Dates:
Weather:
Localities:

25 - 30 Jan 2025.
Cloud, sunny spells, fog and rain, depending on location. Temperatures ranged from 14°C to 30°C.
Namtok Yong National Park and Khao Luang National Park.

Malayan Snow Flat

Grey-bellied Bulbul

Plume-toed Swiftlet

Picasso Moth

25 Jan. Definitely not the best of starts to the trip. Since all direct Chiang Mai - Krabi flights were full it was necessary to fly via Bangkok. In this respect, Lion Air proved not the most reliable option, with an hour delay from Chiang Mai and two hours at Bangkok. Eventually arrived Krabi mid evening, took a taxi to town, and met up with Antonio. Indian curries, beer and an overnight in Krabi.

26 Jan. We'd originally planned to first visit Khao Chong in Trang province, but since we'd been unable to book park accommodation there changed to the park headquarters area of Namtok Yong, where we arrived by 10:00. Having secured rooms we spent the remainder of the day walking the roads and short trail along the river to the waterfall. All in all not a good selection of either birds or butterflies, due in the main to the overcast conditions and showers. Best of the bunch were Violet Cuckoo, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Grey-bellied Bulbul and Banded Kingfisher. For our evening we were highly surprised to find a draft craft beer establishment in the nearby town of Thung Song. Not something you would expect to find in this part of Thailand. Our verdict - good but expensive beer and mediocre food. Overnight in the park with reasonable moth activity.

27 Jan. As we'd found the forest rather quiet yesterday, we decided to give Karom Waterfall in Khao Luang National Park a try. This is a first rate locality for butterflies, with a one kilometre trail along the river and a spectacular waterfall. Unfortunately the weather here was even worse, with us spending most time sheltering from heavy rain. So having walked the trail we abandoned the rest of the day and returned to Namtok Yong. A better afternoon, which was at least dry, though not much added to the list.

28 Jan. A dry, but windy night, resulting in fewer moths. We drove the half hour to Khao Ramrom ranger station of Namtok Yong by 09:00. Despite having booked accommodation, and reconfirming during the week, it all seemed a mystery to the only staff available. To make matters worse, with today being Chinese New Year, no one seemed to be working and the keys to accommodation had left yesterday with staff not expected back till tomorrow. However we were granted entry and told we could camp at the top. Unfortunately, all day, the weather from about half way up the mountain was cold, shrouded in low cloud and generally miserable. Walked the Nature Trail at the top but almost nothing found. Plume-toed Swiftlet were nesting as usual on a few of the buildings at the summit. A cool damp night.

29 Jan. A reasonable collection of moths around the park buildings early morning, including the most wanted Picasso Moth Baorisa hieroglyphica. With the weather remaining fog-bound and cool, the day produced little, despite another circuit of the Nature Trail and checking forest edge up and down the road. The promised staff and accommodation keys never materialised, so another night camping.