After breakfast we set off for Khao Yai National park and as we were on the approach road Jay suddenly spotted a pair of Long-tailed Broadbills on wires alongside the road so we stopped and all piled out the mini-vans to obtain better views.
A great start to the day and we weren't done yet. A bit further down the road we stopped again and picked up Cambodian Flowerpecker, a near endemic species, along with Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons. Jay picked up a Banded Kingfisher on call and after a bit of searching found it perched up in deep cover. This was another species we'd hoped to catch up with and it can be quite difficult to see.
To far for the camera but I managed this photo through jay's 'scope with my phone.
Arriving at Khao Yai National Park our 1st port of call was the visitors centre to use the toilet facilities! Sone of our group were lucky enough to see Asian Elephants but this was as close as I got to any! This park is the biggest in Thailand and covers an area of 2000 km2 with over 300 bird species being recorded in the forested and mountain areas.
Once we'd checked in and completed the toilet formalities it was down to more serious birding. There are several campsite in Khao Yai and we explored these adding new species as we walked around. Sambar Deer walked around unconcerned by the people around them but the Pig-tailed macaques saw the camp site as a raiding opportunity and we several of these audacious primates entering tents or the back of trucks to rob whatever food they could find.
Other highlights were a rather showy Water Monitor and Red Jungle fowl. The latter proved their wild credentials by flying across the river! Although I'd seen Red Jungle fowl in Malaysia (see here) these were a definite upgrade as the ones I'd seen were from a re-introduction programme.
We paid a visit to the famous Haew Suwat Waterfall that starred in the film 'The Beach' when a youthful Learnardo Di' Caprio jumped off into the pool below. A real tourist hotspot and we soon moved on after the obligatory photos.
Pileated Gibbons called around us but proved to be frustratingly difficult to see despite being only a few metres away in the dense undergrowth. An incredible sound.
A Greater Flameback (woodpecker) was heard calling and eventually gave brief but good views whilst a new species of babbler for the trip - Puff-throated babbler proved to be more obliging. a
Puff-throated Babbler
Black-crested Bulbul
A real surprise was Blue-rock Thrush. Totally unlike the Blue- rock Thrush we're used to seeing in Europe and more like a Rock Thrush. This was the race philippensis and is a winter visitor to the area.
Blue -rock Thrush (race philipensis)
Crested Serpent Eagle
We took the mini-vans up to the Pha Diew Dai viewpoint 1000 metres above sea level. A displaying Black Eagle was a fantastic sight and the undergrowth was full of Alstroms, Martens and Claudia's Leaf warbler - all phylloscopus warblers that I'd only read about in books. Star bird for me though was the stunning male Hill Blue Flycatcher that posed a storm for the camera.
There was a treat in store for us as dusk descended. On the way out of the park we stopped by a large lake where Brown-backed Needletails came down to drink before going to roost. Whilst we were waiting for these to appear a Northern Red Muntjac Deer appeared and, unbelievably, three Crested Porcupines chose that moment to appear on the edge of the forest and run along the edge of the car park before disappearing back into the forest
Brown-backed Needletail
Jay hoped we'd see Great-eared Nightjar and a shout from Jaeb had us looking to the skies where we eventually saw three of these fabulous birds.
As darkness fell we left the park for our hotel and a well deserved dinner. As we drove along in darkness our headlights picked up one last mammal to add to what was already an impressive list - Golden Jackal! We were slightly deflated when we got back to find the other mini-van group had trumped us with an Asian Elephant!
Checking out of the Nana Resort our drivers drove us to Khao Yai where we'd be staying at the Recall Isaan Resort hotel for three nights. We stopped a couple of times on the way and at one spot for a particular bird - Indochinese Bushlark. It wasn't long before Jay heard one singing and before long we'd found two feeding on the ground. They were very reminiscent of our own Woodlarks
Later we checked out a site for Alexandrine Parakeet at the Wat Luang Royal Temple. Unfortunately Rose-ringed Parakeets, a non native species, had invaded the area and all we saw was a possible hybrid Alexandrine x Rose-ringed Parakeet.
Slightly deflated we had one more surprise in store when Jay took us to an unassuming industrial site where we stopped right next to a Fire Station to look for Spot-bellied Eagle Owl and a roost of Red-breasted Parakeets.
The parakeets were easy to see as they came into the roost site squawking and generally behaving in the raucous manner that all parakeet species seem to enjoy. Flying around in nosy groups and sittign at thetops of trees calling.
Just round the corner from the roost and right alongside the fire station we enjoyed fantastic views of a pair of Great Hornbills displaying and passing food to each other.
