Brightest Star

A report on The Birds of Thailand Nov 7 - April 6, 2002

Michael Davies & Dowroong Danlamajak

Music by - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

First few days Train Bangkok - Chaing Mai (rented motorbike), camped Wha Kon Khrai (2days) and near Wiang Chi before arriving Chain Sean on the 16th. Chaing Sean I camped south of town by reedy dyke, found a male Jerdons Buschat next morning. On the 19th of November I was camping at Chaing Sean, I awoke at 3 am, outside my tent I witnessed a fantastic site of more than a hundred meteors (Shooting Stars) in approx 20 minutes. On the 24th, the day after my Birthday I first saw Dowroong (Bright Star). On the 20th I had left intending to continue my travels. I camped 2 nights at Ta Don paddies, it was so cold and damp in my tent at night, but far worse was the fog that didn't clear until 10 or 11am and to cold to ride the bike. With the prospect of spending another cold night, I decided to spend my birthday at Chaing Sean.

they're off and Rollin' was the title of the first Hits Album by: The Everly Brothers 1958

Areas visited;

Chaing Sean Lake, Mekong River, wetlands to the south of town, the road west of Sop Ruak and failed attempt to get to Doi Tung ( bad motorbike)

December.

5 Ta Don Stayed in the village, visited the Buddhist Hill Temple, the paddies to the east of town and the river.

8 Doi Ang Khang problem getting the bike up and very cold after sun down.

10 Doi Chaing Dao Stayed at Malees.

12 Chaing Sean returned to visit our family for a few days.

16 Chang klong quiet roads to ride, just a really pleasant area.

17 Phayao camped by the lake.

18 Wha Kon Khrai Research Station and Green Peafowl site saw 8.

19 Chaing Mai returned motorbike to Mr Beer.

22 Phitsanulok nice hotel and many Temples, rented motorbike from Lady Motor.

24 Nam Nao N P Wow it was cold at night camping here, many birds and good trails.

30 Thung Salaeng National Park, nice area of small waterfalls.

31 Bung Borerphet camped on building site on SW of the lake.

January

1 Wha Kha Kaeng This was my second attempt to visit this area, we rented a motorbike and camped near the Wild life Sanctuary Headquarters, but unfortunately we were not allowed to visit the area for Red-necked Hornbill, the reason given Tiger and Elephants. We did find on the trail fairly fresh Tiger prints and crap.

Thap Salo camped by reservoir, bought fish from fisherman and cooked on log fire very beautiful under the stars.

7 Mae Sot camped enroute at Klong Lan.

8 Lan Sang N P. The staff here were very kind to us

10 Sukhothai spent the day in the Historical Park and camped nearby.

12 Phitsanukok train to Phechi and Khorat.

Nakon Rachasima Met with Dowroong's children, Borin, Marathon and Ampon I was so pleased to see them and Dowroong so happy. Borin is in her final year at university and Marathon and Ampon were still living with her previous husband as they are still at school.

17 Khao Soi Dao camped at WLS, very slow birding, maybe it's better in the wet season, many good trails, we would like to go back again.

23 Ban Chuen We visited many beaches in the area, this place suited us best, inland the mangrove lined river is fair for birds and the fishing village is of interest. We visited Klong Yai and the Camboadian border.

Laem Knob We liked Laem Knob, good cafe in harbour and no hassels, nice hotel room except for the ants, scorpion and the TV.

February

2 Ko Chang Very touristy, however we found a very quiet place, Sea Eagles over our bungalow, we cooked our own food, mostly squid and giant prawns.

6 Long, long journey by train to Narathiwat (south Thailand)

7 Narathiwat There are some good areas in and around Narathiwat - the river from the Hotel, The Kings summer residence and beach to the north. The Botanical Research Station inland and a large lake are good for birds. We also visited the Peat Swamp Forest.

Hala Bala The best place to see Hornbills in Thailand and many birds.
A most beautiful and scenic place.

29 - 17 March
Krabi We visited many areas in and around Krabi, we particularly liked the Wat to the south of town, the road north winds through some stunning scenery and many beautiful off-shore Islets can be seen through the gaps in the mangrove forest. Some quiet beaches are still to be found, maybe this is the place for us to live in the future.

Ko Phi Phi Only went for a day trip to see some seabirds. A beautiful Island but too many tourists.

Khao Nor Chuchi This beautiful WLS is a delight to visit and to walk the many forest trails. We saw male Gurneys and Banded Pitta.

18 Bangkok Took in many tourist sites; Royal Palace, most of the larger Wats, Dursit Zoo and Lumpini Park.

21 Khao Sam Roi Yot camped a couple nights on the beach, for the remainder we rented a bungalow, nice people here. The many caves are well worth a visit. Return to Bangkok on 28th.

29 Cha-am The area around Cha-am was surprisingly good, with many excellent wet paddies, we found a good Raptor watch point to the north, but best of all was the vast Bat roost that erupts from the hill caves in the late evening.

Bangkok 7 April Flight home to England no visa no Dowroong!

N P = National Park. WLS = Wild life Sanctuary

Dowroong and I, would like to thank all the many people of Thailand who showed so much kindness during our travels, we made many friends here.

I have been birding for 35 years now! during which time I have met many birders, but have never met anyone with so much natural talent as Dowroong Dalamajak a Star in so many ways.

Mick Davies.

Accidents; for some reason we did have a lot of minor to semi serious accidents, none more so than our meeting. Got stung by Jellyfish, Scorpion and a Spider.
I 've lost track of the number of Hospitals we attended.

mick_davies2000@yahoo.com