Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush

During my short trip to Thailand last month, I visited Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctuary, a nice quiet place not too far from Mae Wong National Park.

While I wander in the park, I saw four Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (Garrulax monileger) having their bonding time while taking sun bath.

However, their peaceful moment were interrupted by an uninvited guest - a monitor lizard!
After sending their chicks to safety, the parents take turn to attack the monitor lizard.
The attacks continue non-stop for few minutes by both the parents. The monitor lizard move away at last.
The family are still on alert even after the monitor lizard move away.
The parents decided to move their chicks to a higher place before they go and look for food. The chicks follow their parents to a nearby branch.
After settle their chicks on the tree branch, the parents leave to look for food.
Both parents come back with food.
First to the chick on the left.
Follow by the chick on the right.
The parents treat both of their chicks fairly. Each time they come back with food, both of their chicks will be fed.

When the food are abundant, all chicks are treated fairly without bias or sacrificing the weaker or slower chick. Even the tamest bird can be very aggressive and will not hesitate to protect their chick during nesting period. So, when you are 'harass' by birds, you might have step into their comfort zone of the nesting area. If that happen, just back off and leave the bird alone.

Hanging Darter

What a slow & painful way to go for this Oriental Darter.

Just a fishing line... enough to get this beautiful bird entangled and killed!

Birding at Bung Boraphet, Thailand

Bung Boraphet is a man made reservoir originating from a natural basin situated close to the city of Nakhon Sawan, where the two rivers, Mae Nam Nan and Mae Nam Ping meet. During wet season, the size can reach to 600 sq km which is very close to the size of Singapore! It is also one of the biggest wetland in Thailand.

The majority of the people living around the lake/reservoir gain their livelihood from both farming and fishing and the lake is the largest source of fishery products for central Thailand.

Bung Boraphet is also an Important Bird Areas(IBA). Birding can be done with renting a boat and explore this areaon your own pace. This place can be visited in any season but visit during birds migratory period will see more species.

Once you leave the jetty, you will be welcomed by the sea of lotus & hundreds of birds!

This pair of Black Crown Night Heron is preparing to breed.

Black Drongo perch on the vantage point looking for unlucky flying insects for breakfast.

I've lost count of the number of Darter after 5 minutes. There are so many of them!

Chinese Pond Heron taking flight when we come closer.

It can't be denied that Cotton Pygmy-Goose are very beautiful & cute!

Pheasant-Tailed Jacana is in breeding plumage too! Look at the long tail!

A very skittish Bronze Winged Jacana.

It may looks like Grey Heron but it is a Asian Openbill.

Little Cormorant is looking for food in the reservoir.

The Little Grebe.

Black Winged Stilt just look at us while we cruise pass them.

Flock of Pied Kingfisher fly pass us on the top.

A not so common Glossy Ibis.

I didn't realise that Purple Swamp Hen can actually hold their prey with their leg!

This place was badly hit by the flood last year! The water mark on the roof of the building give the indication of the seriousness of the flood.