Thung Salaeng Luang
Not impressed, Camp area on the other side of the Keck River with poor toilets up above with difficult if not dangerous (at night) access and a ford cum bridge over the river that would be impassable should the river rise so we headed up to the HQ area where there was supposed to be a camp site and put up the tent for the night across the road from a new toilet block with the intention of going to the south entrance of the park the next morning, only paid for the night camping no entrance fee. We were told by the staff at the HQ that few people stay for more than one night and I can see why. Unfortunate for I would have liked to explore down the road that runs down the middle of the park.
60km down the road we arrived at the south entrance to be told the entrance fee for foreigners was 500b. Mack gern bai ( to much) says I, no thank you we will give it a miss and move on to Tat Mok the next and last park on our list.
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Tat Mok National Park.
Part of the same forest complex as Nam Nao NP and Phu Khaio WS which we had already visited but much different from either as it is steep and mountainous, a road runs through the park for 21km to access to a waterfall and nature trail. Entrance fee 100b, that’s better, Camp site is 12km up the road into the forest where there are 2 camp sites and a ranger station.
We set up our tent in a covered area close to good toilets, western and Thai, just before a heavy shower of rain. When the rain had cleared I went for a walk up the road towards a waterfall for a KM or so seeing plenty of small birds and getting a few photos.
Little Spiderhunter
Next morning light rain started just before daylight and was to persist for most of the day I got in a short walk up the road in the morning and drove to the start of the waterfall, nature trail later but did not attempt the trail as there was an uninviting stream crossing to negotiate, might try it later we will see.
Went back down the road to a nature trail sign and drove up to what was once the park HQ and farther on to the start of the trail to Lan Chom Dao. Did not attempt to drive it at that stage as there was still rain around and the dirt track was very wet. Noted a side road to a conservation area, also a dirt road, for future reference.
Entrance to Lan Chong Dao.
Better weather today and after a walk up the road had a go at driving into the conservation area but didn’t get very far before stopping and walking part of the way without getting to the end of the road. Had another go the next morning, parked at the same place and walked to the nursery area where there will be access to forest trails. There were people working at the nursery, a tractor on the track and an armed patrol passed me on the back of a pickup.
Shikra
Went up the road to Lan Chom Dao and what a great view at the end so back to camp for Ying.
Petchabun from Lan Chom Dao
In the afternoon I went up to the visitor accommodation where there were birds feeding on fruiting trees and Striated Swallows flying in and out from under one of the buildings, seems they are roosting under there, a sheltered spot out of the weather and a probable nesting site although that species has never been confirmed to nest there, something anyone keen on extending bird knowledge could look for at nesting time.
General
Power in the covered area we stayed in and WIFI at the visitor center, place is clean and well maintained with friendly helpful staff. Free bikes to ride while you are there.
A place well worth visiting.
Birds
Oriental Turtle Dove
Striated Swallow
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Asian Fairy Bluebird
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Red eared Bulbul
Ashy Drongo
Black-naped Oriole
Shikra
Little Spiderhunter
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Eastern Stonechat
Pinstripe Tit Babbler
Puff-throated Babbler
Crested bulbul
2 Barred Warbler
Grey-throated Babbler
Grey-headed canary Flycatcher
White-throated Kingfisher
Moustached Barbet
Chestnut-headed Bee Eater
Flavescent Bulbul
Stripe-throated Bulbul
Bronzed Drongo
Common Lora
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
Taica Flycatcher
Blue-winged Leafbird
Blue Rock Thrush
Green-billed Malkoha
Streak-eared Bulbul
Thats all for that trip, got 19 new species of birds so well worth while.
We are off again on Thursday 24/11 to have a look at 6 of the parks on the north west starting at Klong Wong Chao NP. Reports on them when I get back close to Xmas.
Robby