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wetlands and ibas

11/4/2019

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SHOREBIRDS ARE constantly declining in population as a consequence of habitat degradation, land reclamation and perils during their journey. Depending on natural wetlands for roosting and feeding sites, shorebirds’ chances of reaching their next staging site or destination can be severely minimised owing to the loss or degradation of important sites. Without these natural wetlands, they will continue to decline. 
For sites included in the IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Area) listing under BirdLife International (of which the Malaysian Nature Society is the country partner), there seems to be hope, with global eyes and resources trained towards their protection. But what about shores not yet acknowledged as IBAs? ​​
​For MNS Miri Branch, the protection of Sarawak’s northern shores and its migrating (and resident) shorebirds is a cause close to the members’ hearts. There are four IBAs in the area, but the branch is pushing for another important shorebird staging area to be recognised – and hopefully protected.

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​   These are the Kuala Baram Wetlands, located in the northern-most part of Miri and close to the Sarawak-Brunei border. Based on years of birdwatching, nature visits and intermittent surveys by the Society and other parties, MNS Miri Acting Chair Musa Musbah says the wetlands host a wide range of shorebirds, and even globally endangered ones. 
   Nevertheless, pushing for IBA status means more surveys and research, which necessitates collaboration with various parties dedicated to the protection of Sarawak’s northern shores. That was what led to MNS Miri organising a two-day Shorebirds Watching Course at Kg Masjid, Kuala Baram at the close of 2018.
   Aimed at imparting knowledge about shorebirds, specifically in awareness and birdwatching ethics, and ultimately, appreciation of these birds and wetlands, the training comprised a briefing session on the first day and a field trip on the second, to Sungai Sembilan.
​Not quite protected
Even this short day trip tells a long story. I had been to this area twice before, but this time the sightings were plentiful. This was influential in pushing the point across that the Kuala Baram Wetlands were an important area for birds, both local and migratory. The travellers include some rare species, such as the Chinese crested tern (Thalasseus bernsteini), listed as Critically Endangered and once thought extinct; and a few hundred other avifauna that make the annual journey from as far away as Alaska and Siberia. As we were enjoying scoping them out, however, Musa said during the weekends, the birds avoided the roadside areas, owing to the presence of those net fishing in the wetlands themselves. This despite the catch being measly small fish, according to the village head, who shared photos of the average yield. He also said the casual fishermen were likely from outside the area, as locals were aware that the Kuala Baram Wetlands were protected under the Sarawak Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998. I looked around and saw “No Hunting” signs, in both English and Malay, quite prominently displayed. 
International attention
Though the training was local, attended by 22 people from agencies in Miri and Baram, as well as representatives of local tourist guides, MNS Miri plans to continue its awareness and advocacy efforts for the protection of these wetlands. Musa said the story has been told for years, with the Branch making waves in the media a number of times. He was confident, though, that the message was getting through, with Sarawak Forestry Corp and MNS Kuching involved as stakeholders, and the presence of Sarawak Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and members of the media during the field trip. A push towards IBA listing means more attention being given to the site, especially in the international sphere. Aside from the possibility of research being carried out to assist in conservation plans, it could also mean increased interest from birders, environmentalist and tourists. And this, if managed well, can only be good for the area, the community and the state.  
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raptor watch, two decades in the making

11/4/2019

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malaysian naturalist, march 2019

Text by Stephanie Bacon
Images by Khoo Swee Seng, Lee Choew Lim & ​Stephanie Bacon
CONCEIVED FROM two naturally occurring phenomena, raptor watching in Peninsular Malaysia has become a time-honoured annual occurrence. The migration of such birds is the first phenomenon and the location of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve stretching out into the Straits of Malacca is the second.
      The migratory raptors that fly over Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve breed in North Asia, Northeastern Asia, Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka, Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
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       As the spring season approaches in  the Northern Hemisphere, they make their perilous journey north from continental Southeast Asia through  the East Asian Flyway.
      Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve was first gazetted on 23rd December 1921 with an area of 80.97 hectares, and later in 1953, gazetted by the Forestry Department as Melaka state’s first virgin jungle reserve.
      It is currently one of three remaining virgin jungles in the state and the last patch of coastal rainforest on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Fortunately, it is the closest point in the peninsula to Sumatera and used as a target by thousands of raptors each year, which provides us with this opportunity to celebrate.
      At the turn of the century, a group of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) members came together to search the skies for these remarkable birds, and what was to become the largest environmental event in Peninsular Malaysia was born.

      It soon became clear the importance of raptors and the uniqueness of their migration phenomenon, so the event developed into an opportunity for birdwatchers to gather scientific information about the raptors which now covers the past 20 years.
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      Personally, I first attended Raptor Watch in 2009 as a spectator and by then, it had matured fully with a festive atmosphere in multiple canopies in the grounds of PNB Ilham Resort, featuring the many aspects of MNS together with other “nature based” input from various organisations.
   By then, Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch members were fully involved with the event and took the opportunity to meet up and share the excitement with friends and MNS members from other parts of Malaysia.
      Over the following years, various changes took place, as good financial support from the Melaka State Government enabled its survival and development. 
      As the secretary for the MNS Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch, I had the opportunity to work with MNS staff at the local level on the planning and support aspects.

