Return to trip reports.Between 6 and 14 May 1999, I made a short visit from Ireland to Thailand, the main aim of which was to see the critically endangered Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi at Khao Nor Chuchi. Since visiting Thailand in December 1996, when I failed to see this species or any other pitta in the Khao Nor Chuchi/Khao Phra Bang Khram area, I had always been anxious to make a return visit. This visit proved to be successful and I managed to obtain a number of reasonable sightings of Gurney's during my stay, although satisfactory views of a male eluded me until my last day at the site. I also had time at the end of the trip to visit the mangroves at Krabi.
The highlight on this short trip was hearing and seeing 5 species of pitta. Other good birds were Malaysian Honeyguide, Cinnamon-rumped Trogon, Wallace's Hawk Eagle, Brown Wood Owl, Green and Banded Broadbills, Crested Jay and Ruddy Kingfisher. In addition Javan Frogmouth and Bay Owl were heard but not seen. Unsatisfactory views were obtained of a Rufous-collared Kingfisher. A total of 106 species (some of these heard only) was recorded. However a large species list was neither sought nor expected on this short trip.
The plight of Gurney's Pitta and it's habitat, the last patch of lowland rainforest in Thailand at Khao Nor Chuchi has been relatively widely publicised in recent years. Much current information and links about the species can be found at the following Oriental Bird Club web-pages:
http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/savegurneyspitta/index.html
http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/savegurneyspitta/news.html
The species was rediscovered at Khao Nor Chuchi in 1986 (when subsequent surveys estimated up to 34 pairs to be present). Current estimates are that only about 12 pairs remain in the entire area (survey from April-June 2000). Most of these pairs however are in areas of secondary growth outside of the main Wildlife Sanctuary. These areas are in National Reserve Forest and are subject to intense pressure for conversion to oil-palm and rubber plantations. Indeed, during my visit birds near the 'Boundary Trail' were calling only metres away from the edge of an oil-palm plantation with still smouldering charcoal in one corner (presumably wood taken from the forest). Small traps laid for mammals can also pose problems for the birds.
In 2000, very few sightings were apparently made of Gurney's Pitta on Trail U (which was the most reliable trail during my visit in 1999). It appears that the birds' territories change every year, so one year can be totally different to the next.
In May 1999 the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy (DANCED) terminated its 4 year project on the conservation of Khao Nor Chuchi. The Oriental Bird Club has now become the main outside agent acting to protect Khao Nor Chuchi. Prospective visitors to Khao Nor Chuchi should contact the OBC Conservation Officer (Marcus Kohler at time of writing) for more details.
The flight cost me IRP£449 + £5 tax (c. 576 Euros). It was a charter flight with Britannia which flew directly from Dublin to Phuket (via Abu Dhabi). This was run by Budget Travel in Dublin. This direct charter to Thailand from Dublin appears to have been a once-off event in 1999 however, and hasn't been repeated since.
At Khao Nor Chuchi I stayed at the Riverside House Bungalows. These are very basic (simple bamboo huts with a mat and mosquito net provided) but the owners were helpful and friendly, and the food was reasonably good. The price of 300 Baht (at the time of my visit Stg.£1 = c. 55 Baht) full board included three meals per day, though I often skipped breakfast to be on the trails by dawn. Washing facilities were very basic with a basic toilet and non-plumbed shower. It was all part of the experience however! A Birders' Logbook is also to be found here giving details of all recent sightings of Gurney's Pitta and any other interesting species.
New accommodation has now been built nearby, and reports are that it is reasonably priced and quite an improvement. The details are:
Morakot Resort
15 M002 Klongtom, Bangtio Road
Klongtomnua, Klongtom
Krabi 81120, Thailand.
Tel. (01) 228 1475
(01) 415 1982
Generally very hot and humid throughout, but being in the forest for much of the time meant that it was relatively cooler. I experienced heavy rain on two days at Khao Nor Chuchi.
