Raptors near Petchaburi

This weekend we went to an area north of Petchaburi which has a fabulous concentration of raptors over the winter.  These include Pied and Eastern Marsh Harriers,  Black, Brahminy and Black Shouldered Kites and Greater Spotted, Steppe and Imperial Eagles.  It is a 1.5 hour drive from Bangna.  The views of the eagles were spectacular with at least five Greater Spotted, two Steppe and an Imperial Eagle showing really well.

 Black Kite (Black-Eared Kite)

 Greater Spotted Eagle

 Juvenile Imperial Eagle.  This bird flew so close to us and could be seen looking intently at us it circled.

 Steppe Eagle

 A view across the rice fields.  A month ago these fields were filled with rice and now the rice has been harvested and the stubble is being burned.  This tree was full of Black Kites first thing in the morning with at least twenty filling the branches.

Two Steppe Eagles showing their size variation 

Christmas 2011

Well we have had our second Christmas and New Year in Thailand and apart from missing a bit of snow, no regrets at all. This holiday Richard and Gaynor joined us for the three weeks and we travelled from the Gulf of Thailand to Keang Krachan, over to Cambodia then back and up north to Doi Inthanon and Doi Chiang Dao.  Some fantastic wildlife experiences of both animals and birds including two more close sightings of Leopard, Gaur and a mighty three metre King Cobra.  Below is a collection of some of the photographs.

The above is a Banded Langur which showed well at KK.

I caught up at last with the Black-faced Spoonbill at Leam Pak Bia.  What a great bird.

Yet another Leopard!  From the photographs it is clearly a different individual to the one we saw in early December.  This one has no white ear flashes.

We stopped at Mr Deang's on Doi Inthanon and this superb Asian Stubtail performed at the end of the feeding chute.  Not an easy bird to see in Thailand.

We were fantastically lucky to arrive at the summit of Doi Inthanon on New Years Day.  It was heaving with visitors and we had to abandon the car and walk the last kilometre to the top because of traffic! However, as a result, the Airforce opened the radar station to all comers and we were able to walk around the site and found this rare male Blue-fronted Redstart on the far side of the station.  Thanks to the Thai Airforce.

 Where the track finishes on the top of Doi Chiang Dao we found four Chestnut Buntings including this male.  There was also a female White-bellied Redstart.

 We went out to the sandspit at Leam Pak Bia and saw two Chinese Egrets. White-faced and Malasian Plovers also showed well.

 Chestnut-headed Bee Eaters were in evidence at many places on our trip but were no less spectacular for that.

 KK provided the only two Eye-browed Thrushes of the trip.  Great views though.

 Not often I can claim to have seen a flock of Spoon-billed Sandpiper but seven were together at Pak Thale.  Here are five of them for your enjoyment.

 The early morning trip to Doi Chiang Dao was well worth the effort with fantastic views over mist filled valleys and these Giant Nuthatch.

 On our last day Richard commented "Well just time to pull out a big one!"  Right on cue four Himalayan Griffon Vultures drifted over Malees (Doi Chiang Dao) heading north.  Now that is what I call timing.

 At the other end of our trip, almost the first bird we saw was a Greater Spotted Eagle

 Mr Deang's feeding station also turned up a very obliging Lesser Shortwing.  With White-browed Shortwing at the summit it made up for the no show on our previous visit.

 Mrs Gould must have been so proud to put her name to such fantastic birds.  This one fed on the blossoms at the top of Doi Chiang Dao looking stunning in the morning light.  The photograph doesn't do it justice.

 At KK we found a different track to explore.  At the entrance we found 30 Chestnut-tailed Starlings feeding on the blossom trees and amongst them was a Spot-winged Starling.

 Eunice took this fantastic photograph of a female Red-headed Trogon.

 Collared Babbler showed well at Km 28 KK.

 KK is so good for woodpeckers but this Common Flameback was particularly photogenic.

 We found three Orange-headed Thrushes at KK.  They were a real highlight.

 I don't know what this flycatcher is.  I suspect it is female Hill Blue but it had very little red on the breast.  Anyone any thoughts?

This Crested Serpent Eagle flew along the road in front of us for a while before settling in a tree and allowing us great views.

 Common Rosefinch at the top of Doi Chiang Dao at the sub station.

 I think this is a King Cobra.  It was big!  Anyone any thoughts?

 Female Slaty-backed Flycatcher.

 KK never lets us down as far as White-handed Gibbon are concerned and yet again we had great views of this wonderful mammal.

 Plumbeous Redstart.

And last but by no means least, male White-browed Shrike Babbler.  Its song was everywhere in the upper mountains.