Visitors since 01/09/06

Two species occurring at the Mangrove Research Station stand out as real highlights; Mangrove Whistler and Asian Dowitcher. Mangrove Whistler is resident in the mangrove remnants which contain some surprisingly mature stands, whilst the Dowitcher is a passage migrant and winter visitor.

Other species that are resident in the mangroves include Collared Kingfisher, Golden-bellied Gerygone and Oriental White-eye whilst passage migrants such as Yellow-rumped Flycatcher and Siberian Blue Robin can be found in September and October.

The mudflats host large numbers of shorebirds, egrets, terns and pond herons. Waders such as Marsh Sandpiper, Lesser Sand Plover, Whimbrel, Kentish Plover and Pacific Golden Plover are all common winter visitors while it is always worth scanning the mudflats for something unusual.

Click here for a checklist of the birds of Mahachai Mangrove Research Station

Mahachai Mangrove Research Station is a useful spot to go birdwatching if there is not time to go further afield or as an add on to a day at Khok Kham. If driving, simply get on Rama 2 Road which is the main road towards the south and head for Samut Sakorn. In the early morning this is quite a quick journey, taking well under an hour from Bangkok. However, later in the day the traffic can get quite bad and the journey to Samut Sakorn can take up to one and a half hours.

After passing Samut Sakorn one needs to keep in the left hand lane and after passing over the Tachin River (quite obvious as one goes over a bridge) take the first turning on the left, immediately before a Caltex petrol station. Follow this road for a few kilometres until crossing a railway and passing under an elaborate temple arch. Turn right just after the arch. Continue on this road and when it comes to a very small roundabout, with a large temple in front of you, turn left. After a couple of kilometres along here the sign in Thai for the mangrove centre will be seen. Shortly after this turning on the left the road finishes. There is a car park at the research station.

The route described above is highlighted by the thick yellow line on the map to the right.

Getting to the town of Samut Sakorn by public transport is fairly easy by bus but getting from there to the mangrove research centre would be difficult; it may be possible to find a taxi or a motorcycle taxi, but really the only sensible option is to go in ones own vehicle, particuarly as getting out of the site would require arranging for a taxi driver to return at a later time.

On my last visit in March 2009 the road was being extended beyond the mangrove research station so it is possible that some form of public transport will run along here in the future.

This area is fairly small so finding the birds here is a relatively simple affair with limited options for walking.

Viewing Platform : This is the only platform out of three that was accessible in March 2009 due to the poor state of the boardwalk. However, it is quite sufficient for viewing the large numbers of shorebirds that feed on the mudflats as the tide recedes. Timing is essential here as at low tide the birds will be far away and difficult to view even with a telescope. The key species on the mudflats is Asian Dowitcher which can be present in quite large numbers, particularly during migratory periods. A good selection of the more common shorebirds can usually be found too with species including Marsh Sandpiper, Lesser Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Whiskered Tern and Brown-headed Gull.

Car park and HQ
(Photo by Nick Upton)

Facilites here are limited to a small car park and toilet block only although it seems that snacks and drinks may be sold at weekends. This means bringing ones own refreshments is essential but with a host of petrol stations and small food stalls being passed on the way to the site, this should not be much of a problem.

The staff seem to be quite knowledgeable here and are used to showing visiting schoolchildren and dignitaries the wildlife; they have copies of bird books should you forget to bring your own.

Whilst it does get really hot here, the mangroves and viewing platform do offer shade, so whilst bringing some water is a good idea, one is able to get out of the direct sunlight fairly easily.

This location is not a National Park and you will not be charged to go birding here.