ARRCN
Newsletter
Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network

December, 2010

Countries in this Newsletter ① Korea② Malaysia③ Japan④ Thailand⑤ Indonesia⑥ Philippines⑦ Mongolia

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①
③
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④
Spizaetus alboniger②⑤

Distribution Map of Genus Spizaetus(Spizaetus Distribution Map and Habitat Analysis Project)① Raptor Project in Korea
First Breeding of the Oriental Honey Buzzard in Korea
Oriental Honey Buzzards (Pernis ptilorhynchus) are
generally regarded as common passage migrants in Korea. It has
been suggested that the raptor may breed in Gyeonggi and
Gangwon Provinces according to the repeated observations
during breeding season, but there was no confirmed evidence ofnesting. On 16 August 2009, one juvenile of the Oriental Honey
Buzzard on a nest was observed with two adults by Mr. Hae-Jin
Cho (a researcher of the Korea Institute of Environmental
Ecology and a PhD student of Chonbuk National University;
eagleowl@paran.com) and his colleagues at a forest of Japanese
Larches (Larix kaempferi) in Bukbang-myeon (N 37° 43’, E
127° 46’), Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province. Thisobservation was recently reported in the Korean Journal ofOrnithology (Cho et al. 2010. Kor. J. Orni. 17(1): 139-141), andthis is the first record of an active nest of the Oriental Honey
Buzzard from the Republic of Korea.
< Chang-Yong CHOI : subbuteo@hanmail.net >The observed nest of Oriental Honey
Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus in
Hongcheon, Korea(Photo by Mr. Hee-Chul Woo)

② Raptor Project in MALAYSIA
Autumn raptor migration monitoring at Taiping, Peninsular Malaysia
In 2009, Raptor Study Group of Malaysian Nature Society carried out a full season count of autumn raptor
migration at Taiping (N 4º 52’, E100º 44’), a well-known migration watch site on the west coast of Peninsular
Malaysia. Volunteers recorded some 52,554 raptors of 13 species over 59 days from September 15 toNovember 20, 2009. Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes), Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) and Oriental
Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus) made up more than 95 % of the total number of raptors counted. In
addition to the count, a public raptor watch was also held at nearby Scott’s Hill on 25 October. The Taiping
project was made possible by the financial support of Exxon mobile Employee Involvement Program.
< Lim Kim Chye : kcyian@streamyx.com >1

International Workshop on Raptor Monitoring by Remote Sensing Techniques
The “International Workshop on Raptor Monitoring by Remote Sensing Techniques” was organized by the
Remote Sensing Group of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, West Malaysia from 27 – 28 July 2010.
Nineteen participants attended the workshop which included the following presentations:・Application of weather radar to monitor migratory raptors in Taiwan (Prof. Pan Chen-Jeih, National Central
University, Taiwan)
・Monitoring migratory raptors using satellite imaging (Prof. Lai Hsin-Chih, Chang Jung Christian University,
Taiwan).
・Migratory raptor monitoring in Kenting, Taiwan (Tsai Yi-Rung, Kenting National Park)・Development of migratory raptor monitoring system using Optical and Image Processing Techniques (WongChow Jeng, School of Physics, USM)
・Development of bird monitoring system using Optical and Image Processing Techniques (Poon Wai Kit,
School of Physics, USM)
・ Introduction to Asian Raptor Research & Conservation
Network (Mike Chong, ARRCN representative)
・Introduction to migration and migration research in Malaysiaby (Lim Kim Chye, Raptor Study Group MNS)・Introduction to migration and migration research in Thailand(Lee Oon Teik, on behalf of Thai Raptor Group).
・Introduction to migration and migration research in Singapore(Lim Kim Keang, Bird Group, Nature Society Singapore).
・Some aspects of raptor migration at Tanjung Tuan (Lim Aun
Tsai Yi-Rung speaking about raptor migration
Tiah, Raptor Study Group MNS)in Kenting, Taiwan.
・Satellite tracking and wing-tagging of Montagu’s Harrier inDenmark (Anwar Junge, MNS)
< Lim Kim Chye : kcyian@streamyx.com >ARRCN Borneo Project – East Malaysia
ARRCN recently carried out the Borneo Project withfunding from Japan Trust for Global Environment. The Borneo
Project aims to promote raptor research and conservation
activities in Borneo, including Kalimantan (Indonesia) andSarawak and Sabah (East Malaysia).
The Borneo Project consisted of workshops and raptor
surveys in the two territories. In East Malaysia, the firstworkshop on “Raptor Research & Conservation Techniques”
was held on 13 November 2009 in Kuching, Sarawak.
Twenty-five participants from government agencies, universities
and Malaysian Nature Society attended. In March 2010, repeat
workshops were conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and again
in Kuching, Sarawak.
Four field surveys were undertaken in East Malaysia. In
Sarawak, surveys were carried out at Lambir Hills, Kuala
Baram, Bario highlands, Kubah, Similajau and Niah nationalparks, with 13 species of raptors recorded, including two
migratory species. In Sabah, the surveys covered the roadsidefrom Sandakan to Tawau, taking in Gomantong, Lahad Datu
and Semporna and also from Kota Kinabalu to the Tempasuk
plains, up to the Tip of Borneo, with records of 12 species of
raptors, including migrating Grey-faced Buzzards.
< Lim Kim Chye : kcyian@streamyx.com >2

