2006 (Li and Howes, in prep.). The morphological features of this new gull point to its being Heuglin’s Gull, a member of the white-headed gull group. 4.11 Terns – Sternidae A total of 10 tern species were recorded. The most numerous species were Gull-billed Tern (2,169 individuals in AWC 2006), Little Tern (1,910 in AWC 2006), White-winged Tern (1,733 in AWC 2005), Whiskered Tern (1,432 in AWC 2006), Great Crested Tern (1,217 in AWC 2006), Common Tern (1,500 in March 2006) and Bridled Tern (1,459 in August–October 2005). 33 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 4.12 Other wetland-dependent species Apart from waterbirds, other wetland-dependent species such as frigatebirds, raptors and kingfishers were also recorded during the surveys. Each group is discussed in more detail below. 4.12.1 Frigatebirds – Fregatidae Seabirds were recorded mainly on the offshore islands, which were not the focus of this survey. However, a survey was conducted on Pulau Tioman and surrounding islands in October 2005: this recorded one Lesser Frigatebird and 503 unidentified frigatebirds. Christmas Island Frigatebird, a Critically Endangered species, has been recorded from a rocky islet, Pulau Rengis, near Pulau Tioman (Wells 1999). 4.12.2 Raptors – Accipitridae Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea Eagle were the two most common raptors observed. In addition, two globally threatened Greater Spotted Eagles were recorded at Sungai Balang ricefields in AWC 2005. 4.12.3 Kingfishers – Alcedinidae Collared, Black-capped and Stork-billed Kingfishers were commonly encountered during surveys. 4.13 National population estimates An attempt to estimate the national populations of species that use mainly coastal habitats is made in Table 7. The highest number of a species at each site (mainly in the wintering season) was used to estimate the population of the species, using the figures from the most recent AWC surveys. 5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 5.1 Importance of the coast of Malaysia for waterbird conservation The study confirms that the coast of Malaysia (of both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia) is very important for waterbirds during the wintering season and migratory period. The total number of waterbirds using the coast of Malaysia during winter was about 105,000 individuals. The figure has been estimated by taking the maximum wintering waterbird count at each of the 134 sites that were surveyed at least once in 2004–2006. The coast of Selangor supported up to 38,000 waterbirds during 2004–2006 and Sarawak supported up to 33,000 waterbirds during 2004–2006, making these the top two most important sites for waterbirds during the wintering and migration seasons. 34 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia A total of 16 sites meet the criterion for international importance (>1% of the population), and a further 39 sites are potentially of international importance in having recorded large numbers of unidentified waterbirds or at least one globally threatened species. The most important areas identified for waterbirds were the coast of Mainland Penang, Matang Mangrove Forest in Perak, north-central coast of Selangor, northwest coast of Johor, southwest coast of Sarawak and the coast between Sandakan and Kinabatangan in Sabah. 5.2 Status of waterbirds using the coast of Malaysia Totals of 87 species of waterbirds and 20 wetland-dependent species, including one frigatebird, 12 raptors and 7 kingfishers, were recorded in 2004–2006. Of these, seven are globally threatened species and six are Near Threatened species. Herons and egrets, shorebirds, and gulls and terns were the three major waterbird species groups recorded. These three groups constituted 10–12%, 76–77% and 11–12%, respectively, of the total number of waterbirds recorded. The top ten most numerous species were mostly shorebirds. The maximum number of shorebirds using the coasts of Malaysia was estimated as 75,000 in the 2004–2006 surveys. Although more sites were surveyed in 2004–2006 than in 1983– 1986, the number of shorebirds showed a decline of 22.4% compared to the maximum count of 99,000 recorded in the 1983–1986 surveys conducted by Interwader. The number of shorebirds showed a decline of 23% in Peninsular Malaysia. The most significant decline (86%) occurred on the Perak coast, while the west coast of Johor and the coast of Selangor showed a 40% and 26% decline, respectively. Using the shorebird data, it is may be estimated that other waterbird species group numbers have also declined, however no comparison can be made to understand the overall situation as the Interwader surveys in 1983–1986 focused only on shorebird species. The surveys confirmed the Malaysian coast as one of the most important wintering grounds for the Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank, whose total population in Malaysia is estimated at 220 individuals (27% of the global population). It is estimated that 200 individuals use the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and 20 individuals use the southwest coast of Sarawak. The surveys also confirmed the significance of the Malaysian coast for the wintering Vulnerable Chinese Egret, with a conservative population estimate of 1,200 individuals (40% of the global population). Of these, 200 birds were estimated in Peninsular Malaysia and 1,000 in East Malaysia. However, there is a need for comprehensive surveys in Sabah and continued surveys in Sarawak in order to fully understand the importance of the East Malaysian coast for Chinese Egret. The coast of Malaysia also supports up to 10% of the global population of Lesser Adjutant. 5.3 Status of coastal wetlands in Malaysia Of the 134 sites surveyed, only six were protected as National Parks or permanent Forest Reserves, and some of the protected areas may be too small for conservation purposes. 35 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Of the 19 internationally important sites, four were protected as National Parks or as permanent Forest Reserves; only two of the potentially internationally important sites were protected as National Parks. The reclamation/conversion of mangrove forest and mudflats for aquaculture, agriculture, industry, housing and recreational purposes is the major threat to waterbird habitat; this is particularly serious in the most developed states. Other major threats to the wetlands and waterbirds were over-fishing and pollution. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 Wetland site protection Establish protected areas at all sites that were identified as being of international importance. This is the only way that the conservation of the migratory and resident waterbirds that use the coast of Malaysian can be ensured. The sites need to be well managed to ensure that they are being taken care of properly. If possible, give conservation status to ricefields that border mangrove sites. Ricefields are also of significant value for a number of waterbird species, and they are sometimes also used as high-tide roost sites. Provide alternative livelihood options at sites where a protected area has been established. For example, ecotourism development can bring long-term livelihood benefits to local communities. Nominate internationally important sites as Ramsar sites and East Asian – Australasian Flyway Migratory Waterbird Network sites; this would bring international recognition of the Malaysian Government’s commitment to the sustainable use of wetland and wetland resources. It would also bring benefits in the form of international cooperation and sharing of information. 6.2 Species conservation Initiate species conservation programmes for flagship species such as Milky Stork, Storm’s Stork, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Lesser Adjutant, Chinese Egret and Malaysian Plover. Conduct species re-introduction programmes for Milky Stork in Matang Mangrove Forest, Kuala Selangor, the Kelang Islands and Benut Forest on condition that all these sites are fully protected in order to ensure the success of the re-introduction programme. 6.3 Survey and monitoring programme Conduct surveys in ‘gap areas’ in Sabah and at Brunei Bay in Sarawak that were omitted from the 2004–06 surveys. Conduct comprehensive coastal waterbird surveys (including aerial surveys) every 3–5 years to collect the most up-to-date information in order to understand the status of wetlands and 36 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia waterbirds in Malaysia. Conservation activities should therefore be proposed and undertaken accordingly. Promote the annual wetland and waterbird monitoring programme – the Asian Waterbird Census – to cover all internationally and potentially internationally important sites identified by the 2004–2006 surveys to ensure that the status of wetlands and waterbirds is closely monitored. Publish data on annual waterbird counts and regular waterbird and wetland surveys in order to share information. 6.4 Training and education programme Carry out capacity building for staff members of wildlife and/or wildlife-related government agencies to ensure that wetland and waterbird monitoring is carried out in an official and regular manner. Establish continuous capacity building or ‘monitoring’ programmes for Malaysian birdwatchers and MNS Branch Bird Groups to ensure the maintenance of an interest group with experience and skills in wetland and waterbird survey and monitoring. Carry out education and awareness programme, such as bird events, regularly to ensure that the public is involved in the wetland and waterbird conservation effort. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the Loke Wan Tho Foundation, Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage (through Wetlands International – Oceania), Asia Ecological Consultants Ltd (AEC)/Oriental Bird Club (OBC) Award for Conservation and The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)/British Birdwatching Fair Research Fund for Endangered Species for their financial support to the 2004–2006 survey. We would also like to thank relevant government agencies in Malaysia, including the Department of Wildlife and National Parks – Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Sabah Wildlife Department, Selangor State Forestry Department and Johor National Park Corporation, and WWF-Malaysia and Nature Society Singapore for their support to the survey. Our grateful thanks also go to the following volunteers for participating in the survey and allowing us to share their count data. This report could not have been completed had they not made their count data available. Some volunteers conducted the survey at their own cost; their contribution enabled us to survey more sites under the project. Abd. B. Dauh, Abd Rahman Ahmad, Abu Bakar Mat Non, Adrin Suing, Akira Mizutani, Andrew Sani, Alfred Chia, Anita Tan, Anthony Sebastian, Anthony Wong, Anuar Abd Mafee, Auby Ilias, Badrul Hisham Abd. Rashid, Baei Hasan, Busrah B. Emran, Caroline Ho Bee Geok,Chin Sing Yun, Choo Boo Cheng, Choy Wai Mun, Coral Cay, Crawford Prentice, Daisy O’Neill, David Bakewell, David Lai, David Li, Dennis Young, Doreen Ang, Eddie Ahmao, Eugene Cheah, Hamzah Saad, Harban Singh, Hilary Chew, Ho Siew Ping, Ibrahim bin Ajak, Jan Stuivenberg, Jaya Radha Veerasamy, John Howes, Julaini bin Omar, Kan Sok Keng, Kandar Kumar, Kanitha 37 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Krishnasamy, Kazuaki Kato, Kensuke Tanaka, Khoo Swee Seng, Koo Kui Fong, Lai Ying, Laziana binti Ahmad, Lee Shin Shin, Lim Aun Tiah, Lim Kim Chye, Lim Kim Keang, Lim Kim Seng, Lim Swee Yian, Linda Wong, Loke Choong Ming, Mah Teck Onn, Mat Isa Marzuki, Mohammad Ali bin Hussin, Mohammad Aminorddin B. Ahmad, Mohammad Amri B. Uasim, Mohammad Radzay B. Osman, Mohammad Rani B. Cha, Mohammad Tahir B. Abd. Karim, Mohammad Zainuddin B. 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Evaluation of Wetlands of the West Coast of Penisular Malaysia and their Importance for Natural Resource Conservation. A joint project of World Wildlife Fund Malaysia, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, University of Malaysia and Interwader. WWF-Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Unpublished. Wells, D.R. 1999. The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Volume One: Non-passerines. Academic Press, London. Wetlands International. 2006. Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition. Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Yeap, C.A. (comp.). 2002. The Asian Waterbird Census 2002 Country Report: Malaysia. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Unpublished. Yeap, C. A., Sebastian, A.C. and Siti Hawa Yatim. (comps.). 2003. The Asian Waterbird Census 2003 Country Report: Malaysia. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Unpublished. 39 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Malaysia, 2004-2006 Yeap, C. A., Sebastian, A.C. and Siti Hawa Yatim. (comps.). 2004. The Asian Waterbird Census 2004 Country Report: Malaysia. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Unpublished. Yeap, C. A., Sebastian, A.C. and Davison, G.W.H. (comps.). 2007. Directory of Important Bird Areas in Malaysia: Key sites for conservation. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 40 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Philip Round1, Wanlaya Chanittawong2 and Petch Manopawitr1 1 2 Bird Conservation Society of Thailand Wildlife Research Division, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation SUMMARY A total of 76,824 waterbirds of 91 species were counted at 16 coastal sites in central and southern Thailand during the Asian Waterbird Census in January 2006. The single most important site in terms of numbers and variety of waterbirds was the Inner Gulf of Thailand, which held 52,042 birds of 81 species (68% of the total). Of particular significance were the counts of globally threatened species (BirdLife International 2006): Chinese Egret (35 birds), Black-faced Spoonbill (1 bird), Nordmann’s Greenshank (22 birds) and Spoon-billed Sandpiper (only one bird was recorded during the actual count period, although a minimum of 10–11 birds were present during the winter). Three Near Threatened Species, Black-headed Ibis, Asian Dowitcher and Black-tailed Godwit, were also recorded. A number of additional counts made during the spring migration are also reported for the Inner Gulf. These findings are interpreted with reference to some previous counts. Recommendations for future survey and conservation work are made. 1. INTRODUCTION Thailand has a long (> 2,000 km long) coastline. Of the 42 Thai wetland sites listed as being of national or international importance in Scott (1989), 14 were coastal. These comprised the Inner Gulf of Thailand, six sites on the east coast of the peninsula, and a further seven sites on the west coast. Coverage of many of these sites has since been fragmentary, and indeed some remain substantially uncovered. At least 12 coastal wetlands in Thailand qualify as being Important Bird Areas (BCST 2004; BirdLife International 2004). The Inner Gulf of Thailand is probably the single most important coastal wetland in the country in view of the numbers and variety of waterbirds that it supports (Tunhikorn and Round 1995; Round 2000; Round and Gardner, in press). Although the gulf receives substantial coverage from birdwatchers, coordinated counts have been achieved on relatively few occasions, most recently during January to April 1999 (Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol 1999), during January 2000 (Round 2000) and during the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) for two successive years, in January 2005 and 2006. Here we present the results of surveys of selected sites in the Inner Gulf and in southern Thailand carried out during January–April 2006. 41 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 English and scientific names of waterbirds used throughout the report follow Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition (Wetlands International 2006); other wetland-dependent species follow BirdLife International (www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html). 