Thai Birds 'n' Pies: Down South

Sri Phang Nga & KK

Well after my trip up north to Chiang Dao & Doi Inthanon the other week, We decided to head down south to Sri Phang Nga for a few days. The main targets were the Malay Banded Pitta and Chestnut Naped Forktail. We arrived and checked into Khun Da Resort just outside the NP. A great place to stay if you don't want to tent it.. Air con, WI-FI and hot shower for 350bt!!! The following morning we headed into the park and soon connected with the Banded Pittas although I was being plagued with condensation on my lens. Also my meal worms had all died being left in the back of the truck for the drive down..... Luckily we managed to leech off another birder at one site. This was my first sightings of the Banded Pittas..what a stunner!!

Banded Pitta (female)

Banded Pitta (male)

Unfortunately the male didn't show too much, but the
female certainly showed well. Along the stream we saw
Blue Eared and Blue Banded Kingfishers, but only in flight so no pictures.

The following morning we went after the Chestnut Naped Forktail. A couple showed well, but tricky to get good shots as they won't stay still..... The day ended early when a large tree branch fell landing on the roof of my truck, putting dents in the roof, bonnet and wing!!!! Not a happy chap was I!!!!

Chestnut Naped Forktail

Kaeng Krachan

A few days on the beach on the way back led us to Kaeng Krachan for a few days. The hi-light definitely being the Ratchet Tailed Treepie feeding young. I think we got this just right, as the following day it looked like the young had left the nest.. Long Tailed Broadbills were busy making their nests. The Black and Red at Ban Krang seemed to be sitting on eggs as it didn't show very often.
Nice views of Greater Yellownapes feeding young along the road. Many birds were either sitting on eggs or feeding young at this time. Lesser Racket Tailed Drongo, Red Bearded Bee-Eater, Thick Billed and Imperial Mountain Pigeon were all seen this way.