(Sites visited: Na Hin Forest, Kong Lor Cave, Done Khong, Done Khone and Done Det.
Birds of special interest: Bare-faced Bulbul, Sooty Babbler, Red-collared Woodpecker.)
INTRODUCTION
Few birders consider visiting Laos when traveling to Southeast Asia. It was viewed as a backwater country without any endemics and little site information. That changed somewhat last year with the discovery there of a new species of Bulbul and the efforts of. Stijn De Win. After a three-month trip thru Indonesia, I found myself with some free time and I decided to go there. Na Hin offered the opportunity to look for the new species of bulbul as well as Sooty Babbler and Red-collared Woodpecker. Additionally, Mekong Wagtail can be found in the southern part of the country among the many channels of the Mekong River.
REFERENCES
Robson, C A Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia. 2000
Clements, J The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World. 2007
Vaisutis, J Lonely Planet Laos. 2007
http://www.birding2asia.com/W2W/Laos/NaHin.html has detailed information on Na Hin Forest with maps.
www.xeno-canto.org has recordings of : Bare-faced Bulbul, Sooty babbler and Mekong Wagtail.
LOGISTICS
My starting point was the backpacker ghetto of Khao San Road in Bangkok. Not only does this district offer cheap accommodations for the night but also dozens and dozens of travel agencies, which specialize in budget travel arrangements throughout Southeast Asia. Here I picked up a Laos Lonely Planet guide, a Lao visa and an overnight bus ticket ($25) to Vientiane, Laos. Many foreigners make such visa runs from Bangkok to the Thai embassy in Vientiane to get a new Thai visa. A 30-day Lao visa ($35+ photo) can be obtained on arrival either at the border, Vientiane and Paske airports or can be arranged ahead of time (three days) thru many travel agencies in Bangkok. The Lonely Planet Laos guide has all the information one needs and that was where I got all my travel information for inside Laos.
The best place to enter Laos overland is thru the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge near Vientiane. From the Vientiane Southern Bus Terminal there are three early morning air-con buses (5 am, 6 am, 7 am) for Lak Sao that you can take and get off four hours later at Ban Na Hin. If you arrive at the Southern Bus Terminal after 7:00 am, as I did, you can take one of the hourly air-con buses that travel south along Hwy 13 to Paske and get off at Vieng Kham ($5) at the junction of Hwy 13 & Hwy 8. From this junction on Hwy 8, I took a sawngthaew (pickup truck with bench seats) to Ban Na Hin ($2, one hour). If you wish to travel back to Vientiane from Na Hin simply catch one of the three morning buses from Lak Sao as they go thru Ban Na Hin (8,9,10 am).
Ban (Village) Na Hin is a tourist destination and has about a dozen guesthouses (under $10) and restaurants. Additional ones were being built during my visit. Public transportation around Na Hin Village is on sawngthaews ($1-$2). However, they do not run early or late in the day. There are a number of guesthouses that rent motorcycles ($10/day). The primary birding sites are along Highway 8 and are about 8 kilometers from the village. I simply walked there most days.
When leaving, I took the morning bus from Lak Sao to Vientiane and got off at Vieng Kham (Hwy 8 & Hwy 13 junction) and got on a southbound bus for Paske, which is also a tourist destination. In the center of town, in the vicinity of the Paske Hotel, there are numerous accommodations and services that cater to tourists and backpackers. I arranged my transport (bus and boat) for Done Khong here for a 7 am departure. Done Khong, Done Khone and Done Det are popular backpacker destination. These islands among the channels of the Mekong River are crowded with western backpackers and a possibility for Mekong Wagtail for me. Motorbikes ($10) and bicycles ($1) can be rented to explore areas farther afield. When you are ready to depart, you can arrange an all-inclusive bus/boat ticket from here back to Bangkok or other destination in Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam. If you are from a visa-exempt country and you return at an overland border crossing to Thailand, without a prearranged Thai visa, they will only allow you a 14-day entry at the border.
COMMUNCATIONS
Everyone speaks Laotian as it is the official language of Laos. English being the international language of tourism and business is spoken/understood in tourist area and is the most popular western language studied in schools. Some road and business signs have both Laotian and English script. Generally, it is a minuscule minority that understands English. I do not speak Laotian and faced no problems getting around and making arrangements at the sites I visited.
