Birding Trip to Thailand and North Vietnam (East Tonkin) 20 th November 03 rd December Borg, John J. & Sultana, Joe

Transcription

1 Birding Trip to Thailand and North Vietnam (East Tonkin) 20 th November 03 rd December 2007 Borg, John J. & Sultana, Joe December 2007

2 1. General Itinerary Departed from Malta International Airport at of the 03 November onboard an Emirates Flight to Dubai via Larnaca (Cyprus). We arrived at Dubai International Airport at around local time. At we departed for Bangkok where we arrived at (local time). Accommodation was some 30 minutes outside Bangkok in a newly constructed suburban estate with pleasant surroundings. Day One / Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok After having lunch and a shower we went out. In the trees outside the condo we saw Asian Koel, Tree Sparrows and 1 Coppersmith Barbet was calling. We were told that a Hooded Pitta was wintering inside a park outside Bangkok so we decided to go and search for it. We arrived at Phuttamatton Park when light was already fading real fast. The park, with its water canals and various types of vegetation patches including an area covered with bamboo. We spent some time searching for the Pitta but despite the help and directions from local birders we failed to locate it. The park in general is ideal for bird watching. Day Two / Bangkok This morning we went to the Vietnam Embassy in Bangkok to apply for a visa, after submitting all the necessary paper work and paying a fee we were told to return the following day to collect our visas. We spent the rest of the morning shopping in Bangkok. In the afternoon we went down to Khok Kham saltpans at Samut Sahal in search of Spoonbill Sandpiper and Nordman s Greenshank. We managed to see the former species were an individual was found in the company of other waders, mainly Sand Plovers (Greater and Lesser). We were told by the birdman of Khok Kham that the greenshanks had not yet made an appearance this year. Day Three / Bangkok After breakfast we went to Watchalermprakiat Temple gardens in Bangkok situated on the banks of a river. The gardens, with the large variety of plants and trees and water canals attracted various species of common birds as well as butterflies and other species including a (long-tailed lizard) sunbathing on a low hedge. The rest of the day was spent shopping and at we went to collect our visas for Vietnam.

3 Day four / Bangkok to North Vietnam At a taxi came to take us to the airport for our trip to northern Vietnam. A relatively cheap flight was booked through Nok Airlines, a Thai low fare company. The livery on the plane and the bright canary yellow uniforms of the cabin crew give the impression that one is watching a Looney tune cartoon; the dark pink coated plane had a large yellow beak painted on the nose and feathered wings and tail on the wings and tail. The bright Tweety Bird yellow uniforms of the cabin crew completed the whole scene. Having said this, the whole crew was very efficient and the flight was quite comfortable. After an almost two hour flight we arrived at Hanoi International Airport. We had pre-booked our trip to Vietnam and so a car was waiting for us outside the terminal. Unfortunately our driver, which we had for the duration of our stay hardly spoke a word in English, but he knew exactly were to take us. Our first destination in Vietnam was Xuan Thuy on the North Eastern Shore at the Delta of the Red River were we went in search of Black-faced Spoonbills and Nordman s Greenshank. After a five hour long drive passing through Hanoi City we arrived at a desolate place in the middle of a series of large shrimp ponds, in complete darkness. We became apprehensive at first but when the Manager of the building came out to greet us we sighed in relief that we had arrived at the right place. He apologized for the power cut and proceeded to show us our rooms. As we were settling in electricity power returned and so we got a better look at the place, clean and rather comfortable (air conditioned). During dinner we were told that

