The Babbler 12

The Babbler December, 2004 Number 12

* Welcome

Jonathan C. Eames Feature * New publication for IBA in Asia * Regional news 1. Taipei Bird Fair 2. Breeding site for Sarus Crane first found in Yok Don 3. BirdLife Asia Coucil Partnership meeting 4. H.I.H Princess Takamado of Japan visits Khao Yai National Park in Thailand

* Rarest of the rare

Spoon-billed Sandpiper

* Project updates

1. Awareness training for Khe Net SSG members 2. Nothern Myanmar Wetland survey

* New publications

Important Bird Areas in Asia

* Book reviews * From the Archives BirdLife International in Indochina #4, Lane 209, Doi Can Street Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: + 84 4 722 3864 Fax: + 84 4 722 3835 Email: birdlife@birdlife.netnam.vn www.birdlifeindochina.org

BirdLife International in Indochina Welcome to issue 12 of the Babbler and the last for 2004 Dominating this issue is the new BirdLife publication Important Bird Areas in Asia: Key sites for conservation which was launched by BirdLife's Honorary President Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado at a special event at the IUCN Wold Conservation Congress (WCC) in Bangkok on 18 November. The directory details almost 2,300 IBAs and represents a major milestone in the Asia BirdLife Partnership's mission to conserve birds and their habitats. In this issue we feature the country account for Laos to give you a flavour of the publication. That day, Her Imperial Highness made two very interesting and well received presentations at WCC in her capacity as BirdLife's Honorary President, adding personal thoughts that touched all of us present. There is no doubt that in Her Imperial Highness, BirdLife and the environment has a charming and dynamic advocate.

This past quarter the BirdLife Asia Partnership held its annual meeting courtesy of the BirdLife Partner in Taiwan, the Wild Bird Federation Taiwan. For the first time my colleague U Uga, Chairman of the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA), was able to attend. BirdLife is working with BANCA in Myanmar on a number of projects and we are seeking to support BANCA become a BirdLife Affiliate by the end of 2005. I am personally delighted that Uga was able to attend. I realize too, that by not visiting Taiwan at earlier opportunities I missed out on visiting a beautiful and special country. Thank you too to Dr Charles C. Cheng, President WBFT, all our colleagues at WBFT, GouFang Tseng, President and the Wild Bird Federation Taipei for presenting proceeds from the Taipei Bird Fair for conservation activities in the Red River Delta, Vietnam.

I am just back from another trip searching for the enigmatic Pink-headed Duck in northern Myanmar. Our team, including Tim Appleton, Warden of Rutland Water Nature Reserve, and co-organizer of the Bird Fair, had tantalizing views of a bird that may have been this species, but that were insufficient to clinch the identification for 100%. Be assured we will return in 2005 and hopefully, bring the question of the continued existence of this remarkable species to closure!!

In the meantime, on behalf of all our staff in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, I would like to wish all our colleagues, supporters and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2

BirdLife International in Indochina

Feature: Important Bird Areas in Asia

The Babbler - December, 2004

3

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler - December, 2004

4

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler - December, 2004

5

BirdLife International in Indochina

The Babbler - December, 2004

6

BirdLife International in Indochina

Regional news Taipei Bird Watching Fair 2004. The biggest event of its type in Asia “As the seasons comes, the arriving migratory birds set the stage for a magnificent annual celebration. See you at the Guandu Nature Park”, says the organizer of the annual Taipei Bird-watching Fair 2004, the biggest event of this type in Asia.

Guandu Nature Park, the venue for the Taipei Bird watching Fair this year, is owned by the Taipei City Government and managed and operated by an NGO – the Wild Bird Society of Taipei (WBST), a member of the Wild Bird Federation of Taiwan (WBFT), which is in turn a member of the prestigious BirdLife International Partnership. In this Nature Park of 57 hectares of wetland habitat, over 250 species of birds, including winter migrants such as waterfowl, sandpipers, plovers, and herons could be found. More importantly this site serves to inform the Taipei public about birds and conservation.

