Dates:
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5 - 15 Jan 2015.
Very mixed. Bright clear weather at the start displaced by a cold front bringing wet, foggy conditions to the mountains for three days.
Fang paddies, Doi Lang, Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mae Ping National Park, Thaksin Maharat National Park and Doi Inthanon National Park.

Giant Nuthatch

Himalayan Bluetail

Spot-breasted Parrotbill

White-bellied Redstart

6 Jan. A full day on the Fang side of Doi Lang, with bright, clear, cool weather enabling birding all day. The day started superbly with almost the first birds being Giant Nuthatch and Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, several of which gave long views along the road. The morning was spent walking the road, as far as the army checkpoint. Here, the ever changing access situation meant we were actually allowed to walk past the checkpoint. However, that euphoria was short-lived as after 300 metres an additional, newly built checkpoint stopped us going farther. So the rest of the afternoon spent in the same areas, though adding a good number of additional species including White-bellied Redstart, Himalayan Bluetail and a flock of seven Himalayan Cutia.

7 Jan. As a number of the desired birds were better found on the wetter, eastern side of the mountain we took the long drive on the badly pot-holed road up from Thaton as far as the upper checkpoint. Surprisingly, here again access has changed as we were only permitted to walk beyond. This meant that getting to the San Ju viewpoint was effectively blocked as would require more than an hour's walk. Birding the roadside around the checkpoint and beyond was good, with White-necked Laughingthrush, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Himalayan Bluetail, Scarlet-faced Liocichla and Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler. Quite some time was spent looking for Collared Babbler and Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, with only the latter heard. A few Rosy Minivet were an unexpected plus.

8 Jan. We started the day revisiting the drier flank hoping for Mountain Bamboo Partridge. The weather was decidedly strange, becoming darker and more cloudy ascending the mountain. The still, dark conditions felt more like an impending snow storm coming, so it was no surprise that the meteorological office had issued a hail warning the previous evening. Alas no partridges found, but several more Mrs. Hume's Pheasant seen. Descended the mountain at 09:00 with a few spots of rain. A quick session at Fang Hot Springs didn't produce the hoped for Spot-winged Grosbeak, so we left for Doi Ang Khang. Ascent of the mountain was accompanied by deteriorating weather conditions and by the time we reached the top it was rain and thick fog. Once across the ridge the weather at least stopped raining and we were able to visit the King's Project. At the usual feeding station were Black-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Streaked Wren-Babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler and White-tailed Robin. After, we drove the Lor Lae road searching for Black-headed Greenfinch without success. Late afternoon around the Chinese Cemetery where a good number of Brown-breasted Bulbul were present. However, fog pretty much killed any late birding so returned to the resort.

9 Jan. A very wet night continuing into the morning, with low cloud and rain. Birding not possible until about 09:00 when we returned to the King's Project for another session at the feeding station. Rain showers, some heavy, on and off all morning, with the bird species much as yesterday, although the number of Black-breasted Thrush had increased to four, as well as the addition of Streaked Wren-Babbler, Siberian Blue Robin and Blue Whistling Thrush. By midday the weather had deteriorated to constant rain, which, together with the prevailing cold, wet and miserable conditions forced us to abandon birding. So spent the afternoon holed up at the accommodation catching up on work.

10 Jan. A very patchy morning, visiting various locations for desired species, but being thwarted by the constant low cloud and fog. A final session in wetter forest produced a singing Spot-throated Babbler which true to form remained totally hidden. Left Doi Ang Khang and drove to Chiang Dao, with the final hour of the day around the temple. Just before dusk we were rewarded by a fly over Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl. After dinner, two calling Oriental Bay Owl near the temple.

11 Jan. Early morning around the temple. Fairly quiet, no doubt in response to the wet conditions the previous three days, though we did see Thick-billed Green Pigeon and Streaked Wren-Babbler, plus Orange-breasted Trogon and Red-headed Trogon heard. The rest of the day was spent along the Mueang Khong road, travelling up and over the pass, and well into the wetter forest beyond. Clear and bright with good birding. Rufous-winged Buzzard, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Crested Treeswift, Bamboo Woodpecker, Sultan Tit, Slaty-backed Forktail and Yellow-vented Flowerpecker.

12 Jan. Having heard that Rusty-naped Pitta was showing at Doi Ang Khang, we first did a mad drive there, where by some miracle it appeared before we had even settled into the feeding area. Talk about luck. A long drive to Li with, late afternoon spent at Mae Ping. As usual, woodpeckers were in evidence, with White-bellied Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Black-headed Woodpecker and Greater Flameback. At least 20 Grey-headed Parakeet were found, along with Rufous Treepie and both Burmese Nuthatch and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch. Overnight in town.

13 Jan. Returned to Mae Ping, spending the first four hours of the day there, finding a good selection including Chinese Francolin, Oriental Honey Buzzard, White-bellied Woodpecker, Black-headed Woodpecker, White-rumped Falcon, Collared Falconet, Grey-headed Parakeet, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Rufous Treepie, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler and Chestnut-tailed Starling.

Streaked Wren-Babbler

Black-breasted Thrush

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker

Collared Falconet

Hill Blue Flycatcher

Blyth's Leaf Warbler

14 Jan. Returned to Thaksin Maharat, spending a couple of hours looking for Spot-necked Babbler without success, before hitting the road for the longish drive to Doi Inthanon, where we managed to arrive at the summit with just sufficient time to look for some of the specialities around the summit boardwalk. This proved very fortuitous, with great views of Dark-sided Thrush and a Rufous-throated Partridge at point blank range.

15 Jan. Our final full day, and spent mainly along the Km 34 track as well as a revisit to the summit and a late afternoon at lower altitude around Mae Pan. Rufous-throated Partridge, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Speckled Piculet, White-headed Bulbul, Buff-throated Warbler, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Martens's Warbler and a Dark-sided Thrush again.

16 Jan. Left Inthanon at 06:00 for an early drop-off at Chiang Mai airport.