      For the first time in 2010, the Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch promoted Raptor Watch in shopping malls in both Melaka and Seremban. The numerous pictures of raptors and other wildlife was a good way of drawing in the crowds.
      Initially, the branch designed and printed is own simple pamphlet for handing out to the public. Since 2013, we have better graphics designed into the pamphlet and printed professionally. In 2015, after many years of the same format, we broke with tradition and moved the focus of the event – all the tents and activities, into the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve.
      Feedback on this is obviously mixed, with many people loving the more natural environment of the jungle while others preferred the festive spirit of the field.Now, although the Melaka State Government is still supporting the event in spirit, MNS has had to downgrade some of the features and has needed to rely on other sources of financial assistance. No longer do we have lavish opening ceremonies or loud music playing for most of the time. Nonetheless, it is a congenial way of meeting up with like- minded friends, old and new.
      Due to the strength of MNS Environmental Education and the Schools Nature Clubs (Kelab Pencinta Alam), ever more students are experiencing camps, guided nature treks, marine walks, mangrove ecology, slideshows and talks under Raptor Watch. 
      Also, there are a number of environmental based activities for families to enjoy, such as face painting, wildlife talks, nature painting workshops and recycling.
      On the more serious side, the monitoring of the migratory raptors and the protection of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve gain importance with each succeeding year, as the research obtained is channelled to MNS partners at the regional (Asian Raptor Research & Conservation Network) and international (BirdLife International) levels.
      Raptor Watch also serves as a platform to create awareness on the need to protect rainforest and the adjacent mangrove areas as a valuable natural resource. Through Raptor Watch, MNS hopes to protect the incredible biodiversity supported by this rich environment.
      Finally, Raptor Watch would not have survived without the volunteers that  make it possible, mainly made up of MNS members. Apart from identifying and counting the raptors as they fly overhead and manning the booths during the event, the planning team consists of MNS members and staff coming together and working as one team. Many corporate staff and students, including international students, also helped to make the events successful.
      MNS is pleased that Raptor Watch is highlighted as a key tourism event for Malaysia, with the involvement of the State Government. As in previous years, Raptor Watch is organised by MNS in conjunction with the Melaka State Government and supported by various agencies, such as the Port Dickson and Alor Gajah District Councils; the Wildlife, Forestry, Marine Parks and Marine departments; Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor Education Departments; and Teluk Kemang Police Station.
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IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREA (IBA) FOCUS

11/4/2019

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MALAYSIAN NATURALIST, MARCH 2019

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MALAYSIA IS very fortunate to be located in the tropical region, with good temperature and humidity suitable for flora and fauna all year round. It boasts more than 20,000 species of vascular plants, more than 300 species of mammals (30 of these endemic), 785 species of birds, and more than 240 species of amphibians, 560 reptiles and 2,000 fresh water and marine fishes.
As one of the top 12 mega-biodiversity countries in the world, it is essential that Malaysia have a good conservation plan to ensure its flora and fauna are well protected in the wild. If their habitats  are not well protected and managed,  the decline in the number of animals  and species is a certainty. We have already seen this in our tigers, tapirs  and rhinos, the latter officially extinct  in the wild in Malaysia.
Most importantly, reserve forests, policies, laws and enforcement are not enough in conservation if the people are not educated on biodiversity protection and conservation. 
Continuous education programmes is a must. The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is very active in CEPA (communication, education and public awareness) activities through its KPA (Kelab Pencinta Alam, or School

Nature Club) initiative. MNS has nearly 500 KPA schools with active teachers, and support from the Society’s 14 branches around the country.
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MNS is also fortunate to be the country partner for BirdLife International. Through this, it has led efforts in identifying and protecting Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), an internationally recognised standing of spots with resident or visiting birds that are globally threatened, are range- or biome-restricted, and by nature congregational.
They are 55 IBAs in Malaysia (see full list on page 24). Among them are coastal areas in the migration pathway called “East Asian-Australasian Flyway” (EAAF). For example, thousands of birds that stop at the northern Perak coast of Kuala Gula are from 48 species of eight families, the majority from the Scolopacidae (such as sandpipers) and Charadriidae (plovers and lapwings) families. The soft muddy intertidal areas are suitable habitats for benthic organisms such as polychaetes, snails, shrimps, crabs and small fishes, an important diet for migratory shore birds on thousand-kilometre journeys. This unique phenomenon also attracts bird lovers and researchers, from both the local and international arena.

