Dates:
Weather:



Localities:

3-27 February 2012.
Variable. Warm to hot and humid in central areas. Pleasantly cool in the evening. Cold at altitude with temperatures atop the mountains around four degrees early morning. Lowlands in the north hot by day. No rain. Extensive pollution from the seasonal burning, especially bad around Chiang Rai areas.
Thap Lan National Park, Laem Phak Bia, Pak Thale, Kaeng Krachan, Bueng Boraphet, Doi Inthanon, Huay Tueng Tao, Doi Ang Khang, Doi Lang, Thaton, Chiang Saen and Huay Hong Khrai.

White-faced Plover - Laem Phak Bia

Siberian Blue Robin - Kaeng Krachan

Five-bar Swordtail - Kaeng Krachan

Indochinese Ground Squirrel - Kaeng Krachan

Bar-backed Partridge - Kaeng Krachan

Grey Peacock-Pheasant - Kaeng Krachan

Pheasant-tailed Jacana - Bueng Boraphet

Cotton Pygmy Goose - Bueng Boraphet

04 Feb. Into Thap Lan at first light, this time navigating successfully. Stopped the car randomly at some good looking habitat and the first bird heard was White-rumped Falcon - a good start indeed. Bird activity good and a walk about over the next couple of hours produced the hoped-for White-browed Fantail and several Brown Prinia as well as a number of both Blossom-headed Parakeet and Red-breasted Parakeet. Unfortunately had to leave around 09:00 for the drive to Bangkok airport to collect Hanne and Jens. That achieved, we headed to Phetchaburi and checked in to a small resort outside town. Little time for birding in the fast fading light.

05 Feb. Drive to Laem Phak Bia for first light where we first visited the salt pans looking for Nordmann's Greenshank. Although many Great Knot showing, flocks rather fragmented and none including any Nordmann's. After a couple of hours trying, gave up and entered the mangrove research project to find all the ponds drained and major rebuilding and construction work ongoing, as well as many to-be-expected birds not showing at all. A walk around the reed beds gave a few Ruddy-breasted Crake and a single Watercock. Late morning restarted the Nordmann's hunt and with the help of some visiting birders 35 Nordmann's Greenshank were found, pretty much alone, a kilometre north of Laem Phak Bia. Although very distant at first, over the next hour we managed some decent views. After lunch, in Hat Chao Samran, drove to Nong Pla Lai in search of eagles. This proved rather disappointing, given the good number of eagles seen over the last month, with a sole Greater Spotted Eagle being the only Aquilla eagle all afternoon. A Black-headed Ibis and 30 Grey-headed Lapwing were of interest.

06 Feb. First to Pak Thale, and with the sun coming up walked around the main area hunting for Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Took a little while but one Spoon-billed Sandpiper found, but took off almost immediately and was never seen again. Very few small waders around and our attention was drawn to the large group of Eurasian Curlew coming to roost. A scan through these found five Far Eastern Curlew. Left after a couple of hours to go to Laem Palk Bia sand spit with Khun Daeng at 10:00. Interesting trip and on the spit we found Malaysian Plover, White-faced Plover and a single Chinese Egret. After a couple of hours on the spit, headed back and continued to Nong Pla Lai to lunch in the shade while scanning for eagles. Eastern Marsh Harrier and a couple of Greater Spotted Eagle. A walk across the field produced nice close-ups of Black-eared Kite as well a Steppe Eagle, Bluethroat and a bunch of Eastern Yellow Wagtail. Later in the afternoon drove along the back road with good numbers of Grey-headed Lapwing plus a Peregrine and a Booted Eagle.

07 Feb. Into the King's project at Laem Phak Bia early. Spent a couple of hours on the reed and grass beds seeing Watercock, Greater Painted-snipe and a good number of Pin-tailed Snipe. Before the heat of the day, we spent an hour along the Pak Thale road looking at Nordmann's Greenshank and a few thousand Great Knot. Returned to Phetchaburi for lunch and proceeded to Kaeng Krachan where we checked into the Samarn Bird Camp. The afternoon spent in the hide on the property where we recorded Siberian Blue Robin and Abbott's Babbler among the usual suspects. Large-tailed Nightjar calling after dark.

