Laem Pak Bia - Abandoned Building

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

นกปากแอ่นทางดำ

Laem Pak Bia, Phetchburi

04.12.11

The plan was to set off in the middle of the night and be at Bang Kao to the north of Cha-am, about 20 km south of the main action area in Laem Pak Bia, for daybreak. It is about a 80 minute drive from home. In any event I was awake at 0315h and I had a look at my wife and son lying sound asleep and opted to stay with them! Next thing it was 0900h!

Common Greenshank

Tringa Nebularia

นกทะเลขาปาเขียว

Laem Pak Bia, Phetchburi

04.12.11

In the end I set off at about 12 noon and as I took an alternative route in order to avoid road works, I came out onto Pra Rama II Road, or route No. 35, just before Wang Manao, where Rama II joins the Phetkasem, or route No. 4. There I saw two Black Kites on the north side of the highway chasing a combine harvester in the hope of a juicy tidbit. This area is very much Black Kite country as the main roost sight in Khao Yoi is on the other side of the highway about 5 km to the south. It is not unusual to see kettles of Black Kites from the main highway and indeed as you head further south sightings of Greater Spotted Eagle are also possible

Malaysian Plover - male

Charadrius peronii

นกหัวโตมลายู

Bang Kao, Phetchburi

04.12.11

On arrival it was a depressing sight at Bang Kao. The bull-dozers and heavy-duty vehicles are at work turning an important pool into a fish farm. I have seen Ruddy Shelduck and Painted Stork here and rare birds regularily show up. I am not sure I will be seeing them or their ilk again here. There were still birds here: Little Ringed Plovers, Lesser Sand-plovers, Greenshanks, Wood Sandpiper.

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropus

นกทะเลขาแดงลายจุด

Laem Pak Bia, Phetchburi

04.12.11

The beach, as reported in previous posts, has taken a hammering due to reshaping the creek entrance. There used to be a decent sized flock of gulls and terns parked on the beach here: no sign of them today. Perhaps I am being unduly pessimistic on account of it being close to high-tide. A couple of Brown-headed Gulls flew past but there was no sign of the big terns, in particular Lesser Crested and Caspian. It was also sad to note how much flotsam and jetsam there was on the beach.

Pacific Golden Plover

Pluvialis fulva

นกหัวโดหลังจุดสีทอง

Laem Pak Bia, Phetchburi

04.12.11

However the little birds have not been deterred with good numbers of Malaysian Plovers and at least five Sanderlings with lots of Lesser Sand-plovers. A Brahminy Kite flew menacingly across and parked up in the adjacent coconut trees. Sad to see such a significant level of change.

Sanderlings

Calidris alba

นกคอสั้นตีนไว

Bang Kao, Phetchburi

04.12.11

So I drove north and decided on the Abandoned Building at Laem Pak Bia. No big surprises and none of the sought after species but tons of birds. ( Well, maybe there is a surprise as I am having Tom Backlund check out a photo!) At least a thousand Black-tailed Godwits, several hundreds of Spotted Redshanks and lots of other interesting birds including Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Long-toed Stint. There were also about 20 Caspian Terns sitting on the bund; unfortunately the sun was behind them and I was in front of them so no photograph possible! As usual a few Little Heron were darting about.

Malaysian Plover - male - choking?!

Charadrius peronii

นกหัวโตมลายู

Bang Kao, Phetchburi

04.12.11

I had a lot of fun today with the digiscope rig. I really like the rig, the new camera is a treat and a trip to the coast usually means optimal light. I am also using the loupe again as a sunshade is inadequate in such bright light. In many of these shots I am also using the remote shutter release with a two second time delay.

Malaysian Plover - female

Charadrius peronii

นกหัวโตมลายู

Bang Kao, Phetchburi

04.12.11

Malaysian Plover - males

Charadrius peronii

นกหัวโตมลายู

Bang Kao, Phetchburi

04.12.11

About 25 Painted Stork flew in late in the afternoon presumably to roost. They offer an excellent photo opportunity as they are landing on bushes near the Abandoned Building. I was more interested in a Black-tailed Godwit that I managed to get close to.

Painted Stork

Mycteria leucocephala

นกกาบบัว

Laem Pak, Phetchburi

04.12.11

I decided to head north for the final hour of the day in a vain attempt to see Grey-headed Lapwing at Bang Kaew. No sign of it and no sign of any Garganey either. But, no complaints, I was very happy with  my afternoon

Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

นกยางเปีย

Laem Pak Bia, Phetchburi

04.12.11