birding guides in Cambodia

Ban Na Hin

Trip Extension to Laos PDR

Trip Extention to Laos PDR

Ban Na Hin

Our trip to Laos targets the country’s one endemic species, the recently discovered Bare-faced Bulbul, as well as several other rare and range-restricted species in the limestone karst forest such as Red-collared and Pale-headed Woodpeckers, Sooty Babbler and Limestone Leaf Warbler. Na Hin forest has attracted birders around the world to visit this limestone karst after the new species discovered – the Bare-faced Bulbul.
Another species restricted to the eastern Indochinese limestone forests is the Limestone Leaf Warbler, a species also described in 2009 and though scarce at this site we will be searching for it as well as Sooty Babbler, a species endemic to the Annamite mountains of Laos and Vietnam, which is found in roving roadside flocks.
Moustached, Red-vented and Green-eared Barbets and a range of bulbuls including Grey-eyed and Puff-throated busily feed in the fruiting trees and while scouring the roadside bushes we also hope to find feeding flocks that may contain Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons, wintering Blyth’s Leaf Warblers, Erpornis and a large range of woodpeckers, possibly including the seldom-seen Red-collared and Pale-headed Woodpeckers.

Our Tentative Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and transfer to the hotel in Vientiane – Laos for overnight
Our guide and driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer to the hotel in Vientiane for overnight or if you already arrive Vientiane then our guide will go & meet you at your hotel to brief the trip itinerary and preparation.

Day 2: Mekong River & Na Hin Forest
Early morning, hotel check out then going further north of Vientiane along the Mekong River for Jerdon’s Bush Chat then continuing to Ban Na Hin. Evening birding around Na Hin forest for Bare-faced Bulbul and other species. Overnight Ban Na Hin.

Day 3: Full day Na Hin Forest
Full day birding around Na Hin forest for Bare-faced Bulbul and other species such as Pale-headed Woodpeckers, Sooty Babbler and Limestone Leaf Warbler. Overnight Ban Na Hin. *If you have 5days & 4nights then we can add one more day at Na Hin Forest.

Day 4: Na Hin Forest & Vientiane / Vientiane airport
Morning birding to find other not-yet seen species or to see again for better view. Then transfer to the airport in Vientiane for flight departure or drop you at your hotel.

Ban Na Hin
Bare-Faced Bulbul
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Cambodia Birding Sites

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Butterfly Tours

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Enhancing Forest Ponds or Trapeangs

Enhancing Forest Ponds/Trapeang: A Sustainable Solution to Water Scarcity for Wildlife in Dry Seasons

In regions experiencing prolonged dry spells, the scarcity of water poses a significant challenge for wildlife survival. To mitigate this issue, forest pond (Trapeang) modification has emerged as an effective and eco-friendly solution. By enhancing existing ponds or creating new ones, we can store water strategically, ensuring a reliable water source for animals during the arid seasons.

Trapeang or Forest pond modification involves implementing various techniques to maximize water retention and minimize evaporation. One such method is the construction of small dams or embankments around the pond’s perimeter. These structures help trap rainwater runoff, preventing it from flowing away and instead channeling it into the pond. Additionally, planting vegetation around the pond can provide shade, reducing evaporation rates and maintaining water levels for longer periods.

Furthermore, incorporating natural filtration systems, such as wetlands or biofilters, can improve water quality. These systems not only remove pollutants but also enhance the overall ecosystem by creating a balanced habitat for diverse flora and fauna. As the forest pond becomes a thriving ecosystem, it attracts an array of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, and mammals, ensuring their survival during the dry season.

Forest pond modification projects also offer benefits beyond wildlife conservation. By storing water, these ponds can help recharge groundwater levels, contributing to the overall water availability in the region. Additionally, they can serve as educational sites, raising awareness about the importance of water conservation and ecosystem preservation.

With all above mentions, Cambodia Bird Guide Assocation (CBGA) together with Tmatboey Community with legal support from Provincial Department of Environment of Preah Vihear conducted a modification project on 3-5 May 2024 and as a result 6 forest ponds were modified and deepened under financial support from CBGA.

Inconclusion, forest pond modification is a sustainable approach to combat water scarcity for wildlife during dry seasons. By implementing techniques such as dam construction, vegetation planting, and natural filtration systems, these modified ponds can store water efficiently while creating a thriving ecosystem. Such initiatives not only safeguard the survival of various animal species but also contribute to groundwater recharge and environmental education. Embracing these eco-friendly solutions is crucial in ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in water-scarce regions.

If you are interested in supporting our projects, please visit Conservation

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    CBGA October Bird Count

    After a long hibernation during Covid-19 and hard time, CBGA has begun its activities slowly and carefully according to the safety guideline of the Royal Government of Cambodia. Amongst those activities, October Count is a new event for CBGA as well as Cambodia while similar events have happened in countries of the region for years and this event will be organized annually in October at appropriate selected location.

    The purpose of the event to collect data of species for the first migration period in the potential area where birds stop to feed during wintertime and this data can help us more for species record and determine where we should discuss with local farmers to give a safe zone for birds under collaboration with CBGA.

    Rules and regulations

    The rule is the counting should be done with a dimeter of 1km from 6:00am – 6:00pm in the same area and participants can put in the birds they could see and identified both with binoculars and vocalization. The checklist will be published in the blog of CBGA (here) one day after the event.

