The floodplain grasslands of Pursat Province support a number of bird species that are absent from the Florican Grasslands closer to Siem Reap. Star of the show is Chinese Grassbird (formerly Rufous-rumped Grassbird), only discovered here in 2013 at this, one of only two sites in Southeast Asia where they’ve been seen in the last 80 years! With a bit of patience and an early start from the hotel the grassbird is relatively easy to see.
One thing that strikes you about the grasslands in Pursat is the abundance of seed-eating birds. All three weavers should be seen, along with Black-headed Munia and Red Avadavet. Warblers are another feature of this site. Large-flocks of Yellow-breasted Bunting can also be seen, one of the few sites globally where that statement is still true. Lanceolated and Rufous-rumped can be seen with patience.
Small Buttonquail is usually flushed without trying too hard, but seeing one on the ground is more of a challenge. Blue-breasted Quail are fairly common, and you should make a special effort to look for Australasian Bushlark – the Southeast Asian taxon is now extremely rare and restricted to few sites.
With all of those birds to see it’s easy to forget that this is also a good place for harriers. Keep watching the sky as well as the ground because any of a number of Aquilla eagles and large waterbirds are possible.
Seasons
In typical years, only accessible between January and June; otherwise flooded. Migrants only present from January-April.
Habitats
Seasonally flooded tall inner-floodplain grassland with some areas of scrub and agricultural land.
Planning a trip
