I have planned a superb and complete trip to one of the premier birding countries of south-east Asia – Thailand for February / March 2023. Thailand has a greater number of species than all of Australia and its territories – over 1000 species have been recorded; meaning that nearly 10% of our planet’s avifauna is Thai!
The reasons for this impressive variety are many. The
length of the nation, from the southern peninsular to the north, is some 2000
kilometres, crossing obviously many lines of latitudes is reflected in the
vegetation changes. Elevational changes,
too, are reflected in floral changes. The variety of biomes, from Mangrove
forests to Dry Dipterocarp Forests to Evergreen rainforests to Deciduous
Woodlands to Coniferous Forests to Wetlands and the southern Limestone forests,
all have their specialty species. Migration from the higher latitudes of
Eastern Asia cause an influx of species, waterfowl, raptors, flycatchers,
warblers, and thrushes – to name a few groups - over the northern hemisphere’s
winter.
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Mammals are exciting too! There will be a range of
gibbon, monkey and squirrel species seen plus deer, otters and tree shrews.
There will also be opportunities for Asian Elephant and, if we are extremely
lucky, Leopard!
Thailand is a fascinating place scenically and
culturally. The people are Buddhists and very friendly; it is not without
reason that one of their tourism campaigns described Thailand as the ‘Land of
the Smiles’. And the food is sublime…
The tour will be capped at a group of 8 to 10, including
me and we will have a dedicated expert local bird guide. [I have birded some of
Thailand previously over three trips and have also birded in adjacent countries
of Malaysia and Cambodia so I have some knowledge and experience with the birds
and animals there.] We will be staying at a range of accommodation, although
mainly two stars, meaning simple and clean but always with ensuites and the
rooming will be twin share [or doubles]. All meals are provided unless directly
stated within the itinerary. The cost of the tour/s will include all expenses
except ones of a personal nature and alcohol. The tour has been budgeted such
that I can travel for free.
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
Saturday 18 February
2023: Depart Brisbane for Bangkok
Sunday 19 February
2023: Arrive Bangkok. Transfer to Eastin
Thana City Golf Resort Bangkok. Easy, relaxing day to acclimatise, rest
up for a circa three-week tour. Perhaps some beginning birding adjacent to
hotel.
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Day 2: Tuesday 21
February - Lame Pak Bia & Pak Thale
> Kaeng Krachan National Park
Day 3 & 4:
Wednesday and Thursday 22 & 23 February 2023 Kaeng Krachan National Park
Day 5: Friday 24
February 2023 - Bird hide Keang Krachan
> Khao Yai National Park
Day 6 & 7: Saturday and Sunday 25 & 26 February 2023
- Khao Yai National Park
Day 8 : Monday 27 February Khao Yai >
Wat Phra Phutthabat Noi > Bueng Borapet lake
Day 9: Tuesday 28 February Bueng Borapet Lake >
Mae Wong
Day 10: Wednesday 1
March Mae Wong National Park
Day 11: Thursday 2 March 2023 - Mae Wong NP >
Chiang Mai
Day 12: Friday 3
March Chiang Mai > Mae Hiab > Doi Lor > Bann Hong > Doi Inthanon
Day 13 & 14 : Saturday
and Sunday - 4 & 5 March 2023 - Doi Inthanon NP
Day 15 : Monday, 6 March
- Doi Inthanon > Chiang Dao
Foothill > Fang Hot Spring
Day 16: Tuesday 7 March
- Doi Ang Khang
Day 17: Wednesday 8
March - Doi Sanju
Day 18: Thursday 9 March - Fang > Chiang Mai
airport > Phuket airport > Sri Phang Nga
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Day 19: Friday 10
March - Great Argus Pheasant > Sri
Phang Nga
Day 20: Saturday 11
March Great Argus* / Sri Phang Nga >
Khao Sok
Day 21 : Sunday 12 March - Khao Sok National Park
Day 22: Monday 13
March - Khao Sok > Phuket Hotel
Tuesday 14 March
– Fly from Phuket to Singapore on relatively early morning flight.
PM –
Gardens by the sea.
Wednesday 15
March – AM - Singapore Botanical Gardens
PM
– rest afternoon
Thursday 16 March
– Sungei Buloh Reserve + Kranji Marshes – We will need to rent a mini bus and
driver for this day.
Friday 17 March –
Pulau Ubin [Paser Ris on return]
Saturday 18 March
- AM – Bukit Batok Nature Park
PM - The
Dairy Farm Nature Park and places nearby
Sunday 19 March – 10 km walk - southern ridges!
