Bucks Birders in Thailand: Kaeng Krachan

14th-18th March 2017
Kaeng Krachan National Park was a key site and we spent several days in the park or in areas near the park. We stayed in accommodation just outside of the park which was comfortable and with good food. Lunchtime meals were generally taken at the "cafe" in the park itself.
The park has been in existence since 1971 and covers over 2900 square kilometres! It has a mountainous border with Myanmar (Burma).

The part of the park we visited was a road/track that ran east west across the park rising in altitude as it went. At the highest point was a campground which offered a bit of more open ground, as almost all of the area was forested. The forest clearly contains a huge variety of birds!

There are several hides that may be used for birding and photography, the latter not always being easy in the forest.

The following section of photos were taken from the Daap hide.

Black-crested Bulbuls were very common at the Daap hide and several other places on our trip.

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush - Another frequently seen species in wooded areas.

Grey Peacock Pheasant - One of the target birds of the day.

Grey Peacock Pheasant - A short video clip

Kalij Pheasant - Two males seen from the hide.

Kalij Pheasant - A short video clip

Racket-tailed Treepie - This put on a nice if brief display from the hide.

Racket-tailed Treepie - A short video clip

Orange-headed Thrush

Emerald Dove

Blue Whistling Thrush - Our only sighting of this species.

Blue Whistling Thrush - A short video clip

Green-eared Barbet - We only saw this species at Kaeng Krachen.

Green-eared Barbet - A short video clip

Puff-throated Babbler - Fairly common.

Puff-throated Babbler - A short video clip

Blue and White Flycatcher - Only seen on two days at Kaeng Krachan

Stripe-throated Bulbul - Good numbers seen on two days.

Stripe-throated Bulbul

Spotted Dove - A common species seen most days.

Black-naped Monach - The only one seen during our trip.

White-rumped Shama - Not uncommon.

Greater Flameback - An impressive woodpecker!

Brown-cheeked Fulvetta - A bit drab!

White-browed Scimitar Babbler

Besra - The birds at the water hole were flushed at one point and this Bersa turned out to be the culprit.
It hung around for a few minutes but proved difficult to photograph

Mouse Deer - A tiny deer species.

Elsewhere in Kaeng Krachan National Park

Taiga Flycatcher - Taken close to the eating area.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike -

Pied Hornbill - Photographed at a fruiting tree along the road.

Black-and-Red Broadbill - One of our target species (along with the other Broadbills)

Hainan Blue Flycatcher - The only one seen.

Silver-breasted Broadbill - We eventually had several sightings of this species during the trip.
This one was carrying nesting material?

Crested Serpent Eagle - We were lucky to get a decent view of this bird.

Orange-breasted Trogon -

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch -

Jerdon's Baza - A rare species.seen on the return journey from the end of the reserve.

Green Magpie (margaritae) - Sat quietly in a nest.

Buff-rumped Woodpecker - One of 18 woodpecker species seen.

Bamboo Woodpecker - A real find this, as Bamboo Woodpeckers are usually difficult to locate.

Rachet-tailed Treepie - A fairly scarce species and this was our only sighting during a purple patch when we saw the Bamboo Woopecker and a Long-tailed Broadbill. Where to look first!