4 this was the park s head quarter which was built relatively recently. The Xuan Thuy NP is the first Ramsar Site in Vietnam, Xuan Thuy is situated in Nam Dinh province and covers an area of 7,100 ha. The major habitats are estuaries, mangroves, mudflats, sandy flats and shrimp ponds. Day five / Xuan Thuy (am) Cuc Phuong (pm) Woke up early and after breakfast we went for the anticipated boat trip in search of the Black-faced Spoonbills and other species. At the quay near the park HQ a small cabin cruiser was waiting for us, two Vietnamese guides accompanied us, but again the language barrier was ever present. The mangrove swamps and large area of shrimp ponds attracted fewer birds than anticipated. Few waders about, mainly Marsh Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin. The spoonbills were present and a flock of 23 birds were resting in one of the ponds. Along the shallow shore line we saw many small red-clawed crabs darting in and out of the mud. We returned to our lodgings at and after packing we headed off towards Cuc Phuong National Park located 120km southwest of Hanoi. Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. Nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, Cuc Phuong boasts engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Magnificent Limestone Mountains rise up from the green rice-terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong hill-tribe. Covered in a dense forest they form a habitat for some of Asia's rarest species. After a 30 minute drive inside the park we arrived at our sleeping quarters for the next three days. We had pre-booked our accommodation with the park authorities through the tour agency. Electricity was available by means of a central generator which is switched on from to hours. The fourth night was spent at the park s head quarters in modern and comfortable air conditioned rooms. We spent all the early mornings in search of Pittas. The park has a series of short and long trails. The short looped trails between our accommodation and the restaurant are reputedly to hold both Eared as well as Bar-bellied Pittas. We were told by visiting birdwatchers that both species were also seen along the Ancient Tree and the 1,000 year old tree trails. Day six / Cuc Phuong N.P. In the early morning before breakfast we went in search of the Pittas but alas with no success. A play back is essential to lure these birds out in the open. In the afternoon we took the 1,000 year old tree trail which is a 7.5km long hike going up and down flights of steps. Saturdays and Sunday are best avoided as the park attracts a lot of local tourists and one can meet whole groups of youths as well as senior citizens along these trails. Nevertheless we managed to find a female Eared Pitta along the way. Throughout our stay at the park we saw well over a hundred species of butterflies ranging from tiny Lycenids to the large Papilionids.

5 Day 7 / Cuc Phuong N.P. After the usual pre-breakfast search for Pittas we decided to walk again (half way) along the 1,000 year old tree footpath after breakfast. The highlight of this morning walk was a male Silver Pheasant feeding in the thick underbrush. The afternoon was spent watching birds along the main road. Day 8 / Cuc Phuong Ancient tree trail (am) Botanical Gardens (pm) Final attempt for Bar-bellied Pitta was unsuccessful. After breakfast we went out along the Ancient tree trail through open forest. Although variety in species was not bad, numerically birds were thin on the ground. In most cases (and this applies throughout) no large concentrations of birds were seen. After packing our luggage we were driven out to the Park headquarters were will spent the night in comfortable accommodation. While shaving in the bathroom, the only amphibian of the trip was seen. A toad was nestled in the corner of the shower. In the late afternoon we went to the botanical gardens. Access into the gardens is though a small locked gate. One has to inform the park personnel to open up and than arrange for a time to come and open up again to let you out. In the gardens one can find a series of trail going round and inside wooded areas. The casual visitor may be disappointed as the concept of botanical gardens is not the same here as in Kew (London) or any of the western type. Much of the site is natural forest. Day 9 / Cuc Phuong Park H.Q. (am) and drive to Tam Dao N.P. (pm) Before breakfast we went into the first 2-3km of the park along the main road were quite a few species of birds were seen, including a small flock of White Crested Laughing Thrushes. After breakfast we packed and departed towards the direction of Tam Dao N.P. After a 5 hour long drive we arrived at what can be described as a mountain resort with constructions going on as well as an active quarry on the other side of the valley. To make matters worse the hotel personnel which we were assured by our operator that they would be helpful in directing us to the best sites, hardly spoke a word of English. After check-in we decided to go out and tried to find the water-tank trail which is reputedly as one of the two best places in the area for birds. After making several attempts in trying to get directions we gave up and instead we decided to take the Antenna Trail which was according to our notes was close to the hotel. What the operator failed to tell us was access to the antenna was by means of climbing several hundred steps. After such a fatigue we only managed to see two birds: Red-breasted Flycatcher and Red-flanked Bush Robin. A very disappointing start to our visit to Tam Dao. On the way to the antenna we met a Belgian couple whom we had met earlier at Cuc Phuong and told us that that at the hotel