Cell phones are in use in all the areas I visited but might require a local sim card. Internet is available in cities and tourist area but on the expensive side. I did not see Internet access at Na Hin Village during my visit.
MONEY
1US$ = 8500 Lao Kip = 33 Thai Baht
Many tourist businesses in Laos will accept US$ and Thai Baht in addition to the Lao Kip. You should, however, have some of your currency in small denominations of Lao Kip because shops and businesses in remote areas, including Ban Na Hin, may not be able to change foreign currencies or even large Kip bills. Furthermore, you should spend all you Kip in Laos before departing, as you will not be able to convert it once you leave the country or possibly even at the border. An additional 10,000 kip fee is charged by immigration for stamping your passport upon entering and departing the country. ATMs are not a reliable method of obtaining money in Laos, as there are only a few in the larger cities like Vientiane and Paske.
All my expenses in Laos including travel from Bangkok to Bangkok amounted to about $300 or $20/day. It is one of the cheapest countries in Asia for tourists.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
Na Hin Village, Done Khong, Done Khone and Done Det are all tourist destinations that cater to westerners. There are numerous guesthouses at all these sites for very reasonable prices ($10 or less). You can find food and drinks to satisfy your tastes at the local restaurants and shops, although it is on the pricey side ($3-$5/meal). At Khong Lor Cave there were no accommodations or restaurants. The nearest guesthouse was some three kilometers away. However, things are rapidly changing here with the newly paved road. The owner of Mi Thuna guesthouse/restaurant in Na Hin told me that she would be opening a restaurant at Khong Lor Cave in short order.
ITINERARY
2-Dec Arrangements in Bangkok plus overnight bus to Laos border.
3-Dec The overnight bus from Bangkok arrived at the border at dawn. It took some three hours to go thru immigration/customs because most of the bus passengers were involved in the lengthy process of obtaining a Lao visa-on-arrival. From the border the bus went to Vientiane and ended its journey at the Thai embassy there. A tuk-tuk took me from there to the Vientiane Southern Bus Terminal. Took a southbound bus to Paske and got off three hours later at Vieng Kham. At the junction of highway 13 and highway 8, I found a Na Hin bound sawngthaew and arrived in Na Hin Village in late afternoon.
4-Dec Birded on foot west of Na Hin Village along Hwy 8 from km 29-40. Saw three groups of Sooty babbler and a single Bare-faced Bulbul.
5-Dec Birded on foot west of Na Hin Village along Hwy 8 from km 32-40. Saw Bare-faced Bulbuls again at a distance. Birded nearby sidetracks along Hwy 8.
6-Dec Birded on foot west of Na Hin Village along Hwy 8 at km 32-33 in early morning. In late morning and afternoon, I birded east of Na Hin Village along Hwy 8 from km 40-49 and Weather station track.
7-Dec Birded on foot east of Na Hin Village along Hwy 8 to km 49 and Weather Station track/trail and beyond
8-Dec Rented motorcycle and birded west along Hwy 8 from km 20 to 40 and the fields along the road to Kong Lor Cave for 10 km.
9-Dec Birded on foot east of Na Hin along Hwy 8 from km 40-49 and Weather Station trail and beyond.
10-Dec Birded Waterfall trail (Na Hin Village) in morning. Rented motorcycle in late morning and drove (43 km) to Kong Lor Cave. Took the four-hour boat tour thru the cave and birded the forest around the cave and nearby fields in the afternoon.
11-Dec Birded on foot east of Na Hin Village along Hwy 8 from km 40-49, km 44 track and Weather Station trail and beyond.
12-Dec Travelling all day. At 8:00 caught the Lak Sao bus for Vientiane and got off at Vieng Kham. Pickup a south bound bus along highway 13 for Paske. Overnight in Paske.
13-Dec Bus and boat traveled from Paske to Done Khong in morning. In late morning rented a motorcycle and birded Klong Island. Spent the night in Done Khong.
