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Supported by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), with funding from the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative, FORRU is contributing to a project called “Gurneys’ Pitta Research and Conservation in Thailand and Myanmar”, 2005-08. FORRU’s contribution is to assist local forestry staff to carry out the research needed to restore the habitat of Thailand’s most endangered bird species.
Left: male Gurneys' Pitta Above Right: female Gurney's Pitta (photo by 'sAwnOirOychAng)

This project is located in the southern province of Krabi in Thailand, where one of the last remaining patches of lowland tropical rainforest in Thailand grows. This is the habitat of the spectacular blue and yellow Gurneys' Pitta. This tiny remnant of tropical rain forest has been reduced to a fraction of its former size due to land clearance for oil palm and rubber plantations, so forest restoration will be crucial for the survival of the bird.

Below left: The stunning, but fast disappearing, Gurneys' Pitta habitat. Below right: A walk through the Wildlife Sanctuary, taking in some of the exotic surroundings.

What have we done so far?

With training from FORRU’s Dr. Elliott and Mr. Kuaraksa, a nursery has been established on local community land in collaboration with the Ban Tiew Environment Group and village leaders. In addition to producing trees for forest restoration, the nursery is also being used for educational activities for local school children. The nursery consists of an office/germinating room, a shaded standing down area, and has capacity for 10 000 seedlings.

CMU botanist, Mr. J.F. Maxwell has made several visits to the site to teach local forestry staff how to identify tree species indigenous to the area. More than 100 tree species have been recorded so far.

FORRU has hosted training sessions for Krabi staff in Chiang Mai and on-site in Krabi. Training has covered all aspects of setting up a forest restoration research unit. On-site training covered monitoring seed production of forest trees, seed collection and tree nursery techniques, including germination experiments, how to monitor seedling growth, data recording techniques and how to propagate wildlings. Social and community aspects were also considered, including a visit to Ban Mae Sa Mai in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

Left: Taweesak (Krabi staff) collecting local fruits and seeds beside the natural "Emerald Pool". Right: Cherdsak (FORRU research staff) demonstrating monitoring techniques for the nursery.

In August 2006, 4 rai of experimental plots were planted with 30 tree species. Their field performance is currently being monitored and soon we may have a list of which trees may act as “framework species” to promote recovery of Gurneys’ Pitta habitat.

What will happen in the future?

All this work will result in a forest restoration strategy for the area. Drafting the strategy will begin later this year.

Go to theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds website to find out more.