Reported by Andy Colthorpe

In March and April of 2003, Andy Colthorpe visited Khao Sam Roi Yot and saw a flock of 17 Rosy Starlings. About four or five were in full pink breeding plumage. He also saw a single Brahminy Starling! These were both seen in the coconut grove just south of Sam Phraya Beach.

Andy saw three Pied Kingfishers in a newly flooded rice field. This is a new species for him as he lives in Phuket and hasn’t made it to any areas where they are found before.

Andy then went to Bangkok to visit Wat Chalamphrakiat. He saw four or five Red-breasted Parakeets and a single Alexandrine Parakeet (male). Next, he visited Wat Tientawai and saw seven Alexandrine Parakeets and was treated to a close view of a Plaintive Cuckoo.

At Wat Phai Lom, Andy saw huge numbers of Asian Open-billed Storks. These extraordinary birds nest at the temple and every tree is full of them.

Andy went to Khok Kham with Bangkok resident Bob Dawson in hopes of seeing the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper. There have been recent recordings and these rare birds are wintering there for the last four to five years. He did see Temminck's Stints and Long-toed Stints, both new birds for him. Caspian Terns were spotted as well.

Photos by Andy Colthorpe