Seima

We birded the ONP Trail for most of the morning, after firstly visiting the pond near the Research Centre where several Silver-backed Needletails were coming down to drink. There was also a Drongo Cuckoo perched up nicely in the scope, Laced Woodpecker, Chestnut-capped Babbler in the grass and Vinous-breasted Starling on the telegraph wires. We hit the trail a little later and turned up some really good birds including Scaly-crowned Babbler, Orange-breasted Trogon, male Banded Kingfisher,  Puff-throated Babbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Great Slaty Woodpecker, and had a calling Germain’s Peacock-pheasant that was so close but remained invisible until it dashed across the path. After lunch the group crashed out so I walked the trail again and despite the heat called in a Bar-bellied Pitta which initially was calling maybe 100m away, so i walked off the trail and sat down amongst the ants and had the wee beastie circle me in full view before disappearing - unbelievable and my first bbp! The trail was very birdy and Sophoan and I also had 3 Large Scimitar-babblers, White-bellied Erpornis and Pale-legged Leaf-warbler in the hour and a half we had spare before meeting up with the group.  Sophoan also called in Orange-necked Partridge which remained hidden despite being extremely close. Then we went with the group and drove further up into the forest and found Blue-winged Leafbird, Collared Falconet, Great Hornbill, and finished up with 3 female Green Peafowl – real wild birds compared to those plastic things in northern Thailand! Also heard Banded Broadbill and Great Eared Nightjar as well.