09/04/2022 Kut Kong wetlands along Khwang Canal, Yasothon

This morning we made a 7.30 start at what was for Barb and me a new site though close to our familiar Yasothon Pools haunts from previous years. We were hopeful that some summer visitors might be possible now. - We were not to be disappointed with a session of 2 hours 20 mins yielding 49 species between us.

40 Lesser Whistling Ducks

32 Cotton Pygmy Geese

4 assorted common dove species

1 Greater Coucal

1 Green-billed Malkoha

3 Asian Koels 

2 Germains Swiftlets

2 Asian Palm Swifts

2 Moorhens

6 Grey-headed Swamphens

1 White-breasted Waterhen

1 Bronze-winged Jacana

130 Asian Openbill Storks

5 Yellow Bitterns

2 Cinnamon Bitterns

1 Black Bittern

2 Grey Herons

2 Little Egrets

8 Chinese Pond Herons

3 Black- winged Kites

1 Eastern Marsh Harrier

3 Brahminy Kites

1 Hoopoe

1 Common Kingfisher

5 Green Bee Eaters

2 Coppersmith Barbets

8 Pied Fantails

2 Black Drongos

4 Brown Shrikes

3 Large-billed Crows

4 Yellow-bellied Prinias

5 Plain Prinias

3 Black-browed Reed Warblers

5 Barn Swallows

2 Yellow-vented Bulbuls

4 Streak-eared Bulbuls

8 Dusky Warblers (probably 12-15 more heard)

2 Black-collared Starlings

3 Common Mynas 

14 Great Mynas

1 Amur (=Eastern) Stonechat

1 Olive-backed Sunbird

6 Asian Golden Weavers (+nests)

12 Chestnut Munias

3 House Sparrows

2 Plain-backed Sparrows

12 Tree Sparrows

Both the Cinnamon and Black Bitterns were the first arrivals for Paul this year and for Barb and me new species for Thailand as we have never been here before this late in the season.

Regards,

Mike P.

06/04/02022 and 07/04/2022 

The four of us undertook a two day clockwise sweep out of Yasothon, through the south of Mukdahan, into Amnat Charoen, and into Ubon Ratchathani. The main focus was to arise early (04.55) on Thursday to be in position by the Mekong shoreline to have a chance of seeing Great Thick-Knee and more importantly the River Tern in the place where Paul and Paul Farrell had them both at the end of March. In a four hour stakeout we failed to find either species.

Despite this we still had some highlights with good views of River Lapwings, many Small Pratincoles and a female Mekong Wagtail quite close to hand.

I was able to boost my province lists for Ubon, Mukdahan and Amnat considerably, while Paul added one species to reach 180 for Ubon with a Green Sandpiper (a much harder bird to see in the Isaan region than it is in the UK).

Cheers,

Mike P.

Correction! (Plus a dollop of humble pie!)

Ayuwat Jearwatanakanok has pointed out that our photo of one of the airfield Richards Pipits is in fact another of the Oriental Skylarks! On reassessing it we have to agree with him as it lacks any hint of a sub moustachial streak and the culmen looks too arched for a pipit! What threw us was the haughty carriage of these two birds and full breasted posture similar to that of our Mistle Thrush whereas the other Oriental Skylarks on this site were creeping around more furtively and in more horizontal postures, many with crests erect.

Regards to all,

Mike P.

04/04/2022 An early 1 hour walk by the river produced 17 of the usual species. I was struck by how dry everything was with the water level lower than I can ever recall. There were still a few Dusky Warblers about as well as a Brown Shrike along the fence line, otherwise the bushes along the river bank were unusually quiet. No new crops here at all and a scatter of 3/4 cattle had passengers intermittently on their backs- Great Mynas doing their own version of playing oxpecker.

Later three of us set off to search for Red-throated Pipits on an old airport site en route to Pauls favourite forest site where he earlier this year found the Fujian Niltava.

No Red-throated Pipits could be found at the airfield though we did hit lucky with excellent views of Oriental Skylarks and a couple of haughty Richards Pipits.