08 Feb. All day spent in the Lung Sing hide. Only about 25 species recorded, but some excellent quality including a splendid male Kalij Pheasant, three Bar-backed Partridge and three Green-legged Partridge. Some nice photo opportunities. Large Scimitar Babbler relatively common in this area. Collared Scops Owl and Large-tailed Nightjar calling after dark.

09 Feb. All day in the Song Nok hide. Species very similar to yesterday, with again Kalij Pheasant, Bar-backed Partridge and Green-legged Partridge. New species recorded were Pale-legged Leaf Warbler and Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher.

10 Feb. An early start to join up with Khun Gai about 15 kilometres from the accommodation. Drove with his vehicle to a forested area about 20 kilometres from the park where we walked about 600 metres through dry forest along a stream bed to a recent hide construction, where we spent the morning. Bird activity rather poor, with the early highlight being a Crested Goshawk taking a Siberian Blue Robin from a water pool (well not for the robin). Around 10:30 a superb adult male Grey Peacock-Pheasant crossed the river bed but unfortunately did not hang around. After midday entered Kaeng Krachan park for the first time. In the heat of the day birded the area between lower stream crossings one and two, recording four Tickell's Brown Hornbill and Sultan Tit. Butterfly activity very notable with large puddling areas near the streams. Later in the day drove to the highest areas of the park and scanned for hornbills, seeing both Great Hornbill and Wreathed Hornbill.

11 Feb. With only half a day remaining at Kaeng Krachan our first priority was to try the upper levels within the park. On the way up, around km 22, the first bird of the day was a female Grey Peacock-Pheasant crossing the road. A couple of hours along the start of the waterfall trail after km 36 produced a good variety including Red-billed Malkoha, Crimson Sunbird, Orange-breasted Trogon and a close calling male Grey Peacock-Pheasant. On the way down the mountain, quite a while was spent photographing butterflies at the lower river crossings. Left around 13:30, arriving in Nakhon Sawan around 19:30 where we had to try three hotels in town before finding a room. Overnight at the very pleasant Bonito Chinos Hotel.

Blue Whistling Thrush - Doi Inthanon

Snowy-browed Flycatcher - Doi Inthanon

Bar-throated Minla - Doi Inthanon

Black-breasted Thrush - Doi Ang Khang

White-tailed Robin- Doi Ang Khang

Blue-and-white Flycatcher - Doi Ang Khang

Hume's Treecreeper - Doi Lang

Baikal Bush Warbler - Chiang Saen

Green Peafowl - Huay Hong Khrai

15 Feb. Pretty much a repeat of yesterday with early morning around the summit and board walk. Bird activity less than yesterday with fewer species observed. Late morning we took a drive down to Wachirathan Waterfall but no redstart, forktail or river chat seen. On the return to the summit stopped off at Khun Daeng's to peer into the gully where we had Dark-sided Thrush, Himalayan Shortwing and Asian Stubtail. Returned to summit and board walk but little new. Overnight at Khun Daeng's inside the park.

16 Feb. A last return to the summit where, as expected, species were rather similar to previous visits. Left early afternoon for return to Chiang Mai.

17 Feb and 18 Feb. Days in Chiang Mai.

19 Feb. First off we visited Huay Tueng Tao to look for Wire-tailed Swallow which was immediately successful. The next visit was a quick trip to the tyre repair shop due to a slow puncture. Once fixed we continued on our way to arrive at a pleasantly-temperatured Doi Ang Khang. Met up with Steve Tibbett, and after a quick lunch and an unsuccessful wait for Black-headed Greenfinch, headed into the King's Project where in a few hours had excellent views of Black-breasted Thrush, White-tailed Robin and Blue-and-white Flycatcher behind the mushroom farm. Late afternoon returned to the accommodation at Ban Luang. Temperatures dropping fast as usual.

20 Feb. Not so cold overnight due to clouding over, with a misty morning. First birds after dawn were Rusty-naped Pitta and Large Hawk-Cuckoo calling from the gully behind the resort. Early morning we hung around the accommodation hoping for Black-headed Greenfinch to appear but no such luck. Did have Daurian Redstart, Red-eyed Scimitar Babbler, Mountain Bamboo Partridge and 25 Little Bunting. Late morning went to check out the Chinese Cemetery, but very quiet - one could almost say dead. Next up to km 19.5 campsite but no sign of recently reported Giant Nuthatch nor Spot-breasted Parrotbill. After lunch we tried the Km 21 Trail but nothing of note, so finished the day at Km 19.5 camp site with a single Giant Nuthatch found, but no Spot-breasted Parrotbill. Still no Black-headed Greenfinch reported today.