Monday 20
March – Central Catchment Reserve – a
variety of walks, elevated hides
Tuesday 21 March
– Own Day – Visit one of the zoos, or Jurong Bird Park
Wednesday 22
March – Depart Singapore
Saturday 18 February
2023: Depart Brisbane for Bangkok
Sunday 19 February
2023: Arrive Bangkok. Transfer to Eastin
Thana City Golf Resort Bangkok. Easy, relaxing day to acclimatise, rest
up for a circa three-week tour. Perhaps some beginning birding adjacent to
hotel. We will only be able to access our rooms at circa 2pm. So we can drop
our bags in and have a brief walk around and score a few species before a late
lunch. The afternoon is ‘relax’. The resort has a pool complex.
Day 1 [of tour]:
Monday 20 February - Bangkok > West side Bangkok > Phetchaburi
After breakfast at our hotel we will be picked up by our
birding guide at 7am before a 40 minute transfer to Wat Chalerm Phrakiet and Wat Suan Yai temple and public park. Herre
we will quickly get to grips with some common Thai species such as Spotted
Owlet, Alexandrian Parakeet, Coppersmith Barbet, Oriental Magpie Robin [below],
Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Pied Starling, Common Iora, Common
Tailorbird [above], Indian Roller, Asian Common Koel, Greater Coucal, Openbill
Stork and more.
By mid-morning, about 10 or so, we will drive towards the
coast for birding at Mahachai mangrove
forest. Here, in addition to mangroves, there are bird baths where such
species as Oriental White-eye,
Mangrove Whistler, Brown-throated Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Flyeater
[Gerygone], Collared Kingfisher can
be seen.
After lunch we will bird a variety of fresh-water wetlands
to see such birds as Chinese Pond
Heron, Long-tailed Shrike, Bronze-winged Jacana, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, White-browed
Crake, three species of Weaver - Baya, plus Chestnut Munia, Oriental Pratincole,
Flavescent Woodpecker, Plain Prinia, Plain-backed Sparrow and more. The afternoon’s second
destination, Khao Kra Krao wetland, could yield more species such as Black-headed
Ibis and, if we are in luck, rare birds like Milky Stork, Baer’s Pochard
and more species of wintering duck.
Dinner tonight is a short walk from our hotel to Relax Restaurant, where we will enjoy very
good Thai food.
O/n Royal Diamond Hotel L, D
Day 2: Tuesday 21
February - Lame Pak Bia & Pak Thale > Kaeng Krachan National Park
Transfer 10 min. to Bann
Pak Thale for searching for such rare waders as Spoon-billed Sandpiper [left], Nordmann's Greenshank, Asian Dowitcher
and more species of shore birds. Then transfer to Lame Pak Bia King Project & Rice filed, Fresh water pond for Painted
Stork, Siberian Stonechat, Black Drongo, Black-winged Still, Black-caped
Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Watercock and more.
Afternoon we will
take a boat to Lame Pak Bia sand split to see White-fronted Plover, Malaysian
Plover, Chinese Egret and other species. In the late afternoon we will transfer
to our accommodation at Kaeng Krachan.
Tonight we will go for a brief spotlighting trip of about an
hour duration where we hope to find Loris.
Day 3 & 4:
Wednesday and Thursday 22 & 23 February 2023 Kaeng Krachan National Park
Two full days in and around Kaeng Krachan National Park, the largest
National Park in Thailand. This is possibly Thailand's premier forest
birdwatching location due the quantity and quality of species that have been
found there.
Most of the forest here is in an excellent condition and consists of
evergreen tree species, although deciduous species are also present,
particularly in the lower elevations of the park. Kaeng Krachan's location on
the border with Myanmar means it is part of a much larger forest complex than
just the National Park and an excellent refuge for a huge number of species,
including many of Asia's rarest mammals and birds; indeed, Kaeng Krachan is
part of one of the largest remaining stretches of forest in Southeast Asia and
as such this location is of international conservation importance.
Kaeng Krachan National Park is home to a huge number and range of
species. This is where many southern species have their northernmost outposts
as well as being where many other species are at their southernmost extremity.
Kaeng Krachan is also the only place in Thailand where Ratchet-tailed Treepie can be seen, this species normally being
found in Indochina.
