Visitors since 01/09/06

From October to May, 2000-3000 Brown-headed Gulls are normally to be seen at Bang Poo with small numbers of Black-headed Gulls nearly always present. This large gull flock is easily observed, with many locals feeding the birds scraps of food, and it is worth checking for less common species; Slender-billed Gull is sometimes found here as are Heuglin's Gull and very occasionally Pallas's Gull. Terns are also a feature here, Whiskered is the most numerous and most of the other Thai species often turn up here.

Bang Poo is also a good place to see waders on the mudflats at low tide and on the inland pools at high tide. Inspecting the wader flocks can reveal some interesting birds with Grey-tailed Tattler being the speciality here in April and May and Asian Dowitcher sometimes amongst the large flock of Black-tailed Godwits.

Bang Poo doesn't at first appear as if it would be an ideal birding venue, but a good number of unusual birds have been seen here; Frigatebirds, Thailand's first Mew Gull and Glossy Ibis have all been found in recent years, and people who regularly watch this site, particularly during migratory periods, will be rewarded with interesting sightings.

Apart from these highlights, any walk around Bang Poo will afford good views of many other species such as Collared Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Egrets, Plain-backed Sparrow and Golden-bellied Gerygone, and a seafood lunch in the restaurant at the end of the pier is a non-birding highlight of any visit to Bang Poo!

The first time I tried to visit Bang Poo I got completely lost and ended up at Samut Prakarn Docks, not one of the world's ornithological hotspots. The mistake I made was trying to get there by bus, which involves changing at Samut Prakarn and a walk between buses: I would not recommend this method at all as the distance between buses is considerable and finding the correct connection is difficult.

The best method is to take a taxi and tell the driver SaTarn Tee Tark A-Kart Bang Poo or if that is a bit too tricky to get your tongue around show the taxi driver the Bang Poo Thai Script. Most taxi drivers seem to know it, but you may have to help them as you get nearer to the site. On the meter the cost should be about 250 baht from Bangkok city centre and taxis for the return journey are easily obtained by walking the short distance back to the main road and waiting for one to come along.

A large number of species can be found at Bang Poo at the right time of year, and due to the small size of the site most of these can be easily found. There is always potential to add to the site list, with unusual migrant species showing up every year with some surprising species having been seen over the years.

Most people come here to see shorebirds and indeed these are easily found on the mudflats at low tide (observing them from the pier is the best tactic) and on the inland pools at high tide, however, it is also worth taking a walk around the site where a lot of common open-country species can be found as well as a number of interesting migrant species. The Spring migration tends to produce the richest pickings in terms of unusual migrants here, with Grey-tailed Tattler often seen in small numbers in April and early May.

Golden-bellied Gerygone (Flyeater) is very numerous here and its high-pitched whistle can often be heard coming from any of the mangrove fragments. It can be quite difficult to observe due to its tiny size and colouration, but be patient and you are sure to get good views of a few.
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A number of places around the site are likely to provide the most interesting sightings:

Mudflats: The Pier and the viewing platform beyond the restaurant provide the best place to observe birds on these mudflats and as with any shorebird watching getting the tide at the right time is important or the birds can be distant specks; it is important to have a telescope here. Whiskered Tern, Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers and Kentish Plover, as well as Gulls, are all common birds here and in the Spring many of these birds can be seen in their summer plumage before they leave for their breeding grounds.

If you like a walk whilst birding then a trail eastwards along the foreshore also offers the chance to look over the mudflats. If you can find a rock to hide behind it is a good idea to wait along here whilst the tide comes in to get some close views of the birds - unfortunately this trail now begins behind a locked gate so it is not possible to follow it any more unless you jump over the gate!

Waterbird Colony: In a clump of mangrove trees is a colony of Black-crowned Night Herons, Little and Indian Cormorants with small numbers of Egrets, all of which can be observed at close range. Some good photo opportunities here!

Roosting Pools: It is here that many of the wading birds go to roost when the tide comes in. A large flock of Black-tailed Godwits often harbours an Asian Dowitcher or two with Wood Sandpipers and Long-toed Stints prefering this habitat over the medflats at all times. In recent years these pools have become rather overgrown with mangrove seedlings and it is becoming difficult to view the birds. However, if one walks to the far end of the track it is still possible to observe a large area of the pools; the best views will be obtained using a telescope. Unfortunately there now seems to be no public access to this part of the site as it is now a nature reserve - unless you want to jump over the locked gate.

Point 1 : In this area Plain-backed Sparrows can be found; listen out for their call which has a subtle difference from that of Tree Sparrow. A few other passerines can be found here too including Chestnut Munia, Golden-bellied Gerygone and Common Iora.

In theory it would be possible to find a small hotel locally, there are certainly a few in the town of Samut Prakarn, but why you would want to stay in one of these grubby little places beats me; a much better idea would be to make this a day trip from your hotel in Bangkok: Bangkok Hotel Reservations.

In terms of refreshments there are plenty available to revive you if the heat becomes too much; a number of small kiosks around the gate to the pier have cold drinks and snacks for sale, sometimes food such as barbequed chicken is available here too. The real treat though is the restaurant at the end of the pier which specialises in seafood. Lunch or dinner here after watching the birds is a good way to relax and the menu is in English and Thai making it easy to order - the friendly staff will do all they can to help you order something good.

For those who are interested, there are a number of vendors on the pier that sell food to feed to the gulls with and, rather obscurely, you can purchase crabs to be released in the mangroves in order to atone for your sins!

Gull feeding at Bang Poo Pier 

Gull feeding at Bang Poo Pier