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19/08/08 : A few migrant shorebirds at Bang Pra on 17th included a few Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank. Rufous Treepie, Laced Woodpecker and White-crested Laughingthrush were all present in woodland at Bang Pra.

Shorebird numbers were lower than expected at Bang Poo with small numbers of Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Whimbrel and singles of Greater Sand Plover and Marsh Sandpiper.

6 Pacific Golden Plovers were seen at Bang Poo Soi 119 as well as small numbers of Asian Golden Weaver.

The above sightings from Bang Pra, Bang Poo and Soi 119 were made by Nick Upton & Michael Lenz.

15/08/08 : At Bueng Boraphet at least 40 Spot-billed Pelicans were present on 14th & 13th. On the 14th 7 Oriental Darters were seen as was a single adult Chestnut-tailed Starling, and on the 13th 3 Darters were found. Also on the 13th 3 White-winged Terns were seen at Bueng Boraphet and a colony of Asian Golden Weavers was thriving in the crocodile enclosure. - Nick Upton & Alex Vargas.

Asian Dowitchers are present at Khok Kham with more than 50 birds on the 13th and 18 birds on 12th.

Reports of Asian Dowitchers were submitted by Dave Gandy & Peter Ericsson.

10/08/08 : Numbers of waterbirds at Muang Boran Fishponds were low on 9th August but good numbers of breeding Asian Golden Weavers were seen. At least 4 family groups of White-browed Crakes were seen with small, black chicks and amongst 30+ Pheasant-tailed Jacanas was at least one male with 3 tiny chicks. - Nick Upton.

04/08/08 : A single Gull-billed Tern was seen fishing off of Cha-Am's north beach on 3rd August. 58 Little Terns, 20-30 Lesser Sand Plovers and 2 Pacific Reef Egrets were also present. - Nick Upton.

01/08/08 : At Doi Ang Kang, on the 29th July, a Russet Bush Warbler was seen in song on the Ban Khum - Ban Luang trail and 2 others were heard. A pair of Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbills were seen on the Mae Per Forest Trail on the same date.

The jeep track 37.5 km at Doi Inthanon finally produced excellent views of 2 Green Cochoas after 2 hours of listening to them calling. A Slaty-bellied Tesia was seen up to a few feet away on the same trail. Two groups of Black-headed Woodpeckers, totalling 19 birds were seen on the Km 13 trail after 6pm. Collared Falconet was abundant on this trail. All these birds were on the 28th July.

The above sightings from Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Kang were made by Nick Upton.

Green Cochoa was heard and glimpsed through foliage as it flew past at 400m on the Km 37.5 jeep track, Doi Inthanon on 26th July. An adult and 2 juvenile Black-hooded Orioles were seen at Km 15 and 5 Collared Falconets were accompanied by a Blue-bearded Bee-eater at Km 14. - Nick Upton & Phil Hitchens.

A single Giant Nuthatch was seen at Km 31, Doi Ang Kang on the 25th July and a White-crowned Forktail was performing well on the Mae Per trail. Crested Finchbills were abundant on 23rd, 24th and 25th. On 24th 3 Russet Bush Warblers were heard at various points of Doi Ang Kang, 4 Spot-breasted Parrotbills were observed on the Mae Per trail, a Mountain Bamboo Partridge was flushed and a pair of Spot-throated Babblers were watched in the undergrowth a few feet distant. A Scaly Thrush was seen perched in a tree at Km 31.

On the morning of 23rd July 3 Chestnut-tailed Starlings were found at Huay Tueng Tao. Rufous Treepies were abundant. Other interesting birds at this location were Cinnamon Bittern, Asian Barred Owlet and Chestnut-capped Babbler.

Collared Falconets were numerous along Km 13 trail, Doi Inthanon on the 22nd July. Several Red-billed Blue Magpies were found close to the park gate early in the morning. On the 21st a female Red-headed Trogon was seen along Km 37.5 jeep track and Green Cochoas were calling and flying around in the canopy but proved elusive to binoculars. A group of 5 Black-throated Parrotbills were found in bamboo approximately 1.5kms along the jeep track at Km 34.5.

