Yonok Wetlands

You can easily check the currant or former status of Species in the Yonok - Chiang Saen and Mekaong by viewing the Check List. I you wish to PUBLISH OUR RECORDS or OTHER INFORMATION - PLEASE READ THIS LINK PAGE.

While the "Cats' away: Dowroong was invited as a guest speaker at the BCST Conference in Bangkok 23 11 2008. Assisted by Phil Round; Dowroong spoke on the subject of the urgent conservation needs at Yonok.

Dowroong met with some old friends seen here with Khun Chadpong and new friends khun Roongrod.

Stranded in Thailand - Mick; alone in Chiang Saen had a surprise reunion with some very 'old friends' (DWT) Don Taylor and Tony Prater on a brief birding visit to Chiang saen. Nice to see you both after all these years. Don and I had many years of birding at Dungeness and North Kent.

It was from Don that I was given the sad news that my very good friend; Dave Davenport had passed away some months ago.

Dave was the most committed birder I ever knew, a man who was a pioneer of sea bird migration. Discovering migration watch points for Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas in Britain. He made annual pilgrimages, counting skuas at Balranald (NW Hebrides and Slyne Head (West coast of Ireland). Dave had a great love of Skuas and wild places. He was a visionary and his own man 'rare in this world'

18th Chiang Saen lake; Spot-billed duck 525, pintail 130, Garganey 50, Shoveler 3, mallard 1, Ferruginous Duck 30, Tufted 6, River lapwing 1,

Mekong : Gt Black-headed gull 2, Hueglins 1. yonok : Black Kite, River Tern, Jacana 2 species.

17th Chiang Saen - Mekong : Ruddy Shelduck 2 + 13 flew west. single1st winter Great Black Headed Gull and Heuglin's Gull.

14th Chiang Saen: Ruddy Shelduck 3, 2nd winter Great Black Headed Gull was on the sand bar and a Long-billed Plover. Baers Pochard - fading away; only one rcord so far this winter of 3 on the 28th. A number of hybrid diving duck have been present now for a month or more and some have clearly been miss- identified as Baers.

Northern House Martin: Unprecedented numbers of Northern House Martin have been present in the Chiang saen Basin for the past few weeks.

The first birds to arrive were noted on the 12th November when a group of 8 were seen hawking on the east side of Chiang Saen lake.

On the 21st November; I noted 3 groups (total of about 200) feeding to the north of Chiang Saen Town, between the mekong and the parallel hills. The formation of the groups was mostly Northern House Martin, with just a few Asian House Martin. Barn swallows were also present. The birds remained for about a week in that area.

8th December; I noticed a huge group of martins, estimated on that day as 300-500.

On the following day I visited the site again and estimated the numbers as close to a thousand. The numbers of individual species varied on each visit. Also it is very difficult to make accurate counts with similar species spread overran area of about 3 square kilometers and so this is my best guess.

Northern House Martin; The birds were all similar in plumage and no signs of moult or undue wear. Easily picked out by the large white rump and small area of black on the tail tip.They also appear long bodied as the under parts are white almost to the tail.

Asian House Martin; A wide variety of plumage differences were seen. What i assume are adults were clean and contrasting black and white and no suggestion of moult.

Others 'perhaps juv's were dusky on the under parts and some extremely so. A number of these birds were in active wing and tail moult. Some were noticeable smaller that either Northern or Asian and I wonder if these are a sub species of Asian but I have no information on this. Confusion with Nepal is likely as some individuals had dusky grey under tail coverts which merged with the under tail, thus producing the effect of a dark under tail. however the 2 candidates for Nepal were not dusky birds and were clearly black and white and no sings of moult.

All of these small dusky asians exhibited square to round tail (no notch) I think that some were in the final stage of moult, I belies its usually the tail. On some individuals the outer tail feathers could be seen to be shorter.

Nepal House Martin; A couple of probable's were seen by myself and Dowroong. These were tiny with very small white area to the rump and the throat appeared dark. the tail was square (rounded when spread) however some asians showed similar features.

A complex group and maybe more information on variations in plumage and possible sub species is need for specific Identification in Thailand. Non breeding plumage is another possibility. In my garden I had a few adult Asians roosting, I became interested as the plumage, they were in was not shown in any guide. These birds were observed in perfect light at a range of a few meters and most exhibited fine streaking on the flanks. Maybe this features is not visible at range, as I have not seen this since and they were not dusky individuals.

