Dates:
Weather:

Localities:

27-31 August 2012.
Warm and cloudy. Generally dry with variable cloud. Some heavy rain around Phetchaburi and Nakhon Sawan en route. Dry at Khao Sam Roi Yot. Foggy at Phu Hin Rong Kla.
Laem Phak Bia, Pak Thale, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Nam Nao National Park.

Great Stone-curlew

Indian Stone-curlew

Spot-billed Pelican

Oriental Pratincole

Zitting Cisticola

Savanna Nightjar

Flew from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and met up with Richard there. It took a while to find our rental car representative as she was camped in a corner, out of sight, eating lunch at the very time of our agreed rendezvous - evidently getting her priorities right. Headed out to Laem Phak Bia, arriving around 16:00. First off we investigated the rubbish tip area for the recently reported stone-curlews. Rains meant our rental vehicle was unable to drive down the access track here, which without a 4x4 was largely impassible, so we walked from the road, where after a few minutes we were lucky to find not one, but two, Great Stone-curlew. Both were being photographed from another vehicle at very close range, but eventually they took off to nearby salt pans where we had distant views. With our main target seen we headed north along the coast toward Pak Thale scanning through the Painted Stork and wader collection for anything interesting. Other than good numbers of stork we saw little, and by the time we reached Pak Thale the light had all but disappeared, so we returned to Chao Samran Beach trying several beach accommodations until we found one charging a sensible low-season price. Dinner on the beach with excellent food and temperature.

28 Aug. First to 7-11 for coffee, then down to the oil storage depot to look for storks. Only a few seen near the depot, but on our return a large group of Painted Stork, right by the roadside, gave excellent views, but surprisingly did not include any Milky Stork. Returned to yesterday's thick-knee spot where we met Khun Daeng, the boatman from Laem Phak Bia, who was scoping a single Great Stone-curlew, the other bird seemingly now disappeared. A pair of Red Knot had just been seen in the area, but we were unable to relocate them despite more than a hour looking and walking around the pans. After we tried pans on the opposite side of the road and lucked into a Milky Stork, which we very nearly overlooked. Once it became hot, returned to check-out and then back to the same area for a general search. This time decided to try dryer inland areas and were surprised to flush an Indian Stone-curlew - which we rated as a lot of luck.

A further scan from the abandoned building, but still no sign of any knot, although did have Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed sandpiper, Spot-billed Pelican and Long-toed Stint on our wanderings. Back to town for late lunch and then into the recently re-opened King's Project. Disappointed to find the reed beds totally disturbed with five guys armed with weedwhackers, various locals gathering grass and a visiting educational party. Quickly gave that up and left for a drive to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, which took just over two hours.

Our visit here was largely exploratory. Khao Sam Roi Yot, has in the past been known for Brown Fish Owl and Yellow-legged Buttonquail, so we figured we'd give them a try. Drove past the park headquarters to the beach campsite, where old reports indicate Brown Fish Owl seen. Despite the mosquitoes and sand flies here - some of the worst we'd encountered in Thailand - we stayed till after dark, but no sign of any owl; although the cloudy conditions and light rain certainly didn't help. One staff member on the gate mentioned that a "small owl" was present around the campsite, but didn't know which species. Headed north trying various resorts, that were mostly closed, until we found one at Sam Roi Yot Beach.

29 Aug. An early start to drive back along the park entrance road with a view to look for buttonquail. On our drive in yesterday we'd earmarked a couple of promising-looking roadside areas for scrutiny. Started at the first area and within half an hour of walking about on abandoned fields and recently ploughed paddies flushed a single Yellow-legged Buttonquail which flew off a short distance, was seen again, and in true buttonquail tradition was not relocated. A further hour searching failed to find any others.

A further couple of hours were spent in other areas along the road but no more individuals were found. We did however, see Barred Buttonquail, many Streaked Weaver, a fly over Black Bittern, Savanna Nightjar, Purple Heron, Brown Shrike, Oriental Pratincole and good numbers of House Sparrow. Then a long drive from 10:30 to 18:00 to Lom Sak, Petchabun province, with an overnight in town.

30 Aug. To Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, a 40 kilometre drive, arriving at 07:30. Low cloud, low visibility and cool en route, and not looking good for birding, but passing 1,200 metres we emerged above the cloud to stunning views. Almost immediately on arrival had a pair of Jerdon's Bush Chat in roadside rank vegetation. In the early sun we climbed to a ridge and scanned through some feeding hirundines, finding mostly Nepal House Martin but also Barn Swallow and a few Dusky Crag Martin. We spent the rest of the morning birding along the long forested road through the park. The overcast conditions kept birds active and we recorded a collection of mountain species including Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Davison's Warbler, Great Barbet, White-bellied Erpornis, White-browed Shrike-babbler, Yellow-cheeked Tit, and Pygmy Cupwing. Since the last visit here, three years ago, the road condition has deteriorated quite a bit and is now quite pot-holed.

Near the headquarters we walked the loop trail to the ridge and nodule field. Excellent views but few birds - a Oriental Cuckooshrike being notable. After lunch at the park restaurant we headed to Nam Nao; two and half hours away. Despite rain along the way, at the park, is was superb weather. Walked the loop trail behind the HQ but saw little, so decided to check out the dryer forest on the southern side of the highway. At a random spot we had a group of three Brown Prinia which was very fortuitous. Also a calling White-bellied Woodpecker. Overnight at a nearby homestay with dinner at the restaurant along the highway just outside the forestry barrier, which we wouldn't recommend.

31 Aug. Into Nam Nao early when the gate opened just after 06:00. Walked the same loop trail hearing a couple of pairs of Bar-backed Partridge but none seen. Other species of interest seen were Puple-naped Spiderhunter, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler and Collared Babbler. A wander through the campsite produced Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker and Scarlet Minivet. Back to homestay to collect gear then a six hour drive back to Bangkok with another Black Bittern flying over en route. Evening flight to Chiang Mai delayed due to Friday evening congestion at Bangkok airport.

Asian Green Bee-eater

Unidentified cicada - Phu Hin Rong Kla

Unidentified moth - Phu Hin Rong Kla