Post by Ben on Oct 26, 2023 5:08:53 GMT -8
The past month has had a more than average amount of birding and some pretty cool trips. Aside from regular weekend outings I also took part of October Big Day with a group of 4 other guys down to Chon Buri province, and also just got back from a 3.5 day trip to Phetchaburi.
The day before October Big Day was a national holiday here, remembering the life of the previous King of Thailand. I took the opportunity to enlist a fellow teacher on a birding trip to Lam Toi Ting, on the far east side of the Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) province. We had an awesome day here out in the open country and thoroughly enjoyed watching a pair of Black-winged Kites carrying sticks (to a presumed nest further away).
Black-winged Kite at Lam Toi Ting overgrown woods & marshes by Benjamin Pap
The main highlight by far for me was finding (what I believe to be) a Greater Adjutant. eBird reviewers are hesitant to confirm it as a wild bird (only 12 records in Thailand of this endangered species), claiming it can't be differentiated from Marabou Stork, which is known to have escaped from Safari World 25km away. At this point (with the opinions of some others), I'd still argue that there's a significant chance that it could be a Greater Adjutant.
A couple other highlights for me were lifer Chestnut-tailed Starlings, Red Avadavats, and a Lesser Coucal.
Chestnut-tailed Starling at Lam Toi Ting overgrown woods & marshes by Benjamin Pap
and this Green-billed Malkoha (a surprise to find one in the open -- this species is known to love hiding in the leaves)
Green-billed Malkoha at Lam Toi Ting overgrown woods & marshes by Benjamin Pap
A checklist (with some awful pics of the adjutant) for the morning: ebird.org/checklist/S152059049 (or just click on any of the photos
October Big Day was a lot of fun, beginning with a 1.5 hour drive down to Khao Khieo. The total species tallied here wasn't too impressive, but it sure was nice to have a change of scenery and bird in the forest (for the first time really) in Thailand. A classic for the forest, I had a bunch of "heard only" lifers, but I also saw some pretty sweet birds including Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Siberian Blue Robin, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird (a real stunner! unfortunately no pics), Great Hornbill, and Crested Serpent-Eagle. I had my camera with me but didn't really bother to use it much because the lighting was so poor and there were plenty of other people documenting what we saw.
Our next stop was Bang Phra Non-hunting Area, which was surprisingly dead. The lack of birds here ended up meaning that we would miss several "easy" birds that day.
Our final stop was at Khlong Tamru Saltpans. This was probably my favorite of the day--there's nothing like sifting through shorebirds with a scope, trying to find something special. Highlights for me were a Ruff and an Asian Dowitcher (neither were lifers, but still fun to pick them out
I concluded the weekend with a stop at "The Ministry" (my hotspot) where I tallied 52 species including some that had been missed on Friday/Saturday. In total the weekend resulted in 155 species (137 on Saturday I believe) and 34 lifers. Trip report: ebird.org/tripreport/163898
Then, just this past Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon I went with the same co-teacher down to Kaeng Krachan National Park, stopping at some rice paddies on the way there and at some salt pans on the way back. These were probably some of my favorite birding days since moving to Thailand. Lovely company, neat birds, tasty food, sick views, strange bugs (and mammals), and a lot of fun!
The rice paddies on the way down held some pleasant surprises including a Watercock, a pair of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, and a Grey-headed Swamphen. Some photos:
Pheasant-tailed Jacana at Thong Chai--Khiri Ratthaya paddies by Benjamin Pap
Blue-tailed Bee-eater at Thong Chai--Khiri Ratthaya paddies by Benjamin Pap
Ashy Woodswallow at Thong Chai--Khiri Ratthaya paddies by Benjamin Pap
Medium Egret at Nong Pla Lai – Bang Chak paddies (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Eastern Marsh Harrier at Nong Pla Lai – Bang Chak paddies (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Asian Green Bee-eater at Nong Pla Lai – Bang Chak paddies (general area) by Benjamin Pap
That evening we arrived at Baan Maka Lodge (a well known lodge that was built with intent for birders) and went out looking for owls. Had about 3 Collared Scops-Owls but dipped on an Oriental Bay Owl that had been seen the day before.
Our first day into the park felt very slow (and was), but I still really enjoyed it.
Bronzed Drongo at Kaeng Krachan NP--"tree tunnel" by Benjamin Pap
Black-crested Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Oriental Pied-Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
leafbird sp. at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike at Kaeng Krachan NP--junction beyond Km.10 by Benjamin Pap
Gray Wagtail at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Krang Weir & vicinity by Benjamin Pap
This Grey Wagtail sat on the hood of our car for a good 5 minutes, remaining on it even while we drove across one of the stream crossings. Wasn't even bothered by me stepping out and taking photos from about 2 meters away. (We would see what I assume to be as the same bird the next day at the same location and have equally stunning views)
Crested Serpent-Eagle at Kaeng Krachan NP--junction beyond Km.10 by Benjamin Pap
Oriental Pied-Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP--junction beyond Km.10 by Benjamin Pap
The second day into the park felt much more productive, and we ended the day with 64 species. Got to witness some incredible views of Great Hornbill.
