24/01/2023 - 11.55 am. Khon Kaen University - Romklao Kallapaphruek Park - Khon Kaen City.

Having met up with PF, he led us down to the viewing blind some 150 metres down the forest track where we settled down with me seated (surprisingly comfortably) on a breeze block balanced on a log. A mid day stakeout was far from ideal so I was mindful that we might have to wait several hours for the main target species - a Rufous-tailed Robin - to show, so patience was needed. On the other hand it was both hot and dry so birds nevertheless may drop in to take a drink regardless of the time?

After 25 minutes the first species put in an appearance -a Taiga Flycatcher on a thin horizontal branch and a Common Tailorbird by the small circular concrete pool. As if birds were feeling more confident suddenly there were two Raddes Warblers showing well on the ground just in front of us then at about 12.30 PF seated next to me spotted the Robin which had materialised on a low horizontal just above the water. It then alighted onto the ground and paced around for a good minute before vanishing to be replaced by a Streak-eared Bulbul. This had been only my second ever meeting with this species and of course never seen so well as this.
Other birds (heard only) were Coppersmith Barbet, Greater Coucal and the ubiquitous Yellow-browed Warblers, while PP also logged a Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher. 

It was a case of relief all round and we had been very fortunate that we had managed an unlikely mid day sighting with the main attraction seen sufficiently early for us to move on to Kaeng Lawa where as I have said previously we still had unfinished business.

Photos (courtesy of Paul Farrell) of Rufous-tailed Robin attached.

Regards,

Mike P.

22/01/2023 14.30  Sunday - Chaeng Sanit Alley -Tambon Bang Sai Yai Mukdahan.

We called in at this promising wader site which Paul has visited previously. It seems to be part of a water treatment plant with a weir and running water with controllable sluices perhaps. On its day I suspect that this could really produce something outstanding. Present were Barn Swallows a few White Wagtails a first winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail (tchuchensis) a Paddyfield Pipit and a few waders :-

3 Little Ringed Plovers

1 Common Greenshank

4 Common Sandpipers

2 Green Sandpipers (only my 3rd and 4th for Thailand).

All these were quite confiding and seemed relatively relaxed and used to the presence of workmen who probably in turn ignore the birds.

Further on in our trip still in Mukdahan Paul called in at a regular site and found the expected Burmese Shrike almost in its same regular bushes where we speculated that it preys on a regular diet of assorted munias.

Cheers,

Mike P.

06.30 am - Mekong shoreline dunes and sandbars - Nakhon Phanom.

Paul and I were up and out before the sun came up over the limestone hills (still of course blanketed in mist) with music and chanting bouncing over the river from Laos. 
Rather ignoring the Germains Swiftlets and a few Asian Palm Swifts zipping around overhead we focused on the waders on the sand flats and shoreline: -

12 Kentish Plovers

8 Little Ringed Plovers

2 Temmincks Stints

2 Common Sandpipers

9 Common Greenshanks

30 Small Pratincoles

6 Grey Herons

1 Great Egret

2 Chinese Pond-Herons

Further back towards the promenade we logged quite a few passerines in the tall grasses with singles of Brown Shrike Oriental Skylark a Thick-billed Warbler and a Malaysian Pied Fantail. The main species to be found here though were Zitting Cisticolas (8) and Yellow-bellied Prinias (5). 60 or so Barn Swallows easily outnumbered just a handful of Red-rumped Swallows. The usual Bushchats Stonechats Munias and Sparrows filled out the pre breakfast list to 33 species and we turned up for breakfast with the others on time and pleased with our count.

The girls had decided that they were all going to each have their hair done so Art joined us and we birded the rest of the morning largely in the university grounds and around a lake with target species being flycatchers warblers and anything else which moved. Here we logged the usual culprits - Taiga Flycatchers Black-naped Monarch and Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers and found a roost of about 25 assorted Herons and both Common and White-throated Kingfishers.

Art with the benefit of his young eyes found us a Stripe-throated Bulbul and a Little Spiderhunter (which I managed to miss) then we noticed a fine Olive-backed Pipit commuting between the ground and a tree limb next to the car where it carried on wagging its tail, eventually offering up a photo opportunity to Paul.

After showers/shaves we later met up with the ladies for coffee and a selection of naughty and delicious cakes at an excellent and locally famous cafe on Arts recommendation. A note here is appropriate - Art is fully qualified in hotel management and is an excellent cook - his recommendations therefore have to be taken seriously.

We rounded off another non birding day in style at a really pleasant restaurant overlooking the river and (still hazy) hills beyond. 
Regards,

Mike P.

19/01/2023 - Dong Hua Kong & Dong Bang Ee community forests - Phu Sing - Amnat Charoen Province.

