Thaibirds and more

Having seen  a Masked Finfoot easily is one of my top experiences in the field of ornithology. It all started with an email from Robert Hutchinson enquiring if I knew anything about a Masked Finfoot at Khao Yai. I thought it must be a hoax but Robert insisted and told me an image was to be found online. I googled the net and found the image and accompanying text. I was a bit shocked that this incredible sighting hadn’t reached my ‘ears’ until 3 weeks after it was seen. I got on the phone and talked to Guide A, who at the time worked as a guide at Khao Yai. I told him of the find. A few days later another Thai guy sent an image of the same bird to Philip D. Round who promptly sent out a message alerting everyone. I immediately called Guide A and impressed upon him the need for urgency. Then a couple of days later, Guide A, excitedly called saying how he had seen the bird after several days of trying. Next day I drove  to Khao Yai and placed myself at the given spot. I sat for 8 hours w

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.