This year the event Children enjoy the Bird Fair's activities. was sponsored by Photo: J.C. Eames the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Taipei City Government and a number of big businesses based in Taipei. More than 16,000 people including many young children came to the fair on the weekend of November 9-10.

Besides the usual bird watching enjoyment and appreciation, special features of this year’s Fair were the introduction of the concept and inventories of Important Bird Areas to the Taipei public and the establishment of the small grant scheme, which will be financed by the income from the Fair. As a climax to the fair US $10,000 was Mrs Pham Tuan Anh - Vietnam Programme donated to BirdLife International; US $7,000 in support of the Manager receives a cheque at the Bird Fair. conservation work BirdLife Indonesia for a recently established Photo: J.C. Eames national park in eastern Indonesia and another US $3,000 to support the BirdLife International Vietnam Programme in bird monitoring activities in several coastal Important Bird Areas in the Red River Delta of Vietnam. This is a wonderful example of how a local initiative and support to conservation has begun to acquire international impact. No wonder why the Black-faced Spoonbill – a rare species classified by the IUCN as a vulnerable species, has been chosen as the flagship species for the Visit Taiwan Year of 2004!

Pham Tuan Anh, Vietnam Programme Manager

The BirdLife Global Council meeting was recently hosted by the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, at Khao Yai National Park. Those attending included H.I.H. Princess Takamado of Japan, Honorary President, BirdLife International.

The Asia Council Partnership meeting was held in Taipei last November with representatives from BirdLife Partners in Asia including BirdLife Indochina. From left to right: U Uga, Jonathan Eames, Tuan Anh and Sean Austin. Photo: J.C. Eames

The Babbler - December, 2004

7

BirdLife International in Indochina

Global extinction crisis escalates. More than 15,000 species of plans and animals are facing global exctinction This startling picture of biodiversity loss has emerged from the latest Global Species Assessment – based on and released in conjunction with the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Delegates have debated these findings at the world's largest conservation gathering, the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress, which kicked off in Bangkok in November, 2004.

The Global Species Assessment (GSA) is the most comprehensive evaluation ever undertaken of the status of the world’s biodiversity. It shows trends in biodiversity since the last major analysis in 2000 and also highlights which species are at greatest risk of extinction, where they occur, and the many threats facing them. The GSA is produced by the Red List Consortium, an alliance of six conservation organsiations including BirdLife International.

"Birds remain the best documented class of organisms on the Red List. Their continued decline is indicative of the perilous state of the planet's biodiversity." — Dr Stuart Butchart, Global Species Officer, BirdLife International.

In 1996 it was revealed that one in eight birds (12%) and one in four mammals (23%) were threatened with extinction (falling into the Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable categories).

The new figures show that one in three amphibians (32%) and more than two fifths (42%) of turtles and tortoises are globally threatened. The catastrophic decline of amphibians is a worrying indicator of the state of the planet’s freshwater resources. The vast saltwater ocean depths are also under pressure – providing little refuge to many over-exploited marine species. Nearly one in five (18%) of assessed sharks and rays are threatened with extinction. Many plants have also been assessed, but only conifers (25%) and cycads (52%) have been completely evaluated.

Dick Newell Population models predict that the Balearic Shearwater will decline by 98% within three generations.

Since the release of the previous Red List in 2003, there have been some notable changes including some marked deteriorations, like the St Helena Olive (from Extinct in the Wild to Extinct), the Hawaiian Crow (from Critically Endangered to Extinct in the Wild), the Balearic Shearwater (From Near Threatened to Critically Endangered), and the Giant Hispaniolan Galliwasp Lizard (from Near Threatened to Critically Endangered).

"The Hawaiian Crow is now classified as Extinct in the Wild following the disappearance of the last known two birds remaining at large on Big Island in 2002. The crow is just one of a suite of bird species that have seen their conservation status worsen since the last major update of the IUCN Red List," said Dr Stuart Butchart, BirdLife International's Global Species Officer.

"Targeted conservation action can make a real difference to the fate of species. For instance the control of invasive, nonnative ants by the Australian Government has saved Christmas Island's unique bird life from extinction." — Dr Stuart Butchart.