Pauls exploratory trip into this forested basin was not particularly successful as he was still confronted by cliffs preventing him getting very far down so he cut his losses as best he could. The best find was a White-browed Piculet among 15 regular species.

At 13.40 (still in Amnat) he spent a half hour checking out the margins of the Huai Si Tho reservoir logging another 15 species - the best being a Zitting Cisticola and 3 Pin-tailed Snipe flushed from the edge of a rice field before heading back for home.

Cheers,

Mike P.

16/01/2023 - 06.45 am Kaeng Lawa - Khon Kaen Province.

Up at 05.15 am we vacated our lodgings with Paul and Pen to meet up with Paul Farrell at the well known Stakeout Bridge with buntings rails and crakes high on our wish lists. 

The scale of this site is not immediately apparent but as we drove out in convoy as a first time visitor here I literally didnt know where to look as there were birds on every side. I was eager to start building my list for another new province but I had specific targets and was somewhat in two minds. Paul Farrell was anxious to explain the situation regarding the Yellow-breasted Buntings. The roost here is estimated at 1500 birds and is being monitored by the university birders. The numbers of this threatened species on this totally unprotected site make it of international significance and I was pleased to see small feeding parties in the stubble fields having dispersed from their roosts, including a couple of fine male birds perched in a bare sapling. PP was following a flock of ducks coming in to land and picked out a couple of larger ones which we found to be our first Pintails of the day. 

Our final species count for the day was not quite 100, comprising 7 species of duck as follows:-

50 Lesser Whistling Ducks

100 Cotton Pygmy Geese

50 Garganey

3 Northern Shovelers

12 Northern Pintails

30 Eurasian Teal (estimate)

1 Baikal Teal (a drake - and first ever found in Isaan - seen by PP and found by PF but flushed by a gunshot or car back-firing before I got to Pauls scope!). This was a world lifer for the two Pauls and triggered a major twitch of Thai birders - 4/5 turned up. In view of the high number of teal it is quite likely that the Baikal got caught up in the same movement. Interestingly the following day produced another rarity - keeping company with the Baikal is a Falcated Duck (also a drake).

We enjoyed lunch positioning ourselves under the welcome shade of the Stakeout Bridge where I was casually checking out some Common Snipe preening and bathing some 70 yards away. Their wing stretching showed the white trailing edges to the wings. Suddenly from the bushy cover behind them a Slaty-breasted Rail stepped into view and I quickly got everyone to the scope before it crept back into cover. A new species for most of us though PF has likely seen quite a few in the past. Earlier I had seen a short fly past by two potentially new (for me) Ruddy-breasted Crakes below the bridge which disappeared into cover before I fully realised what they were, and although there were other sightings during this hectic day I still have yet to see one on the ground.

We logged 16 wader species (including a Common Redshank seen by me which is not supposed to winter here). Also 9 species of Heron (including 12 Black-crowned Night Herons).

Others included 8 Whiskered Terns, 50 Asian Openbills, 3 Kingfishers one of which was a stunning flyby Pied Kingfisher which I followed and saw it do its characteristic hover before plunging down behind some distant trees.

20 Glossy Ibis, several superb Long-tailed Shrikes of the eastern black-headed form, (Lanius schach tricolor/longicaudatus) a couple of Bluethroats and 8 Red Avadavats were other highlights amid a support cast of scores of regular species too numerous to mention capped off a memorable day. I spent most of the afternoon trying to relocate the Baikal Teal against the increasingly harsh light to the extent that my eyes were hurting and mindful that I was missing other species which would have boosted my list for this province - nevertheless one cannot do everything at once. We shall return as there is unfinished business here and also in the university grounds a Rufous-tailed Robin has appeared again.

Regards,

Mike P.

-- Edited by Mike Passant on Wednesday 18th of January 2023 11:43:32 AM

14/01/2023 Some Pied Harrier studies from the late afternoon harrier roost in Yasothon.

Cheers,

Mike P.

09/01/2023 - Phu Mu Forest Park/Rabian Tawan Terrace - Mukdahan Province.

Some 4/5 years ago after two visits I vowed on this thread never again to go birding here because for such a promising looking forested hill it was amazingly devoid of birds (other than Black-crested Bulbuls and Asian Brown and Taiga Flycatchers).

Paul however had a hunch that following the previous weeks continued NE winds surely something different might be around - possibly thrushes on the top car park/camping area? Accordingly Paul and Pen Barb and I set off on the short 35 minute drive from our Kut Chum base. 
At 08.00 am we pulled in initially to scan the lake and adjacent fields where I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the regular species present. (Four years ago the lake had been birdless except for a few Barn Swallows and a Greenshank candidate so distant that even scoping it was no help in identification).

