Birding at Mottama (Gulf of Martaban) (Fourth Ramsar Site in Myanmar)
Tour Information
| Tour Code | BNTM-BGM |
| Destination | Yangon-Mottama- Yangon |
| Duration | 4Days/3Nights |
| Expected Species | 30 or more out of recorded species 47 |
| Other Attraction | Golden Rock, Belin and environs |
The Gulf of Mottama, also called the Gulf of Martaban, is situated at the mouth of the Sittaung which is an arm of the Andaman Sea in the southern part of Myanmar between Kyaikto and Bilin townships in Mon State. The Site covers an area of 42,500 hectares. The Gulf has a tidal range of between six and seven metres; the mouth, which is around 100 kilometres wide, narrows into a funnel-shaped bay to produce a powerful bore phenomenon that can reach heights of over a metre on spring tides in the upper estuary. As a result the tidal mudflats of the Gulf are among the largest in the world. The Gulf of Mottama is the fourth wetland in Myanmar to be designated a Ramsar site. The Site supports a large number of species including marine fish, invertebrates and up to 90,000 migratory water-birds in the non-breeding season. The site may be host to more than half of the remaining population of critically endangered Spoon-billed sandpipers (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus). The Gulf of Mottama also supports the livelihoods of thousands of people by providing fish for local and regional consumption. The designation of the Site as a Wetland of International Importance was made possible through consultations between government and local communities. The good season for birding so called Spoon-billed Sandpiper Expectation at that area is from November to March, migration season in Myanmar, some shore birds have been great chance to see.
Bird species which can be seen mostly:
Day 1: Yangon – Mottama
After breakfast, our English speaking bird guide and driver will pick you up from the Airport or from the hotel and drive to Mawlamyine in Mon State. From there, we will proceed to Mottama gulf and do birding at the site. In this site, we can find the famous Spoon-billed Sandpiper, if we are lucky. In the evening, we go back to Mawlamyine and do hotel check-in and take rest. Stay overnight at the hotel in Mawlamyine or at the camp on island.
Day 2: Mottama Gulf birding
After breakfast, we left the hotel for birding at the Mottama birding site the whole day. In the evening, we go back to the hotel and take rest. You can stroll to the hotel’s environs in the evening. Stay overnight at the hotel in Mawlamyine or at the camp on island.
Day 3: Motta Gulf and its environs birding
After breakfast, we go to the birding site and do birding the whole day as the day before. Then, we return back to the hotel in the evening and take rest. Stay overnight at the hotel in Mawlamyine.
Day 4: Mawlamyine – Yangon
After breakfast, we do hotel check-out and return back to Yangon by car. If time allowed, we can visit Hpa-an and do birding a moment. On arrival Yangon, we will send you to the hotel or to the Yangon International Airport and say good bye.