2. METHODS Twenty sites in the Inner Gulf and 15 sites in the peninsula were covered during the period 8–25 January as part of Thailand’s contribution to the AWC. Additional counts from Phuket Island (east coast) made during 2004–2006 were incorporated. Some further counts of shorebirds were made at sites in the central part of the Inner Gulf, in Samut Sakhon Province, during mid-March – early May 2006 by Somchai Nimnuan. Emphasis at that time was placed upon locating feeding and roosting areas of Asian Dowitchers, for which the Inner Gulf is believed to be a key spring and autumn staging area. These results are discussed separately. 3. SITES COVERED The sites chosen were those of known key importance (Inner Gulf, Khao Sam Roi Yot, Ao Pattani, Pak Nam Krabi); those that are suspected to be of international importance but which, for various reasons, have been inadequately surveyed (Ao Bandon, Pak Phanang, Bo Muang); some that are national parks and were therefore covered by National Parks Department staff (Hat Vanakorn, Mu Ko Chumphon), together with a few other sites that were covered opportunistically (Table 11 and Figure 7). Table 11: List of sites covered during the AWC in Thailand, January 2006 Site Name Inner Gulf of Thailand (#1) Khao Sam Roi Yot (#2) Hat Vanakorn (#3) Mu Ko Chumphon (#4) Nong Yai, Chumphon (#5) Ao Thung Kha –Ao Sawi, Chumphon (#6) Ao Bandon (#7) Date(s) Covered 14–15 January 2006 6 and 25 January 2006 19 January 2006 17 January 2006 14 January 2006 17 and 22 January 2006 Counters BCST volunteers Panya Khalalak, Smith Sutibut Suwit Yindeephayadung Park staff Chukiat Nualsri Chukiat Nualsri 12–14 January 2006 Sichol (#8) Pak Phanang (#9) 16 January 2006 8–11 January; 22 January 2006 Thung Talad (#10) Ao Pattani (#11) Mu Ko Libong (#12) Bo Muang (#13) Pak Nam Krabi (#14) 24 January 2006 10–25 January 2006 Phuket Island (east coast, #15) Laem Pakarang (#16) Various dates: 2004–2006 24 January 2006 Dr. Panom Archarit, Yotin Meekaeo and Philip Round Wicharn Khongyos, Wirat Khongyos Dr. Panom and Ms. Suniya Archarit, Yotin Meekaeo, Philip Round Dr. Panom Archarit Dr. Wanchamai Karntanut and team Smith Sutibut Yotin Meekaeo Simon Buckell, Yotin Meekaeo; Smith Sutibut Stijn de Win Smith Sutibut Note: Site numbers refer to Figure 7. 42 18 and 23 January 2006 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Figure 7: Wetland sites in the Inner Gulf and in Peninsular Thailand covered during the AWC, January 2006 1) Inner Gulf of Thailand Location: Extends along roughly 120 km of shoreline encompassing the mouths of four major rivers (from east to west, the Bang Pakong, the Chao Phraya, the Thachin or Nakhon Chaisri River – a deltaic branch of the Chao Phraya – and the Mae Klong). A fifth, smaller river, the Phetchaburi River, reaches the sea near the southwest margins of the area (13º03'–13º33'N, 99º57'–101º02'E) Description: Some areas of mudflats extend 2–3 km at low tide. Onshore habitats are mostly open coastal flats with Suaeda bushes, among which there are extensive areas of traditional prawn ponds, including many abandoned ponds, and salt pans. To the east of the Chao Phraya, onshore habitats are extensively built-up, but extensive open areas remain to the west. Significant areas of mangrove remain, most of which is low-stature, species-poor re-growth dominated by Avicennia and Rhizophora species. The mangroves have been reduced to a narrow fringe, 20–30 m wide, sandwiched between the expanse of the mudflats offshore and the prawn ponds, salt-pans and open flats that have replaced mangroves onshore, though there are more extensive mangroves in the west of the area, especially in Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi Provinces. 43 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 The areas of habitat in the Inner Gulf were estimated as 235 km2 for intertidal mudflats (Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol 1999), with prawn ponds occupying 400 km2 (Briggs and FungeSmith 1994) and salt-pans 106 km2 (Vanarat 1994). The total mangrove area is estimated at 129.5 km2 (Royal Forest Department 2001). A sand beach occurs at the southwest extremity of the Inner Gulf, on the Laem Phak Bia sandspit, effectively delimiting the Inner Gulf from the great sweep of sandy shore that extends to the south. The site forms part of the Inner Gulf IBA (BSCT 2004; BirdLife International 2004). Round and Gardner (in press) demonstrate that the area is of known or probable international importance for 35 species of waterbirds, including 19 species of shorebirds. In spite of the fact that this site was demonstrated as being of international importance as long ago as 1989 (Scott 1989) the Thai government extends the category of national importance only to the gulf. Only one sector of the Inner Gulf (Doi Hoi Lot) was considered to be internationally important (OEPP 1999, 2002) and has been designated as such under the Convention on Wetlands. Threats: The entire Inner Gulf is at risk from urbanisation and non-zoned development for industry and housing. Further threats include the construction of sea walls, coastal erosion and the unregulated planting of mangroves on mudflats. A further threat is now posed by the conversion of traditional prawn ponds and salt pans to deep, steep-sided ponds for rearing crabs and prawns combined. (This is an unsustainable form of aquaculture: although the prawns are obtained naturally through tidal flooding, crab larvae are being imported from Myanmar (data from Khok Kham Conservation Club). Coverage: The site was counted on 14–15 January 2006 by 11 teams of observers. Results were collated and presented according to 20 sections or discrete localities (Tables 12 & 13). Of these, two sites (Khlong Bang Kaew and Wat Khaolao) lie somewhat inland. Three of the Inner Gulf count localities (Don Hoi Lot, Ban Khlong Khone and Ban Khlong Chong) lie inside the boundary of the Don Hoi Lot Ramsar site (Figure 8). Figure 8: Locations counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand during the AWC, January 2006 44 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 2) Khao Sam Roi Yot Location: 12º07'–12º16'N, 99º52'–100º01'E Description: The total area is c. 130 km2 (Scott 1989), though the park area is listed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (DNP) as 61 km2. The park includes forested limestone mountains, open sea and some islands, as well as an extensive freshwater marsh with large stands of Phragmites and mud and sand flats. Many areas of coastal flats, including ponds and grazing marsh, lie outside the park boundary but were nonetheless counted as they are an integral part of the site. The site is recognised as being a wetland of international importance (OEPP 2002) and is also listed as an IBA (BSCT 2004; BirdLife International 2004). Threats: The park is suffering from coastal erosion and unregulated development of prawn ponds. Mimosa scrub is also encroaching on the beach habitat. Some formerly open wetlands and coastal flats have been planted with mangroves, thus changing land use. The freshwater marsh continues to suffer piecemeal encroachment for brackish aquaculture and plantations. Local government authorities have resisted listing the site as a Ramsar site. The boundary of the park is poorly demarcated. Coverage: The site was counted on 6 and 25 January. Coverage of this very large area was only partial, but the most significant and accessible areas of freshwater and brackish/salt-water habitats were probably covered. 3) Hat Vanakorn Location: Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (11º34'N, 99º40'E) Description: This is a national park dominated by sand beach habitat and bordered inland by stands of Casuarinas and some grassy areas. The park area covers 38 km2, though this includes some open sea; it is recognised as being a wetland of national importance in OEPP (2002). However, the species list presented in OEPP (2002), which includes such species as Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Yellow-vented Pigeon Treron seimundi and White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis, among others – none of which are in fact present, is highly accurate and misleading, and either the result of a massive misunderstanding, or the work of a pathologically fevered imagination. Threats: OEPP (2002) lists hunting of wildlife as a major threat. Coverage: The site was counted on 19 January, when c. 1 km of beachfront and hinterland in the vicinity of the headquarters was covered. 4) Mu Ko Chumphon Location: The coastline immediately east and south of Chumphon town, encompassing some offshore islets. Description: Encompasses sandy beach habitats and some areas of mudflats and mangroves. The site is a national park with an area of 317 km2, and is recognised in OEPP (2002) as being a wetland of national importance. Threats: No data. Coverage: The site was covered on 17 January. 5) Nong Yai, Chumphon Location: Muang District, Chumphon (c. 10º52'N, 99º11'E) Description: A c. 5-km2 area of gazing marsh that is used for water storage and flood prevention. Part of the area has been converted into a public park Threats: None known. Coverage: The site was counted on 14 January. 6) Ao Thung Kha – Sawi Location: 10º22'N, 99º10'E 45 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Description: Part of the area lies inside the adjacent Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, but the boundaries of the park with respect to Ao Thung Kha are not known. The site comprises a mangrove-fringed bay with extensive mudflats. The total area is c. 58 km2. This site is listed as being of international importance in OEPP (2002) and is also listed as an IBA (BSCT 2004; BirdLife International 2004). Threats: Discharge of waste water from prawn farms, and encroachment of remaining mangroves (OEPP 2002). Coverage: The site was covered on 17 and 22 January. 7) Ao Bandon Location: Mouth of the Tapli River, extending east and west from the town of Surat Thani (9º11'–9º24'N, 99º13'–99º41'E) Description: Much of the coastline is inaccessible by road, built up (around Surat Thani town) or much more intensively developed than when the area was surveyed by Interwader in 1984 (Parish and Wells 1985). Habitats were mangroves, prawn ponds (mostly intensive prawn ponds) and sand beach (Laem Sui in Chaiya District). In particular, the areas of intensively managed prawn ponds had increased markedly since the previous survey. The area receives no special category of protection. The site is recognised as being a wetland of international importance in OEPP (2002) and also listed as an IBA (BSCT 2004; BirdLife International 2004). Threats: Intensification of prawn aquaculture and other unregulated onshore development (industrialisation, urban sprawl) probably continue to be the major threats. Coverage: The survey extended along the entire breadth of the bay, from Chaiya District in the west, to Kanchanadit in the east, approximately 100 km. The site was counted on 12–14 January via land-based counts. It was not possible to cover the entire shoreline because of difficulty of access and time constraints. 8) Sichol Location: 9º00'N, 99º55'E Description: Mangroves and sand beach in the vicinity of Sichol, near the river mouth. Threats: Coastal erosion is believed to be the most significant threat to the site. Coverage: The site was counted on 8 January by a land-based census. 9) Pak Phanang Location: Mouth of the Pak Phanang River, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, extending from Ban Sa Bua, Tha Sala District (8º38'N, 99º58'E) through Muang District to Pak Phanang District (8º20'N, 100º12'E) to the tip of Laem Talumphuk (8º31'N,100º08'E). Description: Habitat covered included coastal ponds, disused and active prawn ponds, mangroves, sand beach, freshwater ponds and rice paddies. Counts were made along the entire length of the Laem Talumphuk sandspit. However, the eastern shore of Pak Phanang Bay was not well covered, owing to lack of road access, with the count being limited to one site (Ban Bang Yai) and along roadsides between Nakhon Si Thammarat town and Pak Phanang. Counting was land-based. Significant areas of mangrove remain on the west side of the Laem Talumphuk sandspit but were not visited. The area includes the Laem Talumphuk Non-Hunting Area (56.8 km2.) It is recognised as being a wetland of international importance in OEPP (2002). Threats: Unregulated onshore development, including construction and landfill for factories, housing, and artificial swiftlet nesting sites. Coastal erosion is a major problem that is exacerbated by intensive prawn farming. Construction of a barrage across the Pak Phanang River to prevent saltwater incursions has altered the ecology of the site. Coverage: The area covered was from Ban Sa Bua, in Tha Sala District in the north, south through Muang District to Pak Phanang District, a straight-line distance of approximately 40 km. 46 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Counts were carried out on 10–11 January. Ban Bang Yai, on the southwest margin, was covered on 22 January. All counts were land-based. 10) Thung Talaad Location: Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat (8º28'N, 99º57'E) Description: Freshwater marsh, area c. 5 km2, now partly reclaimed as a public park on northwest margins of the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The site is listed as an IBA (BSCT 2004, BirdLife International 2004). Threats: Reclamation of marshland for urban housing and suburban parkland. Coverage: The site was counted on 24 January. 11) Ao Pattani Location: Bay area north of the town of Pattani, shared between Muang and Yaring districts, Pattani Province (6º55'N, 101º16'–101º18'E). Description: Estuarine bay protected on the northeast side by a 12-km long sandspit. Areas of mangrove, both natural and managed (estimated at 8.36 km2 in 1979) are found in the east of the area with areas of saltmarsh along the southern shore. These are interspersed with shrimp ponds and salt pans; the saltmarsh is now much degraded. The total area is approximately 50 km2. A great many community-based conservation activities have been implemented over the past 20 years, some in collaboration with Wetlands International’s Thailand Programme. The site is recognised as being of international importance in OEPP (2002), and is also listed as an IBA (BSCT 2004). Threats: Dredging and damage to the seabed from ‘push-net’ fishing boats and trawlers; continued destruction of remaining saltmarsh mudflats and mangroves by construction of shrimp ponds; increased onshore industrialisation and expansion of port developments; and discharge of waste water from seafood processing plants (OEPP 2002). Direct capture of both shorebirds and migrant or wintering landbirds for food or as cagebirds was a major threat (Ruttanadakul and Ardseungnern 1986) although there is no recent information on this. There is also increased coastal recreation and tourism. Coverage: Data presented are a synthesis of land-based counts carried out during 10–25 January. 12) Mu Ko Libong Location: Kantang District, Trang Province (7º15'N, 9º20'–9º29'E) Description: Huge areas of sand and mud flats, seagrass beds and mangroves around the island of Ko Libong (34 km2), which lies approximately 3.5 km offshore. The areas of seagrass have increased within the past 20 years, due largely to protection instituted by local community groups and NGOs, and this has enhanced mudflat and sand-flat accretion. As the areas of intertidal flats have increased, so roosting and feeding shorebirds are less concentrated than formerly (and consequently more difficult to count). The area lies inside Mu Ko Libong Non-Hunting Area. Adjacent mainland coastline lies inside Hat Chao Mai National Park. The site is recognised as being of international importance in OEPP (2002), and Hat Chao Mai and Mu Ko Libong were declared as one of Thailand’s 10 Ramsar sites in 2002. The site is listed as an IBA (BSCT 2004). Threats: No recent data. Over-exploitation of benthic invertebrates may threaten natural stocks. Expansion of tourist facilities and resorts along the coast and increased recreational use of beaches are major problems. Coverage: Boat-based and land-based surveys were carried out on 21–22 January. 13) Bo Muang, Krabi Location: Khlong Thom District, Krabi (7º40'N, 99º11'E) Description: Extensive mud and sand flats, some rocky outcrops, mangroves and small, scrub covered islets, and some areas of sand beach. 