I borrowed the pics,"hope you don't mind" they illustrate the points of the birds quite well. thanks - Mick Davies.

1st Chiang Saen area ; Gt Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 1, Red-wallted lapwing 3, River Lapwing 8, Small Pratincole 500, Kestrel 4, Osprey (first one I have seen on the river)

29th Chiang Saen Lake ; Gt Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 1,Folowing the current cold weather the diving duck numbers have dwindled; 3 Tufted and 5 Ferruginous Duck, very few pintail and 2 shoveler.

28th Chiang Saen Lake ; Gt Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 1, present until the end of the month A single Oriental Hobby was seen on the 27th, 3 baers Pochard (imm male and 2 females on the 28th.

18th Chiang Saen Lake ;Gt Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 1, White Tailed Rubythroat 1 female (MHD), A new bird for CSL and only the second sight record in Thailand, all the others were netted. Ducks; The diving duck flock remains much the same. Dabbling ducks are very low in numbers, the only common duck is Spot-billed Duck 250.

16th Mekong; Chiang Klong Road; Grey headed lapwing 86, River Lapwing 27, Spot-billed Duck 43, Wigeon 1.Japanese S'hawk. This is the largest count we have had for Grey headed lapwing on the Mekong river.

13th Chiang Saen Lake ;Grey headed lapwing 6 . River Lapwing 1, Swallow (Tytleri) full adult). Great Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 1.

HERON ISLAND IS SITUATED IN CHiang Saen Lake "'Non Hunting Area" THIS IS A RAMSAR SITE (2003). CHIANG SAEN LAKE has become a former wetland and we now here of a LARGE SCALE PLAN to turn HERON ISLAND into a RESORT.

I AM CONSTANTLY ASKED for help by the NHA staff whom are very worried about the future of CHIANG SAEN LAKE.

I am prompted to write to you, regarding the serious concern as to the future of the wetland at Nong bong Kai .Rather than go into detail I have placed a link to two of my web pages.

I have met with a number of people involved at high levels, regarding wetlands and informed them of the problem here. This includes BCST, RSPB, Asian Wetland and Mr Simba Chan ( Ramsar). I have also spoken to Khun Yangyong who worked on the Ramsar project Nong bong Kai.

This problem has gone on for a year and I don’t see anything happening to resolve, and so I am righting this direct to you.

I believe it would be a simple matter to talk to the people involved and remind them that a lot of hard work and public money has been made available in order to protect Nong bong Kai (Chiang Saen Lake) and that the area is a conservation wetland of national importance to Thailand.

11th Chiang Saen Lake ;Wildfowl and Wader Count; Great Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 1, cormorant 4, Pintail 15, Shoveler 1, Wigeon 1, Spot-billed Duck 250, Ferruginous Duck 8, Tufted Duck 37, Osprey 1, Purple Swamphen 1, Coot 2, Moorhen 8, Pintail Snipe, Jacana 3, Grey-headed Lapwing, The poor numbers of wading birds is caused by the dam sited at the stream outflow from Chiang Saen Lake. This is an Illegal Dam and is seriously effecting the Bird life of the Chiang Saen Lake.

10th Nong Lom Harrier Roost ;112 Harrier roosted, roughly = split of Pied and Marsh. R T Pipit 800. 3 Amur Falcon CSL,

9th Chiang Saen Lake ; Great Crested Grebe 1, Black-necked Grebe 3 (DS, MHD, DD),

8th Chiang Saen Lake ;Gull sp; a very white looking Herring sized gull was present in the afternoon.

Summary; a poor autumn this year for migration. raptors; upto 8 Honey Buzzards daily, 6 single Perigrines were noted and a 5 Kestrels,

4th Chiang Saen; The Chaing Saen Starling roost of some 5000 birds; containted 3400 Chestnut-tailed Starlings. 40 spot-winged Starlings. white-vented Myna 1000, and Black-collared Starlings. A single Black Bittern, Greenshank and Perigrine.

A number of Perigrine have been seen this week from a number of widespread sites.

Black-capped Kingfisher a unusualy scarce bird here last winter, has improved with several individuals noted in the last week or so.

