tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75944483273502056042024-03-06T11:33:57.244+07:00botab;s new home: botabblog.wordpress.com botab's new home: botabblog.wordpress.comGerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.comBlogger365125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-7073191881795880482012-12-01T18:00:00.001+07:002012-12-01T18:00:27.087+07:00Chinese Francolin, Rain Quail & Small PratincolesDetails at <a href="http://botabblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/gadwall-thai-lifer-%E2%8C%97-370/">botab's new home</a>Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-72077114860622043862012-12-01T14:18:00.001+07:002012-12-01T14:18:56.759+07:00Gadwall in PhetchburiDetails here <a href="http://botabblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/gadwall-thai-lifer-%E2%8C%97-370/">http://botabblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/gadwall-thai-lifer-⌗-370/</a> Yup the blog has moved to Wordpress so see you there.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-4056948876343873122012-11-25T21:59:00.001+07:002012-11-25T21:59:50.155+07:00BOTAB has moved......I have moved over to worpress.com at <a href="http://botabblog.wordpress.com/">http://botabblog.wordpress.com/</a> . Google want me to subscribe and in effect buy space from them at Blogger. Well if I can do it here for free........see you over there.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-29347371191066169642012-11-24T22:30:00.003+07:002012-11-24T22:30:49.716+07:00Small Pratincoles in NovemberThe headline news from a couple of hours' birding at Huay Mai Teng Reservoir this afternoon was 175 Small Pratincoles. What a beautiful sight and personally a great morale booster. I haven't been able to do much birding lately. A lot of these birds had the most delicate peach colouring around their necks which really enhanced their appearance. I saw a solitary one in October so I now have records for every month of the year, so it would appear that Small Pratincole are not only breeding here but in fact may be resident year round. Sadly no image. They were just a little too far away and the light was very poor.<br />
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I had my son with me this afternoon though he was more interested in playing with the gravel today. In the same area as the pratincoles there was an Olive-backed Pipit, a number of Yellow Wagtails and a Little Ringed Plover. Overhead a couple of Pied Kingfishers were fishing and performing their characteristic hover prior to a rapid vertical descent for prey; a female Pied Harrier nonchalantly flew over too. In the distant islets there was a Purple Heron and also a Grey Heron, not a bird that is seen here very often. Lots of Paddyfield Pipits too and good numbers of Green Bee-eaters.<br />
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I only heard one solitary Rain Quail today. I think there probably has been a considerable amount of displacement going on over the last few weeks; this brought on in all likelihood by the rise in water level reducing the amount of suitable habitat. Yes, the water level once more was appreciably up today. So probably the quail are on the move. A <i>phylloscopus</i> warbler, unidentifed beyond this genera flashed through the canopy of a tree, reminding me how much of a novice I really am, the next frontier perhaps!<br />
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As Benny and I headed home in the gloom we picked out some Lesser Whistling Duck, Common Moorhen and a Common Kingfisher. How wonderful to be out birding.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-23182963309014356342012-11-11T20:21:00.002+07:002012-11-13T05:20:39.257+07:00Another Good DayIs there such a thing as a bad day's birding? Clearly some days are better than others. But is there such a thing as a bad day? I think not but today I nearly had one at Don Hoi Lod in Samut Songkram. The Thais call this area "Meklong"; the eponymous river connects here with the Gulf of Thailand. I had a strong desire for waders and this area is probably the nearest bit of coast to my home. I set off mid-afternoon in stifling heat. It's been unusually hot these last few days in Thailand, given that it is now the cool season.<br />
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Don Hoi Lod didn't disappoint in terms of birds with lots of Common Redshanks, Common Greenshanks, Pacific Golden Plover, Long-toed Stints, Whimbrel, lots of Lesser Sand-plovers, a good number of Brown-headed Gulls, all the usual suspects you might say. Of course all were out of range!<br />
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So I decided to try and get some shots of kingfishers. I set up the hide in a place I know Collared and Common Kingfisher like to feed. The presence of a Collared perched on a post was the motivation. No sooner was I set up that the bird flew! I gave myself an hour in the hide but it didn't return nor did any Common, one of which I had seen perched nearby. As a much needed deluge closed in I decided to head home. No sooner had I got the hide in its carry case than a Collared Kingfisher flew in and perched where I had my lens trained! I scrambled to set up the tripod and get the scope on it but no sooner was I set up than off it went! 'This is a bad" I was starting to think.<br />
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As I reached the main road it was clear that a major storm was imminent. I looked up into the dark, foreboding sky, periodically streaked with lightning. There were a lot of raptors kettling high in the sky. I stopped the car got out with my bins and I would say there were between 30 - 40 Brahminy Kites. Brahminy is reasonably common in and around coastal areas but usually in small numbers. I''ve rarely seen more than two and never this number. I wonder what if anything is the significance of this high count. They appeared to be heading south so possibly some migration. I really don't know.<br />
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But really that makes it a good day: being able to see something like this, something new, something unexpected. At about 1700h it got very wet, and very windy so I legged it home.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-19986010331950742472012-11-10T15:28:00.002+07:002012-11-11T13:38:27.047+07:00Huay Mai Teng Reservoir: Early Morming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Asian Golden Weaver - female</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ploceus hypoxanthus</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกกระจาบทอง</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Huay Mai Teng Reservoir, Ratchaburi,</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">10.11.12</span></b></div>
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Early morning is one of the best times to be up and about in Thailand. You don't have to go very far to come upon monks out collecting alms from the faithful; they make an impressive sight bare-footed in their saffron robes saying a prayer for prostrate donors usually offering some food. For a disillusioned teacher like me seeing this daily ritual is a timely reminder of some of the really good things about Thailand. Of course early morning is also a great time for a bit of birding.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prinia rufescens</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Huay Mai Teng Reservoir, Ratchaburi,</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">10.11.12</span></b></div>
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There really only was one place I wanted to go birding this morning and that was Huay Mai Teng Reservoir. I decided on a new approach: take a walk with binoculars only and then have an hour in the hide for photography. This worked well. It seems the main action at this current time is on the southern side of the reservoir. There is an extensive flat area of marsh, swamp, grass and scrub. This time last year the area was completely submerged. This year the water level hasn't yet covered it.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prinia rufescens</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกกระจิบหญ้าสีข้างแดง</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Huay Mai Teng Reservoir, Ratchaburi,</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">10.11.12</span></b></div>
