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Woolly-necked Storks, a first for Thailand!

 

Years ago when I first started birding there was a known Woolly-necked Stork at Kaengkrachan National Park. I never made it there before it was too late.
 
Then there were reports from Khao Soi Dao in the SouthEast. I also did not make it there. 
 
My first sighting was while on an excursion with my kids to a breeding station in Bangpra, Chonburi. We were watching a Wooly-necked Stork in a cage when a sudden storm hit. It rained very hard, thunder and lightning struck. Suddenly the bird just tipped over and died in front of our eyes! How unbecoming!
A few years ago a program to reintroduce the birds started up and eventually 14 birds were released at Dong Yai in a protected forest reserve. I didn't visit until this week as I wasn't sure if would be worth it in terms of natural experience or not. The place is 4-5 hours drive from my home in the province of Buriram.
But after a morning at Pang Sida National Park looking for butterflies I decided that now would be a good time. 
 
An evening at a roadside hotel with a lovely veranda, cold ale and great views followed.
 
Next morning I followed the GPS and it took me to a dirt road going strait into the reserve. The road was pretty good but it had rained during the night so lots of puddles. My Camry isn't exactly a 4WD.
Eventually I started feeling it would be better to park the car and walk the remaining 2.5 kilometers to where the birds normally are seen. 
 
After only 500m I came upon a sub-station with people. And one of the caretakers were about to go and look at the Storks while bringing fish with him. He explained that there were 4 birds in an aviary almost ready to be released and also 2 free flying individuals that now had built a nest in trees by the body of water next to the caged ones. The nesting had yet to be successful though. 
 
The released birds were not fed as they feed on their own in the lake. An Osprey was their company and the caretaker explained that Otters come to feed as well. 
 
The caretaker got excited when a Green Peafowl appeared with a chick. He said 'that is the first one born in the wild within the reserve! 
 
Along the way (the road was very bad and high clearance vehicle a must) we came across several Malayan Night-Herons as well as Siamese Firebacks. 
 
In some trees in an open area several Green Imperial Pigeons were perched, a bird I seldom see.
We did not see Ashy-headed Pigeons but they are regular on a sunny day. 
 
The caretaker spoke warmly about his job looking after wildlife in general. It was nice to converse with someone like that with some obvious passion and an eye for photography.
 
It was a good experience.
 
PS. I have seen the Storks at Flores, Indonesia and in Vietnam so wasn't all that desperate to go after them.
Birds I have seen elsewhere I am less likely to chase unless it is close enough or in connection with something else.
 



 

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