At the top of the hill we parked up and split up scanning particularly for thrushes but it looked typically quiet. Sharp-eyed Pen found an Asian Brown Flycatcher (as usual). Minutes later Barb and I heard another shout from Pen. Apparently Paul was telling her to run as well so it suddenly dawned on me and Barb that they had something good so we scurried the 200 yards to join them only to find that the bird had departed.

Paul later told us that it had taken him two minutes to get onto the bird following Pens directions and was trying to photograph it with Pen trying at the same time to get him onto another bird out on the grass. We arrived and Paul showed us a close up fuzzy image of part bird and part twigs which certainly wasnt an Eye-browed Thrush (our hoped for species). 
Our uncertainty was suddenly resolved by the bird itself alighting on the ground and foraging not 25 yards in front of us- a stunning Orange-headed thrush sporting two vertical black bars on the side of its head and a short white median covert bar - a first record for Mukdahan Province no less! Paul was initially puzzled by the plumage difference from the December bird we had seen in Bangkok as this form was new for him although I had seen this form somewhere before. During this excitement Barb had started scanning further towards the forest edge and called another thrush which I glimpsed just in time as it disappeared behind a fallen log - a Whites Thrush and another species new for the province.

It was quickly becoming obvious that Pauls hunch had been spot on!

Suddenly we notice another thrush mainly hidden behind a tussock of grass but sporting a head close to that of a Blacbird but with a little bit of chestnut visible on the fore flank and a mottled white throat - the other bird which Pen was saying had been in full view earlier when Paul had been trying to photograph the Orange-headed thrush. Paul did manage a few record shots to support an i/d. 
Meanwhile the Whites Thrush was out foraging in the leaf litter and we noted it shivering as it used its feet to detect prey (a feeding strategy used by both Whites and Scaly Thrushes). Incidentally our field observations do not eliminate the possibility that our Whites Thrush could be a Scaly Thrush as the separation in the field is problematic and in hand examination is apparently dependant on number of tail feathers. Annoying for me (as an old dinosaur) is the fact that the traditional scientific name of Whites Thrush (Zoothera dauma) is now awarded to Scaly Thrush whereas our bird found from time to time in UK is now Zoothera aurea.

In the meantime the shy and retiring Orange-headed Thrush was perching up on the nearby wall and several prominent rocks and concrete blocks in the bold manner of a bushchat often close to the Whites Thrush so good photos were easily obtained.

From what we had seen of the mystery blackbird type and a couple of record shots there was enough evidence to support our tentative identification as a Black-breasted Thrush, needless to say another new species for Mukdahan and the site had now thoroughly redeemed itself in my mind. To add to the thrushy theme we also saw an imm/female and a fine male White-throated Rock-Thrush sufficient to rename the place as Thrush City.

We put out photos and our conclusions on the internet and received confirming opinions and resolved to return the following day for better photos of the Black-breasted Thrush with an enthusiastic Paul Farrell joining us from Khon Kaen.

10/01/2023 Phu Mu Forest Park - Yasothon side.

The border between Yasothon and Mukdahan goes through the upper car park from where we were viewing on the previous day so we resolved to put in our list for the day under the Yasothon heading. Although we had to wait a little longer (mainly perhaps as we had arrived earlier) all the previous days species reappeared and were well photographed.
Paul Farrell obtained the best photo of an adult female Black-breasted Thrush (seen below) and the indications were that the limited views of the previous days bird were of a different and likely male.

The big news though broke later that evening. Some of the leading experts in Thai birding circles conclude that our Orange-headed Thrush is of the buff-throated sub species maculata and the first of this form to be recorded in Thailand- so very well done to Pen!!

Photos below: - 

Regards,

Mike P.

05/01/2023 - Culvert hide- photo selection (continued):-

Grey-throated Babbler (a catch-up species for me in Thailand which looks better from the front when it is not wet through from bathing).

Brown-cheeked Fulvetta (although the cheeks seem grey! - the other congener Grey-cheeked Fulvetta/ Yunnan Fulvetta thankfully has an eye-ring).

Martens Warbler - the one here with a complete eye ring.

Black-naped Monarch female /imm. (generally common species well known to many of you of course).

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher. - (even more common and seemingly ubiquitous).

Puff- throated Bulbul. 

Cheers,

Mike P.

05/01/2023 - Phu Suan Sai Nat. Pk. - Culvert Hide.

Our day started at around 8.00 am with a roadside session hoping for Short-tailed Parrotbills (which sometimes cross the road close to the hide from their favoured bamboo stands) but no sign this morning though we did find an obliging Rufous Woodpecker.

With the light improving we made our way down to the hide with PP and I in one side and PF in the other. We were pleased to note the absence of the White-throated Fantail which on the previous afternoon had been defensively seeing off and bullying other smaller birds daring to encroach on its favourite perches over the water.

We stayed in the hide all day but with small breaks to have lunch or to stretch our legs from time to time. A full list of species follows, though not in chronological order:-

Blue-bearded Bee-eater

Blue-throated Barbets (heard continually).

