Ever since lockdown 2 years ago it feels like Christmas whenever someone contact me for help in the field!

Sevin asked for a couple of days and we thought Kaengkrachan would be a good choice. As it turned out it sure was!

We met up at 5 am at his hotel in inner Bangkok.

We arrived at Kaengkrachan birding spot at 8 am. A direct drive with only a short stop for coffee.

As we drove Sevin told me his experience with birds (primarily in the US) and how his Thai list was simply a work in progress.

Sevin was hungry for new birds along with good looks. Numbers wasn’t really his concern.

On our first day and a half in the park we had a little over 70 species. The leading stars were Black-yellow Broadbill, Black-red Broadbill, Banded Kingfisher, Sultan’s Tit, Indian Cuckoo, Great Slaty Woodpecker, 4 species of Hornbills and loads of Bulbuls, Babblers, Drongos etc.

We were at all times surrounded by butterflies so there was never a dull moment. Both days racked up over 10.000 steps so we got our needed exercise.

The evenings we spent chatting, drinking cold beers and eating delicious foods at Baan Maka Nature Lodge. This is also a great place to meet other birders and nature lovers. Sevin is vegan but that never was a problem as the cooks know well how to cook without any animal products. Even inside the park we had great lunches.

On the second day we visited a hide outside the park and added half a dozen new species for the trip. Highlight being Bar-backed Partridges.

The night added Collared Scops Owl and Large-tailed Nightjar to the list.

A Blue-winged Pitta surprisingly flew across the road and later we heard a few calls. They are back!

The last morning we spend at the resort itself. Quite a few good birds about though some of the migratory species were not there.

Sevin ended up with 35 lifers and myself got one new butterfly!

Mammals: White-handed Gibbons, Dusky Langurs, Mouse Deer, Grey-bellied Squirrel and Northern Tree Shrew.

One massive (2m) Monocled Cobra was found sunning itself in the middle of the road.

We got back to Bangkok late afternoon.

Bring on more Christmases please!

Sevin: 'Great trip! Peter is a superb guide with vast knowledge of birds, bird songs and calls, butterflies, beer and the Thai language. If looking for top shelf guide who will provide RESULTS...then look no further than Peter Ericsson'.