Thaibirds and more

Bali day trip

2011-12-01T18:01:00.001-08:00

Bali 29th of August 2011

I visited Bali on the way home from Sulawesi/Halmahera. This day trip was
inspired by Stijn de Win’s article: http://birding2asia.com/TripReports/BaliBarat2010.html

I booked a room at Tune Hotels at Kuta and used the excellent services of
Oswald Huma oswald_huma@hotmail.com and his assistant Hery.
Air Asia flies directly to Bangkok so it is a very accessible site for people living
in Thailand.
I was picked up at 4 am and arrived at Bali Barat National Park 3 hours later.
It was great to be back in the Greater Sundas again with many familiar species.
The birding was excellently guided by Hery, a young man employed for the day
by Oswald. We visited a number of sites within the park and I ended up with 10 lifers. Quite a haul for a day’s birding.

Javan Banded Pitta is easy at one of the sites and for those wanting to photograph the bird it can easily be arranged through Oswald/Harry. August-October being the best time as it is the dry season.

Here is a list of what I saw in no particular order.

1. Cave Swiftlet – common, lifer
2. Common Sandpiper – 1 bird in flight
3. Javan Plover – 6, lifer
4. Red-necked Stint – 20
5. Lesser Sandplover (or it might have been Greater, couldn't tell) – 1
6. Long-toed Stint – 1
7. Little Heron – 1
8. Javan Pond Heron – 1
9. Little Egret – 1
10. Black-naped Tern – a few in open sea
11. Beach Thick-knee – 3 birds in flight over open sea
12. Little Blue Kingfisher – 6 birds seen, lifer
13. Collared Kingfisher – 5
14. Rufus-backed Kingfisher – 1
15. Pied Fantail – 2
16. Black-naped Monarch – 1
17. Fulvous-breasted Jungle Flycatcher - 2
18. Yellow-vented Bulbul – a few
19. Grey-cheeked Bulbul – 1
20. Bar-winged Prinia – 1, lifer
21. Olive-backed Sunbird – a few
22. Great Tit (Gray Tit) – a few
23. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater – a few
24. Blue-tailed Bee-eater – a few
25. Crested Serpent Eagle – 1
26. Black-thighed Falconet – 1
27. Bali Starling - 6 seen well, lifer
28. Black-winged Starling – 2, lifer
29. Zebra Dove – a few
30. Island Dove – 2, lifer
31. Small Minivet – one flock
32. Javan Cuckoo Shrike – 2, lifer
33. White-shouldered Triller – 2
34. Australian Bushlark – 1
35. Black Drongo – 1
36. Hair-crested Drongo – 2
37. Lemon-bellied White-eye – a few
38. Lineated Barbet – 3
39. Coppersmith Barbet – 6
40. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker – 6
41. Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker – 2
42. Common Flameback – a pair
43. Long-tailed Shrike – 1
44. Common Iora – a few
45. Javan Banded Pitta – 3, one seen, lifer
46. Green Junglefowl – 6, lifer
47. Racket Treepie – 2
48. Orange-breasted Pigeon – 1 male
49. Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike – 1
50. Dollarbird – 2
51. Red-breasted Parakeet – 1 in flight
52. Crescent-breasted Babbler – sadly only heard

Siamese Fireback

2011-11-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how big birds like Pheasents are still so hard to see inside the forest. At times I will come across them along a trail but they normally quickly dissappear in the under growth.
This time I came upon a group of 5 males and 1 singele (normally it is the other way around) in the morning as they were crossing a road at Khao Yai National park.
They hung around for quite some time so we had time to observe, take pictures and listen to their vocals as well as heavy wing blurr as the male displayed.

Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sandakan, Sabah late July

2011-10-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

(view from one of the watch towers along the elevated walkway at RDC)

I have been to Sabah 3 times. Each time I only visited Mt Kinabalu as I fell in love with the mountain. Thus I post phoned a visit to the low land rainforests of Sepilok and Kinabantangan until now.

I pre booked my tickets with Airasia quite some time back. Flew Bangkok – Kuala Lumpur – Sandakan and back for 200$US.
The flights went well and I found myself at Sandakan around 8:30pm.
A half hour taxi ride driven by an elderly gentleman took me to Sepilok B&B some 400m from my birding spot: Rainforest Discovery Center.

The B&B has an older section and a newer. It is run more as a hostel then anything and I would best classify it as adequate as the personnel were friendly but rather untrained. Breakfast is a cup of coffee and two slices of bread plus a banana if you are lucky. Eggs have to be bought. Breakfast served 7 am.

Wi Fi is free and there are cold Tiger beers available howbeit twice as expensive as
in Thailand at 7 Ringit per can. The closeness to RDC makes up for any lacks though and I would use the place again. Rooms were clean.

I google earthed the Sepilok area before I left home and it showed the RDC being at the Northern edge of a larger forested area. I enjoyed 2 and a half days of absolutely great birding, walking the many trails in a varied landscape. It felt like magic land and as I look over the birdlist I can only marvel at the diversity and beauty of what I saw in this rather small area. Walking alone along these trails in anticipation and letting all my senses be tuned in to the surroundings left me with thrills and feelings of joy!

Here are some of the birds I saw and managed to photograph. See if you can tell what they are?

Broadbills

2011-06-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

April - June is really the time to see Broadbills. Funny how it is but I can go throughout the dry season only seeing the random bird. Then when the wet season starts the birds seem to suddenly 'appear' in the area between the 3 streams at Kaengkrachan. Especially Silver-breasted becomes easy to spot as it often build its nest close to the road.

Black-Red Broadbill is always found nesting over some water with its nesting ball hanging from a thin twig.

With both these species I used a portable blind.

The female has a nice silver necklace.

'Fishers'

2011-06-01T02:29:00.000-07:00

Thailand definitely is a good place for Kingfisher lovers. Many can be seen on phone wires along highways or near mangroves. Several occupy open woodlands and not everyone feed exclusively on fish.
The following 3 species are only found in forested areas.

This incredibly attractive male Banded Kingfisher is often heard but can be quite tricky to see inside the forest. I am not sure if it actually ever feeds on fish. I was watching it come to feed its young and all the prey were bugs, scorpions, spiders and lizzards.

I sat in a hide for 4 hours. The male only came twice during that time

But the female came a lot more often. As usual they took perch on a branch a few meters from the nest before entering. I believe the chick was about a week old.
Their nest was inside a termite nest on an old log.

This little jewel: Black-backed Kingfisher (Oriental Dwarf) on the other hand has its nest in a burrow on a bank near a stream. The birds kept feeding all kinds of insect including fish. They would come every 5 minutes to bring food. I understand that the chick left the nest successfully only 2 days later.
Outside of the breeding season I basically never see this bird. It is so small and prefers the streams of deep forests.

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The last bird is another stream dwelling bird that I found at Sri Pangnga National Park in the South. On the day I visited the chick fledged so I didn't get many shots nor watch the adults bring feed to the chicks.

Blue-banded Kingfisher

Khok Kham

2011-05-04T02:14:00.000-07:00

This month of April I didn't have many people visiting so I took the opportunity to visit Khok Kham at Samut Sakorn on a few half day trips.
At Khok Kham there is one spot where one can drive the car out inbetween the pans. The trick is to be there during high tide or there is nothing to shoot. It is still challenging to get close to the birds. They in general seem to accept my presence in the car but still remain a bit away.

Khok Kham also has an excellent boardwalk at the mangroves. Here is a good spot for observing birds through a scope or practicing flight shots.

1st shot is of a Red-necked Stint in breeding plumage. Note the red throat and lack of red on the primaries and secondaries.

There are many Golden Pacific Plovers around. This one moulting into breeding plumage.

This one almost in full breeding plumage.

Another more scenic image.

There were plenty of Lesser Sand Plovers around.
Here is a male in breeding plumage.

And yet another. The light was in my favor.

Broad-billed Sandpipers were around in the beginning of April

I have to include one of my favorite shorebirds: Long-toed Stint. This one got real close.

Here is more of a 'birdscape' image. Pacific Plover coming in for a landing.

Likewise a Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage landing in the salt pan.

The Whiskered Terns are all dark looking.

But not as deeply dark and smart as this handsome White-winged. The White-winged has a much more rapid flight and are harder to photograph.

Lastly, a Little Tern in breeding plumage.

Any comments are more then welcomed........

Little and Red-necked Stints

2011-05-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

These two species are almost impossible to separate in non breeding plumage.
They used to be considered identical, Red-necked considered the Eastern version
of Little.

Now that the birds are getting some color I tried to pick out a few.

Some differences:

Red-necked has slightly thickened tip of bill, medium sized primary projection and rather 'stocky' neck and shoulders and somewhat shorter legs.

In breeding plumage the throat is red/rufous while Little is white.
Little also is more complete red then Red-necked in breeding plumage.

Little has longer primary projection thus making them look more slender but taller as the tibia is longer. The bill is more fine and slightly drooping.

I hope I have identified these correctly.

Visiting Pittas!

2011-04-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

Wet season visitors!

The dry season of the year, Nov – March, sees a great influx of western tourists to Thailand as well as thousands upon thousands of migrating birds, fleeing the cold Northern Hemisphere. Once winter in Siberia and Northern China has ended these birds return to their breeding grounds. This migration follows a North – South, South – North pattern. Some of the migrating species simply pass through Thailand and continue on to the Islands of Indonesia whereas others settle for the ‘winter’.

This time of year, Nov– March , also sees a steady stream of foreign bird watchers visiting Thailand to not only see the resident birds but the added bonus of many a sought after bird from Northern Asia.

