www.chinabird.org 1973 3 CITES 1981 CITES CITES CITES 2002 11 12 CITES 168 13 25 35 120 13 1 300 100 20 2002 23 1)
2) 3) 1) 2) 3) ( ) 10 2000~5000 1 2003 12 31 100875 ( ) ( ) 2003 6 7 1 2003 4 20 10 ( ) www.chinabird.org www.chinabird.org 2002 HT5H HT5SS
FL HT5SS 4 4 2001 40 m 2002 9 22 4000 5 4 WPA 2001~2002 12 7 6 5
GIS 2002 5 1 2000 28 120 3000 4 2003 4 5 3400 2003 4 1
18 12 20 1998 2002 9 25 2000 3000 19 1998 8 20 3 2002 5 10 2003 5 12 10 2003 3 2001 18 2002 12 U 17 4-196 4 C 2 Lake Beltsville Beltsville 48 60% 0.4 30min 12 20% 36 3~5 8 3~5 8 8 24h 4% DMSO
5-20 -20-80 -80-196 1 /min 50 /min 160 /min. 35% ( ) 2002 1~2 200 5 16 ( John Corder) 24000 30 Simon Dowell 1992 10 2002 1000 81 50 354 310 35 90% 96% 2003 5 10 91 5 145 5 75 34 252 500 4 2 A35 2002 12 31.54673 121.96020
4 19 21 4 2 4 1 ~2 27 3 ( 13 11 3 ) 11 60 ( ) 2002 101 5 2003 3 2002 10 28 5 ( ) Mark Barter 2003 1 46 47739 6490 Mark Barter 20 ( ) 2000 2002 10 2003 1 4 70 2000 21 2001 44 29 ( 30 1 ) 2002 10 2003 1 70 40 113 ( )
2 93 40 20 7 2002 13 1 2001 2002 1 2001 2 2002 12 20 2003 1 9 2003 2 15 3 1 3 7 166 123 57 7 74 1999 20 1335 231 1040 2606 450 5 3 ( ) ( ) UNEP (GEF) 6 (SARS) 4 6 1 000 40% 2003 2009 7
( ) ( ) GEF GEF 4 13 16 2003 UNEP 2003 GEF Paul ( ) 10 ( ) 2003 1 5 9 6 7 9 60 200 68 40 300 ( ) 4004 462 1932 458 1526 ( ) 2001 2003
( ) 2003 Gorsachius magnificus HT5 7SS KG 3 HT5SS 8~10 2003 1 18 2003 4 14 7 2003 4 5 4 13 15 5 8 5 13 11 30 5 2001 2003 ( ) 2001 2002 2003 1 16 17 22 2001 2002 2003 2003 1. 2. 3. 2003 5 20 ( ) 2003 5 24 92 9 040 7 ( )12~14
( ) 4 6 ( ) ( ) 20 100 ) ( ) ) A093156 Carduelis flammea 2001 10 24 2003 2 11 Peter Sjolte Ranke E-mail 2 15 2003 2 10 15 00 Moss Ostfold (59.26N,10.38E) (Stavanger Museum 3H23677) ( 3 ) ( ) ) 100
( ) Passer montanus Passer montanus 30170187 As Hg Cd Pb Ni Co Mn 3 7600 m 2 Hg Hg (WWF 2003 China 3 Program) 4 18 5 32 5 2003 4 6 E.Potapov SARS 4000~5000 2003 4 12 5 Merops
philippinus 5~6 2 1-2 5-6 20-30 ( ) 2001 7 2 2002 6 17 1.2001 7 2 7 70~80 11 3~5 3 4 1997 4 3 5 7 1997 2.2001 7 18 20 1999 8 8 10 2000 8 12 14 5 2 3 18 1998 8 5 2002 6 14 17 700~970 m 6 km 14 2 3.2001 9 15 2002 3 17 8 21 9 6 23 17 9 23 250~300 12 16 17 2002 1 1 23 2002 3 16 88 27 27 3 17 41 23 4.2001 12 12 2002 2 14 500 50 30 19 2001 12 17
( ) 1 1 349 3 2 10 7 1620 5 39660016 90 1 50-60 400 2 7545 3 21 2001 5 15 25
1992 1994 ( ) 21 1 50~100m 1992 5 GPS N31 42.119 E110 47.344 595m 2) 0.3 hm 2 N31 44.238 E110 51.457 550m 1992 4 3) N31 45.458 E110 56.045 440m 1994 5 5 2 ( ) 3000 4 60-80 12 3 10 1~2 20 2003 4
2002 2 WPA WPA-China WPA-China 2003 1 12-25 Crocket St. Thomas Chester 2003 5 14 20 80 2002 4 22 1995 2002 2002 10 8 1 3 5 6 2002 8 2002 12 50 2002 20 379 16 55 168
2002 100875 zzw@bnu.edu.cn (International Galliformes Symposium) 2004 4 5-7 Dehra Dun 2000 2003 1 2007 e-mail: zzw@bnu.edu.c Wetland International 2002 (Waterbird Population Estimates Third Edition) Simon Delany Derek Scott 868 2271 1725 1138 1% 226 840 63 4 2 1994 1997 25 Natural History Book Service http://www.nhbs.com/xbscripts/bkfsrch?search=1036 http://www.wetlands.org/pubs&/wpe.htm ( ) 89 2003 6 3 1985 30 1914 89 OBC
Handbook of the Birds of the World Lynx Edicions 2003 6 (Eurylaimidae) Philepittidae (Pittidae) (Furnariidae) (Dendrocolaptidae HT5 7SS (Thamnophilidae)CM(20 (Formicariidae) (Conopophagidae) (Rhinocryptidae) 400 81 160 www. hbs. com. 2003 11 Ithaginis cruentus( Blood Pheasant) Galliformes Phasianidae 43cm 2000~4000m 4~7 6~8 ( ) The List of Chinese Birds Protected by the CITES According to the new version of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) issued in 2003, there are 168 species of Chinese birds listed in the Appendices, including 35 species in Appendix, 120 species in Appendix, and 13 species in Appendix. (Zhang Zhengwang) The List of Wild Terricolous Animals that are Beneficial or Valuable in Economy & Scientific Research and Protected by China was issued by the State Forestry Administration, P. R. China on August 1, 2000. The list divided protected wild animals into two types, key protected and general protected, for the purpose of widely protecting. There are 707 species in 61 families of 18 orders of birds in the list. (Zheng Guangmei)
