Training on how to collect information in the field.

Biodiversity in Vietnam has been declining at a rapid rate due to habitat loss and degradation, especially in natural forests. The remaining natural forest is now also being fragmented. Improving the conservation of biodiversity in Vietnam is a critical issue of concern. Raptors and raptor migration are poorly studied in Vietnam. There have only been a few studies so far, the most notable being the studies by Tordoff et al. (2003) and Davison et al. (2005).

This project will be an integrated work to address conservation problems and enhance raptor and bird conservation in Vietnam. The project will identify and list all migratory raptor species. The migration routes of every species will be mapped. The project will collaborate with the raptor migration project of the Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network to compare data and link with migration routes within the region. Potential roosting or stopover sites of species will be identified. Any threats to migratory raptors will be documented. Recommendations for the protection of migratory species will be produced and the awareness of local people and communities raised.

The project will be conducted at Hoang Lien–Sa Pa, Tam Dao and Cuc Phuong National Parks. This project will be the first comprehensive study of raptor migration in northern Vietnam, spanning three different and important national parks. Recruitment, training and coordination of team members from the three national parks will help long-term monitoring of migratory raptor species and spread understanding about the importance of raptors.

The project will identify important roosting or stopover areas for migratory raptor species, helping conservationists and decision makers to make informed decisions about land-use and infrastructure development, such as sighting of power lines. The information will also help national parks to develop more sustainable eco-tourism, using raptor migration as a focus. Awareness raising among local communities will be carried out during the surveys by showing posters, videos and migrating birds themselves.