Post by Ben on Apr 28, 2024 5:12:26 GMT -8
Greetings from sunny, hot Thailand! (today, the “realfeel’ reached about 47 degrees, with the actual temperature just around 37 or so… Last week was hotter and the coming week sees temperatures up to 41 (so it will likely be feeling up to 50 I suspect)
I figured it was about time for me to update a bit on my birding ventures as of late (i.e., highlights and trips from the last 3.5 months). I’ve enjoyed reading posts on bcbirding and staying up to date on what you all are seeing in the Fraser Valley - makes for some decent entertainment when I’m alone and bored at home 😛
Jon’s departure back to Canada was a bit of bummer on the birding front, and paired with the arrival of the second semester of school, I went out birding much less.
January 28 - Phetchaburi:
Towards the end of January, a Booted Warbler was reported in Phetchaburi province–3 hr drive away– and a local Bangkok birder and I went down to look for it (I believe there are about 5 records for all of Thailand). The bird was in the middle of a large section of brush in a cattle field. At the beginning it seemed the bird might have moved on, but with some patience it eventually showed itself about an hour later (very glad to have had exact GPS coordinates). The rest of the day was spent looking around rice paddies, fields, and ponds and we also located a pair of Tufted Duck that had been reported (a new Thailand bird for me). Just one lifer, but it felt like a successful day, tallying 101 species: ebird.org/tripreport/226031?welcome=true
Booted Warbler at Hat Chao Samran--Thetsaban 4 Alley wetlands by Benjamin Pap
February 17-18 - Khao Yai:
I planned a weekend camping trip with one of my teacher friends to go up to Khao Yai NP with hopes of photographing nesting Brown Hornbills. We drove up after school on Friday and then spent Saturday and Sunday morning in the park before driving back to BKK. We found the Brown Hornbill nest with relative ease and didn’t have to wait too long before about 4 Hornbills showed up to feed mama. I didn’t know this, but apparently in years when food is more scarce, hornbills will “team up” to provide food for the mom and chicks in the nest. After success here, we also checked on recently fledged Buffy Fish Owls and a Wreathed Hornbill nest, after which we also found (lifer) Black-and-buff Woodpecker building a cavity. The rest of the weekend was pretty chill, and ended with a lifer Van Hasselt’s Sunbird at a waterfall on the drive back.
Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/204175
Brown Hornbill at Khao Yai NP--headquarters vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Buffy Fish-Owl at Khao Yai NP--headquarters vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Video I took of Brown Hornbills: youtu.be/vQD1sXyB4d0
Wreathed Hornbill at Khao Yai NP--Km.33 Trail by Benjamin Pap
Wreathed Hornbill at Khao Yai NP--Km.33 Trail by Benjamin Pap
Black-and-buff Woodpecker at Khao Yai NP--Km.33 Trail by Benjamin Pap
Puff-throated Babbler at Khao Yai NP--headquarters vicinity by Benjamin Pap
March 15-17 - Kaeng Krachan
The next bigger trip I took was to Kaeng Krachan NP on a long weekend in mid-March with the same friend from school (as well as the same guy from Jan 28). Leaving after school again, we made a quick stop at a lake half-way to see if there was any waterfowl kicking around before heading to our accommodation just outside the park. We had arranged a guide for a half day the next morning and we met him at sunrise at the gate. We spent the majority of the day at the “stream-crossings” and I finally got to see some stunner Broadbills that were majorly missed when Jon and I went in January. The highlight of the trip for me was definitely going to a hide that afternoon (I hadn’t done any hide-birding in Thailand until this point and I was majorly impressed–perhaps not that surprising considering I was under the impression that we were just gonna sit in the heat and not see anything 😛). We had been planning to camp in the park that night, but the gate closes at 17:00 and they don’t let people in so we ended up spending another night at the same place as before. The last day we went up to the Phanoen Thung summit which was a bit of a let down as I once again dipped on Ratchet-tailed Treepie (this is the only place in Thailand where they can be seen). We headed back for BKK around noon making one stop at a known day-roost for Indian Thick-knee (only saw one though and it quickly hid when it saw us even though we were quite a distance away).
Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/212593 (There’s 52 species pictured there, but below are a few of my highlights 😇)
Kalij Pheasant at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Ferruginous Partridge at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Scaly-breasted Partridge (Green-legged) at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
White-browed Scimitar-Babbler at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Gray Peacock-Pheasant at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Asian Emerald Dove at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher (Blyth's) at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Red Junglefowl at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Abbott's Babbler at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Bar-backed Partridge at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Racket-tailed Treepie at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
April 6-8 - Chaiyaphum:
One of the Thai teachers at school invited me to visit their hometown in the province of Chaiyaphum (6+hr drive) which I willingly accepted - and then convinced her that we should also spend an afternoon and morning in Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary nearby 😇. I tallied 119 species for the province including the provinces first and second eBird reports of Mugimaki Flycatcher (which was conveniently also a lifer
and my first Silver-backed Needletails (which I had missed twice in Khao Yai already). A really lovely park with lots of birds and good for mammals as well (we saw the successful population of reintroduced Hog Deer, many Sambar Deer, I think some Red Muntjac, a Malayan Porcupine, a Wild Boar, Variable Squirrels, Giant Black Squirrel, my first Asian Black Bear, and heard only golden jackals).
Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/219579
Mugimaki Flycatcher at ถนนทีไมมีชือ, Chang Wat Chaiyaphum, TH (16.427, 101.589) by Benjamin Pap
Ashy Drongo (Sooty) at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary--Thung Kamang by Benjamin Pap
Green Peafowl at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary--Thung Kamang by Benjamin Pap
April 13-22 - Netherlands (+Dubai):
Yes, I know this isn’t technically Thailand related, but just to keep it all in one (long) post. My sister got married just recently which provided the opportunity for the whole family to trek out to the Netherlands. Since I was coming from Thailand and had a stopover in Dubai, I got to explore the city (well, the birds) there for a few hours as well. All things considered, the whole trip to the Netherlands felt very short and rushed. Birding obviously wasn’t the focus but I did get to go out a few times with Jon <3
Trip list: ebird.org/tripreport/222852 – I got 4 lifers here and Jon got 2 – I still have lots of catching up to do in terms of Netherlands birding 😛
Pics from Dubai:
Indian Silverbill at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
White-eared Bulbul at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
House Crow at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Eurasian Spoonbill at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Eurasian Spoonbill at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
African Sacred Ibis at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
African Sacred Ibis at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Yellow-billed Stork at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Yellow-billed Stork at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Yellow-billed Stork at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Thanks for reading and looking 🙂
I figured it was about time for me to update a bit on my birding ventures as of late (i.e., highlights and trips from the last 3.5 months). I’ve enjoyed reading posts on bcbirding and staying up to date on what you all are seeing in the Fraser Valley - makes for some decent entertainment when I’m alone and bored at home 😛
Jon’s departure back to Canada was a bit of bummer on the birding front, and paired with the arrival of the second semester of school, I went out birding much less.
January 28 - Phetchaburi:
Towards the end of January, a Booted Warbler was reported in Phetchaburi province–3 hr drive away– and a local Bangkok birder and I went down to look for it (I believe there are about 5 records for all of Thailand). The bird was in the middle of a large section of brush in a cattle field. At the beginning it seemed the bird might have moved on, but with some patience it eventually showed itself about an hour later (very glad to have had exact GPS coordinates). The rest of the day was spent looking around rice paddies, fields, and ponds and we also located a pair of Tufted Duck that had been reported (a new Thailand bird for me). Just one lifer, but it felt like a successful day, tallying 101 species: ebird.org/tripreport/226031?welcome=true
Booted Warbler at Hat Chao Samran--Thetsaban 4 Alley wetlands by Benjamin Pap
February 17-18 - Khao Yai:
I planned a weekend camping trip with one of my teacher friends to go up to Khao Yai NP with hopes of photographing nesting Brown Hornbills. We drove up after school on Friday and then spent Saturday and Sunday morning in the park before driving back to BKK. We found the Brown Hornbill nest with relative ease and didn’t have to wait too long before about 4 Hornbills showed up to feed mama. I didn’t know this, but apparently in years when food is more scarce, hornbills will “team up” to provide food for the mom and chicks in the nest. After success here, we also checked on recently fledged Buffy Fish Owls and a Wreathed Hornbill nest, after which we also found (lifer) Black-and-buff Woodpecker building a cavity. The rest of the weekend was pretty chill, and ended with a lifer Van Hasselt’s Sunbird at a waterfall on the drive back.
Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/204175
Brown Hornbill at Khao Yai NP--headquarters vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Buffy Fish-Owl at Khao Yai NP--headquarters vicinity by Benjamin Pap
Video I took of Brown Hornbills: youtu.be/vQD1sXyB4d0
Wreathed Hornbill at Khao Yai NP--Km.33 Trail by Benjamin Pap
Wreathed Hornbill at Khao Yai NP--Km.33 Trail by Benjamin Pap
Black-and-buff Woodpecker at Khao Yai NP--Km.33 Trail by Benjamin Pap
Puff-throated Babbler at Khao Yai NP--headquarters vicinity by Benjamin Pap
March 15-17 - Kaeng Krachan
The next bigger trip I took was to Kaeng Krachan NP on a long weekend in mid-March with the same friend from school (as well as the same guy from Jan 28). Leaving after school again, we made a quick stop at a lake half-way to see if there was any waterfowl kicking around before heading to our accommodation just outside the park. We had arranged a guide for a half day the next morning and we met him at sunrise at the gate. We spent the majority of the day at the “stream-crossings” and I finally got to see some stunner Broadbills that were majorly missed when Jon and I went in January. The highlight of the trip for me was definitely going to a hide that afternoon (I hadn’t done any hide-birding in Thailand until this point and I was majorly impressed–perhaps not that surprising considering I was under the impression that we were just gonna sit in the heat and not see anything 😛). We had been planning to camp in the park that night, but the gate closes at 17:00 and they don’t let people in so we ended up spending another night at the same place as before. The last day we went up to the Phanoen Thung summit which was a bit of a let down as I once again dipped on Ratchet-tailed Treepie (this is the only place in Thailand where they can be seen). We headed back for BKK around noon making one stop at a known day-roost for Indian Thick-knee (only saw one though and it quickly hid when it saw us even though we were quite a distance away).
Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/212593 (There’s 52 species pictured there, but below are a few of my highlights 😇)
Kalij Pheasant at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Ferruginous Partridge at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Scaly-breasted Partridge (Green-legged) at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
White-browed Scimitar-Babbler at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Gray Peacock-Pheasant at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Asian Emerald Dove at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher (Blyth's) at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Red Junglefowl at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Abbott's Babbler at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Bar-backed Partridge at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Racket-tailed Treepie at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush at Kaeng Krachan NP--Dab Toon's hide (restricted access) by Benjamin Pap
April 6-8 - Chaiyaphum:
One of the Thai teachers at school invited me to visit their hometown in the province of Chaiyaphum (6+hr drive) which I willingly accepted - and then convinced her that we should also spend an afternoon and morning in Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary nearby 😇. I tallied 119 species for the province including the provinces first and second eBird reports of Mugimaki Flycatcher (which was conveniently also a lifer
and my first Silver-backed Needletails (which I had missed twice in Khao Yai already). A really lovely park with lots of birds and good for mammals as well (we saw the successful population of reintroduced Hog Deer, many Sambar Deer, I think some Red Muntjac, a Malayan Porcupine, a Wild Boar, Variable Squirrels, Giant Black Squirrel, my first Asian Black Bear, and heard only golden jackals). Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/219579
Mugimaki Flycatcher at ถนนทีไมมีชือ, Chang Wat Chaiyaphum, TH (16.427, 101.589) by Benjamin Pap
Ashy Drongo (Sooty) at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary--Thung Kamang by Benjamin Pap
Green Peafowl at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary--Thung Kamang by Benjamin Pap
April 13-22 - Netherlands (+Dubai):
Yes, I know this isn’t technically Thailand related, but just to keep it all in one (long) post. My sister got married just recently which provided the opportunity for the whole family to trek out to the Netherlands. Since I was coming from Thailand and had a stopover in Dubai, I got to explore the city (well, the birds) there for a few hours as well. All things considered, the whole trip to the Netherlands felt very short and rushed. Birding obviously wasn’t the focus but I did get to go out a few times with Jon <3
Trip list: ebird.org/tripreport/222852 – I got 4 lifers here and Jon got 2 – I still have lots of catching up to do in terms of Netherlands birding 😛
Pics from Dubai:
Indian Silverbill at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
White-eared Bulbul at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
House Crow at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Eurasian Spoonbill at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Eurasian Spoonbill at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
African Sacred Ibis at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
African Sacred Ibis at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Yellow-billed Stork at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Yellow-billed Stork at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Yellow-billed Stork at Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary--general area by Benjamin Pap
Thanks for reading and looking 🙂
