Friday 26/03/2021

Since the turn of the year Paul has been pretty active exploring new sites and has added quite a few new species to the Yasothon province list. I must add now that this is not too difficult as Yasothon occupies something of a birding backwater largely given over to rice growing, and with Paul as the only regularly active birder there; - in short it is underwatched relative to the well known much visited sites in the west especially. Of the 76 provinces of Thailand, I am told that some months ago it ranked next to bottom in terms of species ever recorded, though now with a list of 149 species, it has shot up to 70th place!

By way of contrast, Chiang Mai in the north west is the top ranked province with some 660 species recorded.

The list for Thailand stands presently at just over 1000 species recorded, with a handful of top listers (all resident there of course) with just over 900 species apiece;- staggering totals indeed and a level to which I can never hope to aspire. 
Paul has introduced me recently to the E birder recording system so I have just finished entering over 100 of my daily checklist totals covering the 14 provinces in which I have been birding in the past for the years 2001, 2017, 2018 and 2019. I quite enjoyed reliving some of my birding adventures anew as part of the process. Hopefully this autumn may present an opportunity to get back there to fill in more than a few blanks!

Regards,

Mike P.

Kutchum - Wednesday 28/10/20 

Paul is battening down the hatches ahead of typhoon Molave which is already battering Vietnam, and scheduled to reach Yasothon province in the small hours (about 9 pm UK time), though thankfully at greatly reduced strength.

He noticed much heightened chattering among the garden birds at dusk with the dogs by way of contrast seemingly unusually subdued. He is accordingly bringing them indoors for the night and hoping that his newly planted trees will still be standing upright by dawn.

Cheers,

Mike P.

Sunday, 19/07/20

With no prospect of any of us based in Europe getting back to Thailand before next year, at least as some consolation one of the family in the meantime is able to get on with birding there.

With Khao Yai recently reopened for visitors, on sudden impulse, Paul shot off on Friday intending to spend four days camping and birding in the park. Rumour has it from park staff that after months of lockdown, animals are increasingly conspicuous and roaming more openly around the park HQ in the absence of hordes of visitors.
A 6 am start on Saturday saw him exploring the same trail where he turned up last Februarys Eared Pitta. All was unusually quiet until he heard ahead of him a calling Blue Pitta which obviously got his juices flowing. Advancing carefully, he gave a playback call and as the birds calls became louder and closer he stopped and soon glimpsed some movement in the leaf litter before seeing the culprit, - a male Blue Pitta suddenly hopped up onto a log. He was able to watch his first of the species for some minutes before birding his way back down the 4 Kms. to the main access road. 
With weekend visitors from the cities beginning to materialise he noticed a group of Thai birders scoping something up in the roadside trees. Upon enquiry it transpired that they were scoping a Banded Broadbill visiting its nest; - another quality species which he hadnt seen for a number of years, so he waited a while and was duly rewarded.

Moving on, it was still quite early and hoping to escape the increasing numbers of visitors, he tried another longish trail deemed worthy of exploration where eventually quite unexpectedly he encountered another good bird just ahead of him a metre or so off the trail showing interest in a small muddy pool, - a Blue-winged Pitta (a regular wet season breeding visitor to Thailand) - nevertheless his second self found lifer of the morning.
He is on something of a roll with Pittas of which he has self found 4 lifers over the last 17 months. As the weather was rapidly deteriorating with heavy rain coming on he decided to cut short his stay. He had covered some 20 kms. on the trails (which were unusually almost leech free at least) was soaked with sweat but well satisfied with his brief visit. 
He updated us (with beer in hand) with news of his adventure via FaceTime this morning. He is now under orders to find a Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, and to search the Bangkok parks for migrant Fairy Pittas next April.

Regards,

Mike P

Another relevant split noted as I browse through 14 years of sundry taxonomic updates - all references to Indian Roller (C. benghalensis) in previous posts concerning the birds seen in Thailand should now be read as Indo-Chinese Roller (C. affinis). 
On comparing the two forms, affinis shows more uniform dark purple cheeks throat and breast, barely streaked on the throat as compared to the paler underparts of benghalensis; though it strikes me that juvenile birds are rather trickier to differentiate?

In general in spite of more species than ever being endangered, there now seem to be about a thousand new species (ie 10800 or so) than used to be the case 15 years ago. 