It was noon when we finally arrived at Boong Khla Community Forest - a superb area of unique forest in Isaan terms well respected by the local villagers for the treasure that it is. Paul warned us that this was really an introduction and in view of our late arrival not to expect to see much. Indeed we only saw 8 species though 5 of these were new for my Yasothon list  - best being my own find of a pair of Great Ioras.

The days highlight for me was a chance encounter on the drive home. I was nodding off in the passenger seat when Paul screeching to a halt bellowed for us all to get out. We all dived out in time to enjoy the views of a stunning male Pied Harrier which had crossed the highway ahead and which was flapping along quartering the roadside fields - magic moments!

Regards,

Mike P.

02/04/2022 - Road trip north to Kutchum.

After our return from the park outing a non birding day ensued and at about 08.45 the four of us left the Bangkok house for the 630 km. drive north east to Kutchum with the driving shared by our two hosts. The roads are generally excellent though our usual U.K. norms regarding lane discipline do not apply and undertaking on three lane motorways is normal here. After about two hours into the eight hour journey unseasonal and increasingly heavy rain set in, which eased gradually again by the time we were in the Isaan tableland, with much less traffic and early planted rice much in evidence. Many of the farms hereabouts take a double crop annually.
The landscape here is broken by scattered trees and typical birds are Black-winged Kites, Eastern Marsh Harriers and with Black Drongos and Indochinese Rollers perched up often along the telegraph wires.

We arrived home comfortably before dusk in time to inspect the gardens and new swimming pool and accommodations and there followed an overdue reunion with Pens mum and aunt along with the dogs, - five Thai Ridgebacks with the two males both strong and very protective.

It became apparent after several minutes that the three older dogs did recognise us and there followed much enthusiastic and boisterous hand licking with the two younger bitches remaining bemused and wary. This pack roam the garden compound (the size of two football pitches) freely each night and from time to time an outpouring of snarling signals the discovery of an intruding snake or alien cat.

Regards,

Mike P.

01/03/2022

Bang Pu Recreation Centre - Samut Prakan Province

Paul drove us some 40 minutes south from Bangkok into new territory for us. Samut Prakan lies on the coast right at the head of the gulf of Thailand and turns up good birds regularly. We arrived at midday (lunacy really in the heat!) and after walking the pier area dived into the first hides nearby.

Birds noted in a 2 hour session were:-

Feral pigeons

5 Zebra Doves

1 Germains Swiftlet

10 Black-winged Stilts

25 Pacific Golden Plovers

25 Lesser Sandplovers

1 Great Sandplover

60 Black-tailed Godwits

2 Greenshanks

4 Marsh Sandpipers

26 Redshanks

200 Brown-headed Gulls

1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (heuglini)

8 Whiskered Terns

7 Painted Storks

7 Little Cormorants

3 Grey Herons

2 Great Egrets

5 Little Egrets

3 Chinese Pond Herons

2 Javan Pond Herons

3 Collared Kingfishers

1 Blue-tailed Bee Eater

2 Pied Fantails

4 Pacific Swallows

2 Chestnut-tailed Starlings

2 Great Mynas

1 Oriental Magpie Robin

Regards,

Mike P.

March 27- 29th Ubon Ratchathani Province - various riverside sites.

Paul teamed up again with Paul Farrell for a three day exploratory outing in the far south east along the Thai shores of the Mekong River. They now rank as the two top listers in this province (as it is relatively underwatched and which still rewards patience and perseverance with a few genuine surprises. 
An early start at 04.43 yielded a Collared Scops Owl (though presently I do not know if they saw it or merely heard it). This was at Wat Pa Suttawat.

Moving on, they noted a House Swift over the Rim Mun road in Tambon Khon Chiam, which surprisingly was a first record for the province.

Later at Ban Ta Mui, birding the Mekong Rapids, they logged a further 35 species, notable among these were:-

1 Great Thick-knee (a really good species in Thailand, which does favour this general stretch of river, though often only seen on the far Laos shoreline).

