Northern
Thailand 25th Dec-2nd of Jan 2017
Tour leader and guide: Peter Ericsson
Participants: Steve, Peilin and Sierra Glassman from
California
I was very pleased that the Glassman’s wanted to do another
trip in Thailand after last year’s trip in the central parts. See http://www.pbase.com/peterericsson/centralthailand201526
Their daughter, Sierra, now 11, is a sharp and keen young
girl with an aptitude for learning and just great to be in the field with.
Both parents enjoy seeing natural wonders as well as taking
pictures howbeit without the pressure of long lists etc. Sierra however keeps
record of sightings and had an amazing memory for all the things we saw or
heard throughout the trip. She often taking charge doing the checklist.
The timing of the trip was probably worst possible in terms
of encountering crowds on some popular destinations. Still, there was plenty
for us to enjoy and that kept our attention.
Both Steve and Peilin enjoy spicy Thai food very much so it
was a real pleasure to serve sumptuous meals though in the end the result
showed when I stood on the weight scale once back home.
Day 1. Early pick up in Chiang Mai. I had flown up the night
before and picked up a large spacious Toyota Commuter van. We drove straight to
the summit of Doi Inthanon where most of the ‘good birds are’. Well, as
you can imagine there were hundreds and hundreds of people doing the same. Finding
a parking lot was no small feature.
The mountain is a bit of a Mecca for the Thai people as it
is not only scenic and tall but also plays historical role in the Kingdom. Either
way, we spent the better part of the morning at the summit though some birds
didn’t show as usual we did see some
real good ones with Green-tailed and Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird leading the way in
terms of color. Bar-throated Minlas in small busy flocks as well as
Buff-barred, Ashy-throated and Blyth’s Leaf Warblers kept us entertained.
Silver-eared Laughingthrushes were as obvious as usual and Dark-backed Sibias
similarly so.
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| Sierra |
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| Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker |
Some of the more cryptic birds simply didn’t show. I think
they were intimidated by the cheer volume of people with accompanied noise. The
bog never the less gave good views of some things and Rufous-winged Fulvettas
did their best to charm keen observers.
We managed to get a table at an eatery by the trail head to
Kiew Maephan. The food is so delicious in this cool setting and everyone
enjoyed the sticky rice, barbecued chicken and the papaya salad.
Wherever we had a chance we took a little time for ‘cultural
visits’. The local fresh market run by the hill tribes had a lot of produce for
sale. Some locally produced and other things from China.
I picked up some avocadoes which is becoming more popular here
now though not available year around.
We did a little birding here and there and added some more
regular things. To my great surprise we were not able to get on to
Slaty-bellied Tesias as they were simply not vocalizing. That was a bit of a
disappointment for me.
The night was spent at Mr. Doings Homestay since we didn’t
want to do the long drive down and then back up again the next day.
Day 2. Up early and starting all over at the top again. The
hot coffee at the summit is probably the best in the country so we headed for
the coffee shop right away.
It was a bit colder this morning and we found some frost
that thrilled the hearts of many locals plus Sierra.
The main highlight was a striking Yellow-bellied
Flowerpecker feeding in a flowering tree. This is a rather rare bird and often
difficult to find. So half a minute of show time was good and gave us great
opportunity for picture taking.
In the bog we also had great views of Rufous-throated
Partridges and brief views of a male White-browed Shortwing but most of the
morning was repeats from the day before.
After lunch we descended Doi Inthanon and set our sails
towards Doi Chiang Dao about an hour or so North of Chiang Mai city. A total drive of 3 hours. We stopped at
some fields along the way where many common lowland birds were present.
Dinner was at a restaurant that had IPAs (craft beer) on the
menu. Big surprise and oh so nice!
Day 3. After a night at a rather plush resort we quickly
went to the temple area of Doi Chiang Dao. Some nice birds around but generally
not as birdy as I had hoped. We did walk all the way up to take in the view
from the temple looking down into the gulley. There are good numbers of
tourists in this area as it is scenic and nestled with picturesque settings. A
good place for anyone interested in a few days of chilling out.
We then set out towards Doi Angkhang, choosing the scenic
route that gently takes one along a mountain ridge. Best bird along the way was
an obliging Rufous-winged Buzzard perched on a pole.
The Commuter is amazingly strong and scaling the hilly
terrain was a breeze. Some stops for coffee and roadside birds added to a
pleasant journey.
Doi Angkhang is another flagship of Thai mountains. Years
back some of Chiangkaicheck’s generals fled Mao Tse Tung and ended up here.
When the Thai King found out about their opium crops fruit and vegetable orchards
along with flower plantations were introduced instead. The Royal Project at DAK
is simply a must as it shows off its many yields. The restaurant is also
another must with many authentic local dishes on the menu. Just be mindful that
the restaurant is only open 10am-1 pm and then again at 5 pm during this busy
time of year.
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| Buff-barred Warbler |
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| Hume's Treecreeper |
I didn’t really mind that too much as I knew a great place
in the village.