Concerning the earlier post below about Phu Khieo (which does seem to have several spellings) by way of correction it is not a national park but is a wildlife sanctuary, with access accordingly rather more restricted than would be the case with a national park. The White- winged Duck is possible but supposedly only in the company of a ranger involving a considerable hike to the favoured pools. There is a good selection of mammals and supposedly between 10/20 tigers though these very rarely seen.

Regards,

Mike P.

I have been reading up on certain splits of late. Accordingly concerning my post on this thread of 16/03/19, any reference to Red-flanked Bluetail (T. cyanurus) should be read please as Himalayan Bluetail (T. rufilatus).
I understand that the latter has been split from the former as it is a short distance migrant form, the male also sporting generally brighter blue plumage on the upper parts and especially on its supercilium. Females remain more problematic?

Regards,

MLP.

Hi again Pete,

Its pretty remarkable that in many parts of the world one can bump into lone birders who not only turn out to be Brits, but Brits that one already knows;- a small world in many ways and always really nice, (like you bumping into Broomy in a Thai filling station for instance!)

We are probably back in January though not sure yet what we shall do;- the girls probably will prefer heading south for some beach stuff;- (god knows theyve earned it after being dragged along 100s of forest trails these last few years).

Best Wishes,

Mike and Barb

10/06/19 Monday,

It is now quite wet (rainy season) and the newly transported and planted large trees appear to be taking well, - the idea is that these will afford more cover and shade.

Although not new birds for the garden list, an Indian Roller was foraging on the ground last week (a first of sorts) and a Black-shouldered Kite is spending more and more time within the garden compound. 

Cheers,

Mike P.

17/04/19 Wednesday,

Paul advised yesterday that he had a new bird for the garden list - a Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker. - Pleasing this, as it is the first woodpecker species of any kind on his local patch and hopefully the first of many as his trees mature and offer more shade and cover.

Surprisingly, the Rubythroat is still present.

Cheers,

Mike P.

26/03/19

A summary of our trip from a birding standpoint came out at 226 species seen, (plus 1 heard only). The trip had given me personally a further 84 species boost to my growing Thailand list (of which just 13 were species completely new for me) so I was well pleased and it was really nice to become reacquainted with some stunning Himalayan species which I had not seen for some 20 years or more. The most productive leg of our wanderings was in the Doi Lang area which is part of the Doi Pha Hom Pok Nat. Park in the border area with Myanmar. I found myself wishing that I could share these at some time perhaps with my regular birding pals (you know who you are) with whom I have enjoyed so many birding adventures in the past. Having said that though I still have many reserves and Nat. Parks (such as Doi Inthanon) yet to visit.

My own personal favourites on this trip included Humes Pheasants, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Scarlet Finch, Black-throated Tits - all these either rare or barely touching NW Thailand with their wing tips. Among my new species I was grateful to catch up with a stunning male Silver Pheasant, an obliging two day Rusty-naped Pitta, Crested Finchbills, Giant Nuthatch, Spectacled Barwing, Spot-breasted Parrotbill and White-bellied Redstart. Of the three Siberian Rubythroat seen, the one wintering in Pauls garden was easily the most handsome (well, it would be anyway wouldnt it?) and deserves mention.

Much of rural Thailand is blighted by illegal trapping of birds by poor people scratching out a living, but hopefully an increasing level of affluence generally will reduce this activity over time and it was noticeable that in the two large No Hunting wetland reserves which we visited we encountered keen helpful and seemingly dedicated staff and impressive growing numbers of Egrets, Ducks, and Waders.

Best Wishes,

Mike P.

23/03/19 Saturday after a 06.00 breakfast we returned to the same reserve and after grilling various Snipe through the scope we ascertained that all were Common Snipe. Checking through the massed Egrets out in the centre of the main lake we were pleased to find 11 Painted Storks - apparently a scarcity in Thailand. Among the usual Lesser Whistling Ducks were a feeding pack of Spotted Redshank and a scatter of Garganey but search as we might we found no additional duck species other than those already regularly recorded. With the temperature rising and a fair bit of travelling still ahead of us we packed up at 10.00 and continued off south - our birding adventures perhaps concluded for now.

Cheers,

Mike P.

21/03/19 Thursday -Kutchum riverside early walk.

I headed out at 07.00 for an intended 1 hour stroll and came across a couple of wandering monks eating by Pauls fishing pond under the little bamboo shelter in the far corner of the rice fields. I greeted them respectfully in Thai and one replied in English asking where I was from so I pointed to the farm. I collected some litter (not dropped by them) and made a little stack intending to take it away later and left them in peace. A short way on I met a guy with a long bamboo with a hooped net on the end probing in the trees searching for the eggs and nests of the red ants. He showed me his meagre catch of greenish eggs which in the cooked state are white (and quite delicious); I thanked him and carried on eager to search for some Flowerpeckers in a likely spot. I detected a tickle down my shirt and then another on my neck and a nip under my trousers - ants in my pants.