Proclaim In order to make more achievements in the research about waterbirds and cranes, the COS decides to reorganize the Specialist Group on Waterbirds and Cranes.as below:chairman: Wang Qishan Vice-Chariman: Xu Yangong, Ding Changqing On April 20, 2003, the Beijing Council of COS makes a decision that the Society will sponsor the Cheng Tso-hsin Fund of Bird Sciences with 100,000 RMB for encouraging the young research working on bird. China Ornithological Society May 16, 2003 The Decision of Setting Up the Promotional Fund of China Ornithological Research Aiming to encourage basic research of Chinese researchers and promote the development of birds' research, the COS decides to set up the Promotional Fund of China Ornithological Research. Scope: 1)Basic research on the species that lacking of data on breeding ecology; 2)Finding new species and subspecies in China; 3)New distribution records. Criteria: 1)The applicant should be the member of the COS 2)The result has been published in the key journals. 3)The applicant should be the first owner of the research result The application of 2003 should be mailed to Song Jie before Dec. 31,2003. The address is the COS, College of Life Sciences, BNU, Beijing, 100875 Construction of the Website of China Ornithological Society The website of COS,www.chinabird.org, has been opened since 2002. Current columns include Introduction of COS, Publications, News and Notes, List of members of COS, Important Messages,Birdwatching in China, Related Links. Columns under-constructed are Database of Songs and Photos of birds and Database of Birdwatching. (Zhang Yanyun) PHEASANT RESEARCH New sites of Elliot's Pheasant found in Guizhou Province Funded by WPA, the distribution of Elliot's pheasant in Guizhou was surveyed by Liang Wei, Hainan Normal University and Li Zhumei, Institute of Biology, Guizhou Province, in 2002. Some new sites for the pheasant were found, including Foding shan NNR (Shiqian, Yuqing, Zhenyuan and Shibing county), Mayanghe NNR (Yanhe and Wuchuan county) and Yueliangshan Forest (Sandu, Libo, Congjiang and Rongjiang county). In addition, some new sites in Guangxi Province and Chongqing city were found. Elliot's Pheasant is threatened by poaching and habitat loss in the study areas. Illegal hunting for this bird in Guizhou and Guangxi was a severe threat.yueliangshan forest is a very good habitat for Elliot's with its primary forest protected by local people. However,
deforestration in this area occurred since 2001.We suggested that a provincial nature reserve should be established there as soon as possible in order to conserve the Elliot's Pheasant. (Liang Wei and Li Zhumei) Chinese Monal found in Xiangcheng County of Sichuan Province On 22nd September 2002, four Chinese Monals were observed by the birding group of Hong Kong Birdwatching Society in Xicheng County, Sichuan Province. This site is very close to the Da Xue Shan of Zhongdian County, Yunnan Province. It is the most south record of sites for Chinese Monal. (Han Lianxian) Investigation of the fragmentation of Reeve's Pheasant in Dabie Mountains From 2001 to 2002, we conducted a survey of habitat use and conservation status of Reeve's Pheasant in Dabie Shan. This project was jointed supported by WWF Small Grants and WPA. The distribution,habitat use, population densities, threats and conservation status of Reeve's Pheasant were investigated in Jinzhai, Yuexi of Anhui Province, Luoshan, Xinxian, Shangcheng of Henan Province, and Guangshui, Dawu of Hubei Province. The most intensive studies were carried out in Dongzhai Nature Reserve. During the field work, six individuals were radiotagged and tracked through the breeding season, 5 nests had been found. Our work has promoted to the management of nature reserves. During the year, Dongzhai had raised its level from a provincial reserve to a national nature reserve; and Liankang Shan had completed the action plan to improve its management. (Zhang Zhengwang) Report on studies of population dynamics of Tibetan eared pheasants Crossoptilon harman WT5BZ The field work of 2002 was continued in Xiongse monastery (29 27 N, 91 40 E) nearby Lhasa, Tibet. We investigated the size and composition of all Tibetan eared pheasant flocks occurring in the study area and found that the population had kept declining since the peak of 2000. Nesting success of the eared pheasants this year was lower than that last year. We also trapped and marked 28 individuals so that the number of marked individuals were over 120. Also, the data on social behaviors of the eared pheasants were gathered. (Lu Xin) The Progress of Sclater's Monal Project in Yunnan Supported by Yunnan Science Foundation and World Pheasant Association, the project of Sclater's Monal in Yunnan have made several important achievements. We have collected the data of population numbers, sex ratio, diet, home range and roosting sites in Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve. In April 2003, a nest was found on a rock at 3400m above sea level. The information of incubation behaviour and incubation rhythms
