Although a few targets were not seen, I saw more than expected, especially as it wasn't a full-on birding trip. It was a lovely mix of tourism and wildlife in an incredible country. A total of 337 species were seen and if anyone is interested here is the Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/3...
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Although a few targets were not seen, I saw more than expected, especially as it wasn't a full-on birding trip. It was a lovely mix of tourism and wildlife in an incredible country. A total of 337 species were seen and if anyone is interested here is the Trip Report: ebird.org/tripreport/3...
As this was the busiest park, I didn’t expect to see many mammals, but surprisingly, most of the highlights came from here. An Asiatic Black Bear appeared in an open field. At night, a Bengal Slow Loris fed above the main road, and a noisy herd of elephants were heard every night near our camp.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
As this was the busiest park, I didn’t expect to see many mammals, but surprisingly, most of the highlights came from here. An Asiatic Black Bear appeared in an open field. At night, a Bengal Slow Loris fed above the main road, and a noisy herd of elephants were heard every night near our camp.
It was a bit early for most of the resident birds to call and sing, so I was lucky to see some of the birds that are a bit harder to see at this time of year.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
It was a bit early for most of the resident birds to call and sing, so I was lucky to see some of the birds that are a bit harder to see at this time of year.
After a day in Ayutthaya, the next and last stop was Khao Yai. Here a lot of the targets missed from the other NP were seen. Most of them Southeast Asian Specialities that I have missed in previous trips.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
After a day in Ayutthaya, the next and last stop was Khao Yai. Here a lot of the targets missed from the other NP were seen. Most of them Southeast Asian Specialities that I have missed in previous trips.
Towards Ayutthaya, luckily there was a 10-min detour to a hotspot for Yellow-breasted Bunting. When we arrived, only Weavers were around, but as we drove further, Buntings appeared from every shrub for nearly a mile. It felt like a dream, seeing flocks of this critically endangered species.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Towards Ayutthaya, luckily there was a 10-min detour to a hotspot for Yellow-breasted Bunting. When we arrived, only Weavers were around, but as we drove further, Buntings appeared from every shrub for nearly a mile. It felt like a dream, seeing flocks of this critically endangered species.
Many other non-birding highlights at Kaeng Krachan. Topped off by the nighttime owl and Gecko chorus at the camp.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Many other non-birding highlights at Kaeng Krachan. Topped off by the nighttime owl and Gecko chorus at the camp.
And there seemed to be a bit of an Owl theme.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
And there seemed to be a bit of an Owl theme.
Kaeng Krachan had it all, stunning views, great hikes and wildlife. A quick attempt for the lingering Silver Oriole proved unsuccessful, an impossible bird to wait for with a non-birding partner. However, the hikes and drives delivered plenty of target species.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Kaeng Krachan had it all, stunning views, great hikes and wildlife. A quick attempt for the lingering Silver Oriole proved unsuccessful, an impossible bird to wait for with a non-birding partner. However, the hikes and drives delivered plenty of target species.
Heading south again, we went straight to Kaeng Krachan, with a brief stop at Pak Thale. The visit was quick, as it’s probably not the most exciting spot for a non-birding partner. While it was quieter than I had hoped, I still managed to find the target species.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Heading south again, we went straight to Kaeng Krachan, with a brief stop at Pak Thale. The visit was quick, as it’s probably not the most exciting spot for a non-birding partner. While it was quieter than I had hoped, I still managed to find the target species.
A bit further north, Doi Pha Hom Pok gave us amazing views with a few extra Himalayan specialities.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A bit further north, Doi Pha Hom Pok gave us amazing views with a few extra Himalayan specialities.
Next was a lovely sleeper train to Chiang Mai, where temples and tourism took precedence over birds until we went to Doi Inthanon. One day wasn’t enough to see many of the target species, but there were more birds than in the city, so I couldn’t complain. With a few target birds seen.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Next was a lovely sleeper train to Chiang Mai, where temples and tourism took precedence over birds until we went to Doi Inthanon. One day wasn’t enough to see many of the target species, but there were more birds than in the city, so I couldn’t complain. With a few target birds seen.
Starting with Bangkok for a couple of full days. Traffic and the late arrival of morning light didn't allow for long birdwatching but I was able to see a few targets, some of which are scarce in the Western Palearctic and some that are a bit rarer, plus a few residents.
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Starting with Bangkok for a couple of full days. Traffic and the late arrival of morning light didn't allow for long birdwatching but I was able to see a few targets, some of which are scarce in the Western Palearctic and some that are a bit rarer, plus a few residents.
Is the area accessible at high tide?
January 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Is the area accessible at high tide?
Yep, it’s definitely a Jacamar as Mike mentions
December 31, 2024 at 3:48 PM
Yep, it’s definitely a Jacamar as Mike mentions
I’m guessing you need a guide for the Owls? Or was that self-guided too? Just planning for a trip there maybe next year hopefully.
November 21, 2024 at 5:09 PM
I’m guessing you need a guide for the Owls? Or was that self-guided too? Just planning for a trip there maybe next year hopefully.
And of course all birds were surrounded by lovely scenery.
November 20, 2024 at 3:18 PM
And of course all birds were surrounded by lovely scenery.
Not everything was birds though. And not all were native either.
November 20, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Not everything was birds though. And not all were native either.
We had a nice surprise when a YBW was feeding next to the beach. We knew it was a bit late for good seabirds but we tried on every ferry to find something and to our surprise three Leach’s Storm-Petrels were using the ferry’s leeward + a Barolo Shearwater flew past on the same ferry pass.
November 20, 2024 at 3:18 PM
We had a nice surprise when a YBW was feeding next to the beach. We knew it was a bit late for good seabirds but we tried on every ferry to find something and to our surprise three Leach’s Storm-Petrels were using the ferry’s leeward + a Barolo Shearwater flew past on the same ferry pass.
Some were quite showy!
November 20, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Some were quite showy!
A few more pictures of the different “endemics” of the various islands.
November 20, 2024 at 3:18 PM
A few more pictures of the different “endemics” of the various islands.