The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia : Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004-2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006

&i;The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004-2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006)&o; presents a comprehensive update of the status of waterbird populations and wetlands along the coasts of Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar based on surveys undertaken between 2004 and 2006.The outcomes of this recent investigation demonstrate the importance of peninsular Malaysia for many migratory species, but also show an alarming trend.

Shorebird numbers showed an overall decline of 22% in Malaysia between 1983-1986 and 2004-2006.The surveys confirmed the Peninsular Malaysian coast as one of the most important wintering grounds for the Endangered Nordmann's Greenshank, supports up to 25% (1%=8) of the most rare shorebird species along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

The surveys also confirmed the significance of the east Malaysian coast for the wintering Vulnerable Chinese Egret, with up to 33% (1%=30) using of the east Malaysian coast for wintering.The surveys in Malaysia were jointed conducted by Malaysian Nature Society, Sarawak Forest Corporation and Wetlands International -Malaysia Office.

The surveys in Thailand and Myanmar was carried out by Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and Myanmar Bird and Nature Society, respectively.

The field work was mostly done by volunteers in these countries.A total of 134 wetland sites were covered in Malaysia, including 15 sites on the southwest coast of Sarawak - the first comprehensive update of the status of waterbird populations and wetlands on this coast since 1985.

Peak counts for all sites between 2004 and 2006 recorded over 105,000 waterbirds.

Selangor and Sarawak were the most important states, with more than 30,000 waterbirds recorded along the coasts of both states.

A total of 16 sites meet the criterion for international importance (>1% of the population), and a further 39 sites are potentially of international importance in having recorded large numbers of unidentified waterbirds or at least one globally threatened species.