Bird Sightings (November 2006)

29/11/06 : A Violet Cuckoo was seen in a feeding flock at Huay Tung Tao on the 24th November, a grey morph Black-headed Bulbul and Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker were nearby. On the 27th the pick of the birds at Ka Mu Phuket were Rufous-throated Partrdige and the much sought-after Black-headed Woodpecker,

The above sightings from Ka Mu Phuket and Huay Tung Tao were taken from Tony Ball's Birdwatcher's Diary blog with his kind permission.

24/11/06 : Some interesting birds from the north included a typically noisy White-browed Piculet, a Common Sandpiper and juvenile Common Buzzard at Huay Tung Tao on the 20th November. At Mae Hia 5 Spotted Owlets and 1 Rufous-winged Buzzard were the highlights on the 21st and a flock of Baya Weavers, 12 Blue Magpies and 50+ Chestnut-tailed Starlings were the best birds seen on the 23rd.

The above sightings from Mae Hia and Huay Tung Tao were taken from Tony Ball's Birdwatcher's Diary blog with his kind permission.

23/11/06 : The highlight of a few interesting sightings from Khao Nor Chu Chi from 20th to 22nd November was a Green-backed Flycatcher at the coffee plantation. Another seldom-seen species was Scarlet-rumped Trogon. Other notable birds during this period were Green Broadbill (they are usually difficult to see at this time of year because they aren't calling), Rufous-bellied Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk Eagle, Orange-headed Thrush (subspecies gibsonhilli), Dark-sided and Blue-throated Flycatchers, Puff-backed & Cream-vented Bulbul, 3 Banded Kingfishers heard, Great-eared Nightjar and Spectacled Spiderhunter. two Spotted Wood Owls were at the stakeout and a male Gurney's Pitta was heard in the region of trail B. - Stijn De Win.

20/11/06 : Had Thai Muang National Park in Phang Nga province on the 18th revealed 7 or 8 Brown-backed Needletails, 2 White-bellied Sea Eagles, 3 Red Junglefowl, Common Flameback and Orange-breasted Green Pigeon. In addition, 4 Dollarbirds were seen after an absence since July.

Visits to Thai Muang marsh in Phang Nga province on the 14th and 15th November produced at least 6 Lanceolated Warblers, a group of 76 Orange -breasted Pigeons, 11 Grey-headed Lapwings and a single Whiskered Tern. Also of interest were 1 Black Bittern, 1 Watercock and an Oriental Reed Warbler. - Stijn De Win.

A returning Greenish Warbler and a Blue Rock-Thrush, a male of the race M.s. philippensis, were seen at Mae Hia, Chiang Mai on the 9th November as was Chestnut-eared Bunting on the 11th. This latter species was quite notable given the lack of buntings being reported from the North and the profusion of mist-netting being observed. Also on the 11th at Mae Hia was a bird of the Golden-spectacled warbler complex, using Robson's Field Guide, this would presumably be a Grey-crowned warbler due to the altitude and the call which was described as "a boring, chip".

The above sightings from Mae Hia were taken from Tony Ball's Birdwatcher's Diary blog with his kind permission.

15/11/06 : Newly published Recent Reports from September to early November 2006 (BCST Bull. Vol 23, no. 10) are now online on the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand's website. A few records I've poached were of particular interest to me as they are from Suan Luang Rama 9 Park, one of the locations within Bangkok that I used to live close to and visit regularly: Brown Hawk Owl and Verditer Flycatcher on the 31st October, Vernal Hanging Parrot and 2 Black-naped Monarchs on the 5th November and Small Minivet and Asian Paradise Flycatcher on the 8th of November. - BCST website for full report.

14/11/06 : 5 Chinese Egrets were seen on mudflats on the Eastern side of Phuket (see forums for site details). Also seen in the area was 1 Eurasian Curlew, which is not a common sight on Phuket, a number of Black-capped Kingfishers and a Common Flameback. - Stijn De Win.