A number of exciting ground-dwelling species inhabit the lush forests here but are extremely hard to find, with Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant [male pictured above], Ferruginous Partridge, Blue Pitta and Eared Pitta seen by only a lucky few. The mid and upper stories of the forest are also very productive with many species from a wide range of bird families occurring. Great Slaty Woodpecker [left], Orange-breasted Trogon and Banded Broadbill are all regularly seen. Hornbills, some of the most memorable birds in Thailand, are represented in Kaeng Krachan by Great, Oriental Pied, Wreathed and Tickell's Brown Hornbills. To me Broadbills are easily among the standout Asian birds; Dusky, Silver-breasted, Banded, Black-and-red, Black-and-yellow and Long-tailed Broadbills all become easier to find from mid -February when they are nesting. Of course, there is also a good range of commoner birds here with bulbuls, leafbirds, laughingthrushes, flycatchers, babblers, warblers and woodpeckers all well represented. With such extensive, high-quality forest there is still a good mammal population here. Many species of squirrel can be found including the amazing Black Giant Squirrel which looks more like a dog in a tree with Dusky Langurs, Banded Langurs and White-handed Gibbon [left] often seen leaping around in the canopy. Tigers, tapirs and elephants are still present in Kaeng Krachan, although seldom seen. Kaeng Krachan does present visitors with one of the best chances of seeing Leopard in Southeast Asia.
O/n - Samarn Bird
Camp BLD
Day 5: Friday 24 February
2023 - Bird hide Keang Krachan > Khao
Yai National Park
Morning watching bird inside hide feeding station, bird
highlight is Blue Pitta, Eared Pitta!!
and other species such as Red Junglefowl, Silver Pheasant, Scaly-breasted
Partridge, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Striped Tit-Babbler,
Racket-tailed Treepie, Tickel’s Blue Flycatcher, White-browned Simitar-Babbler,
White-crested Laughingthrush [below], Lesser-necklaced Laughingthrush,
Greater-necklaced Laughingthrush, Green Magpie, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Pied
Fantail, etc.
Then transfer five hours to Khao Yai National Park.
O/n - Isaan Isan
Hotel
Day 6 & 7: Saturday and Sunday 25 & 26 February 2023
- Khao Yai National Park
Two full days of birding in one of the greatest National
Parks in south-east Asia!
Seasonal evergreen forest is the dominant habitat here but there are also areas of hill evergreen forest and expanses of grassland. An extensive system of trails means that there is plenty of opportunity to explore the forest and look for wildlife. The trails were originally elephant tracks, and Khao Yai is one of the best places in South-East Asia to see these fantastic animals and with this extensive area of habitat many species of birds can be found too.
There are so many great birds to see in Khao Yai it is
difficult to predict the highlights. Great [left], Oriental Pied and
Wreathed Hornbills are abundant and easily seen, and Austen's Brown
Hornbill can sometimes be found too, although the latter is scarce.
Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo can sometimes be seen at stakeouts (although far less frequently than in the past) and both Silver and Siamese Fireback Pheasants can be found. Both Blue and Eared Pitta are here but they can, like most Pittas prove difficult to view. Long tailed Broadbills, Slaty backed Forktails, Orange breasted and Red headed Trogons, in addition to the Great Eared Nightjar will make most people’s top ten birds.
Our mammal list
should grow with Sambar deer, Muntjac and Pig-tailed Macaques. Smooth Otters
can be seen in the riverine environments. We should hear and hopefully view
the White-handed Gibbon [pictured at page top] which noisily sing. Other frequently
seen mammals include Asian Elephant, Porcupine, Dhole, Variable and Giant
Black Squirrel [pictured above] and Malayan Sun Bear. Less frequently seen,
but present, are Gaur, Clouded Leopard and Serow.
O/n - Isaan Isan BLD
Day 8 : Monday 27 February Khao Yai >
Wat Phra Phutthabat Noi > Bueng Borapet lake
This morning, your guide will take you to see a monotypic endemic specie of bird that lives only on limestone hills, that is Rufous Limestone Wren-Babbler N.C calcicola [left] at Wat Phra Phutthabat Noi, Saraburi Province, 1 hour away from here.
After a wonderful lunch at Bua
Luang restaurant transfer two hours to
Bung Boraphet lake.
Habitats : Open waters, freshwater wetlands, fish ponds, paddy
fields. It's a home of 250 species of birds.
In the late afternoon, we will take a boat to birding deep within the lake.
Spot-billed
Pelican, White-browed Crake, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Garganey, Glossy Ibis,
Purple Swamphen, Mash Harrier, White-shoulder Starling, Plain-backed Sparrow, Fulvous-breasted
Woodpecker, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo [right], Great Reed-Warbler and
more 50 other species possible.
