Migration continues throughout November and even into December in Thailand with different species having different migratory routes and times.
On the 9th November I revisited Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia again and there were a few notable differences in numbers and presence of a few migratory species.
The those who are eager of the very latest Spoon-billed Sandpiper news, I saw 2 of this critically endangered species on salt pans at Pak Thale on 9th.
However, it was at nearby Wat Komnaram that I noticed a few interesting changes. Since my visit on 2nd November the number of Grey-headed Lapwings had dropped to 5 birds and the Black-headed Ibis numbers had decreased to 7. However, notable arrivals included more than 100 Red-throated Pipits that seemed to be passing through in the early morning and the arrival of 11 Garganey. Another interesting development were several oriental Skylarks singing when they had not been a week ago.
At nearby Laem Pak Bia I came across a total of 5 Richard's Pipits loafing around on dirt roads. This was a decline from at least 12 Richard's Pipits in the same location on 24th October. Most of these Richard's Pipits were significantly larger than the resident Paddyfield Pipits but the calls of all of them confirmed their identification.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thailand Birding: Black-headed Ibis & Other Large Waterbirds
Black-headed Ibis is a very uncommon bird in Thailand, but, like many other large waterbirds, they are increasing in number.
In the past many large waterbirds, such as storks, ibises, pelicans, herons etc. were very common birds but years of agricultural intensification and persecution wiped many of these species out or made them very rare in Thailand. Fortunately, as persecution is not the problem it once was and many of these birds are making a comeback.
Black-headed Ibis seem to frequent the Petchaburi region virtually all year round. Most often they can be found in the region of Wat Khao Takrao, but more and more frequently I see them on a large muddy field outside Wat Komnaram, near Pak Thale. Throughought the dry season 2010-2011 one bird was present for a long time and on 25th October 2011 I found 6 birds feeding at this location. A week later, on 3rd November, I found 18 Black-headed Ibises feeding close to the road at the same location; here is a video clip of some of them.
On both 25th October and 3rd November 1 Milky Stork and several Painted Storks were also to be seen at this site, further highlighting the recovery of large waterbirds. In fact such is the recovery that Painted Storks are now fairly commonplace in the Laem Pak Bia/Pak Thale area, Asian Openbills are common throught much of the country and Spot-billed Pelican occurs in every increasing numbers in the wet season.
Other large waterbirds that have increased in number over the last 10 years include Purple Heron, Oriental darter, Glossy Ibis and Indian Cormorant. Watch out too for Sarus Crane, a small number of which have been reintroduced in Buriram province.
Good news for large waterbirds!
In the past many large waterbirds, such as storks, ibises, pelicans, herons etc. were very common birds but years of agricultural intensification and persecution wiped many of these species out or made them very rare in Thailand. Fortunately, as persecution is not the problem it once was and many of these birds are making a comeback.
Black-headed Ibis seem to frequent the Petchaburi region virtually all year round. Most often they can be found in the region of Wat Khao Takrao, but more and more frequently I see them on a large muddy field outside Wat Komnaram, near Pak Thale. Throughought the dry season 2010-2011 one bird was present for a long time and on 25th October 2011 I found 6 birds feeding at this location. A week later, on 3rd November, I found 18 Black-headed Ibises feeding close to the road at the same location; here is a video clip of some of them.
On both 25th October and 3rd November 1 Milky Stork and several Painted Storks were also to be seen at this site, further highlighting the recovery of large waterbirds. In fact such is the recovery that Painted Storks are now fairly commonplace in the Laem Pak Bia/Pak Thale area, Asian Openbills are common throught much of the country and Spot-billed Pelican occurs in every increasing numbers in the wet season.
Other large waterbirds that have increased in number over the last 10 years include Purple Heron, Oriental darter, Glossy Ibis and Indian Cormorant. Watch out too for Sarus Crane, a small number of which have been reintroduced in Buriram province.
Good news for large waterbirds!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thailand Birding: Spoon-billed Sandpiper Returns!
For all those birders visiting Thailand over the next few months who were getting nervous about whether this critically endangered species would make it back to Thailand this winter, the good news is yes it did!
Phil Round informed me that at least 2 were seen at Khok Kham from 22nd October and 2 or 3 at Pak Thale from the end of October. I can confirm this as I saw 1 Spoon-billed Sandpiper myself at Pak Thale this morning.