Ashy Drongo (Chinese White-faced) at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Asian Fairy-bluebird at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
The Hornbill Series:
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Also got to see these 2 Heart-spotted Woodpeckers -- very cute birds
Heart-spotted Woodpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
and this White-rumped Shama - a bird more often heard than seen
White-rumped Shama at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
White-rumped Shama at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
White-rumped Shama at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
And of course the Grey Wagtail
Gray Wagtail at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Gray Wagtail at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
In an effort to not get stuck in the "afternoon doldrums" of the midday and afternoon, we headed to a "bird hide" (more of a feeder station) to see what we could see there. Didn't see too many species, but sure had some great views:
Gray-headed Woodpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Red Junglefowl at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Streak-eared Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Sooty-headed Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Streak-eared Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Also had *incredible* views of a Common Hill Myna that day, but they're marked as sensitive on eBird and I'm can't be bothered enough to figure out how to share the photos
Ended our second full day with a walk around Baan Maka that produced a Blue Whistling-Thrush, Chestnut-headed and Asian Green Bee-eaters, Crested Treeswifts, 10 Black Baza (a species that I had seen a whopping 307 of the week before in Nonthaburi), and a Rufous Treepie
Racket-tailed Treepie at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
Crested Treeswift at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
Asian Green Bee-eater at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
Rufous Treepie at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
We left Baan Maka the next day at 4:50 am, hoping to reach the coast for sunrise (which didn't happen due to Google maps being unable to accurately predict speeds on sus roads). We began at Laem Phak Bia where I visited a few different sites while my friend camped out and photographed kingfishers in the mangroves, and then moved on to Pak Thale saltpans.
Whiskered Tern at Laem Phak Bia--salt pans E of Hwy. 4028 by Benjamin Pap
Painted Stork at Laem Phak Bia--salt pans E of Hwy. 4028 by Benjamin Pap
Golden-bellied Gerygone at Laem Phak Bia--salt pans E of Hwy. 4028 by Benjamin Pap
I haven't uploaded many photos from Pak Thale yet, but thoroughly enjoyed about 3500 shorebirds, bringing our shorebird count to 31 species for the trip!
Overall had a very wonderful time A link to the eBird trip report: ebird.org/tripreport/166783
I'll try to upload some photos of the mammals and spiders we saw in a bit too
Thanks for reading! I've been enjoying keeping myself a bit up to date on what you guys are seeing once in a while too
The day before October Big Day was a national holiday here, remembering the life of the previous King of Thailand. I took the opportunity to enlist a fellow teacher on a birding trip to Lam Toi Ting, on the far east side of the Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) province. We had an awesome day here out in the open country and thoroughly enjoyed watching a pair of Black-winged Kites carrying sticks (to a presumed nest further away).
Black-winged Kite at Lam Toi Ting overgrown woods & marshes by Benjamin Pap
The main highlight by far for me was finding (what I believe to be) a Greater Adjutant. eBird reviewers are hesitant to confirm it as a wild bird (only 12 records in Thailand of this endangered species), claiming it can't be differentiated from Marabou Stork, which is known to have escaped from Safari World 25km away. At this point (with the opinions of some others), I'd still argue that there's a significant chance that it could be a Greater Adjutant.
A couple other highlights for me were lifer Chestnut-tailed Starlings, Red Avadavats, and a Lesser Coucal.
Chestnut-tailed Starling at Lam Toi Ting overgrown woods & marshes by Benjamin Pap
and this Green-billed Malkoha (a surprise to find one in the open -- this species is known to love hiding in the leaves)
Green-billed Malkoha at Lam Toi Ting overgrown woods & marshes by Benjamin Pap
A checklist (with some awful pics of the adjutant) for the morning: ebird.org/checklist/S152059049 (or just click on any of the photos
October Big Day was a lot of fun, beginning with a 1.5 hour drive down to Khao Khieo. The total species tallied here wasn't too impressive, but it sure was nice to have a change of scenery and bird in the forest (for the first time really) in Thailand. A classic for the forest, I had a bunch of "heard only" lifers, but I also saw some pretty sweet birds including Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Siberian Blue Robin, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird (a real stunner! unfortunately no pics), Great Hornbill, and Crested Serpent-Eagle. I had my camera with me but didn't really bother to use it much because the lighting was so poor and there were plenty of other people documenting what we saw.
Our next stop was Bang Phra Non-hunting Area, which was surprisingly dead. The lack of birds here ended up meaning that we would miss several "easy" birds that day.
Our final stop was at Khlong Tamru Saltpans. This was probably my favorite of the day--there's nothing like sifting through shorebirds with a scope, trying to find something special. Highlights for me were a Ruff and an Asian Dowitcher (neither were lifers, but still fun to pick them out
I concluded the weekend with a stop at "The Ministry" (my hotspot) where I tallied 52 species including some that had been missed on Friday/Saturday. In total the weekend resulted in 155 species (137 on Saturday I believe) and 34 lifers. Trip report: ebird.org/tripreport/163898
Then, just this past Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon I went with the same co-teacher down to Kaeng Krachan National Park, stopping at some rice paddies on the way there and at some salt pans on the way back. These were probably some of my favorite birding days since moving to Thailand. Lovely company, neat birds, tasty food, sick views, strange bugs (and mammals), and a lot of fun!
