Mekong River birds

Boat trip on the Mekong River, 30/4-1/5

Took a boat trip on the river, starting in Stung Treng, to see some of Cambodia's most threatened resident birds, riverine species. It was a privilege to see a large portion of the River Tern population (6 adults) and see at least three juveniles, the hope of a future on the Mekong for these rare birds.

Adult above and juvenile below

We also came across a pair of Great Thicknees. Another very rare bird on the Mekong.

River Lapwing is another species who's population has declined on the Mekong. Around seven birds seen in different areas.

Other Mekong specialities seen:
- Mekong Wagtail (endemic), about 7 seen over the two days
- Small Pratincole, around 5 birds on a rock and at least one seen flying around one of the islands

Also a single Whiskered Tern in full breeding plumage.

Thanks to Andrea and Senglim for helping with this trip.

John Kennedy, Robert van Zalinge





 

Slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus genei Koh Preah, Mekong River, Cambodia March 18-19, 2012

Slender-billed gull   Chroicocephalus genei  Koh Preah, Mekong River, Cambodia  March 18-19, 2012

Early in the morning of March 18th (1-2AM) a storm hit Koh Preah.  Gale force winds and torrential rain pounded the island until just before dawn.  Upon awakening, I headed to the north end of the island.  I thought perhaps there might be some waders or other migrants that had gotten forced down by the storm.  All along the shoreline and in amongst the small pratincole colony were numerous shorebirds; two curlew, a single godwit, numerous redshanks, three black-winged stilts, two oriental pratincoles and a large flock of gulls and terns.  Amongst this group of gulls, most of which were brown-headed, I noticed one bird that seemed a bit smaller and appeared to have a thinner bill and very long slender neck.  I approached the birds to get a closer look. From this vantage I could clearly see the long thin red bill, pale eyes and the very pale primary tips.  This bird did indeed look like a slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei .  I am familiar with this species from the Delta de Ebro on the Mediterranean coast of Spain where they are a breeding visitor.  I watched the gull for the next hour or so and took many photos.  The following day I returned to the same spot and found the gull in the same location with the brown-headed gull flock.  This time I was able to approach much closer (30m) and take some much clearer photos of the bird.

Structure:  Noticeably smaller than the brown-headed gulls that it was in amongst, very long-necked, long thin bill, long sloping forehead
Plumage:  Pale head with no dark smudge behind the eye, pale eyes, white mirrors on the outer primaries/leading edge of the upper wing, black along the trailing edge of the upper wing


If you would like more info./photos of the bird just email and I will get that to you  Cheers,  Jeff