The Natural History Section of Siam Society is holding a study trip to watch birds at Laem Phak Bia mangrove forests in Phetchaburi province on Jan 24 and 25.
This is part of a series of birding programmes that range from half-day walks in urban parks, where participants can observe and learn about bird species commonly found in Bangkok, to longer excursions to renowned birding hotspots in the provinces.
This weekend trip will take participants to learn about and see the exceptional richness of birdlife round the inner Gulf of Thailand in Phetchaburi. It will be led by Philip Round, one of Thailand's foremost ornithologists with over 40 years of experience studying the birds of the Kingdom, and Jim Stent from the Natural History Committee of Siam Society.
The inner Gulf of Thailand is a major wintering area from October to April for migratory birds from north and central Asia and one of Southeast Asia's most important coastal wetlands. Laem Phak Bia and Pak Thale in Phetchaburi constitute a Shorebird Network Site under the East Asia-Australasia Flyway Partnership and are particularly good areas for observing these birds.
Participants will observe the birds from both boats in the Gulf and on the sandspits, salt pans and pools that line the coast. They will engage in an informal discussion about the birds they have seen and the conservation successes and challenges in the area.
In Laem Phak Bia, they will have the opportunity to see a variety of birds, including painted storks, Oriental darters, brahminy kites and around 15–20 species of shorebirds such as Malaysian plovers, black-winged stilts, black-tailed godwits and the globally threatened great knot.
The fee is 11,500 baht (9,500 baht for members).
Call 02-661-6470--3 ext 205 or email [email protected].