Then in April, when migratory birds have left and with them the foreign visiting bird watching community, something exciting happens. In a reverse migratory pattern the Blue-winged Pitta and the Hooded Pitta start to inhabit many a forested area of Thailand.
Where do they come from?
They leave their feeding grounds of Indonesia and Peninsular Malaysia to come and breed in Thailand where during the wet season food sources are abundant.

These birds are spectacular and colorful. They like to hop around on the forest floor while turning leaves over in search of invertebrate. They are notoriously difficult to see but as they arrive they announce their presence with their characteristic calls and thus become much easier to stalk.

The family of Pittas is called Dtaew Laew in Thai and invariably most of the pittas call with a variation of an intense sounding burst of ‘tdaew laew’.

There are currently 32 recognized species of Pittas in the world, the overwhelming majority of them found in SEA. Fourteen species have been recorded in Thailand to date. These birds are considered the ‘highest priced’ for any a birdwatcher and are much sought after on a bird watching trip.
I.e. during 2009, a British birder, Chris Goodie, made an attempt to see all Pitta species of the world in one year. Through careful planning, skillful field crafts, networking and a sizeable budget he was successful. A book of his travels is about to be released at the renowned Bird Fair in England in August.

Some of the larger parks around Bangkok will host these birds temporarily as they pass through to their breeding grounds. The birds have very short tails with compact bodies which give them a very direct flight on hurried wings and presumably lead them to stop for rest and refueling fairly regularly.

For a couple of years now the Hooded Pitta has been seen at Phuttomonton Park in Thon Buri. It likes it in the bamboo stands of the park. These birds have attracted many bird photographers as the park is so accessible and the birds fairly easy to find. Once a bird has been located, and they are pretty territorial, the following takes place. A handful of meal worms are placed strategically not far from where the bird was seen. A spot that receives good light but still is close enough for the birds to retreat to the cover of the bamboo is chosen. A bird hide is set up and the photographer takes his seat. As the bird comes back for more ‘free worms’ the camera card is filled. Through this method many wonderful photos have been obtained.

Hooded Pitta can be seen primarily at lower levels of evergreen forest but also occur at moist secondary forest in places like Khao Yai, The Western Forest Complex, and Kaengkrachan National Park.

The Blue-winged Pitta is by far the easiest Pitta to see once it is here. The Military Academy grounds at Nakorn Nayok is a favorite area for many to see this bird though there are records of the bird nesting within Bangkok area.
The forests at the Academy ring out with several pairs of Blue-winged Pittas staying in contact with each other and proclaiming their territories.

Once the bird has built a nest and the chicks have hatched a frenzied feeding begins. The chicks need a lot of protein to grow quickly and be able to leave the nest where they are vulnerable for predators (snakes, birds, lizards etc).

After a night of rain the lawns and adjoining forest is full of earth worms. The parent bird will collect a bunch and deliver to the hungry chicks. This feeding frenzy pretty much takes place throughout the day. The area of the Academy has many paved roads and sometimes simply sitting in the car using it as a hide can bring very close encounters with these birds.

Blue-winged Pitta can be seen up to 800m level of many a National Park in Thailand. Its habitat preference is mixed deciduous and more open evergreen forest, bamboo as well as secondary growth. Once movement has been detected, with the help of binoculars good views can usually be obtained.

Once Hooded and Blue-winged Pitta have bred and the chicks are able to fly they will start on their journey back to Peninsular Malaysia and the Islands of Indonesia.

Peter Ericsson

Greater v Lesser Sand Plover!

2011-04-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

This is probably my own personal 'least interesting wader'. They are here in good numbers during winter. During hightide they roost in salt pans spending most of their time standing still or sleeping. I find it very hard to separate the birds when only one bird seen. Easiest is when several birds are closely together.
The Lesser seem to dominate in the pans whereas Greater dominate out on the sand spit. Apparantly Greater prefer small crabs to feed on (and there is plenty) but Lesser prefer smaller wormlike creatures found in the pans and the mudflats.

Here is a Lesser.

They often have a 'hunched' appearance.

Here with a Greater. Note the distinct difference in size, bill and posture.

Literature tells me that the race of Lesser found in Thailand: Charadrius mongolus schaeferi, has the longest bill of the Lesser Sand Plovers.
The nominate race of Greater found in Thailand has the shortest of the Greater races.

Greater in breeding plumage also has white in the otherwise black forehead. C.m. Schaeferi is all black.

Not too hard to tell them apart like this.

Asian Dowitcher

2011-04-03T02:14:00.001-07:00

This morning I paid a visit to Khok Kham, Samut Sakorn with the intention of photographing some shorebirds. I ofcourse hoped to find and get close to this rather uncommon bird: Asian Dowitcher.

The salt pans were full of little calidrises and I managed many shots of them.
It wasn't until the tide started to go down that I drove off to the newly opened up mangrove research/conservation centre. A nicely paved road in between some deeper pans helped me to slowly creep up on these larger shorebirds.

Later on I went to the boardwalk and saw a couple of Asian Dowitchers in breeding plumage but they were backlit and too far away.

Still, these are easily my best shots of the Asian Dowitcher.

Here together with Common Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits.

Siberian Thrush

2011-03-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

I was stranded at the restaurant at Panern Thung, Kaengkrachan, due to heavy downpour.

After the rains stopped a slow drive along the road towards km 36 yielded this
magnificient Thrush. It was my very first sighting of a male bird, having only seen a female briefly some years back at Doi Pahompok.

The Siberian Thrush passes through Thailand on migration from Indonesia towards its breeding grounds in Siberia and Eastern Russia.
Being a zoothera it doesn't occur in flocks like the turdus thrushes but are mostly seen in pairs. They prefer to feed on the ground but will take to trees when disturbed.

I later saw another male in a tree.

Either way, it was very exciting to see this handsome bird and I am happy I can share some images with you.

Chinese Egret

2011-03-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

With an estimated of only 3000 birds worldwide the Chinese Egret isn't exactly numerous. Each year there are a couple of these birds to be seen in the Lampakbia area. I have seen them at the salt pans but normally I see them along the banks of the estuary or out at the sand spit.

In winter plumage the bill is smudgy looking with yellow restricted to the lower mandable.
The legs are green.
Only a couple of plumes on the neck.

In March the bird has developed its breeding plumage with an almost completely yellow bill.
The legs are dark and the plumes are now manifold.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper!

2011-03-08T19:24:00.000-08:00

The season is drawing closer towards its end. Soon this enigmatic and unique creature will head towards Eastern Siberia and its breeding grounds. How long can it hold on to the pressures of loss of suitable 'refueling' habitat during its long flight? Can it find suitable breeding habitat? Will it find a mate? Can it survive another season of villagers in Bangladesh harvesting shorebirds for staple?

Don't we all wish him sucess?

This season I have had a high count of 8 individuals at Bak Taley, Petburi. The birds have proven quite easy to spot. Or perhaps I am getting sharper in my 'spotting skills'? Either way, when one is found and I see the joy in the face of the visiting birder, I can sense the awe and almost europhic relationship that exist between birders and this very special bird.

The birds are never easy to approach very close on foot and seldom do one have a chance to use the car as a cover. This bird was pretty accommodating though and I managed a few shots laying down on the muddy levy at approximately 30m distance. (400mm F5.6)

As he turns his back on winter territory I hope with all of my heart he will be successful in Siberia and come back to Thailand next season with new additions to his flock.

Quizz!

2011-02-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

There are 2 BIG TIME rarities in this photo. See if you can tell what they are!

BINGO IKE!
There has been a single Black-faced Spoonbill in the area for a few weeks now. That huge 'spatula' of a bill really stands out. Black-faced Spoonbill is an endangered species and shows up in Thailand as a vagrant in very small numbers.

A few years back I got very close to a pair of them. http://www.pbase.com/peterericsson/blackfacedspoonbill

The Milky Stork is even rarer. Mainly confined to Sumatra where a few thousand exist. In Thailand it is extremely rare. There were 2 birds mixed in with 6 Painted Storks.

Partridges

2011-02-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

The dry season is a good time to look for partridges in the forest as the rustling of the birds feet give them away. Still, it is very difficult to get any shots.
These shots were taken from a blind by a waterhole where some bird feed had been put out as well. First to the feast was the rather non descript Scaly-breasted Partridge.

Easily the most common and vocal partridge in the Central region.

What I was hoping for was to be able to get close views of Bar-backed Partridges.
I associate these birds with moderate levels of mountains but they had been reported from Ban SongNok which is a forested area almost at sea level. Scaly-breasted is a daily visitor but the Bar-backed coming in is a new happening.
Perhaps the abundance of food and water helped to bring them to the area?

These birds are so nicely decorated. A group of 4 showed up to my delight.

A visit to Ban SongNok is a most rewarding experience.

Nightlife!

2011-02-09T21:18:00.001-08:00

I went to Kaengkrachan with my son Jaime and a friend from Sweden: Bengt Legnell.
We mainly wanted to target owls. We heard 8 different species in the evening: Barred Eagle Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Asian Barred Owlet, Collared Scops Owl, White-fronted Scops Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Collared Owlet and Mountain Scops Owl.......the WFS was our main target and we were very close to it but failed to see it. It called for hours but wouldn't show.

However, a Javan Frogmouth was a much overdue lifer for me. So happy to finally see one.

Blue Pitta showed well on a trail and then in the late afternoon a Leopard gave views on the road. I have seen the black version before but this was my 1st time with the spotted one.

