Thai Birds 'n' Pies: Holiday Time. Part 2

The following Monday was work again, so I decided to leave early again to have another look around my local patch. This time was much more productive and was probably one of my best days. First was my second ever sighting of a Common Kestrel, followed by Brown Shrikes, my first Stonechats of the year, a large flock of Common Terns, a fly past of 14 Painted Storks. Then a drive down “Kingfisher Lane” turned up 8 Common Kingfishers, 4 White-throated Kingfishers and my first 2 Black-capped Kingfishers of the year. Also along the lane, a Yellow Bittern, Grey-headed Lapwings, Blue-tailed Bee-Eaters and White-breasted Waterhen were seen. Around the corner, along the rice fields, one field was being worked and it was full of Pond Herons, Egrets and surprisingly another group of Painted Storks. A raptor, which I think was either an Eastern Marsh or Female Pied Harrier circled overhead and lastly a Purple Heron passed by. What a fantastic afternoon and all in just over 2 hours!!!

Common Kingfisher

Marsh Harrier

Field full of birds

Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater

White-breasted Waterhen

Purple Heron

Tuesday, as promised to my daughter, a trip to the beach was the order of the day. I wasn’t going to let the opportunity of driving the “scenic” route to Cha-Am through Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia get away. More Painted Storks and I lost count of how many Black-capped and Collared Kingfishers were seen along the road. Sadly they were all “wire shots” so I didn’t bother with any pictures. After 3 nice days at the beach with seafood and beer we headed back the same way. Not so many Kingfishers were about, but 4-5 Spot-billed pelicans circled around Laem Pak Bia. An hour at Pak Thale turned up more Painted Storks, some of the usual waders and a Black-shouldered Kite happily feasted on a freshly caught rodent. Sadly I didn’t find any Spoonies.

Spot-billed Pelican

Painted Stork

A drive around Wat Takrao in the rain produced more Black-capped and Collared Kingfishers, Purple and Grey Herons, Brahminy Kites and Plaintive Cuckoos. Overall a good days birding.

My final day before getting back to work was a couple of hours around the local patch again. Many birds were observed again, Common Kingfishers and Blue-tailed Bee-Eaters were the stars for some cracking shots.. Well that’s it until Christmas/ New Year holidays. That will surely be a return to Mae Wong for the elusive Crested Kingfisher.