I spent some minutes rather distracted as every time I removed an ant another seemed to nip in another sector of flesh. Then a nip in a private area had me dropping both trousers and underpants for a thorough clear out, fearful that if the monks happened along they would wonder what the hell was going on. Instead of attacking me en mass the ants were programmed to attack in relays as if they had all read the manual How to bugger up a birders plans.

I did little birding of any consequence collected the litter and was pleased to see that the monks had bagged up their contribution and amalgamated it with what I had collected in a large polythene bag. I went back to base and later sat in the garden compound noting the finer points of Paddyfield Pipits (as one was sheltering in the shade of an overturned urn) and I still need a proper Richards Pipit for Thailand.

I logged the Rubythroat in the afternoon as it came out to feed on the lawn between bouts of swooping up into its favoured Tamarind tree.

Cheers,

Mike P.

19/03/19 Tuesday. Nam Nao - bungalow accommodation.

After a good nights sleep I resolved to be out early. I awoke refreshed checked the time and decided that I had overslept- a peek at the clock indicated 07.10 so I washed and dressed cleaned my teeth and even made my bed as it was still dark outside which suddenly began to be puzzling. I checked the clock again and realised that it was actually only 01.40!

I went back to bed and finally went out at 06.15, teamed up with Paul and we hit the forest trail again and within minutes chanced upon a party of about 8/9 Collared Babblers ( in my old book White-headed Babblers). Further on peering across a gully I saw with my naked eye what seemed like a white fox sporting a huge white bushy tail some sixty yards off. Raising bins I was delight to see my first Silver Pheasant- a fine male and catch up species as I had missed one here last April.

Still elated and with Paul leading over a wooden footbridge we flushed a Striated Heron of which I barely saw the tail end.

Once we had packed and bought ice creams at the little shop a bird perched close at hand proved to be our first Large Woodshrike of the trip so we left in good spirits at noon. Five hours on we arrived back in Kutchum to a noisy welcome from the overexcited dogs. A celebratory barbecue ensued as the expedition of 2780 kms. had yielded a full complement of Thailand ticks.

Cheers,

Mike P.

17/03/19 Sunday West side 5.00 start.

The three of us were very early at the first feeding station with Barb able to catch up with a female Humes Pheasant and Great Tit (!) though en route we again failed to find on the road any Mountain Bamboo Partridge or Nightjars though Large-tailed and Grey get reported from here. Hoopoe and Jay were logged for the growing park list and more importantly we saw our first Spectacled Barwing of the trip and through persistence and patience really good looks at Aberrant Bush Warbler and best of all the range restricted Crimson-breasted Woodpecker. We had enjoyed a good morning with too many repeat species to mention and were heading back intending an early finish in view of a long drive through the afternoon ahead going south east.

We had only gone a couple of kms. when we passed a solitary figure - another birder. I recognised Pete Hines so Paul reversed the vehicle and we introduced ourselves. Pete (a veteran of thirty years birding here) was newly arrived and covering what was familiar ground from past exploits but anxious to enjoy some videoing of quality species so we turned around and he followed us back to the stake out for the Cutias. We bade him good luck and left him in peace to get on with things.

Paul drove us some 380 kms. as far as Uttaredit where we checked in at the excellent Hobby Hotel - superb good value for a quarter of what we should pay in the UK!

Cheers,

Mike P.

15/03/19 Friday - still Doi Pha Hom Pok Nat. Pk.

We decided to repeat yesterdays sites to enable the girls to do some catching up, also we still had many good target species awaiting us. We had an excellent hotel breakfast which meant that we didnt arrive at the Pheasant stake out until 9.00. and accordingly had no expectation of seeing it. The girls did however see the Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babblers and the Ultramarine Flycatcher along with close views again of a Chestnut-vented Nuthatch foraging on the road and nearby low tree trunks. Paul noticed a Nuthatch some 80 metres further down the road ahead edging up and down a roadside conifer - it looked big!

We glassed it critically and agreed that it looked big but it moved into the trees and out of sight. As a contingency Paul had downloaded the calls of several species the previous night so played the calls for Giant Nuthatch. Nothing happened but after what seemed to be a long minute we all heard an answering call close by in a large pine. The tension rose - the worlds biggest Nuthatch was close at hand!