were also obtained. (Han Lianxian and Luo Xu) First Success of Radio-tracking Hen Reeve's Pheasant in China In the breeding season of 2003, the researchers from Beijing Normal University have been successfully tracking the hen Reeve's Pheasant in the natural habitat in Foping County, Shaanxi Province. Totally 4 hens have been radio-tagged and tracked by the technique of radio telemetry. All the 4 hens built nests and laid eggs. So far, the first nest has been successful hatched. (Zhang Xiaohui and Zhang Zhengwang) The Surveys of Gailliformes in Baisha County of Hainan Province During the surveys in 2003, several rare species of Galliformes, including Hainan Hill Partridge, Hainan Peacock Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl and Silver pheasant were found in Nankai forest, Baisha County of Hainan Province. We found the Nankai forest is an important habitat with nice primary forest for pheasants. A provincial nature reserve will be set up after our surveys. We suggested that more work should be done in this area. (Liang Wei and Shi Haitao) Wuliangshan Nature Reserve home 18 species of Galliformes This Nature Reserve is located in Yunnan Province. The species include Mrs.Hume's Pheasant, Chinese Francolin, Green Peafowl, Ring necked Hill Partridge, Scaly breasted Hill Partridge, Rufous throated Hill Partridge, Bar backed Hill Partridge, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Temminck's Tragopan, Silver Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Ring necked Pheasant and Lady Amherst's Pheasant. As there is no detail survey on Galliformes in this nature reserve, the Chief of the reserve wrote to WPA China expressing their interests to cooperate with WPA China to make a survey and they welcome our experts to conduct research in the reserve as well. (Zhang Zhengwang) Lady Amherst's Pheasant is increasing in some areas in Yunnan The areas include Cangshan of Dali City and Wuliangshan Nature Reserve in Nanjian County, Yunnan Province. The long-term monitoring project is on the way of planning. (Han Lianxian) The Green Peafowl in Western Yunnan Need Effective Protection We found several Green Peafowls in Xiaoheishan Nature Reserve in March 2003 during a field survey. But the wild population of Green Peafowl is threatened by the poisoning baits which the local farmers used for protect their crops. There are some cases of dead birds outside the nature reserve. We call for the local government take some effective measures to protect the Green Peafowl. (Han Lianxian)
The Breeding Results of Hunan Wildlife Rescue Center Hunan Wildlife Rescue Center was established in 1992 and it homes about 10 species of rare pheasants, including Cabot's Tragopan, Golden Pheasant, Reeve's Pheasant, Silver Pheasant and Elliot's Pheasant. Till May 10, 2003, we have hatched 91 Cabot's tragopan, 5 Temminck's tragopan, 145 Golden Pheasant, 5 Lady Amherst's Pheasant, 75 Elliot's Pheasant, 34 Reeve's Pheasnt and 252 Silver Pheasants. (Li Li) The Nesting Behavior of Captive Tragopans Our captive Tragopan hens are all encouraged to raise their own young. The first year that a hen makes her nest and sits on the eggs, she chooses a site where she can sit high in the nest and see what is going on around her. She is very visible, but she can see any possible predators and dangers. She remains very alert throughough the incubation period. As she becomes more experienced at nesting, she chooses to make a much deeper nest, where she can be totally concealed; often she cannot see out of the nest. However, she also seems much more relaxed and is often asleep in the nest, thus saving much energy prior to hatching time. when she will need to be extra vigilant. One small problem we have found is that, because we use nesting baskets for our tragopans, the experienced hens build such deep nests that the chicks find great difficulty in getting out of the baskets after they hatch. It would be interesting to see how much of this behaviour is replicated in the wild. (John Corder) Funding Success for Sichuan Partridge Forest Conservation Project The Sichuan partridge forest conservation project has received over 24,000 pounds of funding for the development of two new nature reserves in southern Sichuan. The funding has been donated by the North of England Zoological Society based at Chester Zoo in the U.K. and by Mr. James Goodhart who is a supporter of the World Pheasant Association, also in the U.K. The money will pay for training of local people in wildlife conservation skills, the development of infrastructure such as a field station at one of the reserves and for surveys of local biodiversity to be carried out. The reserves, one at Laojunshan in Pingshan county and the other at Mamize in Leibo county, consist of valuable broadleaf forest habitat, home of the endangered Sichuan partridge Arborophila rufipectus. They also contain other Chinese endemic birds like the Gold fronted Fulvetta Alcippe variegaticeps and the Omei Shan Liocichla Liocichla omeiensis. They are high in biodiversity and support a wide range of plants and animals. The reserves are managed by local people under the direction of the Sichuan Forestry Department and the project is co-ordinated by Dai Bo who works for the Wildlife Division in the Forestry Department. The funding of these reserves will ensure that the habitat can be managed effectively for the conservation of endemic birds in Sichuan. Simon Dowell Waterbird Research
