Birding trip report

Central & Northern Thailand9 February - 4 March 2016

Ruben & Anne Vlot, Pieter van Veelen & Thijs Fijen

Birdwatching Trip Report Central & Northern Thailand

9 February – 4 March 2016

Participants: Ruben & Anne Vlot, Pieter van Veelen & Thijs Fijen - The Netherlands

Contact: rubenvlot@gmail.com

Itinerary

9 Feb Arrival in Bangkok – Saraburi (near Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi)

10 Feb Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi – Khao Yai

11 Feb Khao Yai

12 Feb Khao Yai

13 Feb Khao Yai – Pak Thale & Laem Pak Bia

14 Feb Pak Thale, Laem Pak Bia & Petchaburi

15 Feb Petchaburi – Kaeng Krachan

16 Feb Kaeng Krachan

17 Feb Kaeng Krachan – Bueng Borapeth

18 Feb Bueng Borapeth – Mae Wong

19 Feb Mae Wong

20 Feb Mae Wong – Doi Inthanon

21 Feb Doi Inthanon

22 Feb Doi Inthanon

23 Feb Doi Inthanon – Doi Ang Khang

24 Feb Doi Ang Khang – Doi Lang

25 Feb Doi Lang

26 Feb Doi Lang – Thaton

27 Feb Thaton – Chiang Saen

28 Feb Chiang Saen – Fang

29 Feb Chiang Saen – Chiang Mai

1 Mar Chiang Mai – Doi Inthanon (Pieter & Thijs)

2 Mar Doi Inthanon – Mae Ping (Pieter & Thijs)

3 Mar Mae Ping – Chiang Mai (Pieter & Thijs)

4 Mar Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Amsterdam (Pieter & Thijs)

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Introduction

As part of a bigger world travel, Ruben Vlot got the idea of doing a bird watching trip in Thailand. He convinced

his wife Anne to join and asked around whether there were more people back in Holland who were in for some

serious birding in the Orient. Soon it appeared that Pieter van Veelen and Thijs Fijen did think of something

similar, so the decision was easily made. Preparations could start: Read other trip reports, define target species,

plan a route, get familiar with the birds and rent a reasonable car. The trip itself proved to be very successful.

Almost all our sightings are submitted in the field by Thijs via Obsmapp, an Android app. Sightings can be found

at www.observation.org (link goes directly to our sightings). Thijs recorded many bird sounds as well, which can

be found at www.xeno-canto.org. Pictures were taken by Pieter van Veelen and a selection can be found on his

website: www.pbase.com/pietervanveelen. All pictures in the report are made by Pieter as well.

> Logistics

On the 9th of February Pieter and Thijs arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at night, where Ruben and Anne were

already waiting. They arrived earlier that day from Cambodia. We picked up our car. In other trip reports we

read that for some places a 4x4 with high clearance is needed. Therefore we did not save on the car rental and

booked a Toyota Hilux. Although not often, in the end it proved to be very helpful. Especially at Kaeng Krachan

and the eastern slope of Doi Lang.

Road conditions in general are fine. Warnings for the bad traffic in Thailand were a bit overdone in our opinion.

Besides the cities, the traffic was not too bad. Be aware of the U-turns at highways. Driving at night is possible,

but always with extra caution.

We didn’t use a paperback map, but the app maps.me on both our smartphone and Ipad. We did not have any

issues with navigation. We also used a GPS, but mainly at the birding sites. We downloaded several useful GPS-

points from other trip reports and got quite some useful coordinates along the way from local birders.

> Sources

Next to the many trip reports we read via www.cloudbirders.com, I would like to mention some sources in

particular.

// Trip reports:

>> Birding Trip Report: Central and Northern Thailand - 1 - 20 January, 2014 by Jelmer Poelstra.

Very detailed report with exact GPS coordinates for many sites.

http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/POELSTRA_Thailand_01_2014.pdf

>> Birding Trip North and Central Thailand - 19 December - 8 January by Julien Mazenauer

Recent report with same route like ours

http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/MAZENAUER_Thailand_1201_20142015.pdf

// Websites

>> www.thaibirding.com

Extremely helpful in the planning of your trip. Detailed description of many locations, with useful maps and

target species. Great work done by Nick Upton.

>> www.norththailandbirding.com

Another helpful source, mainly for the northern region. By Dave Sargeant

- 4 -

> Sleeping and Eating

We did not book any accomodation in advance. We never had problems with finding a hotel room, except at Doi

Inthanon, where a big cycling event took place during our visit. But even here we found a place to sleep after

a while. Need to say that it was really helpful that the app maps.me (and google.maps as well) indicate hotels,

so at least we had an idea where to go. Hotels are often not signposted in English in smaller towns, so knowing

where to find it is helpful. A double or twin room normally did not cost us more than 350-450 Baht per night

(around 10 Euros). We also camped quite often, in Khao Yai, Pak Thale, Kaeng Krachan, Mae Wong, Doi Inthanon

and Doi Ang Khang. Camping is ridiciously cheap in the national parks and comes with the additional advantage

of paying entry fees only once.

For Khao Yai and Mae Wong it is necessary to bring your own food (Khoa Yai HQ has a restaurant but it closes

really early). The Ban Krang campsite in Kaeng Krachan has a good restaurant and in Doi Ang Khang there are

some nice food stalls in Ban Khoom. Staying at Mr. Daeng at Doi Inthanon is not only a good choice birdwise,

but you can also get some delicious Thai meals here as well. Doi Lang has no facilities at all, so bring enough for

the day. When you stay in town, there is no problem in finding a decent food stall at all. Fried rice with chicken

for just a few baht is never far away.

> Visited sites

Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi

Khao Yai

Pak Thale & Laem Pak Bia

Kaeng Krachan

Bueng Borapet

Mae Wong

Doi Inthanon

Doi Ang Khang

Doi LangThaton

Chiang Saen

Mae Ping

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Site by site report

In the sections below we describe each visited site, including specific info. Main target species are discussed as

well, as species which we did hardly see elsewhere or which are just interesting to mention. Species which are

only seen in that particular area are indicated in red. A heard only bird is indicated by (H) and the link to a sound

recordings can be accessed by clicking on the loudspeaker (X). If available, the link to the site description on

www.thaibirding.com and/or www.norththailandbirding.com is given.

> Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi (see Thaibirding)

From the airport we drove straight to Saraburi where we spent the night. At dawn we arrived at the Wat Pra

Puttabaht Noi with Large-tailed Nightjar as our first bird in Thailand. Main target here was the calcicola race

of Limestone Wren-babbler. At the site is a small temple complex where you can wander around. Soon our

first Limestone Wren-babblers X were found, foraging on the rocks of the limestone cliffs behind the temple.

Another pair was found near the parking area. A fancy staircase is leading to a small Buddha statue. Here we

had our only Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher of the trip. Other noteworthy birds here were Dark-necked Tailorbird,

Eyebrowed Thrush and Blue Rock Thrush ssp pandoo.

> Khao Yai NP (see Thaibirding)

After an early morning birding at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi, we continued towards Khao Yai. Here we camped for

two nights at the Pha Kuai Mai campsite. We were advised to avoid the weekends, and so we did. In the last

years, many birders visited the park with as main target the Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo. Unfortunately there

was not a clear stake-out for this species this year so we were dependant on luck to stumble across a bird on

one of the trails. We spent one afternoon and two full days in the park. The main visited sites are described here

in more detail.

// km 33 (roadbirding)

Arriving from the northern entrance you drive through some good forest. We parked the car near the km

33 road sign. From here we walked southwards and found our first targets. A calling Banded Broadbill X

got our attention and soon we got great views of two birds. Puff-throated Bulbuls were foraging on the

forest floor next to the road and a White-handed Gibbon was just looking at us from a nearby tree. After

about 500m there is a clearing on the eastern side of the road and a big fruiting tree on the other side.

This fruiting tree attracted many birds including Thick-billed Green Pigeons, a Great Iora, several barbets,

warblers, minivets, bulbuls and our first Great Hornbill of the trip.

Orange-headed Thrush Eared Pitta

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// km 33 (trail)

The trail at km 33 is found at the western side of the road close to the parking space. Although we did

not see too many birds along the trail, the quality was really rewarding. At first we found a very close

male Banded Kingfisher. Not much after Thijs found two resting Dusky Broadbills in the canopy. An

unexpected find! Great Hornbill here as well.

// Trail B (near HQ)

We birded two mornings and an afternoon along this trail, which starts a little uphill south of the HQ. The

first moning, White-handed Gibbons were calling all the time and White-crested Laughingthrushes

made the noise complete. The beautiful Red-headed Trogon X sat on a hanging-over branche, a White-

crowned Forktail flew around near one of the stream crossings and our first Silver-breasted Broadbills

showed up. The trail is known for being a good spot for Blue Pitta. Halfway we heard one calling and

it responded to tape. With some perseverance only Thijs and Anne had a short view on this male Blue

Pitta X. Later we heard two other birds calling, and had short views on a female. Other good birds

along the trail during the morning visits included Scaly Thrush, Abbott’s Babbler, Sultan Tit and Little

Spiderhunter. The area near the obvious plank root tree was quite productive with a big flock with mainly

warblers: Alström’s Warbler, Claudia’s Leaf Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Leaf Warbler and Two-barred

Warbler. With a small group of some splendid Long-tailed Broadbills we expected to have seen the

highlight of the visit. However, by some rustling on the forest floor the star bird revealed itself: Next to trail

two Eared Pittas were foraging!

For our late afternoon visit we expected less birds, but actually the activity was rather high. Birding

was good with Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Chinese Blue Flycatcher X and our only Laced

Woodpecker of the trip.

// Around Headquarters

A quick lunch at the HQ did not specifically produce good birds, but a Smooth-coated Otter caused some

excitement while eating our daily Thai fried rice.

