The last couple days have been the best days so far for this migrational period. If you have been following my last posts I had been seeing a consistent few migrant species. Still, there were great standouts in the form of Chinese Sparrowhawk and ~20 strong flock of Black Bazas. From the 10th of April things got more exciting. I’m primarily checking Sirikit Park due to the proximity to home and the good habitat.
I’ve been set on seeing a Mugimaki Flycatcher since a month or so before migration started, the past few days had given plenty of Yellow-rumped Flycatchers but I was yet to see Mugimaki. Yesterday, I went to check the park. As soon as I got there, a pair of Forest Wagtails were foraging amongst the leaf litter. They are the cutest Wagtails, Wagtails usually wag their tail vertically but Forest Wagtails do it horizontally.
Next to this area, it seemed the same male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher was still present. Foraging amongst the yellow leafed trees. They aren’t too hard to locate as they make big sallies as they catch insects.
Continuing through the park I checked the bamboo garden, and a positive update is that the White-breasted Waterhen still has chicks present. 2 times ago I had seen a dead chick which was almost certainly killed by the cat residing in the area. The cat is usually found lying down in the gardener’s bamboo-covered building in the bamboo area.
Feeling tired I was on the way out when I found a few Eyebrowed Thrush lurking around. I saw one individual at the park in late January. They were tricky to photograph, I tried my hardest and then was walking away and noticed one perched up in the tree. After snapping, it quickly disappeared.
I was just about to leave when I noticed one of my friends sent a picture of a Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher, they were in the park, and the bird was in the park! I had to hurry over to see it. By now it was close to sunset. On my way there I stumbled across an Asian Barred Owlet.
10th April 2022.
I made it to the right location and found the tiny Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher. The 4th migrant of the day and a lifer. I don’t think you can beat the beauty of this tiny bird. The Thai common name roughly translates to ‘Small Kingfisher of 3 inches’. Neither common names help describe how incredible the bird is. I think Spectacular Dwarf-Kingfisher would be most fitting.
As you can expect it was surrounded by photographers on both sides of the water. I left after 15mins, an amazing sight!
Today, I decided to go back and check on the Dwarf-Kingfisher. The visit ended up being very short and sweet. On my way to see bird I stumbled across the Mugimaki Flycatcher I was eagerly waiting for. It was an amazing surprise, hearing how most of the time it’s high up in the canopy, to see it was on the ground was great. Even better it was a stunning male and he was foraging and caught a large grub.
After it took flight I reached the same place where the Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher was yesterday. I didn’t spend long here after I got a photo, there were lots of birders there watching it. Probably 10 people at the time. I wonder how long it will stay here on passage migration. Interesting fact, at least on eBird, the last time it was reported at the park was 6 years ago!
I decided to quit while ahead, being in the park for under 40 minutes. The weather was nice, though. The sound of thunder was present in the background and some cool winds were blowing.
All images and videos © 2022 hamsambly
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