However, there have also been some improvements, such as the European Otter (from Vulnerable to Near Threatened) and the Christmas Island Imperial Pigeon (from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable).

Humans, either directly or indirectly, are the main reason for most declines. Habitat destruction and degradation are the leading threats but other significant pressures include introduced species, pollution, disease and over-exploitation for food, the pet trade, and medicine. Climate change is also increasingly being recognised as a serious threat.

Threatened species are often concentrated in densely populated areas, particularly in much of Asia and parts of Africa. A major conservation challenge will therefore be to reconcile the demands of large numbers of people on the environment, whilst protecting the biodiversity upon which so many people’s livelihoods depend.

"It is clear that the situation facing our species is serious and getting worse. We can continue to assess and bemoan the loss of the world’s biodiversity or we can act. We must refocus and rethink the way in which society must respond to this global threat," says Achim Steiner, IUCN’s Director General. "Thousands of dedicated people around the world are doing their utmost to reverse the extinction rate. But this cannot continue to be the task of the environmental community alone.

Governments and business must commit to these efforts as well."

The Babbler - December, 2004

8

BirdLife International in Indochina

A record of Mekong Wagtail Motacilla samveasnae for Yok Don National Park A pair of adult Mekong wagtails were recorded by Dr. Phillip John Edwards and Mark R. Bezuijen on 2nd December 2004 at Yok Don National Park. Clear views were obtained of both individuals at close proximity (approx 15-20 m). Both birds were sitting on exposed rocks with sparse vegetation in the middle of the Srepok River, close to the national park headquarters. The species was identified on the following distinctive features: a large white supercilium; thick black lores extending to the back of the head; extensive black on the top of the head, nape, and back; a distinct long black edging along the folded wing. The birds were presumed to be a pair: the plumage patterns of both birds was similar, but colours were different. The male had dark grey-black plumage, and the female had browner plumage.

The Mekong wagtail Motacilla This species was confirmed to occur in Vietnam for the first time in November samveasnae. Photo: P. Davidson 2002, by Mr. Le Trong Trai and Mr. Nguyen Duc Tu of BirdLife International.

This team recorded three pairs along the Srepok River, close to the Cambodian border. The current sighting is relatively far upstream from the first record, which may suggest the species is more widely distributed along the river than is known. This appears to be the second country-record for this species.

Contributed by Mark Bezuijen, PARC project in Yok Don

Breeding habitat of the Eastern Sarus Crane Grus antigone sharpii found in Yok Don National Park, Daklak Province, Vietnam In mid-November 2004, ethnic minority people in Buon Don District, Daklak Province captured a Sarus crane chick, about 6 weeks old at the time of capture, in the area of Yok Don National Park. Immediately following the news, a search was conducted from November 30 to December 12, 2004 by staff of the International Crane Foundation Vietnam Program, University of Natural Sciences Ho Chi Minh City and Yok Don National Park to locate where the chick was caught and, possibly, nest sites of Sarus Cranes in Yok Don National Park.

The search found two active nest sites (UTM WGS84: 0803948/1436117 and 0802529/1441228) and several other locations with crane footprints and droppings inside Yok Don. The nest site, where the chick was captured, is a small and shallow wetland, about 1 hectare in size, surrounded by open Dipterocarp forest. The wetland was almost dry at the time of the visit (early December 2004), except for a small water hole in the center with 50 cm of standing water. It is covered by a herbaceous vegetation dominated by wild rice Oryza cf. rufipogon, Ischaemum rugosum (Poaceae) an Cyperus babakans (Cyperaceae). The nest mound was built of mostly Oryza and Ischaemum stems.

Similar wetlands are common under the canopy of open Dipterocarp forests in Yok Don. These wetlands are also important for many other wildlife species because they provide water and food, especially in the dry season.

The crane chick captured in Yok Don in November 2004. Photo: Tran Triet

Sarus crane breeding habitat in Yok Don National Park is currently under many threats, most importantly are chick capture and egg removal, wetland disturbance caused by cattle grazing and frequent visits by local people for hunting and fishing. Immediate actions should be taken to reduce these threats and a comprehensive wetland management program for Yok Don should be established.

