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A short twitch!


Ever since I heard of a Pied Cuckoo (Jacobin Cuckoo) being seen at Phuket I always wanted to see one. Then a couple of years later a pair showed up at Chiang Rai by the Mae Kong River but I didn't fancy a 1000 km drive. Thridly, last year another was spotted at Beung Borapet when I was in Europe. So when I saw a posting of this bird by Thanarot I knew I had my chance. 
Thanarok kindly invited me to his home and we enjoyed a true Thai meal at a restaurant by the river.
                                                     Thank you Thanarot! Very yummie! In the morning we did general birding in the wetlands surrounding Beung Borapet (240km North of Bangkok) and saw a lot of birds including a roosting Savanna Nightjar, Glossy Ibises and plenty of Streaked Weavers.......We then sat down to view the trees he had seen the Cuckoos in. After 2 and a half hours and no bird I thought; 'better pack up, bet that will bring it in, a bit sarcastically'. Before we got our stuff together in the car I gave a last scan and my eyes fell on the Cuckoo. They had finally arrived. A wonderful lifer and classy bird. It might be easy in Africa and India but over here it is a mega rarity.
(never mind I had to endure a 6 hour drive (240km) back to Bangkok in insane traffic)


 



Comments

Choy Wai Mun said…
Congrats on your lifer. This species has only been recorded once in Malaysia - in my home state of Penang. But I missed it...
August 14, 2014 at 9:44 PM
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