I notice movement high up - and Paul and I got onto the bird. Barb got naked eye views only and Pen (suffering with a cough and streaming eyes) inexplicably was looking in a totally different direction. The beast flew off right past us and there was a sense largely of relief on my part to have caught up with such a special bird.

We moved on to the next feeding stops and were a little disappointed to find a coachload of birding tour participants all at the best stakeout hoping for the male White-bellied Redstart and Cutia which sometimes appears on a large old tree festooned with bromeliads. We moved on and played the calls for the Spot-breasted Parrotbill which to the girls astonishment shot straight in to within 10 feet perching boldly and for minutes right in front of us - truly the lead character of the day so far. Walking on Barb alerted us to a bird high up at 10 oclock on a ridge top leafy tree -our first Burmese Shrike for Thailand obvious from its chocolate coloured mantle and dark grey head and altogether a much more compact beast than the paler Long-tailed Shrike.

Back-tracking we arrived in time for the tour groups departure and took their place at the stakeout where we spent the next 40 minutes standing quietly. Here were views of the nesting Black-throated Tits regularly bring in food items, another immature male Siberian Rubythroat and a new female Flycatcher which we studied very thoroughly and identified it independently afterwards as a Slaty Blue Flycatcher. The male White-bellied Redstart had not been seen by anyone this morning but the female was very obliging, as was a White-gorgetted Flycatcher; all new for the girls.

The highlight event followed - four handsome Himalayan Cutias cavorting in the mature bromeliad tree. These then flew right into the red flowering otherwise leafless tree to join in with foraging Black-headed Sibias and Scimitar Babblers.

We exited the feeding station and moved on to another where previously on the Thursday we had the spectacular Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes performing but today due to the time of day it was a no show from them. As some consolation we watched the comings and goings of a Hill Prinia, and a fine Blue Whistlingthrush fanning its tail and feeding on a horizontal log  and on the ground only 20 feet away.

Despite Pen being somewhat under the weather she rather sprang into action and in typical fashion alerted me to a bird. Dad! I see a jumper! (Any small bird flitting in and out of foliage or darting about like a Flycatcher she refers to as a Jumper).

I saw her bird immediately (which was a relief as she struggles of course in English with giving directions). I was very pleased to see a male Little Pied Flycatcher the first of our trip, and praised her accordingly. Crested Finchbill are a common bird in this general location and consort here with Flavescent Bulbuls in the scrubby roadside margins. We chatted with the soldiers at the border post and Barb and Pen ticked off the Burmese flag flying in the pines by an army post on the Myanmar side of a shallow valley some 200 yards away and as it was now 12.30 we strolled back (dipping again on Spectacled Barwing which feed on a particular favoured tree with little orange berries) and drove off back to Fang and to enjoy an excellent lunch in rather dude like fashion and a lazy afternoon. We were well pleased with the morning with the Cutias winning our bird of the day vote.

Cheers,

Mike P.

13/03/19 Kings Project site

We awoke early and brewed warming coffee before any serious thoughts of birding but did note a Long- tailed Shrike on a fence post dislodged by our first Blue Whistling Thrush of the trip. Soon into birding mode we drove a short way and commenced some roadside birding adding our first Fulvettas for Thailand - a party of Grey-cheeked Fulvettas and followed these with a superb Silver-eared Mesia - a species which Barb and I had last encountered some 19 years ago in the forests of the eastern Himalayas- how time flies!

New trip birds were White-browed Shrike Babblers (now split as Blyths Shrike Babbler).The Rusty-naped Pitta was again heard and seen foraging in the trailside leaf litter on the Firebreak Trail barely 15 feet from us and promptly hopped out ahead of us and hopped along the trail as if to show what a fine fellow he was.

Shortly after this we met a couple of birding expat Brits (Brian and Paul- the latter originally from Denton!) and mentioned the Pitta which they subsequently photographed. Later back in the gardens they met up with us and showed us where they had been throwing out mealworms behind the kitchens. Here thanks to them we saw our first turdus genus of the trip a Black- breasted Thrush with another Olive-backed Pipit for good measure. Later after coffee we fanned out and logged our first Chestnut-vented Nuthatch but missed a Daurian Redstart which the other duo had seen in the gardens. Apparently also we should have searched more diligently for Goulds Sunbird which is also readily available here. Later exploring another trail we found a pair of Blue-winged Minlas.

