Dates:
Weather:
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15 - 18 Feb 2021.
Dry, with variable cloud cover. Temperatures ranged from 17°C to 32°C.
Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

Formosa Awlking

Mountain Bamboo Partridge

Myanmar Veined Labyrinth

Orange Freak

15 Jan. We left Chiang Mai around 07:30, heading to Chiang Dao. En route we decided to revisit the small Huai Luang Waterfall we'd discovered a couple of years previously. However, we took a wrong turn and ended up heading into forested hills toward Mae Na. Here, we stopped at some random gully which, in early sunlight, proved quite interesting with Indian Oakblue, Large Oakblue, Spotless Oakblue and Tree Flitter. Retracing our route we eventually located the waterfall, only to find the whole area totally overgrown, and despite trying to walk up the river, could not access with waterfall. So by 11:00 we continued to Chiang Dao where we spent time at the butterfly viewing area at the wildlife sanctuary checkpoint. More skippers than usual were in evidence, including the infrequently seen Obtuse-winged Angle. However, in general there were fewer species than our last visit a month ago. At 15:30, with activity having dropped off, we headed to Fang for our first of three overnights.

16 Feb. An early start into Doi Pha Hom Pok. Entry proved quite straightforward, with no entry fee levied, though signs at the entry checkpoint clearly showed recreational and camping areas were all closed. This was no issue for us though as we were only interested in roadside forests and gullies. During our three days in the park we never encountered a single tourist; only a few park rangers and locals cutting trees and generally exploiting the forest as usual. It was good to note that the landslide sections of the road up the mountain had been repaired since our last visit in September. As expected, morning temperatures were cool, at 17°C, though dull conditions like these can produce some flighty skippers, with us recording Formosa Awlking, and Slate Awl. A collection of the usual mountain bird species included at least six Slaty-backed Forktail, Plumbeous Water Redstart and White-capped Redstart near streams. Despite good weather butterfly numbers and diversity were still low, though some more interesting species such as Orange Freak, Blue Tit, Myanmar Veined Labyrinth, Blue Imperial and Glassy Bluebottle were found during the day. Other birds included Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Long-tailed Broadbill, Speckled Piculet, Long-tailed Minivet, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Pygmy Cupwing and Grey-backed Shrike. During the day we worked areas mainly from 1,200 - 1,600 metres, but with conditions cooling by mid afternoon we tried lower, but with little success.

17 Feb. Pretty much a repeat of yesterday with similar weather, birds and butterflies.

18 Feb. With cloud developing overnight we were not very optimistic about conditions on the mountain, and this indeed proved to be correct, with even a few drops of rain on our ascent. With only a half day available we again concentrated on mid elevations, but the total lack of sun meant we saw very little. We left at 13:00 for the return drive to Chiang Mai.