Khao Yai National Park
Nakonratchasrima Province

        Khao Yai National Park was gazetted on 18 September 1962. And became the first national park in Thailand . It covers four provinces in central, eastern and northeastern Thailand including Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi and Nakhon Ratchasima. The park covers an area of 2,168 km, including several mountain peaks, the highest being Khao Rom at 1,351 meters. The lower elevations are found near the park boundary, the lowest being 246 meters above sea level. Distance far from Bangkok 170 km. By the northeast of Bangkok or sped time by car 1.30 hr.


Climate and topography

        Khao Yai has a monsoonal climate and receives about 2,270 mm. Of rainfall annually, The park has three seasons: cool, hot, and rainy. The cool season (November-February) is rather dry and has an average low temperature of 17 degrees celsius, which is excellent for hiking and viewing wildlife. The hot season (March-May) has an average temperature of 28 degrees celsius, which provides an escape from the sweltering heat of the surrounding lowlands. The rainy season(June-October) brings 84% of Khao Yai’s precipitation. During this period it will rain nearly every day, so birdwatcher should come prepared.


Vegetation

        Khao Yai is more than 80% forested. The dominant vegetation type is moist evergreen forest from 500-1000 meters above sea level, which covers more than 60% of the park. Other forest types include : dry evergreen forest from 200-400 meters on the east and south slopes dry mixed deciduous forest from 300-600 meters on the northern edge of the park, and hill evergreen forest which occurs above 1000 meters on Khao Khieo ridge. Grasslands and secondary growth make up the remaining vegetation types.


The Bird Fauna Of Khao Yai

        A total of 333 species of birds and 71 species of mammals have been reported in Khao Yai. The montane bird fauna is not well represented in Khao Yai, not only because the park is relatively remote from the higher forested mountains of the north and west, but partly because it has only small, isolated areas of unexceptionally high mountain tops. Some typical montane birds include the White-browed Shrike-Babbler and The White-tailed Leaf-Warbler, both of which may be found around Khao Khieo and the other high peaks. Some other mountain bird species(eg. White-tailed Robin and Green Cochoa), though they occur both in northern Thailand and in the south-east, are apparently absent from the park. Khao Yai’s bird fauna is chiefly composed of those lowland and hill slope(submontane) birds, which have fairly wide latitudinal ranges. Some other lowland species, such as Siamese Fireback, Pompadour Pigeon and Javan Frogmouth, which may once have been abundant in the evergreen forests which formerly covered the surrounding plain, are found only at extremely low density around the Khao Yai headquarters area.

        Some typical resident species inhabiting the evergreen forests of the headquarters area include Silver Pheasant, Indian Hanging Parrot, Green-billed Malkoha, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Mountain Scops-Owl, Orange-breasted and Red-headed Trogons, four species of hornbills, 3 barbets, Greater Flameback and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, 4 species of broadbills, Blue Pitta, Blue-winged Leafbird, Asian Fairy bluebird, a variety of bulbuls, including the Puff-throated and Grey-eyed; Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green Magpie, a number of babblers, including Abbott’s Babbler and the White-bellied Yuhina. The commonest resident warbler of the forest is the Dark-necked Tailorbird and the commonest flycatcher is the Hill Blue Flycatcher.

        Some other resident species, eg. Lineated Barbet and Golden-gronted Leafbird, are mainly confined to the drier and more open habitats around the plateau margins.

        A number of resident species are characteristic inhabitants of grassland and scrub. These include the two species of buttonquail, the White-throated Kingfisher, Indian Roller, Chestnut-capped Babbler and three species fo prinia together with the diminutive Bright-capped Cisticola.

        Khao Yai is host to many migrant or wintering birds, most of which are visitors from the north and wich inhabit the park from October through to April. Among those migrants which winter in forest, one fo the most abundant, but most difficult to see, is the Siberian Blue-Robin which haunts the forest floor. A variety of leaf-warblers inhabit the middle storey and canopy. The Blyth’s Leaf-warbler and the Sulphur-breasted Leaf-Warbler are among the more common and join together with many of the park’s resident species to form mixed species flocks or “bird waves” . Species such as the Radde’s Warbler, Two-barred Greenish Warbler, Forest Wagtail and Olive-backed pipit are mainly found along the forest edge while other conspicuous migrants inhabiting grassland include the Stonechat and the Brown Shrike.