21 Feb. At first light around Ban Luang Resort, but little seen. Drove to the Chinese Cemetery where in the old pea farm, in great light and perfectly still conditions, had a number of White-browed Laughingthrush, Eurasian Hoopoe, Brown-breasted Bulbul and a Greater Yellownape. A fly-over, calling Black-headed Greenfinch could not be located, but a short walk down the Arunothai road found a group of five Black-headed Greenfinch - an excellent finish to the stay at Ang Khang. Left at 11:00 to drive to Thaton and checked in to the Garden Home Resort. Around 14:30 proceeded to the fields at Thaton and a four hour walk about found 50 Oriental Pratincole, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Siberian Rubythroat, Richard's Pipit and Singing Bush Lark.

22 Feb. Up Doi Lang for first light. An early stop half way up produced Pin-tailed Green Pigeon and Red-billed Scimitar Babbler. By mid morning we had progressed as far as the upper checkpoint with some interesting photography including Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, White-gorgeted Flycatcher and Black-throated Tit. Most of the day around the upper checkpoint with a brief sortie to check to flowering plants toward the top, but fire clearance had destroyed much vegetation so no sunbirds. Late afternoon descended to lower levels. Arrived back in Thaton after dark.

23 Feb. Another jaunt up Doi Lang. A brief stop at lower levels produced four Pin-tailed Green Pigeon but little else, so proceeded to the upper army camp where much the same as yesterday. A longer walk beyond the camp had two Black-throated Tit and Hume's Treeceeper. An afternoon stop at forest a couple of kilometres below the camp held Fire-capped Tit and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. An earlier return to Thaton for medical attention of insect bites.

24 Feb. No fog this morning along the river, so into the fields of Thaton at an early hour. Cool and quiet, both weather and birds - best birds were Citrine Wagtail, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler and Eurasian Wryneck. On to Chiang Saen, where after lunch we visited Nam Kham Nature Reserve, and spent the afternoon camped in the Cettia Hide. Unfortunately, the positioning and reconstruction of the hide, following the floods of last year, has not replicated the success of previous years and in four hours we only recorded singles of Siberian Rubythroat, Baikal Bush Warbler and Dusky Warbler. A pleasant dinner along the Mekong at the Thai Kitchen.

25 Feb. Early morning around the offices of the non-hunting area with the most interesting species being Burmese Shrike, Purple Sunbird, White-browed Crake and Great Cormorant. After we drove around to the south side of the lake to scan through the ducks hoping to find the reported Baer's Pochard. No such luck though, and all we could manage were 2 Mallard, 10 Ferruginous Duck and 12 Tufted Duck. In the heat of the day we had a quick drive north to twitch the Golden Triangle, after which a walk on the sand bars in the Mekong showed how much egg-collecting pressure the Small Pratincole and under. Locals are patrolling the sand bars, marking the nest sites and removing the eggs - seemingly on a constant basis. There cannot be much time left for this this as a breeding species here. In the late afternoon we visited the harrier roost and were surprised to see only, at most, 30 Pied Harrier and Eastern Marsh Harrier coming in to the roost. What has happened here? The construction of a road across the back of the area does not bode well.

26 Feb. Early morning along the Mekong down-river from Chiang Saen. The main target here was to scan various places for River Lapwing, but in three hours non were found. A few Black-faced Bunting and Red Avadavat were the most interesting finds. Afternoon return to Chiang Mai through a lot of pollution from the annual silly-season burning.

27 Feb. With time spare for a couple of hours birding we headed north a little from Chiang Mai to Huay Hong Khrai. A few Green Peafowl were still hanging around from the overnight roost, and gave some good photo opportunities. A short walk around forest edge produced Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, Two-barred Warbler, Shikra, Rosy Minivet, White-browed Piculet and Long-tailed Minivet - fitting end to a successful trip. Back to Chiang Mai and drop off at the airport.