Indian Thick-knee at Anlung Pring

On the 29th of May I found an Indian Thick-knee pair at Anlung Pring. This record is the most southern record in Cambodia (of course, further south would mean it occurring on an island). Most records in Goes 2013 are from the North.

RvZ

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

A recent record of Cambodian Tailorbird from the Bassac Marshes

 

On 11 June 2014 (dry season) at about 6:55 AM, more than 2 Cambodian Tailorbirds were seen in inundated grasslands with scattered trees and scrub in Bassac Marshes, Kandal province, Cambodia. I was about 15 m from it and only obtained one photograph of it. I found it when I was trying for the Blue winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis) by using a broadcast with 20s of recorded song of the Pitta. On 21 August (flood season), I came back to the same location, but I did not see them that time. Water level in the Bassac Marsh then was about 1.2 m.

This species was found in mixed group with Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), Sooty-headed Bulbul(Pycnonotus aurigaster) and Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis).

Record from Duy Le, posted by RvZ

Steppe Eagle at ATT

Yesterday a large eagle circled overhead while I was working in the southernmost area of Ang Trapeang Thmor reservoir grasslands. It flew in close enough to make some relatively good photos (see previous blog about an eagle at ATT). I believe it is an immature Steppe Eagle. It may be the same individual as seen earlier. If it is, the moult has progressed, but not completed yet. Pens are still bare at secondary/tail tips.

Markus Handschuh saw the first recorded Steppe Eagle for Cambodia in Tonle Sap grasslands in 2010, but was considered unconfirmed in Frederic Goes's checklist. Hopefully it can now be added to the list of eagles that overwinter in Cambodia.

Also what's probably a juvenile Pied Harrier flew by:

RvZ

ATT late dry season 2015

The low water levels at Ang Trapeang Thmor in the late dry season of 2015 make for some spectacular birding. Just from the embankment it is possible to see, particularly in the middle of the day:
- Various large waterbirds: Greater Adjutants (10-20 at roost), Black-necked Storks (family of 4), Spot-billed Pelicans,  Painted Storks, Sarus Cranes (>150 at roost)
- Small waterbirds: esp. Pheasant-tailed Jacanas (I didn't see Bronze-winged), Swamphens
- Waterfowl: Comb Duck (hundreds), Northern Pintail (at least 2), Garganey, Lesser Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Little Grebe
- Waders: thousands of Black-winged Stilts (much more than usual), Godwits (not sure of species), Ruff (two seen), Redshanks (at least Common), Kentish Plover (one male in breeding plumage), Long-toed Stints, Common Snipe

And all pretty much mixed up and standing side by side in the bit of water that remains.

As usual I didn't have a good opportunity to spend much time birding here, but I encourage others to go and properly assess what's there now. It is an unusual year at ATT and this is a rare opportunity to get a good overview of what's present. There are bound to be some rarities in there too.

Large Eagle at ATT

In the distance I saw a very large eagle yesterday at ATT, larger than the usual Greater Spots. I believe this may have been a juvenile/subadult Eastern Imperial Eagle or Steppe Eagle. It was undergoing heavy moult. It was noticeably larger and had a longer tail and wings than the Greater Spotted do. It's size also then excludes Tawny Eagle.

Here are some picture although they are unclear

In an earlier post from ATT I mentioned seeing a python while driving along the new irrigation channel which then seemed to have slipped in to the channel, well I can now add that this new irrigation channel is a major snake trap! Driving along 2-3 km of channel we came across two live snakes and one dead one! They can possibly escape where sections of the channel have been broken by local people upset that the channel blocks drainage from their ricefields, but the dead one indicates they don't always manage to get out.

Note (29 April): This is not a python, but a Russel's Viper. The lower part of the body was submerged which caused the confusion, but Timo Hartmann and Markus Handschuh passed on the correction. Other similar snakes in the channel were probably this species and perhaps the snake mentioned slipping in to the channel in an earlier post as well. So, lot's of vipers at ATT!

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.