14-Dec Birded Khong Island in early morning and boat traveled from Done Khong to Done Khone in mid-morning. Birding Khone Island on rented bicycle. Took boat trip to see Irrawaddy Dolphins at the southern tip of Khone Island.
15-Dec Birded on rented bicycle on Khone and Det Islands. Made travel arrangements to Bangkok for next day.
16-Dec Birded on Khone Island in morning on rented bicycle. In late morning traveled by boat and bus to Paske and onto Thai/Laos border.
17-Dec Arrived at 05:00 at the northern bus terminal in Bangkok
SITES
Na Hin Forest
Stijn De Win has excellent information including maps on this location on his web site – www.birding2asia.com. Anyone planning an independent trip to Na Hin should consult and print out these pages - http://www.birding2asia.com/W2W/Laos/NaHin.html.
The birding areas are not far from the village of Na Hin (km 41 marker) and are all within walking distance. The nearest karst habitat that holds the Bare-faced Bulbul and the Sooty Babbler is 6 kilometers west of Ban Na Hin along Hwy 8. There are no trails into it as this habitat (km 29 to km 36) is impassible and birding is done from and along Hwy 8, which cuts thru it. Normally there is not much traffic along this road. However, my visit to Na Hin coincided with the construction of a hydroelectric plant there and that significantly increased the amount of truck and construction traffic throughout the area. A telescope would be helpful here for the bulbul but not necessary if you give it some time. On my third day I saw a group of three Bare-faced Bulbuls feeding in fruiting bushes and trees only 3-4 meters away and at eye level.
The other area of special interest is the weather station track, which branches off at km 48.5 on Hwy 8. If you continue beyond the weather station, the track becomes a trail and goes thru and into the best and highest forest in the area. This is the area for the Red-collared Woodpecker.
Additionally there are numerous tracks and trails leading into the forest at different points along Highway 8 from km 29 to km 49. Again consult Stijn’s web page for details. They are all worth exploring.
I would encourage birders to spend some time exploring this site. This region has future potential. I am amazed that the Bare-faced Bulbul went undiscovered here for so long. This is not an inaccessible mountaintop or remote island. It is a tourist destination frequented by westerners. At km 32.8, there is an observation area/shelter over the karst formations. In a single day, I saw over 30 westerners, in various groups, stop here throughout the day to take photos and the view. Within 100 meters of this shelter and 3 meters from the road, I saw the Bare-faced Bulbuls. If such an obvious bird as this bulbul remained undiscovered for so long at this locale, what else does the area hold?!?!
Finally, a word of caution about some unpleasant local realities. The people of Laos, like those in China and Vietnam, eat everything. Hunting and trapping is commonly practiced here. All animals and birds are on their menu. On an almost daily basis I observed locals entering and coming out of the forest with rifles and traps. The first Bare-faced Bulbul I found was at a fruiting tree at km 30.5. At any one time there were at least a half dozen different species (bulbuls, barbets,etc.) feeding on the fruit and constant bird traffic to and from the tree. Beneath this tree were three locals with a telescoped rifle shooting the birds. An hour later as I returned by the spot, the slaughter still continued. By now the birds had become accustomed to the sound of gunfire and were no longer nervous. They simply sat there trying to feed as the bullets flew by them and until they were picked off. I heard the shooting go on for hours after I left the area. Four days later, I revisited this spot and although I spent fifteen minutes at that fruiting tree I did not see a single bird. Daily, I saw truckloads of tightly packed, caged dogs being shipped to Vietnam to be slaughtered and consumed there. Anyone coming here should be prepared for such unpleasant sights.
Kong Lor Cave
This site is 43 km from Na Hin Village and a popular tourist destination at the end of a newly paved road. That road branches off Hwy 8 to the south just before Na Hin Village at about km 37.5. What makes the cave so interesting is that it was formed by a 7.5-kilometer long river flowing through it. Boat tours ($10, 4 hours) take you thru the entire length of the cave.
The karst habitat near the entrance of the cave is worth birding. It is similar to that found along Hwy 8 west of Na Hin Village. I did see a flock of Sooty Babblers here and suspect that Bare-faced Bulbuls could be found here as well.