A Blue Pitta was seen and an Eared Pitta heard between streams 2 and 3 at Kaeng Krachan on the 19th July. A Buff-rumped Woodpecker was seen in a mixed flock close to stream 2 and a very worn Hainan Blue Flycatcher was singing in the same area. Banded and Silver-breasted Broadbills were still calling and seen too. On the 18th a pair of Black-and-red Broadbills were observed on the road to Ban Krang, Kaeng Krachan and Banded Broadbills seen at stream 1. A pair of Great Slaty Woodpeckers were displaying well at stream 1 also on the 18th and a Black-backed Kingfisher was seen taking a small lizard to a nest hole close to stream 3. The 18th turned up a number of other good sightings including Blue-winged Pitta at Ban Maka, a large group of Brown Hornbills near stream 2 and a fruiting tree near Ban Krang provided excellent views of Great Hornbills, Oriental Pied Hornbills and Thick-billed Pigeons until an adult Rufous-bellied Eagle scared them all away.

Asian Golden, Streaked and Baya Weavers were all still engaged in nesting at Tung Bang Jak on the 17th July. A pair of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas was also present as were a few returning Wood Sandpipers. An Osprey was seen eating a fish near Wat Khao Takrao on the same date. Also on the 17th at nearby Laem Pak Bia large numbers of Painted Storks were seen at a number of locations and small numbers of shorebirds were seen on the mudflats including Red-necked Stint, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover & Common Greenshank. Other waders found on inland pools included Long-toed Stint and Little Ringed Plover.

The above sightings from Doi Ang Kang, Doi Inthanon, Huay Tueng Tao, Kaeng Krachan, Tung Bang Jak and Laem Pak Bia were made by Nick Upton & Robert L. King.

13/07/08 : A Black-throated Babbler was seen at Khao Sok National Park on 6th July and Chestnut-naped Forktails were said to be common and easily seen on 5th to 7th July at the same location. Other interesting birds reported on these dates included Rufous Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker and Temminck's Sunbird. - Dominic Le Croissette.

10/07/08 : On 8th July 2 Black-throated Laughingthrushes were found at Bang Pra. Other interesting birds were Rufous Treepie, Laced Woodpecker, White-crested Laughingthrush, Asian Barred Owlet, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Chinese Francolin and Barred Buttonquail. 3 Painted Storks and 7 Spot-billed Pelicans from nearby Khao Khieo Open Zoo were also seen. - Nick Upton & Andrew Ley.

A single Whiskered Tern was seen at Muang Boran Fishponds on 7th July and Barn Swallows numbered around 10 birds. At nearby Bang Poo Soi 119 a Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker was briefly seen. Also on the 7th July, 2 Lesser Sand Plovers were on the mudflats at Bang Poo. - Nick Upton, Andrew & Beth Ley.

06/07/08 : Breeding birds at Tung Bang Jak on 5th July included large numbers of Baya Weaver and good numbers of Asian Golden and Streaked Weavers. Several juvenile Javan Pond Herons were seen as was one juvenile Purple Heron along with around a dozen adults. A Bronze-winged Jacana was seen with 3 small chicks and a pair of Greater Painted Snipe were seen courting. A single Barn Swallow was also seen and several pairs of Ashy Woodswallows were feeding young.

On 4th July at Kaeng Krachan a pair of Collared Falconets were seen with 2 juveniles along the access road and several Black-thighed Falconets were seen in various locations. At Ban Krang campsite a juvenile Banded Bay Cuckoo was being fed by Common Ioras and several Sultan Tits were seen at just a few feet away. A pair of Black-backed Kingfishers were seen feeding young a short distance from stream 2, near Ban Krang and 3 Crested Jays were found on a side trail a little before stream 3. Blue Pitta, Eared Pitta and Blue-winged Pitta were all heard calling but not seen. Other interesting species included a pair of Black-and-red Broadbills, a pair of Banded Broadbills, Great Hornbill, a flock of 8 Wreathed Hornbills, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Crawfordi Silver Pheasant and Red-bearded Bee-eater. - Nick Upton.

30/06/08 : A Coppersmith Barbet was heard over the roar of traffic and seen on an overhead cable at the junction of Soi 31, Sukhumvit Road on 30th June. - Nick Upton.

Large numbers of Streaked, Asian Golden and Baya Weavers were present at Tung Bang Jak on 29th June. - Alex Vargas.

2 Streaked Weavers were seen at Muang Boran Fishponds as well as 8-9 Asian Golden Weavers on 25th June. - Attila Simay.

A Purple Cochoa was seen at KM 35, Doi Inthanon on the weekend of 21-22nd June. - Alex Vargas.

28/06/09 : As they don't seem to be appearing on the BCST website I reproduce in full Phil Round's summary of notable sightings from March to June 2008:

As before, all records submitted or gleaned from web pages are entered into the BCST Records Committee database. Only a selection of the more significant records are listed here, though we gratefully thank all those observers who submitted records..

