Bird Watching in Hat Yai, southern Thailand

Bird Watching in Hat Yai, southern Thailand

The southern city of Hat Yai is renowned for shopping, food, entertainment, and more. We spent a morning at Tone Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, west of Hat Yai, to explore the local birding experience in Tuk Tuk with fellow resident bird watchers after our trip to Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. It took us a pleasant 45-minute morning ride in Tuk Tuk to arrive by 7:30 am. I had not expected bird watching in Hat Yai southern Thailand could be so much fun.

When we arrived at the car park of the Tone Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, it was empty except for one photographer. The row of trees were fruiting, and there were many birds just above us. It was easy birding as we did not have to walk much and the birds kept coming. We spent more than 2 hours quietly photographing birds from the car park until the Sunday crowd started to fill with loud music.

Bird watching Hat Yai, Southern Thailand. In just one spot, we saw at least 10 species of birds.

1. Blue-eared Barbet
2. Red-throated Barbet
3. Pacific Swallow
4. Yellow-browed Warbler
5. Yellow-vented Flowerpecker
6. Orange-breasted Flowerpecker
7. Red-eyed Bulbul
8. Buff-vented Bulbul
9. Grey-bellied Bulbul
10. Scaly-breasted Bulbul

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After a satisfying morning in Tone Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, we tried the famous Hat Yai Thai Fried Chicken for lunch in the park. We spent the evening at the Hat Yai floating night market to savour the local food and culture to complete our day. Thanks to our friends in Hat Yai for arranging the birding trip in Hat Yai and a fun-filled day.