Thailand trip report - species List continued:
Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata
Recorded on four dates in the north with daily maximum of six in the vicinity of the river at Tha Ton.
Grey Bushchat Saxico ferrea
Fairly common mainly in open country in the north being seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 10+ birds.
White-throated Rock Thrush Monticola gularis
A very fine male was seen at the parking lot of the Orchid Waterfall at KY.
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris
One bird was recorded along the road to DAK on the 14th, and another perched in a dead snag was seen from the road about 2Km down from the summit at DI.
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
Two birds seen across the road from the campground at KY, one at the new hotel site at KY, and single birds on two dates at DI.
Blue Whistling Thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus
Three birds seen on two dates at KY including a pair seen along the stream behind the campground. Also single bird seen at DAK and up to two birds on three dates at DI. Typically seen at the latter site alongside rocky streams such at below the Vachirathan Falls. All birds we saw were the yellow-billed race.
Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina
This handsome thrush was an unexpected bonus with a single adult male watched at close range behind the toilets at the campground at KY. Gail also had brief views of another male flushed from behind the restaurant at the Orchid Falls car park.
Scaly [White's] Thrush Zoothera dauma
A single bird feeding along the stream along Trail 6 at KY.
Dark-sided Thrush Zoothrea marginata
A single bird watched at length from the Summit Marsh Boardwalk at DI. It was quitely feeding on the ground and could easily have been overlooked.
Black-breasted Thrush Turdus dissimilis
Despite this being a poor winter for thrushes in the north, Gail managed to score with a female of this rare thrush. It flew up onto a low branch under the very birdy fruiting tree about mid-way along the Km 37.5 Jeep Trail. A small Turdus thrush with obvious yellow bill, grey/brown head and slightly paler mantle, white throat distinctly streaked, and rufous flanks.
Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obsurus
As indicated above this was a poor year for winter thrushes, consequently we only saw only one small party of this species with about eight birds in the vicinity of the DYK substation at DCD.
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
Singles were at KY on two dates and two birds were seen at DI.
Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Quite widespread being seen at most sites visited with daily maximum of at least six birds. More birds were heard than seen.
Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata
A very attractive male was seen in a bird flock along the Trekkers Loop Trail at DAK.
Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula wetermanni
Pairs seen at DAK along the Trekkers Route, as well as in the vicinity of the DYK substation at DCD. Also up to four birds seen on three dates at DI. The latter seemed to reflect a small influx of this species in the last two days of our stay at DI.
Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperyhra
Two family parties totalling at least six birds were seen along the Summit Marsh Boardwalk at DI. A superb species.
Sapphire Flycatcher Ficedula sapphira
A male of the type showing warm brown head and upper mantle well seen along the road to the DYK substation at DCD.
Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Seen on nine dates in small numbers and recorded from most forest sites visited with a daily maximum of six birds seen at DCD. This species is a flock leader' and its loud call often signalled the arrival of a bird party.
Blue and White Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana
A fine male seen along the road below the Checkpoint at DCD by Gail in a mixed-species flock.
Large Niltava Niltava grandis
A pair of this large dark flycatcher were seen on two dates along the 37.5 Jeep Trail at DI; in both instances they were foraging and flycatching in the mid-canopy of large forest trees.
Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoria
A beautiful singing male seen by Gail along the Km 34.5 Trail at DI.
Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara
A single bird seen on the drive to the DYK substation at DCD and two females watched along the Km 37.5 trail at DI and another seen beside the steps below the Vachirathan Falls.
Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida
Just a single record of a female along the Km 37.5 Jeep Trail at DI.
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias sapphira
Seen on eight dates and recorded at most forest sites, although only once at KY. The maximum daily count was three birds at DI.
Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor
Single male seen along Km 33 trail in a bird flock at KY and two at DCD on road between DYK substation and checkpoint.
Hainan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hainana
Single birds on two dates at KY in mixed flocks along KM 33 trail and Radar Rd.
Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banymus
Recorded on at least four dates at KY with daily maximum of four birds. This includes two singing males on territory along Trail 6. Also quite common at DCD particularly between Mallee's and Temple Gulley with a daily maximum of four birds.
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae
John saw one male in the orchard near Mallee's and another along the Km 13 Jeep Trail at DI. Frustratingly, none of the rest of us connected with this species.
Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura albicolis
This very attracive and energetic flycatcher was common along the Summit Trail Boardwalk at DI with eight birds seen there on our first morning and a single bird seen during an afternoon visit.
