7th January

 Rong Jai Marsh, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

I visited the west side of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park today, exploring the area marked as Rong Jai on Nick Upton's map.  This area is very impressive, with a vast wetland located below towering limestone karst mountains, and a well established and maintained boardwalk and shelters that stretch out across the wetland affording nice views of PURPLE SWAMPHEN, both species of JACANA and various Herons and Egrets.

Purple Heron

 Lesser Whistling Ducks

Little Bee-eater

En route to this area I stopped a few times, picking up a GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, OSPREY and several flocks of WHITE-SHOULDERED STARLINGS.

The hunt for Manchurian Reed Warbler continued, but drew a blank, with only Black-browed Reed and Oriental Reed Warblers seen.

Khao Sam Roi Yot again

Another morning at Khao Sam Roi Yot drew a blank on Manchurian RW due to strong wind keeping passerines down.

Highlights of the morning included two flocks of WHITE-SHOULDERED STARLINGS (both holding circa 15 birds), a flock of 70+ BAYA WEAVERS, nice views of a GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, plus a male EASTERN MARSH HARRIER.

 White-shouldered Starling

Khao Sam Roi Yot

First morning of birding 2011 today, with an early morning trip to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. I was looking for Manchurian Reed Warbler but only managed ORIENTAL and BLACK-BROWED Reed Warbs, as well as a few Think-bills. The trip got year listing underway (my very modest 2010 total was 445 across Asia, the UK, and USA). Highlights this morning included EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, PIED KINGFISHER, LONG-TOED and TEMMINCK'S STINTS, PURPLE HERON, YELLOW BITTERN and INDOCHINESE BUSHLARK.