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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Central and Southern Thailand, 19th April - 6th May 2002,

Author

Stuart White, Vince Kinsler, Mike Clarke and Gary Crowder

Introduction

The main aim of our trip was obviously to see the Gurney's Pitta at KNC but also to visit the not well known (by western birders) Bala forest, it turned out to be quite hard to get any information on this place. I found one trip report but managed to contact some local birders, thanks to Patcharee Komolphalin at "NatureTrails" Thailand, he provided us with good directions and other information. This was definitely the highlight of the trip for me along with the two second view of a male Gurney's Pitta !

Site Details

General

Most of the places we visited are well documented, though at Koh Sam Roi Yot make sure you bird the roads in from the highway we found the pools and bushes very productive. I loved Kang Krachan the first time I went in Feb 2001 but this time was not as impressed I think maybe winter is better also there seem to be a lot more people there now.

Bala Forest

This place is amazing, I would thoroughly recommend spending a few days here, the birding is easy, mainly done from the road and very rewarding. Drive to Narathiwat, on the east coast, then head down to Sugai-Kolok, then drive parallel with the border to a village called Waeng which is about 14km, then onto Bala. It is signposted from Waeng as a forest reserve. You go through a couple of checkpoints on route. We stayed in Sugai-Kolok which was about 30 minutes drive from the park, we found a cheap hotel just driving around and the owners were very helpful in giving us information and directions to Bala. I think it's also possible to stay at the park head quarters, where they interestingly had a male Great Argus in a cage ! From the car park you can view nesting Bat Hawk which is quite nice, we were going to tick a chick from the head shape, but luckily the adults turned up ! There is a good nature trail on a board walk through the forest, this is situated below the HQ and Chestnut Naped Forktail is very easy at the waterfall.  Bala was very quiet, we only met a few people involved with the work station while we were there and there is no through traffic.

Day to Day Account

19th April 2002

Arrived Bangkok at 3pm local time, got our first of four hire cars then set off on the confusing drive around the Bangkok ring road, made it to Samut Sakhon with about an hour of daylight, birded the salt pans. Stayed at the only hotel in town and found a nice bar where much merriment was had. Highlight: Lots of Beer Chang

20th April 2002

Up early with hangovers, birded the salt pans, the spoon billed sand had obviously gone, Vince had a bout of chundering then we were off south. Made it to Sam Yoi Rot by midday, perfect birding time ! Walked out onto the beach for an hour then headed south, arrived Krabi late around 11pm Highlights: Eastern Marsh Harrier, Chestnut Munias, Yellow breasted Bunting and Malaysian Plover

21st April 2002

Up early headed for the forest 12km north of Krabi, basically a narrow strip of quite good forest next to the highway, had a quick look in the Agro tourist resort as they had fish ponds. Back in Krabi after a hearty lunch hired a boatman and went off into the mangroves. Highlights: Yellow Rumped Flycatcher, Black Bellied Malkoha, Brown Winged Kingfisher

22nd April 2002

Headed to KNC arrived around 7.30am met an English birder, after a quick chat realised how hard it was going to be to see anything here !! people had been looking for gurney's for 8 days without seeing one, aghhhh. Managed to tape lure a Blue winged Pitta outside the Marakhot resort, good start. Walked the U and B trails, at lunch time went to the Owl stake out then the coffee plantation area for dusk. Highlights: Blue Winged Pitta, Spotted Wood-Owl, Pin Tailed Parrotfinch

23rd April 2002

Got a reasonable boatman / guide to take us into the mangroves then to the river mouth, pretty successful trip. After lunch back to KNC for the afternoon birded trail B. Highlights: Ruddy Kingfisher, Mangrove Pitta, Nordmann's Greenshank, Chinese Egret

24th April 2002

Up ridiculously early met Yotin at 5.45am headed for U trail set up the portable hide and waited, after 4 hours moved to B trail and followed a Gurneys up the trail, VK managed to see it form the path the rest of us had to sweat it out in the hide which was quickly erected, got brief but unforgettable views of a male bird. Back to the stalls for lunch which was followed by a torrential downpour for at least an hour. Headed out again at 3pm had a good afternoon and early evening then walked back in the dark. Stayed at the Marakhot resort sharing a few beers with two British birders. Highlights: Gurney's Pitta, Banded Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Daird's Trogon, Large Wren Babbler, Gould's Frogmouth

