Aim of the trip
• To investigate:
- biodiversity (mammals and birds)
- nature reserve management
in Khao Yai National Park (KYNP)
Reasons of choosing KYNP
• Climate: dry season
• Rich biodiversity
• Different latitude of Hong Kong
Location• Lies in Nakhon
Ratchasima, Saraburi, Prachinburi and Nakhon Nayok provinces
• ~ 200 km NE of Bangkok
• ~2.5hrs drive from Bangkok
http://www.thaibirding.com/locations/north_east/ky.htm#kyai
Background
• “Khao Yai” = “A big mountain” in Thai
• 1st national park (since September 18, 1962)
• 3rd largest park in Thailand (2168 km2)
• Altitude: 400 – 1351 m above sea level
Photo by SammiPhoto by Wing
Photo by Billy
Habitats
• 5 vegetation zones:
– Evergreen rainforest (100 to 400m)
– Semi-evergreen rainforest (400 to 900m)
– Mixed deciduous forest
(northern slopes at 400 to 600m)
– Hill evergreen forest (over 1,000m)
– Grassland and secondary-growth forest
Seasons• Rainy Season:
– May – October
– Rains most days, clear cool weather
• Cool Season:
– November – February– 10oC at night, clear skies
• Hot Season:
– March – April
– ~30oC, hot and dry
Biodiversity
• ~ 3000 plants species
• > 340 birds species
• ~ 67 mammals species
• > 200 butterflies species
Targets
• What are our targets?
• We have discussed and come out with these…
Credit: Kanit Khanikul 2003
Credit: Mervin Quah 2007
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Credit: David Sewell 2005
Hornbills
• We saw 2 species!
1. Oriental Pied hornbill
2. Great hornbill
• Distributed widely in the oriental region
Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
• Where we see it, what it is doing
- on fruit trees, in flocks of around __ individuals
• Wide range of habitats
• omnivorous
• Usually in flocks (quite large)
Great HornbillBuceros bicornis (subspecies homrai)
• Where we see, what is it doing:
- in a forest
- 1 individual flying pass
• Wide range of habitats
• omnivorous
• Usually in pairs or small groups
• IUCN – Near Threatened
Great HornbillBuceros bicornis (subspecies homrai)
Lip KeeNeko Sam
Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus
• Where we see:
- on dead tree trunks in a savanna
- 3 individuals
• Male:
- Red crown and crest
• Female:
- Black crown and crest with white spots
• Special voice (see the video) [ hyperlink ]
Barbets
• Where we see:
- high in trees, at canopy level
• Feeding: fruits and insects
• Distinguish between species:
- usually by colourful patterns on head and throat
More about barbets’ like photos
Photo by Billy
Blue-eared BarbetMegalaima australis
Moustached Barbet
Magalaima incognita
Photo by Kelvin
Asian Fairy-bluebirdIrena puella
• Where we see, what is it doing: - in pair- eating fruits
• Feed on fruits, nectar and some insects
• habitat: moist hill forest
• usually in pairs or small flocks
Thick-billed Green PigeonTreron curvirostra
• Where we see, what is it doing:
- on a fruit tree
- solitary
• eat mainly fruits
• Wide range of habitats
Photo by Teresa
Babbler• Where we see, what is it doing
- usually alone- sometimes mixed in other birds flock
• all we saw are belong to the same family (Timaliidae)
• Tropical, greatest variety in south east Asia
• subtropical / tropical moist lowland forests
• eat insects
Other Babblers
Puff-throated Babbler
Pellorneum ruficeps
Striped Tit-babbler
Macronous gularis
Photo by Kelvin
Photo by Billy
Red-headed TrogonHarpactes erythrocephalus
• Where we see, what it is doing:
- don’t know, I haven’t seen it
• Oriental region distributed
• Feed on insects and fruit
• Behavior:
- reluctant to fly any distance
- spend long periods sitting motionless
- Do not migrate Photo by Teresa
Black-crested BulbulPycnonotus melanicterus
Puff-throated Bulbul Criniger pallidus
Photo by Beetle
Photo by Kelvin
Bulbuls
Streak-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi
Stripe-throated BulbulPycnonotus finlaysoni
BulbulsPhoto by Billy
Photo by Billy
Beautiful Birds in Bangkok City
Black-naped OrioleOriolus chinensis
Coppersmith BarbetMegalaima haemacephaia
White-vented MynaAcridotheres javanicus
Photo by Flor
Photo by IvyPhoto by Teresa
Photo by Benny
Pied Fantail Rhipidura perlata Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra
Photo by Kelvin
Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Photo by Beetle
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
Photo by Beetle
• CITES: Appendix II
• Found in canopy of evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest
• Prone to hunting
Photo by Beetle
Black Giant SquirrelRatufa bicolor
Photo by Billy
Some ButterfliesPhoto by Billy Photo by Sarah
Photo by Wing
Spiders & Some Other Insects…
All Photo by Wing
After-trip comments to KYNP
• Tour guide
- Rich experience in bird watching
- Visit prohibited areas
Photo by Wing
After-trip comments to KYNP
• Night Safari
- Lead by a local guide
- Introduce animals during the journey
Photo by Wing
After-trip comments to KYNP
• Trails
- Information boards about the plants and knowledge of ecology
Photo by Christine
Photo by Kevin
After-trip comments to KYNP
• Fire break
- Deliberately burnt as grassland
- To serve as a fire break
Photo by Billy
After-trip comments to KYNP
• Park Usage
- Designated camping area
- Minimize the impact on the environment
Photo by Billy
After-trip comments to KYNP
• Park management
- Facilities are kept well
- Fence: protection of young plant
Photo by Billy
Photo by Billy