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There was a beautiful cool breeze blowing as I got to grips with the first birds of the day, a rather raggedy Lesser Coucal, followed some Green Bee-eaters and Drongos. There were a lot of Cattle Egrets as always loitering around the herd of cattle that usually hangs around some ramshackle huts at the road head. Immediately a Chinese Francolin's unmistakable rasping call could be heard someway off. Booted for once, I took to the track and was soon up to my thighs in water as I crossed a short flooded section. In fact I had made a conscious decision to wear boots as opposed to sandals so I could walk with impunity and not worry unduly about snakes and insects.<br />
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There were a lot of Oriental Skylarks in and around this area quite easy to distinguish on account of most of them being crested. I would estimate between 10 - 12 but they were on the move so difficult to be precise. The were also 8-10 Richards Pipits which are now easier to separate from the default Paddyfield: totally different flight action when flushed and of course the vocalisation, the <i>shreep</i> is quite distinct from the Paddyfield's <i>cheep. </i>Thank you once more, Phil Round. A Pheasant-tailed Jacana and two Common Moorhens flew across my bows so to speak while an Eastern Osprey hovered above me in search of a bit of breakfast.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Huay Mai Teng Reservoir, Ratchaburi,</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">10.11.12</span></b></div>
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As I walked I could hear Rain Quail but not as many as on recent visits and I managed to flush a few; I suspect I also put up a few Barred Buttonquail but they are up and away so quickly that it is very difficult to call them. There were also a lot of Purple Heron, as many as 12. I recorded Small, Intermediate and Great Egrets for good measure too. I have an unidentified fly-catcher, a little brown one which didn't seem to be Asian as it lacked any grey and it wasn't Taiga as it didn't have any white lateral patches on its tail. I think next time I might carry in the hide and rig and set up here for some photography as there were lots of calls coming from the scrub.<br />
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A pleasant and wet walk. I set up the hide for an hour and managed some shots of an Asian Golden Weaver ( female?) and a Grey-breasted Prinia. (Ed. correction: now that I have processed the images I believe it is a Rufescent Prinia; strangely enough a Grey-Breasted has a ....err, a grey breast! This one doesn't. For me the longer, supercilium, going a little behind the eye and the graduated tail with light tips swings it to Rufescent. Please advise if I have this wrong!) There were some very interesting calls too coming from the scrub but nothing showed.<br />
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As I packed up a Common Kestrel was visible hovering nearby showing brown upper wings with black primaries and a dark tipped longish tail. What a perfect start to the day!<br />
<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-56499678261568786122012-11-04T21:18:00.001+07:002012-11-04T21:18:50.732+07:00Reservoir: Banded Bay CuckooA quick spin up to Huay Mai Teng reservoir this afternoon proved very worthwhile - a rufous colooured bird perched on a tree with lots of drongos was not clear enough to distinguish using binoculars but allowed me enough time to get back to the truck and get the scope on it. It was unmistakably a cuckoo but it wasn't plaintive female or the variant. I noted a very prominent and long blackish mask extending back to the nape and a white supercilium; these were the stand-out visible features. In keeping with my commitment to shambolic birding I didn't have a guide book or data card so sadly not even a record shot. But from looking at the field guide now I am home, it can only have been a Banded Bay Cuckoo. That is a lifer and another patch record.<br />
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It was a beautifully warm and sunny afternoon at the reservoir. Just nice to be there and to be out in the fresh air. Not a lot else of note: plenty of Rain Quail heard, also a Thick-billed Warbler, a juvenile Pied Harrier, lots of Green Bee-eaters, Paddyfield Pipits, good numbers of Zitting Cisticolas, a few Indochinese Bushlark and two Purple Heron.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-48041927232103333392012-11-03T22:14:00.001+07:002012-11-11T13:34:21.152+07:00Ratchaburi Raptors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally I got some time late afternoon to go birding and fortunately my immediate locale is buzzing. I love Peregrine Falcons and this one stayed long enough on the pylons for me to drive into the nearby Rose Garden estate and take the shot. I don't know whether it is a local breeder or the <i>perigrinator</i> ssp; however it is very rufous so possibly <i>peregrinator</i>. A gentle couple of hours in very hot sunshine. Elsewhere in the rice paddy I had good views of a female and juvenile Pied Harrier quartering and a Black-shouldered Kite perched on electric wires. It becomes so much easier once the more difficult birds have been pointed out to you and this afternoon Rufous Woodpecker flashed away in the same place as it did last Sunday; I also heard Lanceolated Warbler and had reasonably good views of a couple of noisy Zitting Cisticolas. Plenty of Plain Prinias and a Common Kingfisher perched over the irrigation canal.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-8758155711831693262012-10-28T21:56:00.001+07:002012-10-28T22:14:28.196+07:00Around RatchaburiMy birding day began unusually early just after 0500h as I decided to investigate the screech coming from the golf driving range facing my house. I reckoned it had to be a Barn Owl and so I checked my recordings and sure enough Barn Owl it was. It very kindly flew over my house and I could make out its white mass against a dark night sky.<br />
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I had agreed to take Phil Round around my Ratchaburi haunts today as he was eager to get a recording of Plain Prinia and was interested to reconnoiter Huay Mai Teng Reservoir. It was shaping into a hot,sunny day morning when Phil arrived and after a cup of tea we headed into the local rice paddy for Plain Prinia. I'm not sure Phil got a great recording but we got a good selection of birds: lots of Black-browed Reed Warblers, Pied Kingfisher, Black-shouldered Kite, Lanceolated Warbler, a female and a juvenile Pied Harrier, Purple Heron, Zitting Cisticola, Yellow-bellied Prinia and lots of Plain Prinias. For me the highlight was a brief view of Rufous Woodpecker, which flew out of the trees as we approached. Thai lifer ⌗368, no less, thank you Phil, I would not have been able to call this on my own. I would have been able to add Lanceolated Warbler to my list too had I followed Phil out into the rice paddy. I am going out after this one in the next week.<br />
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After another cup of tea, we headed out to Huay Mai Teng. Probably not ideal getting there at 1000h but we still managed to see lots of good birds: Little Ringed Plover, Little, Intermediate & Great Egret, Little Cormorant, Whiskered Tern, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, a solitary, likely juvenile Small Pratincole, a solitary, aerial Oriental Pratincole, Grey & Purple Herons, 5 Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, 1 Bronze-winged Jacana, 1 Black-shouldered Kite, Paddyfield Pipits, Green Bee-eaters, Indochinese Bushlark, Small & Barred Buttonquail, Rain Quail, Oriental Skylark, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Pintail Snipe, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Thick-billed Warbler (heard), Richard's Pipits, Taiga Flycatcher, Martins plus all the common birds. Not a bad haul for such a late start.<br />
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Of course the stand out bird for me was Richard's Pipit. Phil sighted an initial bird and pointed out its different call and behaviour from the more common Paddyfield. The Richard's Pipit generally flies off when disturbed whereas the Paddyfield moves only a little away. However the real diagnostic is the call: the Paddyfield has a sort of "chirp" sound whereas Richard's is more of a "schreep". There is an excellent review of the differences between these species and also including Blyth's Pipit on <a href="http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/2012/02/pipits-paddyfield-richards-and-blyths.html">Dave Bakewell's</a> blog. It also helps enormously to be able to go out birding with Phil Round. I would not have been able to make the distinction unaided but once Phil had done it in the field it became much easier; I reckon we had in the region of 10 Richard's Pipits.<br />
