| Mahmud Yussof |
ACCORDING to the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Project (EAAFP), Bird watching is one of the popular wildlife watch activities in the Asia region.
In Brunei Darussalam, it is increasingly becoming one of the important biodiversity educational and ecotourism products. The pristine forest ecological transition of the country from mountain to coastal areas provides a suitable transit and breeding paradise for all sorts of wildlife including shore birds. In the coastal areas, the mudflats within the mangrove ecosystems in Brunei Bay continue to provide both roosting and feeding sites for shore birds.
Findings have shown that the species observed were not confined to the birds that are endemic to the Borneo Island. EAAFP recognises Brunei Darussalam as one of the important transit assemblage sites within the flyway for some known migratory birds such as egrets, storks, gulls, wimbrells and terns. These species have been spotted by a group of bird enthusiasts from Project Habitat (Bruwild).
Surprisingly, birds such as the night-migrating, Hooded Pitta, were one of the rare species recently spotted in the Tutong area by the group. It is believed to be only found in other areas on the Island except Brunei Darussalam. Its appearance in the country has been attracting international scientists for educational purposes.
Photo shows a Hooded Pitta.
The global map showing the flyway of migratory birds. – PHOTOS: EAAFP
Brunei Darussalam is one of the species transit destinations of the Great Knot.
A map showing the flyway of the Great Knot.
With the growing interest among bird enthusiasts, due to high concerns on the continuous depreciation of habitats within the flyway region, the team, supported by the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Centre, has been working with international bodies to record species found within the specific habitats in the country especially from Japan.
The international recognition given to the country by the association will positively impact national efforts towards economic diversification through the forest conservation plan of the HoB initiative.
The post Bird watch enthusiasts take keen interest in Brunei appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.