Later in the afternoon we set off for our next destination Fang in the far north but were turned back at the army checkpoint as the road which runs right alongside the Myanmar border is now only open to the locals. Nevertheless whilst Paul and Pen were trying to charm the solder into allowing us through Barb pointed out some birds hopping about the short grassy field some 30 metres off the road- another new species - White-browed Laughingthrushes which were gratefully admired and eventually seen by us all. We turned around and eventually arrived in Fang by the southerly route and secured accommodation at the Lumanee Lahu Home Hotel where Brian and Paul were staying and with whom we made plans for an early start for the following day as they had a number of target species staked out.

Cheers,

Mike P.

Monday 11/03/19 Doi Chiang Dao

We got off after breakfast rather earlier than yesterday heading off to an alternative mountain road from which Paul had found Giant Nuthatch some 15 years previously. The intention was to do more birding and much less driving. The day got off to a promising start with 2 Slaty-backed Forktails along a tiny stream next to the first checkpoint where we showed our 3 day passes. At our first birding stop at around 3700 feet we found a decent mixed flock with Grey Bushchats several Grey-capped Woodpeckers and a few other species whizzing up and over the ridge upon which we were standing. Peering down the north side below us Pen found the birds of the day- a pair of Silver-breasted Broadbills a long awaited catch up species for Paul. I was seeing small birds but because of the configuration of the ridge was struggling against the glare of the sun as these birds were to the east of us. Nevertheless a pair of Velvet-fronted Nuthatches were obvious but several tiny philoscopus Warblers (either Ashy throated or Pallass) remained unidentified as my eyes were streaming with tears in the glare. I should happily have paid a pound or two to have been on the other side of the birds.

Against our better judgement we drove off seeking the high point of the road and our search for the ideal site for Giant Nuthatch proved abortive with no sign or sound. (The call of this species is transcribed as Get it up) and a google search more or less approximated to this. We spent far too much time driving and stopping and ended up squandering most of the morning. 

In new territory it is all too easy for the exploratory instinct to take over and we really should have known better.

We did log an overflying Rufus-winged Buzzard, Scarlet Minivets and another of the tiny Grey-capped Woodpeckers located by its calls being very close to those of Great Spotted.

Hot and tired we returned to our lodging for showers and refreshments and only resumed birding after 16.00. We visited the temple car park and found a calling Yellow- browed Warbler and a Grey Wagtail. Paul and I hauled ourselves up half of the 500 steps to the shrine and explored part of the gully trail where lucky birders have in the past found Blue Pitta as well as Rusty- naped. We enjoyed point blank views of the very common and confiding Puff-throated Babbler but that was all.

A day of quality which fizzled out all too soon and basically our own fault!

Cheers,

Mike P.

Friday 08/03/19

We left Kutchum at 07.10 and drove all day 743 kms. to Lampang where we founding good lodgings at the Regent Hotel at about £9 per night per twin bed room leaving at 07.35 for a few hours in Doi Khun Tan Nat. Pk. 9.00 to 10.40 before continuing on to Chiang Mai.

New trip species seen were Bronzed, Hair-crested, and Ashy Drongos, Sooty-headed, Stripe-throated, and Black- Crested Bulbuls but raptors stole the show with a fine Crested Serpent Eagle being mobbed by a Shikra, a pair of Crested Goshawks, and a perched Black Baza found by Pen. Blue winged Leafbirds were also logged before we departed on another longish 200 km. drive via Chiang Mai city and its traffic to arrive at Doi Chiang Dao wildlife reserve where Paul had seen Giant Nuhatch some 15 years ago.

After securing lodgings at Malees (well known to visiting birders in the past) we had an exploratory walk up the temple steps.

Himalayan Swiftlets were zooming overhead, and we found several Asian Fairy Bluebirds and a Taiga Flycatcher with common Red Whiskered Bulbuls seemingly everywhere.

From the top of the climb we noted a family party of Green-billed Malkohas, a pair of minivets which proved too far to confidently identify with binoculars and some 20 Green Pigeons again too far off for my old eyes but which Paul felt sure were Pin-tailed.

With the light fading we set off down the steps only to happen upon a couple of furtive Babblers foraging on the ground in deep cover. They looked frustratingly featureless and we later narrowed them down to two quite common possibles which warrant further study over the coming days.

Cheers,

Mike P.

Wednesday 06/03/19

A lie in today so didnt get up until 07.25 and set about some garden chores as we are off on a brief road trip from midday on.

I neglected to mention that on the drive into Yasothon the other day we had several sightings of Black shouldered Kites - this is always a favoured stretch of open country so we tend to rather take them for granted.

