Cotton Pigmy Goose, an uncommon bird on the west coast, seems to be expanding its range northward.

Mr. Barry Kyme, a birder visiting from England, reported seeing a flock of birds in a marsh near the Le Meridian Khao Lak. Lesser Whistling Duck are also present at the marsh and routinely outnumber the Pigmy Cotton Geese.

This could be a small flock which split from a larger group in Phuket and is now repopulating Phang Nga. I have a feeling it might also be a small group which was overlooked for many years, since few birders in Phang Nga spend time in wetlands and marshes, with most heading to the national parks and beaches. Cotton Pigmy Geese are found in Phuket, Surat Thani and Nakorn Sri Tammarat, with the largest numbers reportedly found in Talae Noi in Pattalung.

This is good news for this hardy species which, like the Comb Duck, were nearly hunted to extinction by locals a few decades ago. While the Comb Duck no longer exists in the south (or in extremely small numbers in very remote sites) the Cotton Pigmy Geese seem to be quietly making a comeback. Sadly, these waterbirds are facing a tough road to recovery due to the destruction of suitable habitat. Many wetlands and marshes are being filled in for commercial purposes or to be used as farmland. Ponds which are not filled in are popular hunting grounds for locals, who fish and trap birds for food.

Purple Swamphen, White Breasted Waterhen and Lesser Coucal are often seen for sale in local marketplaces. A Purple Swamphen is the size of a chicken and can feed a whole family, while White breasted Waterhen and Lesser Coucal are reported to go well in various curries and stir-fried dishes. Lesser Whistling Duck also surfaces at markets from time to time. One can only assume that one day the Cotton Pigmy Geese will follow suit as well.