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25 - 29 Jan 2024.
Mostly overcast, with some rain. Temperatures ranged from 12°C to 29°C.
Nam Nao National Park, Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, Phu Pha Man National Park and Khon Kaen.

24 Jan. Took the early evening flight from Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen, arriving on time at 19:15. Met by Andy at the airport, with an overnight locally.

25 Jan. A two hour drive from Khon Kaen to Nam Nao, where we arrived to rather cool temperatures and grey skies, with rain arriving mid afternoon. Although we tried the long track to Phu Goom Khao we encountered nothing of note in either the insect or bird line. Best of the bunch were Slaty-backed Forktail, Thick-billed Green Pigeon and Red-billed Blue Magpie. Overnight in the park with 150 school children for company. Some moths around the campsite buildings in the evening, but numbers way down on expectation, due to the inclement weather.

26 Jan. With temperatures at 12°C by early morning, there seemed little point in hanging around, so we headed to Phu Luang. Having secured permission to stay at the research station in advance, we met up with a couple of the rangers who were more than happy to accompany us during our stay, whom gleefully warned us about elephant activity in the area. Certainly on the drive up to the top, we passed plenty of evidence. During the afternoon we walked the orchid trails with Grey Peacock-Pheasant and Bar-backed Partridge heard though little else. By 16:30 the rangers were keen to return to the research station in order to avoid any late afternoon elephant encounters. As dry overnight, and having permission to put up a moth sheet, we managed a reasonable variety of smaller moths, though disappointingly no hawkmoths or saturniids.

27 Jan. Another dull and overcast day. Most of the day spent on the trails at higher altitude, including the first kilometre of the dinosaur footprint trail, as far as the spectacular viewpoint. With the sun squeezing out for an hour at noon, we lucked into our main target the Dark-eyed Fivering. Also, Sympetrum hypomelas was also a surprise given the time of year.

A reasonable collection of birds including Striated Bulbul, Cook's Swift, Silver-breasted Broadbill and Red-headed Trogon, but no sign of the hoped for Black-eared Parrotbill. Oriental Bay Owl calling around the research station in the evening.

28 Jan. Light rain started at 05:00, and continued on and off throughout the morning until our arrival at Phu Pha Man. A quick look at the waterfall, provided a surprising Many-tailed Oakblue, but further exploration of the area did not find Common Red Pierrot which has been found here in the past. From here another couple of hours drive to Khon Kaen, where we hit massively congested traffic at the university due to an open fair The target here was the long-staying Rufous-tailed Robin, which duly obliged late afternoon; together with Slaty-legged Crake and White-throated Rock Thrush - a nice finish to the day. Pizza, beers and an overnight near the airport.

Sympetrum hypomelas

Dark-eyed Fivering

Rufous-tailed Robin

Slaty-legged Crake