Hundreds of openbill storks spotted in Satun

By The Nation

 

Photo Credit: Santipab Ramsuit

 

Hundreds of openbill storks have migrated to Satun province, turning the rice fields into tourist hotspots and drawing hundreds of shutterbugs.

 

 

The director of the Satun Office of Natural Resources and Environment, Pornchai Pechpimpun said on Monday (November 25) that the birds fled from cold weather in Siberia and northern China to find a warm place to live.

 

“The benefit we obtain from them is they will eat shrimps, clams, crabs, and fish, especially golden apple snails which are one of the main rice field pests,” he said.

 

 

“Groups of 70 to 300 openbill storks are living in many districts, namely Mueang, Tha Phae, La-ngu, and Manang. Satun province has plenty of food and the people are friendly to the birds,” he said.

 

He added that openbill storks are considered as reserved wildlife under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2562 (2019) which took effect on November 25 this year. 

 

 

“The staff will follow up these birds in order to monitor various diseases which may infect people. The birds will migrate back to the North in June,” he added.

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30378896

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-11-30

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

 

 

They have been in Phan district for several years and in great numbers. Previously I only spotted them around the local reservoir, but this year I seen them many places in Chiang Rai province. A really magnificent bird and loved by the farmers because of their diet.

1 hour ago, Sweet Swede said:

A really magnificent bird and loved by the farmers because of their diet.

The farmers diet because they go great with rice or the birds?

 

We have a few here on our farm in Buriram also. They are totally unfazed by tractors and humans. Nice to see them. 

These and other bird species are at the top of the food chain and are greatly affected by the use of pesticides in and around farms. Accumulated low doses of pesticides In shrimps, snails and insects can cause infertility, low birth rate and deformities over time when consumed by birds, reptiles and mammals. This is one of the unintended consequences of pesticide use around the world. Not to mention the long term effects on humans and the environment we live in. Over use of pesticides also contribute to mutation and resistant strains of pests, and Ultimately more pesticide use.
The long term solution begins with education, innovation and willingness on the part of individuals to make a difference. Otherwise there will be less of these beautiful birds to admire.

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The farmers diet because they go great with rice or the birds?

 

The article writes that the locals are friendly to the birds, so they don't stuff them in tiny cages as usual.

idem over Phuket, around 100

Quite common around Udon Thani also, at least for the past 5 years. I see them frequently.