// Stake-out Pha Kuai Mai campsite (behind toilet building)

Behind the toilet building on the campsite some photographers made a feeding place. This used to be the

well-known stake-out for the Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo. Unfortunately this bird did not visit the stake-

out anymore this season. Still, the stake-out attracted some birds: Orange-headed Thrush, Siberian Blue

Robin, Abbott’s Babbler, Asian Stubtail and we got a second chance for Blue Pitta. Attracted by tape

and mealworms it hopped around the stake-out area, but without coming to the real open.

// Pha Kuai Mai campsite

A short walk over the campsite produced some Thick-billed and Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Stripe-

throated Bulbul and Black-crested Bulbul ssp johnsoni. At night Brown Hawk-Owl X and Mountain

Scops Owl were calling.

For your information:

Unfortunately we did not find the Ground Cuckoo.

However, just a couple of days after we left Khao

Yai NP we heard that there was a more or less

reliable stake-out at the start of Radar Road.

Siamese Fireback

- 7 -

// TAT-pond

Around 5:00pm a group of approximately 50 Brown-backed Needletails gave a spectacular air show

above the pond. Slowly more and more needletails started to come for a drink. Three Silver-backed

Needletails joined the group while a Stork-billed Kingfisher was a co-spectator on the electricity wires.

// Radar road (towards Khao Khieo viewpoint)

The road towards the viewpoint has been a well-known spot for pheasants in the early morning. And

yes, at our first attempt we saw a male Silver Pheasant in one of the gullies near the bridges. Other birds

along the road included Alström’s Warbler and Hill Myna. From the viewpoint we saw our first Asian

Elephant walking around on one of the clearings.

With just a few hours left in the park, we still did not see a Siamese Fireback. In a last try to find this

species we drove the road up and down twice. In the last section a male Siamese Fireback slowly

crossed the road. Luck on our side!

// Watch tower

On our last evening we paid a visit to the watch tower area just before dusk. The open fields resulted

in Golden-headed Cisticola and Olive-backed Pipits. At dusk the first Great Eared Nightjar started to

fly around just above our heads and gave a really nice show, with a calling Collared Scops Owl in the

background. Suddenly Thijs noticed that something was watching us: an Asiatic Black Bear was shortly

staring at us, but ran away quickly after.

> Pak Thale & Laem Pak Bia (see Thaibirding)

At night we drove towards Pak Thale, where we arrived just before midnight. Main target for next morning:

Spoon-billed Sandpiper. We pitched our tents right next to the salt pans while listening to a distant Indian

Nightjar. Next morning we could start searching for one of the world’s most-wanted birds.

// Wader hotspot Pak Thale

Waking up around 6:30am we started birding the salt pans south of the curve in the road (see map on

Thaibirding). This resulted immediately in three Spoon-billed Sandpipers in a flock of Red-necked Stints,

foraging at close range. A group of flying by Eurasian Curlews contained some Far Eastern Curlews.

Other waders here include Long-toed Stints, Red-necked Phalaropes, Broad-billed Sandpipers, Great

Knots and a single Dunlin. Amongst the many Little Terns we found a few Gull-billed Terns and a

Slender-billed Gull. A Golden-bellied Gerygone was singing in one of the bushes along the road and a

quick scan at the beach resulted in several Terek Sandpipers.

White-faced Plover Spoon-billed Sandpiper

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// Laem Pak Bia (sandpit)

We had lunch at Mr. Daeng’s place and booked a boat trip to the sandpit just after it. We did not book in

advance, but although he was already booked by other birders Mr. Daeng arranged another guy from the

village who could bring us there. Four targets here, and soon we saw the first one: four Chinese Egrets

along the canal towards the sandpit. At the sandpit we quickly had the other three targets: Malaysian

Plover, White-faced Plover and Pacific Reef Heron. A Pallas’ Gull amongst the Heuglin’s Gulls, Greater

and Lesser Crested Terns, was a nice bonus. Here we met Ralph Parks, his wife Nit and two fellow

birders, who had some valuable inside information for us and who proved to be extemely helpful in the

remaining part of the trip. Big thanks to Ralph!

// Laem Pak Bia (salt farms)

We drove to the salt farms as described on Thaibirding. Along the first stretch of the road we had seven of

the endangered Nordmann’s Greenshanks in a huge group of Great Knots.

// King’s project

We visited the King’s project, just north of Laem Pak Bia, in the late afternoon. It proved to be a very

productive spot. The small ponds near the entrance produced Common Snipe, a female Greater Painted

Snipe and a Ruddy-breasted Crake. Several White-winged Terns flew around and we had our only

Temmincks Stints. Just before dusk several groups of White-shouldered Starlings flew along, on their

way to the roosting sites.

// Roadside birding

Near the abonded building we were alerted by Ralph on a roosting Indian Nightjar. Here we also had

several Indochinese Bushlarks. Other noteworthy birds along the road where Black-capped Kingfisher,

Collared Kingfisher X, Blue-tailed Bee-eater and Painted Stork.

> Petchaburi (see Thaibirding)

The agricultural area around Petchaburi is a good spot to add some open-country and wetland species to your

list. The area is mainly used for rice farming, but also contains some fish ponds or land for cattle.

// Radio tower & Fish pond road

The road east of the radio tower was quite productive with Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Baya Weaver,

Asian Golden Weaver, Sand Martin and Chestnut Munia. One of the fishponds produced Bronze-winged

and Pheasant-tailed Jacana, White-browed Crake and Yellow Bittern. The area around the radio tower

itself held Brown-throated Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Black-browed Reed Warbler and Zitting

Cisticola.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Black-winged Kite

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// North of Fish pond road

We heard that a big group of Asian Dowitchers stayed at a pond about five kilometers north of fish pond

road. An early morning attempt resulted indeed in a distant group of about 300 Asian Dowitchers. Other

birds included Black-headed Ibis, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Golden-bellied Gerygone and several Pintails.

// Raptor watch point

A few kilometers west of the radio tower you can easily overlook some open plains, which could be good

for raptors. And it was. First a Greater Spotted Eagle flew over us, followed by a Peregrine. While eating

our noodles and looking at several Black Kites, another eagle approached us, which turned out to be an

Eastern Imperial Eagle. Not long after that we found a 2nd cy Steppe Eagle as well. To top it all, a distant

Lesser Adjutant flew along. Other birds here include hundreds of Asian Openbills and Black-winged

Kites.

> Kaeng Krachan NP (see Thaibirding)

We spent three nights on the Ban Krang campsite. Here are some basic facilities and a small restaurant where

you can have lunch and dinner. Make sure you don’t come too late, because the restaurant already closes at

7:00pm. From the campsite we birded all the main sites in the park, and here it was really helpful that we rented

a 4x4. From Ban Krang campsite to the upper campsite Panoen Tung it is not possible to drive with a normal

car. And indeed, the state of the road at some points is terrible. Also make sure that you take note of the times

you can ascend or descend the road. It is a one-way road, but the directions vary every few hours (uphill: 05:30-

07;30 and 13:00-15:00, downhill: 09:00-10:00 and 16:00-17:00). The road from the HQ to Ban Krang campsite is

perfectly paved (unlike what is written on Thaibirding) and freely accessible during the day. After sunset you are

not allowed to leave the campsite. Sites are described from bottom to top.

// Headquarters

Actually located out of the park itself, the HQ area offers a possibility to find some open-country species.

An hour of birding here produced some Racket-tailed Treepies X, a female Watercock, Cinnamon and

Yellow Bittern, Stripe-throated Bulbul and Mugimaki Flycatcher.

// Entry road

Before the real forest starts, you will drive through some dry and fragmented areas, not particularly

good for birds. We did stop however at a small overgrown pool where we had Thick-billed Warbler and

Plaintive Cuckoo.

// km 9

Near the km 9 sign the forest is a bit more open, and it is worth it to park your car here and walk around

a bit. We visited this area on several occasions and had a good number of birds. Black-thighed Falconet

was present several times, and two Heart-spotted Woodpeckers were seen here. Other goods birds

along the road were Golden-crested Myna, Greater Yellownape, Sultan Tit, Himalayan Cuckoo, Black

Great Hornbill Black-and-Yellow Broadbill

- 10 -

Baza and Jerdon’s Baza. During our final visit, Thijs and Anne were lucky to catch up with two passing

Tickell’s Brown Hornbill, but despite the effort we put into it, Ruben and Pieter could not add this species

to their life list. A few hundreds meters uphill is another open space where we had Racket-tailed Treepie

and a well showing Blue-bearded Bee-eater.

// Ban Krang campsite

The campsite itself is a good site to explore. The fruiting trees attracted Great Hornbill, many Oriental

Pied Hornbills, many barbets, Black-headed Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole, and our only Buff-vented

Bulbul. At night we did some owling. Biggest Year birder Arjan Dwarshuis had some great views of an

Oriental Bay Owl near the campsite one week earlier, but unfortunately it did not respond to our tape.

We did however have a nice Brown Hawk-Owl in the spotlights, as well as a Brown Wood Owl. Collared

Scops Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar and Great Eared Nightjar were calling at night.

The campsite was also a good place for mammals. Spectacled Leaf Monkeys inhabit the forest edges,

at dusk a Red Giant Flying Squirrel went from tree to tree, at night an Asian Elephant walked along our

tents and during dinner a Sun Bear enjoyed the left-overs at the dump, as well as a couple of Porcupine.

// Youth camp loop

From the campsite you can walk a short loop around the nearby youth camp. Our first hours in the park

were spent here. Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo X was easily located by its call, some Silver-breasted

Broadbills were present, and all of a sudden a Black-and-Yellow Broadbill was amongst them. When a

Banded Broadbill turned up nearby, we were hoping to complete our broadbill-list, but the Black-and-Red

Broadbill did not show up unfortunately. Other birds along the trail included Plain Sunbird, Violet Cuckoo

and Asian Emerald Cuckoo. At the youth camp itself we had a Grey-headed, Streak-breasted and Heart-

spotted Woodpecker (only seen by one of us).

// Stream crossings

The birding we did around the stream crossings mainly focused on the area between crossing 2 and 3.