26th Chiang Saen; Visible migration: (wind mod south / cloud 8/8. Birds moving SSE

25th Chiang Saen; Visible migration: (wind mod south / cloud 8/8, clearing. Birds moning SSE

Honey Buzzard 8, Chinese Sparroehawk 40, Western marsh Harrier 5. Black-capped Kingfisher 1,

21st Yonok Areas; Grass Owl, a new nesting area located. Blue-breasted Quail 2, Honey Buzzard 12 south, Richards pipit 20 south. A few jerdons Bush chat were seen on the 19th and a Asian-brown Flycatcher. Small numbers of common migrants present R B Fly, C' Kingfisher, 2 Black-capped Kingfisher and Lesser Pied. Collared scops Owl and Asian-barred Owlet common. Red-rumped Swallow 8, Black throated Laughing thrush.

17th Summary, Chiang Saen town and nearby; A pair of Rufus-winged Buzzards - raised 1 or 2 young. Local Shikra feeding young. barn Owl,sSeveral pairs with young, Little Green- bea-eater, feeding 3 young.

13th Mekong; River Lapwing, 10 adults in moult were present on flooded fields, the fact they were in moult suggests that they were breeding and that the young were lost in the floods. Wood Sands 2. A Black Bittern was seen flying over a\our home and another at Wat Yonok.

Other notable species included; 3 Curlew, 6 Pond Heron, 30 Yellow Bittern, 1 Black Bittern, 40 Chestnut-headed babbler, 30 yellow-bellied Prinia, I plain prinia, 20 Spot-billed duck, 25 Long-tailed Shrike, 10 Blue-tailed bee-eaters, Lesser pied Kingfisher and a Large-tailed Nightjar.

Rufus Buzzards are present at two sites, during july and august, this is unusual for the time of year. We have a pair of Shikra nesting behind our new home in Chiang Saen. The Shikra's are feeding young and causing some distress to the local birds. Shikra's are probably quite common in the Town as we had them last year in the other garden.

Khun Moi; is a old friend of Dowroong and sent us a couple of nestlings she has been watching in her garden in Yang Chum PKK. near where we once lived. She is very lucky to have Blue Magpie in her garden and they have been resident there for several years and number about 10. Interesting is the fact that she was told she must have miss identified as they do not occur. Moi develop her interest over the years without the aid of optics and has now a large garden list of birds.

Photographs By: พรพิศ ขยันการนาวี - Moi: พี่ดาวม่วยส่งรูปนกมาให้ถ้ามีเวลาม่วยจะถ่ายมาให้อีก และขอบคุณสำหรับกล้องค่ะ ขอบคุณมากมาก รักษาสุขภาพด้วย

Sri Nan wild life Sanctuary 16th: Collard falconet, Thick-billed Pigeon, Red-breasted Parakeet, Hodgeson's Frogmouth, Black-headed Woodpecker, Crested Treeswift, Hill Myna.

So far only small numbers of breeding Bitterns, Cinnamon 30, Yellow 10, Black 2. Whistling Ducks are breeding now and large numbers are to be found in the wetlands.

5 pairs of Honey Buzzards are breeding and a few B W Kites. The final harriers departed in the first week of May.

Francolins are generally well distributed and common as is Barred Button Quail. The Yellow-legged and Blue-breasted are more scarce.

Several White-browed Crakes have been seen with Young. Jacanas; difficult to prove breeding with Pheasant tails, however several in breeding plumage have been seen of late. Large numbers were present in April. The Lily growth has been high and it is difficult to see birds, hopefully this will be of benefit.

Red wattled lapwing scarce. The Oriental Pratincole colony failed as usual with the onset of rain, however I have found a new colony of about 30 in a dry location. The Little Pratincole breeding success is unclear as the rain has been heavy, and early this year and the disturbance to the sand bars during Song Kram makes counting difficult. However a few young have been seen. The river lapwings have not returned to breed this year, the sand they nested on last year was much reduced due to high water levels.

The wintering populations of waders on the sand bar was also low as there was little exposed mud. The wintering populations of waders on the wetlands was also very low, not as bad as Chiang Saen lake where counts were almost Zero, due to damming of the Lake.

The water levels are crucial to these wintering birds, some serious study is urgently needed.

River Tern the final date was 1 on the 3rd May; The bird or birds were present off and on from the beginning of the year and 2 territories were defended. 5 were seen together on the 9th of February. On this day there was a huge amount of burning and I only noticed the Terns as they were mobbing 2 kites. I wonder if there was a small colony but as I spent the next month searching, I failed to find the Terns. However I did find single birds and a new wetland area. I hope to write up the Tern later this year.

