Mae Hia Agricultural College
(Updated 25/03/20)

Wire-tailed Swallow (Photo by Nick Upton)

Mae Hia Agricultural College, a little to the south west of the city of Chiang Mai, is an area of farmland, grassland, scrub and pools with adjacent woodland of the lower slopes of Doi Suthep to the north and is a perfect place for birders staying in Chiang Mai to spend a few hours in the morning or late afternoon.

Although the college is not officially open to visitors, the staff are sympathetic to visiting birdwatchers and a smile is usually enough to gain access to the grounds where the wide range of habitats can reveal a surprising number of species, with scarce and rare species turning up frequently, particularly during migratory periods.

Please remember that although this is a site widely used by the public it is still private property, so please behave with respect to any members of staff or students you may bump into and don't do anything that may reflect badly on any bird watchers that might visit in the future

Whilst this is a pleasant place to visit for most of the year, the air quality can get extremely poor in March: pollution in Chiang Mai.

Golden-headed Cisticola (Photo by Johan Svensson)

Mae Hia Agricultural College is a good place to see a selection of open-country species although some wetland and woodland birds also occur. For some time now, this location has been known for Wire-tailed Swallow and although it is by no means guaranteed, it is a species regularly encountered by birdwatchers here; check the wires in the early morning and late afternoon. Indochinese Bushlark is particularly common at Mae Hia as is Pied Bushchat and Ashy Woodswallow which can often be observed cuddling together in groups on overhead wires. The very attractive Burmese Shrike, although not particularly numerous, can usually be found at Mae Hia in the "winter" months and it is worth checking out the Brown and Long-tailed Shrikes for unusual subspecies. Other open-country birds such as Greater Coucal, Plain Prinia, Black Drongo, Purple Sunbird, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Black-collared Starling and Zitting Cisticola are common here.

The fringing woodland at Mae Hia also provides some memorable species with Red-billed Blue Magpie, Asian Barred Owlet, Eurasian Jay, Lineated Barbet and White-crested Laughingthrush provide year-round interest and between the months of October and April species including Yellow-browed Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Brown-rumped Minivet, Radde's Warbler and Rosy Minivet are likely to be found.

Although difficult to find, rough, overgrown patches of habitat are worth checking for skulkung birds such as Yellow-eyed Babbler, Siberian Rubythroat and Lanceolated Warbler or perhaps something much rarer. It is always worth checking large isolated trees for Rufous-winged Buzzard here too and Crested Treeswifts can sometimes be seen.

Waterbirds are perhaps less numerous than might be expected but common species like Little Grebe, Common Moorhen, Chinese Pond Heron and Lesser Whistling Duck can almost always be found and in the "winter" there are other possibilities.

A checklist of the birds for this location can be found here - Mae Hia Agricultural College Bird Checklist

Use the interactive map below to plan your route to Mae Hia Agricultural College ("B") from Tapae Gate in Chiang Mai city centre ("A").

By Car/Motorcycle
Getting to Mae Hia is easiest by private vehicle and only a short drive from Chiang Mai city centre. The map above marks the route from Tapae gate but from wherever you may be in the city just take the fastest route to the canal road that runs along the ciy's west side and then follow the above directions to the college's entrance. If approaching from the north there is a bridge across the canal to turn right directly into the college. If approaching from the south the college entrance is on the left as one comes around a bend, go slowly to ensure you do not miss the turning.

By Bus/Songthaew
For those taking public transport there are songthaews from opposite the small market at Chiang Mai gate on the southern side of the moat around the old city. These songthaews leave when full which shouldn't take more than about 15 minutes. When you see the agricultural college, alert the driver to stop by pressing the alarm in the back of the vehicle - be careful when crossing the road as it is quite busy. These vehicles can also be chartered for private journeys which may be the most convenient thing for birders to do.This guide to using Chiang Mai's public transport is useful.

By Taxi/Tuk Tuk
The most convenient way for those without their own transport is to take a taxi or tuk tuk to the college. Tuk tuks are easy to flag down on the street in Chiang Mai although there are few taxis available other than at the airport. The easiest thing would be to ask your hotel to arrange a taxi at an appointed time; although it will be more expensive than stopping one in the street it will bypass the time it might take to locate one who is prepared to go to the agricultural college.

By Plane
Chiang Mai airport is very close to Mae Hia Agricultural College and there are plenty of taxis here that will take you.

Generally at Mae Hia Agricultural College, the further from the road one proceeds, the more species will be encountered. However, a map is always useful in indicating where certain species may be found.

1. Entrance : A bridge over the canal marks the entrance to the college and it is worth a quick walk up and down it for a few hundred metres as many birdwatchers, including myself, have found Wire-tailed Swallows along here. A small swampy patch about 100 metres further south along the canal is where I have seen them feeding in the past along with the more common Barn and Striated Swallows.

