My Sighting in Dec 2006
(Photo: A Nordmann's Greenshank flanked by closely resembled Common Greenshanks)
I managed to obtain a permit to visit Kapar Power Station Ash Ponds, Selangor, Malaysia to conduct survey on waders, particularly on my two main targets - Nordmann's Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
Kapar proves to be a very reliable site for NG. However, we did not manage to spot any Spoon-billed Sandpiper despite scanning thru > 300 Red-necked Stints. (The only official record of SPS in Kapar was a single bird in early 2002)


Kapar is only 1 hour expressway drive from KL. The highlights from 2 days survey on 26 Dec and 27 Dec 2006 during morning high tide are as following:-

Day One 26/12/2006

Ruff - single bird among black-tailed godwits. Orange leg (easily confused with Redshank), short bill and big eyes. Too bad I did not have enough time to ascertain its gender.

Eastern Curlew - one bird flying among a flock of 40+ Eurasian Curlews. Overall dark plumage with same dark rump.

Nordmann's Greenshank - At least 5 birds but hard to id because most stood with their heads tucked in. This is the 2nd time ever that I had observed Nordmann's Greenshank standing on dry ground. One NG held a twig and chased another NG - is this Courtship display?

Compare the head-bill pattern and unspotted plumage of the Nordmann's Greenshank (Centre) with Common Greenshanks (behind and left). The brown-headed wader in the far left is a Black-tailed Godwit

Day Two 27/12/2006
Nordmann's Greenshank - About 15 birds - 13 birds counted side by side among a large group of waders. There were a few individuals with more prominent white eyebrow. Could this be first wintering juveniles?

Red Knot - 3 birds among hundreds of Great Knots.

Caspian Tern - 31 birds, an unusually high count.

Common Redshank - strangely the most abundant wader in Kapar was very few (~20) on this date. Other common birds observed are:-

Eurasian Curlew
Whimbrel
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Common Greenshank
Common Redshank
Common Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Great Knot
Curlew Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Grey Plover
Greater Sandplover
Mongolian Sandplover
Little Ringed Plover
Little Tern
Gull-billed Tern
Great Egret
Grey Heron
Intermediate Egret
Little Egret

An Endangered Bird Under Siege?

A juvenile Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) was spotted feeding on the soft coastal mud among the 'ferocious' crabs. It should be able to get out from such natural hostile environmet. But will it cope up with loss of habitat caused by uncontrolled modern development?
(Photo courtesy of Dr AL Chan, taken 17 Nov 2002 Kuala Gula, Perak, Malaysia. The first ever sighting record at the site.)

After reclamation of Saemungeum in South Korea in April 2006, an important staging site for many migratory birds, there will be negative impacts to migratory birds that winter in South East Asia and as far as Australia and New Zealand. Normann's Greenshank as an endangered species with estimated total global population of only 500-1000 individuals (less than Orang-utans and tigers!) should be rigorously studied and closely monitored to ensure its future survival. Other threats include conversion of coastal wetlands along its flyway in South Asia and South East Asia.

A treacherous journey along the most densely populated and polluted region in the world.
Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) Distributation Map(Source: Waterbird Population Estimates: 3rd Edition - Snipes, Sandpipers and Phalaropes, 2002) Yellow area represents breeding range; blue represents wintering range. Equally important staging sites along coastal areas in Korea Peninsula, China are not illustrated.









Left - A rare shot of Nordmann's Greenshank in flight, 29 March 2005, Bagan Tambang, Penang. A high count of 28 birds where 6 birds can be seen here together with Pacific Golden Plovers.(Courtesy and Copyright of David Bakewell)


Thailand - a well known wintering site
On the right is a photo taken in inner Gulf of Thailand. (Photo courtesy by Peter Ericsson, follow link to view his other bird photos, mostly from Thailand)

Inner Gulf of Thailand is also another important wintering sites for migratory birds including this Nordmann's Greenshank.


Thanks to supports from Nial Moores/Birds Korea and Taej Mundkur/Wetlands International, I now have more details to share. I also start to approach a few photographers from different countries to get their permissions to post more photos and information. Please come back later to check on the progress.
Photos courtesy of Nial Moore/Birds Korea at Saemungeum, 20 Apr 2006. A lone Nordmann's Greenshank roosting with its favourite 'friend' Grey Plover, just like in Malaysia.
With the reclamation of Saemungeum, the future is bleak for many shorebirds, including the Nordmann's Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper & Great Knot.








Latest photo from Nial Moores (From BirdsKorea) taken April 26, 2006, at the Geum estuary, next to Saemungeam. Even the future of this site is not optimistic after the damage of Saemungeum. (There are 4 Nordmann's Greenshanks in the photo, one in the middle left and 3 in far right. Other shorebirds are Grey Plovers and Far Eastern Curlews)








A stunning photo of 8 Nordmann's Greenshanks roosting at high tide at Bagan Tambang, Penang, Malaysia 10 April 2005. (Photo courtesy of Dr AL Chan). This inconspicuous muddy coastline has attracted international attention lately when 43 Nordmann's Greenshanks were reported by Mr CHOY Wai Mun on 08/11/2004.












