Thaibirds and more

Jerdon's Baza is not a very common bird and certainly not perched as was the case while driving out from Kaengkrachan midday early November this year. Black Baza is the other Baza found in Thailand and serves as real eye-candy.

 During October there is a massive migration of Amur Falcons from parts of China/Russia all the way to Africa. Some of these birds we in recent years have learned to pass over Northern Thailand. As I started to scale the steep road up to Doi Angkhang from Fang my eyes fell on this beauty. There were 2 birds around and though not perched on a tree they still gave clear shots. What an attractive Falcon this is! This bird I spotted while driving along the ridge on Doi Lang. It took the help of some friends to verify that it actually was a Eurasian Hobby, a bird I had not seen in Thailand before! 

Green Bee-eater Blue-throated Bee-eater Blue-bearded Bee-eater Red-bearded Bee-eater Blue-tailed Bee-eater   Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 2.11.0.0 2.11.0.0 2.11.0.0 2.11.0.0

Red-knobbed Hornbill Green-backed Kingfisher Chattering Lory       I am arranging another tour to this wonderful part of Indonesia. Sulawesi and Halmahera a fantastic array of stunning birds and most of them are endemic to the area. It is an area where the independent birder struggle to get around. The best is to join a small group led by experienced guides and tour leader. I have led tours to Sulawesi/Halmahera 6 times and hope to do so again in 2020. I will co lead the trip with my good friend Theo Henoch who also is the choice of other large birdtour companies. The tour will include the same sites as in this one from 2014 but not in the same order and some of the lodging will be different. https://pbase.com/peterericsson/sulawesihalmahera_2014 The price will be a little over 4000US$ depending on how many participants. At the time of writing there are 3 spots taken and open to 3 more! Write me at peter.ericsson@gmail.com for more info. Grosbeak Starli

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra  The forest dwelling kingfishers of Papua are very challenging to see, let alone photograph. But the kingfishers of open areas make up for it. I just love seeing Beach Kingfishers as they are so clean looking, large sized and rather active birds. The Sacred Kingfisher is a more widespread bird that even showed up in Thailand this year for the first time. It still is a nice bird and rather common on Waigeo. Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is encountered all over WP but patience is required for good views. Beach Kingfishers Sacred Kingfisher

Back view of male Front view of male  I was blessed with long views of this Magnificent Bird of Paradise at Arkfak, West Papua. A short walk downhill from our Homestay there was a hide one could sit in. The bird came at 6 am to clean up the display site. It was dark and very difficult to get good shots and I was forced to use very high ISO. Nevertheless the whole encounter and to be able to sit with the bird for so long was just amazing.The bird had what looked like a pocket on its bag. A few times it would unfold to display a round fan like collar. Under the pocket was some deep moron colored feathers with white stripes as well. The bird appeared quite different in different light with the tail streamers looking bluish in better light. Female

I was approached for 3 days of target birding. A list of 12 birds were given me. As you can understand it is not easy to space out these things logistically but always worth a try. 1. Eared Pitta 2. Spot-bellied Eagle Owll 3. Streak-breasted Woodpecker 4. Freckle-breasted Woodpecker 5. Mangrove Whistler 6. Asian Dowitcher 7. Slaty-breasted Rail 8. Black-headed Woodpecker 9. Tickell's Brown Hornbill 10. Red-legged Crake 11. Asian Golden Weaver 12. Indian Nightjar Why such a narrow target list? Well the person had seen most birds realistically possible in surrounding countries and decided to spend 3 days looking for lifers after a job assignment in Thailand. Day 1. Drove to Petchaburi and quickly got on to Asian Golden Weavers....many of them. Asian Dowitcher a remote chance but no waders present at the mudflats. Mangrove Whistle we tried for an hour but no response. Indian Nightjar didnt take to long as I knew their daytime roost. Afternoon off to a friend'