Central and Northern Thailand 19th-29th of Oct 2013.

Linda and Stuart had time to visit Thailand late October.
Having never been birding in South East Asia it mattered little that it still might rain in Thailand.

Linda came equipped with a lot of enthusiasm for the birdlife and Stuart was equally enthusiastic, though not a birder per se, to bird along as well as taking in the various cultural opportunities we had, along with enjoying the superb and authentic food served on this tour.

We started out at Paktaley and Lampakbia in the province of Petchaburi. No Spoon-billed Sandpiper had arrived yet from their breeding grounds in Northern Russia but we still managed to see 34 species of shore birds. This included the rare Asian Dowitcher, White-faced Plover, Great Knots, Long-toed Stints, Malaysian Plovers and plenty of Terek Sandpipers.

There were also many Painted Storks around and a lone Spot-billed Pelican on a body of water. A single Chinese Egret showed well at the sand spit where it now is regularly seen.

Kaengkrachan National Park was still closed but we still visited Bansongnok feeding station near the park. Here many little and elusive forest birds showed quite well. Best birds were a pair of Kalij Pheasants, several Siberian Blue Robins, a pair of Large Scimitar Babblers and a Red-legged Crake.

Khao Yai National Park was very very quiet but still provided some excitement for a 1st time visitor to this biologically diverse park. Wreathed Hornbills graced us with fly by views which was a nice addition to the Pied Hornbills we had seen at Banmaka Resort near Kaengkrachan. We also got quite close to a male elephant that didn’t really want us too close.

The bulk of our birding was to be in the mountains of the North.

We continued staying at nice places, eating lots of good food and seeing plenty of good birds.

The bog at the summit of Doi Inthanon is a fantastic place to bird in spite of the many tourists. Birds come very close and make for good photographic opportunities as well.
Chestnut-tailed Minla, Ashy-throated Warbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Silver-cheeked Laughingthrush, Fulvous-winged Fulvettas, Mrs Gould and Green-tailed Sunbirds, Yellow-bellied Fantail and Snowy-browed Flycatcher were all seen well.

We had one amazing birding adventure one morning by the 2nd checkpoint. After a wet night there was a lot of dead moth by the neon lights in the morning. Birds kept showing at close range for over 2 hours strait. It was gloomy with rain clouds over our heads but a lot of birds on the move: Grey-cheeked Fulvettas, Grey-throated Babbler, Large Niltava, Small Niltava, Chestnut-backed Sibia, Yellow-cheeked Tit, White-tailed Warblers, Chestnut-crowned Warbler and a Slaty-bellied Tesia next to the road.

After a lengthy drive we settled in at Tha Torn. Next morning up the mountain to Doi Lang. What a great biding place that is! Mountain Bamboo Partridge along the roadside as well as a party of Hume’s Pheasants.

The much sought after Giant Nuthatch showed very well as we encountered 4 different birds.

There were no stake outs this time of year as it still is rainy season but that didn’t stop the birds from showing with some regular birding. A Spot-breasted Parrotbill performed at close range, likewise a Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. Other good birds: Red-faced Liochicla, Long-tailed Sibias, Great Barbet, White-browed Laughingthrushes, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Striated Bulbul, Rufus-winged Buzzard and Chestnut-vented Nuthatch.

Our last birding stop was to be Doi Angkhang. This mountain is simply full of impressions ranging from rugged mountains, hill tribe villages, border crossings, authentic Northern food, the Royal project full of flowers and fruit, to free ranging mules along the roads and trails.
All this along with great birds and a temperate climate is simply wonderful.

Some of the birds seen here were: White-tailed Robin, Brown-breasted Bulbuls, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Blue-winged Minlas and Black-breasted Thrush.

Birding has its rewards no matter what time of year!