wcaptain 15/04/2016 10:58
Myanmar 緬甸
緬甸
[b]非觀鳥旅行的觀鳥報告 (24 March – 4 Apr 2016)[/b]
此行為一次普通的復活節觀光旅行，與家人去了緬甸三個主要景點 (除首都仰光外，計有波巴山、蒲甘及茵萊湖，前後12日) 。有幸在吃早餐之前的時間，在入住的旅館附近地方看看鳥。另在蒲甘從太太申請到「不反對通知書」，能夠享受一整個上午尋鳥的樂趣。總共看到124種鳥。以下為觀鳥報告
波巴山26/27 March
波巴山位於蒲甘古蹟區附近，約2小時車程。山上的次生林質素尚可，但大部分觀鳥者會去非常好雀的Mountain Victoria。入住的Mt Popa Resort海拔750m高，比較清涼。大部分雀鳥在resort附近及通往山頂的泥路上找到，特別是通往山頂及去resort之分岔路口，那兒的樹林雖少但質素好。這些鳥都是些普通林鳥，例如Emerald Dove, Slender-billed Oriole, Red Junglefowl, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush and Shikra。之前有觀鳥報告說低地樹林有其他林鳥，但今次我大部分也找不到。兩天行程約看到30種鳥
蒲甘 (古蹟區) 27-30 March
蒲甘位於緬甸乾旱區。觀鳥地方主要為兩座古廟(Sulamani and Dhammayanggyi) 之間的田野。主要鳥種為White-throated Babbler, Burmese Bushlark, Rain Quail, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Plain-backed Sparrow and Lagger Falcon. Rain Quail應可在面向Sulamani古廟入口左手邊的長草田野找到 ，我同時亦在該處看到yellow-legged Buttonquail。但卻未能找到兩種目標鳥種Hooded Treepie 及 Jerdon’s Minivet. 四天行程約看到36種鳥
本次旅行最興奮的時侯，是在下午入住的旅館游水時，看到一隻Spotted Owlet站在自己入住房間的屋頂上。這當然是一個很好的影貓頭鷹機會，但問題是要在貓頭鷹腳下回自己房間開門關門攞相機，很可能未影已嚇走，可幸這貓頭鷹非常合作，順利完成拍照才飛走。家人，尤其小女，及其他遊客也很高興能近距離看到這貓頭鷹。這也是我第一次著住鮮色泳褲拿著長鏡拍鳥。之後這貓頭鷹也多次於日間活動。
茵萊湖 30 March – 2 Apr
我在茵萊湖入住的旅館是Pristine Lotus Resort。旅館有一瞭望臺 (實際是happy hour戶外酒吧)，能看到附近的蘆葦及沼澤。晨早的觀鳥時段收獲甚豐: Jerdon’s Bushchat, Striated Grassbird, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Purple Swamphen, Oriental Reed Warbler, Clarmorous Reed Warbler, Purple Heron and Baya Weaver. Collared Myna則在午後常在這兒的長草沼澤休息。另有一對Bluethroat在剛犁過的田上活動，也成為很好的拍攝對象。
除了在旅館附近觀鳥外，參加一般遊船河時紀錄到Asian Openbill, Brown-headed Gull, Glossy Ibis, Little Tern及Pheasant tailed Jacana。三天多行程約看到71種鳥
旅行資料
緬甸是一個風景優美，民風淳樸的地方，人民極為友善。
對換
US1 = 1200 kyats，官方定價。可在機場找換。
交通
在仰光市內，短途的士 (2-3km) 約2000-3000 kyats (HK$13-20) 。的士數量非常多，司機非常誠實，基本不用講價。機場至仰光市的士約8000-10000 kyats (HK$52-65) 。機場預約客車 16,000 kyats
由於景點之間的距離較遠，若時間有限可坐內陸機 (單程每位約HK900；一小時) 。若捱得可坐旅遊巴 (好似頗舒適；US$15；8-12 小時) 。
另在蒲甘可試電動單車 (酒店租4000kyats半日) 。基本上識踩單車便可駕駛自如。我便是在蒲甘租了部電動單車去睇雀。
食物
有好有壞，基本可接受。大部分餐廳有英語菜譜。
自身安全
遊客只要在人多地方保持驚覺，基本上沒有多大問題。旅遊景點總會有小商販或小童向你兜售紀念品，但一般點到即止，不會造成滋擾。
天氣
三月尾四月頭的天氣已非常熱，蒲甘中午溫度可達40度，但晚上頗清涼 (25度左右) 。所以應在早上及下午四點後才外出觀光。另在茵萊湖晨早時可低至20度以下，所以要有少許預備。
微笑
緬甸人民 (尤其酒店員工)常掛著微笑，這點令人印象深刻。
[[i] Last edited by wcaptain at 19/04/2016 14:46 [/i]]
wcaptain 15/04/2016 11:00
[b]A birding report of a non-birding trip[/b], Myanmar 24 March – 4 Apr 2016
This is a typical sightseeing holiday with my family. We visited popular tourist sites (Yangon, Bagan, Mt Popa and Inle Lake) during the easter holiday in 2016. Famous birding spots were excluded (e.g. Mt Victoria and Kalaw). Birding was generally made around resorts at these areas before breakfast or around sunset. In Bagan, I fortunately got “Notice of No objection” from my wife and can do a whole morning birding. A total of 124 bird species was recorded. Birding info is shown as below
Mountain Popa (Habitat: secondary forest in the dry zone)
I stayed at the Popa Mountain Resort, which is about 750 m high. The secondary forest around the resort was nice. Birding can simply be done at the balcony of some rooms. I got about 30 birds as a whole. Most are common forest birds (e.g Emerald Dove, Slender-billed Oriole, Red Junglefowl, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush and Shikra). No big surprise, except a possible female Orange breasted Green Pigeon. Other birding reports stated some other forest birds at lower level but they were not seen here.
