What Has Happened To Baer’s Pochard?
2004 THAILAND BIRD REPORTS
SRC:http://www.worldtwitch.com/2004_thailand_bird_reports.htm National Park at Tha Tako
Although the most unusual record presented below, a possible Goliath Heron, outshines everything else in terms of rarity value and unexpectedness, in fact it is the results of recent searches for wintering Aquila and other eagles that most deserve our attention in this issue. As top avian predators, with large winter territories, eagles are of outstanding conservation importance, and at least two species which winter regularly in Thailand, Imperial Eagle and Greater Spotted Eagle, are globally threatened. Moreover, because of their dependence in winter on “unimproved” rice paddies and other open lowland habitats, including marsh, their survival is intimately linked with a fast-disappearing lifestyle. It is unfeasible to set aside a large enough protected area to conserve these species, yet land-management practices that would enable them to survive in farmland are actively discouraged by the play of market forces and by governments. Unless there is a major change of emphasis from planners and policy makers both the small rice-farmer and the wintering eagles could be lost from Thailand. More resources need to be directed towards protecting, and providing incentives for, the maintenance of traditional lifestyles, including the cultivation of single-crop rice.
Sight Seeings At Khao Kho
We owe a special debt of thanks to Mark Mallalieu, the chief observer who has searched for, photographed and counted eagles over a huge area of the Central Plains during this and the previous winter. He estimates that he has personally seen the remarkable total of at least 45 different Greater Spotted Eagles in the Central Plains between Phetchaburi and Nakhon Sawan during this winter alone.
A single Oriental Darter was present at Kaem Ling Nong Yai (Chumphon) on 25 February (CN), with two more, both immatures, on a reservoir by a paper mill at Khlong Rang, Sri Mahapos (Prachinburi) on 13 March (MM,SN,PDR) and 24 March (JM,PDR).
24 Spot-billed Pelicans soared high overhead, 5kms south of Tha Tako, east of Bung Boraphet (Nakhon Sawan) on 21 February (MM) and there were 17 Painted Storks 3 kms north of Phanom Sarakham (Chachoengsao), on 18 February (MM). A probable Goliath Heron, reportedly seen at ca. 1 km range in the marsh at Khao Sam Roi Yot on 7 March (RC, RH, JFJJ) is the most remarkable record received in a decade or so. The observers must have felt very frustrated to have been able to watch it for such a short time, and at such a great range. A photograph was said to have been obtained, but has not yet been provided for scrutiny. One or more local observers looked for the bird on the following day without success.
The two Black-faced Spoonbills reported earlier were still present at Laem Phak Bia (Phetchaburi) on 15 February (NU), 6 Mar (RC,RH,JJ), 13 March (PE) and 20 March (PD, MM,CS). There were no fewer than 17 Black-headed Ibises at Wat Khao Takhrao (Phetchaburi) on 15 February (NU) and a single bird along with three Ruddy Shelduck and about 80 Northern Pintail there on 25 February (Wings).
National Park At Bang Lamung
Northward raptor passage at Chumphon was apparently evident from 1 February, when 20 Oriental Honey-buzzards, two Grey-faced Buzzards, a single Black Baza and eight Japanese Sparrowhawks moved north (CN). There was another Grey-faced Buzzard, 53 Japanese Sparrowhawks and 15 Chinese Sparrowhawks and 75 Accipiter sp. on 14 February; six Oriental Honey-buzzards, six Grey-faced Buzzards, 37 Japanese Sparrowhawks, five Accipiter sp. and a Black Baza on 28 February (CN).
Significant numbers of wintering Black Kites were found in Nakhon Sawan Province, with 35 at Ban Tung Talae Sai, (just NE of junction of Highway 32 and Highway 11), and 15-20 at Ban Tung Sawang, on 1 March (MM). Further south, at Sri Mahosot (Prachinburi) 253 flew out of a roost in trees among paddy lands on 17 March (MM). The largest roost seems to have been in the Khao Yoi area of Phetchaburi, with a reported 500 on 21 February (SK).
There were four Rufous-winged Buzzards around Ban Tung Sawang (Nakhon Sawan) 20 February, and three there on 29 February (MM). A juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle was photographed near Khao Yoi on 21 February (SK). A single Short-toed Eagle was seen over paddy stubbles at Sri Mahosot on 18 February (MM), resorts near Bang Pa-In and two on 13 March (MM,PDR). There was a pale morph Booted Eagle at Ban Tung Sawang on 20 February (MM). This increasing coverage of paddy stubbles by a single observer (MM) has also turned up significantly more Greater Spotted Eagles and other Aquila then previously suspected. There were 11 Greater Spotted Eagles including one “fulvescens” pale bird around Sri Mahosot on 8 and 18 February; (and ten including two “fulvescens”, leaving a roost at this site on 3 March). Elsewhere, in Nakhon Sawan, there were 8-15 Greater Spotted Eagles at Ban Tung Sawang on 20 February (with eleven seen at a roost on the evening of 18 February); three at Tha Tako 21 February and three at Ban Thung Thale Sai on 1 March. There was also a single bird at Khao Sam Roi Yot on 2 March. There was an adult Imperial Eagle at Sri Mahosot on 8 February; an immature 3 kms west of Phanom Sarakham (Chachoengsao) on18 February; an immature at Ban Tung Sawang on 20 February, with a different (older) immature there on 29 February, and also one Steppe Eagle. Two Steppe Eagles, one juvenile and one sub-adult, were photographed near Khao Yoi on 21 February (SK).
