Some Birds from Kaeng Krachan, Thailand

In this blog, I've put together some of the birds I've seen and recorded during my few visits to this internationally renowned birding spot. Kaeng Krachan remains a favourite for many birders both local and foreign. The forests within the park are still pristine and the bird diversity is large due to many different habitats and conservation effort of the authorities. The park claims a specie count of more than 400.

Getting to the park is easy as the roads are well sign-posted and it's roughly 3 hours by road from Bangkok.

Head for Tha Yang first in Petchaburi Province.  Having your own transport in the form of a 4WD vehicle is recommended as the drive to the first campsite named Baan Krang entails driving on unpaved roads which are deeply rutted at certain sections. Then there is the drive from Baan Krang right up to the uppermost campsite at Panoen Tung which is even tougher on vehicles although I have witnessed family sedans being driven up. 

Accommodation is plentiful and a very popular resort is Baan Maka which is approximately 15 minutes drive to the park entrance. The owners of this resort are keen birders themselves and would be able to assist in hiring guides and current general info about bird activity.

Kaeng Krachan National Park is closed during the wet season from August till end October.

The birds I've captured here are from within as well as outside the park. Many of these images come from sitting in hides from dawn till dusk. Others are opportunistic captures while trekking along trails or simply driving from place to place. The dry season is my preferred time to visit as many species can be observed visiting waterholes to bathe and drink and seek respite from the heat. Sitting cramped and virtually still within hides can be equally taxing but when the birds appear, the suffocating heat and discomfort is quickly forgotten.

The birds:

1. Large Scimitar Babbler:

This babbler came to visit a man-made watering-hole. Taken from a hide.

2. Green-eared Barbet:

Taken from Baan Krang Campsite. This one put in great effort to strip bark from this decaying tree-trunk.

3. Blue-throated Barbet:

From Panoen Tung, this was found just behind the restaurant feeding on this fruiting tree

4. Blue-bearded Bee-eater:

Found perched high on a bamboo grove near Baan Maka resort.

5. Puff-throated Bulbul:

This bulbul came to visit a watering-hole at midday.

6. Stripe-throated Bulbul:

And so did these two bulbuls as well. Black-crested bulbul in the background.

7. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher:

Fun time on a very hot day at the waterhole

8. Emerald Dove:

This dove visited late into the evening only to drink.

9. Grey-cheeked Fulvetta:

These guys appeared frequently throughout the day.

 10. Thick-billed Flowerpecker:

I found this one at an orchard on the way to the park.

11. Greater-necklaced Laughing Thrush:

A gregarious bird often announcing its arrival with loud calls

12. Black-naped Monarch

Often in pairs, this little fella (a male) is very drawn to the waterhole and spends a great deal of time bathing and preening.

13. Vernal hanging Parrot:

A visitor to a feeding station set up at an orchard near the park.

14. Kalij Pheasant:

One of 5 birds consistiing of 2 males and 3 females.

15. Siberian Blue Robin (male):

16. Siberian Blue Robin (female):

The above two photos show a pair of these robins that visit the waterhole together and frequently throughout the day

17. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (female):

18. Streaked Spider Hunter:

From Panoen Tung Campsite near the restaurant.

19. Sultan Tit:

Found foraging in a mixed flock at Baan Krang Campsite.

20. Racket-tailed Treepie:

Regular visitor to the watering hole.

21. Red-headed Trogon: 

A lucky find behind the toilet block at Panoen Tung.

22. Blue Rock Thrush:

Found perched by the roadside along path towards Baan Krang Campsite.

23. Scaly-breasted Partridge:

Always appearing in pairs and active prior to midday.

24. Puff-throated Babbler :

Visiting alone is this attractive babbler.

25. Flavescent Bulbul:

This appears to be a bulbul beauty salon, moments after this bird arrived, another came along and spent the next few minutes nibbling at the inaccessible parts of the 1st bird as the photo below shows.