緬甸黃胸鵐保育項目2023/24 Yellow-breasted Bunting Conservation Programme in Myanmar 2023/24

(ENG version follows)

緬甸伊洛瓦底三角洲度冬地的黃胸鵐族群數量調查

緬甸是黃胸鵐重要的度冬地之一，惟長期以來欠缺有系統的數據紀錄。香港觀鳥會亞洲自然保育基金2023-2024有幸能夠支持「緬甸伊洛瓦底三角洲度冬地的黃胸鵐族群數量調查」，重新奠定黃胸鵐重要越冬地的基礎。

緬甸伊洛瓦底三角洲地區佔地約162平方公里，由季節性稻田、荷花田及蘆葦叢等不同生境組成。整個生態系統也被國際自然保護聯盟(IUCN)列入生態紅色名錄中的瀕危級別。項目調查區域位於伊洛瓦底地區的Kyone-Ka-Pyin(KKP)村落，面積為13.75平方公里，調查人員將地區劃分共55個調查點。在2023年10月至2024年5月的遷徙季節期間，紀錄了超過5,000隻黃胸鵐個體，當中在2023年12月單次調查更高達2,209隻，最少則為2024年3月的24隻。在調查期間也紀錄了超過105種的鳥種，當中包括全球易危物種赤頸鶴(Grus antigone)及傑氏鶥雀 (Chrysomma altirostre)等。

另外，今次的研究除了採用定點計數(point count)及巢數紀錄(roost count)等方法外，也涉及了當地居民的參與。研究人員訪問了附近的村民有關黃胸鵐的資訊，例如牠們的棲息地及覓食地點。計劃期間也開展了多項的宣傳活動，例如設立告示牌、為村民及附近學校學生舉辦教育工作坊等等。

然而，持續的生境轉換，尤其是由草原轉為農地，加上人類活動例如耕作、打獵、生境破壞等，都會對黃胸鵐及使用該生境的其他物種構成一定程度的威脅，包括棲息地，遷徙習慣、度冬群落數目等方面造成打擊。故此，持續的研究工作和多方合作的保育行動對於保護全球瀕危物種黃胸鵐以及當地的鳥類多樣性至關重要。今次計劃所得的數據更能成為緬甸自然政策倡議上具科學性的重要依據。

若各位希望支持及了解更多「香港觀鳥會亞洲自然保育基金」的工作，歡迎瀏覽https://www.hkbws.org.hk/cms/acf。

Population of the Critically Endangered, Yellow-breasted Bunting in wintering site in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Myanmar

In the lack of sufficient data record of Yellow-breasted Bunting (YBB)’s key migration site in Myanmar, it is honoured that HKBWS Asia Conservation Fund 2023-2024 has this opportunity to support the very first systematic survey study “Population of the Critically Endangered, Yellow-breasted Bunting in wintering site in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta”, and it highlights the study site as the most important wintering site for YBB in Myanmar.

With a total of 162 km², the Ayayarwady floodplain in Myanmar consists of different habitat types such as seasonal paddy fields, lotus fields and reedbeds, it has also been categorized as Endangered under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. The survey area is located in Kyone-Ka-Pyin(KKP) village in the Ayeyarwady region. There is a total of 55 sample points with 13.75 km², and over 5000 individuals of YBB were recorded during the migratory season from Oct 2023 to May 2024. Point count surveys revealed a significant presence of YBBs in paddy fields and mixed habitats. The highest count was 2,209 in December 2023, while the lowest count would be 52 in March 2024. Encouragingly, the roost count survey indicated a maximum of 39680 individuals In December 2024.

Besides, over 105 bird species are recorded during the survey period, including globally threatened species like Vulnerable Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) and Jerdon's Babbler (Chrysomma altirostre).

In addition, the study not only focused on point count and roost count surveys but also involved local engagement. They interviewed the villagers near the roosting and foraging sites for information collection. Also, several awareness activities were carried out, such as setting up signboards, education workshops for villagers and schools etc.

However, continuous habitat conversion, particularly grasslands to agricultural lands, poses a threat to the species and its habitat. Human activities such as farming, hunting, and habitat destruction seemed to be the disturbing factors which might affect the roosting site, migration pattern and wintering population of YBB in the study area. Therefore, the survey data collected by the project could serve as scientific evidence for government advocacy in nature conservation in Myanmar. Continued research efforts and collaborative conservation actions are essential to safeguard the diverse bird species inhabiting this ecologically significant area.

If you would like to support more projects like this, welcome to visit https://www.hkbws.org.hk/cms/acf and learn more about the work of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society Asia Conservation Fund.