Birding was done in the resort and major footpaths around the resort. There is a narrow dirt road that should reach the hilltop (around 1500m high). Some upland grassland birds should be there.
The junction of the dirt road to hilltop and the one to the resort is about 200 m away from the resort. The forest around that junction is good.
Bagan (Dry zone; old temples)
Birding was mainly done at dry farmlands around Sulamani and Dhammayanggyi Temples. Interesting birds are White-throated Babbler, Burmese Bushlark, Rain Quail, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Plain-backed Sparrow and Lagger Falcon. These birds are not too difficult to find. Rain Quails should be found at a long grass field just next to the entrance of Sulamani Temple (should be the left hand side when you face the temple). A yellow-legged Buttonquail was encountered when I was searching rain quails. Two other target birds, Hooded Treepie and Jerdon’s Minivet were failed to find.
The key highlight of this trip is when we were swimming at the hotel (Amazing Bagan Resort). A Spotted Owlet was seen just on the roof of my room! Its exposed position offered a good photo taking opportunity. However, I need to bear a risk: get back to the room, pass underneath the bird twice and get back the camera without disturbing the owlet. Fortunately, this Owlet was very cooperative and allowed me to complete the task. This is the first time I took bird photos with swimming suit. We saw the Owlet several times afterwards.
Inle Lake (wetland)
I stayed at Pristine Lotus Resort, which is on the left side hand of the lake. Reeds, marshes and farmlands are around the resort. There is a lookout of the resort (actually a happy hour open bar) which offers a good view of these habitats. Early morning birding at the lookout (around 5:30AM) is enjoyable…. Jerdon’s Bushchat, Striated Grassbird, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Purple Swamphen, Oriental Reed Warbler, Clarmorous Reed Warbler, Purple Heron and Baya Weaver. Collared Myna was also regularly seen here. They were particularly easy to see around late afternoon as they like to roost at tall grasses near the resort. A pair of Bluethroats was found at a farmland near the resort, which offered a good photo opportunity.
Apart from birding around the resort, we also took a typical sightseeing boat trip (0800-1500h). Asian Openbill, Brown-headed Gull, Glossy Ibis, Little Tern, Pheasant tailed Jacana were added on the trip list.
In order to facilitate birders, a simple birding map around Pristine Lotus Resort is shown in the photo posting
Logistics
In general, Myanmar is a nice place. People are honest, friendly and helpful. Details of my trip
Exchange rate: US$1 = 1206 kyats. Fixed rate. Can do it in the Yangon international airport
Transport: Within Yangon, taxi is cheap and good. No need to bargain too much. Taxi drivers are very very honest. Short distances (around 2km) should cost 2000 to 3000 kyats (around HKD$13 to 20). From the city centre to the airport should be around 8,000 – 10,000 kyats (HK$52 to 65). A pre-booking van from the airport to downtown is 16,000 kyats.
