Dates:
Weather:
Localities:

17 - 24 Jan 2015.
Cool and pleasant throughout. Dry.
Doi Lang, Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Doi Inthanon National Park, Mae Ping National Park, Thaksin Maharat National Park and Mae Wong National Park.

Siberian Rubythroat

Long-tailed Sibia

18 Jan. All day spent on the western flank of Doi Lang starting at first light at the lower levels. Our main targets were naturally Mrs. Hume's Pheasant and Mountain Bamboo Partridge, neither of which we encountered all day. As usual, the upper checkpoint was not allowing any access to the top parts of the mountain, so we worked the mid and lower sections all day, including several sessions in the feeding stations. The fantastic weather and cool conditions gave us an impressive list of species including Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Necklaced Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, White-necked Laughingthrush, White-browed Laughingthrush, Spectacled Barwing, Rufous-backed Sibia, Long-tailed Sibia, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Giant Nuthatch, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-bellied Redstart, Siberian Rubythroat, Himalayan Bluetail, Slaty-backed Flycatcher and Slaty-blue Flycatcher.

19 Jan. Although we'd originally earmarked the day for the long drive up the poor road on the eastern, Thaton, side of the mountain, the lure of Mrs. Hume's Pheasant proved too strong so the day was again spent on the western side. This proved to be an excellent choice, at least for the pheasant, as we encountered nine birds in three parties throughout the day. Also good views of Giant Nuthatch and Sapphire Flycatcher. Otherwise much the same birds as yesterday. Again no Mountain Bamboo Partridge on the descent. This bird seems to have gone totally quiet and disappeared over the last month. Dinner in town.

20 Jan. Up to Doi Ang Khang for first light, where we started at the usual feeding area inside the King's Project. Several Black-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Streaked Wren-Babbler and a couple of White-tailed Robin were in attendance, while an Indian Cuckoo was heard. We spent the next three hours trying to find Scarlet-faced Liocichla, but only heard a pair. Drove to Chiang Dao and spent a short session along the Mueang Khong Road, with Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Bamboo Woodpecker. A longish drive to Doi Inthanon, hitting Chiang Mai during rush hour, so arrived at Doi Inthanon just on dusk.

21 Jan. We started at Inthanon summit, where first bird out of the vehicle was Silver-eared Laughingthrush, and the second bird, our main target, Dark-sided Thrush. As no other visitors were venturing on the boardwalk at this early hour we were able to watch and video this bird for 30 minutes. Another hour or so around the visitor centre, before the crowds appeared, gave us Rufous-throated Partridge, Ashy Wood Pigeon and Slaty-backed Flycatcher. Retreated to the Km 34 track where a couple of hours were fairly quiet other than an unusual Asian Emerald Cuckoo. Drove to Mae Ping, arriving with sufficient time for an hour or so along the Thung Kik road, with White-bellied Woodpecker, Black-headed Woodpecker, Grey-headed Parakeet, Red-billed Blue Magpie,Yellow-streaked Warbler and Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher. Overnight in Li.

Hill Blue Flycatcher

Grey-headed Parakeet

Rusty-naped Pitta

Radde's Warbler

Speckled Piculet

23 Jan. All day at Mae Wong, starting with the hour's drive up to Chong Yen. The access road has lately been resurfaced and widened, making access quicker, but the widened road has resulted in several landslides and now enables locals to drive even faster - we almost collided with a car on the wrong side of the road coming down. Notably fewer mammals en route as well. Having contacted the ranger, who tries to allocate photographers to the various photography spots in an orderly manner, we were able to go directly to the Grey Peacock-Pheasant stakeout. Over the past year this bird has become ridiculously tame and we were still walking down the slope with the bird just waiting around to be fed!

A group of White-necked Laughingthrush were also immediately to hand. We then birded around the campsite before descending to the pitta hide. Fortunately we seemed to be the only birders in the park, so gaining access to the hide areas was straightforward. Birds here seemed even tamer than those above, with a female White-tailed Robin basically living in the hide and taking worms directly from the hand. Other visitors included Streaked Wren-Babbler, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Buff-breasted Babbler and a stunning Rusty-naped Pitta. The rest of the day spent birding the upper levels. A fine selection of birds for the day including Little Cuckoo-Dove, White-browed Piculet, Bamboo Woodpecker, Clicking Shrike-babbler, Maroon Oriole, White-throated Bulbul, Olive Bulbul, Claudia's Warbler, Martens's Warbler, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Black-throated Parrotbill, Striated Yuhina, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Small Niltava, Northern White-crowned Forktail and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird.

24 Jan. Last day of the trip and a return to Chong Yen. Much the same as yesterday, but with a few new species for the list - Oriental Honey Buzzard, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Spot-necked Babbler, Collared Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia and Rufous-bellied Niltava. Afternoon return to Chiang Mai.