The Rubythroat show continues. It has not missed a day and today it appeared just before 10 am walking across both lawns before swooping up into its favoured tamarind tree (see photos below). From reading it seems to be a very good record for these parts.

John Rayner remarks as to what a treat it would be for one to turn up at Hope Carr. Birders are typically never satisfied! Imagine the parking chaos if one were to be found there - I should be truly delighted -  (more so if I was back in England of course).

Cheers,

Mike P.

Monday 04/03/19

9 am saw three of us at Yasothon Pools, where the water levels were much lower than Paul had noted 12 months ago.

Accordingly we only found about 100 Lesser Whistling Ducks, 15 Purple Swamphens, 2 Moorhens and no White-browed Crakes.

9 Little Egrets and 5 Purple Herons were new trip birds as was a Cattle Egret en route. Several Eastern Marsh Harriers were quartering the site and we noted 3 Brahminy Kites. A male Brown- throated Sunbird was a site tick. 

Back at base after lunch we logged the Rubythroat in the vegetable patch at 13.15.

We had a final run out to a temple complex on a local hilly forest patch at 16.30 which produced a party of Ashy Wood-Swallows, 2 Red-rumped on roadside wires with Barn Swallows. Final species added were a Rufous-winged Bushlark, and 2 Plaintive Cuckoos.

Cheers,

Mike P.

Saturday 02/03/19

I was out at 6.15 am set on a slow walk along the riverside section with scope and tripod to hand.

Early additions to the trip list were Asian Palm Swift, 3 Black-Collared Starlings, Black Drongos, a Brown Shrike (just outside the garden compound but still on the farm fields) and a White-rumped Munía. What I provisionally took to be Oriental White-Eyes were darting in and out of close foliage above me but perhaps Japanese White Eyes (which winter in Thailand) could be fooling me?

A roughly one km. stretch of the river walk yielded about 20 calling Dusky Warblers, several of which offered up good views, but best was an obliging Raddes Warbler beneath me in a corner of a stubble field, giving almost continuous throaty Tuk calls and showing off well its strong supercilium and ochre toned under tail coverts.

Back at breakfast around 9 am the Rubythroat appeared on the lawn for the others as I was washing out my coffee cup.

At around 10am Paul, Barb and I went into town shopping but took in the temple complex as well. Within its grounds is what seems to be a relict area of good forest which possibly could harbour a few additional species. We saw Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, and more Purple Sunbirds, and a male Olive-backed Sunbird. There were plenty of genetically fine Red Jungle Fowl clawing in the leave litter but were these truly wild or introduced by the monks? - hard to decide.

At around mid-day we were sitting in the lounge section when I noticed the Rubythroat sitting facing us at eye level barely 15 feet away so we obtained a few record shots on my little Lumex camera at x 20 zoom.

With Rubythroat, Brown Shrike, Dusky and Raddes Warblers- that possibly equates with a decent morning on Fair Isle, though never having been there myself who knows??

Cheers,

Mike P.

Friday March 1st,

A lazy start to our first morning after 31 hours on the go and three flights to get here last night.

While sipping coffee in the kitchen (which has one side open to the garden) at 9.45 am, amid the gangs of Tree Sparrows Barb noticed a tallish chat on the lawn edge some 35 feet away, - the wintering male Siberian Rubythroat. Also foraging along the edge of the garden compound; - earlier there had been a Hoopoe which Paul had seen coming in to land beyond the vegetable plot.

I last saw a Rubythroat some 11 years ago and its a nice start to get one now on my Thailand list. Its really nice to watch its circuit around the closest section of the garden. Id forgotten just how leggy they are, with an upright carriage (as Paul describes) rather Pitta like in its moves as it makes little runs out of and back into the cover of the little border hedge.

Durham birders ruefully still ponder on the Sunderland bird in a Roker garden some ten years ago which was only ever seen by three out of county birders before the news finally broke after its departure.

Cheers,

Mike P.

Thursday, Feb 7th

No, we are not back in Thailand just yet, (only just back home from Hope Carr last night of course).

We go off in a few weeks time hoping for some new adventures. In the meantime we have news from our older son Paul.

Today he was watering trees and plants around the garden complex when he noticed a passerine on the lawn which on jizz appeared to be something new.

He shouted for Pen to bring his bins, and on glassing the bird realised instantly that he was looking at a lifer; - a male Siberian Rubythroat.... a self-found stunner in the garden; does it get any better?

Looking forward to going!