25th April 2002

Up early out on Trail C then onto B, left KNC headed south east towards Malaysia, changed out car at Krabi airport, then stopped near Trang found a good marsh area behind a garage. Stayed the night in Sugai-Kolok a border town 30km inland from Narathiwat on the coast. Highlights: Pink Backed Kingfisher

26th April 2002

Up before dawn headed for the Bala forest via Waeng. The long journey south turned out to be well worth it, this was Hornbill day ! the forest is in good condition and there is little disturbance, we only met local people who were working at the information centre. Found an excellent look out where you could watch hornbills working there way along the valley. Also went to the waterfall a known forktail stakeout and the trail below the visitor centre. Highlights: Rhinocerous Hornbill, Wrinkled Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Plain Pouched Hornbill, Red Throated Barbet, Chestnut Naped Forktail, Dusky Broadbill, Bat Hawk and Banded Kinfisher

27th April 2002

Birded the road in the Bala forest again, also went to the look out managed our 5th species of hornbill, walked the trail below the information centre then headed for the Wat. Highlights: Great Hornbill, Yellow Crowned Barbet, Brown Barbet and Red Bearded Bee-eater

28th April 2002

Birded the Bala forest road again and around the centre, as luck would have it we also got shown our 6th Hornbill which was nesting about a km from the centre. Changed our hire car at Hat Yai airport. Highlights: White Crowned Hornbill, Checker Throated Woodpecker

29th April 2002

Managed to book onto a speed boat trip to Koh Simillian landing on islands 8 and 4, did some great snorkelling, for the last few hours of the day we went to Phan Nga mangroves, headed to Phuket Island changed the car again then got drunk with the hotel owner and her daughter, very nice people who kept us entertained playing Jenga until the small hours Highlights: Nicobar Pigeon, Mangrove Pitta,

30th April 2002

Woke up late with a nasty hangover! Drove north for most of the day

1st May 2002

Made it to Kang Krachan by 10am bought supplies before we entered the park as there is little inside and it's a along drive back to the shops. Birded the KM 16 area then up to KM 28, its good having 4WD here for clearance crossing streams. Camped up the top at Km30, pleasant temperature birded the jeep track at km 28 for the last hour of daylight. Highlights: Ratchet Tailed Treepie, Sultan tit, Silver breasted Broadbill

2nd May 2002

Birded jeep track km28 first thing, birded the way down, had lunch at the stalls at the park gates. Back to the pond at km9 for dark, discovered a karaoke bar at the park gates, a few beers, Thai songs, dancing and a back injury later we were camping at Km16. Highlights: Crested Goshawk, Lanceolated Warbler, Vineous Breasted and Black Collared Starlings, Silver Backed Needletail and Great Eared Nightjar

3rd May 2002

Birded between the three streams at km 16-18 then headed back out to the main highway and south again to Koh Sam Roi Yot. This time we birded our way to the wetlands from the northern road. From here it was back to Bangkok to drop SW off who was flying the following morning. MC, VK and GC headed off to Khao Yai. Highlights: Great Slaty Woodpecker, Orange Breasted Trogon, Dusky Broadbill, Black Baza and Painted Snipe

4th - 6th May 2002

While at Khao Yai VK, MC & GC fruitlessly staked out the Ground Cuckoo site behind the campsite restaurant most mornings and evenings, also walked trail 6 several times and drove the radar station road. Probably the best time spent here was a night drive, seeing Elephants, civets, porcupine, slow loris and a small cat, either marbled or leopard cat, not positively identified. Highlights: Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Red Headed Trogon, Scaly Breasted Partridge, Wreathed Hornbill, Striated Yuhina

Species List

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
2 seen at Khao Yai on 04/05 , also Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 and 03/05

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04 and Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)
One bird seen Samut Sakhon 20/04

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Fairly common in wetland areas

Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes)
1 at Krabi 23/04

Pacific Reef-egret (Egretta sacra)
1 at Krabi 21/04 and one on Koh Similan 29/04

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
1 at Samut Sakhon 20/04

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Fairly common in wetland areas

Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, En route from KNC to Hala Bala, marsh near Trang 25/04

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Fairly common in suitable habitat

Chinese Pond-heron (Ardeola bacchus)
Fairly common in wetland areas

Javan Pond-heron (Ardeola speciosa)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 and 20/04

Striated Heron (Butorides striatus)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, then 2 at Krabi 21/04 and 23/04, finally Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 and 20/04

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)
1 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 and 03/05, Krabi 21/04 also 2 en route from KNC to Hala Bala marsh near Trang 25/04

Cinnamon Bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)
2 seen on 25/04 en route from KNC to Hala Bala, marsh near Trang and 1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans)
Khao Yai 06/05

Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05

Crested Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04, 1 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05

Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus)
2 adults, 1 juvenile at Hala Bala 26/04 27/04 and 28/04

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
Seen at Samut Sakhon 20/04, Sam Roi Yot 20/04, at Kaeng Krachen 03/05, and at Khao Yai 04/05.

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04, Krabi 21/04, Hala Bala 28/04

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Krabi estuary mouth 21/04, 2 at Koh Similan 29/04

Crested Serpent-eagle (Spilornis cheela)
1 at Krabi mangroves 23/04 & 25/04 3 at Hala Bala 26/04 and one at Khao Yai 05/05

Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus)
1 female at Samut Sakhon 20/04

Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Shikra (Accipiter badius)
1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Besra (Accipiter virgatus)
1 at Khao Yai 06/05

Chestnut-bellied Hawk-eagle (Hieraaetus kienerii)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Changeable Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04

Blyth's Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus alboniger)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04 and 1 there on 27/04

Black-legged Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04 and1 there on 27/04

Scaly-breasted Partridge (Arborophila chloropus)
2 at Khao Yai 06/05

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)
1 female at Kaeng Krachen 02/05,Khao Yai 04/05 and 06/05

Kalij / Silver Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & sev chicks race crawfurdii

Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea)
1 en route from KNC to Hala Bala, marsh near Trang 25/04

Indian Swamphen (Porphyrio p poliocephalus)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
1 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Greater Painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)
1 female, 2 males at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04, Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05

Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum)
En route from KNC to Hala Bala, 25/04 also Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 and 03/05

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04, Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05 also Krabi 23/04

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Samut Sakhon 20/04 and Krabi 23/04

Malaysian Plover (Charadrius peronii)
2 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04, Krabi estuary mouth 21/04 & 23/04

Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04, Krabi estuary mouth 21/04 & 23/04

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05, Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 02/05, Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
1 at Krabi estuary mouth 21/04 & 23/04

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Krabi estuary mouth 21/04 & 23/04

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
2 at Krabi estuary mouth 21/04 & 23/04

Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)
Krabi estuary mouth 23/04

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)
Samut Sakhon 20/04 .

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04 .

Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer)
3 at Krabi estuary mouth 23/04

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
1 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)
Krabi estuary mouth 23/04

Common Sandpiper (Actitis Hypoleucos)
Krabi 21/04 & 23/04

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, Krabi 23/04 and Koh Similan 29/04

Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris)
1 at Samut Sakhon 19/04, Krabi 23/04

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

Long-toed Stint (Calidris (minutilla) subminuta)
Samut Sakhon 4 on 19/04 & 3 on 20/04, 1 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)
Samut Sakhon 20/04

Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana)
10 at Koh Similan Island 4 29/04

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Samut Sakhon 20/04 and Krabi 21/04

Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)
Samut Sakhon 20/04

Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus)
c.30 at Koh Similan 29/04

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia 'feral')
Common

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Common

Red Collared-dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica)
2 at Samut Sakhon 19/04, Krabi 21/04 & Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04, Hala Bala 26/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 02/05 also Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05

Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)
1 at Hat Yai airport 28/04

Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)
2 at Koh Similan island four 29/04

Thick-billed Green-pigeon (Treron curvirostra)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04 & 28/04 also Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Pink Necked Pigeon (Treron vernons)
Phan Nga 29/04