Public transport is good and efficient in Thailand, and travelling around is fairly easy. With a day's notice the people at the Riverside House Bungalows were able to organise transport back to Krabi at a cost of 600 Baht (relatively expensive), but it was quicker and more direct than the motor cycle taxi and public bus I used to get to the site.
Khao Nor Chuchi (KNC) is the last significant remnant patch of lowland rainforest in Thailand and the only known place in the world to see the critically endangered and spectacular Gurney's Pitta. The Khao Nor Chuchi/Khao Phra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary and National Reserve Forest are found adjacent to the village of Ban Bang Tieo. Bang Tieo is best accessed from the small town of Khlong Thom about 40km south of Krabi, being about 18km to the east of Khlong Thom. Part of the route from Khlong Thom is paved, but it soon becomes dirt road for the major part. Signs to the reserve are to be found at most of the various junctions en route to Bang Tieo.
Various narrow trails coded by letters exist throughout the Wildlife Sanctuary (WS) and the nearby National Reserve Forest (NRF). The primary forest of the Sanctuary seems to have a greater diversity of bird species than the secondary and sometimes degraded forest of the NRF. Gurney's Pitta however favours these areas of secondary growth, and the majority of the remaining birds are actually to be found outside of the protected WS.
During my short visit to Krabi I only had time to visit the mangroves here, the main aim being to see the elusive and rare Masked Finfoot. Unfortunately I failed to see it.The legendary Mr. Dai can usually be found near the floating restaurants in Krabi. Mr. Dai can be hired to bring you into the mangroves in his motorised canoe to search for specialities such as the Finfoot, Mangrove Pitta, Ruddy and Brown-winged Kingfisher, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and White-chested Babbler.
Mr. Dai can also bring you out to the offshore fish-traps and sand-bars where Nordmann's Greenshank and Great Knot occur amongst the large numbers of wintering waders. At the time of my visit however most of the waders would have departed north.
The island of Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Don) can also be visited by ferry from Krabi. Outside the breeding season the fantastic sight of hundreds of Christmas Island and Lesser Frigatebirds filling the skys as the go to roost on the Ko Bida islets offshore is spectacular. (Hire a small boat from Phi Phi Don out towards Ko Bida for good views).
In Krabi, the Chan Phen tourist office/shop (formerly Mrs. Lee's Cafe) just up and across the road from the floating restaurants is very helpful at arranging bus tickets, accommodation, tickets for ferry to Ko Phi Phi etc. They also have a Birders' Logbook where recent sightings can be checked.
Thanks to David Cooper for regular updates on Gurney's Pitta sightings obtained from various sources prior to my visit. Ron Johns, Dave Sargeant, and David Russell also supplied useful information by e-mail.
| 6 May | Dublin to Abu Dhabi. Onward flight to Phuket. |
| 7 May | Bus from Phuket to Khlong Thom. Motor cycle taxi to Ban Bang Tieo. Khao Nor Chuchi (KNC) in afternoon/evening. |
| 8-11 May | KNC |
| 12 May | KNC. Left for Krabi at 15.00hrs. |
| 13 May | Krabi mangroves in morning. Bus to Phuket in afternoon. |
| 14 May | Flew from Phuket to Abu Dhabi. Onward flight to Dublin, arriving Dublin in evening. |
Left Dublin Airport on Britannia charter flight to Phuket at 09.15 hrs. After 8 hours flying had a re-fuelling stop in Abu Dhabi for one hour. Darkness had fallen, so no 'birding' to be done from the terminal building. Continued onward to Phuket, a further 6 hours flight from Abu Dhabi. A particularly long journey overall compared to scheduled flights.
Arrived Phuket at 06.15hrs. local time. Due to long queues, passport control and luggage collection took a further 1.5 hours to clear. Took a taxi outside the airport towards Phuket to get to the bus station. After some time driving, the taxi driver noted an oncoming bus going to Krabi and Trang. A quick U-turn and we drove ahead of the bus. This saved a bit of time and I was happy enough to pay him the full taxi rate to Phuket bus station, an expensive 350 Baht. Bus fare all the way to Khlong Thom was a mere 70 Baht. Arrived Khlong Thom in the early afternoon after a fairly slow journey with a number of stops en route.