Acknowledgements The news of the crane chick capture was brought to our attention by staff of the Creating Protected Areas for Resource Conservation using Landscape Ecology (PARC) Project at Yok Don National Park. The subsequent survey was also sponsored by the PARC project.

Crane nest mount found in Yok Don, December 2004. Photo: Tran Triet

Tran Triet and Nguyen Hoai Bao International Crane Foundation Vietnam Program, and University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City

The Babbler - December, 2004

9

BirdLife International in Indochina

KNCF delegates visit Xuan Thuy National Park On 1st December 2004, a mission headed by Mr Naotake Okubo, Chairman of Nippon Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation (KCNC) and comprising senior members of KCNC, visited the Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh Province. In the period of 2002-2004, Xuan Thuy NP received three grants from Keidanren via BirdLife International Vietnam Programme for supporting the conservation efforts at the site. This mission was designed to visit and review KCNC's projects in Vietnam.

In Xuan Thuy, the mission team was introduced to the importance of the site for the biodiversity conservation and the threats that the site faces. In addition, a field visit was guided by the Vice-director of the Xuan Thuy National Park and the BirdLife Project Officer. Among others, at least 57 black-faced spoonbills and a Saunders's Gull were seen.

On the same day, at a reception attended by the Japan Ambassador to Vietnam, the Chairman of KCNC presented Keidanren's efforts to assist the environmental protection worldwide and particularly in Vietnam. The Chairman also stated their expectation to fund at least 1 project in Vietnam annually and will organize that they a supervision visit to Vietnam every year.

On 2nd December 2004, the team visited the BirdLife office. BirdLife staff took the chance to introduce their work in Vietnam. On behalf of the KCNC, Mr. Okubo expressed his pleasure at BirdLife's work with KCNC's support. He also expressed his personal support for BirdLife's work in future.

HIH Princess Takamado of Japan, Ichida-san, Director and Richard Grimmett, head of BirdLife Asia Division visited Khao Yai National Park, hosted by Bird Conservation Society of Thailand - BirdLife Partner in Thailand.

Photo: J.C.Eames

Northern Myanmar Wetland Survey Between 27 November and 16 December a joint team comprising personnel from the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, BirdLife International in Indochina and organized by Wildbird Adventure Travels and Tours, undertook a survey of wetlands in northern Kachin State as part of the Darwin Initiative funded project entitled Building Constituencies for Sitebased Conservation in Myanmar.

The expedition aimed to identify wetland Important Birds Area and emphasis was placed on attempting to rediscover the Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryphyllacea, which was last sighted in Myanmar in 1910.

The project team, joined by staff from the Wildlife and Conservation Division of the Forest Department, surveyed Indawgi Lake, which supports vast numbers of waterfowl and has been proposed as a Ramsar site by the Government of Myanmar. The second part of the expedition focused on the numerous ox-bow lakes along the Tanai and Upper Chindwin Rivers.

The Babbler - December, 2004

Pink-headed Duck survey on Elephant-back.

Photo: A. W. Tordoff

10 BirdLife International in Indochina During the survey the team had a possible and unconfirmed sighting of a Pink-headed Duck and recorded eight other Globally Threatened Bird species comprising Green Peafowl Pavo muticus, White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Whiterumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuriostris, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. The expedition also recorded five Globally Near-threatened species comprising Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis, Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorynchus asiaticus, plus two new species for Myanmar, Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis and Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler Cettia major.

Although Indawgyi Lake is a Wildlife Sanctuary there is human settlement and agriculture along most of the southern half of the wetland and unregulated fishing Waterfowl at Indawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary. throughout the lake. Along the Tanai and Chindwin Photo: A. W. Tordoff Rivers the larger ox-bow lakes are fished regularly and further disturbance to wetlands results from the activities of rattan collectors and hunters. Gold mining is also causing pollution of smaller tributaries.

The team propose to return for a follow-up survey of a large area of wetland and grassland in autumn 2005 to continue their search for the enigmatic Pink-headed Duck.