13/11/06 : A series of interesting observations were made around the province of Suphan Buri which included a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, a male Pied Bushchat and 8 Black Kites on the 4th November, the Black Kites were still present on the 5th and 15 Red Avadavats were seen on the same day. On the following day (6th) more than one immature Greater Spotted Eagle was seen.

Moving on to Cha-Am between the 7th and 10th of November 20 Blue-throated Bee-eaters came in off the sea, 2 Caspian Terns were observed daily offshore along with Greater Crested, Whiskered,
White-winged Black, Common and Little Terns. A single Black-headed Gull with Brown-headed Gulls was present on the 9th. -

The above sightings from Suphan Buri and Cha-Am are from Neil Lawton.

Between the 10th and 13th November Thai Muang marsh/golf course area revealed a pair of Malaysian Plovers and at least 3 Lanceolated Warblers singing (and calling in between songs) at dusk with 1 bird seen well (an uncommon experience). Two or three Lesser Crested Terns were also seen and visiting Starlings included 3 Purple-backed, 1 Chestnut-tailed and a group of 5 White-shouldered Starlings. A group of around 40 Orange-breasted Green Pigeons must have been a pleasant sight and 3 Cinnamon Bitterns, around 50 Oriental Pratincoles, at least 8 Grey-headed Lapwings, 5 River Lapwings, 1 Thick-billed Warbler and a single Sand Martin were all species that must have made for an interesting few days birding by the sea. - Stijn De Win.

09/11/06 : Birds of note from Muang Boran Fish Ponds on the 6th November were Dusky Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Striated Grassbird, both Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, 1 Lesser Whistling Duck, Black-headed Munia, 2 Yellow Bittern and 1 Black Bittern. Unfortunately 4 Black-capped Kingfishers were seen together in a mist net with one still struggling for life. Also seen on the 6th November were 1 first year Heuglin's Gull on sea at Bang Poo and at the wader roost at the same location Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank and Black-winged were seen along with 2 Purple Herons. Flyeaters were noted as singing, which seems a bit on the early side!

One record from Lumphini Park was a lone Black-crowned Night Heron attending a Loi Krathong ceremony on the 5th November. -

The above sightings from Muang Boran, Bang Poo and Lumphini Park are from Stijn De Win.

Some interesting records from around Chiang Mai were a single immature Grey-headed Lapwing and two Hoopoes at Mae Hia on the 3rd, a single Red Avadavat at Huay Tung Tao on the 4th with Little Cuckoo Dove and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler at Ka Mu Phuket on the 6th. Mountain Hawk Eagle was observed at Ka Mu Phuket "a few days before".

The above sightings from Huay Tung Tao, Mae Hia and Ka Mu Phuket were taken from Tony Ball's Birdwatcher's Diary blog with his kind permission.

08/11/06 : On the 2nd November the following species were seen at Den Ya Kat, Doi Chiang Dao: Oriental Hobby, Slender-billed Oriole, Spectacled Barwing, White-bellied Redstart, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush and Pale-blue Flycatcher. - Craig Feannes, from the birding logbook at Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalow.

A few interesting records for late October were 136 roosting Harriers near Chiang Saen on the 25th and a female Amur falcon on the 27th which was still present on the 11th November. Also near Chiang Saen were four Gulls presumed to be Heuglin's Gulls, but could prove more interesting. Four birds were present from 31st October to at least 5th November. The group consisted of 1 Juvenile, 1 first year and two second year birds. The descriptions were as follows:

"They were a bit distant, legs appeared pink/flesh. The bill of the oldest bird appeared fairly thick and heavy and seemed to be pink or yelowish pink and very pale extending 2/3, the tip was strongly black 1/3. The mantle colour was very dark more similar to pale form Lesser Black-backed Gull. The juv. if I had seen it in the UK looked a typical Herring Gull."

Other interesting birds putting in an appearance at Chiang Saen were a flock of 12 Ruddy Shelduck flying southwest on the 2nd November, a female Northern Sparrowhawk on the 3rd and a female Gadwall staying from the 3rd to at least the 5th November.

The above sightings from Chiang Saen were kindly submitted by Mick Davies & Dowroong Damlamajak of Nature Thailand.