47 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Threats: None known at present. Much of the mangrove was converted to prawn ponds during the 1980s. Coverage: A boat-based survey was conducted on 21 January. 14) Pak Nam Krabi Location: Muang District, Krabi (7º54'–8º06'N, 98º51'–99º 01'E) Description: The site consists of extensive offshore mud and sand flats, an island (Ko Nok) covered with low scrub, and adjacent areas of mangroves. The stakes of long fish-traps provide offshore roosting areas for many waders and terns when the sandbanks are covered at high tide. The total area is approximately 114 km2, including roughly 28 km of coastline (Scott 1989). The site is recognised as being of international importance in OEPP (2002), and is listed as both a Ramsar site and as an East-Asian Shorebird Reserve Network Site. It is also listed as an IBA under the name Na Muang Krabi (BSCT 2004). Areas of mangrove are protected as National Reserve Forest. Threats: Tourist resorts and hotel developments on the foreshore. Encroachment of prawn farmers into mangrove areas and the expansion of the town of Krabi and consequent reclamation of parts of the shoreline and mangroves. Occasional dredging of the river channel to improve access for boats has altered the hydrology of the bay and the locations and extent of some sandbars. OEPP (2002) mentions the discharge of urban waste water and solid waste from markets as threats. Coverage: The site was surveyed by boat on two occasions: at low tide on the morning of 18 January, and at high tide during the afternoon of 23 January. 15) Ao Phuket Location: East coast of Phuket island extending north and south of Phuket town, from Ban Sapam (7º56'N, 98º24'E) to Ban Ao Makham (7º50'N, 98º24'E) Description: Mudflats bordered by urban and suburban areas and coconut plantations. The site is recognised as being of international importance in OEPP (2002). Threats: No details, but commercial development of inshore habitats for tourism and industry is likely to be significant. Many freshwater marshes and grazing land in the coastal hinterland have been reclaimed and developed. Coverage: The site was not covered during the AWC, but some counts of waders were made during October 2004 to May 2005 and during 26 September 2005 to 3 May 2006 by Stijn de Win, and a synthesis of the figures during this whole period is presented. The precise boundaries of the counted area are unknown. Most counts come from Ao Phuket (the mudflats adjacent to Phuket town), with a few counts from other sites. 16) Laem Pakarang Location: Phang-nga Province (8º44'N, 98º14'E) Description: Sandy beach, and flats of dead coral, exposed at low tide, bordering coconut plantations inland. Coverage: The site was counted on 24 January. 4. RESULTS 4.1 Midwinter census The results of the midwinter census are presented in Table 14. A total of 76,824 waterbirds of 91 species were recorded. A total of three sites of the 16 surveyed in January 2006 met the 1% criterion for international importance, and seven sites were identified as being potentially of 48 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia international importance by supporting almost 1% of the population of a waterbird species or at least one individual of a globally threatened species. Findings for each site are discussed below. 1) Inner Gulf A total of 52,042 waterbirds of 83 species were counted in the Inner Gulf (Tables 12 & 13), which supported the highest number and diversity of waterbirds of any site counted. Most birds were counted in the western sectors of the gulf (west of the mouth of the Chao Phraya River). Coverage of the eastern sectors was less extensive than in 2005 due to a shortage of manpower, and only two sites, Khlong Bang Kaew (an inland site) and Bang Pu, were counted, together holding 3,713 waterbirds of 21 species (7.1% of all waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf). The most numerous species counted in the eastern sectors were Black-tailed Godwit (845 individuals) and Brown-headed Gull (870 individuals). Although coverage of the Inner Gulf was more extensive in 2005, when virtually the whole seaboard east to the Bang Pakong River was counted, the eastern sectors held only 4,011 waterbirds (11.3 %) of the 35,542 waterbirds counted that year. This probably under-represents the total somewhat, since the January count usually takes place when the tide is in throughout the day, and somewhat higher totals might be expected when the mudflats are uncovered. Nonetheless, onshore habitats in the eastern sectors of the gulf are more built-up than in the western sectors, and this (the absence of suitable roosting areas) probably acts as a constraint upon exploitation of the intertidal mudflats by shorebirds, much reducing overall usage. Of particular significance were the internationally important concentrations of some waterbirds. A total of 10 species were recorded in internationally important concentrations (following Wetlands International 2006). These were: Little Cormorant 1,401 (1% = 1,000 individuals); Black-winged Stilt 2,726 (1% = 1,000); Lesser Sandplover 6,298 (1% = 1,300); Greater Sandplover 1,945 (1% =1,000); Black-tailed Godwit 3,078 (Near Threatened, 1% = 1,600); Marsh Sandpiper 2,719 (1% = 350); Nordmann’s Greenshank 13 (Endangered, 1% = 8), Rednecked Stint 3,447 (1% = 3,200), Long-toed Stint 409 (1% = 250) and Brown-headed Gull 5,731 (1% = 1,500). In addition, the numbers of some other shorebirds recorded (e.g., Common Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper) approached and, in fact, probably qualify for international importance. The concentration of Great Knots (1,452 birds), though not achieving international significance, was the largest-ever count of this species made in Thailand. A count of 777 Gull-billed Terns (740 from one single locality) is thought probably to have resulted from misidentification of Whiskered Terns. The largest single-site count of Gull-billed Terns for the Inner Gulf is 82 (Round and Gardner, in press). The presence of other globally threatened species (Black-faced Spoonbill and Spoon-billed Sandpiper) and Near Threatened species (Black-headed Ibis and Asian Dowitcher), detected during the count but usually present in larger numbers than were recorded during the actual AWC count period, was also significant. Further discussion of these species is presented under the species accounts (section 4.3). Table 12: Waterbirds counted on sections 1–11 of the Inner Gulf of Thailand during the AWC, January 2006 Section Species Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Indian Shag Phalacrocrax fuscicollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1 42 16 36 5 3 2 24 2 18 14 1 1 3 4 9 4 82 5 6 7 8 9 10 17 46 99 11 3 113 101 58 58 15 2 1 49 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Section Species Unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Little Heron Butorides striatus Little Egret Egretta garzetta Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Great Egret Egretta alba unidentified egrets Egretta/Bubulcus spp. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Greenshank Tringa nebularia Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus Iobatus Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus Red Knot Calidris canutus Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Sanderling Calidris alba Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Ruff Philomachus pugnax unidentified stints Calidris spp. unidentified sandpipers Calidris spp. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini 50 1 575 2 19 4 6 28 2 99 2 8 1 3 3 157 4 127 2 483 48 3 58 5 230 29 33 220 2 2 2 6 46 2 7 8 9 17 9 45 25 2 27 12 1 81 4 11 247 4 16 50 13 7 3 1 15 10 13 30 4 22 22 3 182 1 285 2 6 11 1 62 16 113 7 8 19 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 24 1 37 416 5 100 21 349 63 219 121 171 25 13 2 15 48 66 2 15 116 11 2 27 1 110 4 415 4,219 212 1 21 4 56 21 35 37 16 845 20 3 2 296 481 263 10 150 18 15 15 185 1 15 106 456 15 27 3 7 16 18 45 23 5 13 5 1 26 596 3 5 55 8 80 8 151 10 7 25 69 112 238 110 30 17 3 1 5 4 1 2 8 5 12 1 5 255 2 1 311 1 39 120 1 128 3 259 53 224 133 1 12 16 258 8 8 209 82 10 130 89 2 28 21 17 714 870 6 65 961 27 677 11 10 30 62 31 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Section Species Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Common Tern Sterna hirundo Little Tern Sterna albifrons Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis unidentified terns Sterninae spp. Total 1 2 44 3 1 4 5 332 24 2 2 52 740 3 1 6 312 15 3,219 4 2,530 494 2,667 332 8,600 7 1,029 4 6 5 1 75 1,844 1,904 8 9 10 558 556 25 11 16 1 4 7 1,208 2,806 663 133 Note: Section 1 – Bang Pu, 2 – Bang Kaew, 3 – Bang Khun Tian, 4 – Khok Kham, 5 – Mangrove Research Station, 6 – Kalong, 7 – Le Chale – Rangjan, 8 – Wat Na Khok– Wat Pajjantaram, 9 – Don Hoi Lot, 10 – Khlong Khone, 11 – Ban Khlong Chong. For locations of the sections refer to Figure 8. Table 13: Waterbirds counted on sections 12–20 of the Inner Gulf of Thailand, and totals for all sections, during the AWC, January 2006 Section Species Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Indian Shag Phalacrocrax fuscicollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Little Heron Butorides striatus Little Egret Egretta garzetta Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Great Egret Egretta alba unidentified egrets Egretta/Bubulcus spp. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 12 13 14 15 16 1 17 18 1 3 7 11 312 6 16 4 26 61 1 2 1 2 9 2 3 2 2 5 116 18 1 3 275 74 2 1 52 41 2 13 19 20 14 2 415 13 50 15 50 51 19 57 78 16 9 1 18 23 49 60 2 1 25 14 9 248 3 19 4 4 7 9 950 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 39 12 27 7 6 567 3 360 85 155 54 11 313 19 29 26 14 187 22 8 35 67 225 260 1,643 589 575 163 8 750 104 10 1 84 9 11 16 413 3 Total, sections 1–20 105 22 1,401 1 6 3 4 323 1,413 67 17 1,465 322 475 389 14 101 1 182 9 1 1,238 2 18 14 33 2 97 1 16 151 8 2,726 5 22 607 119 186 746 16 6,298 1,945 187 3,078 51 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Section Species Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Greenshank Tringa nebularia Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus Iobatus Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus Red Knot Calidris canutus Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Sanderling Calidris alba Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Ruff Philomachus pugnax unidentified stints Calidris spp. unidentified sandpipers Calidris spp. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Common Tern Sterna hirundo Little Tern Sterna albifrons Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis unidentified terns Sterninae spp. Total 12 13 14 15 16 2 29 15 1 1 2 17 18 19 85 17 78 151 17 160 606 6 112 43 8 74 20 102 1 23 5 2 8 20 80 21 32 72 27 1 29 3 11 37 6 7 12 1 3 1 8 8 1,450 920 3 82 33 13 552 23 105 22 383 1 92 6 685 250 695 31 28 1 224 171 25 573 262 136 1 168 158 2 1 2 20 25 1,500 2,000 204 354 53 6 11 2 1 13 1 3 19 1 2,076 19 6 20 5 9 200 15 2 1,870 88 461 119 120 3,914 20 5,395 7,441 11 1,620 5,066 Total, sections 1–20 20 1 165 129 685 2,719 299 13 327 88 6 22 3 10 5 8 1,452 26 3,447 64 409 1,211 1 632 31 2,899 2,250 5,731 20 6 3,585 777 41 591 29 15 2 487 52,042 Note: Section 12 – Ban Khlong Khut, 13 – Ban Yisan Rd – 2.5 km, 14 – Ban Khlong Khut Sombun, 15 – Wat Khao Lao, 16 – Ban Laem – Bang Khun Srai, 17 – Bang Khun Srai – Ban Pak Thale, 18 – Ban Pak Thale, 19 – Khao Takrao – Bang Taboon, 20 – Laem Phak Bia. For locations of the sections refer to Figure 8. 2) Khao Sam Roi Yot A total of 3,604 waterbirds of 58 species were counted, of which the most numerous were Little Cormorant (350), Little Egret (409), Black-winged Stilt (260), Kentish Plover (500) and Lesser Sandplover (491). Beach habitats have been much impacted in recent years by erosion and by gradual expansion of prawn farming. The site is still of significance, both as a wintering site and passage stopover for shorebirds and in supporting breeding populations of Malaysian Plover (min. 20 pairs) and Little Tern (50 pairs estimated in May 2006: author, S. Nimnuan and S. Sayaka, unpubl. data). There are past records of both Nordmann’s Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper at this site. 3) Hat Vanakorn Eighteen waterbirds of five species were counted, most of which (128 birds) were Red-wattled Lapwing, believed to have been counted on grassy areas bordering the beach. Few shorebirds use this relatively narrow sand beach. 52 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 4) Mu Ko Chumphon Five hundred and twenty-seven waterbirds of five species were counted, most of which were reported as Kentish Plover (300 birds) and Malaysian Plover (208 birds). It is not clear whether the latter figure is reliable as it would be the largest single count ever reported for this species. 5) Nong Yai Two hundred and eighty-two waterbirds of 26 species were counted, of which the greatest number (150) was contributed by Lesser Whistling Duck. 6) Ao Thung Kha – Ao Sawi A total of 2,157 waterbirds of 20 species were reported. Most of these were Lesser Sandplover (1,500 birds) and Greater Sandplover (300 birds). The Lesser Sandplover count met the 1% criterion for international importance. In previous years this site has held small numbers of Black-headed Ibis, and there are records of both Lesser Adjutant and Nordmann’s Greenshank. 7) Ao Bandon A total of 1,844 birds of 41 species were recorded. The counts that were especially significant in the national context were those for the globally threatened Chinese Egret (four birds) and Great Crested Tern (100 individuals: the largest ever single-site total). The most abundant shorebird counted was Lesser Sandplover (440 birds). 8) Sichol Four hundred and eighty-four birds of 12 species were counted, with Lesser Whistling Duck (385) contributing the highest species total. 9) Pak Phanang A total of 2,879 waterbirds of 48 species were counted. Species that were especially significant in the national context were Chinese Egret (six birds), Asian Dowitcher (20 birds), Lesser Sandplover (1,006 birds), Red-necked Stint (218 birds) and Broad-billed Sandpiper (210 birds). Because of difficulties in access, and the huge extent of the area, these counts are likely to underestimate the actual numbers of many species present. 10) Thung Talaad A total of 980 waterbirds were counted, most around the breeding/roosting colony of herons etc. The largest counts were Cattle Egret (350), Little Egret (62), Great Egret (81) and Lesser Whistling Duck (172). 11) Ao Pattani A total of 4,408 waterbirds of 27 species were counted. The predominant species listed was Kentish Plover (2,046 birds) which also met the criterion for international importance (1% = 1,000). However, no sandplover of either species was listed, suggesting that this figure should more correctly be applied to numbers of the three plover species combined. In addition, 246 Common Redshanks were recorded. 12) Ko Libong A total of 1,579 waterbirds of 20 species were listed, of which the predominant species were Bartailed Godwit (321), Whimbrel (502, 1%=550), Eurasian Curlew (258), and Great Knot (120). Relatively few sandplovers (300 of both species combined) were recorded. 53 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 No Chinese Egrets or Nordmann’s Greenshanks were recorded, even though this is a known wintering site for both species. A record of 10–20 Chinese Crested Terns on Ko Libong (cited in BirdLife International 2001) is not considered to be a plausible occurrence. 13) Bo Muang Eight hundred and seventy-nine waterbirds of 20 species were recorded. The predominant species were Lesser Sandplover (200) and Bar-tailed Godwit (167). Of particular interest were 10 Chinese Egrets (the largest single-site count from any Thai locality) and three Nordmann’s Greenshanks. It is not known whether, in view of the site’s proximity to Pak Nam Krabi (it lies roughly 40 km south) there is any possibility of double counting of birds that move between both sites. This is thought unlikely, however, in view of the huge area of suitable intertidal habitat, and relatively secure roosts (on fish-traps) at both sites. 