6 they were staying the owner spoke both English and French and very knowledgeable on the birds in the area. We decided to have dinner at this hotel. A group of British birdwatchers had just arrived. We managed to speak to the owner who was very helpful and after dinner we decided to call it a day. Day 10 / Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest Our target birds for the day were two species of Parrot bills, Short-tailed and Large Rufous headed. The trail turned out to be an asphalted road constructed recently and was to lead to a new casino which was planned inside the hearth of the protected area. Plans for this casino were shelved although road works still continued along the first 3km of the road. At the end of the road the path leads into thick bamboo forest. We had a glimpse of four tiny missiles darting into the bamboo from where they started to call. Although we knew that these were the smaller of the two parrotbills (Short-tailed) we did not manage to get a good view of them. All bird watching was carried out from the road. Once again very few birds around, one reason for this lack of birds became apparent when two men both holding air rifles shot at a flycatcher right in front of the Belgian couple who were watching it. Wildlife in Vietnam is still very much persecuted, this was also reflected by the lack of reptiles and large mammals. The only reptiles we saw in Vietnam were the snakes and geckoes in liquor bottles. In the afternoon we decided to pay a visit to the park headquarters. When we arrived we found out that we only had 25 minutes before the park closes. After a short uneventful walk we headed back towards our van. On the way out we saw the cages containing Sun Bears which were confiscated from poachers and would eventually be released in the forest. Day 11 / Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest Breakfast at 6.00 and than we decided again to take the Bamboo trail again for a final attempt in locating the Parrot Bills. Birds were more apparent this morning with several calls from the forest as well as along the road. The British group was ahead of us and their guide had switched on his play-back caller. One, possibly two Greater Rufous Headed Parrot-bills were attracted to the calls. Several other species were seen. After lunch we headed back to Hanoi s International Airport to head back to Thailand. Day 12 / Bangkok All day was spent in Bangkok shopping around malls and open markets.

7 Day 13 / Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok (am) Khok Kham (pm) We decided to go again to Phuttamatton Park in search of the Hooded Pitta. Being a Sunday the park was full of people although very few people were present close to the Bamboo. Although we did not manage to get a glimpse of the Pitta, there were several other birds in the parks. We also had some great views of five large monitors swimming and sunbathing in the park. In the afternoon we drove down to Khok Kham in search of Nordman s Greenshank and well as to sort out the small waders (stints) we had seen on the previous visit. No sign of the greenshank but we managed to get; Red-necked and Longtoed stints. Our return flight to Malta via Dubai was at am and so after returning to Bangkok we packed, had dinner and left for the airport.

8 2. Daily Observations Drive from Airport to Lodging outside Bangkok Little Egret, Intermediate Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Cattle Egret 2, Asian Open-billed Stork c.a.35 feeding, Asian Koel 1 calling, Coppersmith Barbet 1, Common Myna 5, Barn Swallow 15+, Asian Palm Swift (pm) Drive from Lodging to Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok Greater Racket-tailed Drongo1, White-breasted Waterhen 1, Red-wattled Plover 1, Indian Roller 1, Asian Koel (am) - Bangkok Asian Koel 2+, Oriental Magpie Robin 4+, Peaceful Dove 1, Spotted Dove 10+, Asian Palm Swift c.a.40, Streaked-eared Bulbul 15+, Tree Sparrow c (pm) Khok Kham (Samut Sakorn) Black-capped Kingfisher 1, Asian Koel 3, Wood Sandpiper 1, Common Greenshank 1, Spoon-billed Sandpiper 1, Temminck s Stint 2, Curlew Sandpiper 40+, Broad-billed Sandpiper 3+, Black-winged Stilt 20+, Greater Sand Plover 300+, Little Egret 15+, Oriental Magpie Robin 2, Barn Swallow 5, Yellow Wagtail Lodging outside Bangkok (bedroom window) Asian Open-billed Stork 7, Tree Sparrow 15, Collared Dove 1, Black Drongo 1, Whitevented Mynah 6+, Common Tailorbird 1, Scaley-breasted Munia (am) Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens (Bangkok) Red-breasted Parakeet 5, Plain Prinia 2, Spotted Dove c10, Peaceful Dove 7+, Oriental Magpie Robin Hanoi Airport to Xuan Thuy (Vietnam) Chinese Pond Heron single birds, Cattle Egret 20+, Lesser Coucal 1, Common Kingfisher 15+, White Wagtail 3, Black Drongo 50+, Common Greenshanks at Xuan Thuy calling at night Xuan Thuy (am) Common Teal 200+, Northern Pintail 2, Little Grebe 3, Common Kingfisher 10+, Pied Kingfisher 2, Black-capped Kingfisher 3, Purple Swamphen 3+, Common Moorhen 1, Crake sp 2, Black-tailed Godwit 80+, Wood Sandpiper 10+, Common Sandpiper 1, Spotted Redshank c10, Common Redshank 15+, Marsh Sandpiper 40+, Common Greenshank 50+, Dunlin 30+, Kentish Plover 1, Grey Plover c5, Black-tailed Gull 7, Heuglin s Gull 1 ad., Black-headed Gull 30+, Saunder s Gull 1+, Little Egret 20+, Great White Egret c10, Chinese Pond Heron 40+, Grey Heron 20+, Black-faced Spoonbill 23, Night Heron 1juv., Grey-backed Shrike 3, Yellow-bellied Prinia 15+, Yellow Wagtail 15+, Grey Wagtail 1.