Black faced Spoonbills with band and telemetry were found in the east of Chongming Beach. Three flocks of Black faced Spoonbills ( Platalea minor ) with one having band and telemetry were found in the east of Chongming Beach on April 1 and 2, 2002. According to Simba Chen of Wild Bird Society of Japan, the bird was banded in Mai, Hong Kong. On April 19, another flock of 21 individuals was seen in the same region. Yu Weidong from Shanghai Normal University had recorded more than 60 individuals of the species. All data suggest that the estuary of Yangtze River is an important stage in the migration route of the Black faced Spoonbills. (Ma Zhijun) Hooded Cranes founded in the east of Chongming Beach. 101 individuals of the Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) were observed in the east of Chongming Beach in the winter, 2002. The flock left the region in the end of March, 2003. According to the investigation of Xu Ling, East China Normal Universtiy, the birds arrived at the beach as early as October 28, 2002. Therefore, the wintering period of the bird should be about 5 months. However, measures should be taken to protect the habitat of bird, which has been threatened by the reclamation and the invasion of the herb. (Ma Zhijun) The investigation of the Dunlin during the non-breeding period The dunlin (Calidris alpina) was one of the most common birds in the migration route between East Asia and Australia. In January, 2003, M. Barter of the Wetlands International and Lei Gang of East Dongting Lake Nature Reserve had investigated the dunlin in Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui Province and recorded 47739 individuals, among which more than one half were in Hunan Province and the biggest flock in Caizi Lake of Anhui had 6493 individuals. According to the result, it is estimated that there are more than 200,000 dunlins lived in the middle and lower part of Yangtze River during the non breeding period. So the region is very important to protect the dunlins. The investigation of birds in Jiuduansha Wetlands Nature Reserve Jiuduansha Island is located in the estuary of Yangtze River. To help the reserve to apply for the national nature reserve,had investigated the bird resources in the region for four times during Oct., 2002-Jan., 2003.It is recorded that there are more than 70 species, including two species of national second class protected birds, the Black faced Spoonbill and the Tundra Swan, and some raptors. According to some investigations carried out in recent years, the number of species of birds in Jiuduansha has been rapidly increasing resulted from the increase of the beach where the birds live. (Ma Zhijun) Qi'Ao Island Mangrove Wetland of Zhuhai One of Several Wintering Habitats Left in the Delta of the Pearl River Qi'Ao Island Mangrove Wetland, Mai Po of Hong Kong and Futian of Shenzhen form a
triangle around the estuary of the Pearl River, which is one of several wintering habitats left in the region.since its discovery by related units and us, the mangrove wetland has been protected and restored and will be set up as an important waterbirds reserve. During the investigation for two years, we have found 93 species of birds in the wetlands, 7 of which belong to national second class protected wildlife. Moreover, there are more than 10 thousand of birds living in the region in the winter. Qi'Ao Wetland will surely become an important wintering habitat of waterbirds in the Delta of the Pearl River in the future! (Gao Yuren) The Black faced Spoonbill found in Henan Province 13 Black-faced Spoonbills in Lingao County and 1 have been found in Dongzhaigangin Henan Province in 2002. Although We didn't find the bird in Yinggehai, Ledong County, the local government had seen two individuals in 2001 and 2002 respectively. (Liang Wei and Zhang Guogang) The special investigation of the wintering waterbirds, the Black-faced Spoonbill and the Saunders's Gull According to the agreement on conservation of migratory birds between China and Japan, the National Bird Banding Center had organized a special team to investigate the wintering waterbirds, the