CHUMPON, Oct 8 (TNA) – Thai researchers have launched a
program to study a migration route of raptors at one of the world’s best
observation spots, Khao Dinsor in Pathiu district of Chumphon province.
From mid-August to November, over one million of migratory
birds of prey make their journey to the 500-metre-high mountain Khao
Dinsor. Nearly 40 species of migratory
raptors have attracted bird watchers for around the world to catch rare
glimpses along their migration route.
Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development
Agency (NSTDA) has provided tracking devices for researchers from King
Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) to study migration route of
the raptors.
NSTDA Executive Vice President Viraporn Mongkolchaisit said
the migration study program would lead to more effective conservation efforts
and promote Khao Dinsor as one of the worlds’ best observation spots.
Data from satellite tracking devices would be analyzed to
create conservation planning, Viraporn said.
Eight transmitters provided by NSTDA had been attached to
eight birds including four Japanese Sparrowhawks and four Chinese Sparrowhawks,
said head of KMUTT researchers Rongrong Angkaew.
Each transmitter weighing about 4 percent of bird’s weight
would collect data of migration route covering a distance of over 14,500
kilometers, she said.
This method is said to be the first in Thailand and
Southeast Asia.
This time of year, birdwatchers from around the world
converged at Khao Dinsor to observe the raptors flying low near the sea as the
northeast monsoon approaches the area.
According to experts, some of the raptors spotted at Khao
Dinsor are rare, such as the Greater Eagle.(TNA)
