Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), a rare species in the Southeast Asia region, has recently appeared within the Bengal Florican Conservation Area, situated within the Tonle Sap Northern Lowland Protected Landscape spanning Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provinces. This sighting marks the bird’s return after an absence of eight years.
As reported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) last week, the WCS Tonle Sap Field Monitoring team recently observed the presence of an Eurasian spoonbill for the first time since 2015.
Sum Phearun, the Tonle Sap landscape manager at WCS, said that thanks to the support of the EU and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies within the framework of the Tonle Sap Project, biodiversity monitoring teams have been successful in confirming this and other species’ presence in the region.
He stated that the spoonbill has likely returned to forage in the wetlands surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake and the lower Mekong Delta.
He added that this may be influenced by various factors, such as its relative scarcity in the area, leading to a notably low probability of species detection. Another challenge arises from this species often sharing its foraging grounds with other water fowl, such as the painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) and black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus). This coexistence presents difficulties for field team in terms of observation and identification.
He said that the biodiversity team observed only a solitary spoonbill, suggesting that it likely traversed into Cambodia in search of sustenance.
“Nonetheless, this species maintains a robust global population with a substantial presence spanning Europe, Africa, China and India. Being a migratory species, we lack a well-defined conservation strategy; our approach primarily involves vigilant data collection,” he said.
“Given its nature, we understand that it does not linger in Cambodia for extended durations. Our course of action entails reinforcing protection and conservation efforts within the vital feeding habitats it frequents, while maintaining rigorous monitoring procedures,” he added.
The first documented encounter with this species occurred in 2003 within the Ang Trapeang Thmor Protected Landscape in north western Cambodia. Subsequent sightings followed in 2004, at the Prek Toal Ramsar Site situated within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve’s north western quadrant. There was another sighting in 2005, at an undisclosed location, and a repeat sighting in 2012, near Phnom Krom in Siem Reap province. The year 2015 saw yet another sighting at Ang Trapeang Thmor.
Although the Eurasian spoonbill is seldom seen in the region, the species holds the designation of “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
The WCS stated that this sighting serves to underscore the remarkable ecological diversity of Cambodia’s freshwater wetland ecosystem and reflects the community’s commitment to safeguarding these habitats for the well-being of large water bird populations.
It said the imperative remains to safeguard and preserve wetlands, yielding benefits for both biodiversity and the Kingdom.