Enquired at a nearby fruit market about a motor cycle 'taxi' to Ban Bang Tieo and within two minutes I was on the way to the Riverside Bungalows at Bang Tieo on the back of a bike. This cost 100 Baht. Arrived at Bang Tieo at about 14.00hrs.
Met birders Dion Hobcroft and Gerry Richards from Australia on arriving at the Riverside House Bungalows (the only visiting birders I was to meet during my entire stay in Thailand). The good news was that they had seen a male Gurney's Pitta briefly on Trail U during their stay with the help of Yothin Meekaeo, who was working for the Project here. They had been hearing a few Gurney's calling regularly each evening in the Trail U/Boundary Trail area during their stay. This calling had no doubt been elicited by recent bouts of heavy rain which had fallen in the area.
After dumping my gear in one of the small bamboo huts, I left the Bungalows and walked the 1.5 or so kilometres up the Trail U/Boundary Trail area. By now it was very hot in the late afternoon sunshine. Heard a Crested Serpent Eagle calling and a Vernal Hanging Parrot flying over. On reaching the forest, two Black-and-yellow Broadbills were calling high in the treetops but no views were had. Cicadas were calling from everywhere and it felt good to be back in the rainforest again. Went someway down Trail U but birds were few and far between. Stayed at a dense spiny-palm filled gully for a while, as a male Gurney's had been seen regularly at this spot in recent months. Two Scaly-crowned Babblers and two Puff-throated Babblers were noted in the forest but little else.
Later on, Dion and Gerry arrived. In the course of the evening we moved between Trail U and the Boundary Trail and heard at least 2 and possibly up to 3 Gurney's calling from off the trail. All attempts at seeing one failed, the birds invariably calling from a fair distance off the trail from dense and totally impenetrable undergrowth. Also the birds seemed to be very mobile often moving some distance between bouts of calling. Only birds seen were an Asian Paradise Flycatcher and a Rufous-winged Flycatcher.
Towards dusk went up the main dirt road towards the ridge with Dion and Gerry to try for a Bay Owl which had recently been reported from here in the Birders' Logbook at the Riverside Bungalows. After walking a few kilometres we reached the highest point of the road. After some time we heard the owl calling, frustratingly close to the road, but it never gave any views. Other species heard were Collared Scops Owl, and a Javan Frogmouth heard briefly. This was certainly a day when all the best birds were 'heard only'.
Up for breakfast at 05.30hrs. Went from here to Trail U. Met Dion and Gerry after a while. Along the U Trail and the nearby Boundary Trail we heard at least 3 calling Gurney's during the morning.
I decided to sit it out at the gully, and the others went further along the U Trail. After sitting here for a number of hours, a brief 3 second view was obtained of a male Gurney's, hopping quickly through the undergrowth at about 11.00hrs. It was relatively distant however. The pressure was now off, but the brevity of the view left me wanting to see a lot more of the bird. This was further fuelled when I met Dion soon afterwards. Earlier in the morning he had had prolonged views of another calling male Gurney's 2m up in a tree a good distance further along the trail.
At about mid-day went back to Riverside Bungalows for lunch. Extremely hot and humid on emerging from the relative coolness of the forest trails. A Blue-winged Pitta was calling from the trees across from The Riverside Bungalows. After a few minutes a nice view was obtained of the bird sitting high in the trees. Dion and Gerry left for Krabi soon after lunch in a vehicle organised from the Bungalows.
In the afternoon I returned to Trail U and proceeded from there to Trail N. Birding was good with the highlight being nice views of a female Banded Pitta along Trail N. In the late evening at least 3 Gurney's Pittas were once again heard at various points around the Trail U and Boundary Trail areas. However any attempts to 'go in' after the birds were thwarted by the impenetrable nature of the vegetation. Other birds noted were a Little Spiderhunter and 2 Black-and-yellow Broadbills seen well.