Migration was poor compared with last year. Single Oriental Cuckoos, were present in early May. Black-capped Kingfisher has been notable by its absence with just the one on the 26th of May. Oriental Reeds and Black-browed, Pallas's gropper were also scarce. and Spotted Bush warbler less so.

Phil Round and Andy Pierce had success with netting rarities. (Pics) White-tailed Rubythroat. Large-billed Reed warbler Blunt-winged warbler, Paddy field Warbler. Maybe I should take up ringing! Photo's Dowroog.

Passerine Breeding Wet Season immigrants. Arriving from mid May and include; Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Blue-tailed (not sure if blue-tailed breeds) Blue-winged Pitta 5 and Hooded just 1 so far.

Barn Swallow now breed commonly in Chiang Saen Town. Plain Martin numbers max 6, no breeding colonies exist here as far as I know..

The Yonok Temple woodland has a variety of common species and Pitts’s. Black-throated L'thrush is fairly well distributed through out the Little England area, Striated Warbler is pleasantly common.

14th April; cinnamon bittern 10, Black-winged cuckoo-shrike, watercock, W B Crake nest building, Tiger Shrike.

6th; 700 hundred Citrine Wags were present this evening on the Mekong and a few White Wags of the race Ocularis.

Great Cormorant 2 adults, Night heron 40 on the 12th Osprey 1 until the 12th, Bkack Kite 2 Honey Buzzard 2 pairs displaying Yonok, Rufous-winged Buzzard 2, perigrine 1, Kestrel 4 wintering,

Water bird counts Yonok: Ruddy Breasted Crake 2, Baillons Crake 1, White-browed Crake 30, Moorhen 40, Purple Swamphen 35, P T Jacana 50, B W Jacana 8, Red wattled Lapwing 1 pair, Grey-headed Lapwing 6, B W Stilt (peak 250), Gt Sand Plover 2 10th, Culew 1 until 10th, Lt Pratincole (breeding) Oriental Pratingcole migrants from 1ss peak 200 on 10th, River Tern seen occasional, Oriental Cuckoo (singles passage slight), Grass Owls 1 new site, failed Little England. Pied Kingfisher 1 pair, Rufous Woodpeckers, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Barn Swallow (breeding0 Yellow eyed Babbler 10, Black-faced Laughing Thrush common Little England. Straited Warbler common, Sibe Rubythroat & Blue throat a few, asian Pied Starling 6, Spot-winges S' 20, Chestnut-tailed 200, Chestnut Munial (35 local), Chestnut-eared Bunting 40, House Sparrow 300,

5th Yonok North; Pintail 25, wigeon 1, spot-billed duch 40, Ruddy shelduck 1, Gtr Sand plver 2, gret -headed Lapwing.

12th; Yellow-eyed Babbler 6, Grey-headed Lapwing, Pallas's Gull, Slaty-breasted Rail, Peregrine, Kestrel,

11th; Rosy pipit 1, House sparrow 300, Peregrine; A female made a low attack on the sparrow flock, inspite of repeated attempts it failed. The Peregrine them reaped vengence on a nearby Kite, that had scavenged a moorhen corpse. The falcon flew into the Kite and pushed it away and fed briefly on the remains. It then forced the kite into the air and followed up by bashing the Kite for about 2 minutes with repeated stoops. Kite 2.

10th: Great Bittern, House Sparrow 120, Weaver roosts 2 = 600 and 200, Grey-headed Lapwing 2, B W Stilt 500, wigeon, Osprey 1, Kites 2, Kestrel 1, Pallas's gropper 1, Bluethroat 6, grey buschat, Chestnut-eared Bunting 18, Long-billed Plover 2, Wagtail roost; about 800, most are white with 5% citrine and 10% yellow. Several birds were found dead in mist nets.

9th; A new grass owl site was found today, Black kite 2, Oprey, Rorous Turtle Dove 40, baillons crake, Teal 40 wryneck Long-tailed Minivet 30, Sriated Warbler common.