Done Khong
This large island is formed by the channels of the Mekong River near the Southern tip of Laos. It is a very popular destination for western backpackers and is adequately covered by most travel guides including Lonely Planet Laos.
I traveled there in an attempt to find Mekong Wagtail. There is one main road that goes around the island. It can be birded on rented motorcycle or bicycle. I failed to find the wagtail here.
Done Khone and Done Det
Like Done Khong, these are islands further south in the Mekong River and are full of western backpacker. As with above, Lonely Planet covers them effectively and has maps. Another attempt to find Mekong Wagtail here met with failure even though its preferred habitat is found here. These islands are birdable on foot or rented bicycle.
GPS COORDINATES
Location Appox. Road marker GPS Coordinates Elevation
Vieng Kham Hwy 13 & Hwy 8 N18°05’51.51” E104°17’12.28” 160 m ASL
Viewpoint shelter Km 32.8 N18°10’40.74” E104°29’2.34” 470 m ASL
Road junction for Kong Lor Cave Km 37.5 N18°10’28.54” E104°30’35.47” 180 m ASL
Mi Thuna Guesthouse/RestaurantBan Na Hin Km 40 N18°11’47.16” E104°31’5.94” 180 m ASL
Start of weather station track Km 48.5 N18°11’54.88” E104°35’51.80” 620 m ASL
Weather station N18°11’30.80” E104°36’28.44” 740 m ASL
Species Lists
Taxonomy, sequence and nomenclature follow Clements 2007 and subsequent updates.
HERONS EGRETS AND BITTERNS (CICONIIFORMES ARDEIDAE)
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Done Khong: 1 on 15-12
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12; Done Khone: 5 on 15-12
Chinese Pond-Heron (Ardeola bacchus)
Few in the lowlands
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Lowlands in association with buffaloes
HAWKS EAGLES AND KITES (FALCONIFORMES ACCIPITRIDAE)
Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes)
Done Khone: 1 on 14-12
Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 15-12; Done Khone: 1 on 15-12
Shikra (Accipiter badius)
Done Khone: 1 on 15-12
Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12
Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus nipalensis)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12 at km 47
FALCONS AND CARACARAS (FALCONIFORMES FALCONIDAE)
Oriental Hobby (Falco severus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12 on weather station track
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS (CHARADRIIFORMES CHARADRIIDAE)
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
Done Khong: 2 on 13-12 and on 14-12
SANDPIPERS (CHARADRIIFORMES SCOLOPACIDAE)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12 and 14-12
PIGEONS AND DOVES (COLUMBIFORMES COLUMBIDAE)
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Paske: few
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Na Hin Village and Done Klone: few
Yellow-vented Pigeon (Treron seimundi)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 7-12 and 3 on 9-12 on weather station track
PARROTS (PSITTACIFORMES PSITTACIDAE)
Vernal Hanging-Parrot (Loriculus vernalis)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 4-12
CUCKOOS (CUCULIFORMES CUCULIDAE)
Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 8-12; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12; Done Det: 1 on 15-12
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
Done Khone: one on 14-12 and 15-12
OWLS (STRIGIFORMES STRIGIDAE)
Collared Scops-Owl (Otus lettia)
Ha Hin Forest: heard only on 7-12
Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei)
Ha Hin Forest: heard daily and 1 seen on 9-12
SWIFTS (APODIFORMES APODIDAE)
Indochinese Swiftlet (Aerodramus rogersi)
Na Hin Forest and Kong Lor Cave: common over fields in late afternoon
Asian Palm-Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis)
Done Khong, Done Khone and Done Det: common
TROGONS AND QUETZALS (TROGONIFORMES TROGONIDAE)
Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 10-12 and 11-12; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12
Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12
ROLLERS (CORACIIFORMES CORACIIDAE)
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
Roadside fields: common
BARBETS (PICIFORMES CAPITONIDAE)
Lineated Barbet (Megalaima lineata)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12
Green-eared Barbet (Megalaima faiostricta)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12 and 9-12
Moustached Barbet (Megalaima incognita)
Na Hin Forest: Common
Blue-eared Barbet (Megalaima australis)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12
Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12
WOODPECKERS (PICIFORMES PICIDAE)
Speckled Piculet (Picumnus innominatus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12
