Thaibirds and more

Owling at Kaengkrachan 20 th of May, 2012 A year ago I twice visited Kaengkrachan specifically to try to see White-fronted Scops Owl,  a sought after bird with a restricted range.  On both occasions there were 4 of us with torches surrounding the calling owl for a couple of hours only to walk away  empty handed.   (The problem with Kaengkrachan and owling is that one has to stay over night  at the campground and thus ‘missing out on yummie Thai food and drinks after a long days birding. Most folks I assist in the field opt for the comfort of the hotel (and air-con) as opposed to the hard ground inside a tent. ) I arrived at the park at 4 pm.  I had seen a number of pictures of the WFSO posted on Thai websites of late and knew there was a known day roost around the 1st stream.   The 3 hour drive to the park I spent contemplating all the little details that had to come together for the ‘miracle’ to happen.  I felt a bit helpless and  in the end simply

Cebu and Bohol, Philippines, 1-7th of May 2012 Though I have lived in Thailand for 30 years I have yet to visit the Philippines. Thus it seemed appropriate to visit some friends and go for a short vacation before the new school year began here in Thailand. We flew with Kuwait Airways to Manila where we boarded a plane with Cebu Pacific Air to Cebu. It is possible to fly strait to Bohol but somehow we got it wrong.  Spent the night with friends  and then took a boat to Bohol (2 hours) the next morning. Saw no birds on the journey but  several Whiskered Terns at the port of Tagbilaran, Bohol. A friend waited for us and off we went to their abode on Panglao Island just south of Bohol. The next few days we based out of here in a rural rather laid back surrounding.  It reminded me of Southern Thailand very much.  Around my friends house amongst the coconut trees and scrub I connected with the more common birds whereof many were the same as back home.  The most interestin