6 River Lapwings

5 Little Ringed Plovers

1 Pin-tailed Snipe

1 Oriental Pratincole

35 Small Pratincoles

3 Mekong Wagtails.

March 29th Found them early at 06.45 birding various island along a three km. section of the river near the Chang Mob Rapids:- 

4 Great Thick-knees

6 River Lapwings

9 Little Ringed Plovers

3 Common Sandpipers

2 Greenshanks

100 Small Pratincoles

2 River Terns ( - a real find! two were seen at 08.01 and again one at 08.50). A very few do breed in the area, but records are few and far between apparently, -record shot attached below, of one, and shots of flying Great Thick-knee, flying River Lapwing and record shot of a Mekong Wagtail. Photos courtesy of Paul Farrell and some by Paul Passant.

40 Wire-tailed Swallows.

Regards,

Mike P.

14/03/2022 - Chaeng Sanit road- Tambon Niwet, Roí Et Province.

- A 20 minute stop on this road. Paul was checking out some activity in a stand of tall trees and amid an assortment of quite common species found 8 Brown-rumped Minivets (aka Swainsons Minivets) which surprisingly turned out to be new for Roí Et Province.

17/03/2022 - Khueang Kham, Nong Hoi Paddies- Yasothon.

Back on home territory, this morning (8.30 am) a half hour stop turned up early signs of spring migration with a nice selection of waders on site:-

35 Black-winged Stilts

3 Kentish Plovers (new species for Yasothon)

5 Little ringed Plovers

6 Temmincks Stints

8 Long-toed Stints

3 Common Sandpipers

Cheers,

Mike P

21st to 24/02/2022 - Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary - Loei Province

Paul again teamed up with Paul Farrell on a 4 day trip into Loei Province in the N W corner of the Isaan region, with virtually the whole trip focused on the above site.

Rather than try to detail all of their hundreds of sightings I have summarised the pick of the species below. (As this was only PPs second visit he added over a hundred species to his personal list for Loei Province).

2 Silver Pheasants

1 Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon

4 Cooks Swifts

2 Blue-bearded Bee-eaters

1 Grey Nightjar (heard only)

3 Speckled Piculets

2 Silver-breasted Broadbills

2 Grey Treepies

2 Black-throated Parrotbills

12 Nepal House Martins

1 Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler

1 White-browed Scimitar-Babbler

1 Collared Babbler

7 Golden Babblers

4 Long-tailed Minivets

3 Maroon Orioles

9 Blue-winged Minlas

11 Silver-eared Mesias

16 Yunnan Fulvettas

1 White-throated Fantail

1 Mountain Tailorbird

7 Mountain Bulbuls

2 Little Pied Flycatchers

Cheers,

Mike P.

17/02/2022 - Thambon Tha Chang - Ubon Ratchathani

After dropping Pen off at the small airport here for the 45 minute flight down to Bangkok Paul took the opportunity for  a two day sweep through these eastern provinces. His first port of call at 08.40 was as headed above where he logged  40 species with nothing remarkable (though surprisingly 4 Indian Spot-billed Ducks were the first ever recorded in Ubon). He noted 150 Lesser Whistling Ducks here and a further 200 at 11.20 at his next stop (Bueng Bua Park and Chang reservoir) along with 80 Cotton Pygmy Geese. While these are common species overall it does pay to check carefully through the waterfowl rafts especially as Ben Weil and Paul Farrell missed a lurking Ferruginous Duck recently hidden amongst a throng of Lesser Whistling Ducks.

Regards,

Mike P.

Still 01/02/2022 - 14.25 Phanom Dong Rak Wildlife Sanctuary Si Sa Ket - Huai Wang Yai waterfall vicinity.

The guys recorded 13 species here notably:-

5 Oriental Honey Buzzards

1 Crested Serpent Eagle

5 Green Bee-eaters

1 Chestnut- headed Bee-eater

1 Grey Wagtail

After this PP left heading north for home leaving Paul Farrell and Ben Weil to carry on birding Si Sa Ket for a further two days. Soon after PP departed they discovered and photographed a new species for each of them - a single Knob- billed Duck consorting with a party of Lesser Whistling Ducks on the Nong Si Reservoir. They submitted the photo to the rarity adjudicators who confirmed the record whilst also pointing out a Ferruginous Duck in the same photo which neither Paul nor Ben had noticed in their excitement of their finding of the Knob-billed Duck! They thus ended up having photographed a potential lifer for both of them but didnt actually see it - the trials and tribulations of birding!!
In summary a successful outing for the guys. Ben had hoped for three life birds but ended on five - a good score for someone with a Thai list already well in excess of 700.