Spot-winged Starling

2011-01-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

The new year started out with a big surprise. The Spot-winged Starling is a bird normally only seen within the forest of Thungyai Nareusuan World Heritage Forest complex in Western Thailand. It requires a 4 WD and take up to 10 hours to get there. Instead, I was tipped off that a few of these birds had been showing in some flowering trees near a sub-station of Kaengkrachan. I waited quite some time and then at around 5:30 3 birds showed up. No good pictures but a lifer and an unexpected species.

The birds are resident in Northern India but have a somewhat of a western - eastern movement in winter when a few birds are found in Northern Myanmar and Thailand.

Brahimy Starling

2011-01-10T00:02:00.000-08:00

I was out birding with Richard and Liz King from Australia when we recieved a tip off some unusual Starlings at a garbage dump at Lampakbia. A short wait and our bins were on the very rare Brahimy Starling as well as a Common Starling. The former a lifer for me and the latter a Thai tick. I only had time to document the sightings but later home that night I posted the images on a Thai website.
In a couple of days no less then 50 photographers had invaded the garbage dump and were showing their works online.

A week later I had the opportunity together with Roland Graf from Germany to put myself in a blind. This is the result. The bird has now taken to free hand outs of meal worms and hopefully it will remain throughout the season for more visiting birders to see.

A hard to see Woodie!

2010-12-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Most folks get excited at seeing the remarkably decorated Heart-spotted Woodpecker. By no means a guarantee but not necessarily left without on a birding trip.
However this WP, the Black and Buff is a lot harder to see and easily confused with the Heart-spotted.
It has a rather restricted distribution range stretching from Northern and Central Myanmar all the way to Vietnam but not reaching into China.

The nape and the hindneck is all white which is the easiest way to tell the birds from Heart-spotted.
The male has a read submoustachial strip something the female is not adorned with.

Not a bird but never the less a lifer. The rare Fea's Barking Deer. Much darker in complextion then the regular Barking Deer so often seen.

BIRDS OF THE FOREST!

2010-11-29T22:04:00.000-08:00

The forest is as we all know a real challenge to photograph birds. (Yes, I know, even seeing birds can be very hard at times)......so it was with great anticipation I set behind a blind at Bahng Songnok waiting to see what would show up.
I was under the impression that the Red-legged Crake is a wet season visitor at Kaengkrachan so I was surprised to see this bird show up.

This bird was the definite highlite of my day as I have been wanting to photography it for a long long time. Often encountered on a birding walk but seldom seen.
Large Scimitar Babbler. Also from Bahn Songnok.

This lovely resident warbler has an easily recognized voice. It likes bamboo in the hills. Yellow-bellied Warbler.

The Golden Babbler likes it in the thick scrub. This one was lured out with playback

Likewise the Red-bearded Bee-eater is a hard to find bird at Kaengkrachan. With its striking colors a definite highlight of my day at Panern Thung.

An upgrade!

2010-11-16T15:57:00.000-08:00

A couple of days back I managed to get closer to the Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
There were 2 birds mixed in with a flock of 200 Red-necked Stints all feeding in a frenzy within 12-15 meters from the car I was in.

Rarities!

2010-11-12T04:26:00.001-08:00

The dry season is just around the corner and with it comes the opportunity to see some global rarities. On the 11th I had my first trip for the season in search of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. 4 Germans were on a 10 day birding trip to Thailand and they asked me to help them with the waders. It worked out real well and it didn't take long to locate this lone bird.

Each year we have a fair number of Nordmann's Greenshanks over wintering. This time we found 12 individuals.

The 3rd rarity is a bird not to be counted on as it is a passage migrant. We were fortunate enough to come across a single bird: Asian Dowitcher.

2 days at Petburi September 2010

2010-09-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Splendid sunset at Kaengkrachan damm.

2 day trip to Petburi 21-22nd of September 2010

John and Gordon from Scotland did a short stop over on their way to Australia.
The goal was to see as many birds as possible in a gentle but steady pace.
J and G had never visited SEA before.

We played things by ear and visited several sites.

Khok Kham:

Someone had recently seen an over summering Spoon-billed Sandpiper here. When we got there it was low tide which meant birds had left for the mudflats.
The good news is that an extensive cemented boardwalk has now been put up at the mangroves and one can view the birds pretty good through a scope out there.
There were thousands of birds and with so many birds around and the waters retreating we had little chance of finding the Sandpiper. Still, for John and Gordon it meant some new waders: Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Lesser Sand Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper being a few.

Mai Taeng Reservoir:

This is an excellent site for River Lapwing and Rain Quail.
We did get there a bit late and didn’t see the quail but we did get cracking views of the Lapwings and picked up many other open area birds.

King’s Project:

This mangrove research station is always full of birds. We got there late but revisited later in the afternoon. Many Pin-tailed Snipes were in full view at the experimental reed beds.

Lampakbia sandspit:

Several pair of Malaysian Plovers and 7 Pacific Reef Egrets. Too early for White-faced Plover and Chinese Egret.
A surprise was a Stork-billed Kingfisher in the mangroves on the way back.

Bahn Song Nok:

Ba Aek (Auntie Aek) is the name of the lady that for years have fed and kept an eye on birds on her property adjacent to forest covered hills.
We avoided rain and had a fabulous morning in her garden. Kalij Pheasent, Lesser and Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Green-eared Barbet, Common Flameback,
Orange-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Vinous-breasted Starlings, Banded Bay Cuckoo and Vernal Hanging Parakeets were some of the birds seen.

Bahn Maka:

This excellent resort has many interesting birds on the grounds besides good food and a bird feeder at the restaurant. The owner: Khun Gun is a keen photographer as well and information about local conditions can always be shared.

Some nice birds here around lunch time. Taiga FC, Black-naped Monarch, Abbott’s Babbler, Green-billed Malkoha, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Crimson Sunbird,
White-rumped Shama, Small Minivet, Orange-breasted Flowerpecker and Striped Tit Babbler

John and George wanted an extension after the 2 days and so we visited a few sites in and around Bangkok.

Suang Luang (King’s Park)

Most noteworthy birds were the regular flock of Small Minivets.
Also a returning Asian Brown Flycatcher. Good place for Olive-backed and Brown-throated Sunbirds, Coppersmith Barbets and Paddyfield Pipit.

Bang Poo

This site is known for the big numbers of over wintering Brown-headed Gulls. The gulls haven’t arrived yet and we mainly went there for lunch and taking in the atmosphere. Some Blue-tailed Bee-eaters were probably the highlight in the pressing heat.

Muang Boran fishponds:

We spend only one hour here as it was midday but got all the target birds except for Striated Warbler that wasn’t calling: White-browed Crake and Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas.

I then dropped off the Scots at the airport. I must say it was a very well spent time for them with loads of birds, good food, good transport, good weather as well as getting a touch of the local people and Thai culture.

