THAILAND glittering temples and tropical birds in the ‘Land of Smiles’

Thailand is simply one of the world’s top birdwatching destinations, where a

White-gorgeted Flycatcher

wealth of birdlife is coupled with the allure of the Orient. Over a thousand species have been recorded in Thailand, including some of the world’s most endangered birds. Our newly designed winter tour is a classic Bird Holidays mix of exotic travel, wonderful cuisine and of course magnificent birdwatching and wildlife encounters. Placed at an ornithological crossroads, the birdlife here is a heady mixture of Chinese, Himalayan and Sundaic elements. Added to this, many Palearctic breeders spend the winter months in the country. Kaeng Krachan, the largest national park, will be our first stop before we head to Thailand’s Gulf Coast. Here, at Pak Thale, there are vast numbers of shorebirds and we will look for the increasingly rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a species close to our hearts at Bird Holidays. We then head north to the country’s oldest national park, Khao Yai. The tour continues into the border highlands to the slopes of two mountains, Doi Lang and Doi Angkhang. Finally we will explore the diverse habitats on Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, the foremost birding locality in the north. ITINERARY

KAENG KRACHAN After an overnight flight we will head south-west towards Thailand’s largest national park, Kaeng Krachan, for three nights. As we pass through open country, roadside birds such as Painted and Asian Openbill Stork are in evidence, whilst small marshes contain White-breasted Waterhen, Cinnamon Bittern and both Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas. In the misty hills here we will have our first chance to encounter the giants of the Asian forest, the hornbills, with Great, Oriental Pied and Wreathed Hornbills all possible, and a specialty here is the scarcer Tickell’s Brown Hornbill. Our bird list will climb as we encounter various forest species including Thick-billed Green-pigeon, Green Magpie, Orange-breasted Trogon, Asian Fairy Bluebird and Sultan Tit whilst the stunning Long-tailed Broadbill is one of half a dozen species of broadbill here. GULF OF THAILAND Moving to the coast on day five we will be based at Pak Thale, just to the west of the capital, for two nights. Familiar birds in the hotel grounds include Asian Green Bee-eaters, Indian Rollers, Streak-eared Bulbul and a variety of weavers. Here we can explore the extensive saltpans and lagoons for

the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Thailand’s gulf coast hosts vast numbers of shorebirds, the most numerous species being Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint. It is amongst flocks of the latter species that the Spoon-billed Sandpiper associates. Other sought-after waders include Great Knot, Asiatic Dowitcher and Nordmann’s Greenshank. Hopefully there will be sightings too of Long-toed Stint and Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers. A variety of herons include both Chinese and Pacific Reef Egret which we will see on a boat trip through the mangroves. Another rarity here is the Malaysian Plover, as well as a potential new species, the White-faced Plover. KHAO YAI On day seven we will head north to spend three nights at Khao Yai, Thailand’s oldest and most popular national park. On the way we will stop to look at more familiar resident birds as well as the localised Rufous Limestone-babbler. In the park itself, spectacular mixed forests remain home to populations of Asian Elephant, Sambar and noisy White-handed Gibbons. From our luxurious base on the outskirts of the park we will explore the trails and roadside habitats which always produce some magical birding. Here the forest echoes to the calls of numerous Blue-eared and Green-eared

