| Muang
Boran Fish Ponds |
| Introduction |
| Muang
Boran Fishponds,
in Samut Prakarn province, consists of a patchwork of shallow
fish ponds and drainage ditches of varying size, with areas
of reeds, open water and lilies. This is a really good place
to visit whilst staying in Bangkok, a taxi will only take
about 30-40 minutes from the city centre early in the morning.
The best
time to visit is between October and April, when there are
large numbers of migrants present and fine weather, with 60
to 80 species easily seen in a 4-5 hour visit. However, a
visit between the months of May and September will provide
the best views of breeding birds, most notably the weavers
at their most colourful, when they can be seen with their
elaborate nests. |
|
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| Black
Drongo |
Asian
Golden
Weaver |
Red-wattled
Lapwing |
| (Photos
by Suppalak
Klabdee)m |
|
| This
whole area is privately owned and farmed by a number of families who
don't seem to mind people walking around to see birds, but please
remember to be polite and keep out of some areas if asked. The people
here are quite poor and some trap and shoot birds to supplement their
income (Persecution
of birds) or to protect their fish stocks (Dead
Birds at Muang Boran Fishponds). Whilst I find some of
these activities upsetting, I would suggest not getting involved in
removing hooks or lines yourself; either overlook them or report them
to the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand; bcst@bcst.or.th. |
|
About
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| Birding
Highlights |
| Waterbirds
and open-country birds are the main reason for a visit to
this venue. As well as numerous Egrets, Herons, Bitterns,
Cormorants and Jacanas, the Crakes/Rails and Reed Warblers
are particularly well represented here.
Striated
Grassbird is probably more numerous here than anywhere else
that I've visited in Thailand, and is easily seen all year
round. The sheer number of Acrocephalus warblers
allows good views of many species and the separation of Black-browed
from Manchurian Reed Warbler. Oriental Reed Warbler is very
numerous in the dry season and Thick-billed Warbler can be
regularly found. Rusty-rumped (Pallas's Grasshopper) Warbler
is occasionally seen here with Blunt-winged Warbler being
available for those willing to spend time checking out all
the" small brown jobs".
White-breasted
Waterhen, Common Moorhen and Ruddy-breasted Crake are very
numerous and both White-browed Crake and Slaty-breasted Rail
are commonly seen here. In addition, Watercock can be found
throughout the year and Baillon's Crake puts in an appearance
in the winter months. |
|
Baillon's
Crake
(Photo by Suppalak
Klabdee) |
|
| Click
here for a checklist of the birds of Muang
Boran Fish Ponds |
| Travel
Information |
|
|
Getting
to this site can be a little tricky. The first step is to
get to Muang Boran which is a little-visited tourist attraction
with recreations of cultural landmarks from around the country.
Muang Boran can be found in most guidebooks on Thailand. The
easiest way to get to Muang Boran is to take a taxi from central
Bangkok; virtually all taxi drivers know the site. If you
have trouble communicating show them the Muang
Boran Thai script and you should get there.
I
would not suggest trying to get here by bus or songtaew as,
although it is possible, the chances of a visitor who cannot
speak Thai getting lost are high.
From
Muang Boran to the fishponds is not far but has the potential
for difficulties so I shall describe the route with the aid
of the simple sketch map below. |
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| It
is necessary to take a motorcycle taxi from next to the footbridge
and follow the route to the other motorcycle taxi stop. The tricky
bit here is to turn left immediately after the apartment block and
not turning into the apartment car park itself. From the second motorcycle
stop it is easiest to walk; simply walk along the road past a couple
of small shops where it is a good idea to buy water if you do not
already have enough. Foreigners walking through here are a source
of entertainment, so be prepared to be stared at. At the end of the
road is a small walkway in order to cross a ditch heading towards
some wooden shacks. Turn left here and you are into the fishponds;
congratulations! Although this sounds difficult in reality all the
tracks quickly turn into dead ends if you go the wrong way, so if
you do not get it right first time a little perseverance will get
you to the right place. Plenty of people have e-mailed me telling
me that they successfully followed these directions! |
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About
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| Finding
Birds |
|
|
Finding
birds at Muang Boran Fish Ponds is fairly easy due to the
open nature of the site, although some of the Warblers can
take some time to see due to their skulking nature. Waterbirds
are common throughout the site and it is possible to see almost
all the Thai Egret/Heron/Bittern species here in a day. Over
100 species have been recorded here, and a 3-4 hour visit
between the months of October to April will typically reveal
around 70 species.
Striated
Grassbirds can be seen throughout the site; adults favour
exposed perches to call from, or can be seen as they fly up
out of reedy areas to call.