There were 36 Oriental Darters including three nests at Wat Huai Jan (Lopburi) on 18 April, (SS) and 25 at Wang Nam Pet (Phitsanulok) on 8 June (MT). Nesting Darters were present at Ko Wat, Bung Boraphet (Nakhon Sawan) on 8 June (SS) and ones and twos reported from four other localities. There were 100 Spot-billed Pelicans at Bung Boraphet on 8 June (SS). Five Christmas Frigatebirds were reported off Ko Phi Phi (Krabi) on 25 March (CC). A Great-billed Heron was reported from a marsh near Phuket Airport on 23 April (IS) and when disturbed, flew ff towards some coastasl mangroves. A single Grey Heron was still present at Bung Boraphet on 8 June (SS). The spread of Javan Pond Herons continues with six breeding plumage birds at Kantang (Trang) on 8 April (SN, PDR) and two breeding adults and an apparent juvenile at Wang Nam Pet on 8 June MT).

Six breeding plumage Indian Pond Herons were reported from Minburi (Bangkok) and Bang Pu (Samut Prakan) to Laem Phak Bia (Phetchaburi) during 26 April to 10 May (PC, BK, KT, NU). Two Milky Storks at Khlong Tamru (Chonburi) on 23 April (SD, SN) appear to have been pure rather than hybrid individuals according to their underwing pattern.

Counts of over 20 White-browed Crakes and 80 Pheasant-tailed Jacanas (less than in the winter period) were made at Muang Boran Fishponds (Samut Prakan) on 24 May (NU). There were eleven Nordmann’s Greenshanks at Krabi River Mouth on 26 March (JB). 15 Grey-tailed Tattlers were reported during 26 March (Laem Pakarang, Phang-nga; CC) to 4 May (four at Laem Phak Bia; SK, SM et al.) An Eastern Curlew was seen at Ko Libong (Trang) on 6 April (PDR); 500 Asian Dowitchers on mudflats off Samut Sakhon on 21 April (SS) was the largest Inner Gulf count for a few years. Single Little Stints were reported at Laem Phak Bia on 23 March (NU), 30 April (BK) and on 4 May (SM et al.) 40-50 Ruffs were present in the Environmental Research and Development Project, Laem Phak Bia, on 19 March (NU).

A single River Tern at Chiang Saen (Chiang Rai) on 3 May (DD, MD) was the last recorded this season. Sooty Tern and “double figures of” Pomarine Jaegers were reported between Ko Lanta and Ko Lipe (Krabi) on 25 March (AA). A worn juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger was photographed on a pond at Khok Kham (Samut Sakhon) on 15 April (PK).There were still two White-winged Terns on Bung Boraphet on 8 June (SS).

Four sightings of 1–3 Pied Cuckoos were made at Bung Boraphet during 9 May to June (KI/BBWRS). Some were said to be calling which is remarkable. Is this former vagrant colonising, perhaps? A Ruddy Kingfisher (resident or migrant?) in mangroves at Pak Thale on 23 March (NU) is one of very few records for the Central Plains area.

There were migrant Blue-winged Pittas (one or more?) in parkland at Phutthamonthol on 14 to 20 April (RS, S?) and Hooded Pittas from14 to 24 April (RS, S? et al.). Presumed breeding Blue-winged and Hooded Pittas arrived on territory in the Chiang Saen Basin in mid-May (DD, MD) but a nest of Hooded Pittas in Khao Yai (Nakhon Ratchasima) had already fledged three young in the last week of May (XXX).

Among passerine passage migrants, there were Crow-billed Drongos at Ko Libong ( 6 and 7 April; PDR) and 26 April (Samut Sakhon; PK) a Tiger Shrike at Chiang Saen on 14 April (DD, MD); a Brown-chested Flycatcher netted and ringed in scrub at Bung Boraphet on 29 April (KI/BBWRS); eight Mugimaki Flycatchers (five males and three females or second calendar-year males) during 6–26 April from Loei, Udon, Nakhon Sawan, Samut Sakhon, Ko Samui and Trang (XXX, KI/BBWRSPB, SM, MT). A male nominate race Narcissus Flycatcher found dead on Wireless Road (Bangkok) on 9 April (XXX) was only the second or third record for the country. A male Green-backed Flycatcher was photographed at Ko Samui (Surat Thani) on 16 April (XXX). Nine Yellow-rumped Flycatchers during 6–24 April, from Loei, Udon Thani and Chaiyaphum in the N NE, south to Trang; (XXX, PB; SM; PDR, MT) included 5 males, 3 females and two that were unspecified.

