North Thailand Trip - Day 3 San Ju Point Part 1

Our plan today is to explore the Eastern Slope of Doi Lang. Not too long ago, Eastern & Western Slope are link and we are allowed to bird at both side without the need to detour to East Gate to access the Eastern Slope. Heavy military presence today means we have to travel additional near to 200km to visit the other side of the national park. 

As usual, we stop by a market to get breakfast and lunch.

These noodle will be our lunch for today.

The people here are all very friendly. We also get some dessert and as with most Asean countries, palm sugar is one of the main ingredients.

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We have pan cake & 'you tiao' for breakfast.

We arrived at the East Gate slightly early at 6.55am

We arrived at the paddy field after driving about 10 mins from the gate.

We saw some swallow & long tail shrike.

We stop at Sun Ju View Point for some nice view. The mountain at the background is Myanmar. We are again so close to the Thai-Myanmar border.

As we move higher, more pine tree are seen and is a good area to look for nuthatch.

Cherry blossom is blooming and form a very beautiful pink canopy.

More scenic view with the insanely blue sky.

Saw these 'mini watermelon' kind of egg plant on the road side. I have no idea of the actual name.

We stop at this check point for coffee break and there are some nice bird around here too... (to be continued.)

Cutia The North Thailand Star Bird - Day 2 Part 2

We continue our birding at Doi Lang after lunch and the first bird that we saw is this Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus).

This Long-Tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) that perch in the open is like welcome us back to Doi Lang.

So as this Spot-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis guttaticollis) that announce his presence with very loud call.

 A pair of Grey Bush Chat (Saxicola ferreus) with the male on the higher perch.

This Hill Prinia (Prinia atrogularis) make a quick appearance before disappear into thick vegetation.

We also saw this Rusty Cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys) flippinf dry leaf searching for food.

Siberian Ruby Throat (Luscinia calliope) that with a very bright throat.

During this migratory period, one of the very common bird at the North Thailand is this Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata).

While we on the way back to Fang, this Mrs. Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) about to call it a day too. We just in time to see them cross the road.

The sun is setting when we finally leave Doi Lang. Another very fruitful day at Doi Lang!

Cutia The North Thailand Star Bird - Day 2

We off to Doi Lang on Day 2 before sun rise so that we will arrive our sestination when the birds are most active.

We stop by at a convenient store to grab some snacks and drinks. Just realised that Chinese New Year is coming soon. The Chinese New Year greetings appear on some of the bottled drinks in this Land of Smile!

Just in time to see this shy Mountain Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytchii) feeding under the vegetation.

Another great sight at Doi Lang is the presence of large conifers plants including this pine tree.

We stop by a fruiting tree that attracted lots of birds. One of them is the Red-crowned Barbet (Megalaima rafflesii)

Another bird species that worth mentioning is this Cutia (Cutia nipalensis). What a big surprise to see this bird here. When you try to look for them, they are no where to be found. Thanks for this fruiting tree and they make a quick appearance before they are gone again.

One of the must see sun bird when coming to North Thailand is this Mrs. Gould's Sunbird Sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae)

Another "star" bird of this trip is this Ultramarine Flycatcher (Ficedula superciliaris). This bird return to the same spot that I first saw it last year!

We spent another few minutes with this flycatcher before we head for lunch just outside the national park.

We have papaya salad & fried rice. Is certainly an enjoyable experience birding at this wonderful place. We will continue our birding later in the afternoon... (to be continued)

2016 North Thailand Trip - Day 1

Ever since I first visited Chiang Mai few years ago, visit this part of Thailand during their winter has become my annual affair. The weather here during winter is just what I like the most. Not too cold, people here are friendly, good food and of course lots of nice place to visit!

Chiang Mai International Airport provide direct access to North Thailand hence cut down at least 8 hours of travel time by road from Bangkok.

After we left airport, Khao Soi (Thailand's curry noodle) is the first thing is what we are after! Available only at North Thailand, how can we not have it for lunch.

 I have Khao Soi Gai, chicken curry noodle. The noodle also come with beef and pork.

Doi Ang Khang is our next destination after our lunch. We stop by an canal and saw my 1st bird of our trip - Wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) This is also my lifer or new species of bird that I have not seen before. Guess is a good start of my birding in 2016.

 One of the many temple that we saw along the way...

We were greeted by this beautiful lady in traditional attire at the entrance of the Doi Ang Khang Royal Agriculture Station.

 Cherry blossom is at full bloom!

Japan is one of the country to visit to experience Cheery Blossom blooming but not the only one. Thailand is another country that one should not miss during this period.

 Lots of other flower & plants in the garden too!

What a beautiful background to have couple shots!

While in the garden, this Red-throated flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla) trying to get my attention. From branch to branch and sing quite loud too.

 This Slaty-blue Flycatcher (Ficedula Hodgsonii) quietly perch at a corner.

At times the garden was quite crowded, that did not stop this Grey wagtail from finding food on the grass.

 We cross over to the market just beside the garden.

This is one good place to buy all kind of nuts & preserved fruits. I bought my almond nuts from here too.

 Wine of special flavor is available for those who wants to try something different.

We leave Doi Ang Khang just when the sun is setting. Doi Ang Khang, what a beautiful place to visit and re-visit again.