Raptor nest observation in Sabah,
East Malaysia

Migrant Peregrine Falcon in
Sabah, East Malaysia

Early Grey-faced Buzzard arrival in western Sarawak, East Malaysia
On 5th August 2010, a single Grey-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus) was observed in Kuching, Sarawak.
The Grey-faced Buzzard is a regular winter visitor to Borneo, and small numbers find their way to the western
corner of the island each year. They are usually seen in small groups of 3-6 birds, and appear to spend thewinter along the coastal habitats, preferring coconut plantations. There is no information from further inland.
This single early arrival was observed on the wooded hill of Bukit Hantu, in the middle of Kuching city.
Grey-faced Buzzards are seen each year on this hill, dominated by mature stands of Tembusu (Fragrea
fragans) trees and they generally stay till early March.
This sighting is of note because of its early date. It is known that Grey-faced Buzzards arrive in Borneo on
two fronts, the eastern route via the Philippines and the western route across the Riau and Natunas islands.
Which route this individual has taken is unknown.
<Anthony Sebastian Kuching, Sarawak, MALAYSIA>③ Raptor Project in Japan
Meeting on raptor migration in western JapanThe meeting on raptor migration was held in Hiroshima
prefecture on 30th August 2010. Approximately 25 raptor
researchers in western Japan exchanged information about theresults of recent raptor migration surveys.
Meeting on raptor migration in western Japan
Topics of the meeting are 1) results of the spring raptor
migration in Busan and Geoje Island, Korea(collaborative survey between Korea and Japan), 2) results of thespring raptor migration in Northern Kyushu and Hiroshima prefecture, 3) report of the 6th ARRCN symposiumin Mongolia, 4) lecture on the identification of raptors belonged in the genus Accipiter.
The future planning about the raptor migration was also discussed and it was decided to make at least 3
presentations in the next ARRCN symposium in Korea in 2012.
< Yasunori NITANI : nitani@mxr.mesh.ne.jp >④ Raptor Project in Thailand
Phetchaburi Eagle Day 2009, Phetchaburi, central Thailand. Discovery Thai
Birding Group, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand andThai Raptor Group assisted the local administration of Nong
Plalai sub-district, Khao Yoi district, Phetchaburi to hold theEagle Day, first of its kind in the country on 15 February 2009.
The event was aimed at the local and birders to learn andappreciate the life and importance of wintering Aquila eagles as
the top predator of the food chain. All four species of Aquila
eagles including Aquila clanga, A. nipalensis, A. heliaca, and A.
pennata are annually and regularly observed in winter months,
at the vast ricefield of Nong Plalai full of ricefield rats andbandicoots, the eagles’ major preys. Exhibitions of eagle
photographs showing their foraging behavior and majestic
gestures in flight were erected to enhance the public awareness.
Local school children were guided to learn about the eagles’
natural history through bird watching and talks. Exhibitive signs
were raised along the road besides the eagle’s foraging fields toeducate the public. The event was very welcomed by the local
with an impressive enthusiasm by the public. The second Eagle
Watch Fest has thus been planned on 15 January 2010.
< Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua : trogon@gmail.com >3

