December was a very busy time for me, with a large number of school projects and traveling, which left little time for birding. However, what I did get what satisfying.
Two Eurasian Kestrel were seen hunting for swiftlets near the Honda showroom on Chao Fah road on the evening of the 12th. On the same evening a Common Buzzard was seen in the vicinity, displaying its characteristic ability to hover while in search of food.
Highlights from a trip to Phang Nga on the 11th included three Lesser Fish Eagles, a pair of Golden Crested Mynas and a male Mugimaki Flycatcher from Sri Phang Nga National Park. A Chinese Egret, a Grey Tailed Tattler and a Nordman’s Greenshank were found at Laem Pakarang and some 200 Orange Breasted Green Pigeons were seen at Thai Muang Golf course in the afternoon. All this and more can be found in the report.
A Great Hornbill was seen in flight over Sirinat National Park Northern Sector near Sarasin bridge in Phuket on the early morning of the 22nd. Its origins are unknown and how it came to the northern part of the island remains a mystery.
Black necked Grebe was present at Beung Boraphet since the 22nd of December, but mysteriously disappeared on the 28th, the day I went out to find it.
Eight Oriental Darter and an Osprey highlighted the trip to Beung Boraphet on the 27th, while a trip to the Chai Nat Bird Park on the same day revealed a large colony of some seven pairs of nesting Painted Stork. The colony no doubt is partly comprised of birds which escaped from the aviary, meaning that this feral population may soon become a thriving colony, giving new life to this uncommon and oft persecuted species. To read the entire report, click here.
A Western Marsh Harrier and a Black Thighed Falconet were seen flying together in the rice fields near Tesco Lotus Singburi on the 23rd.
The most exciting record of the month comes from Ian Dugdale who reported a sighting of a Chestnut cheeked Starling and a Rosy Starling in the presence of a group of Chestnut tailed Starlings at Thai Muang Golf Course in Phang Nga on the 28th.
Happy New Year everyone!