Cheers,

Mike P.

24/04/18 Tuesday.

We left Kut Chum at around 7.45 am for the 5 hour drive nw to Nam Nao Nat Pk. With coffee stops en route it was about 14.45 when we arrived, the only new trip birds casually noted en route being the usual soaring Openbill Storks.

This park was new ground for all of us and comprises roughly 1000 sq. kilometres in north central Thailand just south of the Mekong River which here flows east/ west forming as usual the border with Laos, with the park HQ at approx 2700 ft above sea level.

We had made no prior arrangement for accommodation (their telephone was dead), and to book by e mail one had to make ridiculously complex arrangements involving registration - including job status, nationality, etc. 

Upon arrival, we paid a one off entrance fee of 200 baht per head (=£4.60) and found it easy to book a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom bungalow at 2000 baht per night, less a discount of 30% for each of Tues. Wed. Thurs. For our 4 nights stay therefore the cost per couple came out at 3500 baht (=£80 approx) - a really good deal, and free of red tape.

We knew from trip reports that no birders seem to come here in April, and apart from an American couple touring the national parks, we appeared to be the only visitors, - certainly the only birders, which was a wonderful contrast to Khao Yai, normally awash with noisy campers and traffic.

We had an initial stroll round at 15.15 and noted noisy gangs of the delightful but common White-Crested Laughing Thrushes, a superb White-bellied Woodpecker edging up a roadside conifer, and one of the Flamebacks only fleetingly noted. In the thicker deciduous foliage we logged a pair of Blue-winged Leafbirds, and for me a new Thai species a Great Barbet, whose raucous contact note I soon began to recognise in the following days. Above the nearby deserted campsite we located several Red-billed Blue Magpies, an Ashy Minivet, and Small Minivets. 

We made a short excursion onto one of the forest trails and found a pair of Slaty-backed Forktails just above the stagnant waters of a small muddy rivulet, and White-rumpled Shamas feeding fledged young. The forktails were appreciated particularly by Paul as life ticks.

Wednesday 25/04/18

A 5.45 am start produced a crop of the regular species with new trip birds in the shape of Hair-Crested and Bronzed Drongos, Jays, a gang of about 6 Lesser Necklaced Laughing Thrushes, a daytime perched Asian Barred Owlet, a better look at a Common Flameback, a Forest Wagtail, (swaying its tail laterally as usual), Velvet-fronted Nuthatches, several Black-napes Monarchs, and underwhelming Sooty-headed and Black-Crested Bulbuls. Paul found  pair of Red-headed Trogons which vanished as he was whistling for us to join him.

As the day wore on I realised that the Drongos I was seeing regularly with adults feeding fledged young were in fact Bronzed Drongos not Black Drongos and wondered if I had always overlooked them previously on my travels- a rather sobering thought.

At about 12 noon the heavens opened with thunder and heavy rain so we took time out. Later we ventured out again but added little that was new other than a Lesser Yellownape to boost the Woodpecker tally, Puff-throated Bulbuls, and Scarlet Minivets. Silent philoscopus Warblers caused me some frustration as I struggled to check tertials on jigsaw overhead views of either Yellow- browed or Two Barred Greenish Warblers. 

We set about keeping a Nat Pk list but found it slow going with a lack of water species and with the forest trails alive with leeches after the rain.

Thursday 26/04/18 6.15 am

Red Junglefowl were the first birds for the morning, followed by a late Brown Shrike, Common Ioras, and for me a fine close encounter with a Bay Woodpecker, supposedly an uncommon resident here.

We were constantly hearing a trisyllabic Barbet call and traced these to Blue-throated Barbets, (a close congener of Moustached Barbet with which we were well familiar from Khao Yai visits).

Paul and I did a slow trail walk which rewarded us with several good looks at White-crowned Forktails, a party of about 6 Red- billed Scimitar Babblers, and fleeting sightings of the common Rufous-fronted Babblers. In spite of our leech socks several had looped up our legs and underneath to mess up our clothing.

I delighted in torturing the culprits and splattering their guts and my blood accordingly. Our main target species, Blu Pitta, Bar- backed Partridge, and Silver Pheasant remained hidden.

Later with the girls we drove a short distance to an open area with a tower hide as a lookout for the elephants which come probably daily to wallow in the lakeside muddy pools. We noted fresh dung and listened out carefully, but carried on birding nevertheless.