It remains a constant frustration that Barb and I still see no short term prospect of getting over to Thailand due to the onerous and costly COVID restrictions on European visitors still in force.

Regards,

Mike P.

31/01/2022 Phu Chong Na Yoi Nat.Pk. - Ubon Ratchathani

A 6.30 start with ten hours in the field and 12 Kms. of forest birding yielded a good tally of sixty species and a good mix of province ticks, (especially for Ben of course exploring Isaan for the first time, with the help of the two Pauls).

A selection of their sightings: - 

2 Scaly-breasted Partridges

1 Banded Bay Cuckoo

1 Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo

1 Oriental Honey Buzzard

2 Crested Serpent Eagles

1 Asian Barred Owlet

2 Orange-breasted Trogons

1 Grey-headed Woodpecker

3 Vernal Hanging-Parrots

2 Black-winged Cuckooshrikes

3 White-bellied Erpornises

1 Great Iora

8 Pale-legged Leaf Warblers

1 Sulphur-breasted Warbler

2 Claudias Leaf Warblers

10 Pin-striped Tit-Babblers

6 Scaly-crowned Babblers

2 Abbotts Babblers

5 White-crowned Laughingthrushes

1 Blue Whistling Thrush (yellow-billed form).

Tantalisingly a Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo was heard though not seen.

01/02/2022

After overnight/early morning rain still in Na Yoi Nat Park they logged 40 species in a shorter session before moving on into Si Sa Ket (the next province west).

Of course most of the 40 species were repeats of the previous day but outstanding was a find of 4 White-bellied Green Pigeons which PF photographed. Other species included two more Orange-breasted Trogons, three Black-naped Orioles three Blue-winged Leafbirds and 4 Thick-billed Flowerpeckers an a single Yellow-vented Flowerpecker.

Cheers,

Mike P.

29/01/2022 - Kaeng Song Yai - Amnat Charoen Province

The two Pauls played host to visiting birder Ben Weil on the latters first visit to the Isaan region. The trio met up on site where Ben added the Fujian Niltava to his life list before they all travelled on east into Amnat Charoen with a stop by the Mekong River at Kaeng Song Yai where the pick of 17 species was as follows:-

4 Kentish Plovers

4 Small Pratincoles

4 Wire-tailed Swallows

1 Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Manchurian)

2 Mekong Wagtails (main target species for Ben)

1 White Wagtail (ocularis).

Later at Huai Hin Kong en route home a brief stop produced 4 White-browed Crakes. (This is perhaps the easiest and most readily identifiable of the crakes to be seen in Thailand- photo attached).

Best Wishes,

Mike P.

-- Edited by Mike Passant on Thursday 3rd of February 2022 02:29:31 PM

21/01/2022 (still) Talking to Paul this morning. I realised that he had not just gone to Roí Et to twitch the Shovelers but that Pen had been with him and that they had carried on north and west into Phetchabun province for a few nights camping in Nam Nao Nat Pk.

Around the campsite area they logged 22 species they best of which were:-

1 Crested Serpent Eagle

1 Orange-breasted Trogon

1 Greater Flameback

1 Greater Yellownape

8 Red-billed Blue Magpies

2 Sultan Tits 

5 Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes

16 White-crested Laughingthrushes

1 Blue Rock-Thrush (photo)

1 Collared Scops Owl (heard only)

22/01/2021 - An early start and Pen scored with an excellent find in the form of a juvenile Changeable Hawk-Eagle perched up in a tree tearing apart a prey item and which allowed a quite close approach and some decent photo opportunities.

