Spoonies, Nordmann’s, Asian Dowitchers etc........

25-31 Jan - A short visit to Thailand courtesy of part of the Wildwings trip, and a flurry of eastern waders with a large supporting cast. Starting at Lam Phak Bia saltpans, huge flocks of eastern shorebird species were wintering, including the “big three” - Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank and Asian Dowitcher - together with a supporting cast of Marsh Sandpipers, Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, hundreds of Great Knot, with Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Pacific Golden and Grey Plovers, and good numbers of Wood Sandpipers and Spotted Redshanks. A coastal boat in the mangroves to a sandspit took us a short way offshore where Caspian and Crested Terns were roosting, and Malaysian and White-fronted Plovers scurried along the beach. In contrast, a couple of days at Kaeng Krachan forest gave us views of Broadbills, Falconets and colourful Woodpeckers, with mammals including very smart Dusky Langurs. As always in forest, myriad birds are calling, and not always seen - exotic species like Malkohas appear then disappear, and feeding flocks move through the canopy. We glimpsed an Indian Elephant at a waterhole from the vehicle, but it moved off immediately. The farmland areas are also very productive, with wet corners and ditches supporting Pond Herons and waders as well as Bee-Eaters and Kingfishers, and a very showy Purple Heron at one spot. The Buddhist culture means there is no or very little hunting, so birds in general are rather confiding. Calling Yellow-browed Warblers in their winter quarters are a reminder of home! A long way to go, but a great trip with many memories, massed wader flocks circling and Painted Storks gliding over in the morning light, as well as 3 Spoon-billed Sandpipers seen feeding at fairly close range, the sewing machine action of the Dowitchers with their black bills, and the ghostly Nordmann’s Greenshanks alongside their commoner cousins. Lots of photos that be sorted.........