| 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.
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