        In addition to the above long distance migrants, there are a few species which, though they breed elsewhere in Thailand, occur in Khao Yai only as non-breeding winter visitors. Two of the most conspicuous birds in thes category are the Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike and the Grey-headed Flycatcher.


Where to watch birds in Khao Yai

• Headquarters to Mo Singto
  
          One of the best birding trails in Khao Yai. The route follows a small stream, and involves a short climb up on the drier Mo Singto ridge. Do not be discouraged by the rickety foofbridges and fallen logs in the early part of the trail. The walking gets progressively easier as you go. Many of the most exciting and secretive birds in Khao Yai have been seen along this trail. Listen for the harsh calls of the extremely shy White-crowned Forktail along the stream bed. Other species to watch for include both Orange-breasted and Red-headed Trogons, Banded kingfisher, Long-tailed Broadbill, Blue Pitta, Laughing-thrushes and Scimitar babblers. The Hill Blue Fllycatcher is farily frequent in the understorey. The Mo Singto area supports as high a density of bibbons as has been recorded anywhere in the world, and, if you are lucky, you may encounter a family group.
  
          When you climb up on to the fidge, you can either turn south in which case you will soon enter the grassland and return to the road, or north, continuing on other trail. If the latter, the trail will wind on and eventually take you to one of two crossing points over Lam Takhong stream or near Nong Phak Chi grass land. You should not aim to ford the stream in the wet season if the water is high, but rather return the way you came, or via the grassland. However, you might choose to loiter along the ridge top trail as this is a good area for seeing the shy Silver Pheasant.


• the Lam Takhong River at Heo Suwat
  
          Most visitors to Heo Suwat head at once for the spectacular waterfall. We bring birdwatcher walk upstream on trail for a few hundred metres, where the river is shallow. Species such as Slaty-backed Forktail and Blue Whistling Thrush are usually found feeding along the water’s edge, together with the migrant Little Heron and Grey Wagtail. Bamboo and forest trees along the water’s edge hold a variety of other species including the Yellow-bellied Warbler. On a quiet day in the dry season, many forest birds may be seen coming to the water’s edge to drink or bathe.


• The Viewpoint
  
          This area provide one of the best vantage points for seeing the larger arboreal birds, including Hornbills, Look east across the steep valley of the Lam Takhong towards the towering dipterocarp tree on the opposite bank. It is also good for observing soaring of prey. Small groups of green pigeons may often be seen feeding or loafing in roadside trees. In January, there are large numbers of red flowered Erythrina trees which attract flocks of nectar-feeding Vernal Hanging Parrots, Asian Fairy Bluebirds, Spangled Drongos and other birds. This is also generally the best area in which to look out for the scarce Golden-crested Myna. The best time to visit is in the early morning.


• The Lam Takhong Bridge
  
          This area, situated close to the Forest Dept. headquarters, is apt to be rather noisy, but nevertheless offers good roadside birding in the early morning. Look out for woodpeckers, including the diminutive Hear-spotted and the large Greater Flamback, for Scarlet Minivets, Blue-winged Leafbirds and a variety of bulbuls and other forest edge species. Both common and Blue-eared Kingfishers can sometimes be seen on the river at this point.


• Grassland and open woodland
  
          Many resident species, including Chestnut-headed Bee-Eaters, Pied Hornbill and Greater Flameback Woodpecker, together with winter visitors such as the Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Black-naped Oriole and Olive Tree-Pipit, are surprisingly easy to see in the immediate vicinity of the tourist bungalows. The wintering Blue Rock-Thrush may also be seen perching on a bungalow roof. Taller grass, in addition to holding Rufescent Prinias and Bright-capped Cisticolas, should be searched in early morning or evening for the wintering Siverian Rulythroat as well as for Thick billed and Blunt-winged Warblers.
  
          At dusk, look out for Great Eared Nightjars hawking larger flying insects. After dark, listen for the hu-uup calls of the Brown Hawk-Owl. With the aid of a flshlight, this bird can be quite easy to see, perched in bare branches or even on overhead wires or telegraph poles.
  
          The lake, overlooked by the Wildlife watching tower, is a good place for seeing Needletails, Barn Swallow, These huge swifts normally feed high over the forest during the day, but during a brief period in the early morning and evening, sweep down to the water’s surface in order to drink and bathe.