CAMBODIA RECENT BIRD REPORTS, APRIL 2010
compiled by Tom Evans and Frédéric Goes
For the first time an additional Sarus Crane census was conducted in late April this year, on 24th-25th. 719 birds were recorded across Cambodia and Vietnam, similar to the March total
(Vietnam data per TT). 89% of the birds found were concentrated at just three sites – ATT (51%), Kampong Trach/Phu My and the Tonle Sap grasslands. This is clearly a very vulnerable time of year
for these birds.
SOUTH-EAST
No Sarus Cranes were using Boeung Prek Lapeuv during the census, but a flock of 22 did fly over, heading we know not where (per SKH). A visit on 21 March found a breeding colony of Asian
Golden Weavers with an estimate of 20 pairs present and 50 nests spread across two Eucalyptus trees and a bush (RO). This is the largest documented colony in Cambodia.
SOUTH-WEST
RO's amazing run on his home ground continued this month. In the Kampot estuary on 25 April he
photographed at least one Sanderling in full winter plumage, with possibly as many as 8 present in a range of other plumages. This is another first for the country. There were also two Little Terns on the same day; the only other coastal record of this species since at least the 1960s was another sighting by RO of a single in April 2006.
A White-bellied Sea-eagle over Kampot town on 18 April was the first noted there for at least six months (RO).
A Spotted Wood-owl at Prey Nup mangroves on 17 April was new for the site and the Southwest (RO). A Rusty-rumped Warbler there on 4 April was also notable.
At Kampong Trach the Sarus Crane census produced 203 birds (US, ED and SoV per SKH) plus 10 just over the border in Phu My (per TT).
NORTHWEST
The first Blue-winged Pitta of the season reported to us was in forest behind the Angkor Centre for
Biodiversity Conservation near Phnom Kulen on 16 April (MH).
A single Caspian Tern at Ang Trapeang Thmor on 22 April was notable for the site (MH). High counts of approx 150 Northern Pintails and 10 Common Coots there on 6 February have just come to light (HN).
TONLE SAP
At Prolay, 11 Oriental Plovers (one of them a partial albino with whitish head and upper breast) and 400+ (possibly as many as 1000) Yellow-breasted Buntings were seen on 17 April (MH and HW). The Sarus Crane census found 61 birds in the florican grasslands, 20 at Stoung and 41 at Baray (per RvZ).
NORTH
A SVC guide training event at O Koki/Krasang (Preah Vihear Protected Forest) and Prey Veng (Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary) in mid April produced several good records including Green Peafowl on three days out of four at O Koki/Krasang, one White-winged Duck each at Krasang and Prey Veng, Grey-headed Fish-eagles at all sites, 1 Cinereous Vulture (soaring over Dangphlet on 23 April), 2 Giant Ibis at Prey Veng and 2 Himalayan Black Bulbuls at Krasang on 21 April. The first Bluewinged Pitta of the season was heard at O Koki on 22 April (all HN and SVC team).
The Sarus Crane census produced 13 birds in Preah Vihear Protected Forest and 14 in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary (field teams per RvZ).
NORTH-EAST
A sub-adult Himalayan Griffon joined the vulture restaurant in Siem Pang on 4 April (per PB). A new
individual Indian Spotted Eagle was seen on 5 and 6 April far west of the site of previous recent
observations, with 25 Streaked Weavers in the same location during 4-7 April and a Spot-bellied Eagle Owl heard on 7 April (HW).
In Mondulkiri Protected Forest on 5 April a Chestnut-winged Cuckoo was seen along the O Rovei and Trapeang Tmat produced 3 Sarus Cranes, 2 Giant Ibises, a Black-necked Stork and a Red-headed Vulture simultaneously (TNEG). A visit to the forest at 850 m around Dak Dam border crossing in Mondulkiri on 24-25 April resulted in one party of White-cheeked Laughingthrushes and records of Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Bluewinged Minla, Annam Barbet and Ashy Bulbul. A Lesser Adjutant soaring over the grasslands at this site is a candidate for the highest altitude record in Cambodia (TNEG).
OBSERVERS
ED Eap Don
HN Howie Nielsen
HW Hugh Wright
MH Markus Handschuh
PB Pech Bunnat
RO Rob Overtoom
RvZ Robert van Zalinge
SKH Seng Kimhout
SoV Sok Vanna
SVC Sam Veasna Centre
TNEG Tom Gray
TT Tran Triet
US Uong Seth