Bay Woodpeckers (heard).

4 White-bellied Erpornis

1 White-throated Fantail (turned up like a bad penny after lunch).

2 Ashy Drongos

2 Bronzed Drongos

1 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

1 Black-naped Monarch

2 Grey-headed Canary-Flycatchers

1 Black-crested Bulbul

2 Puff-throated Bulbuls

2 Grey-eyed Bulbuls

2 Ashy Bulbuls

2 Yellow-browed Warblers

2 Grey-crowned Warblers

3 Martens Warblers

2 Yellow-bellied Warblers

2 Chestnut-flanked White-eyes

7 Indian White-eyes

5 Pin-striped Tit-Babblers

2 Golden Babblers

2 Grey-throated Babblers

2 Rufous-throated Fulvettas

5 Brown-cheeked Fulvettas

1 White-rumped Shama

1 Hill Blue Flycatcher

1 Verditer Flycatcher

1 White-tailed Robin  (male)

1 Taiga Flycatcher

4 White-rumped Munias

1 Pin-tailed Parrotfinch (female- and for me the bird of the day).

Grey-headed Warbler was PFs 700th Thai species and new for me of course along with Martens Warbler. These species are the result of a four way split alongside Alstroms and Bianchis Warblers and are a nightmare in the field for birders such as me. The Grey-headed shows a break to the rear of its eye ring best captured on photos. 
It took Paul Farrell six or seven trips to see the Parrotfinch so PP and I were very fortunate.

We left the hide for lunch down the road at a restaurant all to ourselves overlooking superb scenery (reminiscent of a scene from Braulio Carillo Nat.Pk in Venezuela for those readers who may have visited there) and we finally called it a day when the light became too dark for photography at around 17.10.

Several selections of photos follow:-

Cheers,

Mike P.

03/01/2023 - Phu Hin Rong Kla Nat. Pk. Loei Province.

We rose early and downing coffees drove off towards the hill from the village into Loei.

En route we stopped for a short session of roadside birding and were rewarded by a calling Bay Woodpecker which responded promptly to playback by flying from cover providing PP with an early addition to his Thai list and a fine trip bird for PF and me.

Up on the higher ground we were disappointed to see the mist rolling in, so retreated to slightly lower ground where PF pulled in fancying a dodgy looking rutted but dry side track which he had never previously explored. We took the plunge and hung on as the vehicle rocked and rolled on the descent like a boat then the track levelled out and we parked in an area where the tall grass and bracken had been left uncut. 
White-browed Scimitar Babblers were calling from higher up but by now we only had one priority - Jerdons Bushchat in suitable though unexplored habitat!

PF played the call and as if by magic up popped into view a male Jerdons Bushchat right where Paul and I by chance happened to be looking. All too brief a view but PPS exclamation - Thats it! summed up the moment - so high fives and big smiles all round. Both Pauls had seen the species before some hundreds of kilometres further north but they were elated that this represented for me a really tough world tick. 
We continued along the track for a further 500 metres to find a turning point and passed some minutes scanning and noting a few common species as the visibility improved before heading back hopeful that PF might manage to negotiate the rough hill. We stopped and played the Jerdons calls near the same bushes and of course  up it popped and gave excellent views for about 20 seconds.

Paul had a fast run at the hill and despite having no four-wheel drive successfully bounced us back to the safety of the road.

Back down the road in Phitsanulok a half hour stop gave up 14 species - the best being :-

2 Bay Woodpeckers

7 Scarlet Minivets

4 species of common bulbuls

1 Indian White-eye

2 Yunnan Fulvettas

6 Blue-winged Minlas

1 Grey Wagtail (on the road briefly)

1 Oriental Honey-Buzzard

1 Lesser Shortwing (seen by both Pauls but which continued to elude me for the whole trip).

After a lengthy break for lunch we headed back into Loei and then spent over 3 hours on an excellent forest trail. Although I managed to find a responsive Lesser Shortwing moving in deep cover it refused to offer up an acceptable view despite a good half hour teasing us so we moved on and hearing a party of noisy White-necked Laughingthrushes hopes rose of another good bird in prospect. Alas the birds moved slowly away never to be seen or heard again. PP soon spotted 2 Silver-breasted Broadbills (always star birds) and followed up with a Black Bulbul of the white headed form- record shots of both species obtained. Other notable species included 3 Large Niltavas a Davisons Leaf Warbler, several Yellow-browed Warblers a Golden Babbler and a Yunnan Fulvetta with the usual barbets here vocalising for all the afternoon.

We beat a hasty retreat as we didnt want to be benighted in the forest.