Back at the Riverside Bungalows that night I met Yothin Meekaeo and arranged to hire him as guide for the next day. This was going to cost US$100, far and away the most expensive single financial outlay during the trip. He charged Dion and Gerry US$120 between them, but I got a 'reduction' since I was on my own.
Had breakfast at the Riverside Bungalows at 05.30hrs. Yothin arrived at 06.00hrs. in a 4WD vehicle. We first went to Trail U and the Boundary Trail where we heard a single Gurney's calling. Went 'off trail' a number of times with Yothin during the morning trying to see this bird, but unfortunately it proved too elusive. By late morning things had quietened down in this area, and we decided to enter the main Wildlife Sanctuary to try to notch up some more species on Trails B and C. Highlights were a female Cinnamon-rumped Trogon calling away right at head height, a Wallace's Hawk Eagle with a lizard and nice views of Maroon Woodpecker. With Yothin's experienced ears we heard a number of species (but failed to see them) such as Red-crowned Barbet, Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo, Banded Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Dark-throated Oriole, Black-capped Babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler and Fulvous-chested Flycatcher.
Returned to the Riverside for lunch. Afterwards drove with Yothin to the Malaysian Honeyguide stake-out, a remote area, a number of kilometres from the reserve. This area would have been impossible to find without local knowledge. Apparently this lone male Honeyguide has sat in its tree calling for a mate for a number of years without success. According to Yothin there are only known to be a handful of pairs left in Thailand. He knew of only one other, even more inaccessible site in Thailand to see it. When we arrived at the specific tree in the forest, there was no sign of the bird. After about an hour of waiting however we heard a mechanical buzzing sound, and there it was, a drab and featureless bird. Good views were had however, and the olivey shoulder patch was even noted. Also seen nearby was a Green Broadbill.
In the evening went back to look for owls with Yothin along the road at Khao Nor Chuchi. We did hear a young Brown Wood Owl and after going in to the forest a small way, managed to get a view of it with the torches.
Up at 04.20hrs. Decided to skip breakfast in order to be on site at the gully on Trail U before dawn which was about 06.00hrs. At about 07.15hrs a movement in the gully eventually revealed itself as a two second glimpse of a fleeting female Gurney's Pitta. I could hear a male call intermittently nearby, and it seemed to be moving around a lot, but unfortunately it didn't show. Moved over towards the Boundary Trail side of the gully and after a few hours got a single 20 second view of the female Gurney's from here, the golden buff coloured crown being strikingly obvious. Again the male was calling nearby intermittently for a while but there was no chance of going in to try for it in the impenetrable spiny palms. Later on another male was heard from degraded secondary growth further along the U Trail/Boundary Trail junction.
At 13.15hrs. returned to the Riverside Bungalows for lunch. Went into the Wildlife Sanctuary in the afternoon and went up Trail B. For some reason or another I missed the junction to the right for Trail C and the loop around to the old HQ area, and continued onward along Trail B. Having then gone so far I just kept going, expecting to find my way to the old HQ eventually.
After some hours of hard going, emerged from the forest into some rubber and oil-palm plantations, and after crossing various fields of these, eventually found a main track. Was relieved to see a local man and tried to ask some directions to Bang Tieo. Turned out I was on the road which leads back down towards that area. A relief, as it was now heading towards 17.00hrs. Heavy rain began at 18.00hrs. as I got further down the ridge towards Bang Tieo. Eventually got back to Riverside Bungalows and found that I had got two bad leech bites.
Not much birding done in the latter stages of the afternoon as I had I turned most of my attention to finding the way back. Only afterwards after looking at Jan Vermeulen's trip report and sketch map of Khao Nor Chuchi did I realise I had gone the completely wrong way by missing Trail C and somehow ended up at the top of the main ridge out towards Phaen Din Samur by taking Trail B instead.