For travelling among tourist hotspot (eg fr Yangon to Bagan), if time is not on your side, try domestic flights (about HK$900 one way, one hr). Tourist bus should be cheaper (US$15) but longer (8-12 hrs).
In Bagan, you could try eBike (4000 kyats half day). It is a very convenient way to explore the old temples. If you could ride bicycles, it should be ok to travel with eBike. In Inle Lake, the boat trip should be US$30 per boat (for 5 people).
Food
Acceptable. Some are good and some are bad. Most restaurants have English menu.
Safety
No hassle at all. Of course, you will expect some hawkers and other people asking u to buy something at tourist hotspots. But they are not really disturbing. In general, always travel cautiously, esp when a lot of people around.
Weather
Late March to Apr has already been very hot, the temperature could reach 40 degree in noon in Bagan. So, better to do anything in early morning and late afternoon. However, the temp at night is comfortable (around 25 degree)
Smiles
One of the remarks of this trip. Most people in Myanmar are with smiles, esp hotel staff.
[[i] Last edited by wcaptain at 15/04/2016 11:56 [/i]]
wcaptain 15/04/2016 11:26
Orange breasted Green Pigeon (female)
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0117.jpg[/img]
Crested Serpent eagle
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A9931.jpg[/img]
Blue-throated Barbet
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0174.jpg[/img]
Grey-breasted Prinia
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0221.jpg[/img]
Streak eared Bulbul
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0247.jpg[/img]
Burmese Bushlark
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0311.jpg[/img]
Plain-backed Sparrow
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0412.jpg[/img]
Lagger Falcon (juv x 3)
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0530.jpg[/img]
Lagger Falcon (adult)
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0542.jpg[/img]
White-throated Babbler
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0604.jpg[/img]
Burmese Shrike
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0637.jpg[/img]
Verditer Flycatcher
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0653.jpg[/img]
Common Iora (male)
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0676.jpg[/img]
Black-shouldered Kite
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0688.jpg[/img]
Striated Grassbird
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0864.jpg[/img]
Spooted Owlet
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0735.jpg[/img]
Siberian Stonechat
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0920.jpg[/img]
Collared Myna
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1026.jpg[/img]
Bluethroat
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1215.jpg[/img]
Little Cormorant
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1278.jpg[/img]
Brown-headed Gull
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1315.jpg[/img]
Wire-tailed Swallow
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1361.jpg[/img]
Pheasant tailed Jacana
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1575.jpg[/img]
Oriental Reed Warbler
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1699.jpg[/img]
A rough birding map at Pristine Lotus Resort, Inle Lake
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/pristine%20lake.jpg[/img]
wcaptain 15/04/2016 11:53
Yangon Mt Popa Bagan Inle Lake
1 Little Grebe * At a pond around Sulamani Temple
2 Little Cormorant * Seen during the boat trip
3 Asian Openbill * Seen during the boat trip
4 Spot billed Duck * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
5 Glossy Ibis * Seen during the boat trip
6 Great Egret * * widespread at inlet lake
7 Little Egret * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
8 Intermediate Egret * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
9 Cattle Egret * Seen during the boat trip
10 Purple Heron * Not too difficult to see around the resort. Apart from the adults, a young bird was seen
11 Indian Pond Heron * Two to three birds should be seen during the boat trip. Did not pay much attention. Anyway, the key feature is pale head with dark body colour
12 Chinese Pond Heron * * Common
13 Yellow Bittern * At dusk (actually during happy hour) landed on marsh near the Lookout on 1 Apr
14 Common Snipe * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
15 Green Sandpiper * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
16 Wood Sandpiper * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
17 Grey-headed Lapwing * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
18 Black-winged stilit * Seen during the boat trip
19 Coot * Seen during the boat trip. About 30 birds
20 White-breasted Waterhen * Two were seen at Kandawgyi Hotel during morning walk
21 Purple Swamphen * Around the lookout
22 Pheasant-tailed Jacana * Seen during the boat trip. About 20 birds
23 Brown-headed Gull * Seen during the boat trip. At least three flocks, each flock contained about 30 to 50 birds
24 Little Tern * One was seen at Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort during the boat trip
25 Red junglefowl * two males chasing each other were seen
26 Chinese Francolin * heard only. At hillside next to the resort
27 Rail Quail * At least 3 were flushed near sulamani temple. Unable to take photos
28 Yellow-legged Buttonquail * One was seen near sulamani temple
29 Black-shouldered Kite * * One at Sitana Temple at Bagan. Also common at Inle Lake
30 Black Kite * regularly seen in Yangon
31 Crested Serpent Eagle * Two at Mt Popa resort
32 Oriental honey buzzard * One bird on a ploughing field near the Amazing Bagan Resort was overlooked (very close and exposed, I thought it was a plastic bag)
33 Pied harrier * One male passby the swimming pool of Pristine Lotus resort at about 11 am on 31 march. No camera with me at that time.
