Another Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Yesterday, I went to see the Stripe-throated Bulbuls at Suan Luang Rama IX park and then braved the traffic to check Benjakitti. Suan Luang Park was decent, I had only been once before but the ‘good’ area had a Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, a super active female Hainan Blue Flycatcher alongside my main targets which were actually a small flock.

After arriving at Benjakitti the first area I spotted a Ashy (Sooty) Drongo, I hope they split this species soon from Chinese White-faced, and a few mins later I glimpsed a flycatcher low down on the bank of the khlong. At first I thought it might be the park’s first Ferruginous Flycatcher but was another Brown-breasted Flycatcher. The last one I found, at this very same park, 2 weeks ago was Bangkok’s second record, the last one 5 years earlier. So now I found the 3rd one & have found 67% of them ever sighted in Bangkok.

David Gandy missed the last one by 1 day but I made sure to let him know about this one. He made it over on his lunch-break and secured his sighting of this Bangkok super rarity. I lucked out sitting by the khlong as it flew towards me and onto the most picturesque fallen branch.

The park was rather quiet otherwise. I did have a flock of 7 Oriental Honey-Buzzards migrating through and 1 Shikra. The last 4 visits I think I’ve had Shikra 3 times… I haven’t been writing much, but my last significant find was Long-tailed Shrike rediscovery in Bangkok. It was a bird I thought I wouldn’t be able to see in Bangkok anymore so it was super exciting to find one. Last sighting was 1,200+ days prior.

Last week also has been filled with raptor migration. Taking a look on the western edge of Bangkok & Phutthamonthon last weekend, we sighted a lot of Chinese Sparrowhawks & other Accipiters with the Honey-Buzzards. Two days ago I had a Grey-faced Buzzard 1km north of Bangkok’s border.

UPDATE 10/10/23: Found another one on the following day at another spot. Someone found potentially another new one at Benjakitti! Crazy stuff as the first record was 5 years ago and potentially 4 new records in the last 2 weeks.

All images and video © 2023 Sam Hambly.

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