14) Pak Nam Krabi The total combined from two counts carried out at disparate stages of the tidal cycle was 1,510 waterbirds of 23 species. The predominant species were Lesser Sandplover (553), Grey Plover (123), Bar-tailed Godwit (93), Terek Sandpiper (117), Red Knot (117) and Great Knot (76). There are no previous records of such a large number of Red Knots from any site in the ThaiMalay Peninsula (Wells 1999). One hundred and twenty-seven Lesser Crested Terns were also counted; Krabi holds probably the largest concentration of this species in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Four Chinese Egrets and six Nordmann’s Greenshanks were also of particular significance. 15) Ao Phuket An estimate of 3,099 waterbirds of 26 species was given for the east coast of Phuket. The predominant species were Pacific Golden Plover (400), Lesser Sandplover (950), Whimbrel (400) and Curlew Sandpiper (300). No counts were contributed for Ardea spp. other than six Chinese Egrets, recorded in Ao Tha Maphrao on 29 April 2006. Notwithstanding is relative accessibility, Phuket was not covered in a systematic way during the January 2006 count period, and these data are an amalgam of counts from two successive years, as already indicated. They are believed to give a realistic minimum estimate for the numbers of waterbirds present in the mid-winter period, however. 16) Laem Pakarang One hundred and three waterbirds of 12 species were counted. Of particular note was the concentration of five Chinese Egrets. Numbers of shorebirds were very small and are thought to have been affected by changes in shoreline configuration following the Christmas 2004 tsunami. 4.2 Surveys of the Inner Gulf during spring migration, March–May 2006 Counts were conducted on some sectors of the Inner Gulf from 8 March to 4 May. Most coverage was of the central (Samut Sakhon) sector, from Khok Kham westwards to beyond Rangajan, though two counts were also made at Bang Pu (Tables 15–17). Roughly similar numbers of shorebirds were present in March (12,049) and April (12,357; Tables 15 and 16). The similarity in numbers of the resident Black-winged Stilt (526 in March and 629 in April) suggests that the coverage achieved in the two periods was roughly comparable. The numbers of Common Redshank (1,062 and 997 for March and April respectively) and Rednecked Stint (819 and 763) were similar. However, almost twice as many sandplovers were 54 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia counted in April (3,015) as in March (1,637) suggesting increased passage in that month. A similar pattern was noted for Curlew Sandpiper (1,515 in April compared with 909 in March.). Pacific Golden Plover also increased, from 341 in March to 505 in April; this accords with expectations. Table 14: Waterbirds counted in Central and Southern Thailand during the AWC, January 2006 Site Species Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Little Heron Butorides striatus Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes Little Egret Egretta garzetta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Grey Heron Ardea cinerea unidentified herons and egrets Ardeidae spp. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans IBISES & SPOONBILLS Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus Northern Pintail Anas acuta Garganey Anas querquedula Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 1 2 105 22 1,401 1 6 3 4 323 1,413 67 17 1,465 322 475 14 101 389 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 25 350 18 80 17 8 1 9 25 100 20 6 5 409 100 128 18 50 10 11 12 1 10 21 102 45 67 2 2 2 6 1 13 14 15 16 6 3 2 8 23 7 5 1 10 2 8 5 3 2 3 2 42 14 18 38 41 3 1 4 75 4 119 18 5 20 2 3 11 51 23 284 99 350 1,000 6 10 6 192 16 66 2 27 55 62 5 81 58 5 32 1 8 199 10 58 18 101 4 45 2 5 6 25 1 5 2 1,983 1,600 58 15 35 2,559 476 1,035 97 208 455 1 182 0 9 9 120 150 5 25 2 2 18 14 33 35 98 3 8 5 12 8 2 97 1 16 1 1 103 172 5 87 1 1 4 3 35 98 3 12 27 26 59 3 10 90 180 14 3 9 5 2 25 2 151 30 4 8 2,726 260 2 3 8 5 5 1 2,376 130 60 4 4 20 8 120 12 1 78 385 2 5 22 607 162 22 2,094 1 17 15 4 350 2 1 182 1 1,238 Total 12 4 23 15 1 1 2 20 217 242 37 51 50 9 17 135 1 2 2 6 96 20 236 8 3,338 171 3 42 48 400 7 78 163 1,218 55 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Site 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Total Species Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 119 9 10 1 69 80 60 123 5 10 486 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 186 30 3 9 30 258 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 746 500 300 10 7 2,048 15 20 3,646 Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii 16 4 208 2 0 230 Lesser Sandplover Charadrius 6,298 491 1,500 440 1,006 87 200 553 950 58 11,583 mongolus Greater Sandplover Charadrius 1,945 24 300 40 3 1 50 6 2,369 leschenaultii unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. 187 187 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 3,078 16 92 3 3,189 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 20 3 321 167 93 15 1 620 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 30 15 4 35 502 90 26 400 5 1,108 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 165 70 2 10 25 258 81 20 2 633 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 129 5 11 145 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 685 10 24 36 61 6 70 5 150 1,047 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 2,719 20 8 262 0 2 5 3,016 Greenshank Tringa nebularia 299 12 12 3 27 140 8 50 551 Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer 13 3 6 22 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 1 1 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 327 28 1 2 17 2 50 427 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 2 5 117 200 3 327 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 88 20 7 3 12 7 25 1 9 6 2 18 50 248 Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes 6 6 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 22 33 10 1 2 50 50 3 171 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus 3 3 Iobatus Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura 2 5 50 57 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 10 4 3 1 25 43 unidentified snipe Gallinago sp. 2 2 Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus 5 20 25 semipalmatus Red Knot Calidris canutus 8 22 2 117 149 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 1,452 30 3 120 76 14 1,695 Sanderling Calidris alba 26 2 2 15 2 2 3 52 Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 3,447 25 2 45 28 218 1 1 50 200 4,017 Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii 64 30 94 Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta 409 10 31 20 470 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 1,211 64 101 5 300 1,681 Spoon-billed Sandpiper 1 1 Eurynorhynchus pygmeus Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola 632 210 10 852 falcinellus Ruff Philomachus pugnax 31 31 unidentified stints Calidris spp. 2,899 2,899 unidentified sandpipers Calidris spp. 2,250 2,250 Brown-headed Gull Larus 5,731 20 1 5,752 brunnicephalus Common Black-headed Gull Larus 15 15 ridibundus Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini 20 20 Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus 6 6 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 3,585 7 136 8 15 3,751 White-winged Tern Chlidonias 15 15 leucopterus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 777 2 2 50 831 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 41 50 5 96 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 591 5 25 321 942 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 29 233 6 95 1 364 Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii 15 100 1 3 19 138 Lesser Crested Tern Sterna 2 16 127 145 bengalensis unidentified terns Sterninae spp. 487 487 Total 52,042 3,604 128 527 282 2,157 1,844 484 3,188 990 4,408 1,579 879 1,510 3,099 103 76,824 Note: 1 – Inner Gulf, 2 – Khao Sam Roi Yot, 3 –Had Vanakon, 4 – Mu Ko Chumphon, 5 – Nong Yai, 6 – AoThung Kha-Ao Sawi, 7 – Ao Bandon, 8 – Sichol, 9 – Pak Phanang, 10 – Thung Talad, 11 – Ao Pattani, 12 – Mu Ko Libong, 13 – Bo Muang, 14 – Pak Nam Krabi, 15 – Phuket (combined data for 2004-2006), 16 – Laem Pakarang. Location of the sites refer to Figure 7 and Section 3. 56 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Table 15: Waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, mid-March 2006 Site Species Date Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Total Bang Pu 10 Mar 35 120 20 Bangkhun- Madchanu Khok Kham thian 8 Mar 12 Mar 8–12 Mar 15 80 60 1 110 66 250 473 180 5 40 5 7 15 1,971 581 135 60 85 51 3 85 25 164 147 23 560 47 Mangrove Station 9 Mar 216 26 183 2 10 2 58 29 16 101 31 20 45 560 221 28 Kalong Rangjan 18 Mar 60 52 365 14–17 Mar 60 32 280 37 684 682 137 379 113 289 12 96 211 6 130 85 3 48 1 41 1,277 1 1 Total 526 341 1,637 2 272 7 65 3,381 16 819 31 909 311 1,062 963 332 3 3 2 1,366 1 12,049 Table 16: Waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, mid-April 2006 Site Species Date Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus Red and Great Knot Calidris canutus & Calidris tenuirostris Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Total Bang Pu Madchanu Khok Shrine Kham 19 Apr 9–18 Apr 7–18 Apr 10 220 68 36 150 480 12 5 260 22 26 60 35 46 210 65 160 18 80 4 800 Mangrove Kalong Le Chalet Rangjan Ar-maa Station Shrine 18 Apr 4–21 Apr 17–21 Apr 4–20 Apr 20 Apr 1 62 160 63 146 120 82 86 45 36 26 320 780 185 735 365 26 20 3 2 22 72 600 323 480 26 504 98 8 12 94 6 500 500 165 96 215 110 2 1 8 173 455 12 270 42 130 1 12 80 32 295 38 132 85 180 12 310 160 66 Total 1 629 505 26 3,015 58 5 121 2,317 120 500 763 1,515 211 997 145 601 2 2 12 812 0 12,357 Black-tailed Godwit (3,381 in March vs. 2,317 in April) and Broad-billed Sandpiper (311 in March compared with 211 in April) apparently declined in numbers during the count period. Brown-headed Gull declined (from 1,366 to 812), as would be expected for this relatively early migrant. 57 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 No Asian Dowitchers were recorded in March, but there were 120 in April. This is many fewer than expected as in previous years there were frequent one-day counts of 300–600 birds during this period of peak spring passage in early April (Round 1985; Tunhikorn and Round 1995). Many fewer Marsh Sandpipers were counted in April (145) than in March (963). However, there were apparently twice as many Common Greenshanks in April as in March (601 compared with 332). These counts should perhaps be treated with caution, owing to the slight possibility of confusion between these two species by the counter. However, it should be noted that both Wells (1999) and Round and Gardner (in press) commented on the absence of any clear surge of northward-bound Marsh Sandpipers in spring, possibly suggesting that northbound migrants either overfly the gulf, or that passage is highly protracted so that there is never any one period in spring with large numbers. Red and Great Knots combined (most being probably Great Knot) were estimated at 500 birds in April, though none were recorded in March. This follows the expected pattern. Although significant numbers winter in the western gulf, around Phetchaburi, midwinter numbers in the central part of the Inner Gulf (the area that was surveyed in April) are generally small, with most being recorded during the spring (and autumn) passage seasons. Only limited coverage of two sites was obtained during early May (Table 17). Wader numbers at the two sites covered (Kalong and Rangjan) were lower than those for April. Eleven Asian Dowitchers were counted at one of these sites (Kalong). The only previous effort to attain gulf-wide coverage during probable peak spring migration (via a so-called ‘super-census’ during 10–11 April) was detailed in Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol (1999). During that count, 18,692 shorebirds were counted on approximately 60–70% of the Inner Gulf shoreline. The highest species totals were contributed by Lesser Sandplover (4,005), Curlew Sandpiper (1,835), Black-tailed Godwit (1,825) and Common Redshank (1,523). The total of only 93 Asian Dowitchers, an unexpectedly low total given that the survey took place at or about the time of peak Asian Dowitcher passage, suggested that this species had either been overlooked or that some count data had been inadvertently omitted. This latter supposition was confirmed by some counters who recalled that they had seen many more dowitchers than reported by Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol (1999). Table 17: Waterbirds counted in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, May 2006 Site Species Date Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva unidentified sandplovers Charadrius spp. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Total 58 Kalong Rangjan 3 May 2006 Total 4 May 2006 140 160 320 19 11 230 188 84 65 75 85 260 29 96 112 45 28 36 215 245 580 48 11 326 300 45 112 101 1,983 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 4.3 Noteworthy and threatened species Chinese Egret (Vulnerable) A total of 35 Chinese Egrets were recorded at six sites, three of which – Ao Bandon (4 birds), Pak Phanang (6 birds) and Khlong Phon, Krabi (10 birds) – were previously unknown for this species. Interestingly, although one of these sites (Laem Pakarang) was badly hit by the December 2004 tsunami, which rendered the shoreline configuration much less suitable for shorebirds, this scarcely seemed to have impacted Chinese Egret numbers: the five birds recorded on 24 January was roughly comparable with pre-tsunami counts. Six birds at Tha Maphrao Bay, Phuket, on 29 April may be the only sighting from Phuket within the past few decades. One other site counted, Pattani Bay, is a historical locality for Chinese Egret, although none was recorded during this survey. Black-faced Spoonbill (Endangered) The only record was a single bird that flew past the Samut Sakhon Mangrove Research Centre on 15 January. In the past three years, two to three birds have wintered in the Inner Gulf each year, in tandem with the steadily increasing world population of this endangered species. Black-winged Stilt A total of 3,338 Black-winged Stilts were recorded from seven localities, most in the Inner Gulf (2,726 birds) followed by Khao Sam Roi Yot (260 birds), Ao Pattani (171 birds) and Pak Phanang (135 birds). As a species which nests in Thailand, the Black-winged Stilt is of particular interest. The occurrence of non-breeding visitors from other parts of the range of this species is unproven, but seems likely. The Inner Gulf has long been considered to support a concentration of Black-winged Stilts of international importance (Round 2000), and the extensive areas of coastal flats and ponds that receive sparse human use are important in sustaining nesting. Those areas of the Inner Gulf where most Black-winged Stilts were counted were in Ban Laem District, from Ban Laem to Ban Pak Thale in the western gulf (927 birds), Bang Pu in the eastern gulf (416 birds), and four sites on the Samut Sakhon coast in the central sectors of the gulf which together held 742 birds, though almost all sections of the coast held some birds. The apparent absence of Black-winged Stilt from the Laem Phak Bia section suggests that the counters omitted to tally this species, since a total of 686 were counted there on 14 October 2006 (P.D. Round, unpubl. data). Black-tailed Godwit (Near Threatened) A total of 3,189 birds were recorded at four sites, almost all (3,078) in the Inner Gulf. Recent years have seen a steady increase in the wintering population of Black-tailed Godwit in the Inner Gulf where, at a single site (Bang Pu), the numbers wintering increased from 300 in December 1996 to 800 in December 1997, and 1,200 one year later (Round and Gardner, in press). Asian Dowitcher (Near Threatened) Surveys during 2005 and 2006 have revealed that significant numbers may winter in the Inner Gulf. Hitherto, the species was thought to be only a spring and autumn passage migrant. Only five birds were recorded in the Inner Gulf during the midwinter count in mid-January 2006. However, there were 40 at Khok Kham on 24 December 2005, and 150 on 3 January 2006. Many fewer Asian Dowitchers were recorded on spring passage than expected, when the largest single count was 94 on mudflats at Kalong on 4 April (Table 16). Only 33 were counted on mudflats from Samut Sakhon Research Station westwards to Rangjan during 17–20 April. There 59 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 have been no coordinated counts in the past few years, though peak