23 species were seen before the two hour session came to an end with the onset of heavy rain:-

1 Red-headed Trogon

2 Oriental Pied Hornbills

1 Blue-throated Barbet

4 Greater Flamebacks

1 Common Green Magpie

3 Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes (photos)

15 White-Crested Laughingthrushes (photos)

1 Black-throated Sunbird

Later the rain having abated at 10.30 another hour long session added:-

1 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

4 Great Slaty Woodpeckers (a distant record shot of a male)

1 Grey-headed Woodpecker (heard only)

2 Black-hooded Orioles.

Later (prior to leaving) they logged 2 Grey Treepies and Paul wandering on a quiet trail close to the park HQ found a major prize scratching on the forest floor - a Dark-sided Thrush which he studied for quite a while and obtained some decent photos. This is classed as an uncommon resident in Thailand and is a species which I have yet to see anywhere. The Great Slaty Woodpeckers were also a very nice find though we knew beforehand that they were in the area.
Great Slaty is of course by a small margin generally regarded as the largest living woodpecker species and is one of only three species in the Mulleripicus genus along with the smaller Sooty Woodpecker and Ashy Woodpecker each of which can be readily seen on Luzon (Philippines) and on Sulawesi (Indonesia) respectively.

In summary a successful though short trip with 8/9 additions to Pauls Thai list With a selection of photos attached.

Cheers,

Mike P.

20/01/2022 - Attached are two more shots of the male Fujian Niltava taken this morning by Paul Farrell.

These both show the intensity of the breast colouration fading towards the lower breast and belly and one at a better angle to show the lack of rich blue on the lesser coverts/shoulder (this not to be confused of course with the blue flash at the base of the side neck generally shown by virtually all niltavas).

Cheers,

Mike P.

18/01/2021 - Suan Luang Rama 1X. Park (Bangkok).

With Paul and Pen spending a couple of days in Bangkok this morning Paul took the opportunity before the long drive back up to Kut Chum to check out the local park which is just a twenty minute walk from their home. The park (which is named in honour of King Rama 1X) is surprisingly birdy with a total list of 166 species including some excellent species recorded mainly on passage in April and September/October.
A favourite section for me is the extensive reed fringed pool normally patrolled by cruising rather large fearsome Monitor Lizards and pleasingly with a winding boardwalk through the centre ideal for scrutinising assorted Egrets Night Herons and Yellow Bitterns always hoping in particular for scarcer Crakes or Malaysian Night Heron (which has occurred here but which would be a new species for me).

I have birded this park on three brief visits previously and never during the main migration periods and so have a quite modest list for the site of only 39 species mainly comprising the usual culprits which are seemingly always present but it does rather act as a nice starting point for my ultimate trip list and I still feel a buzz of expectation upon entering the park in the hope of finding something new.

This morning Paul logged 34 species the best being:-

1 Black-capped Kingfisher

3 Blue-tailed Bee-eaters

1 Indochinese Roller

4 Small Minivets

4 Black-naped Orioles

Regards,

Mike P.

10/01/2022 - Ban Nom Khao - Boong Khla Community Forest  (Yasothon)

A morning start saw Paul back birding this ever productive new site (effectively his site as no other birder has ever visited here before). Among a fair selection of the usual species he found four Puff-throated Bulbuls, a single Abbotts Babbler and three Siberian Blue Robins before being stopped in his tracks at 11.20 by a Niltava species.
This bird tended to hug the shade of the forest trees and foliage but he did manage very good views before obtaining some supporting record shots after a further twenty five minutes. The bird was obviously either Rufous-bellied Niltava or the rarer Fujian Niltava, and his thoughts gradually turned to the latter option as he could detect no blue shoulder flash on the lesser coverts, also the breast colouration faded paler towards the belly and vent. Apparently in Rufous-bellied Niltava (of which I have no personal experience) the breast colour is of the same intensity through to the vent and the blue flash on the lesser covert/shoulder is prominent and complements the blue lateral flash that both species show on the lower neck sides.

Paul Farrell drove over from Khon Kaen to assist in the i/d and although he didnt arrive until late afternoon managed to obtain vocal response to playback but didnt manage to actually see the bird himself.

PF stayed over at Pauls and an attempt to see the bird on the next morning (yesterday) failed to produce a sighting due to the windy conditions though calls were heard and a sonogram was made in order to support Pauls initial identification.