Peter

1. Little Cormorant - plenty
2. Indian Shag – seen at 3 sites
3. Little Grebe – 1 in paddies, many at MB
4. Grey Heron – a few
5. Purple Heron - 2
6. Javan Pond Heron - common
7. Cattle Egret - common
8. Pacific Reef Egret – 7 at LPB
9. Little Egret - common
10. Intermediate Egret – 2 at LPB
11. Great Egret – common
12. Yellow Bittern – 1 MB
13. Little Heron - 5
14. Black-crowned Night Heron – several at mangroves
15. Painted Stork – 4 at LPB, a dozen at Bangpoo
16. Openbill - common
17. Spot-billed Pelican – 20 in flight over paddies in Petburi
18. Lesser Whistling Tree-duck – 200 at wetlands in Petburi, 2 MB
19. Brahimy Kite - common
20. White-bellied Sea-Eagle – 1 immature at Bahnsongnok
21. Japanese Sparrowhawk – 1 mobbing the Sea Eagle
22. Oriental Honey Buzzard – 4 over a hill at Bahnsongnok
23. Crested Serpent Eagle – Heard only
24. Kalij Pheasent – 4 females at BSN
25. Junglefowl – 6 at BSN
26. Scaly-breasted Partridge – Heard only
27. Rain Quail – Heard only
28. White-breasted Waterhen – a few here and there
29. Red-wattled Lapwing - common
30. River Lapwing – 4 at Mai Taeng Reservoir
31. Pacific Golden Plover – common at Khok Kham
32. Little Ringed Plover – many at LPB
33. Lesser Sand Plover – many at Khok Kham
34. Greater Sand Plover – many at LPB
35. Eurasian Curlew – 5 at Khok Kham
36. Whimbrel – 5 at Khok Kham
37. Black-tailed Godwit – 3 at Khok Kham
38. Spotted Redshank – 5 at KK
39. Common Redshank – 5 at KK
40. Common Greenshank – at KK
41. Marsh Sandpiper – KK and LPB, many
42. Wood Sandpiper – KK and LPB, many
43. Common Sandpiper - LPB
44. Terek Sandpiper – 2 at LPB sandspit
45. Ruddy Turnstone – 1 at LPB sandspit
46. Red-necked Stint – common at LPB
47. Temminck’s Stint – 1 at LPB
48. Long-toed Stint – common at LPB
49. Sanderling – 20 at LPB sandspit
50. Dunlin – 2 at Khok Kham
51. Curlew Sandpiper – several at BP and LPB
52. Broad-billed Sandpiper – 6 at Khok Kham
53. Ruff – 3 at LPB
54. Pintail Snipe – 6 at LPB
55. Oriental Pratincole – 1 MB, 4 paddies at Petburi
56. Black-winged Stilt - common
57. Common Tern - common
58. White-winged Tern – 1 only
59. Whiskered Tern - common
60. Little Tern - common
61. Pind-necked Pigeon – 1 on wire
62. Rock Pigeon - common
63. Spotted Dove - common
64. Red-collared Dove - common
65. Peaceful Dove - common
66. Vernal Hanging Parakeet – 3 at BSN
67. Banded Bay Cuckoo – 1 seen well at BSN
68. Asian Koel – a few
69. Greater Coucal - LPB
70. Green-billed Malkoha – 1 BSN
71. Large-tailed Nightjar – 1 at Gangpet restaurant Kaengkrachan on post
72. Common Kingfisher – 2 BP
73. Collared Kingfisher - common in mangroves
74. White-throated Kingfisher – a few here and there
75. Stork-billed Kingfisher – 1 surprise one at the mangroves on the way back from the sandspit
76. Green Bee-eater - common
77. Blue-tailed Bee-eater – many at BP
78. Indian Roller - common
79. Hoopoe – 2 at LPB
80. Pied Hornbill – 1 at Bahn Maka ( a wild one)
81. Coppersmith Barbet – many at Suan Luang
82. Lineated Barbet – Heard only
83. Green-eared Barbet – 1 at feeder BSN
84. Common Flameback – 1 at feeder BSN
85. Asian Palm Swift – many over fields in Petburi
86. Germain’s Swiftlet – common in Petburi
87. Barnswallow – common
88. Ashy Wood Swallow - common
89. Indo-chinese Bushlark – 1 at field
90. Paddyfield Pipit – common
91. Yellow Wagtail – LPB, Suan Luang
92. Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike – 2 at Bahn Maka
93. Small Minivet – 1 at BM, several at Suan Luang
94. Common Iora - common
95. Gold-fronted Leafbird – 2 at BSN
96. Streak-eared Bulbul - common
97. Sooty-headed Bulbul – a few
98. Black-crested Bulbul – 4 at BSN
99. Stripe-throated Bulbul – 3 at BSN
100. Black Drongo - a few in open areas
101. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo – 1 BSN
102. Hooded Oriole – Heard only
103. Racket-tailed Treepie – 2 LPB
104. Large-billed Crow - common
105. Puff-throated Babbler – Heard only
106. Abbott’s Babbler – 1 BM
107. Striped Tit Babbler – 1 BM
108. Large Scimitar Babbler – 1 at Bahnsongnok, came in briefly to a waterhole
109. Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush – 10 at BSN
110. Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush – 4 at BSN
111. Oriental Reed Warbler – 1 LPB, 2 MB
112. Arctic Warbler – 1 Bahn Maka
113. Rusty-rumbed Warbler – 1 in flight at fields
114. Plain Prinia - common
115. Grey-breasted Prinia – 2 at Mai Taeng Reservoir
116. Yellow-bellied Prinia – Heard only
117. Zitting Cisticola – 5 Mai Taend Reservoir
118. Common Tailorbird - common
119. Dark-necked Tailorbird – 2 BSN
120. Gold-bellied Gerygone – many at LPB
121. Magpie Robin - common
122. White-rumped Shama – 1 BSN, 1 BM
123. Taiga Flycatcher – 1 BM
124. Pied Fantail - common
125. Black-naped Monarch - BM
126. Brown Shrike - common
127. Asian Pied Starling - common
128. Common Myna - common
129. White-vented Myna - common
130. Vinous-breasted Starling – a pair at BSN
131. Crimson Sunbird – 1 BM
132. Olive-backed Sunbird - common
133. Brown-throated Sunbird – a few
134. Ruby-cheeked Sunbird – 1 at BM
135. Yellow-vented Flowerpecker – 2 at BSN
136. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker – common
137. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker – several at BM and BSN
138. Plain-backed Sparrow – 2 at Mai Taeng Reservoir
139. Eurasian Tree Sparrow - common
140. House Sparrow – found a roost with atleast 1000 birds near LPB
141. Asian Golden Weaver – 2, Petburi
142. Baya Weaver – 12, Petburi
143. Scaly-breasted Munia – common
144. Chestnut Munia – 2 at paddies Petburi

Did an add-on morning at Suan Luang, Bangpoo and Muang Boran….stopped at 14:00. Some additional sightings:

145. White-browed Crake -1 seen well at MB
146. Common Coot – 1 at MB
147. Bronze-winged Jacana – 1 at MB
148. Pheasent-tailed Jacana -3 at MB
149. Yellow-vented Bulbul – 2 at MB
150. Asian Brown Flycatcher – 1 at Suan Luang

Mae Wong

2010-09-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Martin Daniel was on a business trip to Vietnam and decided to stop over in Bangkok

on his way home to England. Since this was Martin’s 12th trip with me in the field there were quite a narrow set of target birds.

We decided to spend the time at Mae Wong National Park some 5 hours drive North West of Bangkok. This area is part of the Western Thailand Forest Complex which stretches over a huge area.
The site is the best in the country for Rufous-necked Hornbills, Burmese Yuhinna,
Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-necked Laughingthrushes and White-throated
Bulbul. Of these Martin had only seen the Hornbill.
The prime birding area is at Chong Yen which is located 1340m above sea level. Here
is a campground overlooking a forest covered valley. Main drawback with the site is
the abundance of sand flies that can be quite a bother.
Since September is right in the rain season it was a bit of a gamble to visit. Sure
enough, we had plenty of scattered showers on our way to and up the mountain but
once up we hardly felt any rain.
Best birds seen was easily a flock of 3-4 Coral-billed Scimitar Babblers right next to the roadside. Martin was elated to see these, to be, only lifers for the trip.
The bright red bill add to the birds make up which along with typical foraging
behavior of the Scimitar-Babbler make them a very attractive bird.
We also had prolonged views of a lovely White-browed Piculet feeding in bamboo.

Great little bird!

A couple of birdwaves kept us busy and a Chestnut-fronted Shrike Babbler stood out
with its attractive plumage.
We spend from 2-6pm and 6:30-14:00pm at Chong Yen.

The Grey-chinned Minivets showed well.

The male White-browed Shrike Babbler is a favorite of mine and a true indication that one is on higher ground.

Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler 4 seen
White-browed Scimitar Babbler 3 seen, many heard
Golden Babbler 3 seen
White-browed Shrike Babbler a pair seen and photographed
Chestnut-fronted Shrike Babbler 1 bird in a birdwave
Dark-backed Sibia a pair seen
Grey-chinned Fulvetta 1 seen, several heard, photographed
Silver-cheeked LT many heard
White-necked LT heard half dozen times but not seen
Grey-cheeked Minivet a pair photographed
Streaked Spiderhunter very common
Little Spiderhunter 1 seen
Black-throated Sunbird a pair at campground seen throughout
Little Cuckoo Dove several birds seen
Barred Cuckoo Dove several birds seen
Mountain Imperial Pigeon many birds seen, flock of 20
Wreathed Hornbill two flocks flying by
Rufous-necked Hornbill heard in the afternoon
Great Barbet 3 seen, heard a lot
Gold-throated Barbet 3 seen, heard a lot
Himalayan Swiftlet 20 seen
Grey Wagtail 2 seen
Grey-headed Flycatcher 2 seen
White-throated Fantail 1 seen
White-crowned Forktail 1 seen
Speckled Piculet 2 seen in wave
White-browed Piculet 1 seen and photographed
Bay WP seen twice, heard a lot
Common Flameback one flight view
Flavescent Bulbul very common
Black Bulbul 3 seen
Ashy Bulbul 1 seen
Mountain Bulbul many seen
Oriental White Eye many seen
White-bellied Yuhinna 1 seen
Changeable Hawk Eagle 1 seen
Crested Goshawk 1 seen
Accipiter
Grey Treepie 10 seen, many heard
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo 1 seen
Bronzed Drongo 2 seen
White-tailed Warbler 5 seen, many heard
Rufous-throated Partridge, several heard
Grey Peacock Pheasent, heard
Yellow-cheeked Tit, 4 seen, many heard

Rain Quail

2010-09-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

For 9 months of the year one neither see nor hear the Rain Quail.
Then during 3 months of the wet season the loud and far reaching 'clink clink' can be heard in suitable habitat such as at Huay Mai Taeng, Ratchaburi.

In the grass lands and scrub near the large dam these little birds are commonly found. Their calls are hard to pin point from where it originates.

I found the best way was to drive around in the grass lands by car.

Normally they aren't seen well as they seem to stay within the thicket of the scrub or grasses. But as the mating season draws near they start calling and proclaiming their territory.

This is best done from a rock where the male will belt out his song.

They were surprisingly approachable with the car. Perhaps too occupied finding or calling their mates?

And this is how I got these images. The week earlier I had seen them only on foot and through a scope but this time Carl-Johan Svensson came along and with the help of his high clearing vehicle we were able to 'get the job done'.

Pheasent-tailed Jacana

2010-08-06T00:04:00.000-07:00

The wet season is a good time to see these great looking birds. Unmistakable in flight. Lovely golden 'mane'/neck in breeding plumage as well as a long tail.

Truly precocious as they can walk almost instantly once hatched. Still, quite a feat on that wobbly floating vegetation.

This is a female bird. They have reversed sex roles so that the male is the one raising and incubating the young ones.

Now, I wonder why this male hasn't got a long tail?