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Richard's Pipit becomes Thai lifer ⌗ 369. I'm not going to claim Small Buttonquail as I just got a flash of a small, orange quail; work to be done here still though most importantly it was in the "usual" place. So maybe I can stake it out a little and try to get a good look in the months ahead. I am also intrigued by the presence of Martins, not sure whether they were Sand or Plain. SO work to be done here before I can add one or both of these species to my list. Good, however, to know they are at the site.<br />
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So a highly informative and fun few hours' birding. For me a real honour and privilege to be able to bird alongside the leading authority on Thai avifauna. Phil pointed out that the name of one of the local villages, Ban Nok Karien, actually means "Sarus Crane Village". This tells us that historically Sarus Crane could be found in this area. Maybe a vagrant might return one day....... Hopefully, later in the winter we'll do some ringing here.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-21306144380581090192012-10-27T21:17:00.003+07:002012-10-27T21:17:42.501+07:00Pied Harrier : "Pure Gallus"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pied Harrier</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Circus melanoleucos</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">เหยี่ยวด่างดำขาว</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ratchaburi 27.10.12</span></b></div>
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A solitary male Pied Harrier floated over the Ratchaburi rice paddy at 1702h, the first I have seen this winter, almost a year to the day of last winter's first record. He really is a spectacular bird. I think the Glasgow phrase "<i>pure</i> <i>gallus</i>" best sums up this guy - stylish and impressive, minus any delinquent or neddish connotation! He put down for a moment and I captured a very poor image, which I publish here really as a record and nothing else. I hope these birds settle down and that I can get much closer to them over the next few months.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">White-rumped Munia</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lonchura striata</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกกระติ๊ดตะโพกขาว</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ratchaburi 27.10.12</span></b></div>
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This arrival really lifted my spirits enormously - I even let out a cheer! Elsewhere I was happy to locate two Pied Kingfishers, equally <i>gallus</i>! These have moved further up the irrigation canal following a lot of radical alterations to their previous abode. Add in one Black-shouldered Kite, two Lesser Coucals, three Brown Shrike, c200 White-rumped Munias ( no prizes forworking out why it is called "white-rumped"!) with a smaller number of Scaly-breasted Munias mixed up. Lots of common birds, nice, relaxing couple of hours and the locals enquiring after my son!<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Scaly breasted Munia</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lonchura punctulata</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกกระติ๊ดขี้หมู </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ratchaburi 27.10.12</span></b></div>
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<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-13552671136243485472012-10-26T12:34:00.000+07:002012-10-26T16:04:45.502+07:00Highs and LowsWhat started out as a joyful morning turned to disaster at Wat Khao Takhrao; at about 0830h I drove my truck off the road, doing a U-turn on a tight road, and got one of the front wheels stuck in mud. It took 4½ hours to get hauled out. In the great scheme of things I got off lightly with nothing more than a bruised ego, but I resented the loss of time on what had been planned as my last big birding day before returning to work next week. I should have gone home but instead headed on to Pak Thale & Laem Pak Bia after being rescused. To be honest I was in no fit state to concentrate, gripped by frustration, irritability and impatience.<br />
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I left home early in what was shaping into a beautiful, bright and sunny morning. There had been a lot of rain overnight. Through Khao Yoi I stopped at some favoured swamp and had an amazing view of a Purple Swamphen in the spotlight of the rising sun against green plants. No sooner was I set up than the bird and its cohorts took off! That's rather unfortunately the nature of digiscoping, indeed of all photography. Soon after I had raptors above me, a first Black Kite of the year and then a Booted Eagle, also a first of the year. As I progressed though Khao Yoi the big waterbirds appeared: 5 Spot-billed Pelicans in the distant sky and then Painted Storks began more visible. Overhead a pair of Osprey passed by nearby.<br />
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By the time I reached Wat Khao Takrhao I had counted four species of Kingfisher: Common, Collared, Black-capped & White-throated. There were five Spot-billed Pelicans gliding effortlessly over the surface of the water and as I scoped the big pond I could see more Painted Stork and lots of smaller birds which were undoubtedly ducks. As the barrier on the gate was up I drove on in the hope of getting a better view of the ducks and other birds. A number of raptors were buzzing the ducks, notably an Eastern Marsh Harrier which came over and passed nearby. The ducks were too far away but lots of Garganey and equally good numbers of bigger Northern Pintails.<br />
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I started photographing some Common Sandpipers and then decided to move on. In the process of doing a U-turn on the road, something I have done many times in exactly the same spot, I thought I had enough room to complete the manoevre. Next thing I felt the truck slipping down off the road and that, so to speak, was that: front right wheel half submerged in mud and the remaining wheels not providing enough friction to get me back onto the road proper. Unfortunately I was about 2km from the road so help was not immediately to hand. So I had to call out roadside assistance. Not a good place to come unstuck, or rather to get stuck! In fairness, though, roadside assistance did their job and got me out.<br />
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During this period I counted 74 Painted Stork! Once out of my jam I stopped at a nearby pond where 10 Spot-billed Pelicans were paddling about. I just couldn't get a clear shot of them......<br />
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Pak Thale was very quiet with no sign of Spoonbill Sandpiper. In fact most of the birds had moved to near the road where there were huge flocks of Curlew Sandpiper, Great Knot and Lesser-sand Plover. I concentrated on a smaller flock of about 60 Brown-headed Gulls; a pair of gulls in this group were strikingly different: their bare parts were much more yellow and they showed signs of moult on their wings; I was also struck by how white their heads were and I started thinking that these might possibly be Slender-billed Gulls.<br />
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I managed to get some shots to aid some later research. I have decided against Slender-billed as the two birds in question had black spots behind their eyes. I also remembered from last year year that first year Brown-headed Gulls have yellow bare parts. Anyway, a productive exercise as it got me studying the field guides and <a href="http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/">Oriental Bird Images</a>; from the latter I learned Slender-billed is also known as Rosy Gull and my field guide noted that Slender-billed's underparts often have a rosy hue. This is certainly confirmed by some of the images on <a href="http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=963">Oriental Bird Images</a>. I rather fancy that next time I might be able to separate Slender-billed.<br />
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At Wat Kamnaran I managed to make out 2 Grey-headed Lapwings. Onwards to Laem Pak Bia and the Abandonned Building in search of Rosy Starling which has been reported from there recently. I couldn't bear the smell from the rubbish dump so gave up after 45 minutes. In Laem Pak Bia proper, little to report from a brief stop there in the fading light of the day.My friend Tom Buckland advised that tbere were Richard's Pipits on the road in the Nordmann's area; the ones I saw looked very much as if they were of the Paddyfield type.<br />
