As last year, we decided to go to this fantastic reserve for Eunice's birthday and were not disappointed. It was a riot of birds and particularly butterflies, the like I have never witnessed before. There must have been millions from a range of species, that carpeted the ground and filled the sky at times. Some were the size of your hand, others as small as your fingernails, in a riot of colour from blues to purples to oranges and reds, and they settled on everything including the car and my bins.
It was also a great time for Trogons and Pittas. We had three species of Pitta, Blue, Blue-winged and Hooded in good numbers and we also had superb views of both Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons.
Blue-throated Barbets were common but this nesting pair were particularly obliging making their nest in a tree right beside the cafe.
This mighty Gecko was outside the door at Ban Maka.
It was also a weekend for Broadbills with Red, Long-tailed and Silver-breasted all putting in stunning appearances. Most were in untidy looking nests which over-hang the road, but a closer inspection shows them as real works of art, not unlike weaver nests with a small, neatly woven entrances on one side. The nests hang from the tiniest frond and look like they might tumble to the ground at any time, but it must provide protection from snakes and other predators.
Hooded Pitta. Not good pictures but it was in low light.
Silver-breasted Broadbill. One of many with nesting material in its beak.
Stripe-throated Bulbul
Tiger Shrike was a pleasing surprise. They are migratory so usually only appear on passage.
It is damn hard work this birding and butterflying.
At last a decent shot of a Yuhina!
I think this is a Scaly-crowned Babbler, which is not a common bird in the park. You can just make out the scaly marks on the crown and the grey hindneck. It had a fairly long rufous tail which you can't see too well on this picture.
We found the nest for this Black-naped Monarch. It was amazingly small and superbly camouflaged being made of moss and grass.
Long-tailed Broadbill.
Male Red-headed Trogon. It made a curious noise like Oriole.
Rufous Woodpecker was pleasing to see and even better as it stayed long enough to be photographed.
This is the greatest sight of the forests of Thailand. Great Hornbill. Long may it continue.
Three Rachet-tailed Treepies showed well.
Yet another Silver-breasted Broadbill!
Green Magpie
Forest wagtail
Sultan tit
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
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