Stop for dinner at a famous restaurant in Nakhon Sawan Ror
Ruer restaurant on a raft along the Chao Phraya River, not
far from our hotel tonight.
O/n - Bonito Chino Hotel BLD
Day 9: Tuesday 28 February Bueng Borapet Lake >
Mae Wong
The first half of our day sees us return to the lake and
bird the habitats nearby.
After our lunch we have a two hour journey to Mae Wong National Park. Upon arrival we will bird some of the foothill areas inside the park. Here we hope to see Red-billed Blue Magpie, Greater Flameback, White-crested Laughingthrush, Green-billed Malkoha, Verditer Flycatcher, Bay Woodpecker among others.
O/n - Ratanabodee
Thai House BLD
Day 10: Wednesday 1
March Mae Wong National Park
Mae Wong is
one of the western-most parks in Thailand and we have one full day to explore
it. It is home to a few very rare species like Burmese Yuhina and
Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler. During our exploration we’ll be looking for
birds such as Blue Pitta, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Rusty-naped Pitta, White-
crowned Forktail, Rufous-throated Partridge, Asian Stubtail, Golden-throated
Barbet, Long-tailed Sibia, Great Barbet, Spot-necked Babbler, Olive and
White-throated Bulbuls, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Burmese Yuhina, Coral-billed
Scimitar-Babbler, Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler,
Sulphur-breasted Warbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Silver-eared Mesia, and
Chestnut-flanked White-eye.
Day 11: Thursday 2 March 2023 - Mae Wong NP >
Chiang Mai
A few hours morning birding around Klong Lan waterfall, before traveling to Chiang Mai the capital
north of Thailand. After check-in, the leader briefly summarizes the program
for this evening, after which it will be a rest period without dinner. The
hotel is located in the famous area of Chiang Mai. The surrounding area will
have many restaurants and shopping malls. including Kad Rin Kham Night Market, just 400 meters from the hotel.
O/n - Hotel Mayu or
similar BL
Note: Tonight’s dinner is at Guest’s choice and expense.
Our hotel is located in downtown Chiang Mai, surrounded by night market, plaza
and street food.
Day 12: Friday 3
March Chiang Mai > Mae Hiab > Doi Lor > Bann Hong > Doi Inthanon
We will start to birdwatching at Mae Hiab agriculture area in Chiang Mai town for watching Red Avadavet, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Burmese
Shrike, Wire-tailed Swallow, Lesser-whistling Duck, Purple Sunbird, Oriental
Skylark, Pied Bushchat, Scaly-breasted Munia and more. Then birding Doi Lor
rice filed to watching Small
Pratincole, Common Snipe,
Eurasian Wyrneck, Black-collared
Starling, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Ruddy Shelduck, Lesser-whistling Duck,
Black-eared Kite and
more.
We will enjoy having lunch at Rim Nam Taan Kham restaurants, Chom Thong town today before
transferring to Bann Hong Wildlife
Reservation where we hope to see
the exquisite Green
Peafowl.
We will then drive
towards Doi Inthanon National Park.
O/n - Touch Star Resort
BLD
Day 13 & 14: Saturday
and Sunday - 4 & 5 March 2023 - Doi Inthanon NP
Doi
Inthanon National Park protects Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon,
which has its summit 2565 metres (8415 feet) above sea level. This Park is
unique in Thailand as it is 300 metres higher than any other mountain in the
country which allows it to support a tract of upper montane forest and
Thailand's only sphagnum bog (albeit a very small one). We will have two full
days to explore this park.
Although
there is quite extensive deforestation in places, due to a sizeable hill-tribe
population, there remain large areas of quality habitat which is home to a very
high number of species. The long road to the summit provides many places to
stop and access the forest which is magnificent in places; particularly the
moss-clad forest at higher altitudes.
Doi
Inthanon has so many birding highlights it is almost impossible to mention them
all without giving the entire checklist for the National Park. This mountain
spans a number of habitats and consequently contains the birds associated with
them. The summit area, which is higher than any other in Thailand, provides
some of the most memorable bird watching on the mountain, perhaps even the
whole country; Chestnut-tailed Minla, Green-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-winged
Fulvetta and Silver-eared Laughingthrush are very abundant in this area and
both Speckled and Ashy Woodpigeon are frequently seen while the summit
boardwalk gives birders an opportunity to see skulking species such as Himalayan
Shortwing, Pygmy Cupwing and Dark-sided Thrush.