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A frustrating sort of day really that reconnected me with some of my demons. It was only on the drive home that I understood how much this mishap had affected me, a knock to my confidence. I found myself asking: Why do you do this? Is it worth it? Would it not be better to to be at home with your family? ..........and so on and on. I was actually delighted to make it home and be in the company of my family and my spirits improved markedly.With work looming large on the horizon I am not going to do much birding in the next few weeks. I doubt I will do much travelling other than in Ratchaburi province itself. Spend more time at home, the family man!<br />
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<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-61792715663890266322012-10-24T19:43:00.001+07:002012-10-24T19:43:44.791+07:00Ratchabrui Rice PaddyFor the first time in many months I took a spin round the local rice paddy encouraged by yesterday's glimpse of a first harrier of the season nearby. The weather quickly became very overcast and then the heavens opened; I imagine most harriers would be parked on a well protected branch under cover. Plenty of good birds though: first up was a juvenile Lesser Coucal, a fair few Brown Shrikes, a Black-capped Kingfisher, plenty of White-thraoted Kingfishers, a Pintail Snipe, a Black-shouldered Kite, some Plain-backed Sparrows and a flock of over 200 White-rumped Munias, a tick for the patch and good numbers of Black-browed Reed Warblers, identifiable mainly on sound than on observation...... it shall be interesting to see what the winter months throw up here.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-4466466523540463592012-10-23T22:18:00.001+07:002012-10-24T03:52:14.363+07:00Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Nakhon Ratchasima<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Siamese Fireback</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lophura Diardi</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Nakhon Ratchasima</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">20.10.12</span></b></div>
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I was drawn to <a href="http://www.tistr.or.th/sakaeratE">Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve</a> in Nakhon Ratchasima province by the virtual certainty of seeing Siamese Fireback, Thailand's national bird. This possibility emerged from looking at Stijin de Win's <a href="http://www.birding2asia.com/W2W/Thailand/North/Sakaerat.html">Birding2Asia</a> website. Being on holiday and having time on my hands I thought this would make an excellent early morning trip, especially in the context of a family holiday when it is impractical to abandon everyone for the day.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Siamese Fireback</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lophura Diardi</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Nakhon Ratchasima</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">20.10.12</span></b></div>
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As a courtesy I dropped into the reserve headquarters late afternoon Thursday 18th October, the day before my planned visit, to ask permission to enter the reserve the following morning. This resource is by no means open access to all comers so I wanted to be sure that I could enter without incurring anyone's wrath. I would recommend anybody contemplating a visit to do likewise because there may be days and times when the reserve is completely closed.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Siamese Fireback</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lophura Diardi</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Nakhon Ratchasima</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">20.10.12</span></b></div>
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The Siamese Firebacks obliged in the finest tradition of drive-in birding. Well correction, a ten minute stroll along the road from the HQ barrier was required! On Friday morning (19th October) I saw 5 males and 1 female feeding on the road with 8 Red Junglefowl. I was surprised by how comfortable some of the birds were around human beings and apart from the poor light on account of the early hour, they really do provide a potentially brilliant photo-opportunity. What magnificent birds! The male is quite respsendent with his crest feathers and in fairness the female is equally striking, with black and buff barring on her upperside. I even managed good views of the male's "fireback": it is exactly that but it is well covered up by his wings: a yellow and orange patch that becomes visible when the bird flaps its wings.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Red-breasted Parakeet - male</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Psittacula alexandri</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกแขกเต้า</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Nakhon Ratchasima</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">20.10.12</span></b></div>
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Of course I have an excellent ability to balls things up and as I was getting ready to start shooting I realised I had left my electronic viewfinder in the truck. So I legged it back to the vehicle and got the EVF and then legged it back to the birds which were still feeding out in the open. Then I realised I had left my cable release trigger in the truck so had to head back down again. When I got back the birds had gone. So I was most miffed as I knew I had missed an outstanding opportunity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1Nml-JNdVA6Tgo_m6IxzDN2SyzhgvDiqRtmAi_VPGaE6tx8yd0zQJgnw2txCV5VKOPb-oOWf1nIZOHaa8RGQj9Ifi6pF7ZN-vdpdfl-qGtg0L0Bm2dNXjzYckh0gM1sSLD5db9hxCBo/s1600/redbreasted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1Nml-JNdVA6Tgo_m6IxzDN2SyzhgvDiqRtmAi_VPGaE6tx8yd0zQJgnw2txCV5VKOPb-oOWf1nIZOHaa8RGQj9Ifi6pF7ZN-vdpdfl-qGtg0L0Bm2dNXjzYckh0gM1sSLD5db9hxCBo/s320/redbreasted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Red-breasted Parakeet - female</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Psittacula alexandri</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกแขกเต้า</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Nakhon Ratchasima</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">20.10.12</span></b></div>
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Anyway I came back the next morning, Saturday 20th October, and there were 5 males and 2 females feeding with 4 Red Junglefowl in exactly the same area. I also had company: about 100 school students with guides and teachers. Our presence did little to deter the Firebacks and we got good views and the school party headed on into the nether regions of the reserve. I was left alone and the birds obliged.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pacific Reef Egret - dark morph variant</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Egretta sacra</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกยางทะเล</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Koh Kood, Trat Province</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">17.10.12</span></b></div>
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There's never been and there never will be an easy digiscoped image. Early morning in a forest means poor light; that means slow shutter speeds and inevitably that means a lot of blurred images except for those few moments when the birds stand still. In that time I have got to frame the bird, fine focus and shoot. For once the birds were so close it was impossible to fit them in the frame! So I am delighted with these images.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Rockthrush</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Monticola solitarius</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกกระเบื้องผา</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima Province</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">22.10.12</span></b></div>
