The harrier roost at Wiang Nong Lom, located between Mae Chan and Chiang Saen district in Chiang Rai, is the most well known roost of wintering harriers in Thailand. Since I visit Chiang Saen almost monthly, I always visit the roost during winter months. I have observed 4 species of harriers roosting at the site... Continue Reading →
Notes on the Mae Faek Swinhoe’s Snipe (2021)
Since my first sighting of a Swinhoe's Snipe (Gallinago megala) at Mae Faek in 2004, it has become my annual challenge to find more, particularly during the autumn migration. So far, I have recorded 3 Swinhoe's Snipes, all within Mae Faek area. This year, I was very happy to find one bird on 25 September... Continue Reading →
Identifying subspecies of Little Ringed Plovers
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) is one of the most common and widespread waders in Thailand, so as in many places throughout Asia. Two subspecies are recognised in Thailand; the resident C. d. jerdoni and the migratory C. d. curonicus. I'm lucky to be in northern Thailand where both subspecies can often be seen side... Continue Reading →
Pin-tailed/Swinhoe’s/Common Snipe
Autumn is approaching and some early migrants have already arrived in my local patch. Snipes are among the first waders that usually turn up. I think it's a good time to review the identification of the 3 extremely similar species that can be found in Thailand. From left: Pin-tailed / Swinhoe's / Common Snipe The... Continue Reading →
White-throated Bulbul: an overlooked species?
The genus Alophoixus is one of many genera within the family Pycnonotidae. It is consisted of a number of large bulbuls, mostly with crest. In Thailand, 5 species can be found; 1) White-throated Bulbul (A. flaveolus), 2) Puff-throated Bulbul (A. pallidus), 3) Ochraceous Bulbul (A. ochraceus), 4) Grey-cheeked Bulbul (A. tephrogenys), and 5) Yellow-bellied Bulbul... Continue Reading →
Dynamic, distribution and variation of Watercocks in Inthakin Paddies
Throughout the whole July 2021, I visited the vast area of rice fields in Inthakin Subdistrict (Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai) almost daily. It is a new area which I had never explored before even though it's only about 4 km away from my house. The area was recommended to me by a local birder... Continue Reading →
Cinnamon Bittern
Cinnamon Bittern (Ixubrychus cinnamomeus) is one of the common breeding visitors in northern Thailand. They can be frequently seen while flying over wetlands and rice fields during wet season, but proved to be quite difficult to find when on the ground. This year, I had my first sighting of this species on 2 May 2021... Continue Reading →
Watercock
It's mid rainy season in Thailand and the ideal time for some farmland/wetland birding. Here in Chiang Mai, there are quite a few breeding visitors that can be seen regularly during the wet season in wetlands and farmlands, such as Cinnamon Bittern, Black Bittern, Oriental Pratincole and Watercock. Some other sedentary species also become much... Continue Reading →
Spot-throated Babbler
Spot-throated Babbler (Pellorneum albiventre) is a small brown babbler that has a distribution ranging from eastern Himalayas, through southern China, northern Thailand, and all the way to southern Vietnam. It appears to be quite uncommon throughout its range though. In Thailand, I've only seen it at few locations including Doi Ang Khang, Doi Lang (west)... Continue Reading →
Iole Bulbuls
Pycnonotidae is among the most diverse bird families in Thailand. There are 40-41 species recorded here (depending on the checklist that you use). Some members of the family have colourful plumage and cheerful songs, while many others are noisy, brown and boring. Members of the genus Iole belong to the latter. In Thailand, there are... Continue Reading →