A male White-tailed Rubythroat in roadside grasses at Doi Ang Khang on 2 April (PS) was the first record of this scarce and local winter visitor away from lowland reedbeds. A Manchurian Reed Warbler was seen at Muang Bran Fishponds on 19 April (NU). Remarkably, the Large-billed Reed Warbler which made history when first caught and banded at Laem Phak Bia on 27 March 2006 was retrapped at exactly the same site on 21 March 2008 (SN). Remarkably, a second bird was caught and banded at the Nam Kham Nature Reserve (Chiang Rai) on 27 March 2008 (WB, AK, PDR: see elsewhere this issue).

A male Cutia was seen on Doi Ang Khang on 2 April (PS) and Rufous-throated Fulvetta reported from Ph Suan Xai National Park (Loei) on 6 April (MT).

A Blyth’s Pipit (only the second Thai record) was reported from Khao Yai on 27 March(NU), and was supported by a written description. No fewer than 700 Citrine Wagtails were counted going to roost near Rimkhong (Chiang Saen) on 6 April (DD,MD).

Small colonies of up to 20 Asian Golden Weavers were reported from a number of sites during 8 March to 25 May, from Kong Krailas (Sukhothai); around Bangkok (Lat Krabang, Minburi, and Thung Khru-Bang Khunthien); Muang Boran Fishponds (Samut Prakan), Kamphaengsaen and Phutthamonthol (Nakhon Pathom), Mae Klong (Samut Songkhram) and Bang Jak (Phetchaburi) (XXX, NU, MT).

Streaked Weaver colonies were reported from near Muang Boran Fishponds, Bang Jaak and Had Chao Samran during 12 April–19 May (NU, SW)

Latest dates for winter visitors or passage migrants:

Chinese Egret 15 April, Laem Phak Bia (NU); Black-faced Spoonbill 13 May, Laem Phak Bia (SW), Chinese Sparrowhawk, Bang Phra, 5 June (NU); the last few roosting harriers at Chiang Saen departed in the first week of May (DD, MD).Grey-headed Lapwing, 26 April, Muang Boran Fishponds (NU); White-faced Plover, 6 April, Ko Libong, (SN, PDR); Nordmann’s Greenshank 21 April (two, Samut Sakhon, SS); Spoon-billed Sandpiper 1 April, one, Khok Kham (SD); Red-necked Phalarope 1 May, one, Laem Phak Bia (PC). White-tailed Rubythroat 3 April, Nam Kham (WB); Orange-flanked Bush Robin 26 March (Doi Inthanon; FG, MT); Chestnut Thrush 26 March, three, Doi Inthanon, (FG, MT); Oriental Reed Warbler 24 May, Samut Prakan, (NU), Baikal Bush Warbler 5 May, Nam Kham, (AJP), Black-faced Bunting 5 May; Chiang Saen (DD, MD), Yellow-breasted Bunting 3 May, six, Chiang Saen (DD, MD)

Breeding records: Chiang Saen Basin (DD, MD) Five pairs of Oriental Honey-buzzards thought to be breeding May (DD, MD). White-browed Crake nest-building on 14 April Barn Swallows were also said to now be breeding commonly in Chiang Saen town.

Contributors: Andy Adcock (AA), Philip Bawden (PB), Worapoj Boonkhwamdee (WB), Johan Buckens (JB), Chaiwat Chinuparawat (CC), Panuwat Chuenmano (PC), Suchart Daengphhayon (SD), Dowroong Damlamajak (DD), Mick Davies (MD), Frederic Le Gouis (FG), Kultida Itthiporn/ Bung Boraphet Wildlife Research Station (KI/BBS), Pornthep Katsura (PK), Boonrod Khieoyuu (BK), Suporn Kusolnamsanong (SK), Akaak Kunsorn (AK), Dr. Suwanna Mookachonpan (SM), Somchai Nimnuan (SN), Andrew J. Pierce (AJP), Philip Round (PDR), Pinit Saengkaew (PS), FRonayuth Sribanyaranond (RS), Ike Suriwong (IS), Smith Sutibut (SS), Marc Thibault (MT), Khemthong Tonsakulrungreung (KT), Nick Upton (NU), Stijn de Win (SW), Somchai, surname unknown (S?); Anonymous or pseudonymous web-board postings (XXX).

Records were also received from: Vorawan Aksornsart, Jarnpol Chaiwut, John Furse, Hathairat Jantowat, Phoori Kaensarn, Ekabutr Kanwanich, Wut Kiatwong, Petch Manopawitr, Yotin Meekaeo, Jaray Mekkaew, Sorasak Naak-Eim, Sirada Naipongsri , Dr. Mantanee Pairachavet, Somkiat Pakapinyo, Srasri Phiromyothee, Korakoch Pobprasert, Wuttipong Prapatsorn, Siriwit Sae-khow, Dr. Tommaso Savini, Jatuporn Sawasdee,. Pensri Srikeaw, Thunyalux Sunthoramat, Dr. Kaset Sutasha, Larry Wheatland.