The drier
forest, on the lower slopes of the mountain, contains some species that
specialize in this habitat; Black-headed Woodpecker, Burmese Nuthatch and
White-rumped Falcon are the most sought-after birds here and Black-backed
Forktail is present in the streams.
The sheer
size of Doi Inthanon National Park means that a high species total can be expected
on any visit. O/n - Touch Star Resort BLD
Day 15 : Monday, 6 March
- Doi Inthanon > Chiang Dao
Foothill > Fang Hot Spring
Morning guide bring you to watching Blossom-headed Parakeet, Rufous Treepie the located nearby our resort.
Then transfer four hours to Pha Hom Pok
National Park in Fang town. But on the way stop to birding at Nong Bong freshwater swamp in
Vocational Training Centre of Border Patrol Police, Mae Tang District, habitats around here including dry
dipterocarp forest, freshwater swamp and orchard: Rufous Treepie, Eurasian Jay, Red-billed Blue-magpie.
Next spot birding will be at Wat Tham Pha Plong Cave, a location surrounded by limestone
mountain. Here you can see Lime Stone
Wren Babbler, Pied Hornbill, Yellow-browed Tit, Black-throated Sunbird,
Blue-throated Barbet, Blue-winged Leafbird, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
[left], Blue-whistling Thrush, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, White-throated
Fantail and more.
Last spot for today
is Fang Hot Spring. You will have an
opportunity to bathe in the hot spring. This is an extra charge for those
interested. We stay 3 nights at Tangerine hotel in Fang town.
O/n - Tangerine Hotel
BLD
Day 16: Tuesday 7 March
- Doi Ang Khang
We have a
full day to bird Doi Ang Khang National Park. Specials here include Crested
Finchbill, the beautiful but skulking Red-faced Liocichla, Spot-throated
Babbler, White-browed Laughingthrush and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler.
Lots of other northern specialties occur here and in some winters plenty of Thrushes
(Black-breasted, Eyebrowed, Grey-sided, White's and Scaly are normally
reported). A good number of flycatchers frequent this site with Rufous-gorgetted,
Ultramarine, Sapphire and Slaty-backed Flycatchers all being seen in small
numbers most years and others such as White-gorgetted and Hill Blue
Flycatchers [right] are resident.
A few
scarce species continue to be reported from Doi Ang Kang; quite surprisingly Hume's
Pheasant and Giant Nuthatch both persist, they should be searched for in
the drier forest remnants. Red-tailed and Spot-bellied Laughingthrush
are two more resident species only seen by the patient and very lucky few.
Parrotbills are a special Asian group with Spot-breasted,
Grey-headed, Pale-billed (Lesser Rufous-headed), and Grey-breasted
(Black-throated) Parrotbill are all present however the latter two are
scarce.
Frustration exists here in a variety of forms and one that we will all experience is the range of Phylloscopus warblers. We will see many but not identify every bird – that is a definite! Buff-throated Warbler, Pallas's Leaf Warbler, Chinese Leaf Warbler and Hume's Warbler can all be found here but are quite uncommon. Leaf Warblers have been reviewed and split and for many worn wintered birds call is the key to ID. Skulking Bush Warblers also occur at Doi Ang Kang, however they are very hard to see well; Aberrant, Russet, Manchurian and Pale-legged Bush Warblers have all been recorded at Doi Ang Kang. O/n - Tangerine Hotel BLD
Day 17: Wednesday 8 March
- Doi Sanju
Doi Sanju is a one of the best spot for birding and bird
photography in Thailand, guide bring you to birding & take photo bird at
feeding spot a long the security road of Thai–Myanmar border 2,020 MSL., Early
morning transfer 1 hr. to feeding spot of Mountain Bamboo Partridge and Hume's
Pheasant. Today we spend hold
day birding along the road bird such as Ultramarine
Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Grayheaded Parrotbill, Spot-breasted Parrotbill,
Dark-backed Sibia, Long-tailed Sibia, Chestnut-flanked Bush Robin,
Stripe-breasted Woodpeckers, Striated Bulbul, Whited-tailed Leaf Warbler,
Chestnust- crowned Warbler, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler,
Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rufous-tailed Robin,
White-gorgetted Flycatcher, Blue-winged Minla, Whiskered Yuhina, Striated
Yuhina, Hodgson’s Frogmouth (nesting Feb.-Apr.), Himalayan Cutia, Black Magpie and more. [Note: No toilet inside
forest.]
Tonight guide bring you to dinner at the famous restaurant
outside hotel, Thida Cuisin.
