Thaibirds and more

I got up too late but still decided to visit Khok Kham as the weather looked gloomy which means any photography would still be ok. I don't like glaring light. Traffic was bad so didnt make it till 9:45. Ouch, the tide was already out and very few birds in the pans. Well, you actually only need one bird at the time and as I sat in my car I spotted a few individuals who for some reason hadn't gone out to the mud flats. Waders undergo an amazing transformation of color to fit them better in their upcoming breeding grounds on the Siberian tundra. Camouflage is the name of the game. The Red-necked Stints were there in various stages of moulting. Lesser Sand Plover is another bird that a bit of color quickly adds to its attraction. Broad-billed, Marsh and Curlew Sandpiper added to the variety.

White-rumped Munia Plain Prinia House Sparrow (indicus)  It is always fun to bird in a new place. This place is only a few hundred meters from a very busy road but it is run by the state and thus protected from all kinds of disruptions. Also the farming is done organically which allows for insect and birds to co-exist.  Open area birding can be a lot of fun as birds are always around, not hiding in the trees! This is the race of House Sparrow found in Thailand, indicus, somethings called Indian House Sparrow. Paddyfield Pipit Stejnegeri's Stonechat  Paddyfield Pipit is a resident very common bird in paddies. Isolated it can be hard to ID from Richard's but call and size do differ a lot. Sorting races out can be tricky with taxonomy often changing. Our Eastern Stonechat i.e. is held up to species level: Stejnegeri's Stonechat. Yellow Wagtail has more races then one can even dream of. This one, myornyx b