numbers in spring during the 1980s and 1990s were at least 600 (usually during April; Tunhikorn and Round 1995). It is not known whether the reduced numbers in 2006 represent a genuine decline in usage; whether the distribution of feeding birds in the Inner Gulf has changed, so that some were missed; or whether some other factor contributed towards reduced usage in 2006. Twenty Asian Dowitchers were counted at Ban Huai Sai Thong, Phak Phun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, on 8 January and a single bird at Ban Pak Phaya, on 10 January. Pak Phanang has long been presumed to be a wintering or staging area, as a number of specimens were collected in wing moult between late August and late November (Jorgensen 1949; Melville and Round 1982). Nordmann’s Greenshank (Endangered) Nordmann’s Greenshank was recorded at two sites in the Inner Gulf (Khok Kham and the Laem Phak Bia-Pak Thale area: 13 birds in total) and at two sites on the Krabi Coast (9 birds: Tables 12, 13 and 14). The largest single counts, pre-dating the midwinter count, were 60 at Khok Kham on 24 December 2005, and 14 at Laem Phak Bia on 6 March 2006. Although it may be expected that there may be some exchange of birds between these two sites, which are roughly 80 km apart, on the basis of counts in previous winters it was considered that the Inner Gulf probably held about 70 Nordmann’s Greenshanks in midwinter. This large winter presence, constituting perhaps as much as 9% of the world population (Wetlands International 2006), was hitherto unsuspected: the first regularly wintering birds in the Inner Gulf were discovered only in November 2003, though they have been found consistently since. Red-necked Stint A total of 4,017 birds were recorded, most of which (3,447 birds) were counted in the Inner Gulf. This is the largest-ever count of Red-necked Stint for any site in Thailand. The actual numbers could be much higher as there were, in addition, 2,899 unidentified stints recorded from the Inner Gulf, most of which were likely to have been Red-necked Stints. The previous largest count for the Inner Gulf was 2,000 birds (Round and Gardner, in press). Round and Gardner surmised that the numbers in the gulf were probably of international importance, constituting 1% of the flyway population (Wetlands International 2006). The latest count confirms this supposition. Long-toed Stint A total of only 470 birds were recorded, most of which (409) were found in the Inner Gulf. This is liable to be an underestimate: at least some of the additional 2,899 unidentified stints from the Inner Gulf are likely to have been this species. Additionally, Long-toed Stints are often scattered around the margins of pond-expanses, and are difficult to count. Great Knot The total count of 1,695 Great Knots (from six sites) was the largest number ever recorded in Thailand, and was largely contributed by a single flock of 1,450 birds at Laem Phak Bia, in the extreme southwest of the Inner Gulf, where the previous largest count (800 birds) was in January 2005. Although the species should logically be more numerous as a passage migrant, since the largest numbers are known to winter in northwest Australia, paradoxically the largest counts have been in midwinter. This may be because spring and autumn counts are relatively infrequent, while turnover is high. It is not clear whether the increasing numbers recorded in the Inner Gulf represent a genuine geographical shift in distribution, or whether this is due solely to improved coverage. 60 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Endangered) Only a single individual was recorded during the midwinter count (Tables 12, 13 and 14). However, a minimum of 10 Spoon-billed Sandpipers wintered at two sites in the Inner Gulf in winter 2005–2006. The peak counts were eight at Ban Pak Thale on 5 and 6 January 2006, and two at Khok Kham on 3 February 2006. The first and last records were 6 October and 5 May. There were two sightings of Russian leg-flagged Spoon-billed Sandpipers: a bird with a light green flag (ringed in S. Chuchotka) was present at Khok Kham on 3 November, while a bird with a light blue leg flag at Pak Thale on 2 March had been ringed as a chick in N. Chuchotka. Additionally, a third individual, a first-winter, was mist-netted and flagged with the Inner Gulf of Thailand colours (black/green) on 3 February, and was last seen on 5 May. This indicated that at least three different individuals were present at Khok Kham during the winter. Relatively little is known of the detailed foraging behaviour of Spoon-billed Sandpipers in the Inner Gulf. Most sightings have been on salt pans, those that are either out of use or in the early stages before the brine becomes concentrated. The species favours areas of either shallow flooding, keeping mainly to the edges of flooded salt pans or other ponds, or areas of mud dappled with wet patches, though it also disperses to feed on tidal mudflats, where there are a very few sightings. Spoon-billed Sandpipers were most reliably found in the early part of the winter. As the saltfarming cycles advances and the brine becomes more concentrated, they are less reliably detected. It is not known how far birds disperse to feed: they are assumed to visit intertidal mudflats (and indeed the pattern of occurrence at Khok Kham mostly coincides with high tides, when the mudflats are inundated), although there are very few sightings in that habitat. The regularity of the sightings (indicating a constant midwinter presence, but also indicating the possibility of some ongoing movement) may suggest that the population using the gulf may be substantially higher than is at present known. Great Crested Tern A total of 138 Great Crested Terns were recorded at five sites. The largest single concentration (100 birds) was in the northwest corner of Ao Bandon, near Laem Sui, where birds roosted offshore, on the protruding wooden stakes of fish-traps, on 13 January. Elsewhere, 15 were recorded at Laem Phak Bia, in the Inner Gulf, and 19 at Pak Nam Krabi. So far as is known, these are all wintering birds. A few pairs of Great Crested Terns bred on rocky islets in the Inner Gulf, off the coast of Rayong, in the early twentieth century in and around what is now Ko Samet National Park. There were still a couple of individuals present with Bridled, Roseate and Black-naped Terns in May 1982, but there have been no recent surveys of breeding birds. Lesser Crested Tern A total of 145 Lesser Crested Terns were recorded at three sites, with the largest numbers at Krabi (127 birds). Sixteen were roosting offshore near Laem Sui, Ao Bandon, with Great Crested Terns on 13 January. Whiskered Tern The January midwinter count (which recorded only 3,585 birds in the Inner Gulf) almost certainly under-estimated numbers, as the birds are highly dispersed over mudflats, ponds and canals within the coastal strip during the day and can only be counted at dusk when they flight out to roost on offshore fish-traps. 61 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 Roughly 30,000 birds together with (perhaps a few hundred) White-winged Terns roosted on salt pans at Khok Kham on 5 April. This is the largest single count ever made in the Inner Gulf, and perhaps one of the largest anywhere along on the flyway. Ten Whiskered Terns and seven Whitewinged Terns netted on that date were all were in active moult of primaries (P.D. Round, unpubl. data). Brown-headed Gull The Inner Gulf is the only area to regularly support a large concentration of this species, where 5,731 were recorded during the midwinter count. Even so, this was probably an under-count, since numbers throughout the gulf are thought to be ~ 10,000 (perhaps as much as 7% of the world population; Wetlands International 2006; Round and Gardner, in press). 5. DISCUSSION 5.1 General discussion Although the pre-eminence of the Inner Gulf in relation to the other sites counted is a more or less accurate reflection of its position in terms of overall numbers and diversity of waterbirds, it is important to recognise that much greater effort and more intensive coverage, involving several teams, was expended there. Most other sites were covered by one or two observers during a single day. The AWC, held in mid-January, takes place at a time when, due to the mixed, semi-diurnal tides, the mudflats in the Inner Gulf and along the east coast of the peninsula are inundated throughout most of the daylight hours. Although this may assist with counting, as roosting birds become concentrated on onshore ponds, it also means that no assessment can be made of the most important offshore feeding areas, and may lead to some species whose roosts are not located being under-estimated (e.g. Common Redshank and Whimbrel, which roost among mangrove stumps on the upper shore rather than on ponds). Two successive counts, at Pak Nam Krabi, on 18 and 23 January (Table 18), show the difficulties of interpretation that may arise in comparing counts at different stages of the tide. Both counts were made by boat, using local assistance. The count on 18 January, made in the morning, at low to rising tide, recorded only 25% of the numbers of birds that were found on 23 January, when the count was made in the afternoon, on a high tide, when birds were roosting on fish-traps. Species that were recorded in disproportionately different numbers during the two counts were Lesser Sandplover (0 vs. 553 for 18 and 23 January respectively), Bar-tailed Godwit (1 and 93), Terek Sandpiper (16 and 117), Ruddy Turnstone (0 and 50) and Lesser Crested Tern (16 and 127). Presumably, at low tide, birds are more dispersed and harder to count. At high tide, those species that roost on fish traps may be easily counted, though some species that roost elsewhere among mangroves may be overlooked. Because a great many counters participate, identification ability may differ among teams and this may lead to occasional instances of species being misidentified or errors in estimation of numbers. Attention was drawn to some possible misidentifications (above) and as far as possible the data presented are believed to be reliable. 62 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Table 18: Comparison of two successive counts at Pak Nam Krabi, Thailand, 18 and 23 January 2006 Date Species Time Little Egret Egretta garzetta Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes Great Egret Casmerodius albus Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola bacchus Little Heron Butorides striatus Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii Little Tern Sterna albifrons Total Waterbirds 18 Jan 2006 23 Jan 2006 07:00–10:00 14:00–17:00 45 4 4 2 28 8 69 0 1 26 20 0 5 6 16 18 0 36 16 1 0 305 (17 species) 7 0 5 0 4 2 123 553 93 17 3 11 0 0 117 3 50 76 127 19 1 1,211 (17 species) 5.2 Comparison of relative importance of different sections of the Inner Gulf The results from four different ground (or combined ground and boat) surveys, covering the spring passage in 1999 (Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol 1999), AWC in January 2000 (Round 2000), AWC January 2005 and AWC January 2006 (this report) are compared in Table 19. Figures are presented as numbers of waterbirds and shorebirds per km length of coastline, even though this takes no account of area covered and the differential width of coastal hinterland (aquaculture ponds and salt pans) in the various sections. Data from a fifth survey (Starks 1985), collected during an aerial survey of the Inner Gulf in October 1984, have also been incorporated. These latter data show a surprisingly close correspondence with the Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol (1999) April figures for the respective sections, though they correspond less well with more recent (2000–2006) midwinter counts. Almost certainly the disparity in numbers (on the Phetchaburi section in particular) is not due to increased usage, however, but to the much better ground coverage attained in recent years. In all the midwinter surveys, the Phetchaburi section had the highest density of shorebirds (156– 493 birds/km), followed by Samut Sakhon (113–270 birds/km) and Samut Songkhram (27–127 birds/km). The density for shorebirds was 4–5 times greater on the Phetchaburi coastline than the Samut Songkhram coastline. Other waterbirds followed a similar pattern in 2006 and 2005, while in 2000 the densities for all three sections were rather similar. The total for Samut Songkhram, which generally supported many fewer shorebirds, was in that case boosted by a single count of 5,000 Lesser Whistling Ducks. In the 2005 count, the only midwinter count in which comprehensive coverage of the eastern sectors of the gulf was attained, the overall waterbird and shorebird density was only about half that on the Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram section. In particular, the shorebird density in the eastern gulf was only about 10% of that on the most dense (Phetchaburi) section. This can probably be explained by the more urbanised and 63 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 industrialised nature of the onshore pond zone in the eastern sectors, compared with the substantially undeveloped Phetchaburi coast. Table 19: Comparison of shorebird numbers and linear density (birds/km of shoreline) along sections of the shoreline of the Inner Gulf of Thailand made during five count periods Total count followed by density (in parentheses) Location Survey 1 Length of shoreline (km) Starks (1985) Erftemeijer & Jukmongkol (1999) Round (2000) AWC 2005 AWC 2006 Shorebirds only All waterbirds Samut Prakan & Chacheongsao 70 4,282 n.a. Shorebirds only All waterbirds Shorebirds only All waterbirds Shorebirds only All waterbirds Shorebirds only 4,857 (69/km) n.a. n.a. 8,022 (115/km) 1,636 (23/km) n.a. n.a. Samut Sakhon Phetchaburi 40/39 6377 n.a Samut Songkhram 35/20 3124 n.a 6,745 (169/km) 14,287(366/km) 4,983 (128/km) 8,862 (227/km) 4,393 (113/km) 16,223 (416/km) 10,539 (270/km) 3,358 (101/km) 6,170 (308/km) 542 (27/km) 4,018 (201/km) 1,360 (68/km) 6,021 (301/km) 2,357 (127/km) 1,064 (30/km) 10,425 (298/km) 5,471 (156/km) 1,4471 (413/km) 8,609 (246/km) 23,436 (617/km) 17,287 (493/km) 30/35 766 n.a Note: 1 First figure is length of shoreline estimated and used in calculations by Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol (1999). Second figure is length of shoreline estimated and used in calculations for Round (2000) and AWC 2006. The midwinter counts differed from the Erftemeijer and Jukmongkol (1999) April count in which the highest density of birds was recorded on the Samut Sakhon section (169 birds/km) and the lowest density on the Phetchaburi section (30 birds/km). The circumstances of the April count differed from the midwinter counts, however, in that the tide was lower and many birds were detected on mudflats rather than on onshore ponds. Additionally, the precise boundaries of the sections that were covered in 1999 are less well known: possibly less complete coverage of the important (but then less well-known) Phetchaburi section was achieved. The differential accessibility of onshore and offshore habitats may affect comparison of the various stretches. The mudflat zone is probably less accessible in some parts of Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi Provinces than it is in Samut Sakhon Province, which has better road access. This should not affect the midwinter counts (made when the mudflats were inundated and most birds were counted on ponds) but it may have caused feeding birds at lower tide to have been somewhat under-recorded on those sections during the April 1999 count. Overall, however, these comparisons do tend to underscore the great importance of the Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon sectors relative to the Samut Songkhram section and the eastern gulf. Sites lying inside the Don Hoi Lot Ramsar site (Don Hoi Lot, Ban Khlong Khone and Ban Khlong Chong) held a total of 3,602 waterbirds of all species, including 1,535 shorebirds – only a relatively small proportion of the total in the western sectors of the Inner Gulf. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 Inner Gulf (i) More detailed and frequent counts are needed for the Inner Gulf as part of a routine monitoring programme for this most important wetland site. Ideally, counting should be conducted twice monthly at key sites along the gulf shoreline throughout the year so as to better determine patterns of usage by shorebirds. 