Hala-Bala & south Thailand July 2003

A Report on summer birding in southern Thailand During late July 2003 I made a visit to several sites in southern Thailand, the most interesting by far was the Bala section of Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, right down on the Malaysian border. I spent 6 nights here, staying in excellent accomodation at the Wildlife Research station, set amid some superb forest. The area has a good road transecting the habitat, from which much of the birding was done. There are some good trails around the Research Station itself, and another splendid one along a forest stream at a place called To Mo, some 20km further west. Please Email me (dave@shortwing.co.uk) should you any want sketch maps of the area. There is a small canteen at the Research Station for meals, alternatively the nearest town is Sungai Golok, which is close enough to stay in and commute to the forests. Highlights were: Bathawk (nesting near the accomodation), two or more Rail-babblers, Javan Frogmouth, seven species of Hornbill recorded and a profusion of Broadbills and Babblers. Birds recorded at Bala: 21-27th July 2003 (H = heard only) Great Argus H Argusianus argus Checker-throated Woodpecker Picus mentalis Banded Woodpecker Picus miniaceus Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtipicus validus Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon Red-crowned Barbet Megalaima rafflesii Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henricii Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Helmeted Hornbill Buceros vigil Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros corrugatus Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus White-crowned Hornbill H Aceros comatus Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting Blue-banded Kingfisher Alcedo euryzona Banded Kingfisher H Lacedo pulchella White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi Raffles's Malkoha Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Silver-rumped Needletail Rhaphidura leucopygialis Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata Oriental Bay Owl H Phodilus badius Barred Eagle Owl H Bubo sumatranus Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata Javan Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis Rail-babbler Eupetes macrocerus Crested Jay H Platylophus galericulatus Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Lesser Cuckooshrike Coracina fimbriata Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus Spotted Fantail Rhipidura perlata Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Green Iora Aegithina viridissima Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhopterum Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Chestnut-naped Forktail Enicurus ruficapillus Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus Grey-bellied Bulbul Pycnonotus cyaniventris Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus Hairy-backed Bulbul Tricholestes criniger Buff-vented Bulbul Iole olivacea Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens Everett's White-eye Zosterops everetti Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Horsfield's Babbler Malacocincla sepiarium Short-tailed Babbler Malacocincla malaccensis Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre Rufous-crowned Babbler Malacopteron magnum Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala Black-throated Babbler Stachyris nigricollis Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata Chestnut-winged Babbler Stachyris erythroptera Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus percussus Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex Red-throated Sunbird Anthreptes rhodolaema Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Yellow-eared Spiderhunter Arachnothera chrysogenys Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera affinis Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Toh Daeng Swamp Forest This is situated abiut 7km north of Sungai Golok, and has a boardwalk trail around the forest. In two visits, the highlights were Black Hornbill, Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler, White-chested Babbler, and other observers recorded Malaysian Blue Flycatcher. Birds recorded at Toh Daeng Swamp Forest: 21 & 27th July 2003 Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler Macronous ptilosus Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis Purple-throated Sunbird Nectarinia sperata Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja Roi Chan Pan Wang This is a substation on the opposite side of Khao Noi Chu Chi to Khao Pra Bang Khram. I spent an afternoon and a morning here, overnighting (hammock or tent recommended, bring food) at the substation itself. Highlights were Red-legged Crake, Blue-winged and Hooded Pittas, Brown Barbet and Black Magpie. Birds recorded at Roi Chan Pan Wang: 28/29 July 2003 Red-crowned Barbet Megalaima rafflesii Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos Brown Barbet Calorhamphus fuliginosus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Red-legged Crake Rallina fasciata Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Blue-winged Pitta Pitta moluccensis Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis Black Magpie Platysmurus leucopterus Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Green Iora Aegithina viridissima Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera affinis White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra Krabi mangroves A morning here being taken around the mangroves by Mr Dai scored the following species. Highlights were Mangrove Pitta, Oriental Hobby and Brown-winged Kingfisher. Birds recorded at Krabi: 28th July 2003 Brown-winged Kingfisher Halcyon amauroptera Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris Germain's Swiftlet Collocalia germani Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Oriental Hobby Falco severus Little Heron Butorides striatus Mangrove Pitta Pitta megarhyncha Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps Kaeng Krachan Two days birding here on 31 July and 1st August was very successful. All the birding was done between Km15 (Bang Krang) and Km18. Nest sites of both Rusty-naped Pitta (feeding young) and Eared Pitta provided some rare views of these birds. White-fronted Scops Owl was seen superbly well, and both Forest Wagtail and Yellow-browed Warbler recorded on July 31 were very early winter visitors! Birds recorded at Kaeng Krachan: 31st July & 1st August 2003 (H = heard only) Scaly-breasted Partridge Arborophila charltonii Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Common Flameback Dinopium javanense Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis Green-eared Barbet Megalaima faiostricta Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis White-fronted Scops Owl Otus sagittatus Collared Scops Owl H Otus bakkamoena Asian Barred Owlet H Glaucidium cuculoides Spotted Owlet H Athene brama Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Eared Pitta Pitta phayrei Rusty-naped Pitta Pitta oatesi Blue Pitta Pitta cyanea Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis Crested Jay H Platylophus galericulatus Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus Buff-vented Bulbul Iole olivacea Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Large Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus hypoleucos White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps Spot-necked Babbler H Stachyris striolata Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

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