8th Yonok South: Booted Eagle (adult LF), B W Stilt 320, P T Jacana 15, P Swamp hen 10, Mist Nest Traps 1+1+4+5+?, the long lines of nets are sited between the west buffalo camp and the Wat "just south of the Big Buddha" I believe the access is through the Harrier roost on the west side. It is likely that the trappers are either from this camp of from a local village. Two Shooters were seen this afternoon at the Buffalo Camp on the east side. The people in the camps were friendly and helpful. Now we have to decide how to stop the Hunting. I could see by climbing up to the Buddha that an extensive area of the harrier has been damaged by fire.

6th Yonok & CSL; W B Crake 10, Bronzed-winged Jacana 5, Pheaant-tailed Jacana 30, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Osprey, Peregrine (large female). Daurian Redstart, Rosy pipit, Curlew 1, MD, DD, Ken & Pam Elborn.

Ducks (counts M Rooney) Pintail 200, Spot-billed Duck 120, Baers pochard 1 male, Furruginous Duck 28, Tufted 8, Wigeon 5, Shoveler 8, Long-tailed duck, Coot 15.

5th Nong Lom roost: 221 Harriers at roost, combined total for the two roosts 504. Some interesting and worrying points arise from this evening count. 1; The roost has suffered fire damage and likely disturbance and there are Two Long Lines of mist nest for catching birds, I had been assured that steps had been taken to remove them, but I see nothing has been done. 2; I could not see the roost site and the birds dropped in quickly; There was none of the usual greeting behavior, or circling. Some small groups were circling at distance and the birds came in earlier than I would have expected. 3 Tonight's counts is unusually low in comparison with the Pa Mak No roost, Nong Lom always has larger numbers. There are two likely reason the first is that birds are now migrating and would mean a departure had taken place this morning. We will count the Pa Mak No roost on thursday to check this theory. The other possibility is that the roost has been severely disturbed.

It is a great shame that this trapping is still going on, as we had Mr Michael Rooney from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust with with us counting the Harriers for the past two evenings; "Not a sight I am proud of; Lines of Mist Nest and a burnt out roost site" I could say more but time will tell!. I have a English Journorlist with us fot a couple of days and obviously we had hoped to show off a bit. Still I believe in the truth.

4th Pa Mak No roost: 283 Harriers at roost with an estimate of 55% Eastern Marsh. We were joined by Michael Rooney from Norfolk Wildlife Trust UK. Red-throated Pipit 900, Grass Owl 2, Spotted Redshank 90 SW, Swallow 150.

A large bright green/white blurred elliptical object (egg shaped) appeared moving in a easterly direction, low in the sky and slightly descending.

I got my binocular on it just in time to see it break into four chunks, I could see as this happened a brief red / orange glow from the heat of the rock. The explosion caused the chunks to spread out, while still on a similar course. I would estimate the size with the naked eye, in comparison with a full moon image to be about 33% smaller. Amazing.

This brings back memories of a similar object seen from my flat in North London, 40 years ago. However this object continued on a level course (north) and did not explode and was more fluorescent green and clearer in shape.

The Jerdon's Buschat "territories" found in a 5 km strip. Re visited, revealled 1 new site, however fewer birds were seen fewer .

Once again we here of death of Thailand's newest additions to the Thai Breeding List. Two New nest were found at Yonok by Thai Birding Group.

Fires destroyed the nest with young. more details to follow. The first breeding records last year at little england, two of the young were shot. I am appalled by this mindless behavior. And I will put a stop to it.

Sadly the selfish act of setting fires, by people who feel than can burn what ever they feel like with out any concern what so ever for the environment. I see fires set every day and no one here does anything to stop it. Most of Little England has been set fire to in the past few weeks. It seems a shame that any one can behave in this selfish way.

This is the second time this roost has been set on fire. The Pa Mak No roost was set fire to a few months ago. The Monk had to stamp it out in bare feet. A brave man. There are many signs placed all over Thailand "No Fires" but sadly it is never enforced.

30th: Chiang Saen; The road to Chiang Klong; The wader count was worse than in previous winters, River lapwing 2, Small Pratincole 80 and 2 wood sands. All the sand bars were covered in footprints with many fisherman and one shooter with a long rifle. I would have expected to see 30 Spot-billed Duck at the usual but none were seen. MD and DD.

However a surprising number of Jerdon's Buschat "territories" found in a 5 km strip.

Site 1; males 2, female 3/imm. S2; males 2 S3; 2 males S4; pair, S5; pair, S6; male, S7; male. Total = 15.