Lots of other shorebirds were also present and giving good, close-up views. 1 adult Little Stint was amongst numerous Red-necked Stints and 5 Dunlin were with a flock of Broad-billed Sandpipers. A large flock of 1000+ Great Knot, 200+ Eurasian Curlew and large numbers of all the common shorebirds too.
More good news for rarity hunters were at least 9 Nordmann's Greenshank at Laem Pak Bia.
I revisited Wat Komnaram too and the Black-headed Ibis from last week had increased to 18 birds, plus the Milky Stork was feeding close to the road.
Phil Round informed me that at least 2 were seen at Khok Kham from 22nd October and 2 or 3 at Pak Thale from the end of October. I can confirm this as I saw 1 Spoon-billed Sandpiper myself at Pak Thale this morning.
Spoon-billed Sandpiper & Red-necked Stint
Photo by Marco Witte
Lots of other shorebirds were also present and giving good, close-up views. 1 adult Little Stint was amongst numerous Red-necked Stints and 5 Dunlin were with a flock of Broad-billed Sandpipers. A large flock of 1000+ Great Knot, 200+ Eurasian Curlew and large numbers of all the common shorebirds too.
More good news for rarity hunters were at least 9 Nordmann's Greenshank at Laem Pak Bia.
I revisited Wat Komnaram too and the Black-headed Ibis from last week had increased to 18 birds, plus the Milky Stork was feeding close to the road.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thailand Birding: Shorebirds at Pak Thale
One of the most anticipated arrivals each year is that of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Birdwatchers from all over the world come to Thailand to watch this critically endangered shorebird at Pak Thale and Khok Kham.
A few days ago on 25th October, 2012, I did a little birding at Pak Thale in the company of Jules Tolboom from The Netherlands. We spent around 1.5 hours in the late afternoon at Pak Thale watching large numbers of shorebirds.
We had a long hard look at all the shorebirds that could be seen from the dirt road at the Spoon-billed Sandpiper site at Pak Thale but despite looking hard none appeared to be present. In fact this is pretty much as expected as it was probably about 1 week too early for the bird.
Despite the lack of Spoon-billed Sandpiper there were very impressive numbers of Great Knot (1500+) and Eurasian Curlew (250+) as well as good numbers of Red-necked Stint, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Eastern Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Sandpiper.
The most uncommon bird was one Eastern Curlew amongst the flock of Eurasian Curlews which I picked out due to its warm brown buffy appearance. Identification was ensured when it began to preen and showed me its dark underwing (pale/white on Eurasian Curlew). It ought to be noted that length of bill is not an identification point here where the female Eurasian Curlews have bills that are as long (if not longer) than the Eastern Curlews.
Other species present were Red Knot, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank.
Elsewhere at nearby Wat Komnaram a Milky Stork was seen alongside two Painted Storks and 6 Black Ibis and 36 Grey-headed Lapwings were feeding.
Spoon-billed Sandpiper should be back next week!
A few days ago on 25th October, 2012, I did a little birding at Pak Thale in the company of Jules Tolboom from The Netherlands. We spent around 1.5 hours in the late afternoon at Pak Thale watching large numbers of shorebirds.
Curlew Sandpipers with Broad-billed Sandpiper
Photo by Alex Vargas
We had a long hard look at all the shorebirds that could be seen from the dirt road at the Spoon-billed Sandpiper site at Pak Thale but despite looking hard none appeared to be present. In fact this is pretty much as expected as it was probably about 1 week too early for the bird.
Despite the lack of Spoon-billed Sandpiper there were very impressive numbers of Great Knot (1500+) and Eurasian Curlew (250+) as well as good numbers of Red-necked Stint, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Eastern Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Sandpiper.
The most uncommon bird was one Eastern Curlew amongst the flock of Eurasian Curlews which I picked out due to its warm brown buffy appearance. Identification was ensured when it began to preen and showed me its dark underwing (pale/white on Eurasian Curlew). It ought to be noted that length of bill is not an identification point here where the female Eurasian Curlews have bills that are as long (if not longer) than the Eastern Curlews.
Other species present were Red Knot, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank.
Elsewhere at nearby Wat Komnaram a Milky Stork was seen alongside two Painted Storks and 6 Black Ibis and 36 Grey-headed Lapwings were feeding.
Spoon-billed Sandpiper should be back next week!
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