Your possible rediscovery of Edwards's Pheasant Dear John,
My friends and I were thrilled by your blog from 2009 describing the rediscovery of the critically endangered Edwards's Pheasant, which we accidentally got knowledge of just now.
Since many years WPA, Viet Nature and EAZA are working for the conservation of this species in- and ex-situ, and one of our priority goals is to find any remaining populations of the species in the wild after the last confirmed sighting some ten years ago. So if your sighting could be confirmed it would be the most recent sighting and would give some hope for the existence of a remaining wild population.
Do you still remember, whether you saw a male or a female and are you sure about the phenotype of the bird? As you may know, there were similar "species" described in the past, namely the "Imperial Pheasant" ( A hybrid between Edwards's Pheasant and Annamese Silver Pheasant, according to actual scientific knowledge) and the "Vietnamese Pheasant" (Looks like Edwards's, but with some white tail feathers; actually a wild mutation of the Edwards's Pheasant).
Have you been back to Bach Ma or other places in Vietnam since 2009 on the search for the Edwards's Pheasant, or are you perhaps planning a return?
I would be very interested in hearing any details around your sensational rediscovery of the Edwards's Pheasant.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
with best regards,
Heiner Jacken
Hi Heiner, good to hear from you. As regards to our brief but definite encounter with Edward's Pheasant. The whole reason for visiting Bach Ma was for the chance of an encounter. I can state that the bird was a male and I'm 99% sure my I.D. was correct. I actually looked for the signs (white tail feathers) so as to identify the Vietnamese Pheasant but their were none. I'm also sure it wasn't the cross breed Imperial Pheasant. The bird we saw had a white crest which was raised. I distinctly remember how striking the iridescent covert feathers were. This day will haunt me forever because as you know I'd just packed away my cameras, it would have been an easy photo opportunity. We were so near the park center and the rain was starting I just thought the days pheasant spotting was over. I've never made this mistake since I can assure you. The encountered lasted maybe only 10 seconds but when you see a bird for the first time, especially a species you've gone in search for 10 seconds seems like ages.
I'm really sorry I can't give you 100% photo I.D. but as an experienced bird watcher I'm very confident to what species we saw.
We would love to go back to Vietnam and Bach Ma in particular. It is on our list to return. We spend a large portion of our time traveling the World photographing natural history and we realise that Vietnam and the rest of S.E. Asia needs some further exploration. I'm totally confident that in 2009 at least there was a remnant population still there.
I'd love to hear more about your research so please feel free to contact me directly at coco942001@yahoo.co.uk or viddapublishing@gmail.com
Regards
John Hodges
Good times Hi John hope you are well?
Geordie John gave me a call and mentioned the blog. Liz and I often reminisce of our great holidays in Goa and of the special friends we made. Liz isn't so keen these days but I still love going back and catching up with the characters.
All the best Baz
Hi Baz & Mad Lizzie Great to hear from you Baz, I hope you're both well. Pili and I are planning a return to Goa in Dec 2015, it would be great for a big reunion. Pili sends her love. Regards John
Friends in goa Hia John & pili how you keeping ok I hope aim still in goa every year all there as well apart from ranjit he is no longer with us all the best Geordie John
Tussock pix Hi John, we are repositioning our little country hotel in Otago on the way to the Dunstan Trail the goldminers used in the 1800s. We want to put together a composite image that we will use as a mural. One of your tussock pictures might fit the background. Could you let me know what sort of arrangement you would be happy with. As an early indication we might photoshop overlays like trudging miners or a clydesdale dray. Thanks. Jim
Great blog I am from Nova Scotia and am heading to Tirtiri in early Nov. I read your blog with great interest. Well done and well written. The Kokako pic was super. My son has challenged me to get a photo of this bird. I hope I will be as lucky as you!
Nature's miracle of real Beauty i love Dandeli,when twice visited i cant forget it's real beauty in india,green dence attracts me a lot here,if someone want a real peace come here and spend a little time in the vicinity of the nature and true pleasure of wild life.....thanks
Orang Utan of Borneo Hi, thanks for the comment. Did you have a look at my other entries for my time in Borneo, I had a very special encounter with a beautiful female Orang-Utan in Poring Spring, I think you'll really like the photos.
Regards
John Hodges
Orang-Utan of Sepilok Hi Lise, sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I've been very busy since my return to the UK.
Concerning your enquiry about W. Smith, I'm sorry I've never heard of this man. I do suggest you contact the Sepilok Nature Resort they may be able to help you. You can contact them through www.sepilok.com
I'd be very interested to know if you manage to find this person, it sounds like a great story.
Regards
John Hodges
orang-outan Smith Bonjour, I am from Québec and i saw a film on tv once about what was hapening to the orang-outan in Bornéo by a certain W. Smith who went to Bornéo to study trees. But one day he went to the market in the city and saw a baby O-O for sale. He didn't know what to do. So he went back home to the center and felt so bad about doing nothing for the little animal. He decided to go back the next day. He saw the same baby in the garbage practekely dead. He took the baby and ran off with him while the merchant was yaling you stole my goods. So M.Smith tried in vain to save the O-O. etc.......
Could you tell me where i can reach this M.Smith, is he still working there for the O-O.
Thank you for your kindness and fantastic work trying to save the world ! We have too !!!!
Lise Balcer
Thank You Reading your blog made me feel like I am really there in Vietnam. I agree with you 100%. Vietnam has a "money first policy" to all tourists and even local people. I am an American-Vietnamese and was there in April 2009. I didn't go through what you'd been through because I was so 'chicken' to venture like you do, and I admire your bravery. Although I did have some bad experiences there because they know I am not from Vietnam and tried to rob me blind and I didn't fight back like you did. It is sad that such a beautiful country is ruin by greed and hostile. Once again, thank you for sharing your experiences and pictures are great! Really enjoy your blog.
Hi Den & Helen Hi guys, are still out there? I sent you a couple of emails but haven't heard back from you. We just left Borneo, now I'm sat at a mates in Singapore and we are off to Cambodia 2moro afternoon. Things are going great for us, we both hope things are good for you also. Would love to hear from you.
your buddy John
p.s. say hi to fred & dave 4 me
wonderful caring couple Well you"ve done it again JOHN GREAT BLOG ,i new all those nature walks when you were young would help to mould you into a caring human being and of course now you are doing what you have always wanted to do and with a partner like pilar by your side nothing impossible. love mom xxxxx
Heiner Jacken
non-member comment
Your possible rediscovery of Edwards's Pheasant
Dear John, My friends and I were thrilled by your blog from 2009 describing the rediscovery of the critically endangered Edwards's Pheasant, which we accidentally got knowledge of just now. Since many years WPA, Viet Nature and EAZA are working for the conservation of this species in- and ex-situ, and one of our priority goals is to find any remaining populations of the species in the wild after the last confirmed sighting some ten years ago. So if your sighting could be confirmed it would be the most recent sighting and would give some hope for the existence of a remaining wild population. Do you still remember, whether you saw a male or a female and are you sure about the phenotype of the bird? As you may know, there were similar "species" described in the past, namely the "Imperial Pheasant" ( A hybrid between Edwards's Pheasant and Annamese Silver Pheasant, according to actual scientific knowledge) and the "Vietnamese Pheasant" (Looks like Edwards's, but with some white tail feathers; actually a wild mutation of the Edwards's Pheasant). Have you been back to Bach Ma or other places in Vietnam since 2009 on the search for the Edwards's Pheasant, or are you perhaps planning a return? I would be very interested in hearing any details around your sensational rediscovery of the Edwards's Pheasant. Looking forward to hearing from you, with best regards, Heiner Jacken