At least 16 Eastern Marsh Harriers were counted between Ban Sang and Sri Mahosot on 8 February; male Pied Harriers were seen SE of Ban Sang on 8 February, at Sri Mahosot on 18 February and at Phanom Sarakham on 17 March (MM). A possible female Hen Harrier was reported from near Laem Phak Bia on 21 February (SK).
An adult migrant race Peregrine Falcon was seen and photographed at Soi 119, Bang Pu (Samut Prakan) on 8 March (CT,ST), where it rested on a pylon during the entire day. Two Peregrine Falcons were seen SE of Ban Sang and a third at Sri Mahosot on 8 February (MM) and13 March (MM,SN,PDR). There were also singles at Ayutthaya on 19 February; at Tha Tako on 28 February and Ban Tung Sawang 29 February. Common Kestrels were noted at Sri Mahosot on 8 February (two); one at Ban Tung Sawang 20 February and .one at Tha Tako on 21 February (MM).
Sight Seeings At Phetchabun
A “small group” of Silver Pheasants on Doi Ang Khang on 19 Feb (MB,JR) provides further confirmation of the resilience of this species, in being able to survive on this largely deforested mountain which, moreover, is still subject to a high level of hunting. A Baillon’s Crake was photographed at Soi 119, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu on 28 February (SK) while a Black-tailed Crake was found near Huai Tung Tao, (Chiang Mai) at an unusually low elevation (TB).
National Park At Phan
Up to 5 Pied Avocets were reported along the Pak Thale-Laem Phak Bia road, 15 February (PK,NU) and 20 March (PD,MM,CS). There were 40 Grey-headed Lapwings at Lum Luk Ka (Pathumthani) on 22 February (PE), two at Sukhumvit Road, Soi 119 on 28 February (SK); 15 on muddy levelled rice fields at Ban Tung Talae Sae (Nakhon Sawan), 1 March (MM) and 10 near Sri-pa-chan (Suphanburi) on 6 March (OK). 300 Grey Plovers were counted at Laem Phak Bia on 2 March (MM), while two Oriental Plovers appeared on grazing land at the edge of Lat Krating Reservoir, Sanam Chai Khet (Chachoengsao) on 17 March (MM). There were c. 50 Little Ringed Plovers at Khloing rang on 24 March (JM,PDR).
1,500 Black-tailed Godwits at Sri-pa-chan on 6 March (OK) is by far the largest number ever recorded on inland waters. Three Spoon-billed Sandpipers were still present at Pak Thale on 7 February (PC); two on 20 March (PD, MM,CS), while a single bird at Khok Kham continued to show well throughout February. A detailed and accurate record count of 600 Great Knots at Laem Phak Bia on 2 March (MM) pre-dates the expected spring passage maximum, usually in mid to late April. On 13 March (PE) and 20 March (MM, CP,CS) numbers of Great Knots had declined to a more usual figure of 300. Two Red Knots were also present on the latter date (MM,CP,CS). Six Nordmann’s Greenshanks at Laem Phak Bia on 6 February (PK,WS,) had increased to nine on 8 February (Wings) and 21 February (SK); 12 on 6 March (RC,RH,JJ) and 14 on 13 March (PE). A flock of 180 Spotted Redshanks was counted south of Hat Chao Samran (Phetchaburi) on 2 March (MM). There were 8 Ruff in flooded fields in Uthai District (Ayutthaya) on 19 February; and 28 at Pak Thale on 2 March (MM) and 36 from Pak Thale to Laem Phak Bia on 20 March, along with two Red-necked Phalaropes (PD,MM,CS).
Sight Seeings At Mueang Nakhon Nayok
A Small Pratincole was seen along the Mae Kok River at Tha Ton on 20 February (MB,JR) and there were at least 20 Small Pratincoles on the reservoir at Khlong Rang (Prachinburi) on 13 March (MM,SN,PDR). Two Northern Thick-knees were seen among dry paddy stubbles, Ban Tung Sawang, 28 February (MM).
Sight Seeings At Thai Mueang
Two adult and one first-winter Black-tailed Gulls, and three adult Pallas’s Gulls were recorded on 15 February (NU). The latter included an adult in breeding plumage that has been present since at least December 2003 and which, on 25 February, was seen with five first-winter Pallas’s Gulls, 21 Heuglin’s Gulls and a paler grey-mantled adult gull, thought to be Mongolian Gull (Wings).
