February 7, 2007
Record Number of Nordmann's Greenshank
- David Li, International Coordinator Asia Waterbird Census.
With a population estimate of less than 1000 birds, Nordmann's Greenshank is one of the world's most threatened migratory shorebirds. It was therefore a surprise when a flock of up to 70 birds (possibly 10% of the world population) were observed in Malaysia during a survey at Sungai Nibong (3° 35' N, 101° 04' E) at 6pm on 3 February 2007.
The birds were recorded during a boat survey of shorebird high tide roosts sites as part of the annual Asian Waterbird Census counts in Malaysia by myself, the AWC Coordinator. It was cloudy with light showers during the day, and the light for viewing was generally poor. The areas are believed to be the only exposed mudflats in this region of the coast during the peak tide of the month in an area, with soft mud more than 1m deep along the edge of the mangrove forests. Therefore there was no disturbance by people collecting shellfish. However, fortunately for the team, the birds were disturbed by a passing boat, bringing them to the observer's attention. The site also supported more than 1500+ Common Redshank, 2000+ sand plovers, 100+ Whimbrel and 500 whiskered terns, besides some small numbers of Terek Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint.
The flock of Nordmann's Greenshank foraging in the failing light. © 2007 David Li. Press image for enlargement.
There was no way team members could walk on the mudflat and they could only find two locations to stand up to get a clear view to try to identify the birds with water up to my chest! The flock of birds in flight attracted my attention and I saw the birds with slightly up-curved bills with legs not extending belong to the tail. However, with the poor light condition, I could not see the colour of their legs and bill.
Luckily, I found a large piece of wood on the mud and I could stand on it and use the scope within 50m of the birds. I got very excited when I found all the birds with clear yellow legs. I couldn’t believe my eyes, discovering such a large flock of Nordmann's Greenshank (I believe this is the largest population recorded in the last 20 years, besides was a 60 individuals in the inner gulf of Thailand in Dec 2005 by the Thai birdwatchers)!
However, the birds flew to a much further point before I could get and accurate count. Anyhow, I could relocate the birds at about 100 meter distance and count them carefully, as well as taking some photographs in slightly improved light condition before dark! To my surprise I found one or two of the pictures were good enough for identification purposes.
With the finding of these birds, we can obviously confirm that the West Peninsular Malaysia coast supports a crucial population of the species, with up to 38 recorded on the Peneng coast (Butterworth), 12-14 at Sungai Burung high tide roost (about 25km north of Sungai Nibong) and 15-19 at Kapar power station Ash Pond in central Selangor coast in the last two years.
It is believed that the recent increase in counts of this species in Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar is a result of the increasing number of birdwatchers, bird surveys and improved birding equipment, rather than a growth in the population of the species. This assumption is supported by the lack of previous surveys at Sungai Nibong and Sungai Burung High tide roost sites.