After an improvised meal back in our lodgings a night birding session on the edge of the large campsite field resulted in repeat views of Large-tailed Nightjar (which we had heard on the previous night) though a Collared Scops-Owl refused to come out to play, in addition we heard a Red-wattled Lapwing as well.

Regards,

Mike P.

28/12/2022 - 08.20 am, Tambon Khueang Nai - Ubon Ratchathani.

As we were due to meet Pen flying into Ubon from Bangkok at around 13.20, we set off early from Kut Chum to get in a few hours birding at a couple of sites within about 30 minutes of the airport.The first site produced some 37 species in 1 hour and 40 minutes, the pick of the bunch being two Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters, and two Chestnut-capped Babblers.

We then moved on the the Rice research centre at Tambon Pa Ao where an hour and a quarter produced 23 species which included a few surprises and site ticks:-

The first oddity was an overhead circling Crested Serpent Eagle in habitat a little different from its normal forest haunts. This was followed by a fine male Hainan Blue Flycatcher, three Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds, and a White-throated Rock-Thrush - for me a long awaited new species and seen well first found by Paul, refound by sharp-eyed Art.

I finished the session with 8 additions to my Ubon list and Paul gained 3 - about which more later.

Pen arrived safely and Art drove us all back to Kut Chum where we all showered and changed in quick time to shoot off to our third party in five days at the new home of John Cook and his wife Nan. Their hospitality food and drink was overwhelming and made a stark contrast to the start of our day, with gourmet food fine wine and single malt whiskies which would do justiice to any celebration. We toasted Paul on becoming the first and only member of the Ubon Ratchathani 200 club; - Mr. Paul Heaton would have thoroughly approved.

Cheers,

Mike P.

22/12/2022- Ban Samrong rapids Mekong River, Ubon Ratchathani.

The day started quietly enough; with nobody else out of bed I enjoyed a 40 minute stroll on part of the local patch and from the little footbridge enjoyed a session following the foraging of a calling Raddes Warbler working its way around the edge of a large pool with much in the way of cover provided by overhanging bushes. I have watched Raddes do this here before and as usual upon reaching the bridge it flies across to the north end of the pool where it is grassier. I followed it and creeping very quietly guided by its calls got it to pop up in the knee high grass in response to gentle squeaks. There was little else going on save for a Common Tailorbird and a small party of Streak-eared Bulbuls a Brown Shrike and a few Scaly-breasted Munias.

Back home Paul was up and about and showed me a photo on his phone - Look whats turned up on the Mekong!

Bloody Hell - thats a Long-billed Plover!

Its three hours away - are you up for it?

Yes! So we all got geared up. Barbara Pen Paul and I with Art driving (due to Pauls back strain). We arranged to meet with Paul Farrell at the site as he had at least a four hour drive from Khon Kaen. The bird had been found the previous afternoon and watched from 1 oclock until 4 by a Thai birder who obtained excellent photos. on arrival we did some long distance scoping but the heat haze was a major problem. After PF arrived we all walked south parallel with the river but keeping a good distance from the shoreline. Another problem was that the locals were tending their fishing tackle and a few kids were playing by the water as kids do and though we doggedly spent over four hours scanning Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers Common Sandpipers a single Greenshank and a scatter of at least 40 Small Praticoles and a few White Wagtails there was no sign of our bird.

As Art had to be back he and Pen drove off home and the remaining 4 of us resolved to stay over for an early morning  search. Paul Farrells fluency in Thai served us well and after enquiring at the local cafe as to where we might stay and eat the helpful staff came up with a little hotel recommendation only minutes from the river which was quite adequate.

The following morning we were up at 05.15 and walking the site at 6.00. Great views of a Mekong Wagtail was a bonus in habitat not quite in keeping with its usual requirements and we had repeat views of all the previous days waders but no target bird despite another 2 hours of searching. The site here is very close to Laos only 200 yards east over the river and we could hear both Green-eared and Coppersmith Barbets calling from there with Wire-tailed and Red-rumped Swallows crossing backwards and forwards. 
We admitted defeat and set off to explore another site further north at Chon Dao - the Don Ngio Rapids which looked full of potential but which Paul Farrell says is totally neglected by birders.

Here Barb found 5 River Lapwings and we scanned through more Small Pratincoles and then Paul Farrell found a Great Thick-Knee, then another. This was a major find for the site as birds are sometimes rarely found both well north of here and well south so this would constitute an important link in terms of distribution of this endangered species in Thailand.

In summary our efforts had been rewarded with a great find by PF and the drive back to Kut Chum was all the more palatable for that.

Regards,

Mike P.

19/12/2022 - Khok Sung - along Song Khon Canal - local home patch Yasothon.

An 8.00 am start saw me patrolling the local patch with no great expectation and indeed in an hour and a half I logged only 13 species but did add a new species to my personal local patch list in the shape of a pair of White Wagtails (leucopsis form) long overdue and which Paul has previously had in the garden.  On the previous day in the garden he had flushed from his feet a Barred Buttonquail a species which I have only ever seen in flight.

