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14 - 24 January 2014.
Dry, very cold to warm depending on altitude, some early fog and haze.
Doi Lang, Doi Ang Khang and Doi Inthanon National Park.

Fire-tailed Sunbird

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush

15 Jan. Arrived early morning at the entrance barrier on the west side of Doi Lang. Despite the early hour, staff were present demanding 400 Baht entrance fee. Challenging this, pointing out that last week it was 200 Baht, the fee was immediately dropped to 200 Baht. Something fishy going on here!

The first bird on the road up was Mountain Bamboo Partridge, giving close, extended views. Next stop was one of the major photoshoot places, but with the cold temperatures activity was virtually non-existent, so instead we spent a couple of hours walking the more forested section before the upper checkpoint, which in the early sun was very productive with Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Black-throated Bushtit, Pallas's Leaf Warbler, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, White-tailed Robin, Giant Nuthatch heard, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Large Niltava, Slaty-blue Flycatcher and Sapphire Flycatcher.

With only a full day available in the mountain we pressed on, past the summit to the San Ju viewpoint area where a good collection comprised female Blue-fronted Redstart, at least eight Fire-tailed Sunbird, Common Rosefinch, Red-flanked Bluetail, and Golden Bush Robin.

Grey Bush Chat

The remainder of the day spent along upper elevations beyond the top army camp with Grey-sided Thrush, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-necked Laughingthrush, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Spectacled Barwing and Whiskered Yuhina. On the return we stopped again on the drier slope with Crested Bunting giving some frustrating views.

16 Jan. Started again on Doi Lang, with Mountain Bamboo Partridge in the same spot as yesterday, and a group of Crested Bunting on the road beyond the checkpoint. Most of the morning then spent looking for the recently reported Long-tailed Thrush but without success.

We did however record Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Yellow-browed Tit, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Brown-crowned Scimitar Babbler, White-necked Laughingthrush, Rufous-backed Sibia and Whiskered Yuhina in the process. Ultramarine Flycatcher still present as we left the mountain. Drove to Doi Ang Khang, arriving around 14:30. In the Ban Luang Resort garden we found Grey-winged Blackbird, White-headed Bulbul and Crested Finchbill. Much cooler here, and we started in the cemetery area, with Buff-throated Warbler, Aberrant Bush Warbler and a female Slaty-blue Flycatcher. At dusk we tried the Arunothai road for nightbirds, but with only a single Mountain Scops Owl calling.

17 Jan. Early attempts to rustle up Russet Bush Warbler were partially successful, being seen by two of the four present. A short trip along the Arunothai road didn't locate any Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, but we did obtain great views of Collared Owlet. Next up we tried the Km 21 trail with more partial success, locating a singing Spot-throated Babbler which remained singing but unseen - typical for this ulta-skulker. Birding here, as far as the Ridge Trail, we found Rufous-throated Partridge, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Spectacled Barwing, Common Rosefinch and a Chestnut Bunting. A walk along the length of the Mae Phur valley produced nothing much of note. An evening attempt birding here was as equally unproductive as yesterday.

18 Jan. A last try for Russet Bush Warbler, with one bird calling briefly, but unseen. Returned to Chiang Mai for drop off at airport.

19 Jan. Collected Phil and drove to Fang, arriving late.

20 Jan. Taking the western road up Doi Lang, pre dawn, our first surprise was a Common Palm Civet running across the road, even before we arrived at the park entrance. This time, no mysterious 400 Baht entrance fee - just the standard 200 Baht. As cool and early, no Ultramarine Flycatcher performing, so we continued as far as a large group of photographers in the road waiting for Mountain Bamboo Partridge, which we also gave a miss and headed to drier forest higher up.

In a few hours here, including a lengthy walk, we recorded an impressive range of birds including Giant Nuthatch, Hume's Treecreeper, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Large Niltava, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-browed Laughingthrush, and Rufous-backed Sibia. A couple of stops at open areas higher were largely unproductive, though did include an Asian Fairy-bluebird at 1,640 metres. Around the San Ju viewpoint were at least seven Fire-tailed Sunbird, Golden Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Redstart and Red-flanked Bluetail.

Ultramarine Flycatcher

Grey-winged Blackbird

Black Forester

White-browed Laughingthrush

Having successfully found most of the drier habitat species yesterday we concentrated efforts on the eastern side, which for much of the morning was overcast, windy and cold. A series of longer walks slowly racked up many interesting species including Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Red-headed Trogon, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Whiskered Yuhina, Hume's Treecreeper, Eyebrowed Thrush, Grey-winged Blackbird and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. At the upper army camp new arrivals at the feeding areas were Grey-winged Blackbird and Chestnut Thrush.

Chestnut Thrush

Brown-breasted Bulbul - Doi Inthanon

23 Jan. Very cold overnight. We started at summit where the crowds were enjoying the heavy frost and ice covering. Rufous-throated Partridge was found relatively easily, but the usually common Green-tailed Sunbird took almost three hours to track down. Down to the Royal Garden Siribhumi, where fruiting and flowering trees had attracted Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, many Eyebrowed Thrush, and a range of bulbuls, including many White-headed Bulbul and the first ever Brown-breasted Bulbul for Inthanon.