Doi Lang Revisited

Sunday February 19

A Praying Mantis appeared at the breakfast table this morning.

The same mountain climb as yesterday, with a different plan and targets to-day. Once we leave Feng behind us, we drive through an agricultural area. Mainly Oranges, planted very neatly on steep slopes, the Burmese border viewable on one side of the road. Neil met a friend last night who gave him some tips for to-day, these proved to be very productive.
Leaving the valley behind us, it was time to look for a clump of flowering Bamboo, the favourite food of Pin-tailed Parrotfinch. Bingo, Neil soon succeeded in finding both the flowering bamboo and a flock of Parrotfinch. He's a good birder.
Setting up the stools well clear of the feeding log, we sat and waited for the Ultramarine Flycatcher to appear for breakfast. A Blue Rock Thrush saw off a Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler, 

Blue Rock-thrush

we waited patiently... then a Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, on a high branch, silhouetted against the light. 

A last helping of food was scattered, the very small Ultramarine Flycatcher landed on a high branch before making a fast visit to the feeding station. Tick

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch

Onwards to the checkpoint, where the cars have to be left. Another stake-out - and Pam found the bird - a male Hodgson's Frogmouth sat on its nest. The female takes over at night.
The last stake-out was beyond the checkpoint barrier and marked by a posse of photographers. It is the weekend. The  Black-throated Tits are nesting here, a really good bird to see. Tiny, colourful and restricted to a minute part of far north Thailand, we had good views in the tree overhead before being directed to lunch.

Lunch was a sandwich  below  the checkpoint. Pam and I stayed whilst the Bees and Neil went back up the road past the checkpoint. Whilst they were away, we saw a Chestnut-vented Nuthatch working its way down a mossy tree trunk. A Hill Prinia kept appearing low in the bushes along the road.
Another hint from Neil's Thai friend saw us look, successfully, for the tiny Fire Finches  at a flowering bamboo down the road.

After a short rest at our resort, we drove to a rice paddy and farming area to overlook a reedy  roosting site. Dried paddy in front, reeds beyond and to the right, wet paddies in the distance. The latter were being worked, many Swallows feeding on the disturbed insects. As were Oriental and Small Pratincoles. Siberian Rubythroat, Bluethroat, Black-collared Startlings, Eastern Marsh and Pied Harriers. Scaly-breasted Munia kept us pleasantly occupied until the first of the Yellow-breasted Buntings flew in, to congregate in the reedbed. Finding two Black-headed Buntings amongst the noisy, ever moving throng, was eventually achieved by all.
We were very late back and out to the Karaoke bar again. No Cow Pat for me, fish sauce must have been added as I had swollen eyes and face from last night's meal. At least it proves that I REALLY am allergic to fish ! I have anti histamine tablets........
B nuisance.