Barbets. With luck we could see Thailand’s national bird the elegant Siamese Fireback. We should also come across Red Junglefowl and Silver Pheasant. Checking mixed species flocks can be both fun and frustrating as groups of warblers, flycatchers, bulbuls, babblers, drongos and white-eyes forage together in a frenzy of activity. Fruiting trees attract leafbirds, Vernal Hanging Parrots and wintering thrushes such as Eyebrowed Thrush. Several specialist ground dwelling species also occur and we shall be kept up to date with any recent sightings of the impressive Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo. Sometimes we are lucky and see more than just a flash of a Blue Pitta along the trail. Dusk is the time to encounter some of the park’s shyer residents such as Malayan Porcupine and Palm Civet. It’s now that the harrier-like Great Eared-nightjar makes its evening flight across the clearings. DOI LANG AND DOI ANGKHANG On day ten we head back to the capital to take an internal flight to the northern city of Chiang Rai and continue our journey by road to the border town of Thaton, for a stay of three nights. The climate here is very different, with less humidity, cooler days and chilly nights, while the birdlife has a distinctly Himalayan influence. This region is one of spectacular mountain scenery, forested hillsides and fast flowing streams and rivers. It is also home to many of the fabled hill tribes including the Karen and the Hmong people. In recent years access has been gained to some of the better forested areas on the Burmese border and Doi Lang is probably now one of the most well known birding destinations in the country. The unusual Crested Finchbill is readily seen here and there is a good chance to see elusive forest birds such as Nepal Cutia, Giant Nuthatch, Golden-throated Barbet, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler and White-gorgeted Flycatcher. Thai photographers have established small feeding stations to attract ground-feeding species like Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, Rufous-throated Partridge, Rusty-naped Pitta and Silver-eared Laughingthrush. In the past these birds were a challenge just to locate in the forest, never mind to obtain good views. In the lowlands around the village of Thaton, Pied Harrier and Eastern Marsh Harrier can be found hunting over fishponds by the River Maekok. Wintering birds such as Dusky Warbler, Chestnut-eared Bunting and Siberian Rubythroat also occur. The large stands of riverside papyrus hold the strange-looking Yellow-eyed Babbler and rare Jerdon’s Bushchat. On one day we will explore the famous peak of Doi Angkhang, where a great diversity of forest birds remain. Mixed flocks in the woods around the agricultural station include the distinctive White-browed Scimitar-babbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta and Slaty-backed Flycatcher, plus a variety of leaf-warblers. The Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Spot-breasted Parrotbill and Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush are other striking residents. DOI INTHANON From Thaton we will drive south to our final destination of the tour. We will spend a couple of nights at Doi Inthanon which holds the largest number of species of any site in Thailand. With a broad altitudinal range, the park has a series of habitats, each with its own characteristic birdlife. Near the summit is a small marsh, the highest point of the tour, at an altitude of 8,000 ft. This is the highlight of any Thai itinerary as the site is full of flowering rhododendrons which attract dozens of insectivorous and nectivorous birds. The mouth-watering list of birds includes Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Dark-sided Thrush, White-browed Shortwing and the delightful Mrs Gould’s Sunbird. We will be enchanted by

mixed flocks containing species such as Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Bar-throated Minla, White-bellied Erpornis, Black-capped Sibia, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Green-tailed Sunbird and the Western Spectacled Barwing. On the lower slopes are the spectacular Siriphum and Vachirathan Falls which attract their own special birds. Slaty-backed Forktail, Plumbeous Redstart and the striking White-capped Water Redstart. On day 15 we head back to Chiang Mai and fly to Bangkok, connecting to our international flight home. CLIMATE AND PACE The tour takes place at the driest time of the year and the weather at this time is generally hot and sunny. In central Thailand and in coastal regions it will be more humid. In the north the weather can be cooler with overnight frosts on the highest mountain tops. It can therefore be cold first thing in the morning but the sun soon warms things up. We will focus our birding efforts in the early and latter parts of the day. Therefore early starts will be the norm but we will usually take a rest break in the middle of the day. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full board accommodation is provided at a mixture of good quality hotels and lodges, all with en suite facilities. We will have three nights at Baan Maka Nature Resort, Kaeng Krachan, two nights at the Fisherman’s Resort in Pak Thale, three nights at the Balios Resort, Khao Yai, three nights at the Maekok River Village Resort, Thaton and two nights at the Inthanon Highland Resort, Doi Inthanon. PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with Bird Holidays leader and expert local guide, full board accommodation (starting with lunch on 23rd, ending with lunch on 5th), soft drinks at meal times, bottled water throughout, transport throughout by mini-coach, 4x4 activities, boat trip, reserve entrance fees, domestic flights and international flights. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flight from London Heathrow to Bangkok using the scheduled services of Thai International Airways. Outbound flight departs late morning and return flight arrives back early evening. Domestic flights from Manchester and other UK airports are available on this tour. See booking form for details.

15 nights including two overnight flights: Principal leader: Local guide: Maximum group size: Cost with discount (if you book before 9th October 2020): Full Cost: Deposit:

22nd Jan. to 6th Feb. 2021 John McLoughlin Wichyanan Jay 10 clients with one leader and a local guide £4690 per person sharing (£490 single supplement) £4840 per person sharing £1000 per person