Dates:
Weather:
Localites:

2-4 May 2012.
Hot and cloudless with some thunder, but no rain.
Huay Tueng Tao, Mae Taeng Irrigation Project, Chiang Dao and Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chocolate Albatross

Streaked Wren-Babbler

Club Beak

Angled Pierrot

3 May. Left Chiang Mai at 10:00 with a first stop at Mae Taeng Irrigation Project to look for Wire-tailed Swallow, inexplicably not seen yesterday at Huay Tueng Tao. We struggled to find it here too - only recording a single bird on the way out, nearer to the highway. On the drive in a Rufous Treepie flew over the road. Once at the river, we had a 20 minutes scan, with a major surprise of two Asian Openbill circling - a decidedly rare bird this far north. Other than that nothing particular of note. Continued to Chiang Dao where we checked into Malee's Bungalows. A rather hot day, touching 40°C. After a short lunch visited the sanctuary offices to secure the permits for the mountain tomorrow. These formalities were completed within 10 minutes, so in the heat of the day drove to the checkpoint on the Muang Khong road. Owing to the very dry conditions - no pond and virtually no water in the stream. Butterflies, normally plentiful here were very reduced in number, with maybe only 20 species present and small numbers of each. Around 16:00 left the area to visit Wat Tamplaplong where we spent the remainder of the day in the forest up to the temple. Best species recorded were Violet Cuckoo, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon and a very obliging pair of Streaked Wren-Babbler at the temple itself. No sign of the very tame Silver Pheasant. In the evening we ate at Mon and Kurt's Restaurant in Chiang Dao town. Recommended for both European and Thai food. In the evening, around the accommodation, Brown Boobook and Large-tailed Nightjar were the only night birds vocal.

4 May. A very early start from Chiang Dao, arriving at the DYK substation camp site at 06:30, having stopped for a few early birds on the route up. Little rain yet this year, so no issues reaching the substation. Our first hour was spent along the start of the summit trail in the open forest and pines, but little of note seen, although Mountain Bamboo Partridge heard. Returned to the camp site and walked the main track back for about a kilometre. This was much more productive and we had views of Silver-breasted Broadbill, a pair of Green Cochoa and a single Grey-headed Parrotbill, as well as the usual Davison's Leaf Warbler, Hair-crested Drongo, Cinereous Tit etc. The main aim had been to try for Giant Nuthatch but this proved elusive until later when a single bird was seen briefly in pines around the campsite before heading off never to be seen again. Returned to Chiang Dao and after lunch at Malee's had another look for butterflies around the Muang Khong road checkpoint, but rather disappointing. The final stop was to check the paddies east of Chiang Dao, where we saw a couple of Wire-tailed Swallow and a few Eastern Red-rumped Swallow.