A flock of over 30 White-bellied Pigeons was reported from Thung Yai Naresuan, together with Wedge-tailed Pigeons, during 24-25 January (ST). There is no reliable last date for the Pale-capped Pigeons wintering at Thung Khaw (Chumphon), but according to CN the birds were thought to have largely gone by mid-February.
A pair of Alexandrine Parakeets was seen at Rangsit (Pathumthani) on 12 March (PE); a Chestnut-winged Cuckoo at the Provincial Sorts Stadium, Chumphon on 13 February (CN); an immature Large Hawk Cuckoo at Salaya (Nakhon Pathom) on 29 February (PDR) and an immature or rufous morph Cuculus cuckoo, presumably an Oriental Cuckoo, in paddies near Phanom Sarakham on 13 March (MM,PDR).. A Grey Nightjar was found at Bang Khram (Krabi) on 2 March (YM).
National Park At Lamphun
Rufous-collared Kingfisher (a female) was again seen at Kaeng Krachan on 25 February (Wings). A Rufous-bellied Woodpecker was reported from a new locality and unexpectedly high elevation at Den Ya Khat, Doi Chiang Dao, on 16 February (MB,JR). Two White-throated Bulbuls were seen at 800-900 m at Om Koi (Chiang Mai), a new locality, on 4 February (ST).
Resorts Near Phrom Buri
There was a record count of 20 Grey-sided Thrushes on Doi Pui (Chiang Mai), on 14 February (Wings). Two Scaly Thrushes, a Grey-sided Thrush and a male Black-breasted Thrush were all seen at Mae Puh, Doi Ang Khang on 21 February (Wings). Both the Japanese Thrush and the Rufous-tailed Robin in Khao Yai were still present on 14 February (SK), while the number of Orange-headed Thrushes feeding close by the Japanese Thrush had risen to four by that time (SK).
A Purple Cochoa was reported as heard singing on Doi Inthanon on 5 March (RC,RH,JJ). A male White-throated Rock Thrush was seen at Mo-singto, Khao Yai on 17 March (PDR).
There was a male Mugimaki Flycatcher at the Orchid Waterfall Campsite, Khao Yai, on 8 February (PE); a female Green-backed Flycatcher at Bang Tieo (Krabi) on 13 February (YM) and a male Ultramarine Flycatcher on Doi Inthanon, Km 31 on 6 February (ST). Single male and female Chinese Blue Flycatchers were seen at Ban Krang, Kaeng Krachan, where there is presumed to be a wintering population, on 23 February (Wings). Three Eastern Crowned Warblers at Ban Krang, Kaeng Krachan on 25 February (JD) are towards the north of the Thai wintering range of this species. A Yellow-vented Warbler was reported from Thung Yai Naresuan on 14 January (ST).
A single Purple-backed Starling was seen among Chestnut-tailed Starlings at Rangsit on 9 February (Wings). At Chumphon, two Purple-backed Starlings on 13 February had increased to four by 22 February and 60+ by 24 February (CN). A single Chestnut-cheeked Starling was present on both the latter dates (CN) while an immature Rosy Starling was seen among over 100 Purple-backed Starlings at Laem Phak Bia on 14 March (SK). A White Wagtail was at Lum Luk Ka on 22 February (PE).
House Sparrows were said to be common and breeding in villages in the three-crop (irrigated) rice area east of Bung Boraphet, on 20 February (MM).
Five Red Avadavats were seen in overgrown fish-ponds 5 km SE of Khao Yoi on 31 January (MM) and 30 Chestnut Munias at Soi 119, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu, on 28 February (SK). There was a single Spot-winged Grosbeak, a female, at Km 34.5, Doi Inthanon, 8 February (ST), with 40 at Mae Fang National Park (Chiang Mai) on 16 March (PE); and a female Scarlet Finch on Doi Dong Ya Wai, Doi Phu Kha (Nan) on 6 March (PS, STh). There were Five Crested Buntings and a female Black-faced Bunting at Mae Taeng Irrigation Project, 19 February (Wings), with four more Black-faced Buntings in paddies near Fang (Chiang Mai ) on 16 March (PE).
National Park At Khao Kho
Breeding records
National Park At Sichon
Doi Inthanon: Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, nest and three eggs, 18 February (Wings).
Vacations In Nakhon Phanom
Thung Yai: Pair of Hoopoes at occupied nest, 24 January (ST); Green Magpie, nest-building, 24 January (ST).
Bang Pu: Little Grebe with chick(s), 8 March
Resorts Near Klaeng
Doi Ang Khang: Long-tailed Minivet carrying food, 20 February (Wings).
Salaya, Nakhon Pathom: Streak-eared Bulbul nest-building, 29 February (PDR).
