Overview
The habitat consists largely of dry Dipterocarp forest, though there are patches of mixed deciduous forest, evergreen forest and stands of bamboo. This site holds species somewhat similar to those found on the lower slopes of Doi Inthanon, and is good for woodpeckers. The main areas can be covered in a long day. A small booklet, Birds of Mae Ping National Park (1998) ISBN 974-5892823, in both Thai and English by David W. Groom, lists a number of interesting species, though finding them can be difficult. Information on this page verified/accurate as of 21 Jan 2023.
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Access
The park is situated about 150 km south of Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai, head south to Li. This can either be on Highway 106 through Lamphun or, faster, along Highway 11 and then Highway 114 and 116 to join Highway 106. Just after Li turn right (west) onto Highway 1087 toward Kor. The park is well sign-posted. Continue along Highway 1087 to arrive at the park HQ on the left after 21 kilometres. Staff on the gate might assume you are continuing to Kor, in which case may not collect an entrance fee. Birding can be done anywhere around the gate and HQ, along the road to Thung Kik and the nature trail there, or the trail to Kor Luang Waterfall which has a limited amount of gallery forest. The road to Thung Kik turns off Highway 1087 about 3.5 kilometres after the entrance, where there is an additional gate and guard.
Accommodation and Facilities
The park has a few bungalows and campsites around the headquaters and at Thung Kik, although at the later no power is available. Food and basics provisions do not seem to be available anywhere in the park, so bring all your own food if wanting to stay. Several small resorts can be found in and around Li town, together with convenience stores and simple restaurants.
Birding
Road to Thung Kik
The 11 kilometre road from Highway 1087 to Thung Kik has good Dipterocarp forest all the way along, and is the best place to start. Black-headed Woodpecker is very evident, with Great Slaty Woodpecker and White-bellied Woodpecker less frequent. If camping, night birding might be interesting, and both Brown Boobook and Oriental Scops Owl occur. Seasonally Grey headed Parakeet and Blossom-headed Parakeet can be found. Other species include Rufous-bellied Woodpecker and White-browed Fantail though both are extremely rare.
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Thung Kik Nature Trail The road is paved as far as the ranger station and campsite at Thung Kik, after which a dirt road leads a further one kilometre to a small picnic area and the start of the Nature Trail. The trail is a two kilometre loop through grassland edge and dry forest. Unfortunately, the trail markers have largely rotted away and although it's possible to complete the loop, many other wide trails and jeep tracks can be confusing, so a GPS is useful. In the open grassland Chinese Francolin can be heard. |
Road to Kor and Gaeng Kor Lake
Good mixed forest can be found along Highway 1087 between the HQ and as far as eight kilometres past the turning to Thung Kik toward Kor. This road is not particularly busy, so birding is possible from the road and some of the many tracks that enter the forest. Once out of the forest it is a further four kilometres to Kor, through agricultural fields which look of little interest. Eventually, after a further eight kilometres from Kor, the main road ends at the artificial Gaeng Kor Lake, which although forms part of the park does not look good for birds. The dammed Ping River here has a flooded gorge and sheer cliffs.
Kor Luang Waterfall
Located 27.1 kilometres from the park HQ. Leave the HQ on route 1087 as far as Kor. At 19.0 kilometres from the HQ turn left for a further 8.1 kilometres, to arrive at a large car parking area. Mixed deciduous and evergreen forest is found along the river, as well as the last two kilometres before the parking area. A 500 metre long trail to two waterfalls is well maintained. Birds listed for the area include Orange-breasted Trogon, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Hainan Blue Flycatcher and Silver-breasted Broadbill. Along the stream by the waterfall Slaty-backed Forktail can occur.
Checklist
Checklist of species.
Gallery
Additional images from Mae Ping available in the Thailand Travel gallery.
Sunrise and Sunset
Detailed sunrise and sunset times.