Jonathan C. Eames, BirdLife International

Rarest of the rare

EN - Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus Justification: This sandpiper has been uplisted to Endangered because recent surveys indicate that its population is now very small and declining as a result of habitats loss in its breeding, passage and wintering grounds, compounded by disturbance and hunting.

Identification: 14-16 cm. Small stint with spatulate bill. Breeding adult has redbrown head, neck and breast with dark brown streaks. Blackish upperparts with buff and pale Rufous fringing. Non-breeding adult lacks reddish coloration, but has pale brownish - grey upperparts with whitish fringing to wing-converts. White underparts.

Similar spp. Red-necked Stint-C. ruficollis and Little Stint C. minuta lack spatuatle bill. Non-breeders of both species have less white on forehead, appear smallerheaded and have narrower supercillia. Breeding C. ruficollis has less uniformly fringed Rufous-brick-red fringes to scapulars. Voice Quiet, rolling preep and shrill wheet, usually in flight.

Population estimate 1,000 - 2,499

Population trend decreasing

Range estimate 345,000 km2

country endemic?

No

Range & population: Eurynorhynchus pygmeus has a naturally fragmented breeding range on the Chkotsk peninsula, in north-eastern Russia. It migrates down the western Pacific coast through Russia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong (China) and Taiwan (China), to its main wintering grounds in South and South-East Asia, where it has been recorded from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. It occurs regularly at only a few sites within this wintering range. Its population has recently been estimated as < 2,500 individual.

The Babbler - December, 2004

11 BirdLife International in Indochina Ecology: It breeds on sea coasts and adjacent hinterland where there are sandy ridges, sparsely vegetated with mosses, dwarf willows, and grasses, and also lakes and marshes in nearby depressions. Winters on tidal mudflats and saltpans.

Threats: It is vulnerable to habitat loss on its breeding grounds because of its specific habitat requirements, high level site fidelity, small population and patchy distribution. Throughout its migratory and wintering ranges, tidal flats are being reclaimed for industry, infrastructure and aquaculture and are becoming increasingly polluted. Climate change and associated habitats shifts are expected to impact negatively on this species and other dependent on tundra habitats for breeding. Modeling indicates that 57% of the habitats for this species could be lost by 2070. The important staging area at Saemangeum, South Korea, including the Mangyeung and Tongjin estuaries, has already been partially reclaimed and remaining wetlands are under series threat of reclamation in the near future. In the breeding grounds, nests are sometimes destroyed by reindeer herds and herders’ dogs. Other threats including human disturbance on tidal flats and hunting of shorebirds.

Conservation measures underway: CMS Appendix II. protected areas in its breeding, staging and wintering areas include Moroshechnaya and several local wildlife refuges on the Chukotsk peninsula ( Russia), Yangcheng and Chongming Dongtan (China), Mai Po (Hong Kong), Lanyan estuary (Taiwan), Point Calimere and Chilka lake (India), and Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve ( Viet Nam).

Conservation measures proposed: Survey existing and potential wintering sites in Myanmar, Bangladesh and India.

Ensure protection of newly discovered sires and existing sites, especially in South Korea, Campaign to stop shorebird hunting in Asia countries. Legally protect it in all range states.

Project updates

Awareness training for Khe Net Site Support Group During 15 - 18 December, BirdLife International in Vietnam in cooperation with Quang Binh Forest Protection Department carried out the training course for Khe Net Site Support Group (SSG) members as a part of project entitled: Conservation of Important Bird Areas in Indochina: Strengthening site support groups to conserve critical biodiversity with financial support from MacArthur Foundation. The objectives of this training: Building capacity of SSG members in community-based environmental education. Specifically: •

• • SSS members practice their presentation for the village meeting. Photo: Vu Thi Minh Phuong

Providing trainees with basic knowledge and understanding about the importance of environmental education in support of nature conservation and protection.

Providing important skills such as administrative and communication skills through classroom and village meeting practice.

Developing schedule and specific activities for the Khe Net SSG’s education program

Four day training course was attended by all member of SSG in both Kim Hoa and Huong Hoa commune and representatives from the Woman's Union, the Farmer's Union, the National Frontier Group as well as selected staff from these two communes. After the training, with great support from Huong Hoa CPC, where the training took place, trainees organised one awareness raising meeting with local people from Tan Duc village in Huong Hoa Commune.

