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5 - 6 Feb 2025.
Dry with little cloud. Temperatures ranged from 18°C to 30°C.
Nong Leng Sai.

Short-eared Owl

Common Reed Bunting

5 Feb. A mid afternoon, three hour drive, from Chiang Mai to Nong Leng Sai, an area of scrub, and lakeside vegetation. Given that the owl, of which several were likely wintering in the area, should be active late afternoon we set about a walk around, and constant scan of, the relatively barren scrubland. Several other birders and photographers were present and spread out across the area giving good coverage. However, by dusk nothing had been seen in the way of an owl, so maybe this was not going to be so easy after all. Species of interest seen included half a dozen Pied Bush Chat plus good numbers of Indian Spot-billed Duck. Early evening we found a nearby resort, plus a good Thai restaurant with cold beer, so not a complete disaster.

6 Feb. An early start at dawn back to the same area. With a couple more birders and better coverage, after a couple of hours a single Short-eared Owl was located, though distant it did fly in our direction, somewhat overhead. We later learned that at least three birds had been found. Flushed with success we decided to try the nearby area for the bunting. This bird also proved elusive, and although a number of people were looking, most gave up after a couple of hours due to rising temperatures and a drop in activity. A flock of 33 Glossy Ibis were noteworthy, and Plain-backed Sparrow was breeding in the area. However, just as we were about to leave - having started the vehicle even - the Common Reed Bunting suddenly appeared, seemingly from nowhere.