Khao Yai: pair of Striped Tit Babblers nest-building, 16 March; White-bellied Yuhina feeding fledged young, 16 march (PDR)
Ban Krang, Kaeng Krachan: two pairs of Silver-breasted Broadbills nest-building, 24-25 February (Wings).
Chumphon: Female Olive-backed Sunbird on the nest, 14 February (C~N).
Resorts Near Mae Tha (Lamphun)
Contributors: Tony Ball, Matt Brady, Rommert Cazemier, Pathomphon Charoenjai, Jon Dunn, Roelf Hovinga, Justin J.F.J. Jansen, Suppalak Klabdee, Patcharee Komolphalin, Ouaiphorn Kwanphae, Mark Mallalieu, Jonathan Murray, Yotin Meekaeo, Somchai Nimnuan, Chukiat Nualsri, James Restivo, Philip D. Round, Wachara Sanguansombat, Pramote Sitthanomai, Sopitcha Tantitadapitak, Sukanya Thanombuddha (STh), ChaninThienwiwatnukul, Nick Upton, Wings.
Compiled on behalf of BCST Records Committee by Philip D. Round and Roongroj Jukmongkol
Sight Seeings At Laem Sing
Waders at Pak Thale
National Park At Pai
27 February 2004: In response to a WorldTwitch reader’s request for directions to Pak Thale, Phil Round writes as follows:
Vacations In Bang Phli
Pak Thale is part of a large coastal strip of salt-pans and ponds extending southwards from Ban Laem District town to Hat Chao Samran, which lies on the coast near Phetchaburi. If you go to Phetchaburi town, follow signs for Ban Laem and then navigate your way southwards along the coast, scanning the salt pans and ponds for bird concentrations. The road has recently been fixed up on most sections, and since it runs parallel with the coast, is pretty easy to follow. The precise location of shorebird and gull/tern concentrations depends upon the use to which ponds and pans are being put at any particular time, and the concentration around Pak Thale itself has long since dispersed. There were one or two Spoon-billed Sandpipers there in early February, and 300 Great Knot, nine Nordmann’s Greenshanks and two Black-faced Spoonbills about 6-8 km further south, near Laem Phak Bia (north of Hat Chao Samran). Ponds at the latter site held 6 Pallas’s Gulls, 21 Heuglin’s Gulls and a single, paler adult “LWH gull” thought to be mongolicus on 26 February. The concentrations of small Calidris, including the Spoon-billed Sandpipers, appear to favour salt-pans which are not in use, but which are dappled with shallow surface water.
RECENT REPORTS
November 2003 – early February 2004
Two Great Crested Grebes were recorded at Nong Bong Kai, Chiang Saen (Chiang Rai) on 3 December (WS,NS) and during 24-25 January (LBC). An Oriental Darter at Kaem Ling Nong Yai on 1 January (CN,FV) was the first record for Chumphon. The Chinese Egret reported last month was still present at Laem Phak Bia on 3 January (NU). A Black Stork circling low over the Mosingto Reservoir, Khao Yai on 16 January (AJP), and seen again on 3 February (MB, JR,RT), was actually the second record for the park. The Milky Stork seen earlier at Huai Chorakhe Mak (Buriram) was still present on 31 January (SSi). Black-faced Spoonbill appeared in Ban Laem District (Phetchaburi) for the second successive year, with one bird on on ponds near Laem Phak Bia on 31 December (SBG) and two on 9 January (NI) and 10 January (KingBird), both of which were still present on 5 February (SSu). Two escaped Greater Flamingos in salt-pans along the road between Ban Pak Thale and Laem Phak Bia were seen on 23 December (AR, WS,KS) and again on 14 January (DP,AR,WS). According to WS, the signs of the wings having been clipped could be seen, with the flight-feathers regrowing evenly, and leaving no room for speculation about their status.
Sight Seeings At Tha Li
The Chiang Saen area held 63 Spot-billed Ducks, a single Northern Shoveler, two Eurasian Wigeon, 21 Ferruginous Pochards and 2 male and four female Tufted Ducks during3-8 December (WS,NS). By 24-25 January the same area on yielded 300 Spot-billed Ducks, 660 Northern Pintails, 5 Eurasian Wigeons, 6 Northern Shovelers, 30 Common Teals, 20 Tufted Ducks, 41 Ferruginous Pochards, (but only two Baer’s Pochards) and 3 Ruddy Shelducks (LBC). Two Mandarin Ducks and a Long-billed Plover were seen on the Mekong River during the same weekend (LBC). There were 600 Northern Pintails, a large count for the Lower Central Plain, on fishponds 5 km SE of Khao Yoi (Phetchaburi) on 31 January (MM). 754 Lesser Whistling-ducks were counted near the Queen Srisuriyothai Memorial, Bang Ban (Ayutthaya) on 3 or 4 January (GC). Six Ruddy Shelduck were still present on a pond at Wat Khao Takhrao (Phetchaburi) on 23 December (BK).
