Central and Northern Thailand 09-22 January 2014

This turned out to be an excellent tour as Thailand experienced a long cold spell which brought an influx of Thrushes to the North. Some days were quite cold and birds scarce but the combination of crisp air, good stake outs and many migrants made for some great birding.

Manfred and Anne Schleuning from Germany were the participants on this private tour. The itinerary were set up to facilitate the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and as many species as possible without killing ourselves. Manfred and Anne are retired teachers and both had a very level headed approach to birding with Manfred leading the way. Their command of the English language was good and that along with my infant level of German made for many a good conversation.

Khok Kham: After picking them up at the airport we drove strait to Khok Kham near Bangkok. However it was late in the morning and not very good conditions for wader watching. We scanned some huge flocks of birds for awhile but then all birds took off and we decided to go on.

Paktaley and Lampakbia: We ended up spending one afternoon and one morning in the area. Got everything we wanted including the 3 big, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher and Nordmann’s Greenshank. Also White-faced Plover and Chinese Egret were seen. As usual an incredible amount of shorebirds around.

Fields of Petchaburi: Found some great wetlands that were teeming with waterfowl: Both Jacanas, Cotton Pygmy Geese, Weavers, Kingfishers, Reed Warblers etc

Kaengkrachan: We only visited inside the park one morning. That was enough to see Orange-breasted Trogon, Great and Pied Hornbills and a few common species. A lot of heavy equipment was brought into the park to work the road in preparation for a Royal visit. We thus opted not to visit higher ground as we had time constraints.

Waterhole: Lung Sin’s waterhole was excellent with two Partridges and Siberian Blue Robin leading the way.

Khao Yai: General birding was again slow but we got cracking views of Silver Pheasant as well as Siamese Firebacks. Orange-headed Thrush, Grey and Eared Nightjars, White-throated Rock Thrush and Mugimaki Flycatcher were other highlites.

Doi Inthanon: Visited the regular spots and drew out most of the wanted stuff. No Black-tailed Crake though. Instead we had a stunning Black-backed Forktail, Scaly and Dark-sided Thrush in the bog as well as a Pygmy Wren Babbler totally in the open. Rufous-throated Partridges performed down to 3m away.

Doi Angkhang: Some cracking birds around: Hume’s Pheasant, Grey-winged Blackbird, Chesnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Black-breasted Thrush, loads of White-headed Bulbuls, Daurian Redstart, a white headed race of Black Bulbul, Rufous-winged Buzzard etc.

Doi Lang: As splendid as ever. New stars for this season: Ultra-marine Flycatcher, Golden Bush Robin, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Chestnut Thrush, Blue-fronted Redstart all seen very well. Many other good ones: White-bellied Redstart, White-browed Laughingthrush, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Red-faced Liochicla, Spectacled Barwing, White-gorgeted and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher and many more.

Chiang Saan Lake and Golden Triangle: 13 species of duck was amazing for Thailand.
A single male Baer’s Pochard the main highlite but Long-tailed Duck and Common Pochard were real rarities for Thailand as well.
Maekong river had a lot of water but a flock of 100 Small Pratincoles were worth the visit besides the views overlooking 3 countries while munching away on sumptuous Thai food by the river.

Huay Hong Krai: 8 Green Peafowl showed well.

Huay Teung Tao: 5 Blue Magpies was the highlite.

The list would probably have reached 400 if we had been able to spend more then half a day at Kaengkrachan. Still, a lot of birds came our way.

The sample photos were all taken during the tour. If you want to view more please go to my Thai bird gallery.