Eared Pitta

2010-07-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

Pittas sure are exciting birds. Every so difficult to find outside of breeding season but always incredibly rewarding once found. I have birded in Thailand for many years but still can count on one hand's fingers the number of times I have seen Eared Pitta.
So it was with joy I accepted this opportunity to view the bird from a carefully set up blind. It so happened to be the very last day before the chicks left with their mom so I really managed in the 'nick of time'.
The bird perched and called the chicks from a perch some 6-7 meter up for a little over an hour before it went on the ground and slowly approached the nest. I don't know why it had such an incredibly slow approach and I don't think it was aware of my presence. When ever any other birds would come near the Pitta likewise would stop showing. It seemed on high alert until it finally decided to feed and then would come every 5-10 minutes. After 20 minutes of feeding I left the blind. Conditions were very hard for photography and these shots are the only decent ones I managed.

Wet season breeding visitor!

2010-07-05T01:27:00.000-07:00

Most folks visiting Thailand don't get to see Blue-winged Pitta for the simple reason that it is a wet season visitor. A few individuals may stay over winter in the South but no where else. Then in late April/May they start coming in from their wintering grounds in primarily Indonesia. In June they breed and in suitable habitat are quite easy to see.

This particular individual was fed worms regularly at the garden of a local bird photographer near Khao Yai. The bird had a nest up the hill but worms strategically placed would overcome its fear and it put on a splendid show.

On the day I visited it showed just about every 10 minutes. The chicks must have been quite big to receive all that food!

I was able to take pictures for a long time and to experiment with different settings. Great fun!

The Temple of Heaven

2010-05-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

A little bit of greenery behind 4 walls at the Temple of Heaven helped to produce 4 lifers!

Yellow-billed Grosbeak

Azure-winged Magpie

Red-billed Starling

White-cheeked Starling

Narcissus Flycatcher

2010-05-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

Big cities in China are not exactly bird friendly. However, I found this lovely park in Guangzhou by the name of Da Foo Chan. Lots of people at all times but enough nature for little birds to find space. I was there in early April when this wonderfully adorned FC passed through from its wintering grounds on Borneo and the Philippines towards its breeding grounds in NE China/Japan.
All in all I saw 4 birds, all male. That yellow eye brow make a good detail separating if from Yellow-rumped FC, a much more common bird in Thailand.
Narcissus is only vagrant in Thailand.

Masked Finfoot

2010-04-05T03:18:00.000-07:00

I think this bird must be every birders dream to see. So little is understood about its whereabouts, habits etc. There are only a handful of records from Thailand and I sort of never seriously thought I'd see one here.

Thus, it was a few magical moments when I got to see this elusive bird in a stream at Khao Yai. The same stream also had 2 fresh water crocs and a phyton sleeping on a branch right above me.

2010-04-05T03:04:00.000-07:00

Seeing this incredible animal: the male Gaur, was a first for me while slowly leaving Kaengkrachan National Park.

The animal took me by surprise as I was focused on birds. Seeing such a huge animal as this in a natural setting was an experience that entered my senses like lightning.

It is just awesome that one can find such magnificent animals still in fairly close vicinity of human settlements.

Needletails

2010-03-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

One of the great spectacles at Khao Yai is to watch the Needletails as they come in to drink in the late afternoon after a day of feeding over the forest canopy.

The birds fly in squadrons, much like jet planes. They approach the water at high speed and go back up to continue their circular flights.

These Swifts are very robust, look like 'flying cigars with wings' or boomerangs, to me. The most common one is Brown-backed which has a rather brownish pale back. The white lore is always present and distinct with these birds, atleast at Khao Yai.

The slightly smaller Silver-backed has a more white colored back with a pale throat.
This species is a lot more uncommon.

Rosy Starling

2010-02-18T18:47:00.000-08:00

While this may not be a rare bird in some countries, it took me 19 years of birding to see one in Thailand.
I was at the mangrove project in Petburi watching as birds left their roost in the early morning. After thousands of Black Drongo, Asian Pied Starlings and White-vented Mynas had passed my eyes a small and very tight flock of Starlings came out. They perched in a couple of trees for a few minutes before going on to their feeding grounds. The flock consisted mostly of White-shouldered and Chestnut-tailed Starlings.
But something different caught my eye. Some larger and darker looking birds. I tuned in and could see 2 adult and 2 juvenile Rosy Starlings. Yes, another life bird for 2010!

Then just a couple of days back I got wind of another Rosy Starling visiting a smaller garden in Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok. I got the man's phone number and he agreed to let me come to his house.

It was a small house in a housing estate. He had a small but lush garden where he had been putting out ripe bananas for awhile. I sat down on a bench and waited.
The man said that the bird had been around for a few months now. When it first arrived it was in a juvenile plumage but now it had started to sing and almost turned into an adult plumage. I had to wait (it was very hot) for about 30 minutes before the bird showed. I had the bird coming in for a couple of minutes twice in the span of 2 and a half hours and this is the result.

Emerald Cuckoo

2009-12-28T03:24:00.000-08:00

This shiny little bird always causes excitement. Quite easy to observe at Pah Gloaymai campsite at Khao Yai during the right time of year. It is simply very busy gleaning grubs from the fairly low trees found at the campsite.

Redshanks

2009-12-21T06:18:00.000-08:00

I seldom get to see Common and Spotted Redshanks next to each other.
Here we can clearly see the difference in bill, size, supercilium and plumage.

2009-12-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

I have been busy taking out visiting birders of late. The primThe top bird of course being the threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
Inspite of it's presence it is never that easy to find as the bird change feeding pans according best water level in the pans. Still, on each occasion when the bird was a priority on the agenda the bird was seen.

A very exciting addition to our avifauna since a couple of years back is the White-faced Plover. There is only one confirmed individual here this year at Lampakbia but this individual has proven to be reliable.
Sometimes during hightide it does move away a bit from the sandspit but always reappears as the tide begins to go down.
Isn't he a charmer?

Speckled Boobook and Sulawesi Scops Owl

2009-10-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

We first saw one of these at Gunung Ambung. Then we were taken to an abandoned building by a research station where this bird has been roosting for several years. This species apparently isn't that common.

The Sulawesi Scops Owl was heard frequently and as many a scops owl eager to respond to playback.
This one from Ambung as well.

Ochre-bellied Boobook

2009-10-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

One thing that stood out to me while in Minahassa, Sulawesi, was the relative ease at which one could spot Owls.
Not to say that I would have found these on my own. Our guide at Tangkokok, Samuel, knew of this day time roost for Ochre-bellied Boobook. There were 3 birds next to a fallen tree. The birds watched us as we approached but didn't feel alarmed enough to take off. I wasn't able to get a clean shot of all 3 birds. The one to the left I believe is the young and the one to the right the female adult.

Red-bellied Pitta

2009-10-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

There isn't much that can live up to the excitement of getting a new Pitta species. In this case I knew the Red-bellied wouldn't be that hard once I was within its distribution range. But how to get to either the PI or Sulawesi.
Happily so, Airasia opened up a route from KL to Manado. Prompto, there I was!
I wanted to see the many endemic birds to the island but the Pitta was still my top of the list bird.

Samuel, the guide at Tangkoko knew the whereabouts of a pair. I had seen poor views of it at Tambun and was keen to get the 'real thing'. Samuel whistled and soon the birds responded. It was amazing to see how relatively confiding they were. Try doing that with a Blue or Eared Pitta in Thailand and you'll see what I mean.

I still struggled to get good shots as there were a lot of branches, bushes, etc blocking from clear views.
Eventually I ended up with these and a memorable encounter.....

Kingfisher Paradise

2009-10-19T01:50:00.001-07:00

Tangkoka forest reserve (or is it National Park?) at the Northern tip of Minhassa region in Sulawesi is an incredible place for Kingfishers. I saw 9 different species in 3 days. This one is a bird of the forest. Very approachable as it sits motionless waiting for a prey. It was difficult to get shots without flash and the flash tends to enhance the colors a bit much but, still, lovely looking bird it is.

Lilac Kingfisher, endemic to Sulawesi

The Green-backed Kingfisher is a bit bigger and more numerous. It also hunts in wooded areas and can be approached real close with care. Endemic to Sulawesi.

Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher

An incredible shiny little jewel of the interior forest. Very approachable.
Also endemic.

Ruddy Kingfisher

Even though not an endemic or lifer for me, I still just love the color of this bird and I think it is the prettiest of them all.

This one was perched over a stream.

Black-billed Kingfisher

lives in the mangroves and a boat ride was necessary to get to see them

I also saw Common Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher and Collared Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher

2009-09-19T00:25:00.001-07:00

It may not be colorful but it has character and style. Loves to hover in the air before striking a mortal blow to an unexpected pray.
Not easily found in Thailand but nevertheless occurs in a wide area in the Central region. This is a breeding pair from the great Chaopraya river in Ayutthaya province.
I got these from a blind.

Huay Hong Krai, Chiang Mai

2009-09-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

Huay Hong Krai, 20 some kilometers out of Chiang Mai on the way to Chiang Rai is where one needs to go to see Green Peafowl in the wild. Well, some don't think they originate from a wild population but I can testify to the lack of tameness of these birds. They are easily shooed away and outright hard to get a decent shot of.

As big as they are they readily take to higher branches when alarmed.

I saw a flock of 6 birds that took off from high in the trees and flew across the waters nearby to settle in the forest across. Quite a sight to see these huge birds in flight.

