Malayan Night Heron

Last weeks trip to  Kaeng Krachan turned up some nice sightings for us. The cream must go to the Malayan Night Heron. Driving into the park on Thursday morning this strange looker wandered across the road in front of us... I rattled off a few shots and thought no more. Luckily we stopped over at Samarn's on Saturday night where I met Khun Wicha of BCST. He got pretty excited when I asked him what I had shot!! Apparently a rare find in Thailand.. and another lifer for me..

Malayan Night Heron

There certainly seemed to be plenty of bird life around this time, with a nice pair of  Banded  Broadbills   putting the finishing touches to their nest. The nest is on the road on the  left just before Ban Krang campsite.

Banded  Broadbill

The Long Tailed Broadbill chicks up at km 26 look like they will be leaving the nest soon. At km 36 the  Red Bearded  Bee Eaters are still busy feeding, and some great shots were taken there.

Long Tailed Broadbill

Red Bearded Bee Eater

A nice male Indian Cuckoo put in a nice show  down at Ban Krang campsite and plenty of others put in a good show.. I got a few shots of some Eagles / Raptors that I'm really unsure of , so suggestions would be  appreciated...

Indian Cuckoo

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Finally Sunday morning at Samarn's blind gave us one last thrill with a Blue Winged Pitta putting in an appearance before the drive home...

Blue Winged Pitta

A Walk In The Park

Sunday morning and a stroll around Phutthamonton Park for a few hours turned up a few regulars, but nothing really new. Plenty of Indian Rollers, Coppersmith and Lineated Barbets, Black Naped Orioles and a single  Collared Kingfisher. A few Little Herons, but difficult to get any good shots due to their shyness.

Indian Roller

Coppersmith Barbet

Lineated Barbet

Black Naped Oriole

Collared Kingfisher

Little Heron

On the non-birding side of things, there seemed to be a lot of Blue Headed Iguanas and as always the ever present Monitor Lizards. A single Cobra was spotted having a swim across the lake and a beautiful Golden Tree Snake took a leisurely slither up a tree......

Blue Headed Iguana

Monitor Lizard

Cobra

Golden Tree Snake

Khao Sok

Another trip out last week found us at Khao Sok National Park. After reading about the park on Nick Upton's  Thaibirding site we just had to check it out in the hope of getting some pictures of the  Blue Banded Kingfisher and The Banded Pitta to name a few... Well after arriving in Surathani, downing a few well deserved beers and staying overnight at the sister in law's, we set our at first light. The drive was spectacular, nice roads and fantastic scenery. After arriving at the park I was a bit disappointed to see how many resorts, bars and guest houses there were just outside the park. Camping looked out of the question as we could only pitch the tent next to the restaurant. Definitely not a tent friendly park... First we checked out Trail 1. All I can say is  after a 4 or 5 km hike we all felt a bit disappointed as not only did we not see anything, the trail was silent apart from that strange species of (very noisy)foreign backpackers. On the walk back we did manage to see a pair of Fairy Bluebirds.... Back at the park there was a little shop selling beer!! (thought that was against the rules). Sitting having a quick bevvie a pair of Orange Bellied Flowerpeckers flew down to join us.. At least we got a few nice pictures.

Orange Bellied Flowerpecker

Orange Bellied Flowerpecker

We only checked out a little of Trail 2 and decided to make the trip back to Surat that evening. No camping, no birds, but still a nice place to visit and I'm sure on another day we would have done better on the birding side.. Shall chalk this one up as one of those days!!!!