Green Imperial-pigeon (Ducula aenea)
6 at Koh Similan island eight 29/04

Mountain Imperial-pigeon (Ducula badia)
Kaeng Krachen on nest 01/05, 02/05 & 03/05, Khao Yai 04/05, 05/05 & 06/05

Pied Imperial-pigeon (Ducula bicolor)
Koh Similan 29/04

Vernal Hanging-parrot (Loriculus vernalis)
1 at Khao Yai 06/05

Blue-crowned Hanging-parrot (Loriculus galgulus)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04 & one on 27/04

[Indian Cuckoo] (Cuculus micropterus)
heard at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Banded Bay Cuckoo (Cacomantis sonneratii)
1 at Krabi forest 21/04

Drongo Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04

Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 & 20/04

Black-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus diardi)
1 at Krabi forest 21/04

Chestnut Bellied Malkoha (P. sumatranus)
One at Krabi forest 21/04

Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis)
Krabi 23/04, Hala Bala 27/04, Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05, and finally Khao Yai 04/05

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (P. curvirostris)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04 and one on 27/04

Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
Krabi Agro tourist resort 21/04, Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05, Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05

Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis)
1 en route from KNC to Hala Bala, marsh near Trang 25/04

Spotted Wood-owl (Strix seloputo)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

[Brown Hawk-owl] (Ninox scutulata)
heard at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Gould's Frogmouth (Batrachostomus stellatus)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Javan Frogmouth (Batrachostomus javensis)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Great Eared-nightjar (Eurostopodus macrotis)
Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 23/04 & 24/04, 2 at Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04 and Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04, Hala Bala 26/04, 27/04 & 28/04 also Phangnga 29/04

Whiskered Treeswift (Hemiprocne comata)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 and Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04

German's Swiftlet (Collocalia germani)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Silver-rumped Spinetail (Rhaphidura leucopygialis)
Hala Bala 26/04, 27/04 & 28/04

Silver Backed Needletail (Hirundapus cochinchinensis)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05 and Khao Yai 04/05

Brown-backed Needletail (Hirundapus giganteus)
6 at Hala Bala 27/04 and one at Khao Yai 04/05

Asian Palm-swift (Cypsiurus (parvus) balasiensis)
common around palms !

Pacific Swift (Apus pacificus)
Fairly common, birds mainly on passage

Little Swift (Apus affinis)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04, Phangnga 29/04

Diard's Trogon (Harpactes diardii)
1 male at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05

Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus)
2 males at Khao Yai 04/05

Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05, 1 at Khao Yai 05/05

Blue-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo euryzona)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04

Pink Backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa)
1 seen briefly at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04, flying through the woods at 100mph! then seen well the following day

Banded Kingfisher (Lacedo pulchella)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04

Brown-winged Kingfisher (Pelargopsis amauropterus)
Krabi mangroves 21/04 & 23/04 also 2 at Phangnga 29/04

Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
1 at Khao Yai 05/05

Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda)
1 at Krabi mangroves 23/04

White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
Fairly common in suitable habitat

Collared Kingfisher (Todirhamphus chloris)
6 at Samut Sakhon 20/04, 2 at Krabi 23/04, 2 at Koh Similan 29/04

Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04 in HQ garden

Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05, 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Little Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05 also 4 at Hala Bala 26/04

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)
1 at Krabi Agro tourist resort 21/04 and Khao Yai 05/05

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05, 02/05 & 03/05, Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05

Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
1 at Krabi 23/04, Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05 and Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05 .

Oriental Pied-hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05, Khao Yai 04/05, 05/05 & 06/05

Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04, 7 there on 27/04

Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)
2 at Hala Bala 27/04, 1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05 and 2 at Khao Yai 04/05

Helmeted Hornbill (Buceros vigil)
15 at Hala Bala 26/04, 10 there on the 27/04

White-crowned Hornbill (Aceros comatus)
1 male at Hala Bala 28/04, patrolling his nest where the female was holed up

Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04

Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus)
2 at Khao Yai 04/05

Plain-pouched Hornbill (Aceros subruficollis)
1 female at Hala Bala 26/04

Great Barbet (Megalaima virens)
Kaeng Krachen 01/05 and 02/05

Green-eared Barbet (Megalaima faiostricta)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Gold-whiskered Barbet (Megalaima chrysopogon)
Seen at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 and Hala Bala 26/04

Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos)
heard at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04, seen at Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04

Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica)
Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Moustached Barbet (Megalaima incognita)
1 at Khao Yai 05/05 & 06/05

Yellow-crowned Barbet (Megalaima henricii)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Blue-eared Barbet (Megalaima australis)
2 at Hala Bala 27/04

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)
1 at Hala Bala 28/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05, and 1 at Phangnga 29/04

Brown Barbet (Calorhamphus fuliginosus)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Rufous Woodpecker (Celeus brachyurus)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Checker-throated Woodpecker (Picus mentalis)
1 at Hala Bala 28/04 in the HQ garden

Streak-breasted Woodpecker (Picus viridanus)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus)
1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense)
1 at Krabi 23/04, and 1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus)
1 at Khao Yai 05/05

Buff-rumped Woodpecker (Meiglyptes tristis)
3 at Hala Bala 27/04 and one there on 28/04

Black-and-buff Woodpecker (Meiglyptes jugularis)
2 at Khao Yai 04/05

Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Dusky Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04 had been nesting in the HQ gardens, 2 at Kang Krachan 03/05

[Black-and-red Broadbill] (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos)
heard at KNC 24/04 and Hala Bala 26/04

[Banded Broadbill] (Eurylaimus javanicus)
heard at Kaeng Krachen 03/05

Black-and-yellow Broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus)
4 at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus)
One at Hala Bala 26/04,10 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 - 03/05 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis)
2 at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04, heard at Hala Bala 26/04 and seen at Hala Bala 27/04

[Eared Pitta] (Pitta phayrei)
heard at Khao Yai 05/05

[Blue Pitta] (Pitta cyanea)
heard at Kaeng Krachen 03/05 also heard at Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05

Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana)
heard at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04, male seen at KNC 24/04

Gurney's Pitta (Pitta gurneyi)
1 male at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida)
heard at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 2 seen at KNC 24/04

Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 & 25/04, heard at Kang Krachan 01/05

Mangrove Pitta (Pitta megarhyncha)
heard at Krabi 21/04, 2 at Krabi 23/04 and 2 at Phangnga 29/04

Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Dusky Crag-martin (Hirundo concolor)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Eurasian Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
fairly common

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Krabi 21/04 & 23/04 and Koh Similan 29/04

Lesser Striated Swallow (Hirundo daurica)
1 at Krabi 21/04, 2 on 23/04 also Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 03/05

Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05, Krabi 21/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05, and Khao Yai 04/05

Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi)
2 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus)
Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04, Koh Similan 29/04 and 2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 - 03/05

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05

Lesser Cuckooshrike (Coracina fimbriata)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04

Fiery Minivet (Pericrocotus igneus)
2 at Hala Bala 27/04

Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus)
1 male at Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 03/05, Khao Yai 04/05

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 & 24/04 Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04 and Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike (H. hirundinaceus)
1 at Hala Bala 28/04

Large Woodshrike (Tephrodornis vigatus)
Seen at Krabi Agro tourist resort 21/04

Black-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps)
Fairly common in forest at all sites

Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus)
Fairly common at Hala Bala, Kang Krachan & Khao Yai

Scaly-breasted Bulbul (Pycnonotus squamatus)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04 and another 27/04

Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
Khao Yai 04/05

Puff-backed Bulbul (Pycnonotus eutilotus)
Hala Bala 26/04

Stripe-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus finlaysoni)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 & 24/04 and Krabi 23/04

Flavescent Bulbul (Pycnonotus flavescens)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
quite common in southern forest

Streak-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus blanfordi)
fairly common in the northern half of the peninsular

Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex)
Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04 and Hala Bala 26/04

Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
Krabi forest 21/04 and Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus erythropthalmos)
Hala Bala 28/04

Finsch's Bulbul (Alophoixus finschii)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04

Puff-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus)
Khao Yai 04/05 - 06/05

Ochraceous Bulbul (Alophoixus ochraceus)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 & 25/04, 2 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05, and Khao Yai 04/05

