Cotton Pygmy Goose.

Although originally a wetland, the lake as it currently stands, was created in 1930 by damming, and today consists of more than 220 square kilometres. The area is generally considered the most important waterbird habitat in central Thailand, and a reasonable area of the lake is gazetted as a protected non-hunting area. However, fishing, vegetation gathering, and general disturbance means the wildlife of the area still faces enormous pressure, and in 2014 this area was dredged for production of lotus plants and has still not recovered. Rank commercialisation remains a serious threat. Even so, this still remains an interesting birding locality, and one of the few remaining places from which Baer's Pochard is occasionally recorded. Information on this page verified/accurate as of 8 Feb 2020.

Birding areas are found on both the southern and northern shores of the lake, which are accessed from Highways 225 and 3001, off Highway 1 just south of town. The usual National Park access fee is charged at the Waterbird Park.

Bueng Boraphet Waterbird Park

The most productive area is likely to be the Waterbird Park on the southern shore. From Nakhon Sawan head southward out of town on Highway 1 toward Bangkok. Just after crossing the Nan river, zero the trip meter at the Highway 225 turnoff. Continue southward a further 1.2 kilometres and take Highway 3001, signposted to Tha Tako. The entrance to the Waterbird Park is well signposted on the left after 13.8 kilometres. From here to the parking area is 3.5 kilometres. Some scrub passed on the right can be interesting for those with time.

Several birding options are available; a boat trip, the observation towers, the Nature Trail and the boardwalk. Early morning is best for a boat trip, which will take two to three hours, and best arranged the evening before by asking staff. The best boatman, who knows the birds, is Khun Phanom. Taking the boat is the best way to encounter ducks, which are usually well away from the shore and often in the lotus. Lesser Whistling Duck is common, with some wintering northern ducks. This is the best way to encounter Cotton Pygmy Goose and any divers such as Ferruginous Duck. Other species often recorded include Whiskered Tern , Sand Martin, Oriental Darter, Eastern Marsh Harrier, both jacanas and White-browed Crake.

White-eyed River Martin monument

Plain-backed Sparrow

Another morning's birding can be to walk the 2.5 kilometre loop from the parking area, along the Nature Trail and back along the paved route from the tower via the river martin monument. The scrub, reeds and rank grassy pools along this loop are a real challenge of small, skulking, brown birds with a plethora of 'tic' and 'tac' calls. Black-browed Reed Warbler and Dusky Warbler are common. Other species to look out for include Siberian Rubythroat, White-shouldered Starling, Forest Wagtail, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, and both Baya Weaver and Asian Golden Weaver. A recently constructed boardwalk leads from the monument to another observation and back to the kiosks and parking area.

Southern Fields and Scrub

Quail, buttonquail and lark species were all once prevalent in the area, but have declined with increased farming and development. One good area of fields which are usually left fallow in the dry season, can be found by turning northward off Highway 3001 at 8.7 kilometres. At 12.2 kilometres a right turn leads, by paved road, back to the Waterbird Park. Fields along here are worthy of investigation and often hold Indochinese Bush Lark. When dry only, it's possible to continue north on dirt tracks to the lake edge at 14.1 kilometres, and even cross the dam on a dirt road. Any fields or scrub could be investigated.

Chinese Pond Heron

For those interested in further exploration it's possible to find farm tracks off Highway 225 leading toward the lake edge - these are likely to be good for wintering migrants when not under intense rice cultivation.

Pied Kingfisher