The rice paddies on the way down held some pleasant surprises including a Watercock, a pair of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, and a Grey-headed Swamphen. Some photos:
Pheasant-tailed Jacana at Thong Chai--Khiri Ratthaya paddies by Benjamin Pap
Blue-tailed Bee-eater at Thong Chai--Khiri Ratthaya paddies by Benjamin Pap
Ashy Woodswallow at Thong Chai--Khiri Ratthaya paddies by Benjamin Pap
Medium Egret at Nong Pla Lai – Bang Chak paddies (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Eastern Marsh Harrier at Nong Pla Lai – Bang Chak paddies (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Asian Green Bee-eater at Nong Pla Lai – Bang Chak paddies (general area) by Benjamin Pap
That evening we arrived at Baan Maka Lodge (a well known lodge that was built with intent for birders) and went out looking for owls. Had about 3 Collared Scops-Owls but dipped on an Oriental Bay Owl that had been seen the day before.
Our first day into the park felt very slow (and was), but I still really enjoyed it.
Bronzed Drongo at Kaeng Krachan NP--"tree tunnel" by Benjamin Pap
Black-crested Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Oriental Pied-Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
leafbird sp. at Kaeng Krachan NP--Km.9 vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike at Kaeng Krachan NP--junction beyond Km.10 by Benjamin Pap
Gray Wagtail at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Krang Weir & vicinity by Benjamin Pap
This Grey Wagtail sat on the hood of our car for a good 5 minutes, remaining on it even while we drove across one of the stream crossings. Wasn't even bothered by me stepping out and taking photos from about 2 meters away. (We would see what I assume to be as the same bird the next day at the same location and have equally stunning views)
Crested Serpent-Eagle at Kaeng Krachan NP--junction beyond Km.10 by Benjamin Pap
Oriental Pied-Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP--junction beyond Km.10 by Benjamin Pap
The second day into the park felt much more productive, and we ended the day with 64 species. Got to witness some incredible views of Great Hornbill.
Ashy Drongo (Chinese White-faced) at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Asian Fairy-bluebird at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
The Hornbill Series:
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Great Hornbill at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Also got to see these 2 Heart-spotted Woodpeckers -- very cute birds
Heart-spotted Woodpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
and this White-rumped Shama - a bird more often heard than seen
White-rumped Shama at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
White-rumped Shama at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
White-rumped Shama at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
And of course the Grey Wagtail
Gray Wagtail at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
Gray Wagtail at Kaeng Krachan NP (general area) by Benjamin Pap
In an effort to not get stuck in the "afternoon doldrums" of the midday and afternoon, we headed to a "bird hide" (more of a feeder station) to see what we could see there. Didn't see too many species, but sure had some great views:
Gray-headed Woodpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Red Junglefowl at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Streak-eared Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Sooty-headed Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Streak-eared Bulbul at Kaeng Krachan NP--Ban Song Nok by Benjamin Pap
Also had *incredible* views of a Common Hill Myna that day, but they're marked as sensitive on eBird and I'm can't be bothered enough to figure out how to share the photos
Ended our second full day with a walk around Baan Maka that produced a Blue Whistling-Thrush, Chestnut-headed and Asian Green Bee-eaters, Crested Treeswifts, 10 Black Baza (a species that I had seen a whopping 307 of the week before in Nonthaburi), and a Rufous Treepie
Racket-tailed Treepie at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
Crested Treeswift at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
Asian Green Bee-eater at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
Rufous Treepie at Kaeng Krachan NP--Baan Maka Nature Lodge by Benjamin Pap
We left Baan Maka the next day at 4:50 am, hoping to reach the coast for sunrise (which didn't happen due to Google maps being unable to accurately predict speeds on sus roads). We began at Laem Phak Bia where I visited a few different sites while my friend camped out and photographed kingfishers in the mangroves, and then moved on to Pak Thale saltpans.
Whiskered Tern at Laem Phak Bia--salt pans E of Hwy. 4028 by Benjamin Pap
Painted Stork at Laem Phak Bia--salt pans E of Hwy. 4028 by Benjamin Pap
Golden-bellied Gerygone at Laem Phak Bia--salt pans E of Hwy. 4028 by Benjamin Pap
I haven't uploaded many photos from Pak Thale yet, but thoroughly enjoyed about 3500 shorebirds, bringing our shorebird count to 31 species for the trip!
Overall had a very wonderful time A link to the eBird trip report: ebird.org/tripreport/166783
I'll try to upload some photos of the mammals and spiders we saw in a bit too
Thanks for reading! I've been enjoying keeping myself a bit up to date on what you guys are seeing once in a while too