Grey-cheeked Bulbul (Alophoixus bres)
Krabi 21/04

Yellow-bellied Bulbul (Alophoixus phaeocephalus)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Hairy-backed Bulbul (Tricholestes criniger)
KNC on 25/04 also Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04

Grey-eyed Bulbul (Iole propinqua)
Khao Yai 05/05

Buff-vented Bulbul (Iole olivacea)
Krabi forest 21/04 and Hala Bala 26/04

Streaked Bulbul (Ixos malaccensis)
1 at Hala Bala 28/04

Ashy Bulbul (Hemixos flavala)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)
Krabi forest 21/04, Krabi mangroves 23/04 and Hala Bala 26/04

Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
male and female at Hala Bala 26/04, very distinctive bird

Great Iora (Aegithina lafresnayei)
2 at Krabi forest 21/04 & 23/04 and Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04, Hala Bala 27/04 & 28/04, Khao Yai 04/05, 05/05 & 06/05

Greater Green Leafbird (Chloropsis sonnerati)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Lesser Green Leafbird (Chloropsis cyanopogon)
female at Krabi forest and a distant male probably of same species 21/04

Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 02/05, Khao Yai 04/05 - 06/05

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii)
Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Siberian Blue Robin (Luscinia cyane)
2 males & a female at Kao Nor Chuchi 23/04 & again on the 24/04

Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)
Fairly common

White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
Seen at Hala Bala, Kaeng Krachan, KNC and Khao Yai

Chestnut-naped Forktail (Enicurus ruficapillus)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04

Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus)
1 at Khao Yai 05/05

Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)
seen at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 and Khao Yai 04/05

Rufescent Prinia (Prinia rufescens)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04 and 1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04

Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Lanceolated Warbler (Locustella lanceolata)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Black-browed Reed-warbler (Acro.. bistrigiceps)
1 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 03/05

Oriental Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Yellow-bellied Warbler (Abroscopus superciliaris)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Samut Sakhon 20/04, Krabi 23/04, Hala Bala 26/04 and Khao Yai 06/05

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis)
Krabi mangroves 23/04, Hala Bala 26/04 & 28/04, Phangnga 29/04, Kaeng Krachen 03/05 and Khao Yai 04/05

Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps)
Krabi mangroves 23/04

Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04,Krabi forest and Agro tourist resort 21/04 & 23/04, KNC 22/04 - 25/04, and Koh Similian 29/04

Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
1 at Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia)
1 female, 1 male at Krabi forest 21/04 and 1 male at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

White-tailed Flycatcher (Cyornis concretus)
Seen briefly at Hala Bala 26/04, only ticked by MC a good find

Pale Blue-flycatcher (Cyornis unicolor)
1 female, 1 male at Hala Bala 26/04

Tickell's Blue-flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Spotted Fantail (Rhipidura perlata)
Hala Bala 26/04

Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)
Phan Nga 29/04 and 3 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
Krabi Agro tourist resort 21/04 & 23/04, Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 - 25/04, Hala Bala 26/04

Black-throated Laughingthrush (Garrulax chinensis)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Ferruginous Babbler (Trichastoma bicolor)
Hala Bala nature trail below centre 26/04 and 27/04

Abbott's Babbler (Malacocincla abbotti)
Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Short-tailed Babbler (Malacocincla malaccensis)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps)
Krabi forest 21/04, 1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04, and Kaeng Krachan 01/05

Scaly-crowned Babbler (Malacopteron cinereum)
Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04 and 1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Rufous-crowned Babbler (Malacopteron magnum)
Hala Bala nature trail below centre 26/04 and 27/04

White-browed Scimitar-babbler (Pomatorhinus schisticeps)
1 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 02/05

Large Wren-babbler (Napothera macrodactyla)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Black-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigricollis)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 25/04

Chestnut-winged Babbler (Stachyris erythroptera)
Krabi forest 21/04 and 2 at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Striped Tit-babbler (Macronous gularis)
Krabi forest 21/04, Kaeng Krachen 01/05 - 03/05 and Khao Yai 05/05 & 06/05

Striated Yuhina (Yuhina castaniceps)
1 at Khao Yai 05/05

White-bellied Yuhina (Yuhina zantholeuca)
Hala Bala 27/04 & 28/04 also Khao Yai 06/05