A very early morning visit to stream 2 resulted in a singing White-fronted Scops Owl X. In the afternoon

we came back to do some proper road birding. Soon we could add Ochraceous Bulbul, Green-legged

Partridge, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Orange-breasted Trogon and a calling Ferruginous

Partridge to our list. A Grey Peacock-Pheasant called nearby, but despite our efforts we could not locate

it. Also White-fronted Scops Owl was calling again. Other birds here were Black-and-Yellow Broadbill

and a Greater Yellownape.

// km 27.5

On our way back from the upper campsite we slowly birded along the road, and especially along the

stretch between km 27 and 28. A male Kalij Pheasant crossed the road in front of the car. Km 27,5 is a

well-known for Ratchet-tailed Treepie. As soon as we stepped out of the car, a bird was sitting above us.

Also the other targets here, Black-throated Laughingthrush and Collared Babbler, were found without

too much efforts.

Violet Cuckoo Sun Bear

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// Panoen Tung campsite

A short time was spent on the upper campsite. Noteworthy birds here included Streaked Spiderhunter,

Martens’s Warbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Asian House Martin and Grey-rumped Treeswift. We walked

the Orchid Nature trail with as main target the Collared Babbler. Around noon activity here was really low,

and no Babblers were found (we found it later near km 27.5). The only bird worth mentioning was a skulky

Rufous-browed Flycatcher.

// Trail to Tortip waterfall

We drove all the way up towards the parking area where you can start the steep trail to the waterfall.

Along the way we ticked off our only Barred Cuckoo-Dove. Arrived at the end of the road It started well

with a Dark-sided Flycatcher and Greater Green Leafbird near the parking place. At the start of the trail

a Wreathed Hornbill perched in a tree, but during the rest of the hike we got a bit demoralized because

of the very low activity and some noisy Chinese tourists. We decided to turn around and do some

proper birding elsewhere. However, on our way back we came across a nice feeding flock including

some Martens’s Warblers, Oriental Paradise Flycatcher, Eastern Crowned Warbler and a calling Large

Scimitar Babbler X. Suddenly Anne said: ‘I see a green bird... with a red head’. The rest of us didn’t know

how fast we had to stand next to her and look into the direction she pointed. Not much after we were

staring at a Red-bearded Bee-eater X, the main target here. Thanks Anne!

Motivated again, we arrived at the car again. First, Ruben had a flying by Forest Wagtail and soon after

five Pin-tailed Parrotfinches were present in the flowering bamboo at the parking place, while a Vernal

Hanging Parrot flew by.

> Bueng Borapet (see Thaibirding)

We arrived late in the afternoon from Kaeng Krachan at Bueng Borapet, but just in time to arrange a boat trip

for next morning on the lake with mr. Phanom. We met him at the head office near the River Martin monument.

A short walk around produced Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, White Wagtail ssp leucopsis, Yellow-vented

Bulbuls, White-shouldered Starlings and our first Siberian Rubythroats. A Pied Harrier, Eastern Marsh Harrier

and Oriental Pratincole were flying over the marshes.

Around 7:00am, after spending the night in nearby Nakhon Sawan, we met our guide for the morning. Because

the water level was really low, it took some time to get to the middle of the lake to search our target: Baer’s

Pochard. On the way we encountered many wetland species including Striated Grassbird, Oriental Darter,

Glossy and Black-headed Ibis, Grey-headed Swamphen, White-browed Crake and both Jacanas. Arrived

at some open water, the first diving ducks were seen. Mostly Ferruginous Ducks, but soon the three present

Baer’s Pochards were located. One male and two females (however, there is still some discussion about the ID).

Other ducks here include Cotton Pygmy Goose, Common Pochard and Tufted Duck, all pleasant additions to

our trip list. During a short stroll around the pier we could also add Red Avadavat and Eurasian Bittern.

Cotton Pygmy Goose Baer´s Pochard

- 12 -

> Mae Wong NP (see Thaibirding & North Thailand Birding)

Around 11.00am we left Bueng Borapet and headed to Mae Wong. At the entrance we got the bad news that

camping was not allowed in the park, because of issues with the water. We tried to convince them that we did

not mind to use a nearby tree as a natural toilet and that we brought enough water to cover the next two days.

But no, only day visits were allowed. Disappointed we went into the park, but with the idea of trying it again at

the HQ. And with some perseverance, we arranged that they let us camp on the Khun Nam Yen campsite, the

middle one of the three campsites. We could directly celebrate this fact with two crossing Kalij Pheasants near

the HQ.

// Krating viewpoint

About 16 km from the HQ you will drive over a ridge with a beautiful view. Sightings here included two

Great Hornbill and Mountain Imperial Pigeon. A bit more uphill we had our only Ashy X and Olive

Bulbuls of the trip.

// Khun Nam Yen campsite

No specific birding on the campsite, but noteworthy birds here are Lesser Coucal, Grey-backed

Shrike and a calling Brown Wood Owl and Mountain Scops Owl X at night. Spotlighting at night was

disappointing, with nothing worth mentioning.

// Road between middle and upper campsite

The evergreen forest along the road here rewarded us with some nice birding. Somewhere halfway a hide

has been set-up in a outer bench of the road. This used to be a good spot for Rusty-naped Pitta, but this

year there were no reliable sightings yet. Still, the time spent at the hide resulted in some good species,

with our only Buff-breasted Babblers and Streaked Wren-babblers X. Other birds here include a very

intrepid White-tailed Robin and a male Hill Blue Flycatcher.

We walked a large part of the road, waiting for feeding flocks to close in. A good number of birds were

found: Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Black Bulbul, Long-tailed Broadbill, Large Cuckooshrike X, Maroon

Oriole, Striated Yuhina, Grey-throated Babbler, Davison’s Leaf Warbler, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker,

White-browed Piculet, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Large Scimitar Babbler (H) and Bay Woodpecker (H).

On two occasions we had a Grey Peacock-Pheasant X crossing the road and as a bonus we had a fly-by

Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle near the top.

// Chong Yen campsite

The upper campsite offers nice views over the park. If possible, it is a great place place to pitch your

tent. Birding around the campground resulted, after a long search, in a sought-after Coral-billed Scimitar

Babbler X. A stake-out near the toilet building attracted White-necked X, Silver-eared and Black-

throated Laughingthrushes. The small trail leading towards the top of the hill delivered some great views

of a couple Rufous-throated Partridges X.

Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle White-necked Laughingthrush

- 13 -

// Umphang trail

From the upper campsite, a trail leads into the forest. This trail is the place in Thailand to find Burmese

Yuhina, but is getting extremely difficult. This year there were no records yet and although we tried, we

couldn’t find it either. Still, the trail is worth visiting. We had a very funny Slaty-bellied Tesia X, loudly

singing and dancing on a branch. Moreover, we had our first Silver-eared Mesias (what a beautiful bird!),

Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Small Niltava.

// Headquarters

Birding around the HQ at mid-day wasn’t the best idea. It was extremely hot and bird activity was really

low. By this time, the only noteworthy bird was Hainan Blue Flycatcher, which appeared to be our only

one of the trip. Another morning visit resulted in a few more birds, A Black Baza flew around, an Asian

Emerald Cuckoo showed up and our only Bamboo Woodpecker was foraging in the trees. However, our

main target here, Red-billed Blue Magpie, was only seen by two of us.

> Doi Inthanon (see Thaibirding & North Thailand Birding)

With no doubt Doi Inthanon is one of the best birding locations in Thailand. With a large variety in habitats it

offers a home to many species. Below the visited sites are described from bottom to top. From Mae Wong we

drove in about 6,5 hours to the foot of the Doi Inthanon. A day with not much birding after leaving Mae Wong,

but at the end of the afternoon we could still add our only Crested Treeswifts of the trip to our list. In a village

not too far from the entrance of Doi Inthanon six birds sat on the electricity wires.

// Blossom-headed Parakeet pre-roost

Close to the entrance a local birdwatcher made a watch tower, from where you can easily watch the

Blossom-headed Parakeets which are said to fly around here either early morning or late afternoon.

We paid an early morning visit here, but no activity of any parakeets. Only a calling Chinese Francolin,

Golden-fronted Leafbird and a Red-billed Blue Magpie. We decided to leave the place. Just before we

entered the main road again, a few Blossom-headed Parakeets flew along. Check!

// km 13 road

Near the km 13 sign you can find a small parking place. From here a steep track leads into the dry

diptocarp forest. With a 4x4 the road can be driven easily, but with a saloon car I advise some care. We

visited the area on three occasions. The site is known to hold some White-rumped Falcons.

During our first time hardly any birds were found, but since we knew it is not a habitat rich of birds we

persisted resulting in a first Black-headed Woodpecker, Collared Falconet X and Eurasian Jay. Our

second visit was a bit more successful with better views on a couple of Black-headed Woodpeckers,

Purple Sunbirds and a Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker. In the forest edge near the first houses

(after a few kilometers) we found a Russet Bush Warbler, Rufous-winged Buzzard and an unexpected

Ultramarine Flycatcher.

Crested Treeswift Collared Falconet

- 14 -

At the end of the trip Pieter and Thijs visited the area once more. In an ultimate try to find White-rumped

Falcon they only could add Rufous Treepie to the trip list.

// Vatcharitan Waterfall (km 19)

An early morning visit did result in our only Black-backed Forktail. Next to a Siberian Blue Robin and the

yellow-billed race of Blue Whistling Thrush X (ssp caeruleus) it wasn’t very productive. No White-capped

or Plumbeous Water Redstart.

// Sirithan Waterfall (km 22)

A short track leads to a small platform from where you can see the waterfall. To come closer you have the

descend the steep trail next to the platform. On our first visit we directly found a Slaty-backed Forktail

and a White-capped Water Redstart. A second visit and our 8th (!) attempt to find a Plumbeous Water

Redstart at one of the waterfalls finally delivered a short sighting of a female.