28th: Chiang Saen; Yonok with Alec and Marilyn Epson. In spite off the heavy rain we did very well. all the usual water birds were seen + Painted Snipe, the Harriers were grounded and so we saw about 30, Rufus-winged Buzzard, Pallas's Gull 3 and a Heuglin, a male Siberian Rubythroat and Chestnut eared Bunting, River Lapwing 6.

26th January 2008 - A busy day for Yonok Wetlands - A World of Visitors too Yonok Harrier Roost.

Today was especially busy. John Roberts of the Anantara had organized a trip to visit our Project and teaching School.

We have classes on Saturdays at 09.00 at Wat Pa Mak No and 13.00 at Wat Yonok (visitors welcome). If you wish to arrange a visit to Yonok Wetlands please contact us by email.

Nick Upton "Thaibirding" had pre-arrange a Birding trip with us and we were very pleased to show his group around.

Ian Smith (Viang Yonok) also promotes interest in Yonok and had guests wishing to visit the "Harrier Live Show".

Hendrik Jacobs my good friend and co teacher had to cover our absent periods.

The evening Harrier Show was as usual "amazing" It was a welcome site to see about a hundred birders in attendance, many from Thailand BCST and other counties (England, Egypt, Belgium, USA, Denmark and France).

It has taken Dowroong and Myself several years to attract interest in Thailand's Harrier Roosts and the Yonok Wetlands. Now! with the support of the BCST and many Birders representing other countries who share our concern for Yonok and its birds we hope for a secure future for all.

A point that is often forgotten; "Local people and the community" The most important people are these, as they live and work in Yonok and surrounding areas, farmers headsmen, fishermen and Monks and ourselves as birders. We strongly believe in friendship and integration with the local community.

The villagers of Tong Far Ham and Huai Nam Rak have been most supportive of our friendship and it is only with they're help that we have put a stop to the hunting. I feel that through our efforts we have gained many friends here. Dowroong and are are very proud of this. I would also include as Local People, those working in the NHA of Nong Bong Kai (Khun Suriya, May and Bompop et al) as we are all inter connected.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say that over the past months we have met with some highly enthusiastic people who are lending a hand in help with our project. So we would like to say Thanks too; Phil Round, Nick Upton, John Roberts, Dr Mong, Khun Kritsana, Dave Gandy and Dave Sargent. Hopefully we can make Yonok a model project for the future. We need to push on now "while the fire is still burning" There is a much to be done.

We have a number of New and exciting opportunities further a field, within Thailand and by invitation. These include Doi Lang and Sri Nam WLS, where they're are still serious hunting problems. It would seem our project is evolving. However; our Home Base will be Yonok Wetlands.

I am sorry if I have omitted any names. We are constantly meeting more enthusiast, in particular Thai birders, However as I have often to admit my failing with the Thai Language (please excuse my spelling). We received this morning fifty books from Mr Wicha Narungsri (photographic guide to Thai Birds and Habits), thank you.

Yonok is for all people, we are just there to remind people of our debt to this beautiful world and to respect all life and take care of it.

For me Birding is the best religion as it gives one the opportunity to see all "Life"(good and bad) . Dowroong has the best of both Worlds Birding and Buddhism.

True Freedom of thought is paramount, few of us attain this. We count ourselves as the lucky ones.

Yonok Wetlands project is dedicated to freedom for all; Peoples and Animals alike.

The making of POWER through religion is an absolute evil.

Help us to Keep Birding Freedom for all.

26th; With Nick Upton's Group; Saturday is our teaching day and so we had to juggle our time.

Highlights; White-browed Crake, River Tern, Both Jacanas species, Black Kite, The Harriers put on a great show as usual, However the Grass Owl failed to appear.

I would like to thank Nick and his Group for pleasant company. Dowroong and I were most pleased by the interest shown in OUR PROJECT WORK and are grateful for the hefty donation! much needed.

25th Chiang Saen; Long-billed Plover 2 birds acquiring breeding plumage, these are the 3rd and 4th records this year, MD and DD.

23nd Chiang Saen; Daurian Redstart (adult male), Hoopoe 4, Ferruginous Duck 29 males, Tufted 4 males, Baers Pochard adult male at close range. MD, Pa Mak No; Harriers 120-150 roosting, Grass owl 1.

22nd Chiang Saen; A few migrants this morning; pallas's grasshopper 2, spotted bush warbler 2, bluethroat 2, small skylark 9, Bright-capped Cisticola 6, Red Avadavat 45, Chestnut-eared Bunting. Mekong 60 Spot-billed Duck, Spot Reds 80.

