Kaeng Krachan....

Kaeng Krachan

Yesterday was my first (and sure not the last) trip to Kaeng Krachan during the school holidays.. Always disappointed that staff there won't accept my work permit for Thai price entry.. Never had any problems at other National Parks.. Well, first sight to welcome me was a splendid Shikra (although my picture wasn't so!!) Before reaching the campsite two more lifers, Ashy Minivets and Grey Rumped Treeswifts.. Another raptor I am unsure of and a Black Baza made the drive pleasant. I am a little concerned about the road as it looks like it is being leveled to be tarmac-ed. Gonna be another rally track I'm sure!!!!!!!!! At the campsite I pitched tent and went off to look between all streams, Orange Breasted Trogon and Silver Breasted Broadbill was all I got..Seemed all a bit quiet. Driving back to camp, another lifer, a Chestnut Breasted Malkoha. Back at the campsite I contemplated packing up and heading home, after a chat with Luang Dtot I decided to call it a day... Will be back soon..

Unsure

Ashy Minivet

Black Baza

Chestnut Breasted Malkoha

Grey Rumped Treeswift.

Shikra

Silver Breasted Broadbill

Free At Last.....

Doi Chaing Dao and Doi Inthanon.....

So the school holidays are finally here!!!!! First trip was up to Chiang Dao, but with no real chance of any birding....(have to be good sometimes) Day 3 took us to Doi Inthanon.. As we stayed at Mr Daengs  there would be a good few chances to get out with the camera. My hunt was on for the Green and Purple Cochoa, but sadly I didn't get to see them. As this was my first time to Doi Inthanon I  managed to pull off quite a few lifers, such as Black Bulbul, Black Headed Sibia, Blue Whistling Thrush, Brown Throated Treecreeper, Silver Eared Laughingthrush, Chestnut Tailed Minla, Golden Throated Barbet, Great Tit (in Thailand), White Browed Shrike Babbler,  Fulvous Breasted Woodpecker, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Large Niltava, Orange Tailed and Black Throated Sunbird and Yellow Cheeked Tit..

Blue Whistling Thrush

Black Bulbul

Brown Throated Treecreeper

Black Headed Sibia

Golden Throated Barbet

Chestnut Tailed Minla

Great Tit

Large Niltava

White Browed Shrike Babbler

Yellow Cheeked Tit

Silver Eared Laughingthrush

                         Overall a good trip with plenty of good sightings.....

Suan Rot Fai

This morning was my first real trip to Suan Rot Fai for birding. I'd been meaning to check it out for a long time, what with following Dave Gandy's blog and seeing the numerous species he finds there. My first stop was to find the Northern Boobook. Sadly it didn't seem to be about.... but I did get some real nice views of an Emerald Cuckoo.

Emerald Cuckoo

Emerald Cuckoo

I'm not really familiar with the park, so I just wandered about to see what I could uncover. I was very surprised with the place and found a lucky pair of Coppersmith Barbets having a good time, Plaintive Cuckoos, Scarlet Backed Flowerpeckers, a White Rumped Shama, a Black Capped Kingfisher, and what I think is a Red Throated Flycatcher. I also saw a strange bald headed Myna. Not sure if this is a normal moult or what???

Baldy

Lucky!!!

 

Plaintive Cuckoo

Red Throated Flycatcher ( I think)

White Rumped Shama

 

 

 

Returning to where I started earlier I thought I'd have another quick look for the  Boobook.. To my delight I found him this time....  Sadly no Rubythroats or Orange Headed Thrush for me this time, but I am well impressed with this place. I will definitely be going back soon ( maybe tomorrow morning!!)

Northern Boobook

Northern Boobook

Khao Yai

Khao Yai

Couldn't resist dropping back into Khao Yai yesterday morning, as last time I missed out on the White Throated Rockthrush.. When we arrived the Mugimaki was already perched and waiting for his next photo shoot. Doesn't really seemed to be too concerned by folk, just the "greedy Shama". The Rockthrush turned after about an hour (That's about my waiting limit 555) and posed for some nice shots. Not really sure which of these two I prefer, as I Photoshopped the meal worms out of one...(more natural???) Judge for yourself..