// Siriphum Waterfall

Two visits at the Siriphum waterfall did not result in a sighting of Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker and White-

headed Bulbul, while many other birders found it here. Our efforts only resulted in White-capped Water

Redstart, Small Niltava, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker X, Slaty-blue Flycatcher and a singing Pygmy

Wren-babbler.

// Campsite & Road #1284.

Near the campsite is a pond which used to be the home of a Black-tailed Crake. However, after a mowing

machine went through the area it did not return. Road #1284 goes northwards along the campsite. As a

back-up site for White-headed Bulbul we drove the road late afternoon without too much hope. But after

approx. six kilometers a few bulbuls were seen from the car, which appeared to be our desired White-

headed Bulbul. Other birds along the road were Maroon Oriole and Striated Yuhina.

// Mr. Daeng’s place

As a birdwatcher, staying at Mr. Daeng is almost a necessity. It is a good place to meet other birders and

share sightings. There is a logbook in the restaurant and mr. Daeng himself might have some recent

information. We camped at the neighbours, but could make use of the facilities at Mr. Daeng. From the

restaurant you can look down into a small patch where the drainage runs off, infrequently visited by a

Lesser Shortwing and a Siberian Blue Robin.

// km 34.5 trail

We walked the first part of the trail three times. All times we turned around at the viewpoint in the open

woodland (see map on Thaibirding). The first part of the trail contains open forest. Here we had Striated

Bulbul, Little Pied, Slaty-blue and Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher and Yellow-bellied Fantail. After a few

Phayre’s Leaf Monkey Blue-fronted Redstart

- 15 -

hundred metres, the forest is getting more dense. A singing White-gorgeted Flycatcher X showed up

quite well and other birds here were Large Niltava, Rufous-backed Sibia, Bianchi’s Warbler, Chestnut-

crowned Warbler and Speckled Piculet. A bit further on the forest holds more pines and from this point

we had our first Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Blue-winged Minla X, Yellow-cheeked Tits X, Slender-billed

Oriole X and our only Vivid Niltava. Near the forest edge we had a calling Hill Prinia and a beautiful

Clicking Shrike-Babbler X just above our heads.

// km 37.5 trail

This trail starts just after the second checkpoint, on the right side of the road. At the parking area we had a

tame Phayre’s Leaf Monkey. One of the first birds along the trail was a singing Eyebrowed Wren-babbler

(H). Other birds here included Hume’s Treecreeper, Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher, Blyth’s Leaf

Warbler X, Yellow-cheeked Tits and Rufous-winged Fulvetta. Pieter and Thijs visited the trail during the

last days, resulting in a calling Green Cochoa X (H).

// km 42

We were alerted by other birders that in the early morning some Speckled Wood Pigeons used a tree

just north of the parking area at km 42 as an ‘after-roost’-spot. And indeed, around 7:00am a group of 16

Speckled Wood Pigeons came along and showed well in the tree. Other birds during our brief visit here

were Spectacled Barwing, Large Hawk-Cuckoo and Rufous-throated Partridge (H). At the next (small)

parking place a male Blue-fronted Redstart was attracted by meal worms and another few hundreds

meters northwards a female Daurian Redstart used the ridge as her wintering grounds accompanied by a

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush.

// Summit & Ang Ka board walk

An early start at the summit resulted in some fly-by’s of Ashy Wood Pigeons. Other birds at the summit

include some very tame Bar-throated Minlas, Dark-backed Sibias and Silver-eared Laughingthrushes X.

Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker frustrated us a lot by not showing up, but finally we could add it to our list.

It showed up in the small trees near the coffee shop after an 8th attempt and more than 8 hours! But with

satisfying results and we were even able to record it X.

The Ang Ka board walk goes through some amazing forest. At the start of the trail we immediately had a

Grey-sided Thrush X, seen on all our four visits to the summit trail. Other highlights along the trail were

the beautiful Mrs. Gould and Green-tailed Sunbird X, a skulky male White-browed Shortwing, Snowy-

browed Flycatchers, Himalayan Bluetail and a good view at a Pygmy Wren-babbler X. Several species

of warbler were present, including Buff-barred, Blyth’s and Chinese Leaf Warbler. At the open space

in the forest we did see a Chestnut Thrush, Yellow-browed Tits, Hill Prinia and close views of Rufous-

winged Fulvetta X. Highlight along the trail were the two Dark-sided Thrushes, foraging freely on the

forest floor.

Dark-sided Thrush Snowy-browed Flycatcher

- 16 -

> Doi Ang Khang (see Thaibirding & North Thailand Birding)

Arriving at midnight we pitched our tents at the desolate campsite a few kilometers before Ban Khoom. With a

calling Mountain Scops Owl in the background we got a few hours of sleep. We only scheduled one day in Doi

Ang Khang, so the next day we had to do well.

// King’s Project

In the weeks before our trip a couple of Rusty-naped Pittas regularly visited a stake-out in the King’s

project, so we arrived there with good hope. We positioned ourselves and waited for some activity.

Silver-eared Minlas, a male White-tailed Robin and a female Rufous-bellied Niltava were present while

a Hill Blue Flycatcher and a Black-breasted Thrush paid a quick visit every now and then. And suddenly

they were there, two Rusty-naped Pittas! Skulky, but with some patience we got nice views. A short ride

afterwards through the King’s project resulted in our only Striated Swallows of the trip.

// Chinese cemetary

In the forest behind the cemetery we flushed a female Mrs. Humes Pheasant, but we couldn’t locate it

afterwards. Other noteworthy birds here were Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Grey-crowned Warbler, Claudia’s

and Chinese Leaf Warbler. The fields opposite of the road held Grey-breasted and Hill Prinia, White-

browed Laughingthrush and surprisingly our only Burmese Shrike.

// Army’s camp

A stroll around the army’s camp produced several Scarlet-faced Liocichla, White-browed

Laughingthrush, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler and Spectacled Barwing. In the late afternoon we

came back and climbed the stairs to the top of the hill resulting in our first Buff-throated Warbler, while

the many Cook’s Swifts came along at a close distance. It can be distinguished from Pacific Swift by a

narrower white rump patch (therefore it is often mistakenly ‘stringed’ as Dark-rumped Swift) and Cook’s

Swift has P10 as the longest primary, while Pacific Swift has P9 as longest. Moreover, Cook’s Swift favors

limestone areas.

Earlier at the Chinese cemetery we could not find the Brown-breasted Bulbul, but we made it up by

finding this local specialty here.

// Firebreak trail

We were told that a Chestnut-headed Tesia was often singing along the Firebreak trail, so we spent

some time here. We couldn’t find the Tesia, but had our first Aberrant Bush Warbler. Activity was rather

high here and the forest delivered good sightings of Speckled Piculet X, Bianchi’s Warbler, Pallas’ Leaf

Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler and Little Pied Flycatcher.

Rusty-naped Pitta Red-faced Liocichla

- 17 -

> Doi Lang (see North Thailand Birding)

We spent the night in Fang, with the western slope on next day’s program.

Nowadays it is not always easy to access Doi Lang. At the western side

we could drive until the second army checkpoint (W4 on the map on next

page and km 35.1 on North Thailand Birding). From there we were allowed

to walk only a small bit further.

The eastern slope is more difficult to get to. First of all you need a 4x4,

and secondly the police is rather strict here. In contrary to the western

side, here the police is in charge, instead of the army. Luckily we met

Ralph Parks and his wife Nit (who speaks Thai) again, who come here

more often. With a bit of persuasiveness they arranged access and we

were allowed to drive all the way along the Burmese border to San Ju

viewpoint, but nowhere further. Strange enough you are almost at the

army checkpoint of the western side again, but make sure you don’t show

up here coming from the other side! The police and army are not going

really well together here. However, in the end we covered almost the

whole road around Doi Lang.

// Western slope

We visited the western side twice. During the first visit it was really

foggy, but still a good number of birds were seen when the clouds

opened a bit. We left Fang early in the hope to come across a

Mrs. Humes Pheasant on the road, but no luck. Along the road,

several hides are set-up. Our first stop was 2,5km before the army

checkpoint (point W3) at a forest edge. Two hides are set-up here

attracting Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler X, Siberian Rubythroat,

Rufous-bellied Niltava, Hill Prinia, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher,

Slaty-blue Blue Flycatcher and a female White-bellied Redstart,

a scarce winter visitor. In the fields around the hides we saw Spot-

breasted Parrotbill X and Chestnut Bunting. The nice forest patch

just south of the hides produced a Hume’s Treecreeper, White-

browed Piculet, Rufous-fronted Babbler and our only Pale Blue

Flycatcher and Sapphire Flycatcher. Unfortunately only Ruben was

able to catch up with a Himalayan Cutia, first seen by other bird watchers, but disappearing soon after.

Via Biggest Year birder Arjan Dwarshuis we heard of a roosting Hodgson’s Frogmouth along the road, a

most-wanted species. Armed with the GPS-coordinates and a picture we went to the army checkpoint,

where the bird should be located. An initial search was not successful but luckily our ‘knight in shining

W5

W4

W3

W2

W1

towards Fang >>

Hodgson’s Frogmouth Ultramarine Flycatcher

armour’ Ralph arrived, who knew the exact tree. And not long after we were looking at the odd-looking

Hodgson’s Frogmouth. Other targets in the form of Long-tailed Sibia and Crested Finchbill were also

found here, and as a bonus four Spot-winged Grosbeak perched in a nearby tree.

During our second visit a few days later, with a clear sky this time, we again tried for Mrs. Humes

Pheasant and this time luck was at our side. One male and four females were foraging on the road

around 7:00am at point W2. The stake-out at point W1 resulted in a tame Ultramarine Flycatcher X,

Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush and Slender-billed Oriole. At point W3 we just missed a view on Purple

Cochoa X (H), seen by Ralph and his group just a few seconds after we left, but during our second visit

one individual was calling all the time without coming nearer. We could also tick off Crimson-breasted

Woodpecker. This time we were allowed to walk a bit further after the army checkpoint (towards point

W5) with satisfying results. Giant Nuthatch, Crested Bunting and Grey-headed Parrotbill could be added

to the trip list.

