After our successful visit in February, we thought we'd try and camp to get the best out of the early morning. Previously, the warden, Khun Im, had seemed to suggest that we could camp with no problem. So when we bowled up at 3.30pm we were optimistic about staying the night. However it was not to be and we were not even allowed into the main part of the reserve! It seems like we needed another piece of paper that has to be collected from elsewhere. If anyone knows more and can help out then please let us know.
However we decided to make the best of what remained of the day by birding near the headquarters, which proved to be pretty successful. Highlights included: a pair of Dusky Broadbill, Black and Red Broadbill, singing Banded Broadbill, several Red-breasted Parakeets, Black Drongo on a nest, Silver-rumped Needletail, 2 Green Imperial Pigeons, Black Baza, Brown Shrike, several Dollar Birds and several singing Blue-winged Pitta.
On a nearby reservoir at Tha Takiap, birds of interest included: 2 Pied Kingfisher, 15 Oriental Pratincole and Oriental Skylark.
In total 63 species - not bad for a couple of hours birding!
One of the pair of Dusky Broadbills
Black and Red Broadbill
The nest of a Black Drongo
A few of the many Thick-billed Pigeons.