Throughout the course, trainees worked very hard and were actively involved in all the program activities. There was only one village meeting organised during this training. The SSG members are confident of organising village meetings, giving presentations, discussing with local people and finding the most suitable solutions in order to manage Khe Net proposed Nature Reserve sustainably.

The Babbler - December, 2004

12 BirdLife International in Indochina

New publication

Important Bird Areas in Asia just published by BirdLife Important Bird Areas in Asia (November 2004) is the first comprehensive inventory of Asia's most important places for birds and biodiversity. It identifies 2,293 sites, covering 7.6% of the region's total land area. The book took eight years to complete, involving hundreds of ornithologists, volunteers and government staff in 28 countries and territories across the entire Asia region.

"The major threat affecting IBAs in Asia is the loss or degradation of habitat. Other threats – pollution, introduced species and wild bird trade – all increase the pressure for these precious areas and their wildlife" Noritaka Ichida, Director, BirdLife International Asia Division.

A key BirdLife strategy to address the conservation needs of Asia's IBAs is to develop a grass-roots community of Asian conservationists through its Site Support Group (SSG) network. This consists of local people with a commitment to local sites and habitats and a willingness to work with NGOs and other agencies to ensure sites are managed in a mutually beneficial way for people, birds and other wildlife.

"BirdLife believes the Asian IBA inventory provides a sound basis for the development of national conservation strategies and protected areas programmes, and highlights areas that should be safeguarded through wise policies and land-use planning." — HIH Princess Takamado of Japan, Honorary President, BirdLife International For instance, the BirdLife Vietnam Programme has facilitated the establishment of an SSG at a key wetland in the Red River Delta. The SSG involves representatives of the local community, local authorities and private aquaculture businesses. Awareness-raising materials have been prepared, a local decree has been passed, prohibiting the hunting of waterbirds, and its enforcement has H.I.H Princess Takamado of Japan and been supported and monitored by the SSG members.

Noritaka Ichida, Director of BirdLife Asia Division at the launch.

Full review of this publication will be publish in the next issue of the Babbler.

Photo: BCST/www.savepitta.org

Book reviews A Guide for Urban Birdwatching by Woei-horng Fang and Shuang Feng.

Photographer: Chien-Te Wang. Publisher: Owl Publishing House, Taipei. ISBN: G986-787963-5. Publication Date: October 31, 2003. List price NT$500, approximate US$16.

This book is an output of a project assisted by the Wild Bird Federation Taiwan and is intended to guide birdwatching beginners around urban area in Taiwan. This book describes 105 common birds around urban area in Taiwan. Each species account details habitat, forage methods, flight pattern, song, mating and nesting behaviors. The text is accompanied with many excellent photographs for identifying male, female, breeding, and non-breeding plumages.

The book is intended for beginners, thus species presentation is arranged by habitat followed by size. It is a good reference book for parents helping primary school students in their biology related homework.

The Babbler - December, 2004

13 BirdLife International in Indochina Plenty of photographs were used to illustrate each birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s characteristics. One of the authors Dr. Wei-Horn Fang is well-known for his knowledge of the birds of Taiwan, birding experiences and writing ability. He has been a volunteer of the Wild Bird Society of Taipei for many years and is currently a Vice-Chairperson of the BirdLife International Asian Council. Miss Swun Fong is well-known locally for her extensive experience in environmental education and a long-time volunteer of the Wild Bird Society of Taipei too. The photographer Ghen-Dir Wang lives in southern Taiwan and is a well-established wildlife photographer.

This book has been awarded by Taipei City Library and the Ming Sheng Daily newspaper as a Good Book for Reading and for teenagers. It was also nominated for the Golden Pot Award and the most prestige publication award by the Government Information Office, Taiwan ROC. Prestigous recently published is a new book about Terns entitled: Plumage in the Summer. featured at night.

This book in Chinese is

Guo-Fang Tseng, President of the Wild Bird Society of Taipei

Saving Asia's Threatened Birds: A Guide for Government and Civil Society is now available on the CD This CD is published by BirdLife International with financial support from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank.

