Doi Lang Still!

Another day in the wonderful mountain forests of Doi Lang began in freezing conditions as the freaky weather continues. But driving up we had a couple of Mountain Bamboo-partridges cross the road in front of us, 3 more Grey-winged Blackbirds and several other commoner species on the road as well. We have been doing very well so far but even I didn’t expect to find a flock containing Collared Babbler, Red-billed Scimitar-babbler and Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill. At a bridge overlooking the forest we found a sleeping Slow Loris which was something of a surprise, along with Little Pied Flycatcher, a flock of Long-tailed Broadbills, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-winged Leafbird and Grey Treepie. A little further on we also saw an Eastern Buzzard and an Oriental Turtle Dove.  

Chestnut Thrush

At the checkpoint a fine Chestnut Thrush was feeding on some fruit put out for it, along with a dozen Dark-backed Sibias, whilst Striated Bulbul, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Davison’s Leaf-warbler and several Himalayan Bluetails were in the area. We walked down to the tesia stake-out but it failed to appear, although many of the same birds were present as yesterday, including a superb male Himalayan Bluetail and Scarlet-faced Liocichla. 

Grey-winged Blackbird

Himalayan Bluetail - much darker than other birds we have seen...

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher

Blue Whistling-thrush

A Crimson-breasted Woodpecker was found nearby before we returned to the minibus for our picnic lunch, during which we once again had a good comparison when a flock of Cook’s and Fork-tailed Swifts flew over. In the afternoon things were much slower but were enlivened by a displaying Mountain Hawk-eagle, and we even had a flyby from the usually secretive Bay Woodpecker.

We ended the day with nice views of a Slaty-backed Forktail along the river, on the way back to the hotel.