A spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) is snapped on the beach of Thọ Quang in Son Tra penisula in Da nang. At least 50 migrarory birds and other bird species were found in the city. (Photo courtesy Minh Ha) DaNang (VNS/VNA) - Endangered species of migratorybirds have been regularly recorded on beaches, river banks and vacant landplots in Da Nang between 2018 and 2020.
Areport from a group of conservationists from the biology and environmentscience faculty of Da Nang Education College released reports from surveysto help build a database for the Master Plan on biodiversityconservation.
ConservationistPham Tai Minh said three spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidrispygmaea) individuals – listed as a Critically Endangered species witha population of less than 200 worldwide – were captured around thefishing port of Tho Quang in Son Tra peninsula.
Minhsaid the spoon-billed sandpipers were approaching fishing vessels.
Hesaid various endangered migrant bird species that were listed in the Red Bookof Vietnam, including purple herons (Ardeapurpurea); red-necked phalaropes (Phalaropuslobatus); ruddy turnstones (Arenariainterpres) and pacific golden plovers (Pluvialis fulva) were seen.
“Theendangered migrant bird species used to stop on the beaches of Da Nang andcoastal sites for food and nutrition before their journeys from Siberiathrough Southeast Asia and the Himalayas,” Minh said.
“Theappearance of endangered bird species makes Da Nang a safe stopfor migrant birds and a research site in the near future,” he added.
Minh,who studies environment management at the college, warned that a lack ofstrict protection measures and human activities at the Tho Quang fishingdock would have negative impacts on the migrant bird population.
Hewarned the migratory birds would not find Tho Quang fishing dock a safe stop inthe annual trip as the site would see the construction of the Ocean Parkcomplex in the near future.
Healso said snares and nets for birds – which can be found often in thebuffer zone of the Son Tra nature reserve, land plots in the Asia Park and NguHanh Son district – have emerged as dangers for wildlife and birds.
Minhsaid birds found at pet shops in Da Nang were illegally trapped by poachers.
“Thecity should reserve protective areas for migratory birds on the beaches ofDa Nang and parks, and provide education programmes on wildlife and birdprotection for local fishermen and residents.”
Thecity approved the Master Plan on biodiversity conservation in line withsustainable development goals, and current nature reserves of Son Tra, Ba Na-NuiChua and Nam Hai Van, or South Hai Van forest, will be key priorities forstrict protection in biosphere reserves, natural landscape protection,herb and botanical gardens.
Several newflora and fauna species were found in reserves of Son Tra and Ba Na-Nui Chuabetween 2017-2019.
Son Trareserve alone had 43 plant species listed as endangered in Vietnam’s Red Bookand the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Two species– Owston’s Cvivet and Spotted Linsang – and the first-ever pictures of Chamoisor Sumatran Serow and Crested argus pheasant were recorded in the Ba Na-Nui Chuareserve in 2016-2018./.
VNA