2010 TRG Raptor Seminar IV.
This annual raptor lectures were organized by Thai Raptor Group to provide thepublic and birders current knowledge of raptor species, to make the public aware of
the importance of raptors, and to maintain the interest of wild raptors through theraptor watch during autumn migration. Raptor survey techniques were alsopresented by an ARRCN ISG-receiving TRG member to stimulate interest andenhance participation in survey data collection among university students. The
seminar is free to the public. This year seminar was on 5 September. To participate
in the International Vulture Awareness Day 2010 on 4 September, information ofvultures, their status and conservation actions that have been done in the country
were exhibited.
< Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua : trogon@gmail.com >2010 Chumphon Raptor Watch Fest, Chumphon, southern
Thailand.
The Fest is scheduled to be held in early
October to meet and greet the hundreds ofthousands of migrating raptors that make anannual southward pilgrimage to the tropics
using Thailand and Chumphon in particular
as the sky highway for the long and arduous
journey. This year, the event will happen in
two site, one at the usual U-Thapao area,
and the other at Khao Dinsor, a recently-discovered site north of U-Thapao where
raptorphiles could easily be awed and amazed by the continuous river of raptors
streaming one after another throughout day-light. In early October, the prime
species will be Chinese Goshawk (Accipiter soloensis), Japanese Sparrowhawk(Accipiter gularis), Shikra (Accipiter badius), Grey-faced Buzzard (Butastur
indicus), and Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus), with an addition of
uncommon species such as Black Kite, Pied & Eastern Marsh Harriers, Osprey,
Peregrine Falcon. Later during 23-25 October, a field course about raptor
identification and in-flight photography will provide ample opportunity forinterested birder and photographers to learn about the topics and earn hands-on
experience afield at Khao Dinsor.
< Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua : trogon@gmail.com >2010 Autumn Raptor Count at Radar Hill, Prachuap Khiri Khan, southern
Thailand.
Thai Raptor Group has conducted month-longed raptor counts
for 3 consecutive years since 2008. This year, a student volunteer
will collect the species and number of the migrating raptor species
entering the entrance of southern Thailand and southward to their
tropical residence for the winter. The count will cover the whole
October. The student will work to collect data and to provide basic
knowledge about raptor migration to birders and interested
sight-seeing tourists who visit the hill that has, in recent years,
become known as the hill of hawks, and have been visited bydomestic and foreign birders.
< Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua : trogon@gmail.com >4

⑤ Raptor Project in Indonesia

Indonesian Raptor Projects (2009-10) reported by Adam A. Supriatna, Zaini Rakhman, Asman AP,
Gunawan, Syarnitilia and Wishnu Sukmantoro.