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The reserve is also a good place to see Red-breasted Parakeet which can easily be found in the dipterocarp forest in the lower part of the reserve. Once more I was lucky and managed to get on a couple of birds that my wife, Luna, saw as we drove out on our courtesy visit. These guys very obligingly were parked on treetops with strong sunlight on them; the forest gave me enough cover to get on the parakeets and of course the digiscoping rig gives me a lot of reach. So in these circumstances I can get reasonably good images of birds.<br />
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I love this place though I can hardly say the birds came out to dance for me. I was very happy to get the firebacks, but I didn't get much else: Emerald Dove, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama, good numbers of Asian Brown Flycatchers and a Red Muntjac showed and did some very loud barking. Lots of glimpses of unidentified smallish birds. I would hardly say, however, that I cleaned up! Anyhow I was very happy with the firebacks, Thai lifer ⌗367.<br />
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I must also add how helpful and accommodating the reserve staff were. There was a very pleasant atmosphere around the main centre. On both mornings a Buddhist monk walked down past the firebacks and gave a <i>dhamma</i> talk to the assembled staff in Headquarters. I very much want to return.<br />
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I've added a couple of shots from elsewhere. I had another chance at the Pacific Reef Egret, dark morph variant, while on Koh Kood waiting for transportation to the mainland. Much sharper and better image than previous postings. And lastly we drove through Khao Yai National Park on our way home from Korat and this Blue Rock-thrush performed a little for me. Not much else seen.<br />
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This morning, back home in Ratchaburi, I caught a first sight of a harrier in the sky. Not sure if it was Eastern Marsh or Pied but good to know the harriers are back local. So a return to the local rice paddy is imminent.<br />
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Finally in Korat City, where we spent a couple of nights on our travels, I enquired about the price of a captive Red-breasted Parakeet which was on sale at the night market with a host of other birds, including Brown-collared and Spotted Doves. I was quoted 8,000 baht. I was also appalled by the condition of a couple of caged White-rumped Shamas - they looked as if they were about to drop. They could hardly have been more different from wild ones. Terrible business. Most avowedly, these birds were not made for life in a cage.<br />
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<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-15325565004240050052012-10-15T21:11:00.004+07:002012-10-15T21:11:52.646+07:00Blue Rock-thrush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7GGjYEXBMTR94VQUtkPn5z2s_lP2EAf8fdr0mTJPpiDw9n5bCzG2RN99sWqCmO_9H-oSQ2dnYBaf_GTpRmpknENf-TJQcM4ATvMMDklrGD5hBRfA7MwwJXAAFvP7w4maNpzLNinF9po/s1600/bluerock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7GGjYEXBMTR94VQUtkPn5z2s_lP2EAf8fdr0mTJPpiDw9n5bCzG2RN99sWqCmO_9H-oSQ2dnYBaf_GTpRmpknENf-TJQcM4ATvMMDklrGD5hBRfA7MwwJXAAFvP7w4maNpzLNinF9po/s320/bluerock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Blue Rockthrush</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Monticola solitarius</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกกระเบื้องผา</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Koh Kood, Trat Province</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>15.10.12</b></span></div>
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I had a gentle late afternoon paddle out into the bay facing our resort in Koh Kood this afternoon aiming to alight on some rocks where the bay opens out into The Gulf Of Thailand. Into the dry bag went my scope and camera and I left the tripod out in the open. I was hoping to sneak a shot of a Pacific Reef Egret, specifically the dark morph variant; one of the coolest looking birds, in my humble opinion! I managed to get to my intended target and haul the kayak onto the rocks. In doing so I managed to flush the egrets, though I had no idea they were there! However, undeterred, I got set up and resolved to prefocus on a rock spur just in case.....and 10 minutes later as the sun was setting a pair of these rockthrushes appeared and one parked on the spur. The light was just against me; this was shot at 320 ISO and at a lowish shutter speed (1/20 sec ) but the shot serves its purpose as a good record. I am intrigued about whether this is the <i>philippensis</i> subspecies on account of the chestnut undertail coverts. It is by no means an uncommon bird but it was not what I was expecting to see out here today. But what do I know?! The guidebook, (Lekagul & Round,<i> A Guide to the Birds of Thailand ) </i>includes under its habitat:"rocky seacoast". Nice to see the birds behaving properly! </div>
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Finally a shot of a fishing boat. God alone knows what ecological meltdown this type of fishing is causing.<br />
<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-90730586757890937432012-10-15T09:27:00.001+07:002012-11-11T05:25:29.996+07:00Koh Kood, Trat Province<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pacific Swallow</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hirundo Tahitica</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกนางแอ่นแปซิฟิค</span></b></div>
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We have been having a much needed rest on the idyllic island of Koh Kood; it is very close to the border with Cambodia and is somewhat overshadowed by its better known island neighbour, Koh Chang. It is very undeveloped and I imagine it has fantastic birds but I haven't made any serious attempt to get into the forests to see them. I rather fancy I saw a large owl make a crepuscular sortie from nearby shoreline forest in pursuit of prey and then it promptly returned to a dark perch. I have kayaked out into the bay these last two nights in the hope of a repeat. Alas no. What is striking is that I haven't seen a Collared Kingfisher or a White-bellied Sea eagle, two regular fixtures in Thailand's coastal waters, the latter especially in and around its many islands; no Brahminy Kites either.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Yellow-vented Bulbul</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pycnonotus goiavier</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกปรอดหน้านวล</span></b></div>
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Pacific Swallows perch on the bamboo pier next to our resort and this fellow let me get close yesterday afternoon.(Update: I have seen this species in The Philippines but have just realised it is a Thai lifer and it goes onto the list as #366!) This shot highlights the differences between it and Barn Swallow: the Pacific lacks a black breast band and has more chestnut on its head, meaning the forehead chestnut patch extends further back towards its crown and nape. It's not a bird I see much of in the Inner Gulf margins but I believe it is fairly common in Thailand's inshore waters.<br />
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The Yellow-vented Bulbuls were perched nearby, again fairly common birds in most parts of Thailand. Lots of Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers and Common Mynas in the resort gardens. Outside in more forested areas I rather fancy we have some Arctic and Dusky Warblers and lots of Drongos. There are also lots of Jungle Crows; their distinctive "caw caw caw" sound evokes dull, grey, British autumnal weather.<br />
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On the rocks extending from our resort I have seen 3 Pacific Reef Egrets, (dark morph), 2 Little Herons and a handful of Common Sandpipers. I rather fancy the habitat would be ideal for Stork-billed Kingfisher but so far I haven't seen any. I also rather fancy this place warrants serious exploration. However we all need the rest so nothing too energetic planned. It is nice to be in a place where our little boy can run wild with other kids and the resort staff grab our daughter.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Eurasian Hoopoe</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Upupa epops </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกกะรางหัวขวาน</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"><colgroup><col width="359"></col></colgroup></table>
Don Tako, Ratchaburi Province<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"></table>
</span>11.10.12</span></b></div>