Resorts Near Ban Laem
The details received for a possible Eurasian Sparrowhawk at Khok Kham on 9 November (YW) were insufficient to be completely confident of the identification. Separation of Eurasian Sparrowhawk from Japanese Sparrowhawk has to be one of the harder tasks with which field observers are confronted. All that can be said is that a few Eurasian Sparrowhawks do certainly occur at least as far south as Bangkok, among a much larger number of Japanese Sparrowhawks. Another Eurasian Sparrowhawk was reported from Nong Bong Kai, a much more plausible locality, on 7 December (WS,NS).
Sight Seeings At Mae Hong Son
A Black Eagle was seen at Nae Haeo National Park (Loei) on 25 December (ST).
Maxima for eagles wintering in the Khao Yoi area during late December to January were six Greater Spotted Eagles on 24 January; four Imperial Eagles and two Steppe Eagles on 11 January and a single Short-toed Eagle on 7 January (MM). Two dark morph Booted Eagles were seen in the same area on 14 January (DP,AR,WS), with singles on 11 and 24 January (MM). The largest single count of Black Kites during this period was 88 on 11 January (MM).
A Grey-headed Fish Eagle was seen on Ko Pratong (Phang-nga) on 12 January (YM). A photograph of a female Amur Falcon near Thaleban (Satun) around 05 December, (no accompanying details) was pasted on the web (per RK). Eurasian Kestrels were reported from Suan Rotfai (Bangkok) during December and January (DL) with another at Bang Khae (Bangkok) on 27 January (PDR). An apparent peregrinator race Peregrine Falcon was photographed on a ledge at the Amity Hills Hotel, Chiang Mai on 10 January (RK).
8-9 Siamese Firebacks, including at least three males, were seen near the La-Leang-Roi-Roo Guard Station, Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary (Buriram) on 13 January (DP,AR,WS). One male and two females were also seen on the road near The Orchid Waterfall Camp Site, Khao Yai, on 31 January (CT). Two Common Cranes were found at Nong Bong Kai on 31 December (JWKP) and remained until 6 or 7 January (per SAT). There was a single Water Rail at Nong Bong Kai on 4-8 December (WS,NS) and two on 24-25 January (LBC). A dead Slaty-legged Crake was found at Bang Khram (Krabi) on 3 February (YM).
165 Pheasant-tailed Jacanas were counted near Muang Boran (Samut Prakan) on 1 January (NU). Two Grey-headed Lapwings were also present, with 29 more Grey-headed Lapwings between Ban Laem and Khao Yoi on 2 January (MM).
The Mekong River between Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong held 29 River Lapwings, 1000+ Small Pratincoles and 43 Spot-billed Duck when covered by IR in mid-December. Most of these birds were counted closer to Chiang Khong than Chiang Saen.
A count of at least 1,500 sand plovers, mainly Lesser Sand Plovers, was made near Rassada Harbour (Phuket) on 4 December (GC). A Pied Avocet was reported at Wat Khao Takhrao on 23 December (BK), with another at Bang Pu on 3 and 5 January (PN). There were three Red-necked Phalaropes along the Pak Thale-Laem Phak Bia road on 23 December (AR,WS,KS). A single Dunlin and at least two Spoon-billed Sandpipers were still present at Pak Thale on 2 January (MM); two Spoon-billed Sandpipers, a single Long-billed Dowitcher and an Asian Dowitcher on 10 January (KingBird), and a single Spoon-billed Sandpiper and three Asian Dowitchers on 24 January (DL,NU). A new record count of 16 Spoon-billed Sandpipers was made on 25 January (KK,RM,HP,RW). However, thereafter the concentration of waders at Pak Thale seems to have dispersed, with only a single Spoon-billed Sandpiper there on 5 February, and much smaller numbers of Rufous-necked Stints and other species (PDR). A single Spoon-billed Sandpiper also showed up at Laem Phak Bia on 13 January (WS), while in Samut Sakhon, the Khok Kham birds were also still present, with one on 8 January (DP,AR,WS) and two on 2 February (SSu).
Resorts Near Nonthaburi
A single Eastern Curlew was still present with 250 Eurasian Curlew at Pak Thale on 24 December (MM). There were four Ruff at Pak Thale and least 31 Ruff on the Laem Phak Bia wastewater lagoons on 5 February (PDR), with300 Great Knot on nearby salt-pans (SSu). A Spotted Redshank was reported from Kaem Ling Nong Yai on 1 January (CN,FV) and there were apparently still 7 Nordmann’s Greenshanks at Pak Thale on 14 January (DP,AR,WS). Five more Nordmann’s Greenshanks and two Great Knot were found at Bor Nok (Prachuap Khiri Khan) on 25 January (AJP). A Wood Snipe on a wet, open area at 1200 m, Doi Pha Hom Pok on 6 January (IR) is one of very few records of this rare winterer. A Eurasian Woodcock was seen on the road to Doi Lang, Doi Pha Hom Pok on 28 and 29 November ((JWKP, MP, IR, TCY).
