sitemap send us some feedback/contact us about the fatbirder

      




 birding...

Cambodia
   
(visit this page on fatfisherman.com)
(visit this page on fatphotographer.net)

 







Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis ©Laurence Poh http://www.laurencepoh.com/

Cambodia covers 181,040 square kilometers in the southwestern part of the Indochina peninsula. Seventy-five percent of the country consists of the Tonle Sap Basin and the Mekong Lowlands, mostly rolling plains. There are mountain ranges in the southwest: the Cardamom Mountains and Elephant Range, and to the north: the Dangrek Mountains. About two-thirds of the country is forested, however the more accessible areas have been degraded by slash and burn agriculture and logging. Cambodia’s tropical climate has a wet and a dry season of equal length; temperature and humidity are normally high throughout the year.

Birding Destinations in the Northern Plains

The deciduous dipterocarp forests that once spread across much of Indochina and Thailand were formerly home to the greatest aggregation of large mammals and water birds that have existed beyond the savannas of Africa. These forests have largely disappeared from Thailand and Vietnam; currently, the Northern and Eastern Plains of Cambodia form the largest remaining contiguous block of this unique and critically important habitat.

Much of the Northern Plains is still covered in intact habitat – extensive areas of deciduous dipterocarp forest, with scattered seasonal wetlands (called trapeangs in Khmer) and large grasslands (veals), which flood during part of the wet season (June-October). Dense evergreen forest is found along water-courses and in the more fertile soils of the upland regions.

Tmatboey Village

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has established a pilot ibis ecotourism project at Tmatboey in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear province, the only known site where both Giant and White-shouldered Ibises breed and can be reliably seen. The birds are found in the forests surrounding the village, which are a mosaic of seasonally inundated dipterocarp deciduous trees.

Sam Veasna Center (SVC) for Wildlife Conservation has the responsibility to promote this project, which actively involves the local community in conservation. Tourism visits are linked to community conservation agreements, whereby income from visits supports local development and engagement in conservation activities. Local site tourism is managed by an elected village ecotourism committee. This committee is responsible for enforcement of the community conservation agreements, managing tourist visits, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are distributed throughout the village.

Trips are usually for three nights and visitors stay in a communally-run basic wooden guesthouse with limited hours of electricity and dormitory-style beds. A separate toilet and shower facility is located behind the building. Simple but good Khmer food is prepared by the local cooks’ group using western hygiene standards. Packed lunches are available for groups staying out all day. Cold beer soft drinks and other items are available for sale at a concession stand run by the women’s group. Local villagers serve as guides to the birds.

Vulture Restaurant

The Northern Plains also support one of the last remaining populations of Asian vultures. Populations of three species (White-rumped, Slender-billed and Red-headed vultures) have declined by over 97% in South Asia in the last decade due to poisoning by veterinary use of the drug diclofenac, and are now threatened with local extinction. Cambodia is of global importance for conservation of these species as diclofenac is not available; hence these birds have an excellent chance of long-term survival. The Cambodian populations are primarily threatened by like of available food sources. Consequently semi-permanent feeding stations have been established across the vulture range to provide a safe, reliable, source of carrion.

Two-night trips to one of the vulture restaurants, at Chhep in the Northern Plains, can be arranged through the SVC. The site is very remote – requiring a 4-6 hour drive from Tmatboey on forest trails. All three species of vultures can be seen, in addition to Giant Ibises, Greater Adjutant, Sarus Cranes, Black-necked Stork and many deciduous dipterocarp forest specialties. Accommodation at the restaurant is in a basic wooden house in the forest with basic toilet and washing facilities. Food is provided by the Tmatboey cooks’ group.

Florican Grasslands

The Tonle Sap Great Lake floodplain once supported several thousand square kilometers of seasonally inundated grassland. These support more than half of the world population of a highly endangered bird, the Bengal Florican. There are also many other threatened or important species including Sarus Crane, White-shouldered Ibis (infrequent), Greater Adjutant (seasonal), rare turtle species and a high diversity of fish.

A new land-use designation - Integrated Farming and Biodiversity Areas (IFBAs) has recently been set up to protect existing grassland management systems. This will benefit both threatened wildlife and local communities, and is expected to bring wider benefits by maintaining land-use diversity in these districts, leading to better ecological and economic stability.