// Eastern slope

Our second day, still misty, we visited the eastern side, together with Ralph Parks and his group. Going

through the first police checkpoint (E1) went quite straightforward. The lower parts were so cloudy that we

could not see a thing. The first hours of the day were almost birdless. At the first bridge (E2) we met Ralph

and companions. Only noteworthy bird here was a Collared Babbler. We were told that this spot could be

good for Pale-billed Parrotbill. The clearing at E3 produced Black-collared Starling and our only Grey-

faced Buzzard in the pouring rain.

Bird activity was rather high at the second police checkpoint (E4). Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Spectacled

Barwing, Himalayan Bluetail and Dark-backed Sibia were attracted by the mealworms. Local specialties

here included Black-throated Bushtit and Whiskered Yuhina. After some discussion we were allowed to

go through. In the stretch of the road just after the checkpoint we had a Striated Bulbul, Chestnut Thrush

and a calling Black-eared Shrike-Babbler (H). At the top we were lucky that the fog disappeared every

now and then. With amazing looks into Myanmar we searched with success for Fire-tailed Sunbird X. A

feeding flock here produced good views on Whiskered Yuhina and Black-eared Shrike-Babbler.

> Thaton (see Thaibirding & North Thailand Birding)

After a foggy morning at Doi Lang we continued to Thaton, looking for Jerdon’s Bush Chat. We tried hard near

the water tower, but did not succeed. We flushed a Barred Buttonquail and ticked Chestnut-capped Babbler,

Richard’s Pipit X and Small Pratincole. At dusk we had our only Spotted Owlet near the bridge in the village

and a calling Western Barn Owl at our hotel. Next morning we visited the rice fields were we saw Yellow-bellied

Prinia X, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Citrine Wagtail and two additions to our trip list: Grey-headed Lapwing and

Pin-tailed Snipe.

W5E1

E2

E3

E4

E5

towards Thaton >>

- 19 -

In a last try for the bush chat and buntings we had a Chestnut-tailed Starling along the road near Thaton and

Black-faced, Yellow-breasted and Chestnut-eared Bunting in the fields near the water tower. No sign of the

bush chat.

> Chiang Saen (see Thaibirding & North Thailand Birding)

We already planned a visit to Chiang Saen, mainly for the Mekong river and the Chiang Saen lake. When we

heard that the Firethroat which was trapped and ringed the year before in Nam Kham reserve, had been seen

again this year, we could add another major target to our list. In the weeks before our visit the bird was seen

every now and then in the ‘Cetti’s Warbler hide’. A late afternoon visit to the hide did not result yet in a sighting

of this most-wanted bird, but we had a very aggresive Siberian Rubythroat and Puff-throated Warbler.

Next morning we already occupied the hide (which is made for max. 5 persons) from 05:45h. Just to be sure to

have space. We got only one more chance, so this should be it. A calling Grey Nightjar was #500 for our trip

list but we had to wait until 08:15am before we could add another major highlight. The Firethroat (still in winter

plumage) came to have a drink at the man-made pool. A really nice addition to our list! In the nearby ‘Rubythroat

hide’ Pieter had quick views on a Baikal Bush Warbler.

From other birders in Nam Kham reserve we heard of a wintering male Baikal Teal on one of the small lakes

near Chiang Saen lake. We successfully twitched the bird which was amongst hundreds of Lesser Whistling

Ducks X, Indian Spot-billed Ducks, Garganey and a single Eurasian Teal. Chiang Saen lake itself produced our

only Mallard and Northern Shoveler of the trip and a distant couple of the endangered Baer’s Pochard.

Along the Mekong we had a coffee at the Rhimkong restaurant from where we had a Grey-throated Martin,

Small Pratincoles and a Blue Rock Thrush ssp philippensis. A search for River Lapwing was hampered by some

road construction, so we decided to give up and spent our last day together at Doi Lang.

> Last days

Ruben and Anne left three days earlier than Pieter and Thijs. Before they were brought to the airport we paid

a short visit to terrain of the Mae Hia Agricultural University in the outskirts of Chiang Mai. The last Thai birds

Ruben and Anne saw were Yellow-eyed Babbler, Grey-throated Prinia and Indochinese Bush Lark.

Pieter and Thijs tried to increase the trip list with another visit at Doi Inthanon and added a visit at Mae Ping.

Interesting additions in Doi Inthanon are already included in the text above. Mae Ping resulted in the addition

of Booted Eagle, Oriental Scops Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Eurasian

Sparrowhawk, Grey-headed Parakeet, Common Woodshrike, Burmese Nuthatch and Rosy Minivet. Overall,

the trip total ended at 525 species, an unexpected high amount!

Mrs. Humes Pheasant Firethroat

- 20 -

List of observed species

// Abbreviations

KY Khao Yai

PT Pak Thale

LPB Laem Pak Bia

PTB Petchaburi

KK Kaeng Krachan

- UC: upper campsite (Panoen Tung)

- LC: lower campsite (Ban Krang)

- S: stream crossings

- TT: trail to Tortip waterfall

- “#”: resp. km 9 or 27.5

- YL youth camp loop

// Species list (if noteworthy, subspecies are mentioned)

1 Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus

Heard at DI (parakeet roost) and in Nam Kham Reserve at CS

2 Rufous-throated Partridge X Arborophila rufogularis

Seen at MW (upper campsite), heard at DI, DAK and DL

3 Green-legged Partridge Arborophila chloropus chloropus / peninsularis

Seen and heard several times in KY (ssp chloropus) and KK (ssp peninsularis)

4 Ferruginous Partridge Caloperdix oculeus

One heard at KK-S

5 Mountain Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola fytchii

Seen and heard at DL

6 Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus

Seen and heard in most forested areas

7 Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos lineata

Seen at KK-27.5 and MW (headquarter)

8 Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera jonesi

Seen 2 times at KY (radar road)

9 Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi

Seen along radar road in KY

10 Mrs. Humes Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae

A female flushed in DAK behind the Chinese cemetery and 1 male + 4 female at DL-W2

11 Grey Peacock-Pheasant X Polyplectron bicalcaratum

Heard at KK-S and seen on 2 occasions in MW (in forest near hide)

12 Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator

One bird flushed at TT (near water tower)

13 Lesser Whistling Duck X Dendrocygna javanica

Common at PT, PTB and CS lake

14 Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus

Several seen during boat trip at BB

15 Northern Pintail Anas acuta

Several at PTB and CS lake

16 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca

A single male at CS

BB Bueng Borapet

MW Mae Wong

DI Doi Inthanon

- “#” resp. km 13, 34.5, 37.5 or 42

DAK Doi Ang Khang

DL Doi Lang

- W# map indications western side

- E# map indications eastern side

TT Thaton

CS Chiang Saen lake

MP Mae Ping

- 21 -

17 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

A single male at CS lake

18 Garganey Anas querquedula

Several birds at PTB, BB and CS lake

19 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

A single male at CS lake

20 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha

Common at CS lake and along the Mekong river

21 Common Pochard Aythya ferina

4 birds during the boat trip at BB

22 Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri

1 male + 2 female at BB and 1 male + 1 female at CS lake

23 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

4 birds during the boat trip at BB

24 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca

Several birds at BB and CS lake

25 Baikal Teal Anas formosa

1 male in a small lake south of CS lake

26 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Common in marshy and wetland areas

27 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala

Several at PT and PTB

28 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans

Very common in open-country areas

29 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus

A few at PTB and a several birds at BB

30 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

One big flock at BB

31 Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris

A single bird at BB

32 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis

Single sightings at PTB and BB

33 Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

One bird at KK (HQ) and one at BB

34 Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus

Only a few birds could be positively identified as a certain Chinese Pond Heron, all in the north. Most

birds were still in full winter plumage in which they are very hard to distinguish from Javan Pond Heron.

35 Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa

Only a few birds could be identified as a certain Javan Pond Heron. Pond Heron spec. is really common.

We assumed that birds in the north are Chinese and that you can find both in central Thailand.

Mountain Bamboo Partridge Black Baza

- 22 -

36 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Few sightings at LPB, BB and TT

37 Striated Heron Butorides striata

Seen at several occasions in wetland areas

38 Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus

Common

39 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Quite common

40 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Quite common in marshy areas

41 (Eastern) Great Egret Ardea alba

Common

42 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia

Quite common in marshy areas

43 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Very common

44 Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra

One dark morph at LPB sand pit

45 Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes

4 birds at canal to LPB sand pit

46 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus

A single bird at PTB raptor watch point

47 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger

Common in central Thailand

48 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

Several birds in marshy areas

49 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

A single bird flying over at PT

50 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

A single bird at BB during boat trip

51 Osprey Pandion haliaetus

A single bird at PT and one at CS lake

52 Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes

2 birds seen at KK-9 and 2 birds at MW (HQ)

53 Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni

A single bird at KK-9

54 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus

Quite common

55 Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus

Some birds at PBR raptor watch point

56 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

Several birds at PT, LPB and PTB

57 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela

Seen at KY, KK, MW and DAK

58 Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus

Seen at BB, TT and CS

59 Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos

Seen once at BB (near monument)

60 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus

Quite common

- 23 -

61 Shikra Accipiter badius

Quite common in forest areas

62 Besra Accipiter virgatus

Seen only once at MW

63 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

a single bird at MP

64 Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga

3 birds at PBR raptor watchpoint and 1 at BB

65 Steppe Eagle Aquila nepalensis

One 2cy bird at PBR raptor watch point

66 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii

One flying over the car near Chiang Mai

67 Rufous-winged Buzzard Butastur liventer

2 birds at DI-13

68 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca

A single bird at PBR raptor watch point

69 Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus

A single bird at DL-E3

70 Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus

Seen at DI, DL and TT

71 Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii

A single bird at MW near upper campsite

72 Mountain Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis

Seen at KK-9, KK-LC and TT

73 Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus

Quite common

74 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

A few birds at MW, TT and CS

75 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus japonensis

One at PBR raptor watch point and at DI (parakeet watch tower)