10th Mekong; Long-billed Plover a new first winter bird was seen this morning (was a less obvious bird than the previous one, and shorter in the wing. MD, Stan Dewin et al.

9th Mekong; A second adult river tern was seen on the mekong this morning. Touring around we found Red Avadavat 5, Chestnut Bunting 3, spotted eagle, Lesser Kestrel. MD DD

CSL Long-tailed Duck. Mountains (Full List click here soon,) Fire-tailed Sunbird a sub adult male was seen very well. Chestnut Thrush 30 and 60-80. Dark- Sided Thrush 3, Spot-breasted Grosbeak, Savannah Nightjar, Golden-throated Barbet, C B woodpecker, Crested treeswift, S B Minivet, Large Cuckoo Shrike 6, Bulbul all that occur, Great racket Drongo, black-throated, great, yellow-cheeked and yellow-browed tit, Treecreeper, golden babbler, red-faced liocic', grey-headed parrotbill 80, sibe rubythroat, vivid niltava 10, goulds sunbird 30, scarlet rosefinch, chestnut bunting.

5th & 6th January: (DD,MD, DS) 200+ Harriers Roosted and a Grass Owl was present "excuse the pun" Dave Kindly presented Dowroong with a new pairs of binnoculars. Upto 4 Peregines, Black-browed reed and oriental reed warbler. River Tern, River Lapwing, Baers pochard 0, White-browed Crake 6,

3rd jan: Dowroong's Birding trip; Similar species to yesterday, also Yellow Bittern, Osprey, Red-capped babbler, river tern.

DID I SAY A GOOD START - BIRD KILLERS at NONG LOM - 10 Mist Nets discovered. 3rd Jan, I had intended to check the river to Chiang Kong today, but! due to this serious serious matter, I will have to search for the Net Location. A difficult task due to a maze of tracks that wind through the mimosa. In two years I have not been able to find a way to that area.

Donations: The daily cost of this project is expensive for us alone; Petrol, Internet and phone charges, Good will gestures, we don't pay money but we give rewards, in the way of presents. NBK staff come out to on they're holiday, the Buffalo Camp have joined in friendship and have stopped hunting. We like to involve children in any way we can, in learning for the future. When possibly we like to take two on our guided walks.

2nd Jan Nong Lom Harrier Roost; As we arrived this afternoon at Nong Lom I was shocked to see 2 lines of mist nets in the distance. The first line ran due east and was stung out and over the shallow pools, the other line SSE was concealed in the mimosa, they're were in the region of 1000 Red-throated pipits roosting at the last visit and none were seen tonight, also large numbers of Barn swallows were roosting this evening. The Harriers seem un affected as far as I could see.

We telephoned Nong Bong Kai Non Hunting (NHA) and they responded immediately, allowing for staff away on holiday they managed to send 5 people. The nets however are difficult to get at as from this side as the mud is close to waist deep, and so I believe they will try from the other side tomorrow.

The Harriers arrived steadily from the SW 176 were counted, 60 arrived from the south and early arrivals from the north 30. Just after 6pm a large number arrived mostly from the north of at least a 100. The birds gliding in from height and others on a level plane. I would estimate the total as 350-400 and closer to 400. There is now know to be a pre roost to the north and a smaller pre-roost to the south, birds arriving from the SW do not pre-roost as they're is not a suitable site. Birds that may arrive from the east are unseen as the approach route is to distant. We have attempted counts on eastern border, last year with few birds seen.

It now seems likely that the roost joint total for Yonok in mid winter is between 550 and 600 birds. I feel we have done enough to be sure of this.The final task is to get some counts for the pre roost and recheck if birds are arriving from the east.

2nd jan: Birding trip, highlights; with Dowroong, an Adult Spotted Eagle was seen crossing to Laos, River Lapwing 12, Kentish plover, River Tern Adult, A male Peregrine put on an amazing display as it tried to catch a Whistling duck in a flock of a 1000, White-browed crake 3, Pheasant-tailed jacana 50 and a few Bronze-winged, Black Kite 3, Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Roller and many common birds, were seen today.

Ist January; off to a good start; River Term (adult) MD, Black Baza 40 south roosted in Laos, Pallas's Gull 3, Heuglin's Gull 1.