Almost 3,000 Individuals of Yellow-breasted Buntings Counted in Cambodia in 2021 
AKP Phnom Penh, December 28, 2022 --

Some 2,780 individuals of yellow-breasted buntings (Emberiza aureola) have been recorded at Boeung Prek Lapouv Protected Landscape (BPL) in Cambodia, the highest number in recent years, according to the Cambodian Journal of Natural History. 

“Our surveys recorded a maximum count of 2,780 individuals in March 2021, the highest count of the species from Cambodia in recent years (higher counts were reported by Goes (2013) from other sites), which possibly involved congregations of birds prior to spring migration,” the source said.

The findings suggested that BPL is potentially important as a wintering site for yellow-breasted buntings and that it is particularly important as a site where the species aggregates in high densities when the landscape is at its driest during the wintering period. 

In Cambodia, yellow-breasted buntings occur as regular winter visitors and have been recorded from November to May, although the species may arrive earlier based on observations from Laos and Vietnam.

Several parts of Cambodia are known to include wintering sites for yellow-breasted buntings, especially in the Tonle Sap floodplain and in the Eastern Plains along the lower Mekong floodplains, and these may form important wintering sites for the species in Southeast Asia given the large numbers counted, and the presence of relatively intact floodplain wetlands. Where found, the species typically occurs in flocks from tens to several hundred individuals in recent years. 

The known wintering habitat of the species in Cambodia largely occurs in cultivated areas such as rice fields and natural grasslands, and the species is known to use scrubby margins of paddy fields for foraging, and dense reedbeds, grassland and associated scrub for roosting.

Boeung Prek Lapouv Protected Landscape was established on May 9, 2016 on a total land surface of 8,035 hectares in Takeo province.

It is a potential zone where over 40 species of wild and endangered bird species are inhabiting and feeding.

The Cambodian Journal of Natural History is an open access journal published by the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Royal University of Phnom Penh. The Centre for Biodiversity Conservation is a non-profit making unit dedicated to training Cambodian biologists and to the study and conservation of Cambodian biodiversity.
By Lim Nary
AKP

Preliminary Results of Water Bird Census: 125 Species Recorded
AKP Phnom Penh, January 30, 2023 --

Some 125 species of water bird have been registered, according to the preliminary results of the 2023 Asian Water Bird Census.

The annual census was conducted in the 3rd week of January by NatureLife Cambodia in cooperation with park rangers at Boeung Prek Lapouv and Anlong Pring Protected Landscape Areas, said NatureLife Cambodia.

Ninety-one (91) species have been found in Boeung Prek Lapouv Protected Landscape Area in Takeo province and 34 others in Anlong Pring Protected Landscape Area in Kampot province, the source pointed out.


Covering an area of 8,305 hectares and 217 hectares, respectively, the Boeung Prek Lapouv Protected Landscape Area and Anlong Pring Protected Landscape Area were established in May 2016.
- AKP

Sarus Cranes



Sarus Crane Found Dead

Sad news, one sarus crane wasfound dead in Anlung Pring Protected landscape on 6 February 2023. We didn't know the cause of this dead yet however our field team has sent this body to wildlife health project team to do necropsy.

Ministry of Environment, NatureLife Cambodia, and partners are working hard to protect and conserve this valunerable crane from extinction !
Posted yesterday on BirdLife International Cambodia Programme social media page

hanno wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 9:54 am

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 6:47 pm Almost 3,000 Individuals of Yellow-breasted Buntings Counted in Cambodia in 2021 

AKP

Fairly common to locally abundant; declining rapidly (2). Estimated global population 120,000–1,000,000 mature individuals. Population conjectured to have been in the order of 100 million birds in 1980s. Formerly one of the most numerous songbirds of the Palaearctic, it was not considered of conservation concern prior to 2004; reflecting growing information on the ongoing population crash, this species' conservation status has progressively worsened, changing (in 2013) from Vulnerable to Endangered and then (in 2017) to Critically Endangered.
Spurce: Birds of the World

February 16, 2023
Arrival of thousands of yellow-breasted buntings
On 10 Feb, 2023, NatureLife Cambodia reported that thousands of endangered yellow-breasted buntings have arrived in the protected area of Boeung Prek Lpou in the province of Takeo.


NatureLife Cambodia said that the birds have flown to this particular spot even though it is not the mating season, and their presence in Boeung Prek Lpou has highlighted the importance of this wetland in the protection of wildlife.

