SRI PHANG NGA
THAILAND
LOCALE
| Area (ha): | 25,625 |
| # Species: | 275 |
| # Excl Vagrants: | 275 |
| # Endemics: | 0 |
| # Near Endemics: | 0 |
| Species/100 ha: | 1.1 |
| Habitat: Moist evergreen forest | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
Sri Phang-Nga National Park offers very good birding in largely undisturbed low elevation rainforest. The park is part of a larger complex of national parks that protects most of the large mammals of Thailand, including Dusky Langur and White-handed Gibbon, both commonly seen, and Asian Elephant and Tiger, rarely seen. The park is best noted for 6 species of hornbills and also has a stake-out for both Javan Frogmouth and Gould's Frogmouth.
The headquarters area and the track leading to the headquarters are very good for birding. It's a good place to find Rufous-bellied Eagle, Great Hornbill, and White-crowned Hornbill. The road from the headquarters to the campsite leads through primary forest. Bamboo stands are a bood place to find several species of babblers. Many birds prefer the upper canopy of the forest and require some patience to see. Possibilities include Raffles's Malkoha, Dusky Broadbill, Crow-billed Drongo, Black-headed Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, White-rumped Shama, and Blue-winged Leafbird. In the forest understory it's possible to find the rare and secretive Rufous-collared Kingfisher and the elusive Hooded Pitta. Several species of kingfishers can be seen along the river adjacent to the road. The campsite itself is an excellent place for seeing a variety of forest and forest edge species. In the evening it's possible to find Buffy Fish-Owl and Brown Boobook.
Several trails provide access into the forest. The most frequently used trail is the Ton Deng-Ton Doo Waterfall Trail. This trail forks after 1½km, with the left fork leading to the waterfall and the right up the mountain. The left fork offers excellent birding, with specialties including Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher, Ochraceous Bulbul, and Chestnut-naped Forktail. A good place to find Malayan Banded Pitta during breeding season from January through April. Much more difficult but possible in very early morning is Great Argus and Helmeted Hornbill, the latter found deep in the forest. Another good trail is the Tamnang Waterfall Trail, which starts from the campsite. This trail is paved and easy walking. It's one of the best places to find Malayan Banded Pitta and is a good for a variety of other forest species.
LOCATION OF SITE
Sri Phang-Nga National Park is located on the west coast of southern Thailand about 100km north of Phuket and 30km south of Kuraburi along Highway 4.