Sight Seeings At Mae On
A single Common Black-headed Gull (age not mentioned) was present at Jo Thong Dam, Nong Bong Kai on 5 November (WS,NS). There were 41 Heuglin’s Gulls, 6 Pallas’s Gulls and 192 Caspian Terns along the Pak Thale-Laem Phak Bia road on 23 December (AR,WS,KS). A first-winter Black-tailed Gull flew north off Hat Chao Samran (Phewtchaburi) on 10 January (KingBird) and presumably the same bird was seen at Laem Phak Bia on 24 January (DL,NU). 50 Great Crested Terns, two Lesser Crested Terns, 19 Heuglin’s Gulls and a first-winter Pallas’s Gull were counted at the Laem Phak Bia sandspit on 3 January (NU), and 40 Heuglin’s Gulls, 4 Pallas’s Gulls, 10 Great Crested Terns and 2-3 Lesser Crested Terns on 24 January (DL,NU).
Resorts Near Pluak Daeng
About 10 Orange-breasted Pigeons at the Firestation Viewpoint, Khao Yai, on 9 January (KingBird) was an unusually large number for this site. A single male Pompadour Pigeon was also present (KingBird). No fewer than 36 Pompadour Pigeons were feeding on the fruits of Carallia bracteata at La-Leang-Roi-Roo, Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary on 12 January (DP,AR,WS), and a White-bellied Pigeon was seen at Na Haeo on 26 December (ST). There were 16 Pale-capped Pigeons at Thung Kha (Chumphon) on 1 January (CN,FV). An adult hawk cuckoo at Kaem Ling Nong Yai on 24 January was tentatively identified as a Common Hawk Cuckoo was seen (CN).
Three Black Hornbills at Sri Phang-nga National Park (Phang-nga) on 17 January (IS) is towards the northern end of the range of this species. A pair of Crimson-breasted Woodpeckers was seen on Doi Pha Hom Pok on 2 January (ST)
Vacations In Kranuan
A Giant Nuthatch was seen at Doi Pha Hom Pok on 31 December to 2 January (ST) with another along the Arunothai Road, Doi Ang Khang, on the weekend of 17-18 January (LBC). Ten Black-throated Tits were seen on Doi Lang, 29 December (JWKP,MP,IR,TCY) and a Fire-capped Tit at Doi Pha Hom Pok on 2-3 January (ST).
Vacations In Cha-Am
Two good, much photographed and long-staying rarities, both at Khao Yai, were a Rufous-tailed Robin at the Kong Kaeo Camp, Khao Yai, on 7 January (KK) and a female Japanese Thrush at Pha Kluey Mai, on 11 January (TN, SP, PS, SS). Both birds were performing well on 31 January (many observers). The same wet spot at Pha Kluey Mai which held the Japanese Thrush also had no fewer then three Orange-headed Thrushes on 31 January (PDR). A Scaly Thrush was seen on Doi Pha Hom Pok on 2 January (RK); a Black-breasted Thrush on 3 January (RK) and a Grey-sided Thrush on 1 January (ST). A first-winter Dusky Thrush of the nominate race T.n. naumanni, also known as Naumann’s Thrush, apparently photographed in Phu Hin Rong Kla (Phitsanuloke) on 20 December by “Warrios” was posted on a commercial web-page. This is the first Thai record of this distinctive subspecies, which is generally a shorter-distance migrant than Dusky Thrush, breeding somewhat to the south of it, and wintering, as a rule, farther north (though extreme vagrancy, as far afield as western Europe, is known). A Common Stonechat was seen on Ko Pratong on 12 January (YM); both male and female Blue-fronted Redstart at Doi Pha Hom Pok on 3 January (ST). A male Purple Cochoa was reported from Doi Pha Hom Pok on 1 January (ST)
Sight Seeings At Nong Ya Plong
A male Mugimaki Flyactcher was seen at 1350 m, Nae Haeo on 26 Dceember (ST); a male Chinese Blue Flycatcher in the grounds of Juldis Khao Yai Resort on 5 January (KingBird) and a female Pygmy Blue Flycatcher on the Doi Inthanon Jeep Track on 26 December (DP,AR,WS). A Spot-winged Starling showed up in a flowering Bombax at Mae Hia (Chiang Mai) on 15 January (RK), while 27 Spot-winged Starlings at the Thinuey Substation of Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary (Kanchanaburi) during 31 December to 3 January (MNS) increased to 64 by 19 January (DP,AR,WS).
National Park At Tha Li
Grey-cheeked Warblers were reported from Na Haeo (Loei) on 26-27 December at 1300 m with another at Doi Pha Hom Pok, 2000 m on 1 January (ST).