9 23 Black-faced Spoonbills at Xuan Thuy Cuc Phuong N.P. (late pm) Common Blackbird 20+ (flock), Black-headed Bulbul Cuc Phuong N.P. (all day) Red Headed Trogon 1, Crested Serpent Eagle 1, Black Eagle 1ad, Eared Pitta 1, Grey Backed Shrike 1, Black Drongo 15+, White Browed Fantail 1, Common Blackbird 15+, Japanese Thrush 1, White Rumped Shama 1, Black-headed Bulbul 1, Red Whiskered Bulbul 15+, Puff-throated Bulbul 6+, Grey-eyed Bulbul 3, Grey-cheeked Warbler 1, Striated Babbler 3+, Rufous Throated Fulvetta 1, Olive-backed Pipit 1, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1, White Wagtail 1, Common Tailorbird 1, Hill Myna Cuc Phuong N.P. (all day) Silver Pheasant 1, Red Headed Trogon 2+, Greater Flameback 1, Grey Capped Pygmy Woodpecker 2, Black Eagle 1, Silver Breasted Broadbill 1, Blue-winged Leafbird c10, Asian Fairy Bluebird 1, Grey Backed Shrike 1, Ashy Drongo 1, Scarlet Minivet 4, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike 1, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher 1, Common Blackbird 5+, Japanese Thrush 1, Orange-flanked Bush Robin 1, White-rumped Shama 1, Sultan Tit 1, Black-crested Bulbul 1, Puff-throated Bulbul 4+, Red-whiskered Bulbul 10+, Hume s Warbler 1, Grey-cheeked Warbler 1, Puff-throated Babbler 2, Striped Tit Babbler 1+, Rufous-throated Fulvetta 1+, White Wagtail 1.

10 Cuc Phuong Ancient tree trail (am) Red Jungle Fowl 2, Black Eagle 1, Changeable Hawk Eagle 1, Great Iora 1, Common Iora 1, Blue-winged Leafbird 5+, Grey Backed Shrike 2, Scarlet Minivet 20+, Spangled Drongo 1, Ashy Drongo 4+, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 1, Bronzed Drongo 2, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher 1, Common Blackbird 4+, Japanese Thrush 3+, Orange-flanked Bush Robin 2, White-rumped Shama 1, Oriental Magpie Robin 2, Hill Myna 5+, Sultan Tit 3, Red Whiskered Bulbul 5+, Black Bulbul 2, Puff-throated Bulbul 3+, Plain Prinia 3, Puffthroated Babbler 5, Striped Tit Babbler 2+, White-bellied Yuhina 1, Olive Backed Pipit 4, Fork-tailed Sunbird 2, White Wagtail Cuc Phuong Botanical Gardens (pm) White-browed Piculet 1, Racket Tailed Treepie 1, Verditer Flycatcher 1, Red Whiskered Bulbul 6+, Arctic Warbler Cuc Phuong Park H.Q. (am) Grey Capped Pygmy Woodpecker 2, Lesser Yellownape 1, Blue-winged Leafbird 2, Scarlet Minivet 4+, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 1, Ashy Drongo 2, White-browed Forktail 2, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher 1, Common Blackbird 2, White-rumped Shama 1, Sultan Tit 2, Black Crested Bulbul 1+, Puff-throated Bulbul 2+, Red Whiskered Bulbul 10+, Hume s Warbler 1, White-Crested Laughingthrush 2+, Puff-throated Babbler 2+, Grey Throated Babbler 2+, Striped Tit Babbler 3+, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta 3+, Whitebellied Yuhina 2+, Crimson Sunbird 2, Fork-tailed Sunbird On the road from Cuc Phuong to Tam Dao N.P. (pm) Little Egret 4+, Chinese Pond Heron 10+, Common Kestrel 1+, Blacjk Drongo 15+, Tree Sparrow Tam Dao Antenna Trail (pm) Red Breasted Flycatcher 1, Orange-flanked Bush Robin 1, House Martin Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest (am) Common Buzzard 1, Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1, Blue-Winged Leafbird 1, Green Magpie 1, Ratchet-tailed Treepie 1, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1, Orange-flanked Bush Robin 4, Black Bulbul 5+, Red Whiskered Bulbul 6+, Scarlet Minivet 2, Common Tailorbird 4, White-cheeked Laughing Thrush 10+, Grey-cheeked Fulfvetta 2, (Short-tailed Parrotbill 3+ seen darting into bamboo thicket), Fork-tailed Sunbird Tam Dao Park HQ (late pm) Great Tit 1, Red Whiskered Bulbul 4+.