Black-faced Spoonbill and the Saunders's Gull (Larus saunersi) in the coastal wetlands in Jiangsu, Chongming of Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangxi and Hainan for five months. We found that, apart form Mai Po of Hong Kong and Zengwenxikou of Taiwan, there were some distribution areas of the Black-faced Spoonbill in the Mainland, including Yancheng of Jiangsu, Chongming of Shanghai, the estuary of Min River of Fujian, Dongzhaigang and Lingao of Hainan. Chongming, the estuary of Min River and Lingao are new distribution areas, more works should be taken to examine their stability. As to the Saunders's Gull, we have found 20 wintering populations in Jiangsu (1040 individuals), Zhejiang (1335) and Fujian(231) provinces. We also recorded about 450 individuals of the White Spoonbill ( Platalea regia) in Yancheng,5 Tundra Swans in Ninghai, Zhejiang, and 3 Spot-billed Pelicans( Pelecanus philippensis) in the estuary of the Min River. (Zhang Guogang) GEF and its implementation in China The GEF item shared by four countries, China, Russia, Kazakstan and Iran will be initiated in JuneChina accounts for 40% of the 10,000,000 dollars' item. Zhalong Nature Reserve of Heilongjiang, Momoge and Xianghai of Jilin, Ke'erqin of Inner Mongalia and Poyang Lake of Jiangxi have been selected as the implementation areas from 2003 to 2009. (Qian Fawen) Small items on the crane conservation net among nature reserves will be initiated. In order to promote the the crane conservation network of China, the Wildlife
Conservation Department of the State Forestry Administration will set up some small items to encourage the reserves to carry out the action plan. Currently, 10 reserves have applied for items. (Qian Fawen) The investigation of wintering cranes in the Poyang Lake From January 1~9, 2003, the National Bird Banding Center and Jiangxi Province cooperatively organized the investigation of wintering cranes in the Poyang Lake. We have investigated 68 wetlands around Poyang Lake and found that there were nearly 300,000 birds of more than 40 species. (Qian Fawen) The breeding of the Crested Ibis in Beijing Zoo Funded by the State Forestry Administration, Science and Technology Committee of Beijing City and the Garden Bureau of Beijing City, we have successively conducted the research on the artificial feeding and breeding of the Crested Ibis (Nipponia Nippon ),the study on improving the population viability and the experimental study on the natural brooding of the species. Currently, we have succeeded in the natural brooding of the Crested Ibis and alternate brooding between the Crested Ibis and the Black headed Ibis ( Therskiornis melanocephalus). We plan to repeat the experiment this year in order to provide basic data for the restoration of the migratory populations of the Created Ibis. (Liu Bin and Li Fulai) White eared Night Herons ( Gorsachius magnificus ) Found in Jiulianshan Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province In 2003, we have found 8-10 individuals of the White-eared Night Herons in Jiulianshan Nature Reserve. In fact, we began to search the birds since 2001, but finally observed them in 2003. The photo of a wounded adult has been identified by specialists from the CAS and Hong Kong. (Tang Peirong, Liao Chengkai) Bird Banding Research The Bird Banding Summary Meeting of Heilongjiang was held in Harbin. 2001 2002 Bird Banding Summary Meeting of Heilongjiang was held in Harbin in January, 2003.22 colleagues from different units attended the meeting. In recent years, more birds and more species have been banded in China. especially The meeting emphasis three key tasks of 2003: 1) improve the quality and reduce the mistakes; 2) increase the number of banded waterbirds and raptors; 3) grant the Bird Banding Certificate to the staff. (Hou Yunqiu) The general situation of bird banding in the spring of 2003 It is reported that there are 12 14 organizations in 7 provinces that begin to band
the birds.three stations of which, Gaofeng Forestry Station of Nenjiang, Qingfeng Forestry Station of Xinglong and Bird Research Center of Liaoning, have banded nearly 10,000 birds. (Hou Yunqiu) Europe firstly re-captured the Common Redpoll banded by China. The Common Redpoll ( Carduelis flammea ) banded by China was firstly re-captured in Norway, which attracted the European ornithologists. Some years before, two Common Redpolls from Finland and Sweden respectively were re-captured in Heilongjiang Province, China. In recent years, Heilongjiang Province has made great success in the bird banding by implementing the strategy of the State Forestry Administration, which results in the increase of the number of banded birds. So Europe