2. Pools : These pools are not as good for birds as they might be but they do provide drinking water to a number of open-country birds in this dry area. Look out for Brown Shrike, Yelow-bellied, Plain and Grey-breasted Prinias, Dusky Warbler and Indochinese Bushlark, which is particularly common here. A few waterbirds may be found including Common Moorhen, Chinese Pond Heron and Lesser Whistling Duck. In the long grasses around the ponds Golden-capped Cisticola, Baya Weaver, Thick-billed Warbler and Red Avadavat can sometimes be found.

3. Lapwing Fields : These experimental farm plots were named the Lapwing fields by Tony Ball for their ever-present Red-wattled Lapwings. The small plots create quite a high level of biodiversity and a number of farmland species such as Pipits, Wagtails, Munias and Sparrows can often be present. Look out too for Stejneger's Stonechat on exposed perches as well as Pied Bushchats.

This area has undergone a lot of "tidying up" over recent years but where unkempt patches exist Zitting Cisticola, Grey-breasted Prinia and the blanfordi subspecies of Plain Prinia can always be found; in the dry season look for "winter" visitors such as Dusky Warbler, Siberian Rubythroat and Thick-billed Warbler. The large radio mast in this area is a great place to find Burmese Shrike which is a surprisingly beautiful bird and in the late afternoon/early evening Striated Swallows usually perch here allowing birders an unusually good view of them along with Green Bee-eater, Coppersmith Barbet and, sometimes, Crested Treeswift. This area is also good for scanning the surrounding hills for soaring raptors with Crested Serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard and Crested Goshawk all very likely.

4. Fishing Lake : Once again, this lake is not particularly great for water birds, although Little Grebe, Pond Herons, Lesser Whistling Duck and Egrets can be seen here. Many small open-country species are attracted to the vegetation around the lake including Brown Shrike, Burmese Shrike, Dusky Warbler and Green Bee-eater.

5. Crossroads : A number of mature trees and open woodland alongside boggy fields and pools make this an excellent spot for birds, including Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, Drongos, Barbets and other woodland edge species. In the undergrowth it is worth keeping an eye out for Dusky Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Puff-throated Babbler and Siberian Rubythroat. This is also a good spot for raptors with Rufous-winged Buzzard a regular.

6. Into the Woodland : At this point the site becomes more and more wooded, and there is a way into Doi Suthep National Park which is signposted. Red-billed Blue Magpie is often found around here and some have found Blue Pitta; Blue-throated Flycatcher is quite regular too. Quite frankly anything could turn up and by dividing ones time between the open country and these wooded areas, birdwatchers can gain quite a high number of species here.

The close proximity of Mae Hia to the town of Chiang Mai means that the total lack of any facilities on site is not a major issue, with a great selection of hotels of all types in central Chiang Mai, one is spoilt for choice. However, if one requires a hotel close to the college then B2 Premier Hotel & Resort is not far away and is clean but will not break the budget.

Doi Suthep from Mae Hia (Photo by Mick Robson)

In fact, given that this lively city has excellent food and whole host of other tourist facilities, it is unlikely that birders will be tempted to stay anywhere other than the centre of Chiang Mai city. Both Imperial Mae Ping Hotel and Amora Tapae Hotel are very comfortable and serve excellent breakfast buffets at a convenient time for birders (5.30am & 6am respectively). Chiang Mai has a number of good hospitals, lots of banks and ATMs, supermarkets and restaurants as well as a weekend night market and a night bazzar which operates every day.

Mae Hia is a pleasant place for a picnic so it is perhaps worth bringing a packed lunch, or a packed breakfast would be a good way of enjoying the early morning. It can get very hot here quite quickly from mid February to June, so make sure you bring plenty of water, although I have used the water dispensers that are placed outside some of the buildings on the site in the past, they were still available in early 2019.

There are no toilet facilities for public use, but with a polite request and a smile you will probably be allowed to use the college toilets.

Mae Hia is not a national park and there is no charge to go birdwatching here.

Northern Thailand, 29th February-6th March 2020 - by Nick Upton

Central & Northern Thailand, 1st-14th December 2015 - by Nick Upton

• A Morning at Mae Hia - posted 10/03/08

• 06 March, 2020, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 03 January 2020, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 26 November 2019, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 01 June 2019, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Thanat Khantharak
• 07 April 2019, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Natthaphat Chotjuckdikul
• 06 February 2019, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 25 August 2018, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Vattikorn Sophonrat
• 15 April 2017, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Woraphot Bunkhwamdi
• 11 December 2015, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 30 November 2012, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 02 February 2008, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton
• 28 October 2003, Chiang Mai University-Mae Hia Agricultural College - by Nick Upton

If you found this page useful and want to say thanks, you can buy me a beer.

Email me at nickupton@thaibirding.com

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