64 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia (ii) More detailed records of habitat use (mudflats, prawn ponds, salt pans, other) need to be collected, together with the use that birds make of these areas (e.g. the proportion feeding or roosting). . (iii) Particular emphasis should be paid to determining the importance of the Ramsar site at Don Hoi Lot relative to other sections of the Inner Gulf shoreline, and in assessing the impact of human disturbance (through collection of shellfish) relative to other sectors). (iv) Further counts should be timed to coincide with falling or rising tides, so that usage of areas of feeding areas on mudflats can be properly assessed. (v) Breeding and roosting sites of larger colonial waterbirds should be inventoried and estimates of numbers made. (vi) The Inner Gulf should be designated as an East Asian – Australasian Shorebird Reserve Network site. (vi) The Thai Government should be lobbied to unequivocally recognise the international importance of the Inner Gulf. 6.2 Peninsula The following measures are recommended. (i) More frequent monitoring is necessary for those key sites that remain under-visited, such as Ao Bandon, Pak Phanang and Ao Pattani. Such monitoring should better be concentrated in autumn and spring periods. (ii) The three major east coast sites mentioned above should be searched for the presence of the globally Critically Endangered Chinese Crested Tern, known from three specimens collected at Pak Phanang in November 1923 (Hall 1956). The large concentration of Sterna bergii that was present at Ao Bandon when it was surveyed during January would suggest that the occurrence of S. bernsteini there is plausible. (iii) The present impact of shorebird hunting (mostly snaring) at Ao Pattani and other sites in the peninsula should be evaluated. There has been little published follow up since Ruttanadakul and Adseungnern (1986) documented the immense scale of this activity in the bay. (iv) There is a need for the extension of surveys into Palian Langu (6º50'–7º15'N, 99º35'– 99º45'E), a site identified from aerial survey as probably supporting an internationally important concentration of waders (2,450 birds along 8 km of shoreline) in October 1984 but which has never received a ground survey. (v) Breeding and roosting sites of larger colonial waterbirds should be inventoried and estimates of numbers made. (vi) The capacity of Wetlands International – Thailand Programme and/or Krabi Province staff that are stationed at the Ramsar site needs to be developed so that they can reliably count and monitor usage of waterbirds at regular intervals. These data should be shared with both government and NGOs (such as BCST). 65 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Central and Southern Thailand, January 2006 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many of the records contained in this report are a subset of records obtained nationwide by over 100 counters who covered 94 sites during the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in 2006. We are most grateful to all of them. For the most part the AWC was jointly coordinated by the Wildlife Research Division, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (DNP), Department of Marine and Coastal Resource (DMC) and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST). We owe special thanks to Dr. Pinsak Surasawasdi, Director of the Samut Sakhon Mangrove Research Station, for his assistance. Counters who participated in counting the sites covered in this report are: Nonrapat Apainonkitikul, Dr. Panom Archarit, Dr. Sunee Archarit, Somsak Buathip, Simon Buckell, Chatchai Chevitanondra, Suchart Daengphayon and Khok Kham Conservation Club, Douglas Downard, Esther Downard, Attakorn Eangsusophon and members of the Silpakorn University Bird Club, Peter Ericsson, Jatuporn Grudprayoon, Sarisa Jampa, Jittanan Kaewmaneesuk, Dr. Pornkasem Kantamara, Panya Kalalak, Dr. Wanchamai Karntanut, Dr. Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua, Porntep Katsura, Angkana Ketloy, Panya Khalalak, Uaiphorn Khwanphae, Wicharn Khongyos, Wirat Khongyos, Rattapon Klaichid, Amorn Liukiriyutkul, Petch Manopawitr, Yotin Meekaeo, Somchai Nimnuan, Porpol Nontaya, Chukiat Nualsri, Orapan Pattanajindakit, Chultawat Phowattanadilok, Kant Ratanajun, Philip Round, Pinit Saengkaew, Siriya Sriphanomyom, Jumpow Srisawang, Smith Sutibut, Wassana Tammapon, Yupin Tatuwan, Prasarn Ueasamritphon, Stijn de Win, Krisakorn Wongkornwuthi and members of WWF’s Bangpu Nature Education Centre, Yodsaphol Wonglertwit and Suwit Yindeephayapadung. We apologise to any counters who have been inadvertently left off this list. Special thanks are owed to Kritsana Kaewplang (BCST manager), who organised many volunteers for the count, and Somchai Nimnuan, who undertook additional surveys of shorebirds in the Inner Gulf during March–May 2006. Sittichai Jinamoy (Hornbill Project Thailand) prepared the figures. This survey was commissioned and funded by Wetlands International. REFERENCES BCST (Bird Conservation Society of Thailand). 2004. Directory of important bird areas in the Kingdom of Thailand: Key sites for conservation. Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Bangkok. BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened Birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. BirdLife International. 2004. Important Bird Areas in Asia: key sites for conservation. Cambridge, BirdLife International, UK. BirdLife International. 2006. Threatened Birds of the World. 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Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds and their Wetland Habitats in the East Asian –Australasian Flyway. Proc. Int. Workshop, Kushiro, Japan, 28 November – 3 December 1994, pp. 119–132. Publication No. 116. Wetlands International – Asia Pacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vanarat, L. 1994. Salt processing and distribution of natural salt in Thailand. Nutrition Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Bangkok. Wells, D.R. 1999. The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Vol. 1. Non-passerines. Academic Press, London. Wetlands International. 2006. Waterbird population estimates – Fourth Edition. Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 67 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 Thet Zaw Naing Myanmar Bird & Nature Society SUMMARY From 12 December 2005 to 2 March 2006, waterbird surveys were conducted in 11 areas in the mouth of the Yangon River and Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta. A total of 38,235 waterbirds comprising 68 species were counted. In addition, 14 other wetland-dependent bird species were recorded. Three globally threatened species – the Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank and Vulnerable Lesser Adjutant and Greater Spotted Eagle – and five Near Threatened species – Oriental Darter, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Black-tailed Godwit and Brown-winged Kingfisher – were also recorded. One new species for Myanmar was recorded, namely Great Frigatebird. 1. INTRODUCTION The wetlands of Myanmar include rivers and streams, shallow freshwater lakes and marshes, water storage reservoirs, fish ponds, seasonally flooded cultivated plains, and estuarine areas with extensive mangrove swamps. The coast of Myanmar is 2,278 km long, hence most of the wetlands in Myanmar are directly or indirectly associated with river systems, several very large estuarine and delta systems, and numerous offshore islands. There are an estimated 517,000 ha of mangrove forest in Myanmar, located mainly in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta, on the Tanintharyi and Rakhine coasts and on offshore islands. The Ayeyarwaddy Delta covers an estimated 1,100,000 ha and is located in Ayeyarwaddy and Yangon (Rangoon) divisions, in the south of the ornithological regions of Myanmar (Robson 2000). The area has been only very poorly covered. Ornithological surveys were carried out by Armstrong (1876) and Salter (1982), and waterbirds were counted for the Asian Waterbird Census from 1991 to 2005 (Perennou and Mundkur 1991; Perennou and Mundkur 1992; Mundkur and Taylor 1993; Lopez and Mundkur 1997; Naing and Aung 2002; Naing 2003; Naing 2004; Naing 2005; van der Ven. and Naing 2005; Li and Mundkur 2007). 2. METHODS From December 2005 to March 2006, waterbird surveys were conducted in the mouth of the Yangon River and the Ayeyarwaddy Delta (Figure 9). A major objective of the surveys was to record the diversity and determine the numbers of shorebird species present in the study area, however not only shorebirds but also other waterbird species were recorded. The different bird species were determined by direct observation. Surveys were carried out on the ebb tide, whenever this was feasible, and care was taken to avoid double counting wherever possible. Eleven of the sites surveyed were coastal, the exception being Bogalay Royal Lake, which is 68 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia situated in an urban area. Motorised boats were used to reach survey sites, while observations and counts were undertaken on foot. Conservation status follows BirdLife International (2006) criteria. English and scientific names of waterbirds used throughout the report follow Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition (Wetlands International 2006); other wetland-dependent species follow BirdLife International (www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html). 3. ITINERARY Mouth of Yangon River 12 December 2005 Morning, depart by coach from Yangon to Meepya. On arrival, survey on foot at Meepya (#1). Evening, drive back to Yangon. 11 January 2006 Morning, depart by coach from Yangon to Thante. On arrival, survey on foot at Thante (#2). Evening, drive back to Yangon. 6 February 2006 Morning, depart by coach from Yangon to Let Khoke Kone. Evening, survey at Let Khoke Kone (#3). Overnight there. 7 February 2006 Survey at Let Khoke Kone. 8 February 2006 Morning, survey at Let Khoke Kone. Late afternoon, return to Yangon. Ayeyarwaddy Delta (Mouth of Ayeyarwaddy River) 6 February 2006 Depart by boat from Yangon to Bogalay. Overnight at Bogalay. 7 February 2006 Afternoon, survey at Bogalay Royal Lake (#4). 8 February 2006 Depart by boat for Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary (WS) (#5). On the way, survey at Byone Hmwe Island site in Kadonkani Reserve Forest Area (#6). Overnight at Meinmahla Kyun WS. 9 February 2006 Survey by boat and on foot at Meinmahla Kyun WS. Overnight at Meinmahla Kyun WS. 10 February 2006 Morning, survey by boat and on foot at Meinmahla Kyun WS. Afternoon, depart by boat for Pyindaye Reserve Forest Area (#7), birding along the way (Kamar Hauk River). Overnight at Pyindaye RF area. 11 February 2006 Survey on foot at War Kone Lake and Myat Ka Lone Lake sites. Afternoon, depart for Bo Ba Kone site. Evening, survey on foot at Bo Ba Kone. Overnight there. 12 February 2006 Survey again on foot at Bo Ba Kone site. 13 February 2006 Morning, depart by boat for Naut Mee Beach site and bird survey along the way (Yoe Yoe Gyi Lake and Naut Mee River). Afternoon, survey on foot at Naut Mee Beach site. Overnight there. 14 February 2006 Morning, another survey on foot at Naut Mee Beach site. Afternoon, depart by boat for Thaung Ka Dam Beach site. Birding along the way (Thaung Ka Dam River). Survey on foot at Thaung Ka Dam Beach site. Evening, depart by boat to Gaw Du Beach site. Overnight there. 15 February 2006 Morning, survey on foot at Gaw Du Beach site. Afternoon, depart by boat to Gayet Gyi Island site. Survey on foot at Gayet Gyi Island. Overnight there. 16 February 2006 Morning, another survey at Gayet Gyi Island. Later, depart by boat for Amar Beach site. Evening, survey on foot at Amar Beach. Overnight there. 17 February 2006 Morning, a further survey at Amar Beach. Late afternoon, depart by boat for Kadonkani Reserve Forest Area (#6). Overnight at Kadonkani Beach site. 69 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 18 February 2006 19 February 2006 20 February 2006 21 February 2006 22 February 2006 23 February 2006 24 February 2006 25 February 2006 26 February 2006 27 February 2006 28 February 2006 1 March 2006 2 March 2006 3 March 2006 Survey on foot at Kadonkani Beach site. Evening, depart by boat for Ayar Beach site. Birding along the way (Ayar River). Overnight there. Morning, survey on foot at Ayar Beach site. Afternoon, depart by boat for Ye Kyaw Beach site and birding on foot there. Overnight there. Morning, further survey at Ye Kyaw Beach. Later, depart by boat for Ta Htat Gyi Beach site and survey on foot. Evening, depart by boat for Kaing Thaung Island (#8) and survey on foot on arrival. Overnight there. Survey on foot at Kaing Thaung Island. Overnight there. Morning, depart by boat for Pyinalan Reserve Forest Area (#9). Survey on foot at Ye Lawe Thaung site. Depart by boat for Byaing Gyi Sonn Beach site and survey. Proceed by boat to Aung Hlaing Beach site and survey in the evening. Overnight there. Another survey on foot at Aung Hlaing Beach site. Evening, depart by boat for Ka Met Gyi Beach site. Overnight there. Survey on foot at Ka Met Gyi Beach. Evening, depart by boat for Myit Wa Beach site. Overnight there. Morning, survey on foot at Myit Wa Beach. Afternoon, depart by boat for Yaung Du Beach site and survey on foot. Late afternoon, depart by boat for Pyinsalu Island Area (#10) and survey on foot at Seik Gyi Beach site. Overnight there. Morning, another survey at Seik Gyi Beach. Afternoon, depart by boat for Kyarkan Kwin Pyauk Reserve Forest Area (#11) and survey on foot at Pyin Kaung Beach site. Overnight there. Morning, another survey on foot at Pyin Kaung Beach. Later depart again by boat to Pyinalan Reserve Forest Area via Pyinsalu Island. Birding on the way (Ta Pyut River). Survey on foot at Ye Twin Seik Beach site. Overnight there. Morning, depart by boat for Poe Laung Beach site. Bird survey on the way (Ye Yan River) and at Poe Laung Beach, by boat. Depart by boat for Pyinalan extension site and survey on foot. Overnight there. Morning, another survey at Pyinalan extension. Later depart again by boat for Kadonkani Reserve Forest Area. Survey on foot at Gaung Gyi Island site. Overnight there. Morning, further survey at Gaung Gyi Island and depart by boat for Dani Chaung Kyun Beach site and survey by boat . Evening, return by boat to Bogalay. Overnight there. Morning, return by coach to Yangon. 4. RESULTS 4.1 Survey areas A total of 11 areas were surveyed: Meepya (#1), Thante (#2), Let Khoke Kone (#3), Bogalay Royal Lake (#4), Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary (#5), Kadonkani Reserve Forest (#6), Pyindaya Reserve Forest (#7), Kaing Thaung Island (#8), Pyinalan Reserve Forest (#9), Pyinsalu Island (#10) and Kyakankwin Pyauk Reserve Forest (#11). For location of the survey areas see Figure 9. A total of 38,235 waterbirds comprising 69 species were counted. In addition, 14 other wetland-dependent bird species were recorded (Table 20). 70 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 1) Meepya Meepya (16º31'N, 96º19'E) is located at the mouth of the Yangon River in Kyauk Tan Township. This coastal site has a mainly muddy shore. A total of 336 waterbirds of 22 species, including seven Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises, were recorded at this site. 2) Thante Thante (16º29'N, 96º23'E) is located at the mouth of the Yangon River in Kyauk Tan Township. This coastal site has a mainly muddy shore which is completely covered by seagrasses. A total of 754 waterbirds of 29 species were recorded at this site. Globally Threatened species recorded included five Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshanks and one Vulnerable Lesser Adjutant; Near threatened species included one Painted Stork, 11 Black-headed Ibises and 21 Black-tailed Godwits. 