The Krabi Mangrove Nature Trail was built by the municipality to help educate the youth regarding the diversity of the mangroves and the importance of preserving the natural environment. Sadly, this noble intention has been largely ignored and most locals visit to hang out or get a bit of time away from the business of work, or to have a picnic among the trees. This often results in pollution in the form of trash and plastic bags being littered into the waterways and among the mangrove trees.
Despite the obvious downsides, the trail is one of the best places in Krabi to encounter many of the birds which reside the mangroves.
The walkway was recently rebuilt by the municipality and is open for use. It is one of the longest walkways in the region and ends near Kanab Nam island. Arbors are placed along the trail which offer quiet (?) places to wait for birds and a good place to relax, have a cool drink and wait for something to appear.
Birding
The star attraction of the mangrove forest is the Mangrove Pitta. With the increased disturbance from boats in the Krabi waterways and mangroves, the bird is becoming increasing scarce in Krabi. Most local birders agree that the bird is easier to find at Ao Phang Nga National Park or at the mangrove walkway near Phang Nga town. However, on occasion, one will encounter this bird along the trail, usually during the months of March – May. Getting the bird into the open will be the tricky part. Listen for its call and try to mimic its whistle.
Use of playback is allowed but please do not overuse it. The birds in Krabi have been bombarded with a lot of birders using playback and are now more cautious than their counterparts in Phang Nga.
Brown winged Kingfisher is usually easy to find along with Ashy Tailorbird, Brown throated Sunbird, Copper throated Sunbird, Common Iora, Scarlet backed Flowerpecker and Mangrove Whistler. In the winter Stork billed and Common Kingfishers are present and some birders have had luck in finding Ruddy Kingfisher as well.
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, once well known in these parts, has proven to be elusive to birders in recent years. Be careful that you don’t mistaken them for wintering Chinese or Hill Blue Flycatchers.
Sirated Swallows can often be seen perched on telephone wires along the riverside.
Birders looking for the Masked Finfoot should know that this bird has not been seen in Krabi for almost a decade and even if it were present, would not be found anywhere near such as busy and disturbed place as this.
Waders, egrets and herons can also be found along the muddy banks of the river. Most of the waders and terns are found at the mouth of the river and can only be accessed by boat. A review of the river mouth and the island to the north are found on this page.
How to get there
Once in Krabi town, find your way to the pier. Drive southwards towards Klong Thom and Trang. Shortly after passing the banks on your left, the road will pass an Esso Gas station. Take the U-turn near the Krabi hospital. The turn to the mangrove walkway is immediately to your left. The road into the parking lot takes a sharp U-turn and can be hard to negotiate for those with large vehicles. Beware of cars and motorbikes making their way up the step incline!
Likewise for those coming from the north into Krabi, take Highway 4 which will run outside Krabi town. After passing the Chevrolet Auto dealership and a Shell gas station, take a right at the T junction. Drive down the road past the first intersection and the Meritime Resort. Keep your eyes open for the Krabi Hospital on your right. After passing the hospital keep to the left. The Mangrove Walkway is on your left and will be marked by a sign with two flags posted on top.
Personal rating
The site is the only place in Krabi to get into the mangroves without hiring a boat. Going by foot has it’s advantages and disadvantages; its cheaper and easier to hear the calls and one has a higher chance of luring out the bird on a boardwalk. Boats on the other hand, are more flexible and can get you greater distances.
When visiting the area, please bear in mind that since this is a very public area, one may find it frustrating to have groups of people stomping noisily down the path, especially if one is hot on the trail of special bird. I’ve personally sat for almost two hours trying to lure out a Mangrove Pitta only to have it scared off by a party of obnoxious locals armed with bottles of beer.
Crab eating Macaques are also present at times and should be respected and given wide berth. A bite from a monkey can be treated at the nearby hospital but exercising caution the first time round can spare you the trouble and pain.
Since this is the only land-based option for exploring the mangroves in Krabi, it is worth the time to visit, if you don’t have time to take a boat or if you dipped on any of the usual species while on the boat.