O/n - Tangerine Hotel BLD
Day 18
: Thursday 9 March - Fang >
Chiang Mai airport > Phuket airport > Sri Phang Nga
After breakfast transfer 2.30 hr. back to Chiang Mai. A
direct flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket takes two hours. For this tour it is
expected to take the flight from Chiang Mai at 11:00 AM [but to be advised].
Transfer 45 min. to Had
Tai Mueng beach on the way to Sri Phang Nga for watching Philippine
Glossy Starling, Spotted Wood Owl. Then transfer 30 min. to Lame Pakarang beach or Corral Reef Beach for looking Beach Thick-knee, Chinese Egret, Crab Plover (all not show up every year) Transfer 1.40 min. to resort. Tonight, your guide will take you to the most
famous Thai food in the city Kosak Seafood Restaurant, nly a few minutes from
our resort.
O/n - Vandamie Resort BD [Lunch today at guest’s expense – takeaway
from airport]
Day 19 - Friday 10 March Great > Sri Phang Nga
After lunch we will transfer to Sri Phang Nga National Park. The habitat is a rainforest that hosts some 250 bird species. Some birds we may encounter include Green Broadbill, Javan Frogmouth, Banded Pitta, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Chestnut-napped Forktail, Buff-Vented Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Purple-naped Sunbird, Red-throated Barbet, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Lesser Cuckoo-shrike, Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and more. At dusk we may see Bat Hawk and Large-tailed Nightjar around the car park.
O/n - Vandamie
Resort BLD
Day 20: Saturday 11 March - Sri Phang Nga >
Khao Sok
After lunch transfer 1.30 hr. to Khao Sok NP. On the way stop at Kapong river & Kotiean open area many specie show up here such as Indian Roller, River Lapwing, Grey-headed Lapwing, Asian Openbill, White-shouldered, Black-collared Starling, Little Green, Bluetailed Bee-eater, Starling, White-breasted Waterhen, Watercock, Pacific Golden, Grey Plover, Wood , Common Sandpiper, Plaintive Cuckoo, Common Flameback [above], White-rumped Munia and others. In the early evening we will search for Brown Wood Owl and Oriental Bay Owl.
O/n - Mountain Life
Style Hotel BLD
Day 21: Sunday 12 March
- Khao Sok National Park
Full day birding inside Khao Sok National Park. Birding
highlights include Green Broadbill,
Javan Frogmouth, Banded Pitta, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Chestnut-napped
Forktail, Great Iora [left], Blue-winged Leafbird, Rufous Piculet, Buff-Vented,
Yellow-bellied, Cream-vented, Red-eyed, Spectacled Bulbul, Red-throated Barbet,
Grey-capped, Bamboo, Banded Woodpecker, Lesser Cuckoo-shrike, Bar-bellied
Cuckoo-shrike, Little, Purple-naped, Plain Sunbird, Spectacled, Yellow-eared
Spiderhunter Brown-throated, Orange-bellied, Yellow-vented, Thick-billed
Flowerpecker.
Tonight we will also
enjoy a night safari with the hope of seeing both nocturnal birds and mammals.
O/N - Mountain Life
Style Hotel BLD
Day 22: Monday 13 March - Khao Sok NP > Phuket Hotel
We will spend a half day birding inside park before
transferring to Phuket. On the way we will stop at Phang Nga Mangrove forest to see Mangrove Pitta, Ruddy Kingfisher, Brown-winged Kingfisher,
Black-and-Red Broadbill, Brahminy
Kite, Ashy Tailorbird and Pacific
Swallow.
The tour ends at Phuket airport or accommodation in Phuket.
BL
**All pics taken by Ken Cross
– save the Wren Babbler…
SUGGESTED SINGAPORE ITINERARY
Tuesday 14 March – Fly from Phuket to Singapore on
relatively early morning flight.
PM –
Gardens by the sea. - The also well-manicured Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) is
a site recommended for those aiming to get good photographs as many of the
birds there are very tame. Within the gardens, birders frequent the Satay by
the Bay area (eastern end of the map) and here, the Olive-backed and
Brown-throated Sunbirds are very friendly. The Large-tailed Nightjar can be
found roosting low to the ground at the wooded areas, and the Ruddy-breasted
Crake is sometimes seen foraging along the grass patches around here too. At
the Kingfisher Lake (right end on map), as well as the pond east of it, the
Common Kingfisher is an almost annual migrant. Other migrants such as Yellow
and Black Bitterns, Oriental and Black-browed Reed Warblers are often here as
well. Locally rare visitors like Cotton Pygmy Goose and Pheasant tailed Jacana
have been seen before, and the uncommon resident Lesser Whistling Ducks are
sometimes seen here. Wandering Whistling Ducks (introduced and established)
have been sighted before too.