11 Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest (am) White-browed Piculet 3+, Bay Woodpecker 2 (heard only), Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush 1, Rufous Gorgetted Flycatcher 1, Grey Bushchat 1, Sultan Tit 2+, Black Bulbul 15+, Red Whiskered Bulbul 6+, Common Tailorbird 3, Hume s Warbler 1, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush 5+, White Cheeked Laughingthrush 6+, Golden Babbler 3+, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta 30+, Striated Yuhina c10, White-bellied Yuhina c10, Greater Rufous Headed Parrotbill 2+, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker 3, Fork-tailed Sunbird 3+, Olive-backed Pipit 1, White-rumped Munia 12+, Drive to and at Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok (am) Coppersmith Barbet 5, Indian Roller 1, Black Capped Kingfisher 1, Asian Koel 20+, Lesser Coucal 2, Asian Palm Swift 30+, Spotted Dove 30+, Peaceful (Siva) Dove 5+, White-Breasted Waterhen 1, Red-wattled Lapwing 3, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great White Egret 2, Chinese Pond Heron, Night Heron 1ad, Asian Open Billed Stork 100+, Great Iora 1, Slender-billed Oriole 2, Black Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 1, Pied Fantail 5+ Red-Breasted Flycatcher 1, White Vented Myna, Barn Swallow 15+, Streaked-eared Bulbul 1+, Oriental Magpie Robin 1, Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker 1, House Sparrow 4, Tree Sparrow Khok Kham (pm) Black Capped Kingfisher 3+, Common Kingfisher 1, Asian Koel 4+, Chestnut-headed Beeeater 3, Spotted Dove 15+, Common Redshank 5, Common Greenshank 6, Marsh Sandpiper 10+, Red-necked Stint 1, Long-toed Stint 1, Temminck s Stint 1, Black-winged Stilt 10+, Little Ringed Plover 2, Kentish Plover 1, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern 10+, Little Cormorant 50+, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Grey Heron 2, Common Myna, Barn Swallow 10+, Streaked-eared Bulbul 4, Oriental Magpie Robin 2, Olive-backed Sunbird 2, Yellow Wagtail 4, Tree Sparrow 10+.

12 3. Checklist to the Birds seen Follows: (Robson G New Holland Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland UK). Red Jungle Fowl Gallus gallus 2 at Cuc Phuong on 27 November. Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera 1 at Cuc Phuong N.P. on 26 November. Common Teal Anas crecca 200+ at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. Northern Pintail Anas acuta 2 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 3 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. White-Browed Piculet Sasia ochracea 1 at Cuc Phuong Botanical Gardens on 27 November, 3+ at Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest on 30 November. Grey-Capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus 2 at Cuc Phuong N.P. on 26 November, 2 at Cuc Phuong Park H.Q. on 28 November. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorophus 1 at Cuc Phuong Park H.Q. on 28 November. (Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis) 2 heard calling at Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest on 30 November.

13 Coppersmith Barbet Magalaima haemacephala 1 calling at condo on 20 November, 5 at Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok on 02 December. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis 1 at Phuttamatton Park 20 November and on 02 December. Red-Headed Trogon Herpactes erythrocephalus 1 on 25 November at Cuc Phuong N.P., 2+ at the same locality on 26 November, Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis along road from Hanoi Airport to Xuan Thuy, 10+ at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. 1 at Khok Kham on 02 December Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 2 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. Black-Capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata 3 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. 1 at (pm) Khok Kham on 21 November, 1 at Phuttamatton Park and 3+ at Khok Kham on 02 December. Asian Koel Eudynamus scolopacea 1 calling outside condo and 2 at Phuttamatton Park on 20 November, 2+ Bangkok on 21 November, 3 at Khok Kham on 21 November, 20+ at Phuttamatton Park and 4+ at Khok Kham on 02 December Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis 1 along road from Hanoi Airport to Xuan Thuy on 23 November. 2 at Phuttamatton Park on 02 December.

