In August, migrant waders arrive from their Siberian or Central Asian breeding grounds to join over-summering individuals. As many as 1,500 to 2,000 black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) use Bang Pu as a roosting site throughout the wintering months. Some 36 shorebird species have been recorded in the reserve including the greater sand plover (Charadrius leschenaulti), lesser sand plover (C. mongolus), little ringed plover (C. dubius), Kentish plover (C. alexandrinus), grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Pacific golden plover (P. fulva), marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), common redshank (T. tetanus), common greenshank (T. nebularia), ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), sandpipers and stints (Calidris spp.). Each winter, 6,000 to 8,000 brown-headed gulls (Larus brunnicephalus) feed and roost on the mudflats. Among them are the black-headed gull (L. ridibundus), black-tailed gull (L. crassirostris), Heuglin’s gull (L. heuglini), Mongolian gull (L. mongolus), Pallas’ gull (L. ichthyaetus), and slender-billed gull (L. genei). The common gull (L. canus), little gull (L. minutus) and black-legged kittiwake (L. tridactyla) were new records that were first discovered at the reserve. versicolora, Metopograpsus sp. and Uca annulipes. The mudflats also support substantial populations of shellfish, other crustaceans, and approximately 70 species of benthic fauna. The Establishment of the Bang Pu Nature Education Centre WWF Thailand recognized the potential of the Bang Pu Nature Reserve for nature education, due to its proximity to Bangkok and the presence of large populations of waterbirds and shorebirds. WWF Thailand illustrated the potential of the site to the RTA by inviting representatives to visit the Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong in March 2003, a wetland education centre managed by WWF Hong Kong. The Mai Po Nature Reserve had strong similarities with the Bang Pu site, being an extensive network of rehabilitated shrimp ponds, mangrove and coastal mudflats. Following this successful visit, the RTA and WWF Thailand agreed to establish the nation’s first urban nature education centre at Bang Pu in December 2002. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Commander-in-Chief of the RTA and the Country Representative of WWF Thailand on 20 August 2003. Under the agreement, the RTA pledged to take responsibility for the infrastructure, while WWF Thailand would provide the educational services. The site was designated as a Royal Project to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit, with the formal name Bang Pu Nature Education Centre. Following the signing of the MOU, corporate sponsorship was sought to develop the site. On 27 April 2004, Thai Life Insurance Public Co., Ltd. approved funding of educational activities for US$ 165,227 (6,543,000 baht) for three years. A reserve manager, four educational officers and an administration officer were appointed by WWF Thailand. Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. also agreed to finance provision of infrastructure components on 5 January 2006 for US$ 683,000 (20.5 million baht) covering an eight-year period. The nature education centre features a reception hall, a visitor centre, a small auditorium and office space, all of which are constructed at the entrance to the reserve. Facilities inside the reserve include an eight-meter high wildlife Figure 1. Brown Headed Gull in Bang Pu Nature Education Centre. Aside from the tremendous population of birds, the site supports notable populations of mangrove fauna, including water snakes and mudskippers. Recorded mudskippers include Periophthalmodon schlosseri, Boleophthalmus boddarti, P. septemradiatus, P. chrisospilos, P. septemradiatus, P. schlosseri. Fifteen species of crab have been recorded from the site, including the grapsid crabs Ilyogynis sp., Episesarma ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 85
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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