The main event took place in the late afternoon when we visited Pauls newly discovered harrier roost barely 20 minutes drive from home. Here we logged at least 14 birds coming in and on 20th around 25/30 birds comprising both Eastern Marsh Harriers and Pied Harriers. 3 adult male Pieds and two adult male Eastern Marsh were readily identified and bigger numbers of juvenile Pieds were evident but there was much head scratching concerning supposed female Pieds and immature Eastern Marsh birds. Rarities here would be Western Marsh and Hen Harriers of which we saw no hint.

Photos of adult males of the two species are attached.

Cheers,

Mike P.

15/12/2022 -Yasothon Province various sites.

A few relaxed days doing some of the local sites and adding one or two species to several of them. 
-A few shots of life here:-

1. We dont get out birding all the time here. The contractor at work baling the rice straw after the harvest. (It wasnt a good season as there was far too much rain this year). Following the baling machine were some 60 Great Mynas and about 8 Black Drongos swooping on hapless insects and possibly small mice but specific prey items could not be discerned due to the distance. These were the only two bird species involved.

2. Part of a flock of 21 Grey-headed Lapwings on the Nong Hoi paddies today - a record number in terms of Yasothon and no. 141 for my province list. Paul however is lead jockey in Yasothon on 212.

Regards,

Mike P.

-- Edited by Mike Passant on Thursday 15th of December 2022 11:21:11 AM

09/12/2022 Friday.

A travelling day across 9 provinces up to Yasothon, with a 50 minute break at Sanam Bin no hunting reserve on the off chance that the European Spoonbill might still be present.

The Spoonbill had been seen on Dec. 5th. As only the second ever record for Thailand it had been twitched by a few Thai birders who had been quick off the mark but had not been seen on any subsequent days.

As a result of droughts over the last few years the marshy pools here have been dug out over a wide area to act as an additional water storage facility with the result that many roadbeds and fringes have been spoiled for now so from a birding point of view the place is not what it was. Nevertheless the extensive roosts for the Openbill Storks and Night Herons were kept largely intact and the friendly and knowledgable reserve staff advised us where to search for some of the 20 Glossy Ibis to be seen and as we set off one staff member beckoned us towards a small shaded muddy glade where a single Glossy Ibis was at the waters edge keeping loose company with a couple of immature Night Herons. 
Later we were interviewed by a local camera crew with Pen as our principal spokesperson - a role she fulfilled with a very confident and professional manner. As we drove out a squadron of 10 Glossy Ibis passed over the road ahead.

However the main event still lay ahead barely 2 Kms. along the exit road. We pulled in to check a wagtail perched on top of one of the heaps of excavated sand and clay some 50 yards away. Straight away this bird looked very interesting and I noted a narrow black eyestripe and a grey mantle- surely a candidate for Siberian Wagtail (M. alba ocularis). As Paul was already out of the car with his camera Barb pointed out a party of Kentish Plovers and as I glassed through them I saw a winter plumaged calidrid sp. with the plovers - either  Curlew Sandpiper or even possibly a Dunlin. 
Scoping up the wader it was indeed a Dunlin - a relative rarity in this province as were the 14 Kentish Plovers and what for me was bird of the day my first ever ocularis White Wagtail (aka Siberian or Swinhoes Wagtail) photo of this latter is attached.

Regards,

Mike P. et alía

-- Edited by Mike Passant on Saturday 10th of December 2022 04:57:28 AM

07/12/2022 mid morning Lat Krabang  - Thap Yao paddies and aquaculture ponds Bangkok.

A more leisurely start here this morning yielded over 40 species but sadly only one wader (a Red-wattled Lapwing) due to the fields being quite flooded, so no real finds other than 5 Spot-billed Pelicans as the highlight for me.

Later at 4 pm in the afternoon we went off to the local Suan Luang Park in search of a reported Eye-browed Thrush but found instead hordes of people in celebratory mood with music blaring etc. There were of course the usual Coppersmith Barbets and Pink-necked pigeons to be seen but initially nothing special Among only 14 species logged.
Then as we followed a path through a secluded little glade Paul found a drongo flitting beneath the canopy which we all got onto as it perched up very conveniently and began a critical assessment as it already looked interesting. It quickly became obvious that we were looking at a Crow-billed Drongo, sporting a text book heavy slightly de-curved bill with white speckling on its breast indicative of immaturity. My first in Thailand since 2001 and for Paul a self found true lifer. Photo attached.

Regards,

Mike and Barbara P.

30/11/2022 to 02/12/2022 - Phu Suan Sai Nat. Pk. - Loei Province.

