Famous for its own Amazon, Berbak Sembilang National Park. Located 195 kilometers from Jambi, is Sungai Cemara Village, home to around 500 people and thousands of migrant waterbirds. Cemara Beach is one of the World Ramsar Sites, or wetlands considered to be of international importance, with migrant waterbirds as its asset. Bird monitoring is usually conducted twice a day; in the evening and at dusk.
Migrant birds have their own migratory route. Indonesia is a part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway that extends from breeding grounds in Siberia, China, and Alaska, to wintering grounds in Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
From this activity, the birdwatching team found 30 species of waterbirds in Cemara Beach with a population total of 13,357 birds. One of the sandpiper species observed was the Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), which holds a near threatened IUCN status. The total population in the world is estimated to be only 23,000.
The migrant waterbirds conservation is also important to save Sumatran tigers. Cemara Beach is located close to Berbak Sembilang National Park, the habitat of Sumatran tigers. Therefore, by conserving the ecosystem of the birds, we are also conserving those around them including the tigers.
Assignment for UNDP Indonesia
Blog that I wrote about the mission
Mini harbour in Nipah Panjang
Fishnet making at the harbour
"There are many birds in Sungai Cemara Village. You can see some birds in this area too!"
Lifeguards on duty
Fully packed speedboat
Anchoring the boat
Most of the villagers work as fishermen
Birdwatchers on a truck
Typical house in Sungai Cemara Village
Morning ride to the beach
Bird watching participants en route to the edge of the beach with their monocular
Pak Yus, an ornitologist, clad in camouflage pattern clothing from head to toe
En route to the shore
A migrant waterbird
Migrant waterbirds in the shorelines
Whiskered Tern
There were thousands of them
Surreal view of the beach at dusk