Overview
Dates: |
31 Dec 2024 - 3 Jan 2025. |
With Steve Tibbett. The reasons behind this casual trip over New Year were several: to avoid the New Year chaos and noise of Chiang Mai, take advantage of the superb year end weather, search of butterflies at what should be a good time of year, and to start the year's birding at a less-visited location. In the latter case though, local hunting pressure, even within the sanctuary means birding around Omkoi is very challenging.
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31 Dec. We left Chiang Mai early in order to avoid the rush of tourists heading to Doi Inthanon - since our route from Chiang Mai shared the same highway. Following a short coffee stop we headed for Pong Din Waterfall, a location we'd seen on Google Earth, but never visited. We had already figured this would likely be tricky as no off-road tracks appeared to lead there. This proved to be true, with Google Maps leading us into a back yards of some remote village, and no farther. Switching to our satnav we were able to get somewhat closer, but still two kilometres away and with a sizeable ridge between. Having tried various tracks we eventually gave up after a few hours. The remainder of the day was spent exploring a few forest spots before Omkoi. The only bird of note was Hainan Blue Flycatcher, and butterfly numbers were well down on usual. Thankfully a quiet night compared to Chiang Mai. 1 Jan. A cool morning, with the temperature around 11°C. Today we worked higher areas around the Doi Muser viewpoint, and areas between 1,200 and 1400 metres. Generally rather quiet, though Asian Emerald Cuckoo was a good find. Other birds included Siberian Rubythroat and Slaty-backed Flycatcher. A Common Onyx was the butterfly highlight. 2 Jan. We worked mid elevations between Omkoi town and the viewpoint, trying new access tracks around 1,000 - 1,100 metres. However, birding was generally poor and butterflies still lacking. 3 Jan. Another cold morning, with few moths around any lights. Further exploration, looking for forest access near town, after which we headed toward Chiang Mai investigating forest north of town. Best find of the day was Silver-marked Bluejohn. Also, surprisingly a small group of Streak-eared Bulbul. the first time we had recorded this bird at Omkoi in 20 visits. All in all a pleasant and peaceful trip, though nothing stunning of note found. |
Species List
| Omkoi | Count | ||||
| Crested Treeswift | 4 | ||||
| Greater Coucal | 2 | ||||
| Green-billed Malkoha | 1 | ||||
| Asian Emerald Cuckoo | 1 | ||||
| Rock Dove | 4 | ||||
| Spotted Dove | 4 | ||||
| Red-wattled Lapwing | 4 | ||||
| Little Egret | 1 | ||||
| Chinese Pond Heron | 1 | ||||
| Medium Egret | 1 | ||||
| Eastern Cattle Egret | 2 | ||||
| Black Baza | 2 | ||||
| Asian Barred Owlet | 3 | ||||
| Collared Scops Owl | 1 | ||||
| Great Barbet | 2 | ||||
| Lineated Barbet | 3 | ||||
| Blue-throated Barbet | 1 | ||||
| Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker | 2 | ||||
| Greater Flameback | 2 | ||||
| Bay Woodpecker | 1 | ||||
| Ashy Woodswallow | 2 | ||||
| Oriental Cuckooshrike | 2 | ||||
| White-browed Shrike-babbler | 2 | ||||
| Bronzed Drongo | 1 | ||||
| Hair-crested Drongo | 7 | ||||
| Ashy Drongo | 1 | ||||
| Black-naped Monarch | 4 | ||||
| Brown Shrike | 2 | ||||
| Large-billed Crow | 73 | ||||
| Grey-eyed Bulbul | 2 | ||||
| Streak-eared Bulbul | 3 | ||||
| Sooty-headed Bulbul | 4 | ||||
| Barn Swallow | 2 | ||||
| Hume's Leaf Warbler | 1 | ||||
| Yellow-browed Warbler | 3 | ||||
| Two-barred Warbler | 2 | ||||
| Greenish Warbler | 2 | ||||
| Rufescent Prinia | 2 | ||||
| Rufous-fronted Babbler | 2 | ||||
| Grey-throated Babbler | 1 | ||||
| Brown-cheeked Fulvetta | 2 | ||||
| Great Myna | 12 | ||||
| Common Myna | 2 | ||||
| White-rumped Shama | 1 | ||||
| Hainan Blue Flycatcher | 1 | ||||
| Siberian Rubythroat | 2 | ||||
| Slaty-backed Flycatcher | 1 | ||||
| Taiga Flycatcher | 8 | ||||
| Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker | 2 | ||||
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | 3 | ||||
| White-rumped Munia | 8 | ||||
| Olive-backed Pipit | 2 |