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Finally the day before we left I got set up at home and managed to photograph this Eurasian Hoopoe, the axe head bird, perched on the spars which support the roof over the bays in the driving range adjacent to our house. It's a common bird here but nevertheless very striking. Just a shame it wouldn't extend its crop.<br />
<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-85783600990718209852012-10-10T22:09:00.001+07:002012-10-15T09:50:35.410+07:00Reservoir BluesA quick late afternoon spin to Huay Mai Teng didn't really produce much on the bird front. What was significant was the dramatic rise in the reservoir's water level. The road across the reservoir is now impassable such has been the huge volume of precipitation this last week. I had been checking records and noticed that at about this time last year I was seeing Blossom-headed Parakeet late afternoons so this was on my mind. No parakeet, no Small Pratincole, no River Lapwing, no Savanna Nightjar, not even a Little Ringed Plover. Very ordinary fare today: Yellow Wagtail was the bird of the moment, Green Bee-eater, Red-wattled Lapwing, Paddyfield Pipit, Grey-breasted Prinia, Eastern Stonechat.......and Rain Quail, hardly ordinary fare, were very audible but stayed invisible. The surprise package was a female Watercock scurrying into scrub, a patch tick.Then as I exited in the dark, on instinct I took a right turn and almost drove over an Indian Nightjar at ease on the red gravel track; as I watched this bird in my headlights I could discern the distant rattle of a Chinese Francolin.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-23091399301525700432012-10-09T22:37:00.000+07:002012-10-15T10:00:55.685+07:00Pak Thale & Laem Pak Bia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxfuveXlavGOFieSj_reDXmiDko4-S3WkwqoqVGoF4YPac4iJMPyZSOv2eNIZZ6hX1D0J8GltKkkKMp3Wv_i0N3Vipifb4HnT0UY_seo8reW3JoVgQp2Iyely-YE0nhvmBCM0KMFrFyU/s1600/RedNeckedStint01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxfuveXlavGOFieSj_reDXmiDko4-S3WkwqoqVGoF4YPac4iJMPyZSOv2eNIZZ6hX1D0J8GltKkkKMp3Wv_i0N3Vipifb4HnT0UY_seo8reW3JoVgQp2Iyely-YE0nhvmBCM0KMFrFyU/s320/RedNeckedStint01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Red-necked Stint</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Calidris ruficollis</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกสติ๊นท์คอแดง</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"><colgroup><col width="359"></col></colgroup></table>
Pak Thale, Petchburi Province<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"></table>
</span>09.10.12</span></b></div>
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An early afternoon high tide and the prospect of good light drew me to Phetchburi's famous stretch of the Inner Gulf. The theory is the high tide will move the waders off the mudflats into the salt pans. This proved true today. On arrival at Pak Thale there were huge numbers of Eurasian Curlews and Whiskered Terns in separate flocks. Mixed up with some of the curlews was a large number of Black-tailed Godwit with a liberal sprinkling of Whimbrel; I counted two Bar-tailed Godwits. About 350 Great Knot and lots of Red-necked Stints and Marsh Sandpipers. But no Spoon-bill Sandpiper. A strange dearth of Curlew & Broad-billed Sandpiper.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">White-faced Plover</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Charadrius alexandrinus dealbatus</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกหัวโตขาดำ</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"><colgroup><col width="359"></col></colgroup></table>
Laem Pak Bia - sand spit, Petchburi Province<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"></table>
</span>09.10.12</span></b></div>
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On to Laem Pak Bia which was strangely quiet. Two Spot-billed Pelicans and about 30 Common Greenshanks. I was eager to string some of these into Nordmann's but alas their legs were all wrong. Nine Grey Plover and a solitary Pacific Golden. Not much else and three Red-necked Stints at the Abandonned Building and nothing else.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6lRNt12krudsB-2i1eL_2WRUsOWKPSr_Tg0exWTEKYvn5w1xnDfjnzxYcxzmpwxVKsgl6wXufJpOEfEXFpVsQhinQ-ana4rIkL1MpybQKX28TuaXxYHFx_NsTTY39RZwgByHZEv83xI/s1600/white-faced2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6lRNt12krudsB-2i1eL_2WRUsOWKPSr_Tg0exWTEKYvn5w1xnDfjnzxYcxzmpwxVKsgl6wXufJpOEfEXFpVsQhinQ-ana4rIkL1MpybQKX28TuaXxYHFx_NsTTY39RZwgByHZEv83xI/s320/white-faced2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">White-faced Plover</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Charadrius alexandrinus dealbatus</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกหัวโตขาดำ</span></b></div>
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Laem Pak Bia - sand spit, Petchburi Province<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"></table>
</span>09.10.12</span></b></div>
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So I decided to head out to the sand spit with Mr Deng. Almost immediately we chanced on two White-face Plovers. Good numbers of Malaysian Plovers and we also had two stationery Terek Sandpipers; first time I can recall these birds seeing these birds stand still. Lots of Sanderling. L.ots of Lesser Sand-plover</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3uQoSgxuixoklLzLTl_wbQpMiafomrfGsb4brqMTBjDWXrOgbu1UiqMGxxCyZOgtNjsdvgTplxMV8rMDWz7veStwwumvPOvFdGI93DmOKrdtfrHX80jVjdSF1nesInhydH1-l5WHdvo/s1600/TerekS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3uQoSgxuixoklLzLTl_wbQpMiafomrfGsb4brqMTBjDWXrOgbu1UiqMGxxCyZOgtNjsdvgTplxMV8rMDWz7veStwwumvPOvFdGI93DmOKrdtfrHX80jVjdSF1nesInhydH1-l5WHdvo/s320/TerekS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Terek Sandpiper</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Xenus cinereus</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">นกชายเลนปากแอ่น </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"><colgroup><col width="359"></col></colgroup></table>
Laem Pak Bia - sand spit, Petchburi Province<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 359px;"></table>
</span>09.10.12</span></b></div>
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The sand spit is possibly one of the nicest places to go birding in the Inner Gulf. Beautifully warm, end of day and Mr Deng is the epitome of calm and serenity. Nice afternoon.</div>
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Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-17049199808309731172012-10-04T21:44:00.001+07:002012-10-15T10:29:38.482+07:00Ban Song Nok, Petchburi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IAh1qa4IdeuevBljffbKJ_OqdDIDDRd48NgYIsx_5EtyBldSAEBGeg4i3FQ_i295gQj4euyJTvvbGq7GTgfakBhEhyphenhyphenBuSgwFWtS2tzve1rNlVhTYraT3EbXUmeiD5z7rzkioe9_2KUY/s1600/OrangebelliedMale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IAh1qa4IdeuevBljffbKJ_OqdDIDDRd48NgYIsx_5EtyBldSAEBGeg4i3FQ_i295gQj4euyJTvvbGq7GTgfakBhEhyphenhyphenBuSgwFWtS2tzve1rNlVhTYraT3EbXUmeiD5z7rzkioe9_2KUY/s320/OrangebelliedMale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Orange-bellied Flowerpecker - male</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Dicaeum trigonostigma</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกกาฝากท้องสีส้ม</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ban Song Nok, Kaeng Krachan District, Petchburi Province</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>04.10.12</b></span></span></div>
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My trip to Ban Song Nok threw up two lifers today in an otherwise fairly low key trip. The undoubted highlight was a brief glimpse of a Blue-bearded Bee-eater whose identification was confirmed by its very distinct, monosyllabic call. I am not ticking this because it really was the briefest of views, I saw a clear powder blue beard, and then it was gone. I don't know at what point I would take the tick, but this was way below "better view required". I must have some sort of reasonable contact with the bird and this wasn't it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBzRhSmFKZoigZrEoWH5T_JrbJwRODlq853U3iQrRuJD-OmGG6aWTv-o7cAMpvWRGd_391cTtsPHMly3J1oPNu4-NiM2p93wg0KHkLmZhAvM22PUiw47GzcPiuCMWsU4Xb19mTOIfbu0/s1600/orangebelliedfemale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBzRhSmFKZoigZrEoWH5T_JrbJwRODlq853U3iQrRuJD-OmGG6aWTv-o7cAMpvWRGd_391cTtsPHMly3J1oPNu4-NiM2p93wg0KHkLmZhAvM22PUiw47GzcPiuCMWsU4Xb19mTOIfbu0/s320/orangebelliedfemale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Orange-bellied Flowerpecker - female</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Dicaeum trigonostigma</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกกาฝากท้องสีส้ม</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ban Song Nok, Kaeng Krachan District, Petchburi Province</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>04.10.12</b></span></span></div>
