At low tide, the Mekong Delta coast opens into a vast feeding landscape for migratory shorebirds. This focused trip is timed around tide and season, with Spoon-billed Sandpiper as a priority target when it is present, alongside a much broader community of sandpipers, plovers and other coastal waterbirds. The experience is as much about understanding the mudflat ecosystem as it is about searching for one exceptionally rare bird.

Tan Thanh beach in the Go Cong, Dong Thap province (formerly known as Tien Giang province) is one of the best shorebirding site in Vietnam. The most highlighted species there is the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, which has wintered here every year since 2011. There are about 5 individuals which have regularly overwintered here during November through April.

Tan Thanh tidal mudflat - a preference site of Spoonies

Our target bird here is, of course, one of the rarest (perhaps 1,000 adult birds exist) and critically endangered bird species on Earth, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (SBSA). However, we will also look for the rare (500-1,000 in its population) and threatened Nordmann's Greenshank, and the new taxon, "White-faced Plover, as well as many other waders such as Broad-billed and Terek Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Red and Great Knot.

The globally threatend Spoon-biiled Sandpiper (CR) is the main target at Tan Thanh beach

Itinerary:

Our departure time from Ho Chi Minh City will be strategically planned around the local tide forecasts at Cua Tieu (see tide forecast at Cua Tieu). To ensure optimal birding conditions, we aim to arrive at Tan Thanh precisely during low tide , when the mudflats are exposed and bird activity peaks.

The drive from Ho Chi Minh City takes approximately 3 hours. We will aim to arrive with enough time to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee before heading out to search for our target species.

After a successful morning in the field, we will celebrate with an excellent local seafood lunch. Please note that if you do not eat seafood, alternative high-quality dietary options are gladly available upon request. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City after lunch.

Tour price:

• Included: Birdguide, travel by private car, lunch and entrance fees. Also provide birding spotting scope, bird ID manual.
• Excludes: Optional tipping and personal expense (beverage & alcohol drinking, etc).

Relevant tour

• One day birding tour around Ho Chi Minh city (1 day)
• Birding near Ho Chi Minh city - Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve (1 day)
• Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Waders in Go Cong (1 to 2 days)
• Tram Chim National Park - Special offer by Wildbird Hotel (2 days)
• Birds and Cultures in Mekong delta - Tram Chim National Park (3 days)
• Tan Phu - Orange-necked Partridge (2 days)
• Cat Tien National Park (3 to 4 days)

More information about the birding sites in Vietnam

• Mekong Delta
• Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve