Spoon-billed Sandpiper November 2017

There are so so many things that have to come together for certain images to happen as is the case of this set of pix.

!. The miracle of having access to a small population of wintering Spoon-billed Sandpiper in relative closeness to Bangkok.

2. Finding the birds in the midst of thousands of other shorebirds.

3. Having the time and money to get to the place.

4. Being aware of the tidal schedule.

5. Decent if not good weather.

6. Having the camera gear to take the picture.

7. Knowing how to operate your camera.

8. Having good relations with the workers of the salt pans so as to not wear out your welcome.

9. Preferably no other people around in order to best approach the birds.

10. The blessing of God probably should be on top of the list though!

So, on our way back towards Bangkok we wanted to stop by Paktaley for another try at the Spoonies having seen them a day earlier. Weather was not the best with drizzling rain being a constant.

About 5 km before our spot the drizzle ceased. It was still very gloomy and clouds looming.

Birds were scattered all over the place. We decided to remain in the car in the hope of finding the Spoonies in a nearby pan. And we did! For the next half an hour or more we worked our cameras till batteries died. It was not easy in the light given and somehow the birds never got as close as one would want. Still, we were treated to a real show and felt extremely blessed!

Comments

Birding trips out of Bangkok!

Daytrips out of Bangkok The following are a few sites that I regularly take visiting birders to. I often do one site in the morning and another in the afternoon and sometimes even fit in one midday. Depending on the time of year number of birds seen will vary. Most migrants are here from September – April yet there are others that only visit in May-August. I find it very fulfilling for people on business or others with limited time circumstances to invest in a guided trip with someone that not only knows the birds but also how to get around and has years of experience living in Thailand. Fields of Latkrabang, Bangkok: My local patch and a gem in the city concrete with still rice fields and scrub present. The roar of the traffic in the background and airplanes lifting to the sky is subdued a bit and the birds present are clearly heard. Many a good wetland birds as well as warblers and other birds have been recorded. On a normal morning I average 70-80 species. Pe

Blue-naped Pitta, 1st March 2022

I am not quite sure how or when to begin this story. Back in the day when all I had was the birds in my garden and the fantastic illustrations of magical birds found in the field guide I could only dream of one day seeing them in real life. My life was restricted and very little opportunity to set out in pursuit of ‘imaginary birds’! Ha! Well, a long story cut short. Things changed and slowly I started to lay my eyes on the real things I had only seen drawn in literature. I remember my first Pitta, the Blue-winged, on an excursion to a waterfall with some rumbunctious kids but it didn’t stop me from seeing one crossing the pathway. (as a note, the late Jon Hornbuckle, who eventually saw all recognized Pittas of his day, told me his last one was the Blue-winged. Just goes to show how this rather ‘easy’ to see bird is not very easy unless you are in the right area at the right time.) So, here in Thailand we have a lot of Pittas. Some are regular, none are easy, and som

Alone with Spoonie!

I have been fortunate enough to spend time on my own with Spoon-billed Sandpiper this season. I have seen this bird over 100 times but feel like I never have enough. These pictures are from Khok Kham, Samut Sakorn about 1 hour from Bangkok.

Thaibirds and more

Search This Blog