Bird watching west of Bangkok, Thailand - Thailand bird watching trip report

30 August 2020

Introduction

I use eBird and they have maps with different hotspots. So I have chosen a couple of eBird hotspots that have never been visited before in Nakhon Pathom, the province next to Bangkok. West of Bangkok. I like to check out never visited hotspots to see what I can discover.

I will visit the below never visited eBird hotspots today:
• Rang Pho Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok]

• Sam Yaek, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok]

• Bang Nam Chuet, Samut Sakhon

• Phun Suk Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok]

• Wat Samae Dam (Samae Dam Temple), Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok]

• Wat Bang Kradi Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok]

• Roong Aroon School, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok]

• Bang Kachao--Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Pansa Park, Samut Prakan

Trip Report

Sunday 30 August 2020 and I will start at Rang Pho Alley about 30 minutes away from my condo. It turns out to be a normal alley with just a gravel field. We checked another alley before we left the area and, well, I will not bother to come back here again. But now I have visited the hotspot, but there are plenty “never” visited hotspots in eBird.

Leaving Bangkok early morning

Rang Pho Alley

Open gravel / mud area

Red-collared Dove

Bird watching at Rang Pho Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], Thailand

Today's track at Rang Pho Alley

eBird Report

Rang Pho Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], TH Aug 30, 2020 06:36 - 07:21
Protocol: Traveling
2.34 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Most private gardens
15 species

Red Collared Dove 7
Spotted Dove 1
Zebra Dove 16
Coppersmith Barbet 1
Malaysian Pied-Fantail 1
Large-billed Crow 2
Plain Prinia 2
Yellow-vented Bulbul 1
Common Myna 4 One Common Myna mobbed by two Great Mynas
Great Myna 5 Mobbing 1 Common Myna
Oriental Magpie-Robin 1
Asian Golden Weaver 2 Females. No signs of any nests in the area
Scaly-breasted Munia 9
House Sparrow 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow 11

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72964576

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Next hotspot is just a few minutes away and we drove on a gravel road through wetland and farmland. And there was quite a few birds in the area. Entering the gravel road and turn left after hundred meters or so and you end up at something I think is a coconut farm with plenty water.

Here was Egrets and Herons and I also spotted a Grebe.

Bird watching at Sam Yaek, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], Thailand

Driving along the gravel road at Sam Yaek

Pond Heron

Asian Openbill

Little Egret

Today's track at Sam Yaek

eBird Report

Sam Yaek, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], TH Aug 30, 2020 07:26 - 08:15
Protocol: Traveling
2.54 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: A road along reeds and farm land. Well worth a visit
13 species (+3 other taxa)

Little Grebe 1
Red Collared Dove 2
Zebra Dove 8
Asian Koel 1
Asian Openbill 2 First was a fly over and the second feeding in the farm land
Little Egret 1
white egret sp. 1 Too far away for ID when it was flying over the area
Javan Pond Heron 1 Coming in to winter plumage
pond heron sp. 2
Brahminy Kite 1
Malaysian Pied-Fantail 1
Plain Prinia 2
swallow sp. 1 I cannot ID flying swallows, but long tail so either Striated or Red Rumped. Also about 20 birds that I think is Martins. Grey belly and black edge on tail
Streak-eared Bulbul 2
Oriental Magpie-Robin 3 Two birds flirting with each other on the road throwing tail feathers at each other
Asian Golden Weaver 3 Could not see any nests in the area

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72966296

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Just a few minutes between the hotspots and we were soon at Bang Nam Chuet. I will not bother to come back. A road through the reeds, maybe better in the dry season but now it was impossible to see anything in the thick vegetation. And no signs of any roads or tracks out in to the reeds from the road. But plenty garbage burning along the road.

Bird watching at Bang Nam Chuet, Samut Sakhon, Thailand

Today's track at Bang Nam Chuet, Samut Sakhon

eBird Report

Bang Nam Chuet, Samut Sakhon, TH Aug 30, 2020 08:22 - 08:35
Protocol: Traveling
1.83 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: A rod between the reeds. Waste of time to come here! A lot of traffic and no paths or tracks to leave the road.

Next to impossible to see anything through the reeds. Maybe better in dry season. Burning garbage along the road
4 species (+1 other taxa)

Red Collared Dove 3
Zebra Dove 1 Heard only
Asian Openbill 1 Sitting in top of a tree
Plain Prinia 1
swallow sp. 5 Birds that I think is Martins. Grey belly and black edge on tail

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72966814

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

We were soon running in to yet another disappointment, the eBird hotspot: Phun Suk Alley. Garbage dump or a village? Seriously, how can people live like this? Just throw the garbage out the window. No, I will never come back here again.

Bird watching at Phun Suk Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], Thailand

Phun Suk Alley is not a nice area

Today's track at Phun Suk Alley

eBird Report

Phun Suk Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], TH Aug 30, 2020 08:59 - 09:27
Protocol: Traveling
2.94 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:Waste of time to come here. Maybe better in the dry season when the vegetation is less dense. Garbage along the road and not many birds
9 species (+1 other taxa)

Feral Pigeon 1
Red Collared Dove 1
Zebra Dove 5
Asian Koel 1Heard only in the trees
Asian Openbill 1Feeding in the orchard
swallow sp. 2Birds that I think is Martins. Dark grey belly and black edge on tail
Streak-eared Bulbul 1
Great Myna 1
Asian Golden Weaver 2Females. No sign of any nests in the area
Scaly-breasted Munia 2Feeding on the road

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72968149

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Next stop will be the Wat Samae Dam (Samae Dam Temple) located just next to the river/ canal. I walked around and there was a lot of birds, most of them heard from the other side of the river/ canal so too far away for any pictures or ID. It was nice to visit but as I have been here now I won’t waste time to come back. Plenty more exciting areas to spot the same birds.