Got up at 04.30hrs and again skipped breakfast to be at the U Trail gully before dawn. This time I sat at the Boundary Trail side of the gully near where I'd had the reasonable view of the female yesterday. No pittas were seen or heard by 08.30 hrs. and I then decided to keep going further along the Boundary Trail. After going in after a calling Gurney's in secondary growth I managed after about an hour to get a reasonable 10-15 second view of the bird, a female, in a relatively open clear area as it hopped through the vegetation. Female's call was noticeably shorter and more truncated than that of the males.
Later on a whirring sound of wing beats from a second gully on Trail U as I walked the trail turned out to be a female Gurney's (presumably a second bird) quietly going in through the vegetation after it gave me a few fleeting views as it hopped away through the undergrowth.
Went towards Trail N and continued right towards Trail M. Nice views were had of a fantastic Blue-winged Pitta near a stream along this trail and less satisfactory views of two continuously calling Hooded Pittas. They just would not show.
Returned to Riverside Bungalows for lunch and then in the afternoon headed up to Trail B in the Wildlife Sanctuary. Someway up the trail frustratingly unsatisfactory views were obtained of a Rufous-collared Kingfisher. Yothin had tried along this same spot for it with me a few days previously but we had no success that day. Went down Trail C some way, before heading back towards the Riverside Bungalows. In the evening I went up the road from here about 1km (away from KNC and Bang Tieo) towards the river, a known 'stake-out' for Spotted Wood Owl. Unfortunately I had no success in seeing or hearing them. Back to Riverside Bungalows for dinner. Got them to arrange a vehicle for tomorrow at 15.00hrs. to bring me back to Krabi.
Up at 04.30hrs, skipping breakfast again. Arrived at gully on Trail U pre-dawn and sat tight. At c.7.30hrs. a movement from a dark area of the gully revealed itself as a stunning male Gurney's Pitta. It gave good views as it hopped along the slope above the gully before going out of sight behind a small mound of vegetation. It was all over in less than 30 seconds but still remains one of the greatest highlights in my birding life.
Then proceeded up to Trail B to try again for Rufous-collared Kingfisher, but no success here. Looped down to Trail C and then back onto road. Heavy rain began by 11.00hrs. and continued intermittently for the rest of my stay. Went back to Riverside Bungalows for lunch and packed up. 4WD Taxi arrived at 15.00hrs. for Krabi. With the rain falling, a 4WD was certainly necessary to get back to Khlong Thom on what had now become mud tracks.
No sign of Mr. Dai at the floating restaurants when I arrived at Krabi. Went up the Chan Phen Tourist shop to make enquiries. Got them to book me some accommodation at the Riverside Hotel (500Bht.). Through them booked 4 hrs. with Mr. Dai in the mangroves for tomorrow (07.00-11.00hrs.) (Apparently would have been cheaper if I had been able to go directly to Mr. Dai and arrange it myself). Also bought a bus ticket for Phuket, leaving at 14.00hrs. tomorrow.
One of the helpful brothers at Chan Phen then gave me a lift up to the Meritime Hotel on his motor cycle a few kilometres way. I had heard it was sometimes possible to see Mangrove Pitta in the mangroves to the rear of the hotel. Mosquitoes were horrendous near the mangroves but I soon heard a Mangove Pitta calling and after some time managed to get reasonable views of two of these brilliant birds. Towards dusk walked back the road to the Riverside Hotel and went out to a decent restaurant in Krabi, where the cuisine was a bit more upmarket than the River Bungalows which I had got used to at Khao Nor Chuchi.
Checked out of Riverside Hotel and went to Chan Phen Tourist office, arriving 06.30hrs. Left bags here and then went with Mr. Dai for 4 hours in the mangroves. Although there was a Masked Finfoot around (the Australians had seen one here on 3rd May), unfortunately we had no success. One of the problems was that the tide was high. Apparently the best hope is an early morning low tide. When the tide is high, too many fishing boats go deep into the mangroves. We did have good views of a Mangrove Pitta (thanks to Mr. Dai's whistling) and also had a brief but reasonable view of a Ruddy Kingfisher.
