Friday, March 8, 2019

Chiang Rai Harrier trip


Just a week after the AGM 2019, a group of 9 WBCM members made a trip to Chiang Rai, Thailand from 12th to 19th January 2019. Main purpose of this trip was to visit the site of Harriers’ roosting site.


This Harrier Haven was situated at Chan Chawa, Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai. We spent 2 evenings at this site.


The owner of the site had built 2 hides, one big and one small.  We occupied the whole big hide before sunset, waiting patiently for huge number of various species of Harriers to glide in for the night. When they arrived, the magnificent view was beyond described. The excitement of the birders then may be comparable with the moment of OHB’s appearance in Tanjong Tuan, except that in Tanjong Tuan, everyone was shouting with joy, some may be running about in order to get a better view, but over the Harrier Haven, there was perfect silent. Only noise could be heard were the clicking sound made by the shutters of the cameras.


Chiang Rai indeed was a good place for birdwatching. Besides the Harrier Haven, we had good time doing birdwatching at Tham Luang Caves, Golden Triangle Park, Doi Tung Mae Fa Luang, Doi Mae Salong, Nong Tao, Nam Kham Nature Reserve, Nong Nam Luang, Nong Bong Khai Non-Hunting Area, Lai Puchana Chai, Wat Pa Mak No & vicinity, and of course, around the Hotel where we stayed.

Full Checklists in eBird entered by Tang Tuck Hong for this trip, together with more pictures can be viewed through the links below:-


Text and Photos by Lee Keen Seong