White Throated Rockthrush (with)

White Throated Rockthrush

White Throated Rockthrush (or without)

Pak Phli to Khao Yai

Pak Phli to Khao Yai

Well after not getting the Bluethroat on my trip to Pak Phli last week, I headed back Sunday morning determined not to come away empty handed again... It was a nice quiet morning with only two other birders there ( sorry guys.. forgot your names..) So, hide up, scene set and meal worms out we settled to see what turned up.  Must only been 10 mins before the first Bluethroat turned up. Plenty of Stonechats, Cisticolas and Pipits around, too and about 100 Black Kites overhead. I really find the Pipits hard to ID... all look the same to me!! After a few more visits I was happy with my pics, so decided to head off to Khao Yai for the Mugi.

Bluethroat

Bluethroat

Rosy Pipit??

Zitting Cisticola

Stonechat

So, off to get the Mugimaki Flycatcher and White Throated Rockthrush. Armed with site details from Gerry Brett ( cheers Gerry) I arrived at the park. A nice surprise FREE entry!!! Unfortunately not just for me.... but half the population of Thailand, too!!! The weather was really cool.. 17 degrees on the display at HQ.  The Mugimaki showed almost immediately, so after getting the pics and wolfing down a couple of hotdog sandwiches I had a walk around in search of the Rockthrush. Sadly I didn't find it this time..Still I suppose that just gives me an excuse to go back again .555

Mugimaki Flycatcher

Mugimaki Flycatcher

Mugimaki Flycatcher

 
Just as I left , I got a nice pic I could use for a greeting for a future letter... Not sure who to send it to yet!!!

Dear Ass.........

Pak Phli

Pak Phli

Seeing many posts of the Bluethroat recently, I thought I'd better go and have a look and see what I could find... So Sunday morning Jas and I set out ( a little late I think). We arrived around lunchtime and although a bit overcast, still stinking hot!!  There were a few people there who told us they had seen a few around earlier that morning. There were a couple of hides set already along the road , but I never really feel comfortable plonking mine where folk be already! So we had a walk around and saw plenty of Bee-Eaters and Black Kites. Taking a drive further down the road we found Richard's Pipits, Rosy Pipits, Stonechats and a nice Common Kingfisher.

Common Kingfisher

Indochinese Bushlark

Richard's Pipit

Rosy Pipit

After a little spot of lunch we had a drive back along the road, where we saw Indochinese Bushlarks and got some really close views of some Black Kites. We also saw some nice little Scarlet Backed Flowerpeckers.

Long Tailed Shrike

Striated Grassbird

One short little final drive around produced what, for me was the highlight of the day.... A Long Tailed Shrike flew down right in front of us.. For me this was a first, so pretty pleased we were!! Sadly though, No Bluethroats this time..... Hopefully we will head back there this weekend....

Khao Yoi

Khao Yoi and the Rice Fields

A trip out this morning took us to Khao Yoi and the surrounding rice fields.. A nice clear drive down at 6am took not long over an hour.  Fist point around Khao Yoi  didn't produce much until we ventured further over the railway line.. Scores of Black Kites circling and hunting low over the ponds.. A truly fantastic sight!!!
Four or five Spot Billed Pelicans made for some nice shots, too. Grey and Purple Herons made some nice low flights over us. snap snap... Not to many Kingfishers about but I did get one shot of a Black Capped which I think is my sharpest to date....

Sharp!!

Black Kite

Grey Heron

Spot Billed Pelican

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We followed the roads around to Wat Khao Takrao which as you get close to the temple are really flooded now (6-8"). We took the pond road and worked our way back to Rama2. Not too much around sadly. A few more herons and kingfishers. A Blue Tailed Bee-Eater and a Painted Stork completed my pics for the day.. A nice trip out...

Blue Tailed Bee-Eater

Painted Stork