White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
Up to two birds seen on two dates along the Temple Gulley at DCD. Also a single bird seen at DI along the 37.5 track. This was a much shyer bird than the preceding species.
Pied Fantail Rhipidura perlata
This open country species was seen only on the first day with a total of six birds at Rangsit.
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis javnica
Up to three birds seen virtually daily at KY at a variety of sites including Trail 6, Km33 Trail and along the Radar Road. Also single birds on two dates at DCD.
Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi
Single female seen by Bill along the Radar Road at KY and three birds including two males seen by Gail at DCD foraging in trees beside the temple steps.
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
The scarcity of shrike records reflects on the limited amount of open and cultivated country birding we did. With the present species, we saw six on our first day while driving through open country habitat between Bangkok AP and Sam Khok. Besides this only single birds seen on three dates.
Burmese Shrike Lanius colluroides
Two birds seen in agricultural fields at Huay Thung Tao.
Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus
Single bird in grasslands near the elephant lick at KY. Also single birds seen on seven dates in the north.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach
Seen on only two dates with a single bird seen from car while driving from KY to Bangkok AP and two birds seen on the drive from DAK to Tha Ton.
Ashy Wood-Swallow Artamus fuscus
Seen on four dates with a maximum of eight birds perched in flowering tree opposite Mr. Daeng’s café.
Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus
Several parties seen in flight by Bill near Mallee's at DCD.
Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra
Seen only on the first day with eight birds seen in the suburbs of Bangkok and adjacent open country areas.
Black-collared Starling Sturnus nigricollis
This large, handsome starling was seen only on one day with three seen at Huay Thung Tao.
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Seen only on three dates while driving through open country/agricultural area with amaximum daily count of twenty-five.
White-vented Myna Acridotheres javanicus
Failry common and widespread in open country habitat being recorded on nine dates with maximum daily total of 100+ birds.
Golden-crested Myna Amepelicips coronatus
A male seen well in the scope with a party of Hill Mynas in the flowering trees at the Km 30 Overlook at KY.
Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
These large distinctive mynas were seen fairly regularly in the flowering trees at the Km 30 Overlook at KY. Maximum daily number was six birds.
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalenese
A pair was watched on two dates coming to a nest near the Nature Trail at DCD.
Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum
Gail had two individuals at DCD, one at the start of the Nature Trail and one along Temple Gulley. A rather dull, streaked species.
Olive-backed Sunbird Nectarina jugularis
A pair watched feeding in gardens near the Open-billed Stork colony, and another seen in grassland at KY.
Purple Sunbird Nectarina asiatica
Five birds seen during our two visits to the Ridge Trail at Km 13 at DI; sveral males were singing on territory.
Mrs. Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldia
A male of this brilliant sunbird was seen along the Forestry Station Trail at DAK and two males fighting were seen by Gail along the orchard firebreak. More numerous at DI being seen on three dates with daily maximum of eight birds. It was most common there at the Summit.
Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis angakanensis
Another brilliantly coloured gem with about twenty birds seen feeding in flowering trees on our first [early morning] visit to the Summit Marsh Boardwalk Trail. Clearly morning is the best time for this species as a later afternoon visit to the Marsh produced only two birds. This distinctive subspecies is endemic to DI (despite its Latin name), and may well represent a separate species.
Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata
One of the most common sunbirds at KY, being seen in small groups along the Radar Rd. both in forest edge and also in open areas, as well as on the KM 33 trail where several were in a mixed-species flock. It was also encountered at DCD along the road to the DYK substation.
Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra
Single birds seen at KY, once just below Km 30 overlook and again the in the vicinity of the three bridges along the Radar Road at KY. Both birds were in bird flocks.
Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera crassirostris
Single birds seen on flowering trees in the Temple Gulley on two dates and two birds seen on the road up to the DYK substation at DCD, in flowering trees, and single birds seen on two dates at DAK.
Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile
Four birds seen at DCD in flowering tree at beginning of Nature Trail.
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum
More of a lowland bird than the other flowerpeckers with four birds seen on the first date in gardens and three birds also seen on the grounds of the DInthanon Highland Resort.
Buff-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus
A male of the race ignipectus seen along the Jeep Trail at DI and at least one bird at DCD adjacent to the Nature Trail.
Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus
Probably all three White-eye species were underecorded as birds seen in flight or not well were left unidentified. This species was only recorded at DI with up to six birds over two days.
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus
Only recorded in the north with birds seen on seven dates and daily maximum of eight birds.
Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
Most widespread white-eye recorded on three dates at KY with daily maximum of four birds.Also recorded at most sites in the north with daily maximum of eight birds at DCD.
Eurasian Tree-Sparrow Parus montanus
Fairly common and widespread around habitation and agricultural areas being seen on six dates.
Plain-backed Sparrow Parus flaveolus
Despite its common name, this is an attractive sparrow. Recorded on two dates with five birds in the agricultural area of Huay Thung Tao and at least four birds seen at Inthanon Highland Resort.
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
A party of eight birds feeding in a field at Tha Ton.
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
A party of ten birds [plus about twenty birds caught by bird trappers and dead] at Rangsit. Also seen in small numbers at DCD in orchard near Malleee's and at DAK.
Chestnut Munia Lonchura malacca
Single bird at Rangsit [plus a dead bird - see above]. Also a party of six birds at DAK.
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus eryhrinus
A party of six birds in a flowering tree near the DYK substation at DCD.
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
A pair well seen on the loop road at DAK.
Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila
Fairly common around the DYK substation at DCD and along the Trekkers Route at DAK. In all recorded on six dates with the daily maximum of eight birds.
Crested Bunting Melophus lathami
Close but brief looks at party of at least four birds flushed from long grass near the DYK substation at DCD.
Mammals:
Most of our mammals were recorded at Khao Yai. Unfortunately we did not see Asian Elephant (just fresh droppings), and we think the disturbance from the massive roadworks had driven them away from the usual areas. Doi Inthanon had very few mammals, large or small, and poaching is still a problem there.
Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip, as a pair crossed the Khao Kheio Rd. at KY as we waited for the Siamese Firebacks about 7:30 am. Gail was closest and called the others on our FRS radios. Amazingly, the cats rather casually entered the forest, and then, a few minutes later, came out and stared at us before walking calmly back across the way they had come and disappearing into the woods! This species is distinctly smaller than the common Leopard, with a very sleek flat coat, long tail, rather large round eyes, and the distinctive 'clouded' large, squarish dark brown and black markings against a paler background. A park guard told us that they are very rarely seen, although being studied at KY. (Phil Round later told us that two had been radiocollared in the park.)
Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Spotlighted on the night drive at KY.
Indian Civet Viverra zibetha Spotlighted on the night drive near the abandoned golf course at KY.
Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica Spotlighted on the night drive at KY.
Yellow-throated Martin Martes flavigula One climbing quickly through the tree branches near the Helicopter Shrine at the summit of DI. Larger than expected, a very handsome animal.
Siberian Weasel. Mustela sibirica Several weasel or stoats were seen at DI and presumed to be this species.
Bintaurong (Bear-cat): Arctictus binturong Unexpected - one individual seen by Gail slowly clambering down from a tree just at first light along Trail 6 at KY. The animal was climbing down very slowly head-first, using its huge bushy semi-prehensile tail to balance its descent.
Common Tree Shrew Tupaia glis Seen every day at DCD, especially along the Nature Trail.
Wrinkle-lipped Bat Chaerephon plicata Uncounted numbers exiting cave at dusk near entrance to Khao Yai. Estimates from other sources give number at 4 to 6 million, and this can be believed. It took over an hour for the bats to leave their roost.
White-handed Gibbon Hylobates lar The most common species at KY, more often heard than seen however. The loud hooting and howling can be heard for considerable distance. The females of this species are an attractive pale blonde, the males black with white on hands and around face.
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus Only seen once although heard another time, both along Trail 6; both times appeared to be just single individuals. The seen animal was large, black (male) and had white on crown of head. Its call is different from the preceding, starting with a series of almost human-like calls and then a rapid chuckling or whooping notes at end.
Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides Very common at KY where (unfortunately) many beg on the road, even though feeding animals is forbidden. A very attractive macaque.
Long-tailed Macaque (?) Seen near the temple at Wat Tampropratisat
Muntjac (Barking Deer) Muntiacus muntjak Common at KY, both in grassland and in forest.
Sambar Deer Cervus unicolor Very common at KY, mostly in grasslands.
Malaysian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura One spotlighted crossing the entrance road after dark at KY.
Squirrels: We saw a number of species of squirrels, some unidentified. Species seen included Striped Tree Squirrel Tamiops macclellandi (like a greyish chipmunk), at higher elevations of most parks, Variable Squirrel Callosciurus finlaysoni (a very colorful species) at most sites, and the Grey-bellied Squirrel C. caniceps (a duller colored medium-sized squirrel) at lower elevations. We did not see any of the Giant or Flying Squirrels.
Several unidentified small mouse-like species were seen as well as a largish black short-tailed rat or hamster (about the size of a small Guinea Pig) at DI.
end of report