can re-capture the banded bird from China. (Chu Guozhong) Brief Reports Study on the home range and environmental monitoring of the Tree Sparrow Passer ( montanus) Levels of metal contaminants start to accumulate in higher species in the food chain and so it is these species that offer the best opportunity to monitor these pollutants in the environment. As birds are conspicuous and are often easier to study than other species, they are ideal for fulfilling this role. Tree Sparrow is a sedentary species and always forages near towns, farms and other places close to human in Beijing. It is widespread and non-endangered species. Therefore, it might be a proper species to monitor the local environment. Supported by the NNSF (No. 30170187), we studied whether the Tree Sparrow is a potential good biomonitors for point source contamination. Using radiotracking, we counted the home range of the Tree Sparrow is about 7600m2 by 90 harmonic mean transformation. The forage site and home range of Tree Sparrow are steady during study of which imply that it is a potential species for monitoring point-pollute environment. Differences in heavy metal concentrations between adults and chicks, among different locations, between different types of tissues are distinct, but there are no significant differences of heavy metals concentrations between female and male. The eggs laid in the first brood had relatively higher concentrations of mucury (p 0.04 *) than those in the second ones. The metal levels but nickel and manganese in ventral feathers of Eurasian Hoopoe are lower than those in Tree Sparrow. Therefore, we must have a good knowledge of the ecology parameters of the bird before selecting it as the indicative animal. The concentrations of heavy metals in Tree Sparrow are high. There are remarkable relationships among the elements. Most importantly, the relationships of the metals concentration among feathers and tissues are significant. Organochlorines are accumulated mainly on feathers. All above indicate that Tree Sparrow is a feasible species for monitoring the environment. Although feathers are the most common tools for the monitoring, different moult stages should be considered. (Pan Chao and Zheng Guangmei)
Ecological and conservational research on the Xinjiang Ground Jay Funded by the NNSF and the WWF-China Program, we had investigate the distribution, breeding and conservation status of the Xijiang Ground Jay ( Podoces biddulphi ) in the Takelamagan Desert for March to April in 2003 and found 18 nests. (Ma Ming) The wintering and breeding habitats of the Saker Falcon It is reported that the falcon ( Falcon cherrug ) distributes in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Tibet Doctor Potapov from the Falcon Institute of the Bird Center of the British and Ma Ming from the CAS cooperatively investigate the wintering and breeding habitats of bird in the above-mentioned areas from April to June, 2003. Up to date, we have found some new breeding areas in the 4000-5000m high mountains. (Ma Ming) Chestnut-tailed Bee Eaters was observed in Zhuhai A flock of 5 Bee eaters ( Merops philippinus ) were observed in Qi' Ao Mangrove Wetlands, Zhuhai, Guangdong, which is infrequent in the region. (Gao Yuren) Wild birds come to our city Because of the enlargement of Guangzhou, many wild birds formerly living in the downtown are observed in the city. The Chinese Bulbul ( Pycnonotus sinensis ) maybe the first guest coming to our city twenty or thirty years before, then the White Wagtail ( Motacilla alba ), the Common Tailorbird ( Orthotomus sutorius ), the Yellow bellied Prinia ( Prinia flaviventris ), the Japanese Whiteeye ( Zosterops japoncus ), the Barn Sparrow ( Hirundo rustica ), the Blackbird ( Turdus merula ), even the Common Kestrel ( Falcon tinnunculus ) frequently visits to the city. (Gao Yuren) Some fieldworks in Hubei Province 1.From July 2 9, 2001, we had observed many species in the Liangzi Lake, Hubei, which are listed as: Great Crested Grebe ( Podices cristatus ), Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ), Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta ), Chinese Egret ( Egretta eulophotes), Ringed Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula ), Grey headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus), Cotton Pygmy Goose ( Nettapus Coromandelianus ), and Brown Crake (Amaurornis akool). 2.Some species observed in the Shenlongjia region are listed as: Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii), White capped Redstart ( Chaimarrornis leucocephalus), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosus), Little Forktail (Enicurus scouleri), Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus ), Black backed Forktail ( Enicurus immaculatus), Slaty backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus), Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasii), and Hair crested Drongo ( Dicrurus hottentottus). 3. Results of the investigation in the Longgan Lake Nature Reserve are listed as below: Silky Starling ( Sturnus sericeus), Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes), Whiskered Tern ( Chlidonias hybridus ), White winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus ),