Wednesday 15 March – AM - Singapore Botanical Gardens
By virtue of being a UNESCO Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic
Gardens (SBG) is a well-manicured site. The birds here are unafraid of humans
and great photographs of the Olive-backed, Brownthroated and Crimson Sunbirds
can be taken here. One of the highlights of SBG is the tame and reliable
Red-legged Crake, frequently seen at the heliconia patch along Symphony Lake
(middle of map). The globally rare and Singapore’s second record of the
migratory Band-bellied Crake was here in January 2018 as well. A Grey-headed
Fish Eagle is frequently seen hunting at the Swan Lake (western end of the
map), locally rare White-rumped Munias are regularly seen at the Bambusetum
(slightly northeast of Swan Lake), and Buffy Fish Owls are often seen roosting
at the National Biodiversity Centre area. Common Hill Mynas and Oriental Pied Hornbills
are quite common throughout the garden too. The Rain Forest Boardwalk (middle
of map, in brown) is typically very quiet, but during winter, understorey birds
such as Orange-headed Thrush, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher and Pittas can be seen
here. The Eco-Lake (eastern end of map) hosted Singapore’s third Daurian
Redstart in November 2019 and first Taiga Flycatcher in December 2019. A tame
Malayan Night Heron was also around during this period, as well as the locally
uncommon Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. Pittas and Von Shrenck’s Bittern are
often seen here as well. The Eco Lake is also an excellent place to practice
identification of local swifts as the Plume-toed Swiftlet, Asian Palm Swift and
House Swift are often seen flying among the Aerodramus swiftlets in the
evenings.
PM
– rest afternoon
Thursday 16 March – Sungei Buloh Reserve + Kranji Marshes
– We will need to rent a mini bus and driver for this day. These sites
include habitat for both marine and freshwater wetlands, mangrove forest and
grasslands. We should see a range of wetland species: migratory and resident
waders, egrets, herons, storks, raptors and waterfowl. In the mangroves
flycatchers and tailorbirds will be targeted in addition to the Copper throated
Sunbird. The Kranji Marshes are home to resident White browed Crakes, Grey
headed Swamphen, Common Moorhen and Lesser Coucal. A variety of Kingfishers and
Cuckoos have been recorded here as well as migratory warblers within the reeds.
Friday 17 March – Pulau Ubin
[Paser Ris on return] - Pulau Ubin is an island northeast of Singapore and
is comparatively underbirded due to its location. The island is very densely
populated with Abbott’s Babblers, Straw-headed Bulbuls and Whiterumped Shamas
(the latter two being birds that are heavily poached elsewhere in its range).
Oriental Pied Hornbills are also very common. There is also a single female
Black Hornbill that mixes with a flock of Oriental Pied Hornbills. This flock
is often sighted around the Pekan Quarry area. The Butterfly Hill near Pekan
Quarry is a good site for both resident and migratory species of Cuckoos. In
January 2017, a locally very rare Mountain Imperial Pigeon was sighted here as
well. Barred Buttonquail can be found here too. Black-and-red Broadbill has
been reported from Pulau Ubin several times before, and a Green Broadbill was
seen in December 2014 at Sensory Trail too. The locally rare Buff-rumped
Woodpecker, Black-naped Monarch and Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon have been
sighted before at the Ketam Bike Park area. A key target at Pulau Ubin is the
Mangrove Pitta, which is often seen at the mangrove patches between Puaka
Bridge and Ketam Bike Park, and sometimes at the Jelutong Bridge area. It is
also present at the Chek Jawa mangroves (but perhaps more difficult to see).
The similar looking and sounding Blue-winged Pitta breeds in Pulau Ubin as well
and care should be taken to distinguish them properly. Copper-throated Sunbird
and locally rare Mangrove Whistler can also be found at these sites as well.
Barred Eagle-owl has been sighted along Jalan Durian before, and other local
rarities such as the Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird
have been seen around the Chek Jawa Boardwalk area.
All in all, for local birders, Pulau Ubin is a site recommended for those seeking for locally uncommon/rare birds. For visitors from overseas, this is the best (and almost only) site in Singapore to find the Mangrove Pitta, as well as enjoy the sheer abundance of wild Straw-headed Bulbuls and White-rumped Shamas.