Paul Farrell has recently been enjoying some excellent birding in Loei Province, which is the north western province in the Isaan region.

Attached are a couple of Pauls fine portrait shots of a Rufous-throated Fulvetta and a species which would be entirely new for me - the bamboo loving Pin-tailed Parrotfinch.

Regards,

Mike P.

20/11/2022 College of Agriculture &Technology, Yasothon.

Paul spent an hour mid afternoon birding in the vicinity of this college site logging 26 species which included 5 wader species: - 

4 Little Ringed Plovers

2 Common Snipe

1 Pin-tailed Snipe

1 Common Sandpiper

1 Green Sandpiper (photo attached). 

This latter in my experience is decidedly scarcer in Thailand than the literature suggests and my only scoped up sighting there is of a bird far out on an island of the Mekong river which was more likely to have been on the Laos side of the mid river boundary.

- A far cry from Teal hide at Pennington where I once counted 7 Green Sandpipers together and recall scanning each one (checking for Solitary Sandpiper - well one always lives in hope!)

Also attached is a roadside photo of Pauls from 17/11/2022 - a Pied Harrier in its distinctive juvenile plumage which although not pin sharp otherwise ticks all the boxes.

Regards,

Mike P.

07/11/2022 - Chanthaburi Province.

After the retreat to their camp, P. Passant decided to enjoy a photography session whilst P. Farrell and Mark Hogarth carried on birding along a different forest trail. A selection of Pauls photos were attached on my last post, namely Taiga Flycatcher White-throated Rock-Thrush Green Peafowl Asian Fairy-Bluebird and Greater Flameback.

This turned out to be a smart move on Pauls part (even though he missed out on a new species in the shape of a Black-browed Fulvetta) as his two companions returned covered in leech bites up beyond their legs and groins and also up past their waistlines, both soaked in blood. Even though Thailand is now entering the dry season it is generally much wetter in Chanthaburi, hence the nuisance with leeches.

08/11/2022 - 6.40 am Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, - Chachoengsao Province.

Having scurried north west out of Chanthaburi, the guys commenced a three hour session here and logged 65 species; - obviously a very productive area; most notable species being:-

1 Violet Cuckoo

1 Blue-throated Bee-eater

3 Dollarbirds

1 Greater Flameback

2 Common Flamebacks

2 Greater Yellownapes 

1 Laced Woodpecker

4 Black-naped Orioles

The main outcome from this was a boost to all their province totals. Chachoengsao Province seems to have a good variety of habitats and I think that the costal section is one of the prime areas for Asian Dowitcher and accordingly should be one of my own priority sites on any future trips, whereas Chanthaburi is perhaps best left to the elephants as I cannot run that fast these days.

Regards,

Mike P.

Sunday 06/11/2022 - 07.51 am. Sa Kaeo Province.

Both this province and the next further south (Chanthaburi Province) were totally new ground for Paul. These are situated east/south-east of Bangkok and sandwiched between the gulf of Thailand and Cambodia. The next province south beyond these is Trat where Thailand territory peters out as a pencil thin peninsula and a series of adjacent small islands. 
While Pauls ultimate destination was Chantaburi (with plans to meet up there with Paul Farrell and Mark Hogarth) a 20 minute initial roadside stop en route at Tambon Thap Rat yielded 24 common species to kickstart his list for Sa Kaeo. Pick of the bunch here were a Green-billed Malkoha, 2 Red-wattled Lapwings, a Green Bee-eater, a White-throated Kingfisher and a Lineated Barbet. Moving on he recorded 4 Rufous-winged Buzzards an Indochinese Roller and (what would be a new Thai bird for me) a Rufous Treepie.

Later at 13.06 having met up with his friends at the Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chanthaburi the team spent 3 3/4 hours birding in the vicinity of the HQ and the waterfall areas turning up 36 species the best of which were:-

2 Banded Bay Cuckoos

1 Large-tailed Nightjar

1 Orange-breasted Trogon

2 Oriental Pied Hornbills

5 Blue-eared Barbets

1 Green-eared Barbet

1 Moustached Barbet

2 Greater Flamebacks

1 Greater Yellownape

1 Dusky Broadbill

1 Black-winged Cuckooshrike

1 White-bellied Erpornis

1 Black-naped Oriole

3 Ochraceous Bulbuls

2 Grey-eyed Bulbuls

1 Little Spiderhunter

Later at 21.00 an evening owling session produced a response from an Oriental Bay Owl which however remained unseen. A repeat attempt at 3.00 am the following morning at the same location was more successful and pulled in a Collared Scops-Owl and an Asian barred Owlet.

Cheers,

Mike P.

25/10/2022 - Head of the Gulf of Thailand - three provinces (Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri).

Back in Thailand on Sunday (23rd) after a rest day Paul headed south east out of Bangkok with a few target species in mind (Avocet, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red Knot - all of which still elude him in Thailand).