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I will claim the Tickell's Blue Flycatcher because I got a number of clear if somewhat fleeting views of the front and rear, not enough to photograph, but enough to identify it. The Large Scimitar Babbler was too large and too near to fit in the LCD. In fact a pretty ugly bird not helped by the fact it was having a good splash and so getting wet. So Thai lifers #364 and #365.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKcSdmf8i0b8JDcptiRuUg2L77EJ3yLhC79rZChRTz_LoGJa72fx2NGzGjdXBXvwavku1UoPJjjASVt5p2BYUdwbrh7DPvi01qUozQfULBvdCbpIggAKcJSoavDQB2MUEStNBCI3toUk/s1600/largescimitarbabbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKcSdmf8i0b8JDcptiRuUg2L77EJ3yLhC79rZChRTz_LoGJa72fx2NGzGjdXBXvwavku1UoPJjjASVt5p2BYUdwbrh7DPvi01qUozQfULBvdCbpIggAKcJSoavDQB2MUEStNBCI3toUk/s320/largescimitarbabbler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกระวังไพรปากยาว</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ban Song Nok, Kaeng Krachan District, Petchburi Province</b></span></span></div>
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The joy however is the simple business of photographing the flowerpeckers. The Orange-bellied is sublimely beautiful and it's still there, much to Ba Ek's surprise.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>นกจับแมลงจุกดำ</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ban Song Nok, Kaeng Krachan District, Petchburi Province</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>04.10.12</b></span></span></div>
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But this is not easy-peasy stuff. Light conditions in the hide area are actually very difficult for digiscoping. Slow shutter speeds are the order of the day and this is not ideal for birds which are often moving about very rapidly. Also I often have too much magnification so can't frame the whole bird! I do think the hide is 300 mm territory. Whatever I had the place to myself today and I got a couple of decent shots, so I'm happy.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-52182025736164774052012-10-03T21:30:00.001+07:002012-10-04T08:00:09.699+07:00Pak Thale & Laem Pak Bia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaMlQ7526rAp_koCoFMyurU_a0RQpNoSy0vA_0Djjmi-f12B5C6HkaXol6-91deKBTwVj_ZicR7YmV78h26RZIAab2q8vXETTVCRJ5gntyEHR0LK5vokMGcMLrjN-E212yGua5k-_3-8/s1600/stints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaMlQ7526rAp_koCoFMyurU_a0RQpNoSy0vA_0Djjmi-f12B5C6HkaXol6-91deKBTwVj_ZicR7YmV78h26RZIAab2q8vXETTVCRJ5gntyEHR0LK5vokMGcMLrjN-E212yGua5k-_3-8/s320/stints.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am wondering if some or all of the birds in this shot are Little Stints. They were at Pak Thale this morning and they stood out because they were in their own little flock in their own little salt pan. There were plenty of Red-necked Stints in the adjacent pans and what initially struck me was these ones appeared bigger. As I scoped them the split supercilium, visible on the two right side birds, was apparent. Broad-billed Sandpiper, I wondered, but of course their bill is all wrong. On looking at the photo I am encouraged by the fine bill point and the brownish cast these birds have. I've referred the matter to the experts and shall await their judgement!<br />
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On Monday the first Spoon-billed Sandpiper of the winter was reported at Khok Kham in the Inner Gulf. So I thought it might be worth checking out Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia. No Spooner for me today but plenty of Red-necked Stints. A huge flock of Eurasian Curlews took off for the shore soon after my arrival. I also recorded 61 Brown-headed Gulls, the first gulls I have seen in this migratory cycle. A sizeable number, 150+, of Marsh Sandpipers<br />
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Laem Pak Bia was pretty quiet. I think most of the waders had headed for the coast and the fresh offerings of the new low tide. 3 Gull-billed Terns stood out amongst hundreds of Whiskered Terns. One Spot-billed Pelican, 2 Painted Stork and a handful of mixed waders, with a good number of Pacific Golden and Gray Plovers; 2 Temminck's Stints and 3 Black-tailed Godwits at the Abandonned Building. I bumped into Mr Daeng who advised that the Great Thick Knee has been about, but not today. In the King's Project I snatched glimpses of a Painted Snipe and a Pintail Snipe; otherwise fairly quiet.<br />
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But what fun to be birding on a Wednesday........ perfect!Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-71528146181985266972012-10-01T22:28:00.002+07:002012-10-01T22:28:37.637+07:00Wat Khao Takrhao & Khai Yoi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v7Sqyt8cCjGdax-Hv9MM3JsFcsCCFpdwXASX9zuRCJwN70tdQH8xDSk1526lrVf4wHBBKPcfniZ1DEXkNT-TfFRqp4pR43P6jARG3zGSrLGs5pdThwhUvQ9lKDuHEVHvEpRSTIvaJNM/s1600/WhiskTern02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v7Sqyt8cCjGdax-Hv9MM3JsFcsCCFpdwXASX9zuRCJwN70tdQH8xDSk1526lrVf4wHBBKPcfniZ1DEXkNT-TfFRqp4pR43P6jARG3zGSrLGs5pdThwhUvQ9lKDuHEVHvEpRSTIvaJNM/s320/WhiskTern02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well my health improved enough to enable me to get out for the afternoon and take a gentle drive down through the Khao Yoi area to Wat Khao Takrhao in Phetchburi province. Lots of big water birds. In the course of the afternoon I would estimate I saw about 50 Spot-billed Pelicans, about 20 of which were paddling around the large pool at Wat Khao Takrhao; otherwise they were liberally scattered about the Khao Yoi area and mixed up with greater numbers of Painted Stork. No surprises at Wat Khao Takrhao but huge numbers of Lesser Whistling Duck, thousands of them. I didn't make any effort to count them as they were scattered everywhere. Unfortunately my "road" has been "resurfaced" and on the basis that I was sinking into it I didn't bother to drive. So no access to the area which allows good views over the pool with the added benefit of having the sun behind you in the afternoon.<div>
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I had observed a Common Kingfisher perching on an a small fish trap so I went back to try and get a shot of it by using my hide. A Green Bee-eater and Whiskered Tern obliged for me but not the kingfisher which took off the minute I trained my lens on it. Good numbers of waders: notably Black-tailed Godwits, but also a few Marsh Sandpipers and Pacific Golden Plovers. Things are building up very nicely.</div>
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Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-28654813223464095212012-09-30T11:29:00.001+07:002012-09-30T11:29:45.751+07:00Meklong River Estuary, Inner GulfAs often happens with teachers we get sick when we go on holiday and sadly I am streaming with a heavy cold and a sore throat. When I should probably have been in bed we took a drive yesterday afternoon, Saturday, around the west side of the Meklong river, Inner Gulf so to speak, south of the main highway near Samut Songkram, more exploratory than anything else. We also had a brief look on the east side of the Meklong around Don Hoi Lod but not much of note. The bird of the day was Tiger Shrike, I counted four of them in three different areas, skulking in scrub, suggesting a bit of a migratory wave in progress. Elsewhere lots of Redshanks, a few Greenshanks, one Marsh Sandpiper, 4 Brahminy Kites, a few Whiskered Terns, a pair of Lesser Sand-plovers, 8 Pacific Golden Plovers, a Common Kingfisher, a couple of Collared Kingfishers. Strange being in this area and not seeing any gulls, whose arrival must be imminent. Today, Sunday, I am confined, happily confined, and hopefully will make up for this in the next couple of weeks once I am fit again. This week I got a couple of excellent links via the various bird groups to which I subscribe. So this is my current browsing: <a href="http://wallace-online.org/">http://wallace-online.org/</a> and <a href="http://hachi.sfc.keio.ac.jp/home_e.html">Oriental Honey Buzzard Satellite Tracking Project</a>.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-47086148074606398182012-09-23T21:30:00.002+07:002012-09-23T21:30:42.206+07:00The DelugeI left home in bright sunshine and rather fancied when I got to Huay Mai Teng Reservoir about 1530h that I was going to be lucky in avoiding rain. Twenty minutes later it was battering down and 90 minutes later it was much the same. My priority became the avoidance of getting stuck in mud and keeping my equipment dry. Not many birds today such was the donwpour. However I was at different parts of the site today so did see a Black-shouldered Kite, 2 Bronze-winged Jacanas and a mixed flock of about 30 Asian Golden and Baya Weavers. I couldn't help notice the rate of habitat loss: where until recently there was secondary forest, with lots of scrub, this has now been cleared and a water tower has been installed and electricity pylons erected. I wonder what the future holds here. Glad to say I got home without needing excavation.Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-92149568474157070002012-09-22T21:38:00.003+07:002012-09-23T21:45:43.508+07:00Reservoir Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lesser Coucal</span></i></b></div>