14 Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater Merops leschenaulti 3 at Khok Kham on 02 December Red-Breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri 5 at Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens (Bangkok) on 22 November Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 20+ outside condo on 20 November, c40 outside condo on 21 November, 30+ same place on 2 December. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 10+ on 21 November outside Bangkok, c10 at Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens (Bangkok) on 22 November, 30+ along road and at at Phuttamatton Park and 15+ at Khok Kham on 02 December. Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 1 outside condo on 22 November. Peaceful (Siva) Dove Geopelia striata 1 Bangkok on 21 November, 7+ on 22 November at Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens and 5+ along the road from condo to Phuttamatton Park on 02 December. White-Breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Single birds on 20 November and on 02 December at Phuttamatton Park Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 3+ at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 80+ at Xuan Thuy on 24 November.

15 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 10+ at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. 1 on 21 November at Khok Kham Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 on 24 November at Xuan Thuy N.P. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus c10 at Xuan Thuy on 24 November. Common Redshank Tringa totanus 15+ on 24 November at Xuan Thuy N.P. 5 at Khok Kham on 02 December. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 40+ at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November 10+ at Khok Kham on 02 December. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Singles calling at Xuan Thuy at night on 23 November and 50+ at the same place the following day (24 November), 1 on 21 November and 6 on 02 December at Khok Kham Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmeus 1 at Khok Kham on the 21 November. Red-Necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 1 at Khok Kham on 02 December at Khok Kham.

16 Temminck s Stint Calidris temminckii 2 on 21 November and 1 on 02 December at Khok Kham. Long-Toed Stint Calidris subminuta 1 at Khok Kham on 02 December at Khok Kham. Dunlin Calidris alpina 30+ on 24 November at Xuan Thuy N.P. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 40+ at Khok Kham on 21 November Broad-Billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus 3+ at Khok Kham on the 21 November. Black-Winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 20+ on 21 November and 10+ on 02 December at Khok Kham, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2 at Khok Kham on 02 December Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 1 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November. 1 at Khok Kham on 02 December. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Singles on 21 November and double figures on 02 December at Khok Kham. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 300+ on 21 November and double figures on 21 December at Khok Kham.

17 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola c5 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November Red-Wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 1 on 21 November and 3 on 02 December at Phuttamatton Park Black-Tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 7 at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November Heuglin s Gull Larus heuglini 1ad at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November Black-Headed Gull Larus ridibundus 30+ at Xuan Thuy on 24 November Saunder s Gull Larus saundersi 1+ at Xuan Thuy N.P. on 24 November Gull-Billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 10+ at Khok Kham on 02 December Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus Double figures at Khok Kham on 02 December Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 1 at Cuc Phuong on 25 November Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1 at Tam Dao on 29 November. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 1 at Tam Dao on the 29 November

18 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Single bird seen daily at Cuc Phuong on 25 to 27 November. Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus 1 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 on the road from Cuc Phuong to Tam Dao 28 November. Kestrel Sp. 5+ along the road from Cuc Phuong to Tam Dao on 28 November Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger 50+ at Khok Kham on 02 December Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20+ at Xuan Thuy on 24 November, 4+ along the road from Cuc Phuong to Tam Dao on 28 November. Double figures on 20 November along road from Airport to Bangkok, 15+ at Khok Kham on 21 November, double figures along the road from Bangkok to Khok Kham and single birds at Khok Kham on 02 December. Great Egret Casmerodius albus c10 at Xuan Thuy on the 24 November 2 along the road from Bangkok to Khok Kham on 02 December Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Singles from Airport to Bangkok on 20 November, double figures along road from Bangkok to Phuttamatton Park and onwards to Khok Kham, singles at the latter place on 02 December.

19 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 20+ along road from Airport to Xuan Thuy on 23 November. 2 along road from Airport to Bangkok on 20 November, singles along the road from Bangkok to Khok Kham and at latter locality on 02 December. Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus Single birds along the road from airport to Xuan Thuy on 23 November, 40+ at Xuan Thuy on 24 November, 10+ on 28 November along road from Cuc Phuong to Tam Dao N.P. Double figures along road from Airport to Bangkok on 20 November, and double figures along road from Bangkok to Khok Kham on 02 December. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 20+ at Xuan Thuy on 24 November. 2 at Khok Kham on 02 December. Black-Faced Spoonbill Platalea minor 23 at Xuan Thuy on 24 November. Black-Crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1 juv at Xuan Thuy on 24 November. 1 ad at Phuttamatton Park on 02 December. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Double figures seen on all days (20-22 Nov. and 01-02Dec) Eared Pitta Pitta phayrei 1 feeding at Cuc Phuong N.P. on 25 November. Silver-Breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus 1 at Cuc Phuong on 26 November.

