Dates:
Weather:
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24 - 26 Mar 2021.
Dry, with variable cloud cover. Temperatures ranged from 21°C to 38°C.
Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

Circe

Chinese Hill Sailor

Stately Nawab

24 Mar. As it was not possible to leave Chiang Mai early, arrival at Chiang Dao was not before 11:00, by which time temperatures were already above 30°C. Large numbers of small lycanid butterflies were puddling around the checkpoint, though the species diversity appeared rather low. The biggest surprise of the morning was Banded Broadbill calling from the adjacent forest. Very few records of this species are known from Chiang Dao. With the hot season in full swing, both the stream and gully by the checkpoint were bone dry, so it was necessary to walk up-stream several hundred metres to find any damp spots. In the course of the day a surprising total over over 110 butterfly species were found, including White-banded Pierrot, Circe and Shan Nawab. As birding was restricted to the heat of the day, the list was poor, though included Slaty-backed Forktail, Violet Cuckoo, and Great Slaty Woodpecker. At 15:30 left to drive north to Fang for a couple of nights. Discovered that yet another favoured eating establishment in Fang town had closed down - the third in the past year. A sad reflection of the devastation of Covid-19 on the Thai economy.

25 Mar. All day at Doi Pha Hom Pok. As water was still flowing in the main streams, butterflies were in evidence, though surprisingly fewer species than would be expected for the time of year. The usual selection of birds were encountered, such as Northern White-crowned Forktail, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Collared Babbler, Crested Finchbill and Pygmy Cupwing, plus a bonus in the form of Scarlet-faced Liocichla. By far the best butterfly found was Chinese Hill Sailor - with few records of the species from Thailand. Pleasant weather and clear skies during the morning, gave way to cloud and heavy rain by early evening.

26 Mar. A full half day at Doi Pha Hom Pok, with similar weather and conditions to yesterday, though surprisingly even fewer species in general. Left early afternoon for the return drive to Chiang Mai, with heavy rain on the outskirts of the city.