Tmatboey Ibis Project

The Northern Plains of Cambodia have long been off limits to ornithologists due to almost three decades of conflict and most recently due to a lack of information and easily accessible sites. With a small but significant community ecotourism pilot underway at the village of Tmatboey, opportunities to venture deep into the seasonally-inundated, deciduous forest and grassland mosaic of Cambodia’s Northern Plains are opening up, yielding sightings of some of South-east Asia’s rarest and most sought after species. These include Cambodia’s national bird, the Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea, and the White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni, both Critically Endangered. Large numbers of White-rumped and Slender-billed Vultures (Gyps bengalensis and Gyps tenuirostris) can be seen at a semi-permanent ‘vulture restaurant’ located at another site in the Preah Vihear Protected Forest. White-winged Ducks Cairina scutulata are also found the remote river stretches to the north. The area is one of the last remaining extensive areas of deciduous dipterocarp forest in South-east Asia, making it of the highest priority for conservation.

Tmatboey Ibis Project

The Tmatboey Ibis Project aims to conserve some of South-east Asia’s rarest species by directly linking revenue from bird-watching tourism to maintenance of species’ populations. The site supports globally important breeding populations of two Critically Endangered Ibis species: the Giant Ibis – a near-mythical species for bird-watchers, naturalists and conservationists – and the White-shouldered Ibis – the only known nesting site in mainland Asia for this species. Many other regional specialities can be seen, including Lesser Adjutant, Pale-capped Pigeon, White-rumped Falcon, Rufous-winged Buzzard and Alexandrine Parakeets. WCS has undertaken to train local guides to lead the field birdwatching, and to establish regulations and agreements with local authorities governing the cost of trips and management of funds.

KEY BIRD SPECIES AT TMATBOEY
• Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea
• White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni
• Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius
• Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
• Sarus Crane Grus antigone
• Green Peafowl Pavo muticus
• Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
• Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
• Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
• Grey-headed Fish Eagle Icthyophaga ichthyaetus
• White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis
• Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea
• Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria
• Rufous-winged Buzzard Butastur liventer

Conservation Links

Visitors who successfully see the ibises are required to make a payment to the village development fund – which is used to support local projects, subject to the community abiding to an agreement not to hunt the birds or disturb feeding and nesting sites. The project has generated real increases in community awareness and participation in conservation activities. Tourism revenue has been used to support local water projects, agricultural development and community natural-resource management.

Finding the Ibises

Giant Ibises nest in the forest around the village from July-November, while the White-shouldered Ibises nest much closer to the village from December-March. Greater and Lesser Adjutants and Sarus Cranes also nest during July-December. Large waterbirds, including the White-shouldered Ibises are typically found at feeding ponds (trapeangs) and nesting sites, with the Giant Ibises located further from the village, requiring a longer walk (10km round-trip). In the late dry season (February-April) the ibises become restricted to using the handful of trapeangs retaining water, which are known by the local guides well. Bird hides have now been built at some of the most frequently-used trapeangs, allowing feeding birds to be watched undisturbed. 

Giant Ibises give a characteristic, far-carrying, crane-like bugling call, frequently delivered in duet, usually commencing 15 minutes before dawn from their roost perch. They can call intermittently until around 2 hrs after dawn, but usually stop within an hour of dawn breaking. This often enables you to follow them from their roost site to their feeding area. Giant Ibis movements are determined by the availability of feeding sites; they favour damp substrates, particularly mud-lined trapeangs, where they are most often seen. Many trapeangs have tall sedges and grasses masking at least part of the standing water, or trees in awkward places. Ibises and other large water birds are adept at remaining hidden from view in such locations, so it is important to approach trapeangs silently and carefully, stopping to scan ahead frequently.

Surrounding Area

In addition the habitat supports two Critically Endangered vulture species – White-rumped Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture – and eight other Globally Threatened species, including White-winged Duck, Greater Adjutant, Eastern Sarus Crane and Green Peafowl. Cambodian vultures are primarily threatened by lack of food, hence WCS maintains a feeding station to supplement available supplies and to facilitate field research. Visits to ‘vulture restaurants’ can be arranged for intrepid travelers. Between the 9th and 15th centuries A.D. the Khmer Empire based at Angkor dominated the landscape and many features can still be seen today. These include ancient cities and roadways. Angkorian ‘tanks’ or trapeangs are now favored feeding pools for ibises and other large waterbirds, whilst ancient ricefields, long-since abandoned, provide nesting sites for cranes.

Information

• Season: November – May. Birds are most reliably seen December – March.

• Temperature: In December to early February temperatures are relatively cool (mid-20s) and warm clothes are advised for the nights. From late February onwards walking in the forest can be very hot – take water bottles!

• Location: Four hours drive north-east of the Angkorian temples at Siem Reap (the nearest international airport), or seven hours drive from the capital Phnom Penh.

• Length of trip: Typically three-four days (two-three nights), including travel to and from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. The Giant Ibises are only found at ponds remote from human settlements, so this requires long walks (10km round-trip) from the village.

• Accommodation: Wooden bungalow with en suite run by Tmatboey Ecotourism Committee.

• Food: local Khmer-style cooking, with vegetarian and some western food available.

• Travel: Arranged through Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC).

• Guides: Local Khmer-speaking guides know both the ibises and their habits well however they are not trained specialist bird-watchers. English-speaking bird guides will be provided by SVC.

For more information, please contact:                                            
Please contact:
Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC)
Siem Reap
Cambodia
Tel/Fax: +855-(0)63-761597

For more information on birding in Cambodia visit the Sam Veasna Center visit  www.samveasna.org or contact info@samveasna.org