Bribing Gibbons with fizzy drinks for the most up-to-date local gen when birding Thailand in the dry season possibly wasn't the most effective means of building a huge list, but don't knock it till you've tried it.
Tropical Thomason (he's the one on the left in the picture above, I think); Neill Hunt, Bazzo, Mike Stocker and I gave it a crack anyway over the last fortnight or so.
Cost us a fortune in pop and we couldn't understand a word the Gibbons said, 'cept on Chang days.
The sooner someone comes up with a decent English-Thai-Gibbon primer the better.
I'll post a series of entries over the next few days covering our latest exploits from the saltpans round Pak Thale where Spoon Billed Sandpipers (who cares if the shimmer was too brutal to get a decent shot - look at the bill on that missus!) lurked amongst wader flocks from heaven to the rice paddies, forests and highlands of Kaeng Krachan, Khoi Yai, Doi Lang, Tha Ton, Doi Inthanon and Doi Chiang Doi.
Lost passports; 350+ sp; classy wintering Sibes (yup, that's Siberian Blue Robin and Siberian Rubythroat before the Racquet Tailed Treepie below) and stonking residents made our trip to Thailand a belter.
Elephant hazards; belly busting food and lashings of ginger beer, vertical dust tracks up mountains and the unforgettable "party train"...what a trip.
Full details to follow, but don't forget to let me know what you're seeing too.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Looking forward to the reports John.
Adult winter Med Gull off Weld Road over the tide early afternoon today. Lots of gulls strewn along but I only had a short time on my lunch hour - so much potential in them.
Hi John, I'm looking forward to reading about your recent Thailand adventures. Meanwhile my only 'insect' obs was of a Ruby Tiger caterpillar galloping along the sea wall at Wallasey in the 13c 'heat' last Tuesday.
This morning Steve Gregory, a fellow entomologist, reported that he'd seen a Red Admiral sunning itself on a wall in Birkenhead on this frosty Saturday morning!
Marshside Saturday 2nd Feb
Great White Egret seen from Sandgrounders from about 15:50 along with several Little Egrets.
A Barn Owl was also seen around 16:30
Also good numbers of Black Tailed Godwit and Golden Plover