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!!!
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Common Kingfisher |
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Marsh Harrier |
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Field full of birds |
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Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater |
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White-breasted Waterhen |
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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.
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Spot-billed Pelican |
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Painted Stork |
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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.
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Collared Kingfisher |
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Grey Heron |
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