Left - Nordmann's Greenshank caught in the flight. 29 March 2005 Bagan Tambang, Penang, Malaysia. Note the legs protude only slightly beyond the tail. (Copyright and Courtesy of David Bakewell)

Nordmann's Greenshanks are found reliably only in a few sites along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Even fewer are the sites that have protected status - these include Mai Po Wetlands Reserve in Hong Kong and Kapar Ash Ponds in Malaysia.


Nordmann's Greenshank assuming breeding plumage foraging in one of its popular stop over in Hong Kong en route to eastern Russia - Not at Lantau International Airport but at nearby Mai Po wetlands reserve. Photographed on 19/04/06. Courtesy of Owen Chiang.

Normann's Greenshank with a Grey Plover at Kapar Ash Pond, its 'best friend' in Kapar

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Overview

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The Spotted or Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) is a very rare wader confined to East Asian - Australasian Flyway. It breeds very sparsely along the coast of eastern Siberia and winters in small number in several countries in South East Asia. The total global population is estimated at about 500-1,000 individuals (Source: Waterbird Population Estimate 3rd Edition, 2002 ). The Nordmann's Greenshank is currently categorised as globally Endangered according to BirdLife International, due to its low number, threats to its wintering and breeding grounds.

In Malaysia, one of its wintering ranges, this little brown shorebird is better known as Nordmann's Greenshank because it is in fact among the least spotted wader in non-breeding plumage. Therefore 'Spotted' Greenshank appears to be very misleading to its observers in Southeast Asia.

The photo in the right proves to be very challenging when the Nordmann's Greenshank assumes partial breeding plumage. Photographed by Geoff Welch on 19 April 2006 at Mai Po, when the greenshank stopped over in Hongkong on its returning trip back to the breeding ground in eastern Russia. At this stage it is as equally spotted as the Common Greenshank. The few differentiating features are broad white notches at the edge of upperpart feathers, giving a broad white v-shaped edge. The bill is supposed to be thicker and blunter but it is not obvious in this photo. Yellow base of bill is often useful only in wintering gound in Southeast Asia and not in this case. Fortunately the shorter upper thigh is evident when comparing with a Common Greenshank next to it. (For those who is lost in the long-winded explanation and demand only the answer - Nordmann's Greenshak in the right and Common Greenshank in the left.)

Following are some accounts of my personal sightings of Nordmann's Greenshank on a particular site in Malaysia since late 2002.

This elusive wader has been reported in Kapar Power Stations annually, albeit in small number, usually not more than 10 individuals, with declining trends from 80's to 90's. My first sighting of Nordmann's Greenshank was on 24 Nov 2002 at small ash pond of Kapar Power Station, Selangor, Malaysia. See my first photo from Oriental Bird Club. Ever since that, I had been having rendezvous with this enigmatic shorebird almost fortnightly without failure between February 2003 and April 2003.

This is my first decent photo taken on 13 November 2003. On the right is the closely resembled Common Greenshank(Tringa nebularia). Note the subtle differences in the upperpart plumage. Nordmann is very 'plain' and has two-toned bill. The yellow base of bill is a key feature to rule out Common Greenshank. However this feature of yellow base of bill is not always obvious in partial breeding or breeding plumage. [Sometimes I wonder how the ornithologists managed to conclude that the little plain brown bird in Malaysia and the strongly spotted shorebird in coastal eastern Siberia are actually the same species. That must have gone through a lot of research and cross-examinations of specimens.]

Catching the first sunlight - 2 rarities standing side by side - Nordmann's Greenshank (left), Asian Dowitcher (right) - 12 Feb 2005

I was not able to follow up with my favourite shorebird as often as I had wished since 2004. This was due to my relocation to Sydney after completing my project based work in KL, 2004 Feb. However a holiday trip in Feb 2005 to Malaysia to visit my parents in KL had allowed me to revisit the site and showed it to 2 of my contacts who had not seen it before. By knowing some jizz and its usual habits, it is not too difficult to locate a Nordmann's Greenshank among hundreds or even thousand of other shorebirds.

Nordmann's Greenshanks roost in 'sea' of shorebirds on 03 Jan 2006. At least 14 Nordmann's Greenshanks were counted by one 'scan' of spotting scope along horizon. The middle taller bird could be a sleeping Asian Dowitcher. Can you spot 4 Nordmanns in the frame? There could possibly be another 5th bird at the right of the tall bird. What other shorebirds can you identify?

