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Birdtour Asia Thailand Custom Tour December 2006
Green Peafowl, Huai Hong Krai Royal Project
Arriving at the renowned ‘Summit Marsh’, high on Doi Inthanon shortly after dawn was a chilly experience. The birds were evidently feeling the cold too, as Silver-eared Laughingthrushes (a recent split from the ‘Chestnut-crowned’ complex), Blue Whistling-Thrush, Chestnut-tailed Minlas and Black-backed Sibias all came down to feed on scraps left out by tourists. Nearby a pair of Rufous-throated Partridges showed equally well, as they sat tight in the undergrowth, assuming we had not seen them. We spent 3 days birding the various trails at a variety of altitudes at Doi Inthanon allowing us to appreciate the different habitat zones and resultant avifaunas in this fascinating area. We birded the Summit area twice in the early mornings and although the cold weather had evidently pushed certain species further down the mountain than usual, Ashy-throated Leaf-Warbler, Yellow-browed Tit and Green-tailed Sunbird were only seen here, in active feeding flocks but Yellow-bellied Fantails had moved lower down and were commonly encountered several kilometres below here. As usual we spent much of our time in the vicinity of the Jeep track at KM37 and some of the more secretive forest dwellers were found along here; Dark-sided Thrush appeared on 3 occasions, once perched in full view, while a pair of Black-breasted Thrushes fed below a fruiting tree with the male being particularly showy. This fruiting tree was full of birds; Himalayan Black Bulbuls being particularly conspicuous with the occasional White-headed Bulbul, a flock of 35 Wedge-tailed Pigeons made an appearance and Golden-throated Barbets eventually gave themselves up as they gorged themselves on the ripened fruit. The odd Eye-browed Thrush and Blue Whistling-Thrush made appearances and frustratingly just a single Green Cochoa was heard but not seen nearby. Along the forest floor, Rusty-naped Pitta put in two appearances, once showing very well close to the roadside as it quietly hopped through the undergrowth and Asian Stubtail, Pygmy Wren-babbler and Slaty-bellied Tesia were all seen once. Feeding flocks passed through the undergrowth and mid-canopy; Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Rufous-backed Sibia, White-bellied Erpornis, Short-billed & Grey-chinned Minivets all making occasional appearances and Brown-throated Treecreeper was twice found in tow.
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