Indian
Cormorants are numerous here, being easy to see perching on
the few large trees around the extremities of this site. When
perched, they are easily separated from Little Cormorants
by their size and bill shape, when in flight separation of
the species is not so simple, but possible; Little Cormorants
have rapid wingbeats whereas the Indian Cormorant has a somewhat
less panicky flight pattern.
A
number of species of Acrocephalus warblers can be
found around the site; Black-browed Reed Warbler is common
and easily observed, but it is worth spending some time examining
these, for Manchurian Reed Warbler is often present and is
separated by its longer, stouter bill and thinner black eyestripe. |
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|
Pond
1:
This is the first pond one sees on entering the site and is worth
spending at least half an hour watching. Its shallow nature means
it is good for Pond Herons, Jacanas and Egrets. This is also where
large groups of Whiskered and White-winged Tern congregate and both
can bee seen fishing here. Striated Grassbird can usually be seen
along here, with one bird favouring a dead tree to the left of the
trail here as a songpost.
Pond
2:
This deep-water pond has permanent water and as such is a favourite
fishing spot for Little and Indian Cormorants. In winter months
at least one Osprey can often be observed catching fish here. To
the left of the main trail here is an overgrown ditch which seems
to be a good place to look for Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler. |
Trail 3:
The track here passes alongside an area of low and often burned
vegetation which is an excellent place to observe various
Acrocephalus Warblers. Black-browed Reed Warbler
and Oriental Reed Warbler will be seen easily and by spending
some time here it should be possible to find at least one
Manchurian Reed Warbler. Be careful to take time over identifying
these species as Blunt-winged Warbler also occurs and misidentification
is likely if good views are not obtained.
Pond
4:
The water level in this pond seems to fluctuate quite frequently
and is a good spot for many species. A small colony of Asian
Golden Weavers nest in some reeds here and White-browed Crake
is usually easy to see. By walking around this pond all corners
can be investigated and in the past I have found Bluethroat,
Red Avadavat and Baillon's Crake. Although never common, virtually
all my sightings of Oriental Skylark have come from the vicinity
of this pond, and it can be picked out singing in the same
way as its European relative (with virtually the same song
too).
Location
5:
A wide ditch here always contains water and is another excellent
place to find many species. Asian Golden Weaver, Black-browed
Reed Warbler, Baillon's Crake and Black-headed (Chestnut)
Munia are often to be seen along here. |
|
Black-browed
Reed Warbler
(Photo by Alister
Benn) |
|
Pond
6:
This large pond has varying depths and as such is a great place
for many species. A small flock of Lesser Whistling-duck usually
winter here and occasionally Cotton Pygmy-Goose can be found. Watercock
is not an easy species to find at this location, but most of my
sightings of this species have been from this pool and Purple Herons
can reach double figures here. Both Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged
Jacanas are nearly always to be found here and sometimes can be
in large numbers.
Pond
7:
A number of large radio masts are placed in this pond but some of
the support cables tend to be a favourite place for Indian Cormorant
to roost, with numbers up to 100. Most winters a Peregrine Falcon
uses these radio masts to launch its hunting forays and an Osprey
can often be seen perched on top of some of the smaller masts.
Location
8:
A lot of dry, thorny undergrowth in this region plays host to plenty
of Warblers such as Black-browed Reed Warbler, Dusky Warbler and
Oriental Reed Warbler, and, sometimes, Bluethroat. Although I haven't
seen them here, this seems like a good area to search for Lanceolated
Warbler and Baikal Bush Warbler. |
| Facilities |
|
About
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This
part of Samut Prakarn isn't the most picturesque place anyone will
visit on their travels and it is unlikely that anyone would want
to spend the night here, nor is it necessary due to its accessibility
from central Bangkok. Far better to stay in a nice hotel in the
city: Bangkok Hotel
Reservations.
Once birders
have found their way onto the site there is nowhere to buy water,
although I have been offered drinks by some of the families farming
the area in the past. For food and water it is best to bring a packed
lunch, the lack of shade at this site means that plenty of water
is a must. It is a good idea to buy some ice-cold water from one
of the small shops in the small housing development one passes through
to gain access to the area. This area is not a National Park and
you will not be charged to go birding here but by spending some
money in the small shops here it means that the poor people in this
area benefit in a small way from your visit. These shops also sell
snacks and other soft drinks which are always welcome when leaving
the site.
When leaving,
motorcycle taxis are available from outside a small shop a short
walk from the fish ponds; see map above, the fare back to the main
road is 7 baht. |
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Search
for the best hotel deals using the link on the left. Just enter
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| Other
Related Pages |
Birdwatching
Day Tours/Guiding
Dead
Birds at Muang Boran Fishponds
Bird
Persecution |
| Photo
Galleries |
|
| Trip
Reports |
|
| Related
Blog Entries |
| Muang
Boran Fishponds - posted 10/03/08 |