Trips to see the Floricans at Stoung, Kruos Kraom or Chong Doung can be combined with travel to or from Tmatboey or as a stand-alone day trip or, when visiting several sites, an overnight trip and staying at a nice hotel in Kompong Thom.

Ang Tropaeng Thmor

The 12,500 ha Ang Trapeang Thmor (ATT) Sarus Crane Reserve was gazetted by Royal Decree in February 2000. The artificial reservoir, built with forced labor during the Pol Pot regime, provides wetland habitat for 40% of the non-breeding population of the Globally Threatened Sarus Crane and numerous other threatened species of wildlife. The site is particularly good for birds of prey, starlings, ducks and large water and grassland birds, depending on the season.

ATT can boast a list of 198 bird species, the high diversity being due to the quality and variety of its natural habitats: rice paddies, trapeang and nearby deciduous dipterocarp forest. SVC usually takes birders to the site from Siem Reap, leaving at 5 a.m. and birding until lunch time. We also visit the local village silk weavers for local, hand-made souvenirs. Overnight visits can be arranged.

 
 

Karen Wachtel Nielsen
Ecotourism Development Coordinator
(Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation)http://www.samveasna.org

Number of bird species: 290

* Field Guides & Bird Song

For a comprehensive list of recommended titles covering Asia as a whole - please see the Asia page of Fatbirder

A Photographic Guide to Birds of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

Peter Davidson New Holland 2008
ISBN: 1847731414
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Proact


Coordinator: none (why not apply?) see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: None yet!
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team

Birdlife International

Website

BirdLife International in Indochina website covers our activities in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. You can read about our recent work and the updated news by visting our latest newsletter The Babbler...

Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC)

Website

Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC) was created as a memorial to Sam Veasna, former head of the Siem Reap provincial wildlife office, and a key player in promoting conservation initiatives in Cambodia. Instrumental in discovering the population of Sarus Crane at Ang Tropeang Thmor, he succeeded in having it declared a Sarus Crane Protected Area by Royal Decree. He rediscovered the Bengal Florican in Kompong Thom, until then believed to have been extinct in Cambodia, and worked closely with local villagers to promote conservation efforts. Veasna died at the age of 33 of malaria contracted during field work. Friends, family and colleagues established the center as a tribute to him...

Ang Trapeang Thmor Sarus Crane Reserve

Information
Satellite View
Originating as a man-made irrigation and water storage reservoir built in 1976 on the historical Angkorian Highway, the reservoir now harbors a unique wetland associated with grassland, dipterocarp forests and paddy fields...

Tonle Sap Great Lake

Website
Satellite View
The Tonle Sap Great Lake consists of the lake and a flood plain of interconnected streams, ponds, flooded forests and wetland vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity of species including; aquatic plants, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and microorganisms...

Wetlands

Website
Cambodia presently has 3 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 54,600 hectares...

2002 [April] - Graham Talbot & Chris Campion

Report

Following the publication of Ben King's report on his web site detailing his trip to see Giant Ibis, Chris and myself discussed the possibility of twitching them from Hong Kong. The logistics however seemed immense and the thought was soon dismissed. However following the publication of Peter Davison's excellent article on the Giant Ibis in World Birdwatch and his subsequent paper Seeing the Giant Ibis, it seemed that the logistics were not that difficult. We originally planned a short stay with the sole intent of seeing the Ibis however we modified our plans when it became apparent that we could also see Bengal Florican and the recently described Mekong Wagtail...

2003 [May] Garry George

Report

...Spoonbill Sandpipers have left the salt pans of Kok Karm early this year. After conferring with Uthai via taxi driver's cell phone (birding communications have certainly changed in ten years) we reverse direction and head for Khao Yai NP for an extra day even though we'll go there later. We arrive at dusk and rush up stairs of abandoned monastery across the road from our hotel Juldis Khao Yai for a try for unexpected Limestone Wren Babbler Uthai has seen there. No luck but plenty of mosquitoes...