Conflict comes easy
The unfortunate bit is that some IBAs are in conflict with human activities and development. Kuala Gula (IBA MY005) is a prime example. It is recognised as one of the important stopovers for migratory shore birds on their way south to Australia and New Zealand from Siberia, Russia, China, Japan and Alaska during the winter season. In February and March, they fly back north and again stop to feed and rest.
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Malaysia agreed to join the EAAF partnership in November 2012, and this pushes the need to raise awareness about migratory birds and the importance of IBAs to the local community, local authorities and related government agencies. Only through knowledge and awareness can development near IBAs be planned and managed to keep these areas healthy and contamination-free,
with enough food supply and, for coastal areas, protected from erosion.

In Kuala Gula, active agricultural activities inland, aquaculture, land clearing for development and surface runoff contribute to the sedimentation and chemical pollution of its intertidal zones and mangroves. These can cause an impact to the benthic organisms, while mangrove clearing for shrimp farms would surely affect migratory shore birds, as this forest serves as roosting areas and breeding places for marine life.
In Peninsular Malaysia, there are several other important areas for migratory shorebirds – Teluk Air Tawar in Penang (MY003); Sekinchan, Jeram, Kapar and Sungai Buloh in Selangor (MY011); and Johor’s Parit Jawa, Sungai Pulai, Kukup Island and Tanjung Piai (MY015). The latter three are important wetlands complexes and recognised as Ramsar sites, and could be adversely affected by mega-developments in the Johor Straits and active shipping activities in the Straits of Malacca. All these three Ramsar sites must be monitored and maintained regularly by local authorities and NGOs.

Amazing little flyers
The fact that these birds, some like the red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) weighing only about 30 grammes, can fly some 25,000km every year across the continent is such a unique phenomenon. Some species can fly for three days, non-stop, covering 6,000km and reaching speeds of 60km/hour. Thus the necessary stops, and the need to find safe places with plenty of food and resting sites. Some of these birds lose 40% of their weight after long flights, and need to regain most of it before continuing journeys threatened by hot weather, storms, haze, extreme cold at night, poachers, habitat loss and chemical pollution.

The appeal of some of these migratory species is their congregation, in vast numbers, especially among shorebirds. Usually feeding in the same locations, these different species do not compete for food, as they prey on different types of benthic organisms. The differences in bill shape and size, and their legs, make for interesting observation, which could also determine and predict their habitat and diet.

The combination of intertidal mudflats, complex mangrove areas and morphology of birds makes these areas suitable for migratory shore birds, and for bird lovers. Through the identification of size and shape, colours and patterns of feathers, bills and legs, together with feeding habits, bird fanciers can do no better than productive mudflats near mangrove forests at low tide.

Then there is the raptor migration phenomenon, captured each year at MNS’s signature Raptor Watch event in Tanjung Tuan, Melaka (MY012) and also in the peninsula’s northern states. (See articles on Raptor Watch and Taiping Raptor Watch on pages 28-31 and  33-35). Flying in their hundreds (once in the thousands), the Oriental honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) is the main draw as they cross the Straits of Malacca to and from the nearest point in Sumatra, Pulau Rupat, twice a year from and to their homes in the Northern Hemisphere. There’s also the chance to catch others in the raptor family, such as the Japanese sparrowhawk, Chinese goshawk, black baza as well as eagles and ospreys.
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In Malaysia’s other forests, there are the majestic hornbills, with 10 species being found in the Ulu Muda Forest Complex (MY002) and Belum-Temengor (MY007), and eight species in Borneo. Other pockets of green, even in cities and towns (for example in Kuala Lumpur’s Taman Tun Dr. Ismail and Kuantan), can also be home to these large birds, with a sighting of hybrids as well (see Discovery story on page 32). 
Malaysia’s 55 IBAs cover 4,427,526 hectares in all, part of the larger 14,000 IBAs in 200 countries. Asia’s IBAs comprise 2,293 spots in 28 countries, a total of 2,331,560 sq. km or 233 million hectares, representing 7.6% of the continent. Commitment of countries such as Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam can save at least 50% of these IBAs in 2020. 
​On the flip side, poor planning in conservation in rapidly developed countries may cause these sites to be adversely affected.
As one of the Malaysian NGOs active in birdwatching, and the oldest naturebased society in the country, MNS is actively involved in creating awareness through education, as well as promoting habitat protection and environmental advocacy. Two recent events highlighting the Society’s efforts were the launch of the Ulu Muda Scientific Expedition and the Shorebirds Watching Course to promote the Ulu Baram Wetlands as an IBA site
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Aside from the aforementioned Raptor Watch, the Society’s activities include Pesta Sayap (Festival of Wings) in Kuala Selangor each October and the​ Hornbill Conservation Programme in Belum-Temengor, and all three welcome volunteer participation.
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There is only hope for Malaysia’s coasts and forests, and its birds and other wildlife, if MNS branches and members, and the public, come together to support the protection of the country’s important sites for birds and biodiversity.
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