The rarity reviewers confirmed the record this morning which is gratifying as apparently only twelve people have ever seen Fujian Niltava in Thailand and it amounts to Pauls best find to date in the country.

Almost overlooked in the excitement was another first for Yasothon Province - a juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle (also on 10/01/2022) at the same location, - photo attached.

The photo of the Fujian Niltava shows the bird front on so unfortunately the presence/absence of a shoulder patch cannot be assessed from this though the fading of the underparts towards the vent is apparent (though this could be interpreted as an effect of the light). What is obvious is the solid blue of the throat (which eliminates Vivid Niltava) and the thin blue streaks on both sides of the neck. The sonogram evidence and Pauls visual description thus carried the day.

Regards,

Mike P.

06/01/2022 - Nong Khai wild plant conservation centre - Nong Khai Province.

An early start at this site produced 36 species, the best being:-

1 Oriental Honey Buzzard

1 Crested Serpent Eagle

2 White-browed Piculets

1 Blyths Paradise Flycatcher

1 (provisionally) silent Alstroms Warbler

2 Claudias Leaf Warblers

3 Yellow-bellied Warblers

2 Rufous-fronted Babblers

Additionally PF heard 3 Bamboo type Woodpeckers, 2 Purple-napped Sunbirds and 1 Martens/Alstroms/ Bianchis Warbler.

This latter merits some explanation:-

In former (easier!) times my old fieldguide shows Golden-spectacled Warbler (Seicercus burkii) two subspecies of which I saw in China some twenty years ago.

Now in Thailands new guide not only has this been split into four species (Alstroms, Bianchis, Martens and Grey-crowned) but the lot have been shifted into the Phylloscopus genus (God knows why as they look nothing like!)

The only constant reliable physical feature being that while all four have conspicuous eye-rings, in Grey-crowned there is a tiny break in the rear of the eye-ring, otherwise extent of lateral crown strips and strength of wing bars is subject to overlap. Needless to say there is some difference in vocals, but I do not really relish ever bumping into one on my own.

Later at the same site the guys had 3 Blue-bearded Bee-eater, 2 White-browed Piculets and 3 Buff- breasted Babblers.

Regards,

Mike P.

03/01/2022  Kang Lawa - Khon Kaen Province

Attached is a photo of one of the Yellow-breasted Buntings photographed by Paul together with an Eastern Yellow Wagtail supposedly of the form macronyx (aka Mongolian Wagtail in the Thai fieldguide). I have seen this form in Thailand and mentioned previously on this thread that I could see no difference between macronyx and the thunbergi form of Grey-headed Wagtail, both having darker grey ear coverts and cheeks than the rest of the head and all yellow throats;- again any opinions please would be welcomed.

Regards,

Mike P.

01/01/2022 Saturday Kut Chum Yasothon

Late morning saw Paul taking fish out of the lower rice field pond when an Eastern Marsh Harrier appeared quartering the rice fields before drifting off over the trees - a nice addition to the garden/farm list to start the new year

02/01/2022 Sunday morning - Way Pa Ban Na Mon Tambon Kut Chum, Yasothon.

Paul logged 12 common species at this local site - 1 each of Spotted Dove Greater Coucal Ashy Drongo Yellow-browed Warbler Asian Brown Flycatcher White-rumped Shama, 2 of Black-naped Monarchs Large-billed Crows Puff-throated Babblers Hainan Blue Flycatchers (photo attached) 3 Pin-striped Tit-Babblers, and 4 Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers.

Tomorrow he is set for an early start on a four day outing with Paul Farrell heading to Isaans northernmost province Nong Khai which is entirely new ground for him. This province straddles the Mekong river for hundreds of kilometres (east to west) - the river forming the northern border of Thailand with Laos as of course it does in the east of Isaan where the river cuts due south. I dont know if the guys are just exploring and year listing or if they have any specific targets in mind, but there is within Nong Khai a site for the scarce Jerdons Bushchat

Regards,

Mike P.