Compiled on behalf of BCST Records Committee by Philip Round with assistance from Nick Upton (Thaibirding.com), Dr. Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua (Thai Raptor Group), Parinya Padungtin (www.tourtamoan.com)

08/06/08 : 47 White-browed Crakes, 66 Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, 1 male Watercock, 9 Asian Golden Weavers and 91 Indian Cormorants were of interest at Muang Boran Fishponds on 7th June. Also seen were a single Oriental Reed Warbler and 1 Barn Swallow. - Nick Upton.

Barn Swallows were said to be common nesting birds in Chiang Saen and 6 Plain Martins were also seen during May. - Mick Davies & Dowroong Danlamajak.

2 White-tailed Rubythroats, 1 Large-billed Reed Warbler and a Paddyfield Warbler were caught whilst ringing near Chiang Saen in May. - Phil Round.

05/06/08 : Highlights of a brief trip to Bang Pra on the 5th were 5 Painted Storks and 1 Spot-billed Pelican (from the feral population originating from Khao Khieo Zoo), 1 immature Chinese Sparrowhawk, 2 Asian Barred Owlets and 2 pairs of Rufous Treepies feeding young. - Nick Upton, Gabby & Alex Vargas.

25/05/08 : Some interesting records from Muang Boran Fishponds on the 24th May were 1 adult Purple Heron, 1 Stork-billed Kingfisher, c 16 Asian Golden Weavers, 80+ Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, 20+ White-browed Crakes and 1 male Watercock. Species usually regarded as winter migrants included 1 Oriental Reed Warbler, 1 Intermediate Egret and 9 Barn Swallows. Summer visitors included 10+ Black Bitterns and over 300 Oriental Pratincoles, many with young. - Nick Upton.

22/05/08 : On 20th May 5 Common Redshank and at least 14 Whiskered Terns were still to be found close to King Mongkut's University, Bang KunTien campus. A Black Bittern and a small colony of Asian Golden Weavers was also found. At least 1 Little Tern nest was found with young in it and there were 3 more probable nests. - Nick Upton.

16/05/08 : An Osprey was seen carrying prey over Rama 2 Road in Samut Songkram on 15th May and 1 imm/first year Black-faced Spoonbill was seen at Laem Pak Bia on 13th. - Stijn De Win.

On 6th May a male Blue-and-white Flycatcher was present at Khao Chong Waterfall Forest Park. Also seen was a Chestnut-capped Thrush and a very late Asian Brown Flycatcher.

An Indian Pond Heron was seen on the beach near Trang Aquarium along with a few shorebirds including Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel and Lesser Sand Plover on the 5th May.

The above sightings were taken from Ike Suriwong's Birds of Phuket blog.

14/05/08 : Although birding was slow at Kaeng Krachan on 8th & 9th May some good birds were found: 2 Black-and-red Broadbills, 2 Black-and-yellow Broadbills, 2 Dusky Broadbills, 1 Banded Broadbill, Several pairs of Silver-breasted Broadbills, 1 Bamboo Woodpecker, 2 Stork-billed Kingfishers, 1 Mountain Hawk Eagle, 1 Black Eagle, 3 Orange-breasted Trogons and a group of about 10 Tickell's Brown Hornbills. A few late migrants included 3 Fork-tailed Swifts, small numbers of Barn Swallow and several Chinese Pond Herons.

On 10th May an Indian Pond Heron was found at Tung Bang Jak where good numbers of Streaked and Asian Golden Weavers were nesting. A Black Bittern was seen and late winter migrants included 17 Barn Swallows, 1 Chinese Pond Heron, 7 Whiskered Terns and 3 Oriental Reed Warblers.

11th May produced very few birds at Khao Yai due to rain. Migrant species included 2 Chinese Pond Herons, 2 Brown Shrikes, 1 Japanese Sparrowhawk and 7 Barn Swallows. Mammals included 3 Asian Elephants and 2 Dholes.

The above sightings from Kaeng Krachan, Tung Bang Jak and Khao Yai were made by Nick Upton.

02/05/08 : 1 male and 2 female Pink-necked Green Pigeons were the highlight of a short visit to Suan Luang on 1st May. The only migrant species seen was a single Barn Swallow. - Nick Upton.