He had no luck with any of these but did add new species for each of his lists for these provinces. He was rather handicapped as his telescope was back in Kutchum. With hindsite he should have taken it down to Bangkok ahead of their flight out to the U.K.

A 06.10 am start at Khlong Tamru salt pans yielded 54 species (inc. 19 common wader species) in two and a half hours, the best of which being:-

3 Pacific Golden Plover

2 Kentish Plover

Many Greater and Lesser Sandplovers

3 Pin-tailed Snipe

2 Common Snipe

60 Black-tailed Godwits

10 Curlew Sandpipers

15 Long-toed Stints

Many Red-necked Stints

10 Marsh Sandpipers

8 Wood Sandpipers

15 Whiskered Terns

50 Painted Storks

15 Spot-billed Pelicans

4 Kingfishers species (Common, Black- capped, Collared, and White-throated)

1 Golden-bellied Gerygone.

By 10.30 am Paul was further north in Chachoangsao province at the rather famous Gleua Cafe and salt pans west of the Bang Pakong river but only boosted the wader list with a single Temmincks Stint.

Moving on his last port of call back up in Samut Prakan produced 8 Garganey, 15 Grey-headed Lapwings, 20 Oriental Pratincoles, 3 Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, 1 Amur Stonechat before heading back home into Bangkok.

It was great having Paul Pen and Art over with us in Durham mid month. We had some good birding days amid restaurant and pub nights. Highlight birds for Paul had been Lesser Yellowlegs, a flock of over 300 Greater Golden Plover a couple of Avocets (= rare in Thailand - one was in the Bangkok area whilst he was here!) a Spoonbill, Western Marsh Harrier, Merlín and Peregrine, a couple of Firecrests and a familiar local patch winter bird in Thailand a Yellow-browed Warbler in the hand. This bird exhibited a faint but definate central crown stripe - something new in my experience - any comments/observations welcome here please.

Cheers,

Mike P.

24/09/2022 - 15.04 Loeng Nok Tha airport - Yasothon.

A 45 minute stroll around the old airport here yielded 17 species. This site is particularly good for larks and pipits and Paul managed a few good photos. Of particular interest is the first winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail in identical plumage to the individual which we saw in Northumberland in January 2020. Best of the species present were as follows:-

6 Little Ringed Plovers

6 Green Bee-eaters

4 Brown Shrikes

4 Indochinese Bushlarks

8 Oriental Skylarks

3 Pied Bushchats

4 Eastern Yellow Wagtails

4 Paddyfield Pipits.

This morning Paul is heading off west to try to relocate Paul Farrells Dark-sided Flycatcher, though this may well have moved on.

Regards,

Mike P.

14/09/2022 - 16.30 Dong Yai wildlife sanctuary - Laloeng Roi Ru. Buri Ram Province.

The guys moved on to this site where in less than an hour they chalked up 55 species - the pick of which were:-

100 Green Imperial Pigeons (many birds coming in to roost. A regular photographer here reckons there are up to 200 individuals in this population).

3 Woolly-necked Storks (reintroduced here so whether these are tickable yet is debatable seeing that they have not yet bred!)

1 Black-capped Kingfisher

12 Blue-throated Bee-eaters (probably passage birds here).

4 Vinous-breasted Starlings.

- Enough for now I need a break.

Cheers

Mike P.

13/09/2022 - 7.16 am. Thap Lan Nat. Pk. Dry forest west of Sab Sadao Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Paul again met up with Paul Farrell on site with several specific target species in mind over a two day blitz.

At this first stop they logged 31 species in just under four hours- the pick of which were:-

4 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers

2 Freckle-breasted Woodpeckers

3 Common Flamebacks

 3 Black-headed Woodpeckers

6 Blossom-headed Parakeets

8 Red-breasted Parakeets

2 Large Cuckooshrikes

6 Indochinese Cuckooshrikes

3 Black-hooded Orioles

6 Common Woodshrikes

10 White-browed Fantails (the main target species in perhaps the best location in Thailand in which to see it - primarily discovered by Paul Farrell).

4 Brown Prinias 

This location consists of dry dyptocarp forest adjoining thicker evergreen forest and is reasonably safe during the daytime heat (indeed Barb and I visited with Paul and Pen some years ago). However there is a real danger of encounters with numbers of elephants in the small hours or at night and a definate friction exists between the villagers (whose crops have in the recent past been ravaged) and the animals.

Later after a break from the mid day heat in the vicinity of ranger station no.8 they logged 34 species in just under two hours- the best being:-

8 Black-headed Woodpeckers

2 White-bellied Woodpeckers

2 Blossom-headed Parakeets

30 Red-broasted Parakeets

8 Small Minivets

2 Common Woodshrikes.

Cheers,

Mike P.