Sultan Tit (Melanochlora sultanea)
4 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & seen on 02/05

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis)
2 at Hala Bala 26/04 and 3 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05

Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex)
Krabi forest 21/04 and Hala Bala 26/04

Plain-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
Krabi Agro tourist resort 21/04, Krabi mangroves 23/04 also 2 at Phangnga 29/04

Red-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes rhodolaema)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Anthreptes singalensis)
Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04 and Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 02/05

Purple-naped Sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum)
Hala Bala 26/04 and 27/04

Purple-throated Sunbird (Nectarinia sperata)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis)
Krabi Agro tourist resort and mangroves 21/04

Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica)
Seen in visitor centre car park Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
1 at Krabi forest 21/04 and 1 at Khao Yai 04/05

Thick-Billed Spiderhunter (A. crassirostris)
seen at KNC 24/04

Long-billed Spiderhunter (Arachnothera robusta)
Hala Bala 26/04

Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster)
1 at Krabi forest 21/04

Yellow-eared Spiderhunter (Arachnothera chrysogenys)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera affinis)
1 at Krabi forest 21/04, Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04 and Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04

Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker (Prionochilus maculatus)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker (P. percussus)
Hala Bala 26/04

Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum agile)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker (D. chrysorrheum)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (D. trigonostigma)
1 at Krabi forest 21/04 & 23/04 and Hala Bala 26/04 - 28/04

Plain Flowerpecker (Dicaeum concolor)
Kao Nor Chuchi 25/04

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus)
2 at Khao Yai 05/05

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
Krabi Agro tourist resort 21/04 & 23/04, Hala Bala 28/04 and Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)
Several Out at the river mouth Krabi in mangroves 23/04

Everett's White-eye (Zosterops everetti)
Hala Bala 26/04

Dark-throated Oriole (Oriolus xanthonotus)
1 female, 1 male at Hala Bala 26/04

Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus)
1 male at Phangnga 29/04

Large Woodshrike (Tephrodornis gularis)
1 at Krabi 21/04

Tiger Shrike (Lanius tigrinus)
1 at Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Sam Roi Yot 20/04, Krabi 21/04, Hala Bala 26/04 & 27/04 and Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05

Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)
Sam Roi Yot 20/04 and Krabi 21/04

Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)
A few birds seen in suitable habitat

Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
Krabi 23/04

Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus)
1 at Hala Bala 27/04

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & again on the 02/05

Hair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus)
1 at Hala Bala 26/04 also Kaeng Krachen 02/05 & 03/05

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Seen in most forest areas

[Crested Jay] (Platylophus galericulatus)
heard at Kao Nor Chuchi 24/04

Green Magpie (Cissa chinensis)
1 nesting at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 03/05

Ratchet-tailed Treepie (Temnurus temnurus)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
Fairly common

Ashy Woodswallow (Artamus fuscus)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05 & 03/05 also Khao Yai 04/05

Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)
Seen at Krabi 21/04 & 23/04, Kao Nor Chuchi 25/04 and en route from KNC to Hala Bala, marsh near Trang 28/04

White-shouldered Starling (Sturnus sinensis)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Asian Pied Starling (Sturnus contra)
Samut Sakhon 19/04 and Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

Black-collared Starling (Sturnus nigricollis)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 01/05

Vinous-breasted Starling (Sturnus burmannicus)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 02/05

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Common

White-vented Myna (Acridotheres grandis)
Fairly common in Northern peninsular, Samut Sakhon and Khao Yai

Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
2 at Kaeng Krachen 03/05 also Khao Yai 04/05 & 05/05

Plain-backed Sparrow (Passer flaveolus)
4 at Khao Yai 05/05

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Fairly common

Pin-tailed Parrotfinch (Erythrura prasina)
2 at Kao Nor Chuchi on 22/04 also 24/04 and 25/04

White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 and Khao Yai 04/05

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 and Krabi airport 25/04

White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra)
Kao Nor Chuchi 22/04 & 25/04

Indian Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04 & 03/05

Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola)
Koh Sam Yoi Rot 20/04

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