The lake had many bare dead tree stumps scattered across and produced our only Dollarbirds of the trip, -a pair obligingly perched up giving good scope views much to Pens liking. Ashy Woodswallows, a Golden-fronted leafbird and a pair of Paddyfield Pipits were Park list additions. The drive back produced a pair of Green Magpies, to give us a clean up of the park crows.

Barb and I had a late afternoon stroll around some of the forest edge quiet spots, and met with about 5 Black-throated LaughingThrushes which entertained us for some minutes, though we still dipped on Pauls Trogons seen previously in the same shady area. Further on we found a Grey- headed Woodpecker probing in the short grass, briefly interacting with a single White-browed Scimitar Babbler, a squirrel, and a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.

Friday 27/04/18

A Shikra which had been noted almost daily in the same roadside forest patch was the first bird of note, soaring overhead and perching obligingly. After investing some time trying to scope up Warblers in the high pines, I at last heard Yellow-browed calls traced back to the culprits, saw a new Thai species (for me) a Black-Hooded Oriole, which Paul had noted earlier. A walk in open forest gave us Large Cuckoo Shrikes in ideal habitat for them with their familiar raucous chewee calls from the open canopy recalling previous encounters at Sab Sadao. 

Paul decide on a forest trail walk at around 13.00 whilst the rest of us opted for a nap. He met up with us some two hours later smiling and with a celebratory ice cream in hand. He had managed both Orange-headed Thrush and a fine male Silver Pheasant, scratching in the leaf litter without seeing him first. 

Despite a foray to try to pull something back, I recorded only good views of Forktails and more leeches. Later that evening we enjoyed scoped views of a pair of very confiding Hill Mynas, a Common Flameback persistently attacking its reflection in an outdoor mirror of the campsite washroom and perched views of a Lesser Yellownape. The others saw a Greater Yellownape whilst I was otherwise carefully studying a female type Flycatcher which I failed to identify satisfactorily.

Saturday 28/04/18

A very early start on the forest trails produced excellent views of stunning White-crowned Forktails but none of the star targets still remaining unseen.

After breakfast we embarked on the 400 km. drive to Bangkok in heavy rain all the way. We passed various rice paddies on the city outskirts which appeared to be crawling with waders, egrets and herons but the only stops en route were for coffee and noodles.

Sunday 29/04/18

I rose early and walked brusquely to Suan Luang Park in just under 20 mins to arrive at 6.45 am. Already there of course were thousands of joggers enjoying their weekend in a healthy manner. The birds here are well used to noise and people, and I headed for the reedy pools which I quite like. List padders were Yellow-vented Bulbuls and Little Egrets which I quickly noted and moved on. At the pools were several big monitor lizards which cruise the waters undaunted by anything. Three Night Herons were on show, (one a spanking immaculate adult), 6/7 Yellow Bitterns which I always relish watching as they lunge at prey with seemingly telescopic necks. I was set on checking any Chinese Pond Herons on the lookout for possible Javan Pond Herons as in summer plumage these are now readily separable/identifiable. I only saw an immature presumed Chinese PH. 

I realised that in the background I was hearing one of my new found pals - a Plaintive Cuckoo close by. I strolled on and nailed him for my park list then set off home to breakfast with the team, still either partly dressed or still showering.

Cheers,

Mike P.

Saturday 21/04/18 - 5.30 am

An early alarm call saw us en route for the 38 mile drive to the Pha Nam Yoi temple set atop a forested hill with some excellent old trees within the large grounds. We arrived on site at 6.45 am and soon were adding a few new trip birds - Black-naped Oriole, the very common Black-crested Bulbuls together with a few species we see around the farm fields, - Green-billed Malkohas, Common Tailorbirds, etc.

We have visited the temple once before as it is an incredible building to see quite apart from its birding potential and had noted Blue Rock Thrush then, and fittingly it was immediately seen this morning on one of the gable ends.

Four House Swifts were hawking overhead, and we enjoyed good views of a pair of common Thick-billed Green Pigeons but best of all was an adult Crested Serpent Eagle (found by Barb), perched out on a high bare tree top which we scoped for some minutes, - the best sighting of the session.

We left at 9 am (as the heat was becoming a factor), having heard more species than we saw, - typical forest birding, with a far distant large Barbet left unidentified (either Lineated or more probably Green- eared), and a very quick glimpse of a probable male Shikra belting behind a line of trees.

Back at base I heard the Plaintive Cuckoo singing as I slurped my bowl of cereal, so I checked a bare tree top some 150 yds away and noted the culprit - now no longer able to tease me, and now even on the kitchen list.

Cheers,

Mike P.