76 Collared Falconet X Microhierax caerulescens

Seen on all 3 visits at DI-13

77 Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius

2 birds at KK-9

78 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

Common in marshy areas

79 Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca

A single bird at LPB King’s project

80 White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea

Several birds along Fish pond road, PBR and a single bird at BB

81 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea

One female at KK HQ

82 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Quite common near open water

83 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

Some birds at BB and CS lake

84 Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus

Some birds at BB and CS lake

85 Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus

A single bird flying along at TT rice fields and one at CS lake

- 24 -

86 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

Almost frustratingly common

87 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

Several birds at PT and LPB King’s project

88 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Around 30 birds present at PT

89 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Regularly found in marshy areas

90 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Present at PT and LPB sand pit

91 White-faced Plover Charadrius alexandrinus dealbatus

4 birds at LPB sand pit

92 Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii

2 birds at LPB sand pit and 1 bird at LPB salt farm

93 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus

Common at PT and a single bird at BB

94 Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii

Common at PT

95 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Common in marshy areas

96 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Several at PT

97 Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura

A few birds flushed in the rice fields at TT

98 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Several at LPB King’s project and BB

99 Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis

1 female at LPB King’s project

100 Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus

About 300 at PBR

101 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus

Several birds at PBR, BB and CS

102 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus

Several birds at PBR and BB

103 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Common at PT

104 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

A few birds at PT

105 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata

Large group at PT

106 Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis

About 15 birds in a group of Eurasian Curlew at PT

107 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

A few at PT, LPB and a large group at PBR

108 Common Redshank Tringa totanus

One at LPB

109 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

Very common at PT and LPB

110 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus

A few birds on the beach at PT

- 25 -

111 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

A few birds at PT and LPB

112 Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer

7 birds in a large group of Great Knots at LPB salt farms

113 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

A couple of birds at TT and CS

114 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Several birds at PT, PTB and BB

115 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Seen sometimes in marshy areas

116 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris

A large group at PT and LPB salt farms

117 Sanderling Calidris alba

Few birds at PT

118 Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis

Many at PT and LPB salt farms

119 Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii

2 birds at LPB King’s project

120 Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta

Several birds at PT and LPB King’s project

121 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Several at PT

122 Dunlin Calidris alpina

A single bird at PT

123 Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus

At least 3 birds at PT

124 Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus

A few birds at PT

125 Ruff Philomachus pugnax

A few birds at PT and LPB

126 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

3 birds at PT

127 Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum

Seen at PBR, BB and CS lake

128 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea

A few birds at TT and a large group at CS along the Mekong river

129 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei

2 birds at PT

130 Heuglin’s Gull Larus (fuscus) heuglini

10 birds present at LPB sand pit

Chinese Egret Baikal Teal

- 26 -

131 Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus

Seen at PT, LPB and PTB

132 Pallas’s Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus

A single bird at LPB sand pit

133 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

Several at PT

134 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

A single bird at PT

135 Little Tern Sternula albifrons

Common at PT and LPB

136 Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Common at PT and LPB

137 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

Several at PT and LPB

138 Whiskered Tern X Chlidonias hybrida

Several at PT, LPB, PTB and BB

139 Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

A few at PT and LPB

140 Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

A few at PT and LPB

141 Ashy Wood Pigeon Columba pulchricollis

A few sightings at DI summit

142 Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii

16 birds roosting at DI-42

143 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis

A single bird at DL, eastern slope

144 Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica

Common

145 Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall

A single bird near KK-TT

146 Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica

Seen in most forested areas

147 Zebra Dove Geopelia striata

Common

148 Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans

A couple along fish pond road, PBR

149 Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra

Seen in KY, KK and MW

150 Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia

Seen in KK, MW and DL

151 Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis

Very common

152 Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis

Seen in KY and KK

153 Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata

A few flying along at the foot of DI

154 Grey-headed Parakeet Psittacula finschi

Several birds in MP

155 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis

Common

- 27 -

156 Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

Seen in MW and TT

157 Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis

Seen regularly in KY, KK and DI

158 Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus

Seen and heard in KK (KK-Y and DI

159 Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus

Seen at KK-YL

160 Banded Bay Cuckoo X Cacomantis sonneratii

Quite common in KY, KK, DI and DL. More often heard than seen

161 Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus

A single bird at KK (entry road) and a few at BB near the River Martin monument

162 Asian Koel X Eudynamys scolopaceus

Common

163 Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo X Surniculus lugubris

Easy in KK

164 Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides

Several sightings at KY, KK, DI and DL

165 Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor

A single bird along the road in MW

166 Himalayan Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus

Seen and heard in KK and DI

167 White-fronted Scops-Owl X Otus sagittatus

Heard on 2 occasions at KK-S (crossing 2)

168 Mountain Scops-Owl X Otus spilocephalus

Heard in KY, KK, MW and DAK

169 Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia

Heard at KY, KK and DI

170 Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia

Heard in MP

171 Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica

Seen at KK-LC and heard in MW

172 Brown Hawk-Owl X Ninox scutulata

Seen at KK-LC and heard at KY and TT

173 Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei

Often heard in forested areas

174 Asian Barred Owlet X Glaucidium cuculoides

Regularly heard in forested areas, seen at KK-S

175 Spotted Owlet Athene brama

A single bird in TT

176 Eurasian Barn Owl Tyto alba

Heard at our hotel in TT

177 Hodgson’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus hodgsoni

A splendid male at near the army checkpoint at DL-W4

178 Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka

Heard at Nam Kham Reserve at CS

179 Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus

Commonest nightjar, heard and seen in most forested areas

180 Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis

Heard at KK-LC, seen at KY near the watch tower

- 28 -

181 Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus

Heard at PT, seen near LPB

182 Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis

Only seen at KK-UC

183 Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata

Several birds in a village in the foothills of DI

184 Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus

A group of about 50 birds at the TAT-pond in KY

185 Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis

3 birds amongst the Brown-backed Needletails at the TAT-pond in KY

186 Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

Fairly common

187 Pacific Swift Apus pacificus

Seen in KK and DL

188 Cook’s Swift Apus cooki

Many at army’s camp in DAK

189 House Swift Apus nipalensis

Common, mainly in the north

190 Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris

Common

191 Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani

Common around PT, LPB and KK

192 Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios

Heard in KY on several occasions, seen at KK-S

193 Red-headed Trogon X Harpactes erythrocephalus

Seen in KY along trail B and along the road in MW

194 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

Fairly common

195 Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis

A few times in KK, mainly around KK-9

196 Red-bearded Bee-eater X Nyctyornis amictus

1 bird along the trail at KK-TT

197 Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni

Good sightings at KK-9 and heard along the Umphang trail at MW

198 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps

Common in open-country

199 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Seen at KY, PT and BB

200 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti

Common

201 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Seen several times in central Thailand

202 Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella

Great views of a male in KY along the km 33 trail

203 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

Common

204 Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata

Along the road at PT

205 Collared Kingfisher X Todiramphus chloris

Along the road at PT

- 29 -

206 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Common in the lowlands

207 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis

A single bird at the TAT-pond in KY and in PBR

208 Pied Kingfisher Ceryl rudis

2 birds at BB

209 Tickell’s Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli

2 birds flying by at KK-9

210 Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris

Common in KY, KK and MW

211 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis

Seen on several occasions in KY, KK and MW

212 Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus

2 birds flying by near the HQ in KY and a single bird perched in a tree at KK-TT

213 Great Barbet X Psilopogon virens

Quite common in KK, MW and DI

214 Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineatus

Quite common in forested areas

215 Green-eared Barbet Psilopogon faiostrictus

Common in KY and KK

216 Golden-throated Barbet Psilopogon franklinii

Seen and heard in MW, DI, DAK and DL

217 Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiaticus

Seen and heard in MW and DI

218 Moustached Barbet Psilopogon incognitus

Seen and heard in KY and KK

219 Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon australis

Common in KY, KK and MW

220 Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus

Common

221 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

One at KY and one in TT

222 Speckled Piculet X Picumnus innominatus

Seen at DI-34,5 and DAK along the Firebreak trail

223 White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea

Seen in MW near upper campsite and HQ and one bird at DL-W3

224 Black-and-Buff Woodpecker Meiglyptes jugularis

A single bird at KK-UC

225 Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus

One at DI-13 and at DL-W4

226 Freckle-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos analis

One at BB near the River Martin monument

227 Stripe-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos atratus

Seen in MW, DI and DL

228 Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus

Along trail B in KY

229 Streak-breasted Woodpecker Picus viridanus

Quite common in KK

230 Black-headed Woodpecker Picus erythropygius

Along the road at DI-13

- 30 -

231 Common Flameback Dinopium javanense

Once in KY and common in KK

232 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Commonly seen in KK and once in MW

233 Bamboo Woodpecker Gecinulus viridis

A single bird at the HQ of MW

234 Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Heard only in MW and DL-W3

235 Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente

2 birds at KK-9 and 1 at KK-YL

236 Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha

Seen on several occasions in MW and once in MW

237 White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis

2 birds in MP

238 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus

A single bird at KK-YL

239 Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus

2 birds in MP

240 Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius

A single bird at DL-W3

241 Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae

KY along trail B, KK-TT, MW near the upper campsite and DL-W3

242 Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus

KY along trail B, KK-YL

243 Banded Broadbill X Eurylaimus javanicus

KY near km 33, KK-YL and KK-S

244 Black-and-Yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus

2 birds seen at KK-YL and heard at KK-UC and KK-S

245 Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus

2 birds at the km 33 trail in KY

246 Rusty-naped Pitta Pitta oatesi

A couple at the stake-out in King’s project, DAK

247 Blue Pitta X Pitta cyaneus

Heard and seen along trail B and at behind the toilet building in Pha Kuai Mai campsite in KY

