White-shouldered Ibis at Stoung

There has been a White-shouldered Ibis hanging around Stoung, since at least March. On the 25th (a few days ago) I saw it in Stoung's best wetland, although actually its just outside the reserve. The ibis moves up and down from the Neang Sar Lngeach river, nearby.

Also in this small wetland were 47 cranes and 120 Comb Ducks (not all in the photo below).

 RvZ

Some sightings in early January from Stoung and Ang Trapeang Thmor

While working in Stoung from 10-12 January we flushed what must have been a Great Bittern in a small wetland. When it flew up I thought at first it was a female florican as it was large, had the same tawny colouring with black markings, but from the side profile it was clear it was an Ardeidae.

Also in Stoung we had a Black-necked Stork fly by and the ponds were still full of Painted Storks and pelicans.

At Ang Trapeang Thmor between 13-14 January we came across a group of 5 mostly sub-adult Greater Adjutants....

and a Booted Eagle circling nearby....

The bittern and eagle are first time sightings for me in Cambodia. The bittern has only been recorded a few times before in the country according to Frederic Goes's annotated checklist, while the eagle is also infrequently seen. January is a good time to visit Stoung and ATT  :-)  RvZ.

ATT and Stoung in May

Conditions at ATT were generally still nice and dry although there was a storm one of the afternoons we were there. Cranes (close to 200) were spending more time in the wetland than previous months and so did we. 4 Black-necked Storks were also present in the wetland and a Short-toed Snake Eagle flew over once. A male Bengal Florican was seen in the ricefield area just north of the wetland. These ricefields were actively being ploughed yet we came across an Oriental Pratincole "nest" with one egg.

Also in the ricefields we came across a victim of the heavy tractor traffic, a Copper-head Trinket Snake.

Many hundreds of Barn Swallows were still present in the wetland in front of the WCS office.

At Stoung it rained on the two consecutive evenings we were there. 50 or so Comb Ducks were seen feeding on rice spill in harvested dry season ricefield and 17 cranes were present as well. It was nice to see a female Greater Painted Snipe displaying, which consisted of raising wings for several seconds to flash bright white underwings while making the hooting sound described in Robson as blowing over an empty bottle.

Disclaimer: all nest photos I have put on the blog are not a result of active searches, but from coming across them by accident while doing fieldwork and making photos purely for the sake of documenting natural history. No harm was caused to the birds in any way and nests were left undisturbed as they were when found.

RvZ

Stoung and a bit of Chikraeng

Made a short visit to these sites over the weekend (19-20 April). Reng from the Prolay CMC and his brother brought us out on their motorbikes. Most rice has been harvested now. Some of the birds seen:
-Sarus Crane. Only found one family of 3.
-Florican. Many sightings daily, including displaying males, several females and a subadult male
-Painted Stork. At least 3 possibly a distant flock of around 40 also this species, but didn't scrutinize closely.
-Comb Ducks. At least 30 in a small wetland north of the old road in Prolay.
-Red Avadavats. A flock.
-Oriental Pratincoles. Lots, but mentioned here as there were several cases of juvies seen. One found in a trapeang, still living, but barely. Another in much better condition.

-Small Buttonquail. Equally lots, but encountered a bird followed by a chick and Reng stopped to take a look, right next to one which had decided to stay put...

A Pied Harrier, Peregrine and a few Barn Swallows still present
A Chestnut Munia south of Chikraeng

R.v.Z.