Common Tern ( Sterna hirundo), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons ), Black Stork (Ciconia nigra ), Hooded Crane ( Grus monacha ), and Common Redshack ( Tringa totanus). 4. Some species observed in the Chenhu Wetlands Nature Reserve of Wuhan are listed as: Oriental White Stork ( Ciconia boyciana ), Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus), Tundra Swan ( Cygnus columbianus ), Great Egret (Egretta alba ) and some species of Anseriformes. (Hu Hongxing) News and Notes China Two reserves special in the conservation of herons and egrets will be established in Guangxi Province (1)Nanan Bird Nature Reserve The reserve is located in Nannan Village, Nanxiao Town, Huning County, Nanning City. There are four species of Ardedae, the Chinese Pond Heron (Aredola bacchus), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Green-backed Heron (Butorides striatus) and Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and more than 10,000 of them in this 349ha reserve.(2)wanheshan Bird Nature Reserve he reserve is located in the shore of Fangchenggang City, which is an important stage in the migration routes of birds and one of the most important breeding areas of the herons or egrets in the southeastern China. There are 10 species of the herons and egrets living in this 1620 ha reserve. (Zhou Fang) The status of the White-eared Night Heron Although it is reported there are some White-eared Night Herons ( Gorsachius magnificus) in China since 1990sh, our investigations show that the future of the birds is gray. Here is the summary. (1)The south of Guangxi It is argued that the largest breeding population of the species is in the south of Guangxi, but the number of the population is only about 50-60. Most birds of the population live in the degrading habitats below the height of 400m and they have been divided into several small populations. Although some measures have been taken to protect the birds, the lumbering and digging the root remain in the reserve. Moreover,the shrubbery where the birds live is replaced by eucalyptus woods. Therefore, frequent human disturbance is still a big threat to the existence of the species. (2)Chebaling of Guangdong A small population of the bird is in this region. (3)Shenlongjia of Hubei Mr. Zhong Lianfu had sampled four individuals of the bird from 1992 to 1994. During our investigation, we had found one nest, one adult and one chicken in the Wushanhu Reservoir. But the habitat had already been destroyed by the mining at the upstream and tourism in the left of the reservoir. (Zhou Fang) The wetlands for wintering birds in Xinken, Panyu, Guangdong It is an important wetland which located in the estuary of the Pearl River and has more than 3000ha. The wetland was authorized as the bird reserve by Guangzhou City
and was ever taken as the representative for applying for IBA three years ago. After the investigation for 4 years, we have recorded 60~80 species of birds Most birds in the reserve are wintering waterbirds, among which are some rare and endangered species. There are at most 10,000~20,000 birds in the wetland.the government of Guangzhou City determined to explore the region.if the wetland is replaced by factory, one of several habitats left for wanterbird in the Delta of the Pearl Region will disappear Therefore, we have appealed to the government to cease the plan by media and hope that more people will take part in the action for conserving the wetlands for birds. (Gao Yuren) The Edible nest Swiftlet is ecological extinct in Hainan. Funded by the Education Department of Hainan Province,had carried out the investigation of the Edible-nest Swift let (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Dazhou Island, Wanning, Hainan, which is the only distribution area of the bird in China. Up to 2002, only two nests were found in the island and the island had to be closed for conserving the bird for the third time. Therefore, we concluded that the bird is near ecological extinct in China. The extinction is caused by human's over-use and lacking of conservation. (Laing Wei and Shi Haitao) The Successful Visit to UK by WPA-China Invited by WPA International, Prof. Zheng