248 Eared Pitta Pitta phayrei

2 birds along trail B in KY, near the obvious plank root tree

249 Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus

Several birds in KY, KK and DI

Banded Kingfisher Blue-bearded Bee-eater

- 31 -

250 Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus

3 birds in MP

251 Oriental Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis

Seen on several occasions in KK, MW and DI

252 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

Fairly common in forested areas

253 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

Surprisingly uncommon, with only sightings at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi and BB

254 Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei

Seen in KY near km 33 and in KK-YL

255 Large Cuckooshrike X, Coracina macei

Seen along the road in MW, on the eastern slope of DL and in MP

256 Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos

Fairly common in forested areas

257 Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus

5 birds present in MP

258 Swinhoe’s Minivet Pericrocotus cantonensis

Seen in KY and KK

259 Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris

Seen at MW, DI, DAK and DL

260 Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus

A few at DI near the campsite and DL-W3

261 Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris

DI-34.5, army’s camp in DAK and DL-W2

262 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus

A few in KY near km 33

263 Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus

Fairly easy in KY and KK

264 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus

Common in lowland areas

265 Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides

1 bird near the Chinese cemetary in DAK

266 Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach longicaudatus / tricolor

Common, mainly in the north (ssp longicaudatus in BB)

267 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus

Seen in KY (radar road), DI (parakeet watch tower), MW and DL

268 Blyth’s Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius aerulatus

Regularly seen in forested areas

269 Black-eared Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius melanotis

One heard near DL-E4 and one seen in a feeding flock at DL-E5

270 Clicking Shrike-Babbler X Pteruthius intermedius

A single bird seen along the trail at DI-34.5

271 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis

Seen in KY and KK

272 Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii traillii

Along the road near upper campsite in MW, near HQ in DI and at DL-W4

273 Slender-billed Oriole X Oriolus tenuirostris

At DI-34.5 and at DL-W2

274 Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella

Easy in KY and KK

- 32 -

275 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

Common

276 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus bondi / leucogenis / salangensis / mouhoti

Common

277 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus

A few at KK, MW and DAK

278 Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer

Quite common in forested areas

279 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo X Dicrurus paradiseus

Quite common in forested areas

280 Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus

Common in forested areas

281 White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis

Several sightings in KK and DI

282 Malaysian Pied Fantail X Rhipidura javanica

Common in central Thailand

283 Yellow-bellied Fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxantha

On several locations at DI

284 Japanese Tit Parus minor nubicolis

Seen on DI, DAK and DL

285 Yellow-cheeked Tit X Machlolophus spilonotus subviridis

Seen at DI-34.5, DI-37.5 and DL-W4

286 Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus

A few at DI summit board walk

287 Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea

Trail B in KY and KK-9

288 Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus

A few at DL-E4

289 Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha

A single bird at MW near HQ and a group at DI from the parakeet watch tower

290 Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis

Seen in KY, KK and MW

291 Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii

Common

292 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius leucotis

DI-13 and DL-W3

293 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda

Seen at DI-13 and MP

294 Grey Treepie X Dendrocitta formosae

Several sightings at MW and DL

295 Ratchet-tailed Treepie Temnurus temnurus

2 birds present at KK-27.5

296 Racket-tailed Treepie X Crypsirina temia

Seen at KK at km 9 and HQ and at Nam Kham Reserve near CS

297 Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons

A few birds at DL-W4 and DL-E5

298 Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus

A single bird at DI-34.5 and near DL-W3

299 Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps

In a fruiting tree at KK-LC

- 33 -

300 Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris johnsoni / xanthops

Common in central Thailand (KY: ssp johnsoni, KK: ssp xanthops)

301 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus

Common

302 Brown-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous

A few birds at army’s camp at DAK

303 Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster

Fairly common

304 Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni

Seen in KY and KK

305 Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens

Common

306 Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier

Sightings at PTB, BB and MW

307 Streak-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi

Common

308 Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus

Only seen in KY

309 Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus

Only seen in KK

310 Olive Bulbul Iole virescens

Only seen in MW

311 Grey-eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua

KY, KK and DI

312 Buff-vented Bulbul Iole olivacea

Only seen at KK-LC

313 Ashy Bulbul X Hemixos flavala

Only seen along the road in MW

314 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus concolor

Near upper campsite in MW and at Siriphum waterfall in DI

315 White-headed Bulbul Cerasophila thompsoni

Along the road near the campsite of DI

316 Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii

Common in forested areas

317 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus

Common

318 Grey-throated Martin Riparia chinensis

Seen at CS along the Mekong at Rhimkong restaurant

319 Sand Martin Riparia riparia

Along fish pond road at PBR and at BB

320 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Common

321 Asian House-Martin Delichon dasypus

Seen on several occasions in KY, KK and DI

322 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica japonica

Common

323 Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata

At King’s project in DAK

324 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus

Several times in lowland scrub

- 34 -

325 Buff-throated Warbler Phylloscopus subaffinis

2 birds at army’s camp in DAK and 1 at DL-W4

326 Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher

Good views at DI summit board walk and at DL

327 Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi

Common

328 Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis

DI summit board walk

329 Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus

Firebreak trail at DAK and at DL-W3

330 Chinese Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus yunnanensis

MW, DI summit and DL

331 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus

Very common

332 Humes Warbler Phylloscopus humei

A single sighting at DI summit

333 Two-barred Warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus

Fairly common

334 Davison’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus davisoni

MW, DI and DL

335 Sulphur-breasted Warbler Phylloscopus ricketti

Fairly common in forested areas

336 Claudia’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus claudiae

Seen fairly often in KY and once in DAK

337 Blyth’s Leaf Warbler X Phylloscopus reguloides

Seen on summit of DI and eastern slope of DL

338 Eastern Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus

Only seen in KK

339 Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea

A few birds at PT and PTB

340 Aberrant Bush Warbler Cettia flavolivacea

A single bird along Firebreak trail in DAK and a few at DL-W4

341 Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris

Seen in flocks in KK, MW and DAK

342 Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps

Seen in DI, DAK and DL

343 Martens’s Warbler Seicercus omeiensis

Seen at KK, MW and DL

344 Alström’s Warbler Seicercus soror

Only in KY, along radar road and trail B

Siberian Blue Robin Wreathed Hornbill

- 35 -

345 Grey-crowned Warbler Seicercus tephrocephalus

MW, DAK and DL

346 Bianchi’s Warbler Seicercus valentini

A few sightings in DAK and DL

347 Slaty-bellied Tesia X Tesia olivea

Great views along the Umphang trail in MW. Also at DI-37.5 and eastern side of DL

348 Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus

A single bird at DI-37.5 and along the Firebreak trail in DAK

349 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius

Seen in KY and KK

350 Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis

1 bird at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi and a few in KK

351 Asian Stubtail Urosphena squamiceps

1 bird at the stake-out behind the toilet building in KY and along Umphang trail in MW

352 Thick-billed Warbler Iduna aedon

A bird along the entry road of KK and near the River Martin monument in BB

353 Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis

Common in lowland marshes

354 Black-browed Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps

A few birds at PTB and BB

355 Baikal Bush Warbler Locustella davidi

A single sighting in Nam Kham Reserve near CS

356 Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus mandelli

1 bird singing at DI-13

357 Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris

DI-34.5, DI summit and at DL-We

358 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii

Near Chinese cemeteray in DAK and along western slope in DL

359 Yellow-bellied Prinia X Prinia flaviventris delacouri

A few birds at TT

360 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata

Common

361 Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris

Several birds during the boat trip at BB

362 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Near radio tower in PTB and at rice fields in TT

363 Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis

Near watch tower in KY

364 Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler X Pomatorhinus erythrogenys

A few birds at the western slope of DL

365 Large Scimitar Babbler X Pomatorhinus hypoleucos

Heard only at KK-TT and upper parts of MW

366 White-browed Scimitar Babbler X Pomatorhinus schisticeps

Fairly common in forested areas

367 Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler X Pomatorhinus ferruginosus

A single bird at upper campsite in MW and one near DL-E4

368 Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense

A few birds in TT and at the Mae Hia Agricultural University in Chiang Mai

369 Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata

A few birds near the water tower in TT

- 36 -

370 Pin-striped Tit-Babbler Macronus gularis

Fairly common in forested areas

371 Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps

Seen in KK, MW and DL

372 Golden Babbler Stachyridopsis chrysaea

Fairly common in forested areas, often in feeding flocks

373 Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyris rufifrons

Seen in KK and DL-W3

374 Puff-throated Babbler X Pellorneum ruficeps

Common in forested areas

375 Buff-breasted Babbler Pellorneum tickelli

In the hide at MW

376 Abbott’s Babbler Malacocincla abbotti

A few along trail B in KY and at KK-S

377 Collared Babbler Gampsorhynchus torquatus

KK-27.5 and at DL-E2\

378 Rufous-winged Fulvetta X Alcippe castaneceps

Seen regularly at DI and at DL

379 Yunnan Fulvetta X Alcippe fratercula

Common in northern forests

380 Limestone Wren-Babbler X Napothera crispifrons calcicola

A few birds at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi

381 Streaked Wren-Babbler X Napothera brevicaudata

Some at the hide in MW

382 Eye-browed Wren-Babbler Napothera epilepidota

Heard along the DI-37.5 trail

383 Pygmy Wren-Babbler X Pnoepyga pusilla

Heard quite often in DI and seen very along the DI summit board walk

384 Spot-breasted Parrotbill X Paradoxornis guttaticollis

A few birds at DL-W3

385 Grey-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis gularis

A small group at DL-W5

386 Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus

A few birds in MW and DI

387 Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus

At DI summit

388 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus williamsoni / siamensis

Common (KY: ssp williamsoni, MW: ssp siamensis)

389 Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps

Several sightings along the road to the upper campsite in MW and near the HQ in DI

