What was to be another great trip began early Saturday
morning as Ramesh was picked up from his Bangkok hotel at 4 am. As we headed
towards Mae Wong National Park, we drove through downpour after downpour of torrential
rain. Finally as we arrived just after 9, the rain cleared and a glimpse of
sunshine gave us a glimmer of hope. We checked in to our resort and headed
straight to Chong Yen. Along the way the road was pretty devoid of birds until
we spotted some Pied Bushchats in the grassy reeds. Other birds seen along the
way up were Ashy Woodswallows, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Crested Serpent Eagle, Blue-Bearded Bee-Eater and Grey-Backed Shrike. We stopped near the top to check
out a stream for the Rusty-Naped Pitta, but only saw White-Gorgeted and
Rufous-Browed Flycatchers and Streaked Wren-Babblers. Once we reached Chong Yen
the rain Started falling heavily again. From the shelter of waterproofs and an
umbrella we still saw White-Necked, Black-Throated and Silver-Eared
Laughingthrushes, Silver-Eared Mesias, Golden-Throated Barbet, Black-Throated
Sunbird, Marten’s Warbler, Mountain Bulbuls plus many others. We headed back to
the resort and sill managed a few more ticks on the way down.
|
Flavescent Bulbul |
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Rufous-Browed Flycatcher |
|
Streaked Wren-Babbler |
Day 2. Heavy rain had persisted during the night, but the
morning looked good. As we drove up to Chong
Yen again we counted 13 Kalij Pheasants, Grey Peacock pheasants, Red
Jungle Fowl, a host of Drongos and Bulbuls, White-Browed scimitar Babblers and a
large flock of Striated Yuhinas among others. Once at the top Ramesh set up
behind the ranger station for the Grey Peacock-Pheasant whilst I went in search
of a Rusty Naped Pitta call. Within 10 minutes one stared calling, so I
returned to Ramesh and we headed off for the search. Sadly the Rusty-Naped
didn’t show but we really had that feeling that it was there and watching us….
Although it didn’t show, we still racked up many birds including, White-Tailed
Robin, Mountain-Imperial Pigeon, Bar-Winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Maroon Oriole,
Orange-Headed and Eye-Browed Thrushes, 15 Blue-Whistling Thrushes, Grey
Treepies, Pale-Legged Leaf-Warbler, White-Browed Scimitar Babbler, Small
Niltava, Hainan-Blue Flycatcher, Olive-Backed Pipit, Golden Babblers and
White-Crowned Forktails. We headed back to the resort for a quick clean up and
off to a great dinner after a great days birding.
|
Kalij Pheasant |
|
Maroon Oriole |
|
Hainan Blue Flycatcher |
|
Eye-Browed Thrush |
|
Striated Yuhina |
|
White-Crowned Forktail |
Day 3. Another early start as we headed off for Huai Kha
Keang Wildlife Reserve. As soon as we arrived the lifers started rolling in.
The first were Red-Breasted and Blossom-Headed Parakeets, followed by Yellow Footed
Pigeons, Purple Sunbird, Indo-Chinese Cuckoo Shrike, Green Bee-Eater, Black-Headed
and White-Bellied Woodpeckers, Spotted Owlet, Black-Hooded Oriole, Raffles
Malkoha and Rufous Treepie. An amazing morning with 12 lifers and many more in
about 4 hours!!
|
Black-Hooded Oriole |
|
Indo-Chinese Cuckoo Shrike |
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Yellow Footed Pigeons |
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Spotted Owlet |
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Lesser Yellownape |
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Greater Flameback |
|
Black-Headed Woodpeckers |
Overall a great 3
days birding, with nearly 100 species counted and 30 lifers for Ramesh.