Bird watching at Wat Samae Dam (Samae Dam Temple), Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], Thailand

River at Wat Samae Dam

Today's track at Wat Samae Dam

eBird Report

Wat Samae Dam (Samae Dam Temple), Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], TH Aug 30, 2020 09:53 - 10:36
Protocol: Traveling
1.72 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Hotspot along the river/ canal. Park at the temple and walk around looking at Pigeons and sparrows.

I have been to better so don't waste your time to come here unless you are passing
9 species (+3 other taxa)

Feral Pigeon 5
Zebra Dove 2
Asian Openbill 5 Soaring high above the temple. Discover it was Asian Openbill looking at them thinking it was raptors
cormorant sp. 4 Too far away for ID. Three came flying over the temple and then another one followed
Little Egret 3 Feeding along the river
Javan Pond Heron 1 Well in to winter plumage
pond heron sp. 1 Winter plumage and not possible to ID
Common Kingfisher 1
bee-eater sp. 1 Flow by me after flying across the river. Too quick for proper ID. 99% Blue-tailed
Common Myna 5
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 1 I know the electric sparkling sound and I heard a lot of them from the other side of the river/ canal. The bird I spotted in the tree next to me was a female
Eurasian Tree Sparrow 45 Many around the temple

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72969526

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Wat Bang Kradi Alley, if you follow the directions in eBird you end up at a gated community. I was lucky and the guard opened the gate and there were two small ponds among the houses and I could see a few birds. I don’t know why they have made this a eBird hotspot: . Maybe before they built all the houses?

But the houses seems to have been around for a long time and several of them looked abandoned. And if you have bought a house in this area I guess it is pretty much impossible to sell your house again.

Bird watching at Wat Bang Kradi Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], Thailand

Striated Heron

Javan Pond Heron

Today's track at Wat Bang Kradi Alley

eBird Report

Wat Bang Kradi Alley, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], TH Aug 30, 2020 10:49 - 11:24
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Forgot to turn off eBird app. Start end end point the same.

Why is this an eBird hotspot? It is a gated community, but we were lucky and the security let us in. But nothing to see here!
12 species (+1 other taxa)

White-breasted Waterhen 1 Juvenile. Very dark but it looked to be the same size as adult
Asian Openbill 1 Soaring high, discovered the bird looking at one Bhraminy Kite at the site
Javan Pond Heron 1 Almost full winter plumage
pond heron sp. 1 Winter plumage so no proper ID
Striated Heron 1 Looked to be a juvenile with some baby plumage remaining
Brahminy Kite 1 Soaring over the pond area
White-throated Kingfisher 1 Heard only and two times. Think the bird was behind the houses
Coppersmith Barbet 1
Common Myna 3
Great Myna 2
Olive-backed Sunbird 1
House Sparrow 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow 20

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72970356

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

They didn't let me in at the Roong Aroon School so we left. I changed my mind and I decided to go up the small road. This was a road going along parking areas just outside the fence to the Roong Aroon School area. Some school building at the end of the road with a small pond. I went out and it was a beautiful area around the pond and I spotted a Stork-billed Kingfisher that was flushed when I walked towards the bridge.

Bird watching at Roong Aroon School, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], Thailand

Today's track at Roong Aroon School

eBird Report

Roong Aroon School, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon [Bangkok], TH Aug 30, 2020 11:53 - 12:14
Protocol: Traveling
1.56 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: If you ever come here, not possible to enter the gate to the school area. Roundabout outside the guard/ gate. Instead of going back to the main road continue (Keep left) straight and you drive past a parking area. Barbed wire around the scool area but it looks nice for birding.

Drive until you reach the end and you have a small lake, still school area but access from the parking.
3 species

Zebra Dove 9
Stork-billed Kingfisher 1 Flushed when I approached the platform next to the lake
Oriental Magpie-Robin 5 One looked to be a very young bird. Wobbling when flying

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72970796

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Last stop before going back home, eBird hotspot: Bang Kachao--Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Pansa Park in the Bangkok Green lunge area. You need a car here as I guess it will be impossible to get a taxi to get back home again.

I was happy with the visit as I spotted the Forest Wagtail, a bird that I had never seen before in my life.

Bird watching at Bang Kachao--Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Pansa Park, Samut Prakan, Thailand

Today's track at Bang Kachao--Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Pansa Park, Samut Prakan

eBird Report

Bang Kachao--Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Pansa Park, Samut Prakan, TH Aug 30, 2020 12:45 - 13:15
Protocol: Traveling
2.05 kilometer(s)
6 species

Spotted Dove 1
Zebra Dove 3 Flirt and dance with the wag tail and song. Of course, stopped when I got my video camera ready
Black Drongo 1 Flying across the street landing next to the road in a tree. I got my camera ready and it took off
Oriental Magpie-Robin 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow 6
Forest Wagtail 1 Foraging and pottering around on the forest ground. Pictures very poor as it turned black when I started to take pictures

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S72971305

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

This was most likely the last bird watching for this year. Finally time to work after 6 months of sitting home doing sweet duck all. Flying to Singapore and as we’re in the middle of the Wuhan Epidemic there is a lot of restrictions, among them a 14 day “Home” quarantine. Click HERE to find out more about flying during the epidemic.

OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.

Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.

So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!

Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra

Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!

คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้

Вы говорите по-русски? Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

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