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19 - 23 March 2013.
Very smoky from seasonal burning. Clear skies with temperatures from 5-35°C.
Doi Inthanon National Park, Mae Taeng Irrigation Project, Chiang Dao and Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.

Eurasian Woodcock

Another attempt at Dark-sided Thrush was successful for only one of us, but we had stunning views of the very approachable Eurasian Woodcock.

French Duke

Indochinese Roller

Speckled Wood Pigeon

As recent visitors had been having some success with Black-tailed Crake we decided to finish at the campsite, but along, with a couple of Japanese photographers, we were to be disappointed.

21 Mar. We started, just after dawn, above the viewpoint and were rewarded with excellent views of at least 50 Speckled Wood Pigeon. A final attempt at the summit, but little different to our two previous visits, so checked out and headed down the mountain, where a third stop at the waterfall failed yet again to produce any forktails or redstarts. Drove toward Chiang Dao with the smoke getting progressively worse. In the heat of the early afternoon we took a short detour down to the, mostly dry, river at the Mae Taeng Irrigation Project. Wire-tailed Swallow was the primary target here, with at least a dozen seen. Other species of interest included Golden-headed Cisticola and Green Sandpiper. Continued to Chiang Dao and, after securing the required permit for the sanctuary, took the road through the back checkpoint to Muang Khong. Most of the mountain on the way up was still smoking; so choosing to avoid the burnt areas we birded the top section between Km 15 and Km17 which at least were still mostly green. Small Minivet here was the pick of the bunch. As Malee's had no restaurant facilities tonight we dined in Chiang Dao town.

22 Mar. A very early start to be at the DYK ranger station for sunrise, with the drive up taking about 90 minutes - the top section of road still in need of some maintenance due to deep ruts. As usual the main target here was Giant Nuthatch, which was found whilst walking back along the ridge track. Three hours along here gave us Peregrine Falcon, Burmese Shrike, Long-tailed Broadbill, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Grey-backed Shrike, Red-eyed Scimitar Babbler, Martens's Warbler, White-necked Laughingthrush and Grey-crowned Warbler. Late morning was spent along the first kilometre of the summit trail, with unidentified buttonquail, Slender-billed Oriole, Pallas's Leaf Warbler and Claudia's Leaf Warbler. Unfortunately, when back at the vehicle we realized a phone had been dropped during the morning, so spent the heat of the day retracing our steps trying, unsuccessfully, to relocate it. Around 15:00 we started a slow drive down the mountain stopping at any area that looked interesting. This proved very successful with some stops higher up giving us Speckled Piculet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher and White-bellied Erpornis. Large fires visible at night on the mountain from Chiang Dao.

23 Mar. A slow start waiting for the sun to burn through the smoke early on at the temple. Our short time here found obliging Streaked Wren-Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo heard, Puple-naped Spiderhunter heard, Swinhoe's White-eye, Plaintive Cuckoo and another Pin-tailed Green Pigeon.

Spot-winged Grosbeak

unidentified damselfly