By 2010, several raptor research and conservation events have been held by Indonesian researchers andconservationists joining with Indonesian Raptor Research & Conservation Network (RAIN) or independently.
We summarize these relevant events/ projects as follow:
Workshop & Seminar
ARRCN and local members of Malaysia and Indonesia held
raptor-workshop in Kuching (Malaysia) and Pontianak (Indonesia)
on November 2009. In Indonesia the workshop was collaboratively
managed by RAIN and University of Mulawarman and it was aimed
to promote raptor research and conservation efforts in the country.
The workshop was attended by university students, lecturers andsome local NGO members. Lectures of the workshops are ARRCN
members.
< Gunawan : gunawan@raptoindonesia.org >Some Indonesian raptor researchers, on the way to Mongolia
Symposium held on 23-27 June 2010, were kindly invited by
EWHA Womans University of South Korea to give talk on
Indonesian nature conservation issues. A presentation on raptor
titled “Status and conservation of raptors in Indonesia” wasdelivered by Adam A. Supriatna (asianraptor7@gmail.com). The
two other talks were on “Conservation management in Indonesia”
by Dr. Bambang Supriyanto M.Sc (bambang_halimun@yahoo.com)
and “Primate conservation” by Kuswandono (kuswandono@gmail.com).
Gede-Pangrango National Park, in collaboration with RCS and RAIN, hosted a seminar on raptor. The
seminar was also attended by ARRCN members joining an ecotour in Java. The seminar should be fruitfully
useful to the park management, in particularly, since they have planned to conduct the long term monitoring on
the Endangered Javan Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi).
< Kuswandono : kuswandono@gmail.com >Migratory raptor and its related events.
Annual Bird of prey Migration Watch (BMW) was again held by
RAIN on October 2010 and similar event was also held in Gadjah
Mada University coordinated by Jogja Birdwatcher Community.
During the the event, training on raptor conservation was held andparticipated by new and young raptor enthusiasts. Surprisingly,
given quite long distance, some participants from Kalimantan andPapua also joined the event. The training was then ended with a field observation at Puncak, West Java.
< Asman AP : asmanadi@raptorindonesia.org >Ex-situ
Raptor Sanctuary released two confiscated Nisaetus bartelsi and an Accipiter trivirgatus – the releaseindividuals had received proper rehabilitation treatment provided by Cikananga Animal Rescue and Raptor
Sanctuary. The release was done during August 2009-10 in Tapos near Gede-Pangrango National Park and Loji(Halimun-Salak National Park) from which all individuals originated. Recently, the Sanctuary has also received
two Changeable Hawk-Eagles and a Crested Serpent Eagle to be released if those eagles pass necessary
examinations of its health and behaviour. In line with it, Muhammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund has
supported RAIN to assess appropriate areas for its release.
< Gunawan : gunawan@raptoindonesia.org >5