White-browed Piculet (Sasia ochracea)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 6-12 and 1 on 11-12
Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 4-12
Red-collared Woodpecker (Picus rabieri)
Na Hin Forest: 1 male on 7-12, 2 separate observations on 11-12 may represent one male or two individuals, all beyond weather station
Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12 and 8-12
Pale-headed Woodpecker (Gecinulus grantia)
Na Hin Forest, 1 on 7-12, 9-12 and 10-12 beyond weather station
BROADBILLS (PASSERIFORMES EURYLAIMIDAE)
Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae)
Na Hin Forest: 10 on 7-12 and 9-12 beyond weather station
Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus)
Na Hin Forest: 10 on 7-12 and 9-12 beyond weather station
SWALLOWS (PASSERIFORMES HIRUNDINIDAE)
Nepal Martin (Delichon nipalense)
Na Hin Forest: Common; Done Det: 1 on 15-12
WAGTAILS AND PIPITS (PASSERIFORMES MOTACILLIDAE)
Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus)
Done Khong: 5 on 13-12
Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12; Done Khone: 4 on 15-12
Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12 and 14-12
Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Na Hin Forest: 3 on 6-12, 1 on 9-12 and 2 on 11-12; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12
CUCKOO-SHRIKES (PASSERIFORMES CAMPEPHAGIDAE)
Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina melaschistos)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12
Brown-rumped Minivet (Pericrocotus cantonensis)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 5-12
Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus)
Na Hin Forest: 8 on 6-12, 5 on 9-12 and 4 on 11-12
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus)
Na Hin Forest, common; Done Det, 5 on 15-12
BULBULS (PASSERIFORMES PYCNONOTIDAE)
Black-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps)
Done Det: 10 on 15-12
Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus)
Na Hin Forest: common; Done Khone:1 on 16-12
Stripe-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus finlaysoni)
Na Hin Forest: common; Kong Lor Cave: 2 on 11-12
Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
Done Det: 2 on 15-12
Puff-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus)
Na Hin Forest: common; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12
Gray-eyed Bulbul (Iole propinqua)
Na Hin Forest: common
Bare-faced Bulbul (Pycnonotus hualon)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 4-12 at km 30.5, 3 on 5-12 at km 35.3, 3 on 6-12 at km 32.7, 4 on 8-12 at km 35.3
LEAFBIRDS (PASSERIFORMES CHLOROPSEIDAE)
Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)
Na Hin Forest: common
Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12
IORAS (PASSERIFORMES AEGITHINIDAE)
Great Iora (Aegithina lafresnayei)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 4-12, 5-12, 8-12
THRUSHES (PASSERIFORMES TURDIDAE)
Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius)
Na Hin Forest: few daily; Done Khlong and Khone: few daily
Blue Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12
CISTICOLAS AND ALLIES (PASSERIFORMES CISTICOLIDAE)
Gray-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)
Na Hin Forest: 5 on 8-12 in fields
OLD WORLD WARBLERS (PASSERIFORMES SYLVIIDAE)
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12, 2 on 8-12 and 1 on 10-12; Done Khong: 1 on 13-12
Radde's Warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzi)
Done Det: 2 on 15-12
Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)
Na Hin Forest: daily
Bianchi's Warbler (Seicercus valentini)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12
Yellow-bellied Warbler (Abroscopus superciliaris)
Na Hin Forest: 5 on 11-12
OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS (PASSERIFORMES MUSCICAPIDAE)
Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12; Done Khone: 1 on 14-12; Done Det: 1 on 15-12
Taiga Flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 10-12 and 11-12; Done Det: 1 on 15-12; Done Khone: 1 on 16-12
Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12
White-tailed Flycatcher (Cyornis concretus)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 6-12, 1 on 7-12 and 11-12 on weather station track and beyond
Hainan Blue-Flycatcher (Cyornis hainanus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 10-12 on waterfall trail; Done khong: 1 on 13-12
Hill Blue-Flycatcher (Cyornis banyumas)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 5-12, 6-12 and 7-12
Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis)
Na Hin Forest: daily; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12