This CD is available from BirdLife International Asia Division.

Birdwatcher's Guide to the Taipei Region by Kao Li-fung, Joanna Kuo and Ou Yang Pei-szu editors (2002). ISBN: 957-01-7797-7.

List price NT$320, approximate US$10.

Birdwatcher's Guide to the Taipei Region is published by Taipei City Government as an introduction to the top birdwatching spots in the city and its environs. The guide introduces 17 different birdwatching routes, each of which is illustrated with a map and photographs of notable bird species that can be seen along it. A text account is also given for each route, describing in detailed the places where species of interest are most likely to be observed. The text is written to appeal to both beginners and more experienced birders. Although serious twitchers may find the level of detail on some target species insufficient, they are unlikely to make Taipei the main focus of a birding trip to Taiwan or rely on the guide as their sole source of information.

The guide is useful for visitors and residents alike. Short-term visitors with half a day to spare for birding would be advised to check out Guandu Nature Park, a complex of wetlands on the edge of the city, easily accessible by public transport, which boasts a first-class visitor centre. Visitors with more time available may wish to check out Yangmingshan National Park to the north of the city, where it is possible to see Taiwan Blue Magpie, one of the 15 species endemic to Taiwan. For visitors with only a couple of hours to spare, the guide gives useful introductions to several of Taipei's urban parks, including Taipei Botanical Garden, home to Malayan Night Heron.

Having used the guide myself, I can say that it provides a great introduction to the birdwatching spots of Taipei, which, themselves are a great introduction to the birds of Taiwan. This fantastic island should be high on the itinerary of every birder with an interest in Asia, due to its extensive, unspoilt natural areas, the diversity and beauty of its endemic birds, and the relative ease at which they can be seen.

Andrew "Jack" Tordoff, BirdLife International

The Babbler - December, 2004

14 BirdLife International in Indochina

Birds - The art of ornithology by Jonathan Elphick (2004). Illustrations copyright @ the Natural History Museum, London. pages).

ISBN 1-902686-39-X (340

This beautiful book tells the story of the development of bird art through the ages.

It ranges from the early decorative - but often fanciful - images of birds, through more accurate portrayals resulting from exploration and an increasing knowledge of the world's avifauna, to modern attempts at capturing the essence of these, the freest of all creatures.

Birds contains an outstanding selection of images from the unrivalled collection of the Natural History Museum, some of which have never been reproduced before, and includes exquisitely crafted works from some of the most famous naturalhistory artists. The lively text interweaves fascinating ornithological information with accounts of the lives of the artists, details of the development of the techniques they used and a critical appraisal of their achievements.

Important Bird Areas in India: priority sites for conservation

by M. Zafar-ul Islam and Asad R. Rahmani editors Important Bird Areas in India is the first comprehensive assessment of globally important sites for bird and biodiversity conservation (termed Important Bird Areas, or IBAs) in India. With ecosystems ranging from the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the arid cold desert of the Trans-Himalayas, and from the wetlands of the Gangetic Plains to the vast Thar desert, few other countries can claim a diversity of bird species and communities to rival India's. When one considers the size of the country, the diversity of its natural habitats and the sheer remoteness of many areas, the scale of Bombay Natural History Society's achievement in compiling Important Bird Areas in India is staggering. When one further considers that the book was completed within only five years, it is incredible.

This achievement was only possible through the combined efforts of over 1,000 ornithologists (both professional and amateur), birdwatchers, conservationists, forest officials and other interested and committed individuals. A major contribution to the book was made by the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN), a network of Indian organisations and individuals committed to the conservation of birds. The rapid growth of the IBCN has been catalysed by the Bombay Natural History Society, and has given many young ornithologists the opportunity to contribute to a major national conservation initiative.

Important Bird Areas in India documents a total of 465 IBAs, identified because of their importance for globally threatened species, restricted-range species, biome-restricted bird assemblages and/or congregations of birds. The book contains a one or two page account of every IBA, including a location map, a general description, overviews of the avifauna and other key fauna, an evaluation of threats and conservation issues, and colour photographs of the site and/or the species that occur there. The book also contains an overview of the IBA network in India as a whole, as well as individual state overviews. Furthermore, the book is introduced by a number of informative and challenging essays on such topics as the threat posed by mining to India's IBAs and the potential for engaging local communities in IBA conservation.