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Not such a great day for photography but a pleasant afternoon, if a little wet, for birding. The question is this: have the River Lapwing moved on from Huay Mai Teng Reservoir? No sign of them today. This is consistent with the last three years - the River Lapwing have usually gone by now. So, too, however, had the Small Pratincoles in each of the last three years, but again today they were present in numbers, around 100 or so. Perhaps the lapwing are still around.<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lesser Coucal</span></i></b></div>
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We have had a lot of rain this week and it was reflected in an appreciable rise in water levels at the reservoir. It's still low but it appears to be filling up. The bird of the day was Yellow Wagtail, of which I would estimate at least 60 putting on aerial displays. Good numbers of Oriental Skylarks and lots of vocal Rain Quail; only two seen in brief snatches of flight but I do wonder how many of these quail are here. A solitary Pied Kingfisher performed its spectacular hover before plunging into the water in pursuit of prey. Sadly light and rain meant I was not set up.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Eastern Stonechat</i></b></span></div>
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A Peregrine Falcon flew over high and a distant Chinese Francolin could be heard. Plenty of Zitting Cisticolas, Oriental Pratincoles, (but no evidence of a build up of numbers) and Paddyfield Pipits. In the last light of the day I saw a pretty sight: a Lesser Coucal with two juveniles. Sadly the juveniles took cover before I could get a shot of them but the adult stayed in the clear for long enough; I would have liked a shot of the juveniles as they are really quite distinct and quite pretty.<br />
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I also saw three Brown Shrike, 2 Black Drongo, 3 Whiskered Tern and 1 Eastern Stonechat today: normal migrants that take up residence at the reservoir for the "winter".Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-55652374071581226812012-09-16T21:53:00.001+07:002012-09-16T21:53:33.666+07:00A-whaling We Will Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bryde's Whale</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(© Photo Credit: Samanya Rodorigo) </i></span></b></div>
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I spent the day whale watching today with a group of "foreign" teachers and their families and friends. That's our designation in this country but we were a truly international group, seventeen of us to be precise: Thai, Filipino, Chinese, Indian, Camerounian, American and Scottish. Most importantly we saw one whale and in fact got so close we could almost see down its large throat. Spectacular views as this youngish Bryde's whale filled up with small fish and the terns swooped in an attempt to scavenge some sustenance. As the organiser I was delighted for everyone, and relieved too, though I think most people would have been happy with the boat trip in itself. My own view is we were fortunate to see this one whale and in no small measure our thanks are due to Loong Lek, our very able skipper. If you want to go whale watching Loong Lek is your man and his boat is ideal.<br />
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The birds were equally good: I observed 2 Bridled Terns, 2 Lesser Crested Terns, 32 Great Crested Terns, 40+ Great Cormorants. I even managed a few shots which is remarkable. I think the Great Cormorants are amazing, real pelagic birds.<br />
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<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594448327350205604.post-23408112004609982212012-09-10T10:34:00.003+07:002012-09-12T14:47:08.071+07:00Reservoir: Weekend Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>River Lapwing</b></span></i></div>
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Over the weekend I made two visits to Huay Mai Teng Reservoir. There is nothing quite like patch birding; hard to explain really. I saw everything that I expected to see. I was also on the look out for Little Stint. During the week Phil Round had advised me that he had received a record from Tak, several hundred kilometres north of here, also inland, of Little Stint and it made perfect sense that they might alight at the reservoir on their journey south. No stint species whatsoever on either day this weekend, but good to be aware of the possibility of a rare wader by Thai standards.<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Small Pratincole </span></i></b></div>
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There were five Pacific Golden Plovers on Saturday afternoon, a patch first, and following last week's Whimbrel, clear evidence that migratory waders are making pit stops at the reservoir. In addition the presence of three River Lapwing was very pleasing. There were also big numbers, at least 50, of Small Pratincoles. I was pleased to note a first, solitary Brown Shrike of the season and the distant call of a Chinese Francolin. Add in lots of Yellow Wagtails, Zitting Cisticolas, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Whistling Ducks, Little Egrets, Openbills, Little Cormorants and a solitary Pied Kingfisher. A few buttonquails flashed out of the undergrowth but too quick for me.<br />
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I rather fancy there were Richard's Pipits as they did appear to have bigger bills and their movements appeared to be different from the usual Paddyfield Pipits. They proved difficult to photograph and most importantly they were reluctant to close their bills! This one, photographed above, also appears to have a very upright stance; however the bill doesn't appear to be very stout. The darker upper bill and the yellowish lower also supports Richard's.......I don't know! Maybe Birdforum can help! ( 12.09.12: the Birdforum gurus are unanimous is declaring this to be a Paddyfield Pipit. There's now a good thread on <a href="http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=239667">Birdforum</a> with useful comment and an excellent link to a very authoritative summary by <a href="http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/2012/02/pipits-paddyfield-richards-and-blyths.html">Dave Bakewell</a>.)<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Great Egret</span></i></b></div>
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Early Sunday morning the reservoir was at its most serene. Warm and sunny. I was struck by an aerial cluster of 250-300 Oriental Pratincoles; these birds usually assemble here around this time and I expect their number will increase over the next few weeks. There were lots of Small Pratincoles too, between 80 -100. I set up the hide and managed to get a few shots of some of the more common birds. On my way out I flushed 3 Rain Quail and some other buttonquail species which once again were too quick for me. However I now have a definite marker and will be back to explore this in future.<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Small Pratincole - juvenile</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Common Sandpiper</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wood Sandpiper</span></i></b></div>
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<br />Gerry Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144735667334226938noreply@blogger.com0