National Park At Trang
An Eastern Crowned Warbler at Mosingto, Khao Yai on 15 January (AJP) was one of very few midwinter records for the park of a species which generally winters more in forest of the lowlands, in the peninsula, and perhaps in the south-east. Yellow-vented Warbler was reported from 1300 m, Na Haeo on 26 December (ST). Ten Short-tailed Parrotbills were seen at 1190 m, Na Haeo on 28 December (ST) and a pair of Cutias at Doi Pha Hom Pok on 2 January (ST). Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler was seen near the A-Frame Houses, Doi Pha Hom Pok on 2 January (DP,AR,WS); a flock of 11-12 Red-tailed Laughingthrushes were near the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok on 1 January with two male and one female Yellow-bellied Flowerpeckers feeding on small black berries nearby (DP, AR,WS).
A male Scarlet Finch was seen at 2000 m on Doi Pha Hom Pok on 7 January (IR). One or two Black-faced Buntings were at the Mae Taeng Irrigation Project (Chiang Mai) on 17 January (KingBird).
Breeding records
Muniti Maharat (Pathumthani): Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker nest and two chicks, 17 January, (PE). The woodpeckers were being harried by a pair of Chestnut-tailed Starlings, perhaps themselves in search of a nest-hole.
Mo-singto, Khao Yai: Heart-spotted Woodpecker, courtship-feeding, 31 January (PDR); Abbott’s Babbler nest-building, 23-25 January (KP); White-browed Scimitar Babbler, nest and three eggs, 25 January (SN); Striped Tit Babbler nest-building, 31 January (AJP);
Mae Hia (Chiang Mai): Common Moorhen one tiny chick and three well-grown young, 26 December (WS).
Salaya (Nakhon Pathom): Streak-eared Bulbul nest and eggs, 31 January (SN); Common Tailorbird nest-building, 31 January (SN); Abbot’s Babbler; White-browed Scimitar Babbler.
National Park At San Pa Tong
Thung Song Hong (Bangkok): Coppersmith Barbet – pair began excavating on 15 October fledged two young on 12 December (BM).
Contributors: Matt Brady, Gawin Chutima, Save the Bird Group (SBG) Lanna Bird Club (LBC), Peter Ericsson, Nopparat Intajai, Dr. Rungsrit Kanjanavanit, Khanit Kanikul, Boonrawd Khieoyuu, KingBird, Kamol Komolphalin, David Lewis, Mark Mallalieu, Yotin Meekaeo, Richard Mielcarek, B. Mountfield, Somchai Nimnuan, Thanit Nonthasuvarn, Porpol Nontapa, Chukiat Nualsri, John W.K. Parr, Mukda Parr, Howard Parsons, Andrew J. Pierce, Somphol Plaito, Dome Pratumtong, James Restivo, Iain Robertson, Arun Roisri, Phatomsak Sakchaisirikul, Wachara Sanguansombat, Suwannee Sirisespakdi (SSi), Malayan Nature Society (MNS), Kulapat Sornrarum, Suthee Supparatvikorn, Smith Suthibut, Ike Suriwong, Nunthida Suthumwong, Sopitcha Tantitadapitak, Ryan Terrill, Chanin Thienwiwatnukul, Nick Upton, Filip Verbelen, Rob Wardle, Yusapol Wonglertwit, Tan Cheng Yam.
Compiled by Philip D. Round and Roongroj Jukmongkol
Chicken Flu
National Park At Ban Bueng
Dare we hope that, by the time this is published, the worst of the Asian chicken flu might already be behind us? Or, perish the thought, might the worst happen, and the influenza develop into a full-scale pandemic affecting global humanity?
At time of writing, it is good to be able to report that statements of government ministers in the face of this major threat to Asian economies, and to public health, have been mostly rather reasonable and restrained. Most have resisted the calls to make migratory birds scapegoats for a problem which owes its origin to changing human behaviour, and ever-increasing global commerce, not the behaviour of migratory birds which has evolved over tens of thousands, even millions, of years
Sight Seeings At Nakhon Si Thammarat
The willingness with which journalists and some members of the public have jumped to conclusions about migratory birds being behind the spread of the H5N1 virus, in the complete absence of any corroborating evidence, is highly alarming. So far as can be determined, this disease is spread from chicken to chicken, not from migrant waterfowl to chicken. And no wonder, when there are (or were) an estimated 9 billion domestic chickens in China — greater by a couple of orders of magnitude than the sum total of migrant waterfowl of all species in all of Asia! Given the fact that large numbers of chickens and fighting cocks are transported across borders in Asia without imposition of legal controls, it is surely specious to focus on migratory wild birds as being behind the disease transmission.
The geographical spread of the virus does not appear to suggest transmission by migrant birds, since the first cases appear to have been detected in Indonesia last August, and have been recorded progressively farther north since then. This is exactly the opposite pattern one might expect if the virus was being carried by migrating birds.