In Kapar, the Nordmann's Greenshanks are often found roosting prominently at the edge of large group of shorebirds. That makes it easier to spot these VIP members on the 'VIP' stands. Its preference to stand on deeper water and softer mud might explain why it has partial webs on feet, which is unusual among Scolopacidae sandpipers. Based on my past observations at Kapar, the Nordmann's Greenshank usually associates with other similar sized waders such as Grey Plover, Common Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Great Knot, Asian Dowitcher, Black-tailed Godwit. Although the very similar Common Greenshanks are also found roosting at the same pond, the Nordmann's Greenshank rarely mingles with its close cousin. Nordmann's also rarely stand on dry ground (I have seen only once so far)

A small number of Nordmann's Greenshanks roost among few thousands shorebirds in Kapar Big Ash Pond on 12 February 2005. I also showed the birds to 2 other friends who had seen the bird for the first time.

Transformer

It is amazing that a very spotty shorebird in east Russia is actually the very same bird in Malaysia, albeit in much plainer plumage. It must have taken scientists lots of efforts to reconcile two different looking birds and concluded it as the same bird species.

The best time to look out for this greenshank is during highest tide, where a large number of shorebirds congregates in the Ash Ponds.

First winter Nordmann's Greenshank in Muar, Johor State, Malaysia Nov 2007. A newly discovered wintering site. 3 individuals were sighted. (Photo courtesy of T.H. Ang)

The optimal wader watching time in Kapar Ash Pond can be very brief, often between 7:30am - 9:30am. There is a high probability that the bird would have dispersed to coastal mudflats before one could locate a Nordmann's Greenshank.

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My latest sighting on 03 Jan 2006 was a significant milestone as I had counted at least 14 Nordmann's Greenshanks - my highest record and also one of the highest at Kapar in recent years. It was not easy to organise this visit as my trip to Malaysia was only a week and I had to communicate with the Kapar management via emails and phone many times in order to secure a special visit permit. [Note: Kapar Ash Ponds, although designated as a East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network, is a highly restricted premise, permit must be obtained in advance and photo ID (Passport or driving license) must be surrendered at the security entrance]

Most shorebirds found in Malaysia are very timid and get spooked easily. Being a highly restricted area, the Kapar Ash Ponds have become a safe roosting haven for a large number of shorebirds. Among them are small number of endangered Nordmann's Greenshank (2 yellow-legged birds in the pic) and Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Although the sightings of Nordmann's Greenshank in Malaysia have been encouraging in these few years, we still cannot safely conclude that the population of Nordmann's Greenshank has increased. It could be partly because of increase in birdwatcher surveys. There is so little we know about this bird such as its movement, site fidelity, specific ecology requirement, etc.

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The Future is Bleak

The future of Nordmnn's Greenshank is not optimistic, compounded by recent reclamation of Saemangeum estuary, South Korea, an important staging site along its migration route.

Source: Birds Korea. Or see related links in BirdLife International.

The impact of this reclaimation, along with development of coastal wetlands in Asia will have enormous impacts on migratory birds in long term.

See photos on how disastrous it will pose to the migratory birds in next few years.

A lonely Nordmann , just before leaving the ash pond when the tide receded in nearby mudflats.

My thoughts

Although my knowledge of birds is still amateur and my photos are not so great, I still hope I will be able to help generate some awareness and interests in its conservation. This unattractive wader deserves high attention due to its endangered status and its dependancy on ever diminishing coastal wetlands. Often the conservation of migratory birds requires efforts from across the nations. What I could do is to keep reminding the general public the significance of many unsightly places in Malaysia such as Kapar Ash Ponds or any muddy coastal mud along Peninsular Malaysia that actually house some globally endangered birds. They are so hard to detect until some may doubt if it ever exists. Well, it does exist - the photos are the living proofs.

Please send your comments or opinions to c o p s y c h u s @ y a h o o . c o m

Have a Great Day!!!

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Notes:

1) All photos on this page are the copyrights of the respective photographers. Please seek the photographer's permission for use of any of the photos.

2) Kapar Ash Ponds Station was dedicated as Malaysia's first site on the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network. (Source: Wetlands International)

3) Access to Kapar Ash Ponds Station is strictly regulated by permit obtained prior to visit.

4) Shorebird surveys are regularly conducted by Malaysian Nature Society. Birdwatchers are encouraged to take part in the survey on designated time slot, often coincide with highest tide line.

Acknowledgements:

1) Special Thanks to Kapar Power Station's management for granting me access to conduct shorebird survey on 03 Jan 2006.

2) Special thanks to Swee Seng from Malaysian Nature Society for facilitating the visit permit and providing valuable information on tide table.

3) Thanks to those who either contribute in form of photos or advices and supports.

4) Any suggestions/questions/comments please write to me with email given below:

c o p s y c h u s @ y a h o o . c o m

Disclaimer

This is my personal blog and I do not obtain any commercial benefits from posting this site. All informations are presented to the best of my knowledge. My apology if any soure of information is not correctly or fully acknowledged.