While the streets of Bangkok were being planned for the continuation of the anti-government protests this week, I sought refuge among the city's green lungs. But more on that later. A short detour to the protests that had gathered quite a momentum by the time of writing at 5.30pm. There's a lot being analyses, discussed and criticized elsewhere, so won't get into that now. I just wanted to note how thousands of quite politically aware people in Thailand are willing to give up civil liberties and their rights to electoral democracy to what is essentially a fascist government. With the monarchy having greater role. Bizarre to say the least. But such kinds of movements are the hallmarks of feudal societies that have yet shed their rules of game, and have allowed patriarchal and paternal politics to remain strong while fronting democratic practices. More in another post.
So, back to my escapade this weekend. On Saturday, I ventured to Prapadaeng, a kind of a peninsula on Chao Phraya from the other side of the river. Or accessible by boat from Klong Toey. The place is popular for a number of attractions including the floating market, temples etc. but none of that for me, I don't fancy those stops. No, mine is aimed for the parks and the birds. So the destination on this peninsula was the Sri Nakhorn Khuan Khan park, about 10 minutes walk from the pier if coming by boat from Klong Toey. By taxi, the fare is about 200baht and it's a left turn on Suksawat Road, following the directions. Oh, the boat from Wat Klong Toey Nok is 7baht. But getting would still require the taxi/MRT combo, coming up to more or less the same price.
Anyway, I was a bit late starting the morning in the park, so I may missed some morning highlights. The park is not that wide so a few hours would be more than enough. During this dry season, it's very easy to walk on the trails just off the road.
I wasn't aiming for great sightings because the place is busier during the passing migration in April. But any chance to work the binos is always welcome. I was glad to spot the black-naped monarch, now familiar with its calls. And seeing the black-capped kingfisher for the first time! Also new on the list is the white-breasted waterhen and pink-necked green pigeons. The rest were usual suspects: Asian Koel, drongos, common tailorbird, Green-billed Malkoha, Chinese Pond Heron, Asian Brown Flycatcher.
On Sunday I went to Suan Rot Foi, which is officially my favorite place in Bangkok :-) I'm always encouraged to see the people using the park facilities to the max and really like how well it's kept. Anyway, it's been a good place to get to know the usual suspects better :-) but this time, I was happy with three new sightings! I wonder if any one of them may have come from the chatujak market where people are know to sell birds caught in the forests. Anyway, the three are Orange-headed Thrush (zoothera citrina); the white-rumped shama (C.malabaricus); and the grey-headed canary flycatcher (culicicapa ceylonensis) - the last suspected from the market but then there were easily 5-6 of them (consistent with behavior). I was not expecting the thrush but it was too obvious to be missed - I regret not having my camera! But while focusing on the thrush, I spotted the shama in the background. Both were present long enough, if only I remembered to pack in the camera :-(
Anyway, the rest of the sightings at Suan Rot Fai:
** links to the pictures of the birds are to the Oriental Bird Images. I've tried to select the ones from Thailand just to be as close as possible :-)
So, back to my escapade this weekend. On Saturday, I ventured to Prapadaeng, a kind of a peninsula on Chao Phraya from the other side of the river. Or accessible by boat from Klong Toey. The place is popular for a number of attractions including the floating market, temples etc. but none of that for me, I don't fancy those stops. No, mine is aimed for the parks and the birds. So the destination on this peninsula was the Sri Nakhorn Khuan Khan park, about 10 minutes walk from the pier if coming by boat from Klong Toey. By taxi, the fare is about 200baht and it's a left turn on Suksawat Road, following the directions. Oh, the boat from Wat Klong Toey Nok is 7baht. But getting would still require the taxi/MRT combo, coming up to more or less the same price.
Anyway, I was a bit late starting the morning in the park, so I may missed some morning highlights. The park is not that wide so a few hours would be more than enough. During this dry season, it's very easy to walk on the trails just off the road.
I wasn't aiming for great sightings because the place is busier during the passing migration in April. But any chance to work the binos is always welcome. I was glad to spot the black-naped monarch, now familiar with its calls. And seeing the black-capped kingfisher for the first time! Also new on the list is the white-breasted waterhen and pink-necked green pigeons. The rest were usual suspects: Asian Koel, drongos, common tailorbird, Green-billed Malkoha, Chinese Pond Heron, Asian Brown Flycatcher.
On Sunday I went to Suan Rot Foi, which is officially my favorite place in Bangkok :-) I'm always encouraged to see the people using the park facilities to the max and really like how well it's kept. Anyway, it's been a good place to get to know the usual suspects better :-) but this time, I was happy with three new sightings! I wonder if any one of them may have come from the chatujak market where people are know to sell birds caught in the forests. Anyway, the three are Orange-headed Thrush (zoothera citrina); the white-rumped shama (C.malabaricus); and the grey-headed canary flycatcher (culicicapa ceylonensis) - the last suspected from the market but then there were easily 5-6 of them (consistent with behavior). I was not expecting the thrush but it was too obvious to be missed - I regret not having my camera! But while focusing on the thrush, I spotted the shama in the background. Both were present long enough, if only I remembered to pack in the camera :-(
Anyway, the rest of the sightings at Suan Rot Fai:
- White breasted waterhen
- Asian brown flycatcher
- Chinese pond heron
- Little egret
- Cattle egret
- Coppersmith barbets
- Streak-eared bulbuls
- Common ioras
- Small minivets
- Black-capped kingfisher
- White-throated kingfisher
- Brown shrike
- Ashy drongo
- Pied fantails
- Little heron
- Barn swallows
- Black-naped orioles
- Yellow-browed warbler (guessing)
** links to the pictures of the birds are to the Oriental Bird Images. I've tried to select the ones from Thailand just to be as close as possible :-)
