Birding Trip Kaeng Krachan National, Thailand
My birding trips to Kaeng Krachan National Park started in 2011 to photograph birds between January and May. It has one of the highest bird densities where many birds are just nesting by the roadside without arduous trekking deep into the rainforest. Other animals in the rainforest are elusive and difficult to spot. Our birding trips to Kaeng Krachan National Park were mainly to photograph birds.
During the first trip, we stayed one night at the headquarter overlooking the reservoir and enjoyed the golden sunset by the water and local dinner along the dam. Drove to Panongtung, the peak, the next day. It was a short day trip, we saw Great Hornbill, Brown Hornbills, Blue-throated Barbet, and Orange-bellied Leafbird. We discovered that we needed to be near the campground at Ban Krang to be close to the birding activities.
Kaeng Krachan National Park is the Broadbill capital of the world:
After the recce trip, I had a mental map of the Kaeng Krachan National Park and where to find the birds. There are 14 species of broadbills in the world. Kaeng Krachan National Park is the only place where you can see almost all the seven broadbills in Thailand, except for the Green Broadbill found further south. It is indeed the broadbills capital of the world. From March to May, the broadbills will be nesting along the main road within a few kilometers of the campground.
Dusky Broadbill. Birding Trip Kaeng Krachan National, Thailand
Birding trips to Kaeng Krachan National Park:
Barbets, Trogons, Kingfishers, and Bee-eaters
The Great Barbets, Blue-eared Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, and Green-eared Barbets are amongst the birds you can see along the road up to the peak.
The Red-headed Trogon and Orange-breasted Trogon are the star birds sought after by birders. They can be sighted not far from the road.
Blue-Bearded and Red-bearded Bee-Eater were along the road. The Red-bearded Bee-Eater prefers to nest higher up the elevation along the main road.
The Red-bearded Bee-eaters can be easily seen higher up on the main road.
The Banded Kingfisher and the Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers are a joy to see with their radiant colors contrasting the dull forest green.
The flood and drought in Kaeng Krachan National Park
In 2011, it rained continuously for 4 to 5 days in Kaeng krachan. I could not take my camera out of the car. On our way home, a tree fell on the main road blocking our passage before the exit. Thankfully, the staff at the park helped us in clearing the road.
In 2016, we had the driest season in the park. The streams were completely rocky except for a few puddles of water in several places. It was hot and dry. However, birding was rather interesting.
We sat quietly on rocky dry stream, and the birds would come down to drink. The Green Magpie and Cinnamon Trogon were a few examples. The Blue-Pitta and White-Fronted Scops-owl also appeared in that hot season.
Birding Trip Kaeng Krachan National, Thailand
We hope to go back soon to more birding trips to Kaeng Krachan National Park ,Thailand.
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