NAM NAO NATIONAL PARK
THAILAND
LOCALE
| Area (SqKm): | 966 |
| Altitude (m): | 700-1270 |
| # Species: | 356 |
| # Excl Vagrants: | 356 |
| # Endemics: | 0 |
| # Near Endemics: | 0 |
| Species/100 SqKm: | 36.9 |
| Habitat: Dry dipterocarp forest, hill evergreen forest, pine forest | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
Nam Nao National Park in northeast Thailand is rarely visited by birding tours as it's not especially close to the main sites in northern Thailand. Nevertheless, it's a very worthwhile birding site for those having the time to visit. The mature deciduous and pine forests have luch ground cover of grasses rather than thick vegetation, allowing for much better views of many birds that are difficult to see elsewhere. Birding is along numerous trails around the headquarters area and campsite. A number of side roads off the main road are good for roadside birding. Trails are in very good condition, better than most parks in Thailand.
Tall trees around the car park may produce Mountain Imperial-Pigeon, Great Barbet, and Vernal Hanging-Parrot, especially in early morning. Forest behind the visitor center is often a good place to see Red-headed Trogon. Trees around the campsites are good for a variety of woodpeckers. It's possible to see 8 species of woodpeckers in a couple days. Most easily seen are Gray-capped Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape, Common Flameback, and Greater Flameback. The open areas around the campsite are good for White-crested Laughingthrush, which have been habituated to visitors and often allow close approach. The Huai Ya Khruea Nature Trail starts near the visitor center is good in early morning before visitors crowd the trail. The rather secretive Bar-backed Partridge can sometimes be seen on the trail. The trail is also good for Collared Babbler and Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler. The rare Bamboo Woodpecker is a possibility. The longer loop trails is the best place to find Silver Pheasant. Other possibilities include Orange-breasted Trogon, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Blue Pitta, Common Green-Magpie, Puff-throated Bulbul, Siberian Blue Robin, White-crowned Forktail, and Purple-naped Spiderhunter. Open pine forest aan be good for Collared Falconet and Blossom-headed Parakee. A track up Phu Goom Khao hill can be driven without 4-wheel-drive during dry season. Possibilities include Chinese Francolin, White-bellied Woodpecker, Black-hooded Oriole, Red-billed Blue-Magpie, Burmese Nuthatch, and Brown Prinia. In addition to birds, there is a good population of Asian Elephant in the park. On occasion one can encounter a Yellow-throated Marten, Leopard or other mammals as well.
LOCATION OF SITE
Nam Nao National Park is located in a mountainous area 33km east of Lom Sak in northeast Thailand. Lom Sak is about 400km north of Bangkok, about a 5-hour drive.