Supsadao, Khao Yai, Watprabhutabahtnoi, Don
Muang
8-10th of April 2014
I have wanted to visit the Sapsadao
substation of Taplan National Park for a long time but never got around doing
so.
When Ike Suriwong came for a visit we both
thought it to be a good idea to give the place a try.
The area is primarily a dry dipterocarp
covered forest with several species not found in more wet deciduous forest on
higher levels of nearby Khao Yai National Park.
It was tricky to get information of how to
get to the place and as it turned out the reported kilometer markings were all
changed and of no help. Instead we had to stop frequently and ask the locals
for directions.
Basically we drove from Bangkok passed Nakorn
Nayok and kept going towards Kabinburi where we turned left onto highway number
304. This is a major road connecting the Northeast with the Southeast and has a
lot of traffic on an at times narrow road crossing the mountains on its way to
the plateau of the Northeast.
We had a nice late breakfast in an area
called Wang NamKaew. This is a well known recreational area for Thai people
with many orchards, resorts and eateries .
After our meal we came upon the entrance to
Sakerat wildlife sanctuary. This area is famous for Siamese Firebacks being
easy along the narrow road passed headquarters. It was after 9 am but we still
saw 3 birds displaying and feeding along the road. This would serve as a good
back up place if failing to see them at Khao Yai some 80 kilometers away.
Once on the other side of the mountain
passage the challenge of finding our way began in earnest. In the end we found
Supsadao about 27 km away from road 304 after having done a number of turns
into the interior.
The graveled road took us through a
landscape full of plantations, cassava, rubber, sugar and corn being the main
crops.
Some good birds seen along this road were
Crested Honey Buzzard, Rufus-winged Buzzard,
Indo-Chinese Bushlark, Hoopoe and Green
Bee-eaters.
The access road to the forest reserve was
very birdy inspite of our late arrival at noon.
Almost immediately we got on to several
Blossom-headed Parakeets including young ones.
Grey-breasted Prinias were very vocal.
Common Iora likewise. A couple of Velvet-fronted Nuthatches brightened up the
show. A pair of Small Minivets added more color. Rufous Treepies were obvious.
Vinous-breasted Starlings rather common. A Black-headed Woodpecker came to feed
on something on the road.
Loads of White-vented Mynas around and a
few Hill Mynas as well.
Lineated Barbets kept singing. Olive-backed
Sunbirds were common.
Closer to headquarters Red-breasted
Parakeets took over from the Blossom-headed.
Once passed the head quarters the forest
became taller and fewer smaller birds were seen.
Good birds seen in here were: Red-billed
Blue Magpie, Lesser Yellownape, Comon Flameback,
Large Cuckoo Shrike, Black Baza, Rufescent
Prinia, Eurasian Jay and Shikra.
Our main target bird: White-browed Fantail
eluded us during our afternoon visit and continued to do so on the following
morning. Perhaps it is more scarce then reported or it was breeding?
We found a simple hotel back on 304 and
went back for a morning session the day after.
There were a lot of activity but not many
new birds seen.
Best highlite was to get some close up
images of Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker and Common Wood Shrike. We also saw a
single Burmese Shrike.
Other common birds in the area: Indian
Roller, Pied Fantail, Asian Palm Swift, Barnswallow, Magpie Robin, Eastern
Jungle Crow, Ashy Wood Swallow, Plain-backed Sparrows, Scaly-breasted Munias,
Taiga Flycatcher, Radde’s Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Barred Buttonquail,
Pied Bushchat, Siberian Stonechat.
I wanted to see what the road driving from
Wang Namkaew to Khao Yai was like and it turned out to be an easy drive on a
good but winding road. It only took 1 hour from the turn off on 304 to get to
the park entrance. Along the way we stopped to view some Crested Treeswift on
wires.
The afternoon we spent inside of Khao Yai
but both our target birds were not seen. White-throated Rock Thrush most likely
left for its breeding grounds and the Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo no longer
showing by the restaurant. It is also
breeding season for this bird.
We know it would be a bit risky to go after
these birds so didn’t feel too disappointed.
Instead we found a nice European styled
restaurant and treated ourselves to a nice supper.
Juladit Resort has been taken over by some
developers but J2, the old part of Juladit, still offer some better priced
rooms. So, good air-con, Wifi and comfortable beds was all we needed.
Next morning we got up early to make sure
to be at Watpraputtabahtnoi on time.
The temple is situated 20minutes drive
North of Suraburi and took us a little over an hour to get to.
In the morning the strong song of Limestone
Wren Babblers dominate the area even outdoing the every so noisy dogs present.
We saw 4 different pairs of this endemic
sub-species. A great wildlife encounter.
Then back to Bangkok but first a quick
visit to an area of Don Muang where a feral population of Java Sparrows are
known to hang out. After some search we found a pair with two juveniles by
their nest on a building.
Back home again after lunch and now contemplating
how to best spend the days during Songkran festival.
Siamese Fireback
Lesser Yellownape
Grey-capped Woodpecker
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Common Wood Shrike
Limestone Wren Babbler
Comments