In-situ and additional notes
Sumatra. Recent notes on raptor of Sumatra island (2010) have been prepared by Muhammad Iqbal(kpbsos26@yahoo.com) and an extended breeding notes of Shikra Accipiter badius in Aceh, Sumatra has also
been published in Kukila by Agus Nurza (2009).
Kalimantan. Survey on migratory raptor was conducted in Ketapang West Kalimantan (March 2010). The
survey was held by members of RAIN, Kawan Burung Ketapang and KPSDA Aves Sylva Tanjungpura
University. The team surveyed areas of Gunung Palung National Park, Danau Perendaman and Pematang
Gadung forest. The objective is to identify some areas known as wintering habitats used by migratory species
like Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis pthylorichus orientalis), Grey-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus) andChinese Goshawk (Acipiter soloensis). < Asman AP : asmanadi@raptorindonesia.org >Dr. Syartinilia (2010), a lecture of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), has been pioneering a satellite
tracking-based raptor research in Indonesia. The research is in collaboration with Prof. Hiroyoshi Higuchi fromthe University of Tokyo. A relevant survey will be conducted in South Kalimantan (February 2011) to study the
habitat characteristics of Oriental Honey Buzzard in the island, in relation to this migratory phenomenon. < Dr.
Syarnitilia : syartinilia@yahoo.com >Jawa. A survey to study distribution of Nisaetus bartelsi in mount Salak West Java was carried out by ateam of Raptor Sanctuary, RAIN and Halimun-Salak National Park. A total of 17-26 individuals were foundduring the survey. Additionally, field works supported by Chevron Geothermal Salak to monitor the occurrenceof Nisaetus bartelsi was also done along a forest corridor connecting mount Salak and Halimun. <Gunawan :gunawan@raptorindonesia.org >Raptor based ecotour in Sumatra
WWF Indonesia with financial assistance from WWF Japan has developed ecotourism in Tesso Nilo
National Park in which raptor species has been one of the main interests being developed. Much of local tree
species called Sialang has been long used by bees to place their nests on which Honey buzzards often swoop
down. From a study held recently by WWF Indonesia, among the easy-to-see raptors found in the area are
Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus), Crested Sherpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela), Black Kite (Milvus
migrans), White Shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus), Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus), Japanese
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) and Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius). < Wishnu
Sukmantoro : wishnubio@yahoo.com >⑥ Raptor Project in Philippine
Report on the 1st Asian Bird Fair & the 6th Philippine Bird Festival
ARRCN recently participated in the 1st Asian Bird Fair & the 6th Philippine Bird Festival on the invitationof the organizers, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. The Asian Bird Fair (ABF) is an initiative of the Wild
Bird Club of the Philippines, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Wild Bird
Society of Taipei, Malaysian Nature Society and Nature Society of Singapore. The ABF aims to highlight thebird festivals of the participating countries as well as enrich ecotourism through birdwatching. The Philippines
was elected to host the 1st ABF and decided to hold this inaugural event together with its own 6th Philippine
Bird Festival.
This joint event was held from 23 – 26 September, 2010
in Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City, Mindanao,
Philippines. On 23 September evening, the Mayor of Davao
City, Sarah Duterte hosted the participants to a grandwelcome dinner and colourful cultural presentation. The event
officially opened on 24 September in the beach garden of thehotel, with various conservation organizations putting up
exhibits on their activities, selling souvenirs and running
Students visiting the ARRCN boothprograms for students. ARRCN put up 6 posters on theat the 1st Asian Bird Festival

