"What's your favourite bird?" has to be one of the most frequently asked questions that birders receive. Personally, it's impossible for me to choose just one bird. I can tell which groups of birds are my favourites though, and Locustella warblers are one of them. I instantly fell in love with these mouse-like birds when... Continue Reading →
The discovery of Umber Flycatcher in Thailand was a big surprise. This cryptic and little known bird was previously thought to occur only in the lowland forest of Borneo. However, photos of a bird from Perdik posted in an excellent blog by Dave Bakewell in 2013 spiked our interest in this species. Finally, photos of... Continue Reading →
Following up on my recent post about roosting behaviour of the harriers in Chiang Saen, in this post, I'd like to focus more on the identification of the 4 species that can be regularly seen in Thailand. These 4 species include Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus), Western Marsh Harrier (C. aeruginosus), Pied Harrier (C. melanoleucos),... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 (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 →
ayuwat 