Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre
is an area of small rice plots criss-crossed by a series of
access tracks with ditches, a few pools and clusters of trees
around the edges of the site in the northern suburbs of the
Bangkok region, although it is in the neighbouring province
of Pathum Thani.
As the rice plots are experimental there always seem to be
a wide variety of growing stages present in close priximity,
from recently flooded fields to rice ready to harvest. This
creates a high number of microhabitats in one relatively small
area and a high level of avian diversity. The network of access
tracks makes this area ideal for birding from the car and
as such it is an excellent choice of location for those with
mobility problems. Because most of the site is accessible
by car this is also a good choice to visit for photographers;
driving very slowly will allow the car to be used as a hide.
A morning or an afternoon at Pathum Thani Rice Research centre
is sufficient time to see a large number of the species that
occur here making it a good option for a morning if heading
north out of the city or for an afternoon on the way back
to Bangkok from somewhere else.
Birding Highlights
Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler (Photo by Nick
Upton)
Put quite simply, rice field birds are the highlight here.
There are no species here that are particular specialities
of the site, just that it is a good place to see many birds
of the rice field habitat in one small and accessible area.
All three species of weavers can be found at this site as
can Java Sparrows, although they are not abundant but part
of a long-lasting introduced population that has a small range
in this part of Bangkok's northern sprawl.
Plots of rice are an acceptable habitat to a number of skulking
warblers such as Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler and Black-browed
Reed Warbler, both of which are common at the right time of
the year. The much scarcer Blunt-winged Warbler has been seen
here too as has Manchurian Reed Warbler.
A population of Small Minivets is also present in trees here,
a bird which is somehow scarce in Thailand, and any areas
with trees are worth spending some time in during migratory
periods (September-November and March-April) when interesting
passage migrants can show up.
Bird
Watching Trips:
If you need help organizing a bird watching trip to Thailand,
take a look at the suggested itineraries for ideas on
creating a tailor-made trip and contact me for advice:
Thailand
bird tours.
Travel Information
Use the interactive map below to plan your route to
Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre. The blue line shows the
route from Sathorn Road (A) in downtown Bangkok to Pathum
Thani Rice Research Centre (B).
By Car/Motorcycle
Pathum Thani Rice Research Centre is best
visited using a private vehicle so that it can be used as
a mobile hide along the access tracks. There is no problem
with driving a private vehicle into this location.
By Bus
It is possible to get to the front gate of the rice research
centre as there are some forms of local transport. You can
use Moovit
App to find out which buses go the this area
from wherever you are in Bangkok, or the Transit
Bangkok website does a similar thing..
By Taxi
Hiring a taxi for the duration of your visit, from your hotel
in Bangkok, would be the best option for birders without their
own vehicles; just negoatiate a price with the driver for
the number of hours you wish to spend birding. Alternatively
it would also work to take a taxi to the rice research centre
and pay the driver, allowing them to leave, and then use the
Grab
App to summon a ride back into town.
By Tuk Tuk or Motorcycle Taxi
Unless you are staying very close to the rice research centre
I would not recommend using either of these potentially dangerous
forms of transport to get here on the busy roads in the north
of the city. These modes of transport, in my opinion, are
only for very short distances.
By Train
Using train is not really a useful mode of transport to access
the rice research centre at Pathum Thani, however, the nearest
BTS (skytrain) station seems to be Khu Kot while Klong Rangsit
mainline railway station is a little closer.
By Plane
If arriving from other parts of the country then Don Muang
airport is close by. There are taxis available there or a
variety of car rental companies with the drive being about
35 minutes to the research centre.
Finding Birds
Although the main focus of birding at this location are
the rice fields there are some other areas to look at for
species not associated with this habitat, particularly during
migratory periods.
The Rice
Fields: Although this is not the first part
of the site birders will pass through, it is where most visitors
will head straight to as it contains the largest number of
species that are typical of rice field habitat. At any given
point there is usually rice that is almost ready to be harvested
and these plots are where seed-eating birds are most likely
to be seen. Asian Golden Weaver seems to be the commonest
of the three weaver species but both Streaked Weaver and Baya
Weaver are plentiful here too. Munias also raid the rice crops
with Scaly-breasted Munia forming the bulk of the flocks,
usually joined by White-rumped Munias and very smart Chestnut
Munias too. For a real splash of collour look out for the
tiny Red Avadavats that will also join these birds.