Doi Inthanon

2009-09-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

I was in the North for a week with my family doing some very exciting school programs in the hills. More about that later. I managed to sneak up on Doi Inthanon one morning. It is past the breeding season and too early for migrants at this altitude. One of my absolute favorite birds up at the bog (2565m a.s.l) is the tiny Pygmy Wren Babbler.
The penetrating call of the bird is easy to identify but to spot the bird in the moss laden montane oak forest is another thing. I was so pleased to get a decent shot of it.

Another tiny and incredibly active bird from the bog at the summit: Rufous-winged Fulvetta. They move about in small parties in search for food. Very hard to get a shot of.

In Thailand I only know of one 'sure spot' to see the Snowy-browed Flycatcher and that is at the bog of the Summit of Doi Inthanon. The bird is actually seen in many a high mountain in SEA and when I visited Mt. Kinabalu it was one of the most common passerines. Here is a shot of the handsome male.

One of the most common birds of the Summit is this colorful little bird. It moves about in small flocks and is always on the move.

Silver-eared Laughingthrush ( split from Chestnut-crowned) is another common resident bird easily seen.

There were a few other birds around such as the resident Ashy-throated Warbler and White-tailed Warbler.
Yellow-bellied Fantail was doing its usual acrobatic flying sorties but I decided to head down to the jeep track instead.

I managed to see a Slaty-bellied Tesia but no picture. Instead I used playback with my voice recorder and managed one single shot of a Lesser Shortwing. This is a different race from the one seen in Peninsular Malaysia and Java.

After that I went for to have lunch at Mr Daeng's restaurant. He now has 6 rooms for rent at 500 Baht/room.

Plain Prinia

2009-08-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Breeding is still happening in the wetlands. The Plain Prinia is the most common prinia. Prinias are resident warblers that inhabit marshes, grasslands and secondary growth. The rarest are Brown and Hill Prinia found only on mountains further North.
Anyone visiting Central Thailand evidently has to encounter the Plain Prinia. It love to perch exposed from a reed, a bush, a stick etc. It has a monotonous call zee-zee-zee-zee that is easily heard.

Here it is perching a few meters from its nest checking that the 'coast is clear' before bringing the grub to the chicks.

Some sort of a smaller cricket will also do.

The nest with the opening on the top.

Leaving for some more grubs.

Easy fieldmarks is the long and often cocked tail and white supercilium.

Small Minivet

2009-08-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

One of the more colorful bird found in some larger parks in the Bangkok area.
These shots are from King's Park (Suan Luang) which isn't too far from the Suwanaphom airport.
News of a male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher drew me to the park on Satuday morning.
The bird was not co-operative for close shots. There were atleast 20 Thai bird photographers trying their best.
Instead, at about 8:45 a flock of about 15 of these lovely birds came by.
They are quite vocal with their peeping calls.

It was a mixture of males, females and young birds. One male adult had the company of a young bird which was very demanding. The father had to work very hard to find grubs for it.

Sometimes it seemed that the birds would 'dance in the air' as they did little tumbles and flew against the wind then letting the wind carry them before doing some more acrobatics. Very nice to observe these colorful birds at close range.

Here is a brightly colored male:

And here is the young bird with wings spread and calling for food:

Daddy comes to rescue:

The female is a lot plainer looking but still has some color:

Nice wing patterns from the male:

A more erect perch:

Eurasian Thick-knee

2009-08-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

This is a bird not often seen in Thailand. There is a fairly regular population at an arid area in western part of Petburi province but it involves a bit of a drive. I have seen individuals in arid areas near Kaengkrachan park as well.
However, when this bird appeared in a suburban park of Bangkok it was unusual.
The park is huge and has had some good records of late such as Fairy Pitta: new species for Thailand, and Narcissus Flycatcher.

I got wind of the bird through some local websites and knew where to look for it. It was said to be on a small 'island' called 'dog island'. This is a place where stray dogs as well as unwanted dogs are sheltered.
I drove the loop slowly in search for my bird but failed to see it. Decided to step out of the car in hope of flushing it.
Did those dogs ever bark at a large caocasian on their grounds! I walked around and finally decided to get back to the car. That is when I flushed the bird. Off it flew. I followed it with my eyes, quickly got the engine going and drove after it.
It sweetly decided to land on an open lawn. Yes! Now I knew I had a chance. I stopped, got out my 'walking blind' and with me inside moved towards my target.

There are only 9 species of Thick-knees in the world. This is the most common on northern grounds as these birds are primarily found in the southern continents. Formerly known as Stone-Curlew. I suspect the name derives from the sort of Curlew like 'wailing' sound it makes. And Stone I suppose comes from the arid area it prefers to dwell in.
Now it is called a 'thick-knee'....which this image clearly depicts.

It is primarily crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) and spend the day sleeping.
When it is alarmed it lays down as cover.

The most striking thing about the bird to me is the large eye. Maybe they should be called 'Big-eyes'?

This was my nicest image.

All taken with Canon 30D and 400F5.6 handheld.

Asian Golden Weaver

2009-08-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

The rain season is the best time to find these lovely little birds. Restricted to a fairly small range and being threatened by loss of suitable breeding habitat help to make them sought after.

They are fairly easy to take note of as they are very active in their breeding colonies. I often see them in colonies of up to 20 pairs. Birds fly in and out and vocalize a lot. I have started seeing more nesting birds in small groups of 2-3 pairs. Possibly an indication of the increasing difficulty in finding suitable habitat?

The male is strikingly golden whereas the female have more of the traditional colors of a sparrow.

Here is the female bringing some nesting material. From what I have observed it is only the males that build the nest and it is up to the females to accept or reject. I often see empty nests in a colony so obviously not all nests pass inspection. The female seem to be the one to patch up the inside if the nest.

Nakorn Nayok, part 3

2009-08-18T03:12:00.000-07:00

Here is what most folks come to look for at the Military Academy, Malaysian Night Heron. Mainly crepuscular and having a preference to inside the forest as well as rare in Thailand makes it for a rare sighting. Outside of the Botanical Garden in Taipeh I don't know where to see it this easy. However it is only during a few months in the rainy season that it shows.

It feeds totally in the open in between a few stands of trees. I suppose it rely on its sight for protection. It flies off when approached openly. However, it is rather easy to fool as all one has to do is get into a 'walking blind' and move in on it.

It has a hunched appearance but the silhouette is conspicuous making it easy to spot once in the open.

Nakorn Nayok, part 2a

2009-08-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

The Vinous-breasted Starling is a resident and mostly sedentary bird not encountered that often.

I remember my first sighting of this bird at a friends house in the middle of Bangkok many years ago. Boy, was I surprised. I can still go for long periods without seeing one as it isn't very numerous.
At the Military Academy there were 6 birds (biggest group I have seen) on the lawn.
Superficially resembling Black-collared Starling but easily separated by their smaller size.

This Black-collared Starling was collecting a lot of worms and I suspect it must be feeding young as well.

Nakorn Nayok, part 2

2009-08-18T02:06:00.000-07:00

This colorful bird is quite common in a variety of open habitats. It is never easy to approach as it will fly off while flashing its blue wings glistering in the sunlight. This bird was obliging. Probably a young bird. Young birds seem to be like humans, not fully aware of the dangers in the world around them.

Another very common bird in the grasslands is the Red-wattled Lapwing. When alarmed it takes to its wings while uttering its loud song: 'dtae wae wet'

Nakorn Nayok, part 1a

2009-08-17T23:33:00.000-07:00

The birds often call from higher up in a tree as seen here.

They also come out to sun themselves, dry their feathers, in the morning sun.

Best way to approach the birds is to remain in the car using it as a blind.

Nakorn Nayok, part 1

2009-08-17T23:20:00.000-07:00

June-Aug is absolutely the best time for seeing Blue-winged Pittas. These birds migrate from Indonesia to breed in the wet season when there is a lot of food supply for them.

The Military Acadamy at Nakorn Nayok is located adjoining Khao Yai national park. It is a lush area with landscaped lawns, stands of trees, secondary growth and some hills with more mature forest. It is easy to get to some 80 km from where I live in Northern Bangkok.

The Pittas can be heard in their diagnostic calls all over the area. Easiest time to see them is in the early morning after a night of rain. The soil is soft and loads of worms are available. The Pittas then emerge from the thick vegetation to 'pile up' their worms for their chicks. It is interesting to observe how they sometimes put the worms down just to pick them up again. Sort of like giving themselves a break before they bring the worms to the nest.

Why so few postings!

2007-04-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

My apologies for not posting since mid Feb. I have simply not had the time. Been out quite a bit in the field and busy while at home. Currently on a trip to the South with family for work and visiting friends.

Will try to post asap. Waders are changing into breeding plumage. Here is a Curlew Sandpiper.

Also a Long-toed Stint in breeding plumage

And here is a rare Little Stint from Thailand.

A Little Stint in full breeding plumage.

See the differences between Little Stint and this Red-necked Stint?

Northern Thailand 14-18/2

2007-02-26T03:20:00.000-08:00

This was to be my 3rd trip to Northern Thailand with Daniel Martin. This year the target birds were obviously fewer which made it all the more exciting.

Day 1.
We met up in the early morning at Chiang Mai airport. The airport is only a few minutes from the city center and our 4WD pick-up truck from Northwheels was waiting for us. After a little discussion we decided to head strait for Doi Angkhang some 170km North of CM. The reason being a good number of rare Turdus Thrushes had taken to the backside of the main restaurant inside the Royal Project at Bahn Khom, the main village at Doi Angkhang.

