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6-7 October 2011.
Warm to hot, sunny with scattered cloud, dry.
Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary

Brown-cheeked Fulvetta

robber fly

Common Clipper

First walk was into the temple grounds. On starting up the steps a couple of mutts took exception to us, with one turning decidedly nasty, which received a prompt kick in the teeth. The monk smiled and said that dog always disliked foreigners - but when we left it was also giving a couple of Thais a hard time! Time spent in the temple grounds proved to be almost totally birdless, so after an hour we tried the nature trail - only to find the wet season growth made the going too difficult without a machete. Abandoning the trails idea we spent the rest of the day on the back road behind Malee's, driving as far as the high point 10 km after the checkpoint.

The pond at the checkpoint attracted a tasty collection of butterflies - many of which were photographed. The cooler weather at higher altitude produced a few migrants such as Two-barred Warbler, Grey-crowned Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Taiga Flycatcher. An Orange-breasted Trogon was heard about half way up but could not be lured into view. The open pine-oak at the top held Cinereous Tit and Grey Treepie. Retuned to Malee's for an 18:00 dinner, after which straight out again, walking to the temple grounds to listen and search for night birds. Mountain Scops Owl were vocal in the forest to the left of the road, as well as Asian Barred Owlet, Collared Scops Owl and Collared Owlet. Whilst hanging around the temple gate, strange bird calls were heard from both side of the road, which were probably Blyth's Frogmouth.

07 Oct. First off, back into the temple grounds again. Bird activity was in complete contrast to yesterday and in a couple of hours we had racked-up Orange-breasted Trogon, Streaked Wren-Babbler, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Great Iora, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta and a host of other commoner species. A nice start to the day. The rest of the day was spent slowly working up, and down, the back road as yesterday. Again birds were much more prevalent than yesterday, with a couple of Oriental Hobby perched-out on dead snags toward the top. During the day species of note included Greater Flameback, Laced Woodpecker, Sultan Tit and White-headed Bulbul.