    Participation

    This event is for the publics so anyone can join CBGA team to help with the count and without any charge but requested to prepare for their own food and water during the count.

    Result for October Bird Count

    For 2022, we counted 60 species of birds with 2 records for the first time in the area — White-faced Plover and Sanderling.

    Here is a full checklist with number of birds seen:

    1. Spotted Dove 15
    2. Zebra Dove 2
    3. Blue tailed Bee-eater 3
    4. Oriental Pratincole 2000
    5. Barn Swallow 26
    6. Germain’s Swiftlet 38
    7. Little Egret 25
    8. Great Egret 20
    9. Paddy field Pipit 4
    10. Red throated Pipit 2
    11. Eastern Yellow Wagtail 2
    12. Little Comorant 1
    13. Bar tailed Godwit 1
    14. Common Greenshank 3
    15. Black winged Stilt 5
    16. Pacific Golden Plover 25
    17. Little ringed Plover 27
    18. Kentis Plover 2
    19. Lesser Sand Plover 1
    20. Red necked Phalarope 1
    21. Long toed Stint 9
    22. Tenmink’s Stint 5
    23. Common Snipe 7
    24. Red necked Stint 2
    25. Wood Sandpiper 58
    26. Common Sandpiper 5
    27. Marsh Sandpaper 3
    28. Eastern Jungle Crow 4
    29. Black Drongo 5
    30. Common Myna 10
    31. Great Myna 20
    32. Black collared Starling 2
    33. Whiskered Tern 15
    34. Pied Bushchat 2
    35. Red Turtle Dove 2
    36. Feral Pigeon 50
    37. White winged Tern 1
    38. House Sparrow 1
    39. Scaly breasted Munia 6
    40. Small Pratincole 1
    41. Chinese Pond heronn 5
    42. Intermediate Egret 2
    43. Purple Heron 2
    44. Greater Sand plover 1
    45. White faced Plover ( first record at Chreav 2 )
    46. Terrek Sandpiper 1
    47. Curlew Sandpaper 3
    48. Northern Brown Shrike 1
    49. Cotton Pygmy goose 2
    50. Indian Spot billed Duck 4
    51. Sanderling ( first record at Chreav 3 )
    52. Painted Stork 19
    53. Black winged Kite 2
    54. Pintail Snipe 5
    55. Plaintive Cuckoo 1
    56. Asian Pied Starling 3
    57. Eastern Cattle Egret 1
    58. Red Avadavad 5
    59. Eurasian Tree Sparrow 1
    60. Plain back Sparrow 1

    If you are interested to join this event next year or want to organize your own one in your region, you may follow us on Facebook or our website to get the date and location.

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    pond modified and restoration in Tmatboey

    Result After Pond Modification in Tmatboey 1

    The result we received by May 2020, after the pond modification project that we did in May 2019 in Tmatboey. Confirmed by Tmatboey community chief.

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    Birding Cambodia photo video to all birding sites in Cambodia

    Birding Cambodia

    Birding in Cambodia, Southeast Asia, with professional bird guides from the Cambodia Bird Guide Association (CBGA), based in Siem Reap, to help you find birds you would like to see. With various trips from half-day to 3-week itinerary in Cambodia.

    Taking you to our 18 birding sites in Cambodia:

    1. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary – Boat trip across Tonle Sap to the breeding colony of large waterbird.

    2. Angkor Wat – Temples and birds at the archaeological park UNESCO World Heritage Site

    3. Kbal Spean – Temples and birds at Kulen National Park

    4. Phnom Krom Marshland – Wetland near Siem Reap by the Edge of Tonle Sap lake – best place for a half-day birding in Siem Reap

    5. Changkran Roy – Bird feeding station, also best for bird photographing

    6. Ang Trapeang Thmor – Sarus Crane Reserve

    7. Florican Grassland – Bengal Florican Conservation Area along the Tonle Sap floodplain in Siem Reap and Kompong Thom

    8. Koh Ker – DDF forest for forest bird White-rumped Pygmy-falcon and the pyramid temple

    9. Tmatboey – Dry dipterocarp forest for Giant and White-shouldered Ibis

    10. Boeng Toal – Vulture Restaurant for the 3 critically endangered vultures – Red-headed, White-rumped, and Slender-billed Vultures.

    11. Okoki – White-winged Duck pool in Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary

    12. Kratie – Boat trip to see the River Dolphin and Mekong Wagtail

    13. Koh Samseb (new)- Birding on the Islands along Mekong River in the Sambor Wildlife Sanctuary for a great number of good birds (Mekong Wagtail, White-shouldered ibis, Green Peafowl …..

    14. Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary – Evergreen forest for mammals and birds in the Eastern Plain

    15. Chaktomuk Marshland – Home for Cambodian Tailorbird

    16. Pursat Grassland – the place to find the Chinese Grass-babbler, at the southern floodplain of Tonle Sap

    17. Bokor National Park – birding in the southern part of Cambodia

    18. Phnom Aural – Climb the Cambodian highest peak in Cardamom Mountain for the Cambodian Laughingthrush.

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    Cambodian Tailorbird at Chaktomuk Marshland, Phnom Penh birds

    Chaktomuk Marshland Bird Checklist

    Chaktomuk Marshland target birds including the endemic Cambodian Tailorbird, Siberian Rubythroat, Oriental Reed-warbler, Spotted Owlet, Plain-backed Sparrow, and Dusky Warbler.

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