Yesterdays Oriental Honey Buzzard was species no.199 for the Yasothon Province list, of which Paul has now seen 191, - I myself for comparison - a mere 92.
It would be perhaps a fitting reward for his recording efforts if he could crack 200 for the year end?

Attached is a record shot of of this latest raptor addition.

Regards,

Mike P.

24/12/2021 Christmas Eve!

Phon Ngam & Dong Por Community Forests - Loob Nong Nor Reservoir - Yasothon.

Out this morning Paul birded only the lake shore section and the forest edge. The site is not far from Kut Chum where he lives and this was roughly his fourth visit. Within a total of 26 species (mainly the usual suspects) he found his Christmas present in the shape of four Little Buntings - not just a new species for the province but for the whole of Isaan region.  I myself and Paul Farrell independently confirmed his identification as did (more importantly) Ayuwat Jearwattananakok the Thai regional reviewer. Apparently this has triggered wider interest and he may have a twitch on his hands!

Very Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy 2022 to all in the GM birding community, - (and if that Kingfisher moves say 15 miles S/E that really would be something).

Mike & Barbara 

19/12/2021 Sunday morning - Phon Ngam & Dong Por Community Forest - Wat Phu Mak Prik Yasothon.

Back on home ground Paul recorded 9 species here the best of which was a female Siberian Blue Robin with two others heard in close proximity.

Moving on to Dong Por & Dong Bang Ee Community Forest and the Khok Yai Reservoir the best additional species were 10 Indian Spot-billed Ducks and for him a record high count of 42 Little Grebes keeping close order. In addition were a single Lesser Coucal an Oriental Darter 8 Amur Stonechats and a perched Osprey amid a support cast of the usual more common species.

20/12/2021 Monday - Chaeng Sanit Road plus an unknown road at Tambon Doet. Also still in Yasothon.

35 species - the best of which were:-

9 Grey-headed Lapwings 

8 Wood Sandpipers

1 Green Sandpiper (1st record and 20th wader species for Yasothon Province)

2 Great Egrets

15 Little Egrets

4 Chinese Pond-Herons

Most of these were flushed shortly after by the arrival of the farmer. One is left to wonder just what does go under the radar in some of these good paddyfield habitats during peak wader migration times? Quite a few common waders remain yet to be found in Yasothon (such as Redshank, Red-necked Stint, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit Grey Plover Sanderling and Broad-billed Sandpiper to name but a few).

Regards,

Mike P.

Friday 17/12/2021 - Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province.

Paul and Pen drove 3 hours west to rendezvous with Paul Farrell on his home turf. We first met Paul up in Chiang Mai on our last visit and quite apart from being impressed by his fluency in Thai we found it noteworthy that we were all (apart of course from Pen) displaced Mancunians. 
A session around the site with Paul Farrell yielded 34 species including the usual assorted common pigeons doves sparrows and munías :-

6 Lesser Whistling Duck

40 Little Grebe

3 Germains Swiftlets

7 Moorhen

2 White-breasted Waterhen

2 Pin-tailed Snipe

4 Common Sandpipers

4 Little Egret

5 Cattle Egret

9 Chinese Pond Heron

1 Black-winged Kite

2 Common Kingfisher

7 Green- Bee-eater

1 Indochinese Roller

6 Ashy Woodswallow

2 Malaysian Pied Fantail

6 Black Drongo

2 Brown Shrike

1 Large-billed Crow

2 Plain Prinia

1 Oriental Reed Warbler

200+ Barn Swallow

1 Streak-eared Bulbul

4 Common Myna

5 Amur Stonechat

18 Amur Wagtail

1 Citrine Wagtail (= lifer for Paul and Pen).

5 Paddyfield Pipits

Moving on to another part of the campus complex (Rom Khao Kallapaphruek Park)

They logged a few more species:-

1 Ashy Drongo

1 Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher

1 Rufous-tailed Robin (lifer)

This latter was one of the main reasons for their visit. A small blind had been set up close by the forest edge with a small receptacle full of water provided and the Robin was making periodic visits to both bathe and drink so an approx. half hour stay provided several close views and photos which may be forthcoming soon.

The male Japanese Thrush had not been seen for about a week or so.

Regards,

Mike P.