Hat Nopparat Thara, in Krabi province, is a long, sandy and shallow beach lined by casuarina trees, and is part of the Hat Nopparat Thara - Ko Phi Phi National Park, although this doesn't seem to offer any protection against holiday resorts being built upon it. The tide goes out a fair distance here and exposes a stretch of sand/mud flats which attracts small numbers of wading birds. At the northernmost end of the beach is the National Park Headquarters and just off of the beach are three small islands, the nearest of which can be walked to at low tide, and it is possible to wade across the river at this point, but perhaps not advisable.

Had Nopparat Thara is an ideal place to go with a non-birding partner or friends if staying at the nearby Ao Nang or Krabi, to see a few nice birds and enjoy the beach. If low tide coincides with dusk then this is a lovely spot to spend the last few hours of light, taking a walk and waiting for birds to fly into the offshore islands to roost, before heading back to Ao Nang or Krabi for dinner..

Although Hat Nopparat Thara is not one of Thailand's birding hotspots, it does provide the opportunity to see one of Thailand's most uncommon winter visitors: Pale-capped Pigeon. This species has been seen on several occasions in March and April at dusk when flying in to roost (equally, a visit at dawn would see them leaving to feed).

Pale-capped Pigeon is by no means the only species of note here. As at many coastal locations in southern Thailand, both White-bellied Sea Eagle and Brahminy Kite are commonly seen and are both spectacular sights. Collared Kingfisher can be found calling from coastal vegetation and provides a splash of colour as it flies away. A few Waders, Terns and occasional Egrets turn up on the sand flats at low tide and if there is bad weather out to sea there is the potential for interesting seabirds to turn up and some nearby mangroves provide an opportunity to explore.

Pale-capped Pigeon
(Photo by Chukiat Nualsri)

Mangroves : Some mangroves in this region may be worth exploring for birds. There are usually some boatmen in the vicinity of the HQ that could take birders for a trip into the mangroves. Brown-winged Kingfisher is almost certain and Mangrove Pitta, Ashy Tailorbird and Ruddy Kingfisher are possible. Most birders take their mangrove trip in the larger area near Krabi town, but the mangroves at Hat Nopparat Thara might be a decent alternative or worth doing as an extra.

Islands : These islands are the chief ornithological attraction at Hat Nopparat Thara, being the roosting place of up to 23 Pale-capped Pigeons in March/April at least. It is a good strategy to stand in a place where all three islands can be seen and wait for dusk. About 1 hour before dusk, small parties of pigeons (Pale-capped and species of Green Pigeons) fly onto the islands to roost and can sometimes fly in quite low, just a metre or two above the water. If the tide is out, it is possible to walk some way towards the islands to get a better view, particularly of birds coming from the north of the beach. Other birds likely to be encountered here are Collared Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Lesser Sand Plover and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

Hat Nopparat Thara

Hat Nopparat Thara, 16th March 2004

by Nick Upton