In the past many large waterbirds, such as storks, ibises, pelicans, herons etc. were very common birds but years of agricultural intensification and persecution wiped many of these species out or made them very rare in Thailand. Fortunately, as persecution is not the problem it once was and many of these birds are making a comeback.
Black-headed Ibis seem to frequent the Petchaburi region virtually all year round. Most often they can be found in the region of Wat Khao Takrao, but more and more frequently I see them on a large muddy field outside Wat Komnaram, near Pak Thale. Throughought the dry season 2010-2011 one bird was present for a long time and on 25th October 2011 I found 6 birds feeding at this location. A week later, on 3rd November, I found 18 Black-headed Ibises feeding close to the road at the same location; here is a video clip of some of them.
On both 25th October and 3rd November 1 Milky Stork and several Painted Storks were also to be seen at this site, further highlighting the recovery of large waterbirds. In fact such is the recovery that Painted Storks are now fairly commonplace in the Laem Pak Bia/Pak Thale area, Asian Openbills are common throught much of the country and Spot-billed Pelican occurs in every increasing numbers in the wet season.
Other large waterbirds that have increased in number over the last 10 years include Purple Heron, Oriental darter, Glossy Ibis and Indian Cormorant. Watch out too for Sarus Crane, a small number of which have been reintroduced in Buriram province.
Good news for large waterbirds!
No comments:
Post a Comment