By identifying a network of globally important sites for birds and biodiversity, Important Bird Areas in India provides a basis for the development of national conservation strategies, including the development of protected areas networks. In addition, I believe the book will prove very useful to efforts to "mainstream" biodiversity into other sectors, as it enables decision makers to make informed decisions about land use planning and infrastructure development. Moreover, I expect that book will catalyse conservation action by civil society groups, including grassroots organisations, to take conservation action for IBAs both within and outside protected areas.

Dr Zafar-ul Islam, Dr Asad Rahmani and their team deserve congratulations for the publication of Important Bird Areas in India, which will undoubtably form a milestone in Indian bird conservation. If Dr Salim Ali's Book of Indian Birds can be considered the major contribution to the study and conservation of India's birds of the 20th Century, I am certain that Important Bird Areas in India will stand alongside it, as one of the most important contributions of the 21st Century.

Andrew "Jack" Tordoff, BirdLife International

The Babbler - December, 2004

15 BirdLife International in Indochina

Advanced Thailand Geographic Advanced Thailand Geographic is a monthly magazine published in Bangkok. It features articles mainly on wildlife and landscapes of Thailand and other countries too from time to time. It is produced to an exceptionally high standard and includes superb photographs, often featuring species of bird and mammal that are seldom photographed. For example the latest issue (featured here) has sumptuous photographs of an Indian Skimmer that made a recent visit to the Gulf of Siam. It therefore is a useful resource for those with an interest in the wildlife of the region.

The only drawback for the English speaking reader is that it is published entirely in Thai. I feel sure that an English language version would be a best seller too.

Advanced Thailand Geographic is available on newsstands throughout Thailand.

Jonathan C. Eames, BirdLife International

From the Archives "Sir Elijah Impey was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Calcutta from 1774 to 1783. His wife Mary joined him there in 1777 and established on their estate a considerable aviary and menagerie, including many species of Asian birds and mammals which were at that time still unknown to western scientists.

Lady Impey commissioned numberous watercolours of her living specimens, primarily employing three artists from Patna: Shaikh Zayn-al-Din and the brothers Bhawani and Ram Das. All were trained in the tradition of Mughal miniature painting.

Lady Impey brought this painting to England in 1783 and it was sold at auction in May 1810, following her husband's death during the previous year. At the sale, or possibly subsequently, the 13th Earl of Derby acquired about 20 of the painting and it was four of these that were purchased by the Liverpool Museum in 1998.

The painting is of scientific importance primarily because, while still in the possession of Lady Impey, many were examined by the distinguished ornithologist John Latham (1740-1837), who used them as a basis for his descriptions for several new species.

Consequently, they effectively became type specimens (and pictures such as these are sometimes called ' iconotypes').

Latham's description of Anas caryphyllacea may not have been based exclusively on the painting in Lady Impey's possession, but there can be little doubt that he must have seen and been influenced by Bhawani Das's drawing.

This species, apparently never very common, is now almost certainly extinct. It fell victim to the drainage of its former marshland Water colour, heightened with white, painted during habitat in northeast India, exacerbated by the merciless the period 1777-82 by Bhawani Das and depiciting the slaughter executed by pith-helmeted servants of the Britsh Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryphyllacea (Latham Raj, for whom this handsome bird held a peculiar attraction.

1970). 340 x 473mm (LM 1999.36.4) The species seems to have disappeared as a wild bird during the 1930s, a date which corresponds very closely with the death of the last known captive specimen - at Foxwarren Park in Surrey. There is no evidence that the 13th Earl of Derby ever possessed live Pink-headed Ducks, but he did have three museum specimens. These are now in the Liverpool Museum." Extract from A Passion for Natural History: The Life and Legacy of th 13th Earl of Derby. (2002) Clemency Fisher (ed.) National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside.

The Babbler - December, 2004