20 Blue-Winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis c10 on 26 th, 5+ on 27 th, and 2 on 28 November at Cuc Phuong N.P. 1 at Tam Dao on 29 November Common Iora Aegithina tiphia 1 at Cuc Phuong Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei 1 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong 1 at Phuttamatton Park on 02 December Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella 1 on 26 November at Cuc Phuong Grey-Backed Shrike Lanis tephronotus 3 on 24 November at Xuan Thuy, 1 on 25 th, 1 on 26 th and 2 on 27 th all at Cuc Phuong Racket-Tailed Treepie Cryosirina cucullata 1 at Cuc Phuong Botanical Gardens on 27 November Ratchet-Tailed Treepie Temnurus temnurus 1 on 29 November at Tam Dao Trail to Bamboo Forest Slender-Billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris 2 at Phuttamatton Park on 02 December Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus 4 on 26 th, 20+ on 27 th, and 4+ on 28 November at Cuc Phuong, 2 at Tam Dao on 29 November

21 Black Drongo Dicurus macrocercus 50+ on 23 November along road from Hanoi Airport to Xuan Thuy, 15+ on 25 November at Cuc Phuong N.P. 1 on 22 November at Lodging outside Bangkok, singles on 02 December along road from Bangkok to Khok Kham via Phuttamatton Park. Ashy Drongo Dicurus leucophaeus 1 on 26 th, 4+ on 27 th and 2 on 28 November at Cuc Phuong N.P. Bronzed Drongo Dicurus aeneus 2 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong Spangled Drongo Dicurus hottentottus 1 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo Dicurus paradiseus Singles on 27 th and 28 November at Cuc Phuong. 1 on 20 November and 02 December at Phuttamatton Park Bar-Winged Flycatcher Shrike Hemipus picatus 1 on 26 November at Cuc Phuong. White-Browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola 1 on 25 November at Cuc Phuong Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica 5+ Phuttamatton Park on 02 December Grey-Headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Singles from 25 th to 28 November at Cuc Phuong, 1 at Tam Dao on 29 November.

22 Chestnut-Bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris 1 on 30 November at Tam Dao Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula Double figures at Cuc Phuong from the 24 th to the 28 November Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis Single birds at Cuc Phuong from 25 th to 27 November. Rufous-Gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula stropiata 1 at Tam Dao on 30 November Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina 1 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong Botanical Gardens Orange-Flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus 1 on 26 th, 2 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong, 1 on 28 th and 4 on 29 November at Tam Dao Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 2 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong 4+ on 21 November in Bangkok, 2 on 21 November at Khok Kham, 2 on 22 November at Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens (Bangkok) and 1 at Phuttamatton Park on 02 December White-Rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus 1 from 25 th to 28 November at Cuc Phuong Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea 1 at Tam Dao on 30 November.

23 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 5+ along road from Airport to Lodging outside Bangkok on 20 November, singles at Khok Kham on 02 December. White-Vented Myna Acridotheres grandis Double figures along road from Bangkok to Khok Kham via Phuttamatton Park on 02 December. Hill Myna Gracula religiosa 7+ on 25 th and 5+ on 27 November at Cuc Phuong Great Tit Parus major 1 on 29 November at Tam Dao. Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea 1 on 26 th, 3 on 27 th, and 2 on 28 November at Cuc Phuong, 2+ at Tam Dao on 30 November. Northern House Martin Delichon urbicum 200+ at Tam Dao on 28 November Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 15+ on 20 November along road from Airport to Lodging outside Bangkok, 15+ along road from Bangkok to Khok Kham on 02 December, 5 on 21 November and 10+ on 02 December Khok Kham Black-Crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus 1 on 28 November at Cuc Phuong Streak-Eared Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi 15+ on 21 November at Bangkok, 1+ at Phuttamatton Park and 4 at Khok Kham on 02 December.