Saturday 18 March - AM
– Bukit Batok Nature Park - This park is another reliable site to
find the Straw-headed Bulbul. Shockingly tame White-crested Laughingthrushes
(introduced and established) are also all over the park. Red-legged Crakes are
sometimes seen walking around the forest floor here as well. The lookout point
by the quarry is a reliable spot to look for Plume-toed Swiftlets, easily told
apart from the common Aerodramus swiftlets by the former’s more erratic
bat-like flight and distinctly whiter underparts. Blue-eared Kingfishers have
also been reported at the quarry. When the saraca trees in the park are flowering
(the most prominent ones being the one by the toilet near the quarry, and
beside the carpark), Sunbirds – the most popular being the Van Hasselt’s
Sunbird – are attracted, and resultantly also attract crowds of photographers.
Other species like Little Spiderhunters sometimes show up as well.
PM - The
Dairy Farm Nature Park and places nearby - DFNP is an excellent site to
look for frugivorous birds and migrants. Most birders typically bird at the
area around the Wallace Education Centre, where the numerous figs and false
curry trees attract birds. Bulbuls, including the Straw-headed Bulbul, are
common, and Thick-billed Green Pigeon are often seen among flocks of
Pink-necked Green Pigeons. Common Emerald Dove often forage on the ground and
the rare Jambu Fruit Dove is somewhat reliable here when the false curry trees
are fruiting. Asian Fairy-bluebird, Blue-winged and Greater Green Leafbirds are
also present. Red-crowned Barbet is sometimes seen and if lucky, the locally
rare Lesser Green Leafbird might show. Rare residents (or visitors?) such as
the Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Thick-billed Flowerpecker and Verditer
Flycatcher have been sighted before. Migrant Flycatchers are often seen at the
fruiting trees as well and the Blue-andwhite/Zappey’s Flycatcher and Mugimaki
Flycatcher seem to frequently visit this site. The rare Narcissus Flycatcher
has been seen here before too and fruiting trees can attract Thrushes during
winter. Common migrants such as the Arctic and Eastern-crowned Warblers can be
spotted here frequently as well.
Sunday 19 March –
10 km walk - southern ridges! I have attached a separate pdf which describes
this walk.
Monday 20 March –
Central Catchment Reserve – a variety of walks, elevated hides
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) is the biggest
patch of accessible greenery in Singapore and most of the local forest species
can be found here. The CCNR is surrounded by several buffer parks and most of
them are home to roughly similar avifauna. All of Singapore’s babblers –
Chestnut-winged, Short-tailed, Abbott’s Babblers and Pin-striped Titbabbler –
can be found in the forests (barring the White-chested Babbler which is
possibly extirpated from “mainland” Singapore). The first two species, especially,
are almost exclusively restricted to the CCNR in Singapore. Rufous-tailed
Tailorbird is also often heard and seen along the trails. During winter,
Paradise Flycatchers, Flycatchers (such as the locally uncommon Green-backed
Flycatcher), Pittas, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Forest Wagtail, Hawk-cuckoos
and more can be encountered anywhere in the forest.
Jelutong Tower This six-storey tower arguably provides one
of the best views of the forest in Singapore and is also a site that holds many
key records for the country. Local megas such as Large Woodshrike, Blackwinged
Flycatcher-shrike, Little Green Pigeon and migrants such as White-throated
Needletail, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra and Singapore’s first Shikra have been
sighted here. These birds are typically one-off sightings but they certainly
attest to the quality of Jelutong Tower as a birding site. It is best to reach
the tower as early as possible in the morning as it gets hot and unproductive
by around 0930 to 1000. Regulars at the tower include Pink-necked and
Thick-billed Green Pigeons, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Greater Green Leafbird,
Banded Woodpecker, Common Hill Myna, Asian Redeyed and Cream-vented Bulbuls,
flyby Long-tailed Parakeets, Blue-rumped Parrots and Bluecrowned Hanging
Parrots. If lucky, species like the quiet Chestnut-bellied Malkoha and locally
rare Black-headed Bulbul can be seen as well. While many of these birds are
present at other forested sites in Singapore too, views from Jelutong Tower are
often top-down or eye-level, and the birds sometimes present great photographic
opportunities. Access to Jelutong Tower is possible via Rifle Range Road,
Lornie Trail and from Windsor Nature Park.
Tuesday 21 March – Own Day – Visit one of the zoos, or
Jurong Bird Park or sight seeing.
Wednesday 22 March – Depart Singapore
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