Doi Lang to Doi Inthanon

The Doi Lang magic worked again this morning with a Hume’s Pheasant picking its way along the side of the road as we drove up to the feeding station area early this morning. Once at the top we found we had the place to ourselves and discovered two more feeding stations, so deposited some mealworms and waited. 

Spot-throated Babbler

At the first there was a female Siberian Rubythroat, a couple of Silver-eared Laughingthrushes, White-gorgeted Flycatcher and best of all, a Spot-throated Babbler. The latter is another species you’d just never see usually. At the other site, just across the road we had another female Siberian Rubythroat and a superb White-bellied Redstart – all giving wonderful photo opportunities. 

White-bellied Redstart

Then we walked the road a short way, finding a Marten’s Warbler giving its distinctive call and a Sapphire Flycatcher. A flock crossed the road here as well, with Grey-chinned Minivet, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, White-browed Laughingthrush and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler. A short drive then took us to another patch of woodland where a male Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker were found. 

Sapphire Flycatcher

Another Sibethroat

So by now it was mid-morning and we decided to head out towards our next base at Doi Inthanon, a journey of some 4 hours. We called in to a site for Burmese Shrike, which showed nicely and ended the day with a pair of Blossom-headed Parakeets perched in some nearby trees, as well as Japanese Sparrowhawk, Chestnut-tailed Starling and Plain-backed Sparrow before reaching the Inthanon Highland Resort. As dusk fell we could hear Collared Scops-owl, Asian Barred Owlet, Spotted Owlet and a couple of us saw a Large-tailed Nightjar flyby. So not a bad day and i'm looking forward to tackling Doi Inthanon once again.