Jay pointed out the nest hole the owls had previously used and we started scanning the trees around us to see if we could pick up an owl roosting. Our search was temporarily brought to a halt by the appearance of millions of Wrinkle-lipped bats flying out of their roosts. An amazing sight as swarm after swarm passed overhead.
Wrinkle-lipped bats
By now it was becoming quite dark but suddenly a movement caught Jays eye in the hole in which the owls had nested in previous years and a female Spot-bellied Eagle Owl appeared and flew to a nearby tree and stayed in full view for at least 20 minutes!
Owl watchers
A great result and it was a happy group that arrived soon after at Recall Isaan Resort where we'd be spending the next three nights whilst exploring the Khao Yai National Park. As soon as we arrived I picked up a new bird when a Brown Boobok started calling near my room. There was only one thing to do and the next morning Jay, Howard, Alan, Marc and myself went out with the thermal camera whilst it was still dark and found it sat in the top of a tree.
We also found an endangered Mainland Serow in the thermal. A rare treat indeed as this gloat like species of antelope is classed as globally threatened due to habitat loss and poaching.
As daylight broke it was time for breakfast before heading into the national park.
Our second day at Kaeng Krachan saw us transferring to 4 x 4's for the journey to the top of the mountain. Because of the narrow roads access times is strictly limited and there are specific times allocated to ascending and descending the trails. Our plan was to ascend to the highest levels, before the crowds, and then work our way down.
Meeting at the ranger station we met up with our drivers and realised there were two options. The 4 x 4's were crew cabs meaning there was the option to either sit in an air conditioned cab or in the back to get bounced around over the rough ground. Naturally Alan, Jay, Marc & me opted for the latter!
One of the highlights was the huge number of butterflies seen by the several stream crossings - complete with signs warning you of the dangers of butterflies.....
Other signs warned of the presence of bird watchers!
One of the birding highlights at the top was our 1st Velvet-fronted Nuthatch of the trip and the beautiful Verditer & Hainan Flycatchers.
Dusky langurs and White-handed (Lar) Gibbons could be found in the roadside trees.
Once we'd satisfied ourselves at the top level we moved back down to have lunch in one of the cafe's where we hoped to catch up with the female Sunbear and her cub who'd been visiting regularly for food scraps. Unfortunately we'd arrived at the weekend and there were lots of people around so the bears didn't show up. We did have good views of a few other species including Grey-sided Thrush and Eye-browed Thrush. Leaving our 4x4's behind we met up with our regular drivers and de-camped back into the comfortable mini-vans.
Grey-sided Thrush
Eyebrowed Thrush
Flavescent Bulbul
After lunch we started birding the lower levels slowly walking along the roads and listening for any birds that might indicate a roving flock moving through. We'd split up with some of the group opting to walk back to the mini-vans whilst Jay & I hung back. Unfortunately we saw the only Barred Broadbill we saw of the trip much to Marc's anguish.
Catching up with Marc we found him peering into the vegetation watching an Orange-breasted Trogon devouring a stick insect.
Meeting up with our van drivers who'd laid on tea and biscuits for us we reflected on what had been another brilliant day in Kaeng Krachen. Tomorrow we were heading to Khao Yai with the promise of more spectacular birding on the way.
Patch list (walking distance from house): 136. Garganey
What this blogs about.
This is my blog about birding on the Wirral, in Cheshire and beyond. Its basically an online diary of my sightings and trips. It'll be updated regularly to include photographs of birds (and other wildlife) I've photographed both in the UK and abroad. Why a blog? It's a way of keeping memories of good birds. good trips and interesting ringing sessions for me to look back on when I get to old to be bothered going out in the cold and wet anymore!!#
All photo's are taken by me unless specified and I retain the copyright. Photos shall not be used for any other purpose without express permission.
Moved to Cheshire in 1983 and settled there after marrying in 1986. I've been birding since I was 7 or 8 - it was that long ago I can't remember!
My formative years were spent in Suffolk and birds became a passion in my teens. Started twitching when still at school but began seriously whilst at University in the late 70's and early 80's. I am old enough to remember Nancy's cafe!
Took a bit of a break due to other committment but now able enjoy getting out birding both locally and for long distance twitches and trips.
Married to my beautiful wife Janet since 1986 and have two grown-up children and 4 gorgeous grandchildren.
Trained as a ringer firstly in the 1970's but let it lapse after leaving University in 1982. Re-trained again a few years ago and now a regular with Hilbre Bird observatory and SCAN ringing group.
I first became interested in photography whilst still at school and used an old Zenith SLR with a Tamron 300 mm lens. I've rediscovered my earlier interest and have graduated to digital - much easier to use for an amateur like me!
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