We took the more direct route via Fang as opposed to the more scenic route that has a turn off to the left shortly North of Chiang Dao. The 3liter engine worked very well and scaling up the steep mountain was a breeze.
Sure enough, the Thrushes were still there and Martin was able to tick off both Grey-sided as well as Black-breasted. Quite some treat! Also Eye-browed and Scaly Thrush were present.
These birds have been photographed extensively and though still shy are quite tolerant of all the commotion that goes on around the kitchen and workers tending to the Rose Garden right next to it. Of course the birds would fly off from time to time but always returning.

We had lunch at the restaurant and were entertained by a very nice wave of birds consisting of a pair of Black-throated Laughingthrushes, big flock of Japanese White-eyes, a few Blue-winged Minlas, White-tailed Warblers, a single White-browed Scimitar-Babbler and two female Slaty-backed Flycatchers. The later had taken their respective territory and we could enjoy them at length.

With the Thrushes in hand we continued on towards Nong Bong Kai lake at Chiang Saen near to the Golden Triangle. Baer’s Pochard being the main target bird.
There are accommodations available next to the lake and though they don’t offer food the caretaker brought us food from a restaurant a few kilometers away.
Thousands upon thousands of Lesser Whistling Duck were found in the lake as well as being mixed in with the floating vegetation. We found some Pintailed Ducks and Spot-billed but no diving ducks. It soon turned dark so we had to wait till the morning.

Lots and lots of wetland birds in this area. Striated Grass Warbler is a charm with a lovely song, big groups of Purple Swamp hen at close range with their nice colors.
The area is great for Racket-tailed Treepies in the adjoining woodlands. Kingfishers are readily seen as well.
We found some diving ducks primarily Ferruginous Poachard and Tufted Duck. A few Wigeons that I tried my best to somehow turn into Common Pochards but without success. I haven’t seen this bird yet as it is very rare in Thailand.
Most disturbingly we failed to see any Baer’s Pochards in spite getting help from a local ranger. Temperatures has risen of late and he speculated that the birds had moved on.
His name is Pop and is very friendly (doesn’t speak English) but can assist in locating birds if he has time. Ask for him at the office of the Non-hunting Area Centre.
The 4WD came in good use as we drove on bumpy graveled roads all over the area.
Still, there was a reward up ahead for us. A female Mandarin Duck was seen and photographed in a more marshy area. My first life bird for the trip!

Other good birds were a rare pair of Mallards, some Coots (yes, I know what you are thinking but this is tropical Thailand!) and a pair of Chestnut-headed Babblers.

Driving through the scenic landscape with a strong car was a blessing. Then, when going down a smaller hill suddenly the breaks gave in. I lost pressure in the breaks but they were still working somewhat. Had to slow down and keep going in search of a garage.
It took at least 50 km before we found one. As it was, a bearing had busted and according to the mechanic the whole wheel could have come off or at least exploded since all the brake fluids were gone, causing extreme heat.
It took them a couple of hours to have it taken care off and we were able to reclaim the expense later on. Felt so much better to drive with good brakes again.

It did shut down our afternoon plans of going up Doi Lang, instead we took to some rural areas looking in vain for Siberian Ruby Throat.

At Tah Torn we stayed at the very nice but inexpensive Garden Home resort, and treated ourselves to some good food.

Day 3.

Up early for the 45 minutes drive up Doi Lang. This time we didn’t need to look for Jerdon’s Bushchat as we saw that one last year.
The ridge on the top is at 2000m level with rather thick forest on both sides interspersed with grass and scrub. Many an exciting bird has been seen here and we were hoping for something rare to show up. Crested Finchbills were common this morning. A few Whiskered Yuhinnas a plus. More regular montane birds such as Spectacled Barwing, Rufous-backed and Dark-backed Sibias were around as was Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird.
Then a woodpecker came in full view. We both hoped for Crimson-breasted but alas it was a Stripe-breasted. A White-tailed Robin crossed the road, a Northern Goshawk came in for a quick perch. We kept driving the road back and forth till we decided to go on.
That is when the BIRD OF THE TRIP gave a brief performance. A bright male Golden Bush Robin was flushed from the roadside giving brief but clear views as it crossed the road to disappear into the vegetation! We were both delighted but also found ourselves wishing it would have lasted longer.

Doi Angkhang is not very far from Doi Lang. On the way to Angkhang we dropped into the office of Mae Fang National Park. I wanted to enquire if the regular Spot-winged Grosbeaks were showing. Found out that they had stopped coming in a couple of weeks earlier. A bonus was a juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard munching on a lizard some 30 meters away.

Mae Fang National Park has natural hot springs with massage facilities. Tents and cabins are available and a nice destination for some relaxation if need be. River Chat is usually in the stream. This is also where permission to go up Doi Pahompok is obtained.

We made it to Angkhang in the early afternoon. Decided to check out the Thrushes again.
Some workmen were there installing an exhaustion system to the kitchen making a lot of racket. Very noisy! We were told they were expecting a Royalty for dinner and had to install the system quickly. Also, the Minister of Environment was around. He apparently has an interest in birds as well. Looking good for birds in Thailand for the present with the present Prime Minister also being a birdwatcher!

Angkhang also frequently has rarities showing up. Bramblings were seen and photographed earlier on in the season and a flock of up to 20 Black-headed Greenfinches were supposed to be around as well. We bumped into Wings tours with Philip Round who told us he had just seen the Finches. Off we went but couldn’t find them at the spot given.
Up a hill right before the village of Nor Lae there is some kind of governmental radio station. The man in charge told us that he had seen the birds daily for a month now and insisted that they would come around if we just waited. That’s just what we did. Sure enough, a flock of 10 birds came to perch in a barren tree defying the strong winds sweeping the mountain. My 3rd life bird! Now 713 for Thailand and hoping for more!

Bahn Luang resort where we found out that the Minister was staying.
Still, we got rooms and ended the day with good looks at River Chat, Plembous Redstart, and a male Black-breasted Thrush in the little waterfall.
The owner of the resort, Mr. Tawatchai, enjoys bird watching and is a good host.

He told us that he had heard of a villager with 2 Hume’s Pheasants in his possession. He quickly tried to buy the birds from the man but the man said: ‘sorry, you are too late, we just ate one for dinner’…..

Day 4.

Next day we woke up to 4 degrees Celsius. A male Hume’s Pheasant had been showing at km 34 about a week earlier at 7:30 and we got to the spot by 7:15…….no birds showed! (I later found out that Wings had the birds the day following at 6:30)
Our biggest blooper for the trip!

We did some general birding at various spots and got to see quite a few things. Rufous-bellied and Large Niltava, Red-faced Liochicla, Eye-browed Laughingthrushes, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Mountain Bamboo Partridge and Slaty Blue Flycatcher were some of them.

Back to the Thrushes for a last view and lunch before we started our journey to Doi Inthanon.

Day 5.

Doi Inthanon Highland Resort is where most birders stay. The grounds are great for easy birding, the food is exceptional and not far to the park gate.

We visited the dry area at km 13 before dusk but as expected very quiet. A Collared Falconet being the most noteworthy.

Right at dusk a Spotted Owlet started calling and came to perch on a roof on resort grounds. I called for Martin who was showering. Once out the bird was gone.

Very good food again and some cold refreshing drinks.

We only had a few realistic target birds for DI and set out for the first one in the early morning. Speckled Wood Pigeons do come out to sun themselves a bit above the pagodas at higher ground. No sooner had we gotten out of the car when a flock of 20 birds showed. With that in hand we went on for Rufous-throated Partridges at the summit.
The birds often show at the ranger’s kitchen but hadn’t been seen for a while.
At 7:40 we had a pair feeding some 5 meters from us. Excellent views!

After that we relaxed and did some general birding at the summit. Common Rosefinches were up here as were the mandatory Chestnut-tailed Minlas, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Blue Whistling Thrushes, Ashy-throated Warblers and Rufous-winged Fulvettas, not to speak of Green-tailed Sunbirds.

Then back at km 31 to look for Fire-capped Tit in the plum orchard. No birds here yet this season the owner told us. Instead a nice Yellow-eyed Babbler popped up from the roadside grasses.

Lunch at Mr. Daeng’s restaurant. A tame Siberian Blue Robin hopped around the restaurant. Down below in the leaf litter a single Dark-sided Thrush poked around for food. Lifer for Martin. Good views of Asian Stubtailed as it feed alongside the Thrush.

Jeep track after lunch gave us Vivid Niltava and a pair of Brown-throated Treecreepers but not much else to speak of.

Instead we settled for a visit to Mae Hia agricultural research station outside of Chiang Mai. We were trying to find the Rubythroat again but to no avail. Instead Martin got his Spotted Owlet as a pair were roaming about. Not an uncommon bird but one I don’t see very often.

The evening was spent at the Irish Pub located by the Anusarn food market. Great food at low cost and friendly atmosphere. It was a nice way of ending our time together. Martin ended up with 15 lifers and me with 3.

Kaengkrachan and Lampakbia 31-2/2

2007-02-09T23:03:00.000-08:00

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Douglas Witt with wife and friends had toured Thailand and asked me to help them to get to Kaengkrachan. It worked out with my schedule and so off we went.
Got to Lampakbia in the late afternoon, low tide and hardly any waders around.
As usual though, the mangrove research station had good birds. The 20 some Ruffs seen here seem to not bother feeding at the mudflats and are ever present. Lovely birds with great variety in plumage between the sexes.

Kaengkrachan was a bit on the quiet side but a morning on the upper parts is always impressive. Dough was interested in details in all that he saw but the others had a more leisurely approach. In other words, there was something for everyone.
We did see two species of Hornbills, one Trogon, Necklaced Laughingthrushes, White-hooded Babblers a party of 4 Great Slaty Woodpeckers (quite some sight all working on the same branch) plus a lot of common birds.