We checked out the regular stake out and did see
White-tailed Robin, Black-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Niltava and Hill Blue
Flycatcher but it was definitely on the quiet side.
DAK is a magnet for flocks of Bulbuls and we did see loads
of Red-whiskered, Brown-breasted, Sooty-headed and White-headed Bulbuls, the
favorite. Also Mountain, Black and Black-crested.
Loads of Chestnut-flanked and Japanese White-eyes were all
over the place.
An obliging Siberian Rubythroat put on a show next to a pair
of Hill Prinias.
The road down from DAK towards Fang is perhaps the steepest
in Thailand. With lots of traffic one had to be extra cautious. I mean the many
camping areas were jam packed with season revelers.
In Fang we stayed at a quaint resort adequate for our needs.
Day 4. Up to DAK again to greet the morning. Just lovely to
hear the sound of birds, feel the breeze and though it was misty get that
feeling of pristine wilderness.
We checked out the
border station to Myanmar which is open to tourists. Here there are bunkers and
great views of the Burmese army outpost on the other side. To get there we
passed through some hill tribe villages where people still dress in traditional
clothing.
With all the people around and the weather being misty
birding was a bit slow going but as usual there are always a few things here and
there. Daurian Redstart being the best.
This time we didn’t miss the opening hours of the restaurant
but promptly parked ourselves in the best possible place with views of the
adjacent trees. Quite nice to dine while viewing Blue-winged Minlas, Bulbuls
and White-eyes all over the place.
Day 5. Two days were set
aside 2 for Doi Lang. Doi Lang is
proving to be a precious pearl in Northern Thailand birding. The road is still
not open for a full loop drive (which prevents tourists going through, on the
flipside of things) and besides a few locals, army and bird photographers not
many people are around.
The mountain has a lot of attractive target birds. Sierra
and her mom enjoyed photography a lot so we spent a fair amount of time at a
number of stake outs. The beauty of tailored tours is that the clients can have
a say so in the daily activities and as for me I am happy as long as they are
happy!
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| Spot-breasted Parrotbill |
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| Ultramarine Flycatcher |
Some great birds photographed: Spot-breasted Parrotbill,
Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher, Eye-browed
Laughingthrushes, Ultra-marine Flycatcher,
Rusty-naped Scimitar Babblers, Siberian Rubythroat, Yellow-bellied
Leafbird, Spectacled Barwing, Crested Buntings and more.
A pair of Hume’s Pheasants was being photographed
extensively in the early morning but no spot for us available so we carried on.
We did spend 2 hours waiting for them to show in the afternoon but to no avail.
We did see our only Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher while waiting which was nice.
Day 6. Best bird for the morning undoubtedly was Giant
Nuthatch. A must see bird! Mountain Bamboo Partridges also showed on the road
and we picked up things like Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Fantail,
Long-tailed Minivets, Mountain Tailorbird, Crested Finchbill, Rufous-backed
Sibia and Grey-backed Shrike. Some other good ones seen: Bay Woodpecker,
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker and Grey-capped Woodpecker.
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| White-headed Bulbul |
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| Crested Finchbill |
Day 7. Today we set out to visit the lowlands of Tha Torn.
These fields are just lovely in the early morning and in spite of being very
misty we had good views of Yellow-breasted Buntings, a bird in rapid decline.
Some culture was on the schedule and after we arrived in Mae
Sai the Glassman’s crossed the bridge into Myanmar where they spend a few hours
looking around and shopping. I stayed back looking after the vehicle and our
belongings.
We stayed the night in a nice resort at Mae Chan close to
the Golden Triangle.
Day 8. Greeting the morning at Chiang Saan lake is something
I always enjoy. The air fills with calling Whistling Ducks, while Moorhens,
Swamphens, Egrets and Herons let themselves known in the lakeside vegetation. Reed
warblers chuck in the reedbeds and sunbirds are heard from the trees.
Best birds were a lone Ferruginous Duck, Spot-billed Ducks,
Gray-headed Lapwings, Pin-tailed Snipe and many Chestnut-tailed Starlings.
A sumptuous lunch smack in the middle of the Golden Triangle
followed and the afternoon held another Glassman visit across the border.
The night spent back in Fang.
Day 9. The last day was to be decided and the vote fell for
another try at the stakeout at Doi Angkhang. Everyone really wanted to see
Rusty-naped Pitta but , alas, it was not to be! Birds will be birds and often
if they show or not is entirely in their own making.
Lunch back down in Fang at my favorite Issarn restaurant (Northeastern
food)……Everyone that has been with me here knows what I am talking about!
Afternoon followed with a long drive to the airport in
Chiang Mai where I boarded my plane to Bangkok and Steve, Peilin and Sierra theirs
to Beijing and on to California.
It had been a great trip somewhat hindered by the huge
crowds and the rather unusual change in weather. But it never affected the mood
of the Glassman’s who enjoyed every bit of it.
Hopefully we will meet again somewhere. Time will tell!
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| Sierra and Peter |
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