Kaeng Krachan National Park - Part 2

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.

Tokay Gecko

Asian Pied Hornbills