Ang Trapeang Thmor

Ang Trapeang Thmor is a reservoir and the grassland and scrub around it, protected as a sarus crane reserve: the tall grey cranes with red heads gather here in the dry season in numbers that make it one of the most important sites for the species in Southeast Asia, feeding on tubers in the drawdown zone as the water falls. The reserve also holds a small population of Eld's deer, one of the last in Cambodia, along with a long list of waterbirds and raptors. Observation points and a tower overlook the water. Birdwatching trips are arranged through conservation organisations or from Siem Reap. Outside the crane season the reserve is quiet and the reason to come largely disappears.

History

The reservoir lies on the line of an ancient Angkorian causeway. The reserve was set up in 1999 to protect the eastern sarus crane, then thought to number fewer than 1,000 birds in the world, and in 2016 it became a protected landscape of 126.50 square kilometres (Wikipedia, Ang Trapeang Thma).

The landscape

• Sarus cranes - flocks feeding in the reservoir drawdown zone.
• Eld's deer - one of the last Cambodian herds, seen with luck.
• The reservoir - open water with observation points around it.
• Waterbirds and raptors - the wider bird list of the wetland.

When to go

January to April is the crane season, when water levels drop and the birds concentrate; numbers peak around February and March. Outside those months there is little to see and access is harder.

Before you go

Cranes are distant and a telescope makes the difference. Eld's deer sightings are unlikely. The reserve has minimal facilities and the roads in are rough. It is a long trip from Siem Reap and best arranged with a specialist guide.

Nearby

Sisophon lies southwest; Banteay Chhmar is north.

Key facts