Diversity of birds and potential for avitourism in Pantai Manis, Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi, Johor.

Avitourism, or birdwatching tourism, refers to the activity of observing and identifying birds in their natural habitats, and has become a rapidly growing niche of ecotourism. Avitourism is highly beneficial to the economic development of the local communities and promotes in situ biodiversity conservation sustainably. While birdwatching is well-established in certain areas of Johor, the focus is only on the famous birdwatching hotspot areas such as Tanjung Piai, Endau- Rompin National Park and Panti Bird Sanctuary. Other areas remain understudied and their potential as avitourism sites has yet to be discovered. Hence, this study aims to provide a bird species checklist and evaluate the avitourism potential in Pantai Manis, Johor. A point-count survey method was used for the bird sampling by using a DSLR camera (Nikon D5600) with telephoto lens (AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm 1:4.5-6.3G ED) and a monocular (80x magnification). The data collection was carried out for 30 days between early August until early September 2021. Additionally, a set of questionnaires was distributed among 50 respondents from the local community and visitors to evaluate the potential of avitourism in Pantai Manis. A total of 36 bird species from 22 families were recorded. The bird assemblage comprised of one waterbird, eight shorebirds, three raptors and 25 common bird species. In present study, Pantai Manis recorded a high diversity value (D' = 0.9161 and H' = 2.8688). Based on the questionnaire survey, the results indicate that the respondents possess good knowledge about birds and ecosystems of Pantai Manis, which is essential for the development of avitourism in the area. Besides, their willingness and positive feedback to learn more about avitourism suggested that Pantai Manis has the potential to become a popular birdwatching site in Johor. The study further identifies the potential flagship species based on the criteria of good nature tourism products modified from WTO/UNDP. The species are Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia), Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) and Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis), which fulfill the criteria for avitourism such as safety, reliability of a sighting, morphological attractiveness, behavioral enticement, rarity, endemism, and cultural linkages. Therefore, this study concludes that Pantai Manis has a great potential to be developed as a birdwatching and avitourism spot in Johor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]