Guangmei, President of COS & Chairman of WPA-China, and Zhang Zhengwang, Secretary of WPA-China, visited UK from 12 to 25th January 2003. They have attended WPA Council Meeting and presented a report of the work carried out by WPA-China. They also visited the Game Conservacy Trust, Crocket St. Thomas Wildlife Park, Chester Zoo, Newcastle University, Cambridge University, RSPB, BirdLife International and British Natural History Museum at Tring. The visit was very successful and fruitful. Zhang Zhengwang The list of candidates for the national tree, bird and flower of China will be declared The State Forestry Administration declared that they would organize the related organizations to select the national tree, bird and flower of China. The plan for the selection and the list of candidates for the three national symbols will be declared The final result will be authorized by the NPC of China. Professor Hu Hongxing is awarded Global Award. After honored as the National Advanced Model of Environment Education, Prof. Hu Hongxing of Wuhan University was awarded Global Award on April 22, 2002, which is the highest award in the scope of environment conservation of China. News and Notes Abroad
WPA Galliform Symposium 2004 The next WPA Galliform Symposium will be held in Dehra Dun, India from 5 th to 7 th April 2004. It is hoped that delegates will arrive in Dehra Dun on Sunday 4 th April, attend the formal symposium, and travel on to Corbett National Park for a further three-day stay. The symposium will be hosted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).Dehra Dun is six hours drive from Corbett NP. The party visited Claridges Hideaway Hotel and the adjacent Riverside Resort. Both are five minutes from the entrance to Corbett and look to be ideal locations for post-symposium workshops and discussions. WPA-China plan to organize a delegation to attend this Symposium. If you want to attend this Symposium, please prepare to submit your papers to Prof. Zhang Zhengwang, Secretary of WPA-China, c/o College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University (e-mail: zzw@bnu.edu.cn Gurney's Pitta rediscovered in Myanmar BirdLife International announced the rediscovery after 89 years of Gurney's Pitta, one of the rarest and most beautiful birds in the world, in southern Myanmar. The discovery was made by a team of conservationists from the Bird Enthusiasts and Nature Conservation Association (BENCA), the Department of Forests Kawthaung District, Tanintharyi Division, and BirdLife International following a month-long survey of lowland forest in southern Tanintharyi Division (Tenasserim), Myanmar. 3 The team found pittas at four lowland forest sites, with a maximum of 10-12 pairs at one of these, all sites were close to historical collecting localities. The last confirmed record of Gurney's Pitta from Myanmar was in 1914. Zhang Zhangwang from OBC website New book: Waterbird Population Estimates Third Edition has been published recently. This publication sets the global standard in presenting estimates of the numbers and trends of waterbird populations throughout the world. It will be an important reference for the research and conservation management of the waterbirds. Full colour throughout; viii + 226 pages, 840 maps, 63 colour photographs, 4 tables, 2 figures. This book could be downloaded from <http://www.wetlands.org /pubs&/ WPE.htm> in PDF format. You can also order the hardcopy report from the Natural History Book Service<http:// www.nhbs.com/xbscripts/bkfsch>. (DING Chang Qing) The Released HBW Volume 8 Broadbills to Tapaculos. Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol.8 Broadbills to Tapaculos will be published by the famous Lynx Edicions of Spain in June 2003. It is the first volume covering the passerines. The species included in this volume are Eurylaimidae, Philepittidae, Pittidae, Furnariidae, Dendrocolaptidae, Thamnophilidae, Formicariidae, Conopophagidae and Rhinocryptidae. It contains over 400 photographs and 81color plates. Price 160 Euros. For more detail please visit the website: www. hbs. com. Zhang zhengwang
The 6th Ornithological Symposium between Mainland & Taiwan China The 6th Ornithological Symposium between Mainland & Taiwan will be opened in Taiwan Nature Museum, Taizhong City, Taiwan in November, 2003. With the efforts of both sides, the preparing work has been done. By reviewing the application and related papers, the delegation of Mainland is formed with Prof. Liu Nafa, vice-chairman of COS, as the head and Prof. Song jie as the secretary-general. The succeeding correspondence will be charged by, Prof. Song Jie.The further information about the conference will be informed as early as possible. (Song Jie)