2005 [March] - Vincent van der Spek

Report

Photo Rich Report

2006 [December] - James Eaton - BirdTour Asia

Report

This short custom tour concentrated on seeking out the specialities and near-endemics to be found in Northern Cambodia. Overall the tour proved highly successful and we managed to locate nearly all of our target species. The total of 195 species observed including the charismatic ibis duo; the enigmatic Giant and localised White-shouldered Ibis, superlative views of a male White-rumped Falcon for the second tour in succession, wonderful views of a pair of Sarus Crane on territory, 7 species of owl at just a single site, an early-returning Bengal Florican and the recently-described Mekong Wagtail along the mighty Mekong River with the accompanying Irrawaddy River Dolphins as the non-avian highlight...

2006 [March] - Dave Farrow

Report

This year’s tour to Cambodia was once again a wonderful birding experience to this magical and little-known country. The main target and flagship bird of the tour is without a doubt the Giant Ibis, and we enjoyed progressively better views over two days of this impressive beast...

2006 [March] - Gary & Marlene Babic

Report

Access to Cambodia is easy and no one should be intimidated to plan a visit – there are many flights from Bangkok and Singapore to the main tourist destination of Siem Reap, which is the closest airport to the famed Angkor Wat...

2007 [February] - James Eaton - BirdTourAsia

Report

...A pair of mating White-rumped Falcons, 10 species of woodpecker including the spectacular Black-headed and an impressive 7 species of owl were also recorded. Following an overnight stop in Kompong Thom to observe the large number of wintering passerines at close quarters we visited the mighty River Mekong, home of the newly-described Mekong Wagtail and a shrinking population of Irawaddy Dolphins before reaching our final destination of Bokor National Park, where we obtained stunning close views of a pair of the near-endemic Chestnut-headed Partridge and a group of Indochinese Green-Magpies. A total of 271 species were seen and a further 15 heard only...

2008 [February] - James Eaton

Report

Once again Cambodia did not disappoint with a whole suite of rare species enlightening this bird-filled tour in a fascinating and friendly country...

2008 [March] - James Eaton

Report

This 3-week tour blended culture with birds, of which there are plenty of both in these wonderful countries. We recorded a total of 374 species during the tour. Our first week in Cambodia produced an array of avian highlights...

2009 [March] - Dave Farrow

Report

Once again, this year’s Birdquest to Cambodia was a very enjoyable affair. We recorded 283 species, a very rich bird-list that included many spectacular birds. In the few short years since we first began visiting this fascinating country, the roads have improved dramatically and the accommodations become more comfortable, all adding to the efficiency and enjoyment of birding here...

2009 [March] - James Eaton

Report

...White-rumped Falcon, Chinese Francolin and Brown Wood Owl made for a good supporting cast before we moved to the grasslands of the Tonle Sap floodplain – quite brilliant views of several Bengal Florican were had along with Manchurian Reed Warbler, Lanceolated Warbler and Pied Harrier...

2010 [February] - Stefan Lithner

Report

...Here is still remnants of primary forest interspersed with secondary growth, swamps, rivers, fish- and schrimp- ponds, making it plesant to revise some of the more common birds of SE Asia. A few species like Puff-throated Bulbul, Streak-eared Bukbul and White-eyed Bulbul were a good exercise...

2010 [January] - Niels Poul Dreyer

Report

William Clarke (Billy), from Ireland, and I, Niels Poul Dreyer, from Denmark, recently undertook a 17-day tour of Cambodia we organized through a company called SVC http://www.samveasna.org. Our tour leader was the senior English-speaking bird guide, Ms. Sophoan Sanh...

SVC

Tour Operator

As an off-shoot of our programs, SVC has been taking interested groups and individuals to see birds, either around Siem Reap area for half a day, or to more remote locations to see several endangered and threatened species, on trips lasting from one day to over one week. This new eco tourism endeavor is in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program (WCS), an international NGO devoted to protecting wildlife around the world, and the rural communities living in the less-accessible birding sites listed below...

Checklist of Cambodia Birds

Website

This checklist includes all bird species found in Cambodia, based on the best information available at this time...

Conservation in Cambodia

Website

From studies carried out before the war it appears that Cambodia may support about 212 species of mammal, 720 bird species, 240 reptiles species and over 2,300 species of vascular plants...

Fatbirder Logo
  Fatbirder's Top 1000 Birding Websites