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 12:12 am The 5th Crane Festival was successfully organized in Anlung Pring Protected Landscape

This annual event was organized on 19 May 2022 at Kok Thnoat primary school with participation and presided by deputy Kampong Trach governor, CEO of NatureLife Cambodia, country director of WWT, representative of CRDT, Director of Anlung Pring protected landscape, representative of district education office, local authorities, school principals, teachers, and kids from two primary schools (Thmor Beurk and Kok Thnoat), in total more than 300 people.



This event was organized with the object to join with the world in the celebration of #WorldMigratoryBirdDay and to raise awareness among young people and enhance local support for the conservation of the venerable sarus crane in Cambodia.
The day included painting competitions for the kids, a fun run, games for all, sarus crane costumes, and many prizes.

A good time was had by all, and all for a good cause!
BirdLife International Cambodia Programme

UPDATE: Crane Festival: 28 February 2023

On 28 February 2023, we will organize the Crane Festival in Anlung Pring Protected landscape. 450 tree seedlings will be planted along the new road that just completely built across this protected landscape. Welcome for joining us to celebrate this event!!!

#WordWetlandDay2023
#anlungpringprotectedlandscape
#CraneRice
#NatureLife is #BirdLifeInCamodia

216 Bird Species Found Along Upper Mekong River
AKP Phnom Penh, March 02, 2023 --

Two hundred and sixteen (216) bird species were found and recorded in the 2nd edition of “The Birds of the Upper Mekong”.

Compiled by the USAID Greening Prey Lang, the publication serves as an important source of information for rapidly growing domestic bird-watching community, according to Acting Mission Director for USAID Cambodia Ms. Hanh Nguyen.

The Khmer version of the publication will also be handed out to community-based ecotourism communities in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces.

It will also be distributed to schoolchildren along the Upper Mekong to improve their awareness on bird species, their habitats, migratory routes, and beyond.

The useful book will also available for purchase in the above-mentioned communities.
By Phal Sophanith
https://www.akp.gov.kh/post/detail/273260

12 hours ago
March 23, 2023
Wild birds flee Boeung Sneh sanctuary en masse
Boeung Sneh Bird Sanctuary in Prey Veng province is home to 49 species of wild birds, and the birds are leaving their shelter en masse due to deforestation.

Raising concerns, Governor of Prey Veng province Chea Somethy, said yesterday that birds are finding it hard to survive in the Boeung Sneh community forest that shelters over 200,000 wild birds in the 3,557 hectares of Boeung Sneh Bird Sanctuary.

The forest cover in the Boeung Sneh community is decreasing and the birds are leaving the sanctuary on a daily basis, never to return.

Speaking at the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit in Phnom Penh, Chea Somethy said the Boeung Sneh community forest ecosystem cannot afford to see its wild bird population dwindling.
- https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501260481/ ... -en-masse/

Bird-Watching Tower in Kampot's Anlong Pring Opened
AKP Phnom Penh, April 12, 2023 --
Ministry of Environment and Kampot Provincial Administration have inaugurated a bird-watching tower at the province's Anlong Pring protected area.
Environment Secretary of State H.E. Neth Pheaktra and Kampot Deputy Provincial Governor H.E. Ney Kong chaired the inaugural ceremony of the 16-metre-tall tower on April 11.


According to H.E. Neth Pheaktra, the bird-watching tower was built using the income from Cambodia's carbon credit sale and aims to further promote the natural resource protection in the area.

It is also expected that the tower can attract local and international tourists, thus boosting livelihood opportunities for the locals.

The secretary of state thanked the provincial and local authorities, the community, and development partners especially Nature Life Cambodia and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust for their active support in the conservation of the area.

Anlong Pring protection area is one of the four protected areas in Kampot province with a total land surface of 217 hectares in Chres, Koh Chamkar and Koh Tnaot villages of South Boeung Sala and Prek Kreus communes in Kampong Trach district.

H.E. Ney Kong shared that Anlong Pring protected area is home to at least 93 kinds of birds, especially cranes and some other endangered bird species that settle there from December to May.

The Ministry of Environment has been building ten bird-watching towers in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Prey Veng, Takeo, Kampot, Kep and Kampong Cham.

Seven of them, including the one in Kampot, have been completed and put into use.
- AKP