Thailand Birding 2023: Day 16: Tuesday 7 March 2023

Today we enjoyed a full day exploring and birding within Doi Ang Khang National Park. Doi Ang Khang (1,928 metres) is a mountain in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It is part of the Daen Lao Range that straddles both sides of the Burmese-Thai border. It incorporates the site of the Ang Khang Royal Project Station - an agricultural research station (covering an area of 318 ha).

Our drivers waiting patiently for us

One of the ladies attending the stunning gardens of the project

First set up by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1969, the agricultural station researches and cultivates temperate climate fruits, flowers, and vegetables. It is said that it was initially founded to help raise the living standard of underprivileged hill tribes that have settled in the neighbourhood of the royal project. Mu Ban Khum is a small community of Burmese, Hwa, and Thai Yai. The people of No Lae have migrated from Burma about 15 years ago. They speak their native language and observe Buddhist precepts. The villagers here make a living from agriculture and handicrafts with support from the Ang Khang Royal project.

Brown-breasted Bulbul

Gray Bush-Chat

Japanese Tit

Dark-backed Sibia

Daurian Redstart

Hill Ponies reminding me of Cape York

Spot-breasted Parrotbill

Spot-winged Grosbeak

Silver-eared Mesia

Giant Nuthatch

Short-billed Minivet

Little Pied Flycatcher

Striated Bulbul

Scarlet-faced Liochichla

Verditer Flycatcher

Indian fritillary

Mrs Gould's Sunbird

Crested Finchbill

Mountain Bulbul

Hill Blue Flycatcher

The photos above depict some of the target birds within the park and research station including Crested Finchbill, the beautiful but skulking Red-faced Liocichla, Hill Blue Flycatchers, Mrs Gould's Sunbird and Giant Nuthatch. Parrotbills are a special Asian group and we were lucky to spy Spot-breasted and Grey-headed Parrotbill. Of course there were also many leaf warblers for us to try and sort out. The garden its self was absolutely spectacular and after the poor air quality of other areas it certainly felt like an oasis. There were many plants from all over the world and it was interesting to see the NZ native flax and Australian Calistemons amongst the plantings.

Ang Khang Royal Project gardens

We finished the afternoon with a trip to the Thai Burmese border area and managed a Burmese list. It is a highly militarised area with recent skirmishes reported. After the tranquility of the gardens it appeared incongruous.