Hi All,
It seems I’ve started a passionate forum discussion, just by posting some current information that I thought birders might like to know.
I think some birders may not have understood what I was saying.
Gurney’s pitta will probably head into extinction in Thailand, whether you go to see it or not. The ‘disturbances’ I was speaking about are, besides climate change, illegal clearing of vegetation, illegal hunting, forest fragmentation and of course increased visitors (visiting Emerald Pool) and more facilities. The biggest immediate impact on Gurney’s pitta at the moment is selfish photographers, lots of them. As usual, as an animal becomes rare, a photo (or collecting it) becomes a lot more desirable.
I fully support sustainable birdwatching of Gurney’s Pitta! Why? Because it’s often the only hope the bird has. The bird guide Yotin (and other Thai guides), the Morakot Resort and numerous other locals (including park rangers) obtain an income from visiting birders. They are usually the only ones fighting to keep the birds there (whether for income or love of the birds). Yotin in particular has done much to protect Gurney’s and the other wildlife in the park. I don’t think many of us here in Australia have done much to protect Gurney’s!
Unfortunately in this current age, you want to protect something, you better provide some economic benefit!
When we watched the 2 Gurney’s Pittas from about 15 metres away, they just went about their business, feeding in the leaf litter before slowly moving away. That’s sustainable birding! Minimal impact, no taped calls, no feeding, just coming across the birds and watching them.
As for personal safety, the Gurney’s area is fine. If you read my email properly, you will see I’m referring to the birding areas south, near the Malaysian border. I’m just trying to stop some unaware birder getting his head blown off!
Regards, Richard King