Sight Seeings At Dan Makham Tia
Ill-informed commentators have even suggested that Open-billed Storks might be responsible for the spread despite there not having been any instance where the virus has been isolated from a wild bird. And this in spite of the fact that Open-billed Storks do not undertake any north-south migration. If they move at all, the may move east-west, though it appears that only a proportion of the population disperses at all. And as for ducks or other migrant birds, where and when do migrant waterfowl and domestic poultry meet and interact? The truth is they don’t. Many migrant bird populations are already declining and those that remain go about their lives trying to avoid man-dominated landscapes as much as possible.
How do we account for reports of dead birds around some waterbird colonies? In any year where large numbers of birds congregate at breeding colonies, it is not unusual to find a few birds that have either died of natural causes, accidents, disease or parasites. Just because people are looking, and actually finding them this year does not mean that these birds have died from the chicken flu. In addition, local people in some areas are already known to actively and illegally poison waterbirds with agricultural chemicals, so perhaps they are now poisoning additional birds under the mistaken impression that it will save their chickens.
National Park At Palian
It of course possible that the virus has a wild reservoir among migratory birds. But even if this is the case it remains to be seen how, if at all, there was transmission between wild birds and domestic stock. In fact, the reverse might equally be the case — that wild birds could be in danger of contracting infection by a new strain of virus, which first evolved among domestic fowl. The latter are pumped full of hormones and antibiotics, and kept under conditions of incredible stress and crowding, and under conditions which might encourage the emergence of a new strain of a widespread and prevalent virus.
This same scene is repeated at numerous venues throughout Thailand.
Perhaps because SARS was thought to have been transmitted to man through the consumption of civet meat (and the Ebola virus possibly through the near-cannibalistic consumption by humans of their only close living relative on the planet, the chimpanzee) Dr Liz Bennett of Wildlife Conservation Society has focused on the vast, illegal trade in wild birds, as both pets and for food, as something which could contribute to the spread of disease. Hundreds of thousands, even millions, of birds are trapped and hunted across Asia, including Thailand, each year. If, by any chance, wild birds are a reservoir of a viruses which may be transmitted to poultry, we need not look farther than Bangkok’s own Chatuchak Market, where every week, expensive fighting cocks and ornamental fowl are offered for sale along with significant numbers of wild birds (including hornbills, a great variety of songbirds from China and from around Thailand, and, even, last year, a Giant Pitta) under conditions which are hot, under-ventilated and highly unsanitary. This same scene is repeated at numerous venues throughout Thailand. In addition, practically every fresh-food market in the provinces offers slaughtered wild-caught birds for food. Tens of thousands of migrant Watercocks and White-breasted Waterhens are dazzled and netted annually for food by people in southern Thailand. Could avian flu find its way to domestic stock through capture, or consumption by man, of wild birds?
Resorts Near Tha Yang
It is sensible to be cautious, and perhaps one way to lessen the threat of possible future outbreaks of chicken flu might be to crack down on this vast illegal trade in wild birds and other wildlife.
Sight Seeings At Ko Phi Phi Don
In other countries, in previous years, such as in the Netherlands and in Hong Kong, outbreaks of chicken flu have been effectively controlled through culling of domestic fowl, without any need for the ecologically damaging slaughter of migratory birds, Let us hope that sane heads will prevail in Thailand, too. Let the wild, migratory birds continue to inhabit our wetlands and forests, undisturbed by human greed and bloodthirstiness.
What has happened to Baer’s Pochard?
Resorts Near Bang Sao Thong
Is Baer’s Pochard in deep trouble? Up to around 1990, you could take it for granted that a visit to Bung Boraphet in midwinter would produce 100 or more Baer’s Pochard. On two successive days in January 1989, no fewer than 596 were counted — 426 on Bung Boraphet and another 170 on a wetland in neighbouring Phitsanuloke province.
Resorts Near Phang Nga
But how many counts of more than 30 birds have there been in the past decade? Precisely none, in spite of the much increased visitation of key wetland sites by birdwatchers in search of rare birds, and especially the increased coverage of the Chiang Saen Basin, in the far north, where Baer’s Pochard ought to turn up in significant numbers.
Results are already coming in from this year’s Asian Waterfowl Census, again without more than a very few Baer’s Pochards being recorded. While ducks do have a propensity to move around among waterbodies, selecting those sites best suited to avoid human disturbance, it is highly unlikely that significant numbers of Baer’s Pochards are being overlooked.
If the change in numbers represents a genuine decline, and not merely a shift to some undiscovered wintering areas, then Baer’s Pochard populations wintering in SE Asia are in freefall. There is an urgent need to mount comprehensive coverage of all known wintering sites. Besides those mentioned above, these include Bung Khong Long (Nong Khai), Nong Harn Kumpawapi and Nong Hua Khuu (Udon Thani), Nong Lahan (Chaiyaphum), and the Buriram Province Wetlands, (Huai Tala, Huai Chorakhe Mak, Sanambin and Nong Sanoh).
