Day 1.
I had planned to get away for a couple of days over The Chinese New Year holiday. After running the idea past Matt he decided he would be up for it too. We arrived outside Baan Song Nok at around 6am to meet up with Khun Nueng. Ten minutes later my good friend Geoff Potter also turned up for a day in the hide. K Nueng arrived and we all headed to the hide.
First out, were the usual birds, White Rumped Shama and a Puff Throated Babbler. Not long after, the specialties started to arrive;
Three Partridges; Scaly Breasted, Ferruginous, and Bar Backed.
Three Laughingthrushes; Lesser Necklaced, Greater Necklaced and White Crested.
Three Babblers; Pin Sriped tit, Abbot’s and Puff Throated.
Three Bulbuls; Stripe Throated, Streak Eared and Black Crested.
Other great birds to show up included; Black Naped Monarchs, Racket Tailed Treepie, Siberian Blue Robin and White Browed Scimitar Babbler. Throughout the day over 50 species were logged.
Before retiring for the evening, a quick look around at the starling roost produced Vinous Breasted and Chestnut Tailed Starlings in good numbers.
Day 2.
Into the park just after first light, I was really hoping to find the recently seen Spot Bellied Eagle Owl, but sadly it didn’t want to be found. However, we did manage around 70 species. Great birds seen during the day included; Black Thighed Falconets, Blue Winged Leafbirds, Common Hill Mynas, Crested Serpent Eagle and Sultan Tits.
A Cuckoo which I thought looked very much like a Little Bronzed. Upon further investigation and opinions, it’s looking like it has to be a juvenile female Violet Cuckoo. (Although I am still not 100% convinced)
Overall a great couple of days with some great company.