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From
Bangkok, the nearest possible venue is Lumpini Park
in the heart of Bangkok. Unbelievable? Many ornithologists
insist that Lumpini Park is home to many species of
birds. At certain times of year, the thousands of swallows
roosting along Silom Road make for an amazing sight
(but be careful as you're looking up - bombardments
are common). Just in the vicinity of Bangkok, Bangpoo
in Samut Prakarn is home to mangrove swamps and a variety
of sea bird species. During periods of migration, birds
such as the Black-faced Spoonbill and the Ruddy Shelduck
visit the area.
Three
other places not too far from Bangkok include Bung Boraphet
in Nakhon Sawan, Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima,
and Khao Sam Roi Yod in Prachuab Khiri Khan.
Bung
Boraphet is the largest reservoir in the Central Plains
area and a major location for migratory birds during
winter. Hundreds of species of water birds migrate from
Siberia in the north of Asia at this time. The white-eyed
River Martin can be found at this spot, which is very
popular among local and overseas birdwatchers.
If
you are heading north from October to February, Doi
Inthanon is an excellent site to see many species of
mountain birds. Doi Inthanon is highly recognized among
ornithologists from all over the world. The mountain
hosts many rare and migratory birds such as the long-tailed
Minuet, black-tailed Crake, Marron Oriole, short-billed
Minivet, green Cochoa, Gould's Sunbird and the chestnut-tailed
Minla.
Almost
400 species of birds have been sighted in the park,
out of which at least 267 are indigenous and 105 are
migratory. Although bird watching at Doi Inthanon is
possible throughout the year, the best time is from
November to May.
Chiang
Mai has many other sites for mountain birds, including
Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Angkhang, and Doi Pha Hom Pok.
Tung
Yai Naresuan, the country's most pristine wildlife reserve
covering vast swathes of Kanchanaburi and Tak provinces,
is an ideal habitat for birds. Species here range from
the small to large, from the merely beautiful to the
exotic.
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