3) Let Khoke Kone Let Khoke Kone (16º19'N, 96º09'E) is located between the mouths of the Yangon and Toe Rivers in the Ayeyarwaddy delta. It was here in 1875 that Armstrong (Armstrong 1876) found large numbers of waders and also took a specimen of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The area has a mud-andsand shore with some degraded mangroves. A total of 3,753 individuals of 36 waterbird species were recorded at this site, including 76 Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises. 4) Bogalay Royal Lake Bogalay Royal Lake (16º17'29''N, 95º24'20''E) is located in the town of Bogalay. It is a permanent freshwater lake with an area of about 28 ha. The vegetation comprises grasses, lotuses and water hyacinths, which cover half the lake. A total of 356 waterbirds of seven species were recorded at this site. 5) Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary (15º51'N, 95º15'E) is located between the Bogalay and Kadonkani Rivers in Bogalay township. It comprises an island about 25.6 km long and 9.6 km wide, which is covered by mangroves and mudflats. A total of 1,587 individuals of 28 waterbird species were recorded in this area. Three Vulnerable Lesser Adjutants, 12 Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises and one Near Threatened Brownwinged Kingfisher were recorded. 6) Kadonkani Reserve Forest Kadonkani Reserve Forest is located between the Kadonkani and Ayeyarwaddy Rivers at the mouth of the Ayeyarwaddy River in Bogalay Township. A total of eight sub-sites were surveyed: Byone Hmwe Island (15º59'15''N, 95º16'14''E) An island in the Kadonkani River. It is about 8 km long and is covered by mature mangroves and mudflats. Kadonkani Beach (15º47'49''N, 95º13'37''E) A coastal site with a mud-and-sand shore. A distance of about 7.2 km was surveyed. There are over 400 houses on one part of the site. Ayar River (15º49'18''N, 95º13'12''E) The river was surveyed by boat during the journey from Kadonkani Beach to Amar Beach, which is surrounded by paddy fields. Degraded mangroves covered both banks, which are tidal mudflats. 71 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 Ayar Beach (15º48'50''N, 95º05'52''E) A coastal site divided by the Ayar River. The shore in the southern section is mainly sandy with coconut plantations and about 400 houses. The shore in the northern section is muddy and, in places, fringed with degraded mangroves. A distance of about 4 km was surveyed. Ye Kyaw Beach (15º51'54''N, 95º06'33''E) A tidal mudflat fringed, in places, by mature mangroves. A distance of about 4.8 km was surveyed. Ta Htat Gyi Beach (15º55'06''N, 95º07'22''E) A tidal mudflat which is covered by some degraded mangrove. A distance of about 3.2 km was surveyed. Gaung Gyi Island (15º59'45''N, 95º06'47''E) An island located in the Ayeyarwaddy River; its shores are muddy and partly covered by degraded mangroves. The island is about 12.8 km long and 4 km wide. Dani Chaung Kyun (16º09'11''N, 95º11'42''E) This site is also located in the Ayeyarwaddy River. It has a muddy shore which is partly covered by degraded mangroves. A distance of about 9.6 km was surveyed. A total of 6,457 waterbirds of 42 species were recorded at this area, including two Vulnerable Lesser Adjutants, 33 Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises and 108 Near Threatened Black-tailed Godwits. Another species, Common Redshank, occurred in internationally important numbers (1,073, 1% = 1,000). 7) Pyindaya Reserve Forest This area is located in Pyapon Township. Twelve sub-sites were surveyed: Kamar Hawk River (15º51'22''N, 95º17'57''E) The river was surveyed during the boat journey from Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary to Pyindaya Reserve Forest area. Degraded mangroves covered both shores, which are tidal mudflats. War Kone Lake (15º48'12''N, 95º25'17''E) A permanent freshwater lake of about 40 ha that is covered by grasses and surrounded by paddy fields. Myat Ka Lone Lake (15º47'50''N, 95º25'42''E) Also a permanent freshwater lake. It has an area of about 202 ha and is surrounded by degraded mangroves. Bo Ba Kone (15º50'45''N, 95º31'18''E) An area of about 647 ha comprising tidal mudflats with scattered mangroves. The site is surrounded by paddy fields. The survey team arrived in the evening of 11 February, at high tide. The area was completely submerged and it was not possible to see and count shorebirds or any other species on the first day. Hence, two days were spent at this site. Yoe Yoe Gyi Lake (15º49'33''N, 95º31'05''E ) A permanent freshwater lake of about 8 ha. The banks are covered by grasses. Naut Mee River (15º49'08''N, 95º30'18''E) The river was surveyed by boat during the journey from Bo Ba Kone to Naut Mee Beach. Degraded mangroves covered both banks, which are tidal mudflats. Naut Mee Beach (15º46'08''N, 95º29'53''E) The site is located on the coastline and is divided by Naut Mee River. The north coast is a mainly muddy and the south coast mainly sandy. The survey team spent two days at this site. The surveyed was conducted mainly along the north shore over a distance of about 9.5 km. Thaung Ka Dam River (15º45'11''N, 95º27'59''E) The river was surveyed by boat during the journey from Naut Mee Beach to Thaung Ka Dam Beach. Degraded mangroves covered both banks, which are tidal mudflats. Thaung Ka Dam Beach (15º42'55''N, 95º21'58''E) A coastal site with a mud-and-sand shore; immature mangroves were present on the shore. A distance of about 8 km was surveyed. Gaw Du Beach (15º43'05''N, 95º17'20''E) A coastal site with a mainly muddy shore; scattered mangroves are present on the shore. A distance of about 3.2 km was surveyed. 72 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Gayet Gyi Island (15º40'52''N, 95º16'01''E) An island about 5 km long and 3 km wide. It has a mainly sandy shore which is covered by grasses. The interior of the island is covered by mature mangroves. There are about 150 houses on one part of the island. Amar Beach (15º46'51''N, 95º16'46''E) A coastal site with a muddy shore with degraded mangroves. Amar village, a settlement of over 400 houses, is located near the survey site. A distance of about 5.6 km was surveyed. A total 13,571 waterbirds of 55 species were counted in this area. The area recorded the highest number of waterbirds during the surveys. Three species occurred in internationally important numbers (i.e. exceeding 1% of the flyway population): Kentish Plover (1,106, 1% = 1,000), Lesser Sandplover (2,086, 1% = 1,300) and Brown-headed Gull (3,256, 1% = 1,500). Blacktailed Godwit, a Near Threatened species, recorded a significant 1,148 individuals (1% =1,600). Furthermore, one Vulnerable Greater Spotted Eagle and 42 Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises were recorded in this area. 8) Kaing Thaung Island Kaing Thaung Island (15º44'N, 95º04'E) is located in the mouth of the Ayeyarwaddy River, Labutta Township. It is about 9.6 km long and 3.5 km wide, and divided by a narrow channel. The northern part of the island is totally covered by mature mangroves, and the shore is a tidal mudflat. The southern part is covered by degraded mangroves and has a mud-and-sand shore. About 250 houses are located on the south of the island. A total of 2,708 waterbirds of 33 species were recorded in this area. Fourteen Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshanks were counted – nearly 2% of the flyway population (1% = 8 individuals). Six Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises were also recorded here. 9) Pyinalan Reserve Forest Pyinalan Reserve Forest is located between the Ayeyarwaddy and Pyamalaw Rivers in Labutta Township. A total of 10 sub-sites were surveyed: Ye Lawe Thaung (15º46'45''N, 95º01'03''E) This 2.4 km long site is a mainly sandy, grasscovered island situated in the Ayeyarwaddy River. Byaing Gyi Sonn Beach (15º48'09''N, 95º02'11''E) A coastal site with a mainly muddy shore covered by some scattered mangroves. A distance of about 2.4 km was surveyed. Aung Hlaing Beach (15º45'02''N, 94º58'21''E) A coastal site with a mud-and-sand shore covered in many areas by mature mangroves. A distance of about 6.4 km was surveyed. Ka Met Gyi Beach (15º45'07''N, 94º54'10''E) A coastal site with a mud-and-sand shore with some areas of degraded mangroves. A distance of about 6.4 km was surveyed. Myit Wa Beach (15º46'N, 94º51'24''E) A coastal site with a mud-and-sand shore with some areas of mature mangroves. A distance of about 3.2 km was surveyed. Yaung Du Beach (15º48'30''N, 95º50'43''E) A coastal site with a mud-and-sand shore with some areas of mature mangroves. A distance of about 4 km was surveyed. Ye Twin Seik Beach (15º50'53''N, 94º50'36''E) Located on the bank of the Pyamalaw River, a muddy shore with degraded mangroves. A distance of about 4.8 km was surveyed. Ye Yan River (15º51'47''N, 94º50'45''E) The river was surveyed by boat during the journey from Ye Twin Seik site to Poe Laung Beach. Degraded mangroves covered both shores, which are tidal mudflats. Poe Laung Beach (15º50'39''N, 95º02'23''E) A coastal site with a muddy shore. Poe Laung village, a settlement of about 50 houses, is located on the site. A distance of about 3.2 km was surveyed. Pyinalan extension (15º50'55''N, 95º03'30''E) An island in the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is about 3.2 km long, with a muddy shore covered by mature mangroves. 73 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 A total of 8,419 individuals of 51 waterbird species were recorded in this area; they included nine Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshanks, three Vulnerable Lesser Adjutants and 28 Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises. The number of Nordmann’s Greenshank recorded exceeds 1% of the flyway population (9, 1% = 8). Two other species occurring in internationally important numbers were Kentish Plover (1,924, 1% = 1,000) and Lesser Sandplover (2,264, 1% = 1,300). 10) Pyinsalu Island Pyinsalu is an island in the Pyamalaw River at the mouth of the Ayeyarwaddy River, Labutta Township. Only two sub-sites could be surveyed: Seik Gyi Beach (15º47'16''N, 94º47'14''E) A coastal site with a mainly muddy shore with some degraded mangrove. A distance of about 8.8 km was surveyed. Ta Pyut River (15º52'18''N, 94º46'29''E) The river was surveyed by boat during the journey from Pyin Kaung Beach (Kyakankwin Pyauk Reserve Forest) to the Pyinsalu Island area. Degraded mangroves covered both banks, which are tidal mudflats. A total of 937 waterbirds of 25 species were recorded in this area. They included one Vulnerable Lesser Adjutant, four Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises and two Near Threatened Oriental Darters. 11) Kyakankwin Pyauk Reserve Forest This area is located between the Pyamalaw and Ywe Rivers at the mouth of the Ayeyarwaddy River in Labutta Township. Only a very small part of this area could be surveyed (one site): Pyin Kaung Beach (15º50'42''N, 94º42'35''E) This coastal site has a muddy shore with some degraded mangrove. A distance of about 8 km was surveyed. A total of 358 waterbirds of 19 species including three Near Threatened Black-headed Ibises were recorded in this area. Figure 9: Areas of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, covered by surveys, December 2005 – March 2006 74 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 4.2 Significant records During the survey a total of 38,235 waterbirds comprising 68 species were counted. In addition, 14 other wetland-dependent bird species were recorded (see Table 20). Of these, one is a new record for Myanmar, two are new records for southern Myanmar, one is globally Endangered, two are Vulnerable and four are Near Threatened. The status of each species in southern Myanmar (Robson 2000) is shown in Table 20. The following records are significant. Oriental Darter (Near Threatened) Two Oriental Darters were seen at Pyinsalu Island on 25 February 2006. Painted Stork (Near Threatened) A single Painted Stork was seen flying at Thante on 11 January 2006. Lesser Adjutant (Vulnerable) A total of 10 Lesser Adjutants were recorded from five sites – three at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, two at Kadonkani Reserve Forest, three at Pyinalan Reserve Forest, one at Puinsalu Island and one at Thante. Black-headed Ibis (Near Threatened) A total of 252 Black-headed Ibises were recorded at 10 sites (1% = 250 individuals). 12, 42, 33, 28, 36, 4, 3, 76, 11 and 7 individuals were recorded at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Pyindaye Reserve Forest, Kadonkani Reserve Forest, Pyinalan Reserve Forest, Kaing Thaung Island, Pyinsalu Island, Kyakankwin Pyauk Reserve Forest, Let Khoke Kone, Thante and Meepya respectively. Lesser Whistling Duck A total of 3,537 Lesser Whistling Ducks were recorded at six sites (1% = 10,000 individuals). This species is one of the most numerous recorded during the survey. Kadonkani Reserve Forest recorded the highest count (2,493 individuals). Kentish Plover A total of 4,515 Kentish Plovers were recorded at eight sites (1% = 1,000 individuals). This species is one of the most numerous recorded during the survey. Two sites, namely Pyindaye Reserve Forest and Pyinalan Reserve Forest, recorded more than 1% of the population (1,106 and 1,924 individuals respectively). Lesser Sandplover A total of 7,041 Lesser Sandplovers were recorded at nine sites (1% = 1,300 individuals). This is the most numerous species recorded during the survey. Two sites, namely Pyindaye Reserve Forest and Pyinalan Reserve Forest, recorded more than 1% of the population (2,086 and 2,264 individuals respectively). Greater Sandplover A total of 1,137 Greater Sandplovers were recorded at five sites (1% = 1,000 individuals). The highest count was at Pyinalan Reserve Forest, with 480 individuals recorded. Black-tailed Godwit (Near Threatened) A total of 1,279 Black-tailed Godwits were recorded at four sites (1% = 1,600 individuals). The highest count was of 1,148 individuals at Pyindaye Reserve Forest. 75 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 Bar-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit was not recorded in the past in Myanmar as no ornithological research was undertaken. The species was reported only recently by Inskipp et al. (2001). Subsequent records were as follows: Naing & Aung (2002), Inskipp et al. (2003), van der Ven (2004) and Naing (2005). A total of 247 birds were recorded at four sites, namely Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Pyindaye Reserve Forest, Pyinalan Reserve Forest and Thante. Whimbrel A total of 1,218 Whimbrels were recorded at 10 sites (1% = 1,000 individuals). Highest counts were at Kadonkani Reserve Forest and Pyinalan Reserve Forest, with 333 and 343 individuals recorded respectively. Common Redshank A total of 2,929 Common Redshanks were recorded at nine sites (1% = 1,000 individuals). Kadonkani Reserve Forest was the only site that recorded more than 1% of the population (1,073 individuals). Common Greenshank A total of 695 Common Greenshanks were recorded at seven sites (1% = 1,000 individuals). The highest count was recorded at Pyindaye Reserve Forest, with 493 individuals observed. Nordmann’s Greenshank (Endangered) Nordmann’s Greenshank was rediscovered in Myanmar after a gap of almost 129 years. A total of 28 individuals were recorded at three sites (1% = 8 individuals). Five birds (groups of two and three individuals) were recorded on a muddy shore at Thante (16°29’N, 96°23’E) on 11 January 2006. A total of 14 birds (four, seven and three individuals) were recorded on a mud-and-sand shore on Kaing Thaung Island (15°43’05”N, 95°03’16”E) on 21 February 2006. A group of nine individuals were recorded on a sand-and-mud shore in Pyinalan Reserve Forest (15°45’58”N, 94°59’05”E) on 22 February 2006. The only earlier records of this species were Armstrong’s sighting on the Ayeyarwaddy Delta in 1875 (Armstrong 1876) and in Kayin State (Amherst) in 1877 (Smythies 1953). Brown-headed Gull A total of 5,588 birds were recorded at 10 sites (1% = 1,500 individuals). This is the second most numerous species recorded during the survey. Two sites, namely Pyindaye Reserve Forest and Pyinalan Reserve Forest, recorded more than 1% of the population (3,256 and 1,263 individuals respectively). Other wetland-dependent species recorded Great Frigatebird One juvenile Great Frigatebird was recorded at Meepya on 12 December 2005. This is the first confirmed record for Myanmar. Brown-winged Kingfisher (Near Threatened): One Brown-winged Kingfisher was observed at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary on 9–10 February 2006. Hen Harrier This is a first record for south Myanmar. One male Hen Harrier was seen at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary on 10 February 2006. 