Scaly-sided Merganser on Birding Beijing
Scaly-sided Merganser is one of my favourite species – and also one of Birds Korea’s conservation priorities (see blog post on winter survey). I was a bit disturbed therefore when visiting the awesome Birding Beijing blog recently to read Terry Townshend’s account of a restaurant owner claiming to take Scaly-sided Merganser eggs (link to blog)!
This species already faces a number of threats (see BirdLife Factsheet). Is “harvesting” of eggs in China or elsewhere within its breeding range an additional danger to this beautiful and globally Endangered species? And if so, how can conservationists and birders help to lessen this threat?
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Read story2 Responses to Scaly-sided Merganser on Birding Beijing
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- Birdathon 2013: Matt Poll at Gageo (May 11th) - http://t.co/BDELqi9WtZ (soem great photos!)
- Bird News from Robin Newlin: Weiyon Island May 7 – 15: http://t.co/lVBGvkxg3P (inc stunning images of East Asian migrant birds)
- Bird news from Matt Poll: Gageo Island, May 09: Ryukyu Minivet (photo/1st (?) confirmed record for ROK) - http://t.co/iKiAWwqg2v
- Bird News, Various sites, May 13-15 - Nial Moores and Mark Harris (inc photo of singing Yellow-rumped Flycatcher!): http://t.co/UtBfFtO6QG
- Mokpo Namhang Urban Wetland, May 15 - Andreas Kim (more superb shorebird photos): http://t.co/iPFv3RxdfL
- Birdathon 2013: Team Spoony Report - Jason Loghry (some great photos): http://t.co/JFbd2fuVjj
By Terry Townshend 27/06/2012 - 9:48 pm
Update: I have it on good authority that the eggs are almost certainly NOT Scaly-sided Merganser. Good news. But it’s still worrying that a restaurant owner thinks it’s prestigious to serve them…! A local education programme is needed.
By Jason 27/06/2012 - 11:02 pm
Thanks Terry. Yes, heard from Dr. Solovyeva and the experts at WWT who have provided SSM egg photos as well. Waiting for a reply from others and will try to post an update soon. Thanks again!