390 Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis

Seen at DL-E5

391 White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca

Seen quite often in KY and KK

392 Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis

Several seen at DI-34.5 and at DL-W3

393 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch X Sitta frontalis

Common in forested areas

394 Burmese Nuthatch Sitta neglecta

A single bird at MP

- 37 -

395 Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna

A single bird near DL-W4

396 Hume’s Treecreeper Certhia manipurensis

One bird at DI-37.5 and at DL-W3

397 Great Myna Acridotheres grandis

Very common

398 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

Common

399 Pied Myna Gracupica contra

Seen at LPB, PTB and BB

400 Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa

Seen in KY and KK

401 Golden-crested Myna Ampeliceps coronatus

At KK-LC and KK-9

402 Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis

A pair at DL-E3 and several birds in TT

403 White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis

Large groups at LPB King’s project and BB near River Martin monumentt

404 Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica

1 bird at the electricity wires near TT

405 Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus

A single bird at the summit of DI and at DL-W4

406 Grey-sided Thrush X Turdus feae

A few sightings at the summit of DI

407 Black-breasted Thrush Turdus dissimilis

A single bird at the Rusty-naped Pitta stake-out in King’s project of DAK

408 Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus

Seen at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi and in several in KY

409 Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina

Quite often seen in KY

410 Blue Whistling-Thrush X Myophonus caeruleus caeruleus / eugenei

Common (ssp eugenei only in MW)

411 Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma

1 bird along trail B in KY

412 Dark-sided Thrush Zoothera marginata

2 birds at DI summit board walk

413 Green Cochoa X Cochoa viridis

Heard only at DI-37.5

414 Purple Cochoa X Cochoa purpurea

Heard only at DL-W3

415 White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana

A male at DI summit board walk

416 Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys

1 bird at Mr. Daeng’s place

417 Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius pandoo / philippensis

Seen in KY, MW, DAK and CS (ssp philippensis)

418 Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush Monticola rufiventris

A single bird near DI-42 and at DL-W2

419 Himalayan Cutia Cutia nipalensis

Seen by only one of us at DL-W3

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420 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

A few at BB and TT

421 Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope

A few at BB and quite common at DL

422 Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane

A male at the stake-out behind the toilet building at KY and a few at DI

423 Firethroat Luscinia pectardens

A wintering male at Nam Kham Reserve, near CS

424 Himalayan Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus

A few birds at DI summit board walk and several at DL

425 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis

Common

426 White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus

Seen in KY and KK

427 White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura

A female at hide in MW and a male at Rusty-naped Pitta hide in DAK

428 Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus

1 female near DI-42

429 Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis

A male at DI-42

430 Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa

Finally 1 female at Sirithan waterfall at DI

431 White-capped Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus

At several waterfalls in DI and along a stream in DAK

432 White-bellied Redstart Hodgonius phaenicuroides

Attracted by the mealworms in one of the hides at DL-W3

433 Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus

1 bird at Vatcharitan Waterfall at DI

434 Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus

A pair at Sirithan waterfall at DI

435 White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti

2 times along trail B in KY and along the road in MW

436 Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata

Common

437 Grey Bush Chat Saxicola ferreus

Common

438 Stejneger’s Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri

Common

439 Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

Common in forested areas

440 Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica

A few birds at DI-TT

441 Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris

Quite common

442 Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki

One at the HQ of KK and one near KY campsite

443 Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii

1 bird at DI-42 and a single sighting at the Chinese cemetery in DAK

444 Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla

Common

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445 Sapphire Flycatcher Ficedula sapphira

A single bird at DL-W3

446 Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra

A few birds along the summit board walk at DI

447 Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata

Several birds near DL-W3

448 Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni

A few birds at DI-34.5 and along the Firebreak trail in DAK

449 Ultramarine Flycatcher X Ficedula superciliaris

1 bird at DI-13 and at DL-W2

450 Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor

A single bird at the hide at DL-W3

451 Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus

Common

452 Chinese Blue Flycatcher X Cyornis glaucicomans

Along trail B in KY and one in KK

453 Hainan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hainanus

Only seen at HQ of MW

454 Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor

Only seen at DL-W3

455 Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas

Seen in MW and DAK

456 Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae

Only seen on our first day at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi

457 Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides

At both trails at DI-34.5 and DI-37.5

458 Rufous-browed Flycatcher Anthipes solitaris

A singing bird at the Orchid trail at KK-UC and along the Umphang trail at MW

459 White-gorgeted Flycatcher X Anthipes monileger

Along the trail at DI-34.5 and in one of the hides at DL-We

460 Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara

In one of the hides at DL-W3

461 Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida

Along the trail at DI-34.5

462 Large Niltava Niltava grandis

Several birds in KK, DI and DL

463 Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoria

A singing bird along the Umphang trail at MW and at the trail at DI-37.5

Green-tailed Sunbird Bar-throated Minla

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464 Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii

A few birds in KK, MW and DI

465 Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati

At KK-TT

466 Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis

Fairly common in KY and KK

467 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons

One at KK-LC and at the parakeet watch tower at DI

468 Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile

One at the campsite in KY and at KK-9

469 Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum

A few at the campsite in KY and at KK-LC

470 Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker X Dicaeum melanoxanthum

Finally found at the summit of DI

471 Fire-breasted Flowerpecker X Dicaeum ignipectus cambodianum / ignipectus

A few at KY campsite (ssp cambodianum), at KK-UC and at the Chinese cemetery in DAK (ssp ignipectus)

472 Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum

A single bird at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi, at KK-TT and the HQ of KK

473 Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis

Only seen at the radio tower in PBR

474 Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae

Seen in MW, the summit of DI and at DL-E5

475 Green-tailed Sunbird X Aethopyga nipalensis

Great views at the summit board walk of DI

476 Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata

Quite common

477 Fire-tailed Sunbird X Aethopyga ignicauda

A few birds at DL-E5

478 Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis

Seen at PTB, KK and MW

479 Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex

1 bird seen at KK-YL

480 Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus

Only seen along the road at DI-13

481 Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis

Common

482 Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra

Seen in KY and MW

483 Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna

A few at KK-UC, along the road in MW and at the eastern side of DL

Brown-backed Needletail Dusky Broadbill

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484 House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Quite common in urban areas

485 Plain-backed Sparrow Passer flaveolus

A few birds at Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi, PT and LPB

486 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

Common

487 Asian Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus

Seen at PTB and BB

488 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus

Seen at PTB and TT

489 Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla

A few along fish pond road at PTB and BB

490 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata

Fairly common

491 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

Fairly common

492 Pin-tailed Parrotfinch Erythrura prasina

Five birds n the flowering bamboo at KK-TT

493 Red Avadavat Amandava amandava

Only seen at BB

494 Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis / macronyx

Several at PT, BB (ssp macronyx) and TT

495 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

Some at BB and at TT rice fields

496 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

A few in KY, PT and KK

497 White Wagtail Motacilla alba leucopsis / baicalensis

At BB (ssp leucopsis) and TT rice fields (ssp baicalensis & leucopsis)

498 Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus

A single bird flying along at KK-TT

499 Richard’s Pipit X Anthus richardi

At TT and at Mae Hia Agricultural University in Chiang Mai

500 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

Quite common in open-country areas

501 Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

Some at KY and fairly common in the north

502 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus

Quite common in open-country

503 Indochinese Bush Lark Mirafra erythrocephala

A few birds at LPB (near abondoned building) and at Mae Hia Agricultural University in Chiang Mai

504 White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus

A large and noisy group along trail B in KY

505 Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger

A few sightings in KY, KK and MW

506 Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis

Seen in KK and MW

507 White-necked Laughingthrush X Garrulax strepitans

At upper campsite in MW

508 Black-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax chinensis

Near KK-27.5 and at upper campsite in MW

- 42 -

509 White-browed Laughingthrush Garrulax sannio

DL-W1 and DL-W3

510 Silver-eared Laughingthrush X Trochalopteron melanostigma

MW along Umphang trail, DI summit and DL-W3

511 Scarlet-faced Liocichla Liocichla ripponi

Army’s camp in DAK and DL-E4

512 Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris

Along Umphang trail in MW, at DI-34.5 and at Rusty-naped Pitta stake-out in DAK

513 Blue-winged Minla X Minla cyanouroptera sordida / wingatei

Sightings at DI (ssp sordida), DAK and DL (ssp wingatei)

514 Bar-throated Minla Minla strigula

Easy at DI summit board walk

515 Spectacled Barwing Actinodura ramsayi

DI-42, army’s camp in DAK and DI-W3 and DI-E4

516 Rufous-backed Sibia Heterophasia annectens

Quite common in forests in the north

517 Dark-backed Sibia Heterophasia melanoleuca

Quite often seen in DI and DAK

518 Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides

Seen at DI-W4

519 Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata

At TT near water tower

520 Crested Bunting Emberiza latham

A female near DI-W4

521 Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola

At least one bird at TT

522 Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila

At DI-W3

523 Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala

2 birds at TT near water tower

524 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

A single male at MW near upper campsite

525 Spot-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas melanozanthos

4 birds in a tree near DI-W4

Grey-sided Thrush Giant Nuthatch

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// Mammals

1 Asian Elephant KY and KK-LC

2 Asiatic Black Bear KY (near watch tower)

3 Sun Bear KK-LC

4 Smooth-coated Otter KY (HQ)

5 White-handed Gibbon KY and KK

6 Spectacled Leaf Monkey KK

7 Phayre’s Leaf Monkey DI-37.5

8 Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi, KY,

9 Crab-eating Macaque PTB

10 Stump-tailed Macaque KK

11 Malayan Porcupine KY and KK-LC

12 Large Spotted Civet KK-S

13 Small Indian Civet KY

14 Asian Palm Civet KY

15 Sambar KY

16 Northern Red Muntjac KY and KK

17 Lesser Oriental Chevrotain KY

18 Red Giant Flying Squirrel KK-LC

19 Black Giant Squirrel KY and KK

20 Gray-bellied Squirrel KK

21 Variegated Squirrel Wat Pra Puttabaht Noi

22 Himalayan Striped Squirrel KK, DI-13 and DL-W3

23 Asian Red-cheeked Ground Squirrel KK

24 Pallas’ Squirrel DI (summit) and DL-W3

Smooth-coated Otter Spectacled Leaf Monkey