The Phuket bus arrived an hour late at 15.00hrs, much to the annoyance of some passengers who had flights to catch that evening. Bus dropped me at the airport at Phuket. Arranged a hotel room through the friendly airport staff at the tourist information desk (440 Bht. including collection from and a lift back to the airport tomorrow morning). Near my accommodation I heard a Mangrove Pitta, and at a small marsh nearby saw a Purple Swamphen and a few Lesser Whistling Ducks.
Arrived at the airport at 06.00hrs. for the 08.00hrs. flight back to Dublin via Abu Dhabi with Britannia. Over the last week I had certainly had a different experience of Thailand than the rest of the holidaymakers on the flight, who had all been staying in hotels and apartments in Phuket.
Stopped for an hour in Abu Dhabi where the outside temperature was 110°F (over 43°C). Only birds noted were a few Common Mynas Acridotheres tristis, Indian House Crows Corvus splendens and Laughing Doves Streptopelia senegalensis with a few House Sparrows Passer domesticus panting at the windows in the shade. Arrived back in Dublin in late evening.
The numbers listed beside the species are taken from the Field guide: A Guide to the Birds of Thailand Boonsong Lekagul and Philip D. Round. Saha Karn Bhaet Co. Ltd. 1991.
20. Pacific Reef Heron (Egret) (Egretta sacra)
Three dark phase birds seen near Krabi.
25. Little (Striated) Heron (Butorides striatus)
About five birds seen in the vicinity of the mangroves at Krabi.
67. Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica)
Eight seen flying over a small marsh on Phuket.
71. Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Two birds seen near Krabi.
78. Shikra (Accipiter badius)
A male seen at Khao Nor Chuchi on one occasion.
86. White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Seen on both days at Krabi with two birds seen on the first evening here.
90. Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
One seen at Khao Nor Chuchi on one occasion and three more heard during the trip.
94. Wallace's Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus nanus)
One seen with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi and two birds seen the following day
here. This species is classed as Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994).
154. White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
Two sightings around the Krabi area.
157. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
One seen at a small marsh on Phuket.
176. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
One seen near Krabi.
250. Thick-billed Pigeon (Treron curvirostra)
One recorded at Khao Nor Chuchi.
270. Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
A few recorded in degraded habitats.
271. Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)
A few seen en route to Krabi from Khao Nor Chuchi.
279. Vernal Hanging Parrot (Loriculus vernalis)
Heard calling overhead on four dates at Khao Nor Chuchi. Not seen.
285. Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo (Cuculus fugax)
A few heard at Khao Nor Chuchi but only one seen.
286. Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus)
Heard on three dates at Khao Nor Chuchi but never seen.
290. Banded Bay Cuckoo (Cacomantis sonneratii)
Heard on two dates at Khao Nor Chuchi but never seen.
291. Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus)
Heard on one date at Khao Nor Chuchi but not seen.
296. Drongo Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris)
One seen at Khao Nor Chuchi and another one heard here.
299. Chestnut-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus sumatranus)
One seen in mangroves at Krabi.
300. Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis)
One recorded near Bang Tieo.
301. Raffles' Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi.
302. Red-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus javanicus)
Two birds recorded at Khao Nor Chuchi.
303. Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris)
Two seen at Khao Nor Chuchi, one near Krabi.
305. Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
Four single individuals noted during the trip.
308. Bay Owl (Phodilus badius)
One heard calling at Khao Nor Chuchi on first evening here but not seen.
314. Collared Scops Owl (Otus lempiji)
One bird heard on two consecutive evenings in vicinity of Riverside
Bungalows at Bang Tieo, but not seen.
323. Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica)
A juvenile bird was spotlighted with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi one evening.
329. Javan Frogmouth (Batrachostomus javensis)
One heard calling fairly distantly on first evening at Khao Nor Chuchi
but not seen.
338. Cinnamon-rumped Trogon (Harpactes orrhophaeus)
A calling female showed very well on Trail B with Yothin at Khao
Nor Chuchi.
340. Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios)
At Khao Nor Chuchi a female was seen on Trail B on one occasion.
349. Banded Kingfisher (Lacedo pulchella)
One heard calling on day out with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi.
350. Brown-winged Kingfisher (Halcyon amauroptera)
Four birds seen with Mr. Dai in the mangroves at Krabi. This species is
classed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
352. Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda)
One seen in the mangroves at Krabi with Mr. Dai.
353. White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
One seen and another heard in the mangroves at Krabi.
355. Collared Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris)
Three birds seen near Krabi.
356. Rufous-collared Kingfisher (Actenoides concretus)
Unsatisfactory and brief views of a bird on one occasion along Trail
B at Khao Nor Chuchi.
360. Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)
Two birds seen near Krabi.
361. Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi. Not seen.
364. Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
One seen in the mangroves at Krabi.
381. Gold-whiskered Barbet (Megalaima chrysopogon)
Heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi. Not seen.
382. Red-crowned Barbet (Megalaima rafflesii)
Heard four days in a row at Khao Nor Chuchi but not seen. This species
is classed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
388. Blue-eared Barbet (Megalaima australis)
Heard almost daily at Khao Nor Chuchi but not seen.
390. Brown Barbet (Calorhamphus fuliginosus)
About seven seen near the Malaysian Honeyguide site near Khao Nor Chuchi.
391. Malaysian Honeyguide (Indicator archipelagicus)
One bird singing in forest a few kilometres away from Khao Nor Chuchi,
one of the few sites left in Thailand for this species. This species is
classed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
398. Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense)
One seen in the mangroves at Krabi.
403. Streak-breasted Woodpecker (Picus viridanus)
A male seen with Yothin on Trail B at Khao Nor Chuchi and another bird
(unsexed) two days later near here.
413. Maroon Woodpecker (Blythipicus rubiginosus)
About six heard and one seen at Khao Nor Chuchi.
430. Banded Broadbill (Eurylaimus javanicus)
One seen well and heard calling along Trail B at Khao Nor Chuchi.
431. Black-and-yellow Broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus)
Heard on three dates at Khao Nor Chuchi. Two birds seen well on
one occasion.
434. Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis)
Four birds heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi, one of which was seen.
Another heard two days later.
438. Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis)
Two birds seen well at Khao Nor Chuchi/Bang Tieo and probably another
three heard. Birds were calling regularly from the vegetation around the
Riverside Bungalows in the middle of the day.
439. Mangrove Pitta (Pitta megarhyncha)
Two birds seen well in mangroves behind the Meritime Hotel at Krabi.
Another seen well with Mr. Dai on the mangrove boat trip the next day. One
also heard calling on Phuket. This species is classed as Near-threatened
by Collar et al. (1994).
441. Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida)
2 birds heard calling and seen very briefly on Trail M on one occasion.
Two recorded on Trail B the next day, one bird of which gave a reasonable but
brief view.
444. Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana)
One female seen well along Trail N and a blip view of a calling bird along
Trail B. About 4-5 were heard in total at Khao Nor Chuchi but they proved to be
very elusive, though most of my concentration went into seeing the next
species...
445. Gurney's Pitta (Pitta gurneyi)
Possibly as many as three
females seen on a number of occasions and two different views of
what was presumably the same male at a gully on Trail U. All birds
in the vicinity of the Trail U and Boundary Trail areas. None were
recorded in the Wildlife Sanctuary itself. At least three or possibly
four pairs were thought to be present in this area with birds
regularly calling after dawn and in the evening throughout my stay.
This species is classed as Critical by Collar et al. (1994).
447. Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus)
Seen almost daily at Khao Nor Chuchi when I left the forest.
451. Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis)
Two birds seen near Krabi.
455. House Swift (Apus affinis)
Recorded in urban and suburban areas at the beginning and end of the trip.
460. Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne coronata)
Up to four seen near Khao Nor Chuchi/Bang Tieo and another three near
Krabi.
467. Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Common at Krabi.
469. Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica)
Three seen near Krabi.
477. Richard's Pipit/Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae)
Two birds seen near Krabi.
488. Large Woodshrike (Tephrodornis virigatus)
One bird seen at Khao Nor Chuchi.
503. Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
Seen on a few occasions at Khao Nor Chuchi.
506. Lesser Green Leafbird (Chloropsis cyanopogon)
One female seen at Khao Nor Chuchi.
514. Black-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps)
A few seen at Khao Nor Chuchi/Bang Tieo.
515. Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus)
Two seen near Bang Tieo.
522. Puff-backed Bulbul (Pycnonotus eutilotus)
Three recorded at Khao Nor Chuchi.
533. Ochraceous Bulbul (Criniger ochraceus)
Seen regularly near Bang Tieo.
535. Yellow-bellied Bulbul (Criniger phaeocephalus)
Two seen near Khao Nor Chuchi.
540. Buff-vented Bulbul (Hypsipites charlottae)
Two seen near Khao Nor Chuchi.
546. Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)
Two seen near Krabi.
552. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
One seen near Krabi.
553. Dark-throated Oriole (Oriolus xanthonotus)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi, but not seen.
559. Asian Fairy Bluebird (Irena puella)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi, but not seen.
560. Crested Jay (Platylophus galericulatus)
One seen well on Trail M at Khao Nor Chuchi.
569. Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
Four seen en route to Khao Nor Chuchi from Phuket.
583. Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps)
Three birds recorded at Khao Nor Chuchi in total.
584. Black-capped Babbler (Pellorneum capistratum)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi, but not seen.
589. Ferruginous Babbler (Trichastoma bicolor)
Three birds seen at Khao Nor Chuchi on one day only. This species is
classed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
591. Abbott's Babbler (Trichastoma abbotti)
Seen and heard a few times at Khao Nor Chuchi throughout the visit.
592. Moustached Babbler (Malacopteron magnirostre)
Two birds seen at Khao Nor Chuchi on one day only.
594. Scaly-crowned Babbler (Malacopteron cinereum)
Recorded on two dates at Khao Nor Chuchi, with a maximum of four
birds one day.
595. Rufous-crowned Babbler (Malacopteron magnum)
Two birds seen at Khao Nor Chuchi on two different dates.
598. White-browed Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus schisticeps)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi, but not seen.
616. Chestnut-winged Babbler (Stachyris erythroptera)
Seen fairly regularly at Khao Nor Chuchi, with a maximum of six birds
noted one day.
617. Striped Tit-babbler (Macronous gularis)
Two birds seen at Khao Nor Chuchi.
697. Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris)
Two seen near Bang Tieo.
701. Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Three recorded in Khao Nor Chuchi/Bang Tieo area.
703. Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus sepium)
One seen in the mangroves near Krabi.
729. Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis)
One or two seen daily near Bang Tieo. Two seen near Krabi.
730. White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
Recorded on four dates at Khao Nor Chuchi, with a maximum of two birds
seen on any day.
767. Fulvous-chested Flycatcher (Rhinomyias olivacea)
One heard with Yothin at Khao Nor Chuchi, but not seen.
803. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)
Two birds seen at Khao Nor Chuchi one day and a single male seen here
another day.
808. Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica)
One seen in the mangroves near Krabi.
809. Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)
Regularly heard and seen a few times at Khao Nor Chuchi.
810. Rufous-winged Flycatcher (Philentoma pyrhopterum)
Recorded on four dates at Khao Nor Chuchi, with a maximum count of two
bird one day.
813. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
One or two seen almost daily at Khao Nor Chuchi. Both white and rufous
morph birds seen.
832. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
One or two recorded around Bang Tieo. Seen also near Krabi.
840. Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Anthreptes singalensis)
Two seen near Krabi.
852. Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
One bird seen at Khao Nor Chuchi.
867. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
One male seen near Bang Tieo.
873. Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Recorded around Krabi.
885. Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
About eight birds recorded around Krabi.