Cleared Area

Geoff,

we found a similar sounding area a few weeks ago just off the KM 1x trail. The area was devoid of vegetation and a bit of a "dust bowl". Our counterpart was with us (most experienced DNP staff I have ever come across) and he identified it as sambar activity straight away. That could be your culprit.

I haven't been to KK for a few weeks now - I need to get back there! Missing the place.

Sounds pretty big for Sambar, but I guess it is possible, especially if more of them stayed together.

I have found a smaller clearing somewhere higher up in the park, which was about 1 square metre. Perfectly clean patch of forest floor, not a single dead leaf, but it had one or two droppings, plus the feather of a Grey Peacock-pheasant on it.

Before getting to the spot I heard the Grey Peacock-pheasant calls. Does anyone know if this bird clears a 'dance floor' before showing off to the ladies? I know some bird species do, but don't know if this particular one does the same.

Very cool shot!
Is that Crested Goshawk?

Would be interesting to know if the Great Argus is indeed confirmed on camera trap...

Seems like still enough to discover in KK.

Has anyone seen Helmeted Hornbill in KK?
So far I have only seen 4 species of Hornbill in KK: Tickell's Brown, Great, Oriental Pied, and Wreathed hornbill.
Have any of you seen any other species? I have heard Plain-pouched, White-crowned, Helmeted, and possibly Bushy-crested Hornbill might occur, though have never seen anyone post any proof of any of these.

Definitely interesting!
A Phetchaburi valley expedition sounds very interesting, for birds, mammals and reptiles alike. If you ever get permission and need some companion, don't forget to let me know ;-)
Overnight stay down at the river or nearby, would be great (would love to do some night walking down there!).

When I will have some more free time I hope to at least do some more day trips just down to the Phetchaburi and explore trails near the river. That walk back up is a bit of a pain, but well. I did hear that White-crowned has been seen there, though not sure how long ago.
I have added their calls to my phone to verify any unfamiliar hornbill-like calls in case I will hear some.
Will surely report any sighting of any of the other species apart from the 4 common ones.

Never heard of C/Y trail...
There used to be an old camp called KU down at the Phetchaburi river. There is very little left of that, as elephants did some redesigning...

The area I was talking about is basically from the dead end of the road (km36). And then follow the trail down, though take the left fork after 1.5km (instead of the right fork that leads to Thorthip waterfall) to go down to the Phetchaburi (watch out, there is another trail branching off to the left at some point, which I do not know yet where it leads, most likely also to the river, but anyway.)
Honestly i haven't looked for trails down at the river, but expect there might be. Though not that I would recommend just anyone to try. If you get lost down there, you are a LONG way from home.