Birding in Bangpra Non-hunting Area (Thailand)

Birding in Bang Phra Non-hunting Area (Thailand)

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It was the month of May, vacation time for us. This year we had planned to spend the holiday in Thailand.

As always, no trip these days is complete, unless there is a birding destination in it !!!

On making some search we zeroed on “Bang Phra Non-hunting Area” which was located  in the Chonburi province, closer from the island of Pattaya.

It is also a waterbird breeding centre 

Bangpra Non hunting Area - Entrance

On the Morning of 16^th May 2012 we hired a cab, which would drive us to the birding spot and bring us back to the Hotel. We took a printout of the road map from the reception, and reached the parking lot by 6.30 am after almost a hour’s drive.

Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides)

Just as we entered the Birding Area, we sighted the  Asian Barred Owlet. It had perched itself very comfortably and surely had seen us too!!

As we tried to get a little more closer to get closer shots, it watched us and soon flew off deeper into the woodlands.


Just as we moved ahead, we were joined in by a interesting companion (A dog), who was very familiar with the trail, it seemed. All we did for the next couple of hours was followed him!!! 

When he stopped, all we had to do was look around, and we would see something new. Hence, to thank him, have also posted his picture (taken at the time of leaving the park ) at the entrance.

The Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) were commonly seen here. They are a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. 

This distinctive stork is found mainly in and around the water body and the grassland. They have this distinctive greyish white and glossy black wings and tail. 

The adults have the beak with a narrow gap formed by the arched upper mandible and re-curved lower mandible. They were seen circling the reedy areas


No wetland seems complete, unless you have spotted the Black-winged Stilt.

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

On the right there is this lake and alongside the reeds we could sight the Pied Fantail, which is a species of bird in the Rhipiduridae family.

Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica)

As moved along the trail, which was paved with water body on the left where we sighted the White-breasted Waterhen in midst of the marshes.

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

Yellow-eyed Babbler (Chrysomma sinense)

Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis)

Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

Today was just another lucky day for us sighted the following  lifers, the Yellow bittern, Laced woodpecker, Green-billed Malkoha, Asian barred owlet.

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)

Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus)

“Bang Phra Non-hunting Area” was a nice blend of grassland and woodland on one side, it is a semi-natural lake  We could see Local people fish, gather plants and graze their cattle here.

As the day got brighter it was getting exceptionally hot and humid. Luckily, we were carrying lots of water and snacks.

Happy Birding!