North Thailand 19th Jan 2012

We began on the ridge after a later breakfast with the sun creeping over the distant ridges providing us with some welcoming warmth, as well as a couple of White-browed Laughingthrushes feeding on the grassy verge beside the road. Just along the road a short distance we keyed in on an Aberrant Bush-warbler that eventually showed quite well and then a Siberian Rubythroat fed along a narrow track. From here we drove over to the border post and tried to boost our Myanmar list, but only succeeded in finding Yellow-streaked Warbler and Grey-breasted Prinia to add tour list, but there was also Olive-backed Pipit and Daurian Redstart here as well. From here we went down to another trail and slowly walked down into a superb valley with excellent habitat. A flock of Silver-eared Mesia were much appreciated and are truly a stunning bird. As we watched them a pair of Mountain Tailorbirds and Yellow-bellied Warbler appeared and then we had an amazing half an hour display from 4 Bay Woodpeckers as they called, flew over, called some more and perched in various trees around the car park. Not something you see very often! And then we headed down into the valley. Only hearing White-necked Laughingthrush was a bit disappointing but the views of 4 Speckled Piculets which were part of a mixed feeding flock were great. There was also Small Niltava, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Chestnut-vented and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Himalayan Black Bulbul, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, and Davison’s Leaf-warbler seen.  After lunch back at our lodge, during which time we saw 2 Rufous-bellied Niltavas, Slaty-backed Forktail, Hill Blue Flycatcher and White-capped Water-redstart we headed down to the lowlands and visited the fields near Thaton. Driving along we saw Blue Rock Thrush and Black-winged Cuckooshrike before reaching the lowlands where Black-shouldered Kite, Paddyfield Pipit, Black-collared Starling and Grey-faced Buzzard were seen.  A female Jerdon’s Bushchat was scoped at a stake-out and along the river and tall grasses we also saw Yellow-bellied Prinia, Dusky Warbler, Bluethroat and a couple of Barred Buttonquails were flushed from the a scrub-covered field. 

Speckled Piculet