Oriental Pied Hornbills, photo by Phil Woollen
Day 5 of our Spoonfull of Thailand birdwatching tour in Kaeng Krachan National Park proved that jungle birding can deliver magic even on a challenging day.
After a sleepless night interrupted by a lively Thai party at the resort, the group hit the road by 6:45 a.m., heading back into the park’s lower-elevation dry evergreen forest. We knew it might be tough, silent stretches broken only by cicadas are common, but the reward came in waves of colour and calls.
Glenn in action
Driving slowly along the approach road to the middle campsite brought fantastic views of Thick-billed Pigeon, Crested Goshawk, Serpent-crested Eagle, Little Spiderhunter, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, and the dazzling Asian Fairy-bluebird.
Asian Fairy-bluebird, photo by Phil Woollen
The hardcore birders added Thick-billed Warbler and a calling Lanceolated Warbler to their lists.
Around the campsite, the group soaked up excellent sightings of Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, and the stunning Hainan Blue Flycatcher, while an Oriental Honey Buzzard soared overhead.
Lunch brought an unexpected highlight: an Orange-headed Thrush feeding just metres from the restaurant table!
In the afternoon, some of the group opted for a relaxed return to the resort, enjoying Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Lineated Barbets, and Brown-throated Sunbirds with tea by the river. The dedicated few pressed on into the steamy jungle.
Despite the heat, they scored Raffles’s Malkoha, Greater Crimson Sunbird, Green Magpie, and Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo. A troupe of white-handed gibbons swung entertainingly through the canopy nearby and a flutter of hundreds of tropical butterflies danced over a sunlit riverbank. Stunning experiences!
White-handed gibbon, photo by Phil Woollen
The group split, not always a good idea in a birding environment. Some headed back for tea and biscuits, while others continued with the jungle birding. Those returning early bumped into an incredible male Orange-breasted Trogon appearing only feet away.
Orange-breasted Trogon, photo by Phil Woollen
Then the jungle team returned only to show the others full-frame photographs of an amazing Banded Broadbill. Wow!
Banded Broadbill, photo by Phil Woollen
With the team back together, a female trogon joined the show, casually devouring a whole stick insect right in front of us. Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher, and a charming Rufous-fronted Babbler rounded off the afternoon.
What a day! Exactly 100 species recorded for the day, pushing the tour total to 279.
Thanks to folks in the group for allowing us to share their photos with you on our blog!
Shock and awe at Debbie’s Hornbill in flight shot yesterday!
Today’s hornbill photographers
Phil checking another frame-filling shot!
Rosie capturing the moment
Marc loving the Thailand birding!
Tomorrow brings a travel day north to Khao Yai; with some planned sleep on the journey, we will be rested and ready and can’t wait to see what awaits.