6

following topics: What are Raptors, Characteristics of Raptors,
Raptor species in the Philippines, Raptors and Humans, Why
protect Raptors and Raptor migration in Asia. There were also
lectures and film shows on birding basics, bird photography andbirdwatching by Bird Conservation Nepal and Borneo Bird Club,
among others.
The program for 25 September, the final day of the event, wasbasically similar to the previous day except for different lecture
topics presented by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Hornbill
Discussing the raptor migration routes
Research Foundation and other organisations. ARRCN presented
at the ARRCN bootha slide talk on “Raptor migration in Asia, with reference to thePhilippines” which resulted in quite a bit of discussion on the migration route of Chinese Sparrowhawks
through the Philippines. There was also a forum to discuss conservation strategies in response to continuing
threats to birds like hunting, loss of habitats, poaching and climate change. Participants were invited to share
their experiences in dealing with these issues in their own countries. In the evening, at the turn-over dinner,
Chinese Wild Bird Federation accepted the honour of holding the 2nd ABF in Taiwan in 2011.
On Sunday, 26 September, the participants visited the Philippine Eagle Centre where they were welcomedby its director, Mr Dennis Salvador, an ARRCN Standing Committee member. After a briefing on the work of
the centre, participants were taken around to view various captive raptors and to admire and photograph acaptive-bred Philippine Eagle. The day ended with an enjoyable Filipino lunch hosted by the Philippine Eagle
Foundation.
< Report written by:Lim Kim Chye / ARRCN representative to the 1st Asian Bird Festival>⑦ Raptor Project in Mongolia
The 6th ARRCN Symposium in Mongolia
Participants on the 6th ARRCN symposium landed on the Chinggis Khaan International Airport near
Ulaanbaatar city in Mongolia after looking at endless glass through the airplane windows. The young
Mongolian symposium committee members who are students of Dr. Gombobaatar Sundev (President of thecommittee) picked us up to the Flower Hotel in Ulaanbaatar city by bus. We are surprised the different views
between the glass land around the airport and the modern buildings in the city.
On the previous day (23 of June), the welcome ceremony was held on the Chinggis Khaan Hotel in
Ulaanbaatar city. We were enjoyed the talking with old colleagues, traditional music and dances with delicious
dinner and our energy liquid (of course, it is BEER!).
On the first day (24 of June), oral presentations and special workshops hosted by the Peregrine Funds were
held at the Chinggis Khaan Hotel in Ulaanbaatar city. And, we moved to the Hustai Nuruu National Park in theevening by buses. In the night, we stayed at the Ger (traditional tent) in the National park under a stadium ofstars.
On the second day (25 of June), many oral presentations were conducted on 2 large Gers in the National
Park. During the coffee break, we could observe many raptors (Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Cinereous Vulture
and so on) on the blue sky over the huge glass land. In the night, we enjoyed the beautiful raptor videos
produced by Mr. Roger Wang from Taiwan and traditional music by professional musicians.
On the fourth day (26 of June), special workshops hosted by the Peregrine Funds were held in the Ger andoutside field. In the afternoon, we visited some nest sites of breeding raptors (Cinereous Vulture, Upland
Buzzard, Saker Falcon and so on). In the night, the closing ceremony was held on the glass land. Great
symposium was successfully finished with traditional delicious dinner and Chinggis Khaan Vodka!
Young Mongolian symposium committee members who are raptor researchers also participated with thepresentations and special workshops. They could gain much knowledge about raptors and contact with many
raptor researchers around the world. We hope that they will lead research and conservation of raptors in
Mongolia and Asia in the near future.
<ARRCN secretariat: Tatsuyoshi Murate : arrc-n@mwa.biglobe.ne.jp>
7Outline of the 6th ARRCN Symposium in Mongolia
Theme: Science and Conservation for Present and Future
Date: 23 – 27 June, 2010
Location: Chinggis Khaan complex in Ulaanbaatar (23-24, June)
Hustai Nuruu National Park (25-27, June)
Organizing committee: Dr. Gombobaatar Sundev (President of the Mongolian Ornithological Society)
Participants: Approximately 150 persons from 23 countries
Presentations: 43 oral and 35 poster presentations
Program of the Special workshop hosted by the Peregrine Fund:
1) STUDYING POPULATION ECOLOGY: ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY AND SURVIVAL. [Ian Newton]
2) THE RAPTOR LITERATURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. [Lloyd F. Kiff]
3) MIGRATION-WATCHSITE COUNTS. [Keith L. Bildstein]
4) ROADSIDE SURVEYS. [Keith L. Bildstein]5) INVESTIGATION OF RAPTOR MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY：INTERPRETING FINDINGS ON INDIVIDUAL AND
POPULATION SCALES. [Martin Gilbert]
6) CRITICAL ELEMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE RAPTOR CONSERVATION. [Rick Watson]7) RAPTOR TRAPPING AND HANDLING TECHNIQUES FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. [William Heinrich]
8) MARKING AND TRACKING METHODS FOR BIRDS OF PREY：WHY DO IT AND WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE.

[Todd Katzner]
9) HIGH FREQUENCY GPS=GSM TELEMETRY FOR STUDY OF MOVEMENT ECOLOGY OF RAPTORS [Todd Katzner]10) WILDLIFE TRACKING WITH ARGOS [Aline Duplaa]

You can take the file of the special workshop from the following address.
http://www.peregrinefund.org/conserve_category.asp?category=Asia-Pacific

Special workshop in Ulaanbaatar

Oral presentation at the Gerin Hustai Nuruu National Park

Special workshop
in Hustai Nuruu National Park

Raptor watchin Hustai Nuruu National Park

ARRCN members

205 individuals
3 organizationsin 29 countries(December, 2010)＜Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network WebSite＞
Aquila nipalensis in Mongolia

http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~raptor/index.htm
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