Java Sparrow is an introduced species in Thailand but with
numbers in its native range collapsing due to trapping, feral
populations like these may be important for the species' survival
in the wild. Although Java Sparrows are not common here, sometimes
a few will join flocks of weavers or munias so keep checking.
In the dry season the more mature stands of rice should host
a number of insect-eating birds too with Black-browed Reed
Warbler being one of the commoner of these species. They can
be quite skulking so listen for their ticking call and wait.
The larger Oriental Reed Warbler is easier to see and frequently
emerges into less dense, surrounding vegetation. The scarce
Blunt-winged Warbler has been seen here too but finding one
will take some patience but while looking Manchurian Reed
Warbler is another possibility. Foraging on the ground within
the rice Bluethroat will sometimes emerge onto dry edges while
Siberian Rubythroat might be found in any dense vegetation
here.
Where there are plots with wet muddy areas waders are likely
to be found for much of the year. Greater Painted Snipe is
a resident species here and so can be found all year round,
although finding them is not at all easy as they are scarce
and secretive. Red-wattled Lapwing is ubiquitous and small
numbers of Black-winged Stilts either breed here or somewhere
nearby. The freshwater nature of this location means that
it attracts mostly a certain type of wading bird with many
species preferring brackish or saltwater habitats. At the
right time of the year birders can expect to see Wood Sandpiper,
Long-toed Stint, Pintail Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, Common
Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and one or two Temminck's Stints.
This list is not exhaustive and one of the delights of watching
waders is scanning through the groups to see if there are
any oddities among them.
It is always worth looking up for birds in flight here too
with raptors such as Black-winged Kite and Pied Harrier often
likely and species such as Oriental Darter and Indian Cormorant
frequent flyover birds. During autumn and spring migration
a wide range of migratory raptors is possible here.
Research
Centre Buildings & Parkland: Along the
frontage of the site is an area that contains all the research
centre buildings and some accommodation for the staff. Much
of this area consists of overgrown patches with lots of mature
parkland trees
Birders can find common parkland birds in these areas such
as Olive-backed Sunbird, smaller numbers of Brown-throated
Sunbirds, Pied Fantail, Oriental Magpie Robin and Scarlet-backed
Flowerpecker. However, this site also holds small numbers
of the colourful Small Minivet and areas with trees are the
best places to find this species. During migratory times the
trees in this area are worth checking for migrants such as
leaf warblers, flycatchers, drongos and others. If looking
for migrant passerines I usually find the mid-morning to be
the best time, particularly during the spring migration.
In the early morning Plaintive Cuckoo can often be heard
calling from the trees here and a small number of Pink-necked
Green Pigeons can sometimes be found. The impressive Stork-billed
Kingfisher is present here in small numbers too and they are
often to be found calling from trees close to the research
centre buildings, particularly in the early morning.
Pools:
A few pools at the back end of the site usually contain
a few Lesser Whistling Ducks but they are easily disturbed.
Common Moorhen and Little Grebe are both usually to be found
here too but the vegetation around the ponds probably present
the most potential for finding birds such as Dusky Warbler,
Lanceolated Warbler, Black-browed Reed Warbler during the
dry season. Blue-tailed Bee-eaters often catch insects above
these pools while Baya Weavers nest in nearby trees.
Facilities
Within the boundaries of the rice research centre itself
there are no facilities at all. However, the site is located
on a main road and it is only a short drive to several fuel
stations that have public toilets and convenience stores where
snacks and refreshments can be purchased. My recommendation
would be to bring any food or drink that you may need with
you when visiting. If visiting in the morning then bring breakfast
with you and eat it as the sun rises and birds become very
active then leave to find lunch elsewhere.
This location is not a National Park and you will not be charged
to go birding here but please be mindful that this is a working
site and research staff need access along the tracks at all
times.
Shorebirds:
An Identification Guide to the Waders of the World This is still the most complete guide to shorebirds
with a wide variety of plumages of all species illustrated
both standing and in flight. Packed full of information
this is the book if you want to learn more about this
group of birds.
Pipits
& Wagtails This is a wonderful book. With all plumages of all
subspecies of the wildly diverse wagtails this is extremely
complete. Pipits can be a really difficult group of
birds to deal with but if you want to understand them
this is the book to help you with a wealth of information
and beautiful plates.
Trip Reports
No trip reports yet.
Bird
Watching Trips:
Khok Kham is a good site for a half-day
of birding and makes a convenient location for a quick
"twitch" for Spoon-billed Sandpiper and there
is always the chance of a Thai rarity here.
I
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Shorebirds:
An Identification Guide to the Waders of the World
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