Current view: Text account
Site description (2004 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA comprises Sanambin Non-hunting Area, a perennial reservoir, created in 1975, and consisting of 200 ha of open water surrounded by marshes. The reservoir is an important local fishery and provides a water supply for Pha Khon Chai district. The reservoir is fed by several small streams, and the main outflow is via irrigation and municipal water supply canals. Water depth generally averages 2 to 3 m. A causeway divides the site into two parts. The dominant aquatic vegetation fringing the open water includes Nymphoides indicum, N. lotus and Salvinia cucullata, while the dominant vegetation in the marshes around the reservoir includes Scirpus grossus, S. mucronatus and Eleocharis dulcis. Surrounding areas support rice paddies, grazing land and patches of deciduous dipterocarp woodland.
Sanambin Non-hunting Area is an important wintering site for waterbirds, particularly herons and egrets. Each year, the site supports a significant number of waterfowl, including over 1% of the Asian biogeographic populations of Great Egret Casmerodius albus and Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia. Two globally threatened species have been recorded at the site, although not in significant numbers: Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis. In addition, the globally near-threatened Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala was recorded in 1999 and 2004 but, again, the site does not regularly support significant numbers. The site is also one of the only localities in Thailand where Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, a nationally threatened species, regularly occurs. Northern Pintail Anas acuta and Garganey A. querquedula are present, sometimes in thousands. Moreover, the site supports substantial wintering roosts of Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica; in January 2004, over 10,000 birds were counted roosting at the site.
Non-bird biodiversity: No information is available about other globally threatened species at the site.
The IBA comprises Sanambin Non-hunting Area, a perennial reservoir, created in 1975, and consisting of 200 ha of open water surrounded by marshes. The reservoir is an important local fishery and provides a water supply for Pha Khon Chai district. The reservoir is fed by several small streams, and the main outflow is via irrigation and municipal water supply canals. Water depth generally averages 2 to 3 m. A causeway divides the site into two parts. The dominant aquatic vegetation fringing the open water includes Nymphoides indicum, N. lotus and Salvinia cucullata, while the dominant vegetation in the marshes around the reservoir includes Scirpus grossus, S. mucronatus and Eleocharis dulcis. Surrounding areas support rice paddies, grazing land and patches of deciduous dipterocarp woodland.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Conversion of wetlands to agriculture and over-fishing are considered to be the two main threats to biodiversity at the site.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sanambin (Thailand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sanambin-iba-thailand on 27/12/2024.