On the way home I dropped by Lampakbia again and this time it was high tide with resultant gatherings of waders. Again, the research station proved excellent.

Pictures show Temminck's Stint, Ruff, Common KF, Chinese Pond-Heron, White-throated KF, Fairy bluebird,
Pied Hornbill, Sultan's Tit, Large Wood-Shrike and Pain-tailed Snipe.
I am not proficient in the layout of this blog so things are being displayed by the default of the program.

The North 25-29/1

2007-02-09T22:15:00.000-08:00

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I had a fun time in the North with Peter Stahl and spouse who came in from cold Canada for sometime in the sun. Peter is a keen photographer with a wealth of high quality photographs at his webpages http://www.pbase.com/decor

We set out to visit nearby fields on our first day. Seeing the sun rise over the paddies and hearing all the birds come alive was an uplifting event. Some neat looking Wire-tailed Swallows were the best attraction.
Then we proceeded to drive along the scenic route to Doi Angkhang.
Once there we were able to visit River Chat, Plembous Redstart and a male Black-breasted Thrush at Bahn Luang resort. The latter was a lifer for me.
A Streaked Wren Babbler also showed at the resort's pitoresque waterfall.

After a local meal of fresh veggies it was time to visit the Royal agricultural project. Behind the restaurant's kitchen quite a number of Thrushes had gathered to feed in the well nourished soil. Several Black-breasted, Scaly, Eye-browed and even a Grey-winged Thrush were seen. In addition a female White-tailed Robin was showing real well.

The next couple of days we shifted to Doi Inthanon. Never have I seen the summit so crowded with people. Felt like downtown Bangkok. Did see many birds at all but atleast got shots of Chestnut-tailed Minlas and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes.
Weather was cold so the excellent coffee available up here was much appreciated.
We proceeded to look for birds a little here and there. Best birds photographed were a female Daurian Redstart and Long-tailed Broadbills.

At the resort outside the park we had fun shooting a Warbler which was either Radde's or Streak-throated. It didn't call so couldn't tell.

Mae Hia outside of Bangkok produced a lot of open woodland and field birds. Getting the Green-billed Malkoha still for some shots was a treat as it usually never is still.

Then we tried Huay Teung Tao which wasn't that good but gave an Asian Barred Owlet much to Peter's joy.

Peter showed me some things about Photoshop and I enjoyed seeing him in action with his big 'bazooka'...Pictures displayed here are with my 'small gun' the 400m F5.6 and Canon 350Rebel.

Kaengkrachan

2007-01-16T20:06:00.000-08:00

Kaengkrachan 14-15/1

It finally worked out for me to bring my wife, kids and fellow co-worker to Panernthung, Kaenkrachan National Park for an overnight stay. The cooler weather and promised sea of cloud formed in the early morning enveloping the forest and surrounding peaks was what determined this trip.

First stop after a rather lengthy drive was the 2nd stream at km 16.

It isn't really butterfly season yet but there were enough dancing flowers around to excite little eyes!

The transparent fish in the stream were very happy for a handout of bread crumps.
Kids asked: 'How did the fish get up here?' 'They stayed on the mountain after Noah's ark was stranded in the Flood and the waters receded, is what the Bible teaches us' was my reply.

Seeing it was Sunday the campground at Panernthung was not crowded. We chose our spot
with some great views overlooking the rolling mountains leading into Myanmar.
Up here one can sense the vastness of Creation and how it was meant to be 'once upon a time' before man started messing it up.

The afternoon was spent playing, birding, eating, relaxing, talking and enjoying our wonderful setting. The only thing that spoiled our total peace was a gang of young men camping out near to us. They had been told not to sing, play guitar or tape players by the rangers. Instead they resorted to talking, giggling and insane laughther througout the night. A real 'Devil's pest' in the middle of God's Garden.

Some of the birds seen in the area were Wreathed and Great Hornbill. Great and Blue-throated Barbets (see pic), Radde's Warbler,White-browed Scimitar Babbler (see pic), White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Cheastnut-headed Bee-eater (see pic), Oriental Honey Buzzard etc.

The Mountain Scops Owl kept calling for hours but inspite of repeated playback wouldn't come in for a show. Still need to see this bird.

The next morning we drove down the bumby and dusty road with our van. No other vans up here, only 4 WD's. On the way out we bumbed into Pinit and Nang leading a group of foreign birders.

Back at the Dam we stopped for a picknick lunch and headed to Chaosumran beach at Petburi. Kids got to play in the ocean, walk in the sand and smell the sea. Me? Had a cold drink and enjoyed the Common Terns feeding nearby.

Then we drove to Lampakbia Mangrove reserach station. Lots of birds in here as they don't use pesticides. These good sized birds caught everyone's attention.

New Year!

2007-01-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

What an unusual way to end the old year and to begin the new! Birding at Lampakbia and Kaengkrachan. Kim Chua, an oldtime friend from Singapore whom I initially met at the mangroves of Pasiris park, came up with his family. Both of our families agreed to let us go, God bless them!
Target bird for Kim was Nordmann’s Greenshank, Giant Pitta, Bar-backed Partridge and a few odds and ends.
Lampakbia was a delight as usual. Full of waders of all sorts as well as open country birds. In a flock of 300 Great Knots with some Red mixed in we found a few Nordmann’s. These are such neat looking birds and once learned not really to be confused with Common. After a couple of hours in the area getting our heart’s content we had a sumptuous meal by the beach.
Kaengkrachan was totally packed out with New Year’s revelers and we were denied entry to the park. Instead of giving up we went to the first checkpoint from where one can pay the entry fee as well. Same story, entry denied.
Waited awhile until the chief of the park came around, explained the situation and allowed us in to where the sealed road becomes a dirt road. Atleast we had fun looking at some more common smaller birds along the roadside.
There is a smaller resort about 1 km before the checkpoint where we camped out for the night. While dining the news of bombs going off in Bangkok came on TV. Whoever was behind it seemed to achieve their goal as most people in Bangkok went home after that.
There is a lot of power in fear something realized not only by terrorists but also big governments and used in manipulating the masses.

Following morning we were let in. Arrived at Bahnkrahng early on to see A LOT of vehicles start their drive up to Panernthung for sunrise. In Thailand people love waterfalls as well as seeing the sunrise. I guess many want to see the sun come up giving light and a new day and that would be symbolic of a New and better Year.

We quickly started our birding around km 16-17. As usual it was quiet and much more heard then seen. We used tape to see if we would get any feedback from the Giant Pitta seen around here last year. After crossing the stream and finding the trail that goes inside the forest we stayed put for awhile trying our luck. No Giant Pitta to be seen but instead a Blue Pitta came foraging for a couple of minutes to give good views.
Later, a Giant Pitta did respond once but was never to be seen. Perhaps it came to have a look at us and decided against an appearance?

Out on the road I heard something scratching the ground. Only 2 meters from me a Bar-backed Partridge suddenly froze in its tracts. This was Kim’s second lifer and he was very delighted. Other birds seen in here was Tickelli’s Hornbill (Brown), Sulphur-breasted, Plain-tailed and Pale-legged Warbler (lifer for Kim).
Around noon we headed out of the park and had another delicious meal at Gang Pet restaurant by the dam. Best food around!

Beung Borapet

2007-01-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

9th of January

Got a call from Philip Round in the afternoon on the 8th. 7 Grey-legged Geese had been seen at Beung Borapet, Nakorn Sawan since the 6th. Obtained permission from home to go along. Got to the place in the evening and stayed at the research station for waterfowl. Simple lodging.
Up early with a couple of people from the station who took us to where the birds had been seen. Unfortunately there were quite a number of farmers in the area and no matter how hard or long we tried we failed to find the geese.
Instead we saw huge flocks of ducks in the air. About 3000. Pintailed Duck, 3000 Gargeneys, small number of Eurasian Wigeon (2), Northern Shoveler (3), Common Teal (2) and presumably 1 Ferruginous Duck.
There were literally hundreds of Grey Herons around the lake. Maybe 4-500. Purple Herons were common, Purple Swamphen (100), 20000 Lesser Whistling Ducks flew up from floating vegetation as we drove by in a boat. Quite some site. Cotton Pygmy Geese were inbetween the Whistling Ducks. A few Spot-billed Pelicans was a great site to behold. A flying female Painted Snipe gave good views. A Peregrine Falcon worked its way across the wetlands. A single Eastern Marsh Harrier sought out prey in the fields.
Striated Warblers could be seen and heard with their musical songs. The whole lake was teeming with birds. Openbills, Jacana’s, Cormorants etc, etc. I must get back up there sometime. A consolation price was that I was able to tick off Common Coot for my Thai list.
It was a great opportunity for me to learn from Philip as he helped to sort out some Reed Warbler calls I was unclear about. Thank you!

Lampakbia, Petburi

2007-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

5th of January

Bengt Legnell, another oldtime friend from Sweden had arrived a few days earlier. He was waiting for a team of Swedes he’d guide around mid January so I thought I’d like to take him out to brush up on some of the local birds.
We decided for a day at Lampakbia. This truly is a great area where one can be watching birds uninterrupted and continually. Higlight was the Greenshanks again but we failed to find any Spoon-billed SP normally seen in the area.
In the late afternoon we searched hard for this bird at Khok Kham but dipped again.

Pix. Black-capped KF, Nordmann's Greenshank in flight, Common Snipe, Long-toed Stint.