Doi Inthanon

After a full English breakfast we drove up to the entrance gate to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. We began with excellent views of Black-backed Forktail along a quiet mountain stream before heading to our favourite trail. After quite a tussle a Silver-eared Mesia got the ball rolling here, and at the same spot a couple of us watched a pair of Grey-throated Babblers carrying nesting material across the track. Walking up into good forest we had a successful couple of hours with Clicking Shrike-Babbler, Maroon Oriole, Orange-bellied Leafbird, and a very cooperative Pygmy Wren-babbler.

Had lunch at Mr Daeng’s with two different Siberian Blue Robins and a Lesser Shortwing mooching around below the restaurant. Then we headed for the summit and had great close-up views of all the main birds, beginning with a male Green-tailed Sunbird, here of the blue-tailed race endemic to this mountain. There was also Ashy-throated, Yellow-browed, Davison’s, Claudia’s and Blyth’s Leaf-warblers to sort through, Yellow-browed Tit, a cracking male Clicking Shrike-babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvettas, Dark-backed SIbias and Chestnut-tailed Minlas all feeding right in front of us. 

Clicking Shrike-Babbler showed well today.

Along the boardwalk a Dark-sided Thrush fed quietly amongst the leaf litter below us, and we even heard it call which was a new experience for me, and a Eurasian Woodcock showed well. 

Eurasian Woodcock posing at the summit marsh.

However, a White-browed Shortwing only gave the briefest of glimpses and with the light going we decided to leave, but not before a Rufous-throated Partridge appeared right beside the boardwalk giving outstanding views. Wow! 

Rufous-throated Partridge along the summit boardwalk.

We ended the day with a large flock of birds comprising all the previously seen mountain species right beside the minibus to round off a glorious day.