76 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Greater Spotted Eagle (Vulnerable) One Greater Spotted Eagle was recorded at Pyindaye Reserve Forest on 14 February 2006. In addition, the Long-tailed Shrike subspecies Lanius schach schach is a new record for Myanmar. Three individuals were seen at Let Khoke Kone on 7 February 2006; one was seen again at the same site on 8 February. Table 20: Waterbird and wetland-dependent bird species recorded during surveys in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 Site Species Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (NT) Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Eastern White Egret Ardea modesta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Little Egret Egretta garzetta Unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala (NT) Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (VU) Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (NT) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum Small Pratincole Glareola lacteal Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrines Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultia unidentified Charadrius plovers Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (NT) Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Redshank Tringa tetanus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer (EN) Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Red Knot Calidris canutus Sanderling Calidris alba 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total 12 4 1 11 18 12 83 1 3 3 6 8 16 12 6 19 11 33 48 2 32 185 32 53 10 30 93 17 76 94 8 34 8 169 181 3 43 98 5 16 150 216 222 13 50 1 27 1 16 32 24 46 61 26 3 106 96 178 1 71 7 2 5 8 5 33 43 16 5 2 47 11 1 11 7 17 1 11 76 138 1 141 297 1 3 12 2 33 42 10 670 26 4 2,493 31 40 278 27 5 2 3 1 4 1 2 3 36 3 28 1 4 3 2 1 2 3 1 1 8 2 16 11 11 6 3 7 1 2 2 6 21 6 183 4 19 5 5 7 6 5 36 8 22 620 857 47 206 1 58 8 434 773 18 7 1 108 3 2 23 6 333 35 52 53 68 6 1,073 8 32 15 1 8 2 6 1 37 81 4 1 66 32 5 247 12 28 1,106 2,086 280 190 21 1,148 235 177 25 1 936 493 4 18 65 130 44 10 3 146 28 3 69 848 312 84 7 14 2 70 36 27 1,924 2,264 480 88 120 23 2 4 343 102 334 28 14 343 102 9 32 26 18 19 11 3 51 41 20 44 30 1 11 1 10 252 250 3,000 250 50 250 9 Unknown 1 Unknown 35 Unknown 6 1,250 3 81 12 137 2 140 260 18 16 250 529 Unknown 763 1,500 933 28 1,000 182 1,250 16 250 3,537 10,000 658 500 6 1,000 12 Unknown 36 6 32 6 1% Criterion 10,000 2,500 100 1,000 1,000 4 1 1 15 16 250 170 10 96 21 18 1 11 1 52 52 4 10 4 10 2 158 47 13 559 120 106 4,515 7,041 1,137 584 23 1,279 247 1,218 197 1 2,929 695 28 12 24 227 333 87 73 53 1,000 750 1,000 500 1,000 1,300 1,000 1,000 1,300 1,000 10,000 1,600 1,300 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 8 1,000 1,500 1,000 750 1,000 2,200 1,000 77 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 Site Species Little Stint Calidris minuta Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Ruff Philomachus pugnax Great Black-headed (Pallas's) Gull Larus ichthyaetus Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Little Tern Sterna albifrons Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Total Waterbirds Wetland-dependent Species Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Osprey Pandion haliaetus Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus White–bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (VU) Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting Brown-winged Kingfisher Halcyon amauroptera (NT) White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris 1 2 3 4 5 6 22 6 27 33 44 18 40 4 4 28 6 23 4 125 3 140 335 25 34 7 754 2,753 7 356 304 35 19 2 12 38 67 1,587 185 44 48 56 50 6,457 8 22 59 37 341 44 18 426 3,256 378 19 18 154 154 19 13,571 9 10 11 54 16 57 47 4 16 7 28 12 173 21 6 12 10 188 1,263 222 18 10 63 158 65 8,419 25 2 2,708 110 287 142 394 144 62 15 492 4 7 937 18 20 7 20 358 1 1% Criterion 2,500 3,200 1,000 250 2,500 1,000 1,000 1,000 5,588 1,500 413 Unknown 128 1,000 30 750 471 1,000 454 1,000 221 Unknown 38,235 1 X X X X X X X X X Total X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Notes: 1: Key to IUCN Threatened Species Categories: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened 2: Key to Survey Site Names: 1 = Meepya; 2 = Thante; 3 = Let Khoke Kone; 4 = Bogalay Royal Lake; 5 = Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary; 6 = Kadonkani Reserve Forest; 7 = Pyindaye Reserve Forest; 8 = Kaing Thaung Island; 9 = Pyinalan Reserve Forest; 10 = Pyinsalu Island; 11 = Kyakankwin Pyauk Reserve Forest. For location of the sites see Figure 9. 3: 1% population criterion. The 1% criteria follow Waterbird Population Estimates – Fourth Edition (Wetlands International 2006). As Myanmar is located in an area where the Central Asian and East Asian Flyways overlap, it was difficult to apply the 1% criterion for species that have wintering populations in both South Asia and Southeast Asia, as the counts were not able to separate the species into populations. For the purpose of this report, for species for which it was difficult to identify the population the 1% population criterion for Myanmar used the higher figure for either the South Asian or Southeast Asian wintering population. 4.3 Comparison with previous counts at the two most regularly surveyed sites AWC counts in the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta from 1991 to 2005 covered only Let Khoke Kone (#3), Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary (#5), Gayet Gyi Island (part of #7) and Kadonlay Island (Perennou and Mundkur 1991; Perennou and Mundkur 1992; Mundkur and Taylor 1993; Lopez and Mundkur 1997; Naing and Aung 2002; Naing 2003; Naing 2004; Naing 2005; van der Ven and Naing 2005; Li and Mundkur 2007). Let Khoke Kone and the Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary were the two areas most regularly visited. Tables 21 and 22 below provide a detailed comparison of the counts in these two areas. The total count of 1,547–2,753 individual waterbirds at Let Khoke Kone in 2002–2006 shows a significant decline compared to the count from 1991 to 1994, when 6,702 – 13,325 individuals were recorded. The decline was accounted for mainly by the reduction in the number of ducks. If the duck species are excluded from the comparison, the numbers of other waterbirds seem fairly stable, with a slight increase (341–2,213 individuals in 1991–1994 compared to 1,459–2,606 individuals in 2002–2006). 78 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Table 21: Waterbird counts at Let Khoke Kone, Myanmar, 1991–2006 Year Species Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Eastern White Egret Ardea modesta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Cattle Egret Ardea (Bubulcus) ibis Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax unidentified Ardeidae Ardeidae spp. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala (NT) Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (VU) Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (NT) Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula unidentified ducks Anatinae spp. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum Small Pratincole Glareola lactea Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii unidentified Charadrius plovers Charadrius spp. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata unidentified curlews Numenius spp. Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Sanderling Calidris alba Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Little Stint Calidris minuta Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus unidentified shorebirds Charadrii spp. Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini Great Black-headed (Pallas's) Gull Larus ichthyaetus Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Little Tern Sterna albifrons Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus unidentified terns Sterninae spp. Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis (VU) Total Waterbirds 1991 1992 1993 1994 3 35 8 34 1 24 65 2 43 5 4 1 266 15 22 83 80 7 2002 5 16 27 6 2004 3 29 150 63 2005 2006 150 10 100 15 22 12 58 2 11 16 12 40 37 10 50 170 100 7 52 93 30 27 36 3 200 12 50 194 68 20 76 1 141 38 2 8 8 53 340 38 81 5 36 8 22 620 857 47 206 9 73 17 160 5 4 1 1 118 351 10,000 208 4,489 1 9,327 80 142 250 35 283 11,316 1 8 2 16 23 3 148 781 107 1,411 6 3 400 300 4 1 1 6 1 50 23 4 250 700 46 21 6 1 2 5 6 1 20 1 3 1 1 16 2 7 10 118 25 13 98 436 3 80 34 65 52 132 5 138 38 2 1 3 45 3 100 1 52 25 6 40 20 1 20 10 5 14 53 28 1 1 28 37 21 25 33 339 1 1 125 6 521 40 51 149 11 6 47 70 3 16 2 141 11,721 3 6,702 9,668 13,325 2,693 12 30 25 45 6 100 150 1 4 15 8 60 10 2,669 32 15 1 8 6 22 27 44 18 470 6 7 16 96 6 125 34 7 1,547 2,753 Note: 1: Key to IUCN Threatened Species Categories: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened 79 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 The count at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary varies between years, and no trend was identifiable. If the duck species are excluded from the comparison, the numbers of other waterbirds show an increase from 48–89 individuals in 1993–1994 to 111–891 individuals in 2002–2006. Table 22: Waterbird counts at Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar, 1993–2006 Year Species Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger unidentified cormorants Phalacrocorax spp. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (NT) Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Eastern White Egret Ardea modesta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Cattle Egret Ardea (Bubulcus) ibis Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii unidentified pond-herons Ardeola spp. Little Egret Egretta garzetta unidentified egrets Egretta/Bubulcus spp. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax unidentified Ardeidae Ardeidae spp. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius (EN) Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (VU) Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (NT) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio unidentified rails Rallidae spp. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Common Redshank Tringa tetanus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea unidentified shorebirds Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini Great Black-headed (Pallas's) Gull Larus ichthyaetus Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Common Tern Sterna hirundo Little Tern Sterna albifrons Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Total Waterbirds 1993 1994 2002 2003 2 10 3 14 30 5 15 30 25 10 2005 2006 18 11 16 26 6 19 2 17 8 10 14 94 76 8 38 12 1 3 6 10 20 2 14 40 30 70 40 40 34 3 650 2,000 2 3 2 4 25 2 2 6 30 600 2 3,000 10 1 3 1 500 2 4 50 2 8 3 3 1 1,391 19 3 12 10 670 26 3 5 5 10 16 30 12 20 3 2 8 1 20 4 20 10 10 2 50 50 3 10 30 10 30 30 3 13 1 2 2 1 20 183 5 1 2 23 6 68 6 6 304 35 19 2 8 698 2,091 8 25 15 40 8 5 10 913 3,604 613 Note: 1: Key to IUCN Threatened Species Categories: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened 80 2004 283 2 1,990 12 38 67 1,587 Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia 5. DISCUSSION This is the first comprehensive survey of waterbirds in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta although only a small part of the delta was covered. Internationally important numbers, i.e. exceeding 1% of the flyway population estimate (Wetlands International 2006), were recorded for eight waterbird species: Black-headed Ibis (252, 1% = 250), Kentish Plover (4,515, 1% = 1,000), Lesser Sandplover (7,041, 1% = 1,300), Greater Sandplover (1,137, 1% = 1,000), Whimbrel (1,218, 1% = 1,000), Common Redshank (2,929, 1% = 1,000), Nordmann's Greenshank (28, 1% = 1% criterion of 8) and Brown-headed Gull (5,588, 1% = 1,500). Four sites met the 1% criterion for sites of international importance (Ramsar Criterion 6): Kadonkani Reserve Forest (1 species), Pyindaya Reserve Forest (3 species), Kaing Thaung Island (1 species, Nordmann’s Greenshank) and Pyinalan Reserve Forest (3 species, including Nordmann’s Greenshank). A further two sites, namely Thante and Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, were identified as being potentially of international importance by recording a small community of globally threatened species (Ramsar Criterion 2). Hunting and mist-netting are the major threats to the shorebirds in this area. Local people regularly hunt and poach birds using mist-nets and poison (pesticide) both for food and to trade locally. All shorebird species are legally protected under the Wildlife Act of Myanmar, which prohibits their killing or capture, dead or alive, however most people are unaware of this legislation. Consequently, local people poach birds throughout the survey area. Fishermen regularly fish on the muddy shores at low tide, a time when shorebirds feed and roost there. Hence low-tide harvesting activities pose significant threats to the shorebirds’ foraging and roosting habitats. The survey team did not discover any logging of mangroves, but many mangroves are degraded. A few prawn ponds have been created. The degradation of mangroves and introduction of prawn aquaculture threaten shorebird habitats. Therefore awareness and education programmes should be carried out in this area to encourage protection and discourage activities such as hunting, netting and habitat destruction. If action is not taken, it is likely that more species and habitats will be lost. Many parts of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta have still not been adequately covered by ornithological surveys, therefore there is now an urgent need to conduct intensive baseline surveys. Further shorebird surveys should be carried out in this area and in the remaining areas of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta. Such surveys should also be extended to the coastal areas of Rakhine and Thanintharyi. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 The internationally important coastal wetlands, including Kadonkani Reserve Forest, Pyindaya Reserve Forest, Kaing Thaung Island, Pyinalan Reserve Forest, Thante and Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, should be designated as bird sanctuaries and nominated for the East Asian – Australasian Flyway site network. 6.2 Comprehensive wintering surveys need to be conducted in other areas, including Rakhine and Thanintharyi, to understand fully of the importance of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta to wintering waterbirds. 81 Surveys of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar, December 2005 – March 2006 6.3 Comprehensive waterbird surveys need to be carried in the northward and southward migratory periods to understand the importance of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta for waterbirds during their migration. 6.4 Public awareness programmes on waterbirds and their habitat need to be carried out immediately to ensure the conservation of the waterbirds in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta. 6.5 Training activities need to be carried out urgently for government officials who are in charge of wetland and wildlife conservation departments in order to encourage them to organize surveys and monitoring activities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am extremely grateful to Wetlands International for funding the Ayeyarwaddy Delta survey. I wish to thank Ngwe Lwin, Naing Lin, Lay Win and Lay Ko Ko, my colleagues on the survey of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta. I appreciate the help given by Dr Taej Mundkur, Warren Lee Long, Doug Watkins and David Li from Wetlands International. Special thanks are due to Hnin Yu Zin Htwe, Thiri Dawe Aung, Nyunt Shwe and Khin Maw Maw Myint, who conducted the waterbird survey at Let Khoke Kone and shared their list with me. I would like to thank Ngwe Lwin, Naing Lin, Lay Win, Lay Ko Ko, Kyaw Naing Htoo, Chan Yein, Zaw Lwin Tun, Hnin Yu Zin Htwe, Thiri Dawe Aung, Nyunt Shwe, Nyo Nyo Aung, Myo Sanda Win, Nwe Nwe Aung and Khin Maw Maw Myint, participants of the Asian Waterbird Census (Myanmar) at the mouth of Yangon River. I record here my appreciation for the help given by U Soe Lwin (Park Warden), Hla Soe Win (Ranger) and other staff of Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary. 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