Siberian Blue Robin (Luscinia cyane)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 5-12
Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)
Done Det: 1 on 15-12
White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12 and 10-12; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12
Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus)
Na Hin Forest: common in fields; Kong Lor Cave: common; Done Khone: 1 on 13-12; Done Det: 1 on 15-12
Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)
Hwy 13 roadside: 20 on 12-12 and 1 on 16-12
Gray Bushchat (Saxicola ferreus)
Na Hin Forest: few most days at higher elevations
FANTAILS (PASSERIFORMES RHIPIDURIDAE)
White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12
MONARCH FLYCATCHERS (PASSERIFORMES MONARCHIDAE)
Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)
Na Hin Forest: few most days; Kong Lor Cave: 1 on 10-12; Done Khong: 1 on 13-12
Asian Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12
BABBLERS (PASSERIFORMES TIMALIIDAE)
White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus)
Na Hin Forest: 3 on 10-12 at waterfall trail; flock on 11-12 beyond weather station
Buff-breasted Babbler (Pellorneum tickelli)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12 and 9-12
Sooty Babbler (Stachyris herberti)
Na Hin Forest: 12+ on 4-12, 11+ on 5-12, 5+ on 6-12; Kong Lor Cave: 10 on 10-12
Gray-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigriceps)
Na Hin Forest: 5 on 6-12, 2 on 11-12
Spot-necked Babbler (Stachyris striolata)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 11-12 beyond weather station
Striped Tit-Babbler (Macronous gularis)
Na Hin Forest: groups daily; Kong Lor Cave: 5 on 10-12; Done Khlong: 1 on 13-12
White-bellied Yuhina (Yuhina zantholeuca)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 4-12, 5-12 and 8-12
CHICKADEES AND TITS (PASSERIFORMES PARIDAE)
Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 4-12
Sultan Tit (Melanochlora sultanea)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 7-12
NUTHATCHES (PASSERIFORMES SITTIDAE)
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta castanea)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12
SUNBIRDS AND SPIDERHUNTERS (PASSERIFORMES NECTARINIIDAE)
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 11-12
Purple-naped Sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12 and 7-12
Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 4-12 and 6-12
Eastern Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12 and 10-12
Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 6-12, 9-12 and 10-12
Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna)
Na Hin Forest: few daily
WHITE-EYES (PASSERIFORMES ZOSTEROPIDAE)
Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)
Na Hin Forest: 20 on 11-12
FAIRY-BLUEBIRDS (PASSERIFORMES IRENIDAE)
Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12
SHRIKES (PASSERIFORMES LANIIDAE)
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Na Hin Forest: a few; Done Khone and Done Det: singles
HELMETSHRIKES AND ALLIES (PASSERIFORMES PRIONOPIDAE)
Large Woodshrike (Tephrodornis gularis)
Na Hin Forest: 7+ on 6-12 and 10+ on 8-12
DRONGOS (PASSERIFORMES DICRURIDAE)
Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)
Done Khong: 5 on 13-12; Done Khone: 5 on 14-12, Done Det: 2 on 15-12
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
Na Hin Forest: few daily
Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus)
Na Hin Forest: few daily; Kong Lor Cave: 2 on 10-12
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 9-12, 3 on 10-12 and 1 on 11-12
Hair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus)
Na Hin Forest: common; Done Khlong, Done Khone and Done Det: few at all locations
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Na Hin Forest: 2 on 11-12
CROWS JAYS AND MAGPIES (PASSERIFORMES CORVIDAE)
Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
Na Hin Forest: 1 on 8-12 in fields; Done Khong, Done Khone and Done Det: few daily
STARLINGS (PASSERIFORMES STURNIDAE)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
Kong Lor Cave: 2 on 10-12; Done Det: 3 on 15-12
White-vented Myna (Acridotheres grandis)
Done Khong: 3 on 14-12; Done Det: 2 on 15-12
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Around towns and open areas
Vinous-breasted Starling (Acridotheres burmannicus)
Done Det: 10 on 15-12
Black-collared Starling (Gracupica nigricollis)
Done Det: 4 on 15-12
OLD WORLD SPARROWS (PASSERIFORMES PASSERIDAE)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Na Hin Village: few
WAXBILLS AND ALLIES (PASSERIFORMES ESTRILDIDAE)
White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata)
Done Khong: 1 on 13-12