24 Red-Whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Single to double figures daily at Cuc Phuong from 25 th to 27 November, single to double figures at Tam Dao on 29 th and 30 November. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 2 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong, th and 15+ on 30 November at Tam Dao Puff-Throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus Singles at Cuc Phuong from 25 th to 28 November. Grey-Eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua 3 at Cuc Phuong on 25 November Yellow-Bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris 15+ on 24 November at Xuan Thuy Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3 at Cuc Phuong on 27 November 2 on 22 November at Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 1 at Cuc Phuong on 25 November, 4 on 29 th and 3 on 30 November at Tam Dao 1 outside lodging (outside Bangkok) on 22 November and 02 December. Hume s Warbler Phylloscopus humei 1 at Cuc Phuong on 26 th and 28 November and 1 at Tam Dao on 30 November. Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis 1 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong Botanical Gardens

25 Grey-Cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys Single birds at Cuc Phuong on November. White-Crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus 2+ on 28 November at Cuc Phuong. Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger 5+ at Tam Dao on 30 November. White-Cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 10+ on 29 November and 6+ on 30 November at Tam Dao Puff-Throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps 2 on 26 th, 5 on 27 th, and 2+ on 28 November at Cuc Phuong Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea 3+ at Tam Dao on 30 November. Grey-Throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps 2+ on 28 November at Cuc Phuong Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Singles at Cuc Phuong on 26 th to 28 November Rufous-Throated Fulvetta Alcippe rufogularis 1 on November at Cuc Phuong Grey-Cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia 3+ on 28 November at Cuc Phuong and 30+ at Tam Dao on 30 November. Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei 3+ at Cuc Phuong on 25 November

26 Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps c10 at Tam Dao on 30 November White-Bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca 1 on 27 th and 2+ on 28 November at Cuc Phuong, c10 at Tam Dao on 30 November. (Short-tailed Parrotbill Paradoxornis davidianus) 3+ at Tam Dao on 29 November Greater Rufous-Headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis ruficeps 2+ at Tam Dao on 30 November. Fire-Breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus 3 at Tam Dao on 30 November Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum 1 on 02 December at Petrol Station on the way to Khok Kham Fork-Tailed Sunbird Aethopyga christinae 2 on November at Cuc Phuong, 3+ at Tam Dao on November Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja 2 at Cuc Phuong on 28 November Olive-Backed Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis 2 at Khok Kham on 02 December White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3 on 23November along road from Hanoi Airport to Xuan Thuy, a single bird present near swimming pool at Cuc Phuon from November

27 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 15+ on 24 November at Xuan Thuy 4 on 21 November and 02 December at Khok Kham Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 at Xuan Thuy on 24 November Olive-Backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 1 on 25 th and 4 on 27 November at Cuc Phuong, 1 at Tam Dao on 30 November House Sparrow Passer domesticus 4+ along road to Phuttamatton Park (outside Bangkok) on 02 December. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 4 on the road from Cuc Phuong to Tam Dao on 28 November c10 on 21 November Bangkok, 15 on 22 November outside lodging (outside) Bangkok, double figures seen along the road to Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok, and 10+ Khok Kham on 02 December. White-Rumped Munia Lonchura striata 12+ at Tam Dao on 30 November Scaly-Breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 1 on 22 November near lodging outside Bangkok

28 4. Checklist to Mammals seen Northern Treeshrew Tupaia belangeri 1 at Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok on 02 December Eastern Mole Talpa micrura One freshly killed at Tam Dao on 29 November Hatinh Langur Trachypithecus hatinhensis One sitting on a branch at Cuc Phuong outside Park headquarters, others possibly accompanying in trees but could not be seen. Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor Singles at Cuc Phuong on November Squirrel sp. Several small to medium sized squirrels seen on most days in forested areas. Including a medium sized dark coloured with reddish undersides and small striped long-tailed ground and tree dwelling ones. Sika Deer Cervus nippon A small herd outside Cuc Phuong Park HQ on 28 November 4. Reptiles Checklist Water Monitor Varanus salvator 5+ at Phuttamatton Park outside Bangkok on 22 November and 02 December Terrapins 2 on 22 November at Watchalermprakiat temple and gardens 5. Amphibians Anura sp. 1 In shower room in hotel at Cuc Phoung on 28 November

29 Useful contacts. Xuan Thuy National Park Website: Cuc Phuong National Park Website: Guide Books: Robson G New Holland Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland UK. Parr, J.W.K A Guide to the Large Mammals of Thailand. Sarakadee Press Thailand Lekagul, B. & J.A. McNeely Mammals of Thailand (2 nd Edition). Bangkok. December 2007 **********************************************