34 Shikra * * widespread and easy to see
35 Lagger Falcon * 2 adults and 3 juvs
36 Kestrel * one at Mt Popa resort
37 Spotted Owlet * One bird was seen when swimming at Amazing Bagan Resort. Actaully it nested at the roof of my room. Fantastic
38 Lineated barbet * hillside next to the resort
39 Coppersmith's Barbet * *
40 Blue-throated Barbet * Common around the mt popa resort
41 Hoopoe * * hillside next to the resort at Inle Lake. One flying bird was also seen during the breakfast at Bagan
42 Green-billed Makoha * One was seen at secondary woodland
43 Koel * * heard and seen
44 Plantive Cuckoo * heard only
45 Greater Coucal * Very common around the resort
46 House Swift * * Mainly around the lookout
47 Asian Palm Swift *
48 Green bee eater * Near Amazining Bagan Resort
49 White-breasted Kingfisher * *
50 Orange-breasted Green Dove? * one female was seen at a dry tree near the resort
51 Emerald Dove * secondary woodland near Mt Popa Resort
52 Feral Pigeon * * * very common
53 Spotted Dove * * * Common
54 Eurasian Collared Dove * Bagan only
55 citrine wagtail * easy to see around the resort
56 Grey wagtail * man-made stream of the resort
57 Paddyfield Pipit * two were seen regularly on the lawn of resort
58 Olive-backed Pipit * a flock was seen at a village between old and new bagan
59 Red-throated Pipit * one adult was seen at the ploughing field near the resort
60 Burmese Bushlark * Common at Bagan
61 Slender-billed Oriole * Mt popa Resort. One male and two females
62 Streak-eared Bulbul * * Common at Bagan and Mt Popa
63 Red-whiskered Bulbul * * widespread at the resort (inlet lake) and one was seen at Rose Garden Hotel, Yangon
64 Sooty-headed Bulbul * hillside of the resort
65 Red-vented Bulbul * two were seen at Mt Popa resort
66 Black-crested Bulbul * regularly seen at Mt Popa resort
67 Bluethroat * A pair was seen near the ploughing field near the resort. Not very afraid of me
68 Pied Bushchat * Common
69 Jerdon's Bushchat * two to three birds were seen regularly around the resort
70 Siberian Stonechat * Common
71 Magpie Robin * * This bird is not so common as in HK.
72 Sand Martin * Common around the lookout
73 Barn Swallow * Common around the lookout
74 Wire-tailed Swallow * One bird was seen at a restaurant during the lunchtime of boat trip
75 Red-rumped Swallow * Common around the lookout
76 Ashy Woodswallow * Two were seen at the resort
77 Blue rock thrush * * one each (both male) at two resorts
78 Verditer Flycatcher * * widespread. Compared with red-throated flycatcher, it preferred taller and denser woods in rural areas and secondary woodland
79 Red-throated Flycatcher * * widespread. Compared with Verditer flycatcher, it preferred open woods
80 Asian brown flycatcher * open woodland at the resort
81 Zitting Cistocola * one at Bagan
82 Plain Prinia * Common around the lookout
83 rufescent prinia around the first engine breakdown location, about 15 kmaway from kalaw
84 Grey-breasted Prinia * usually on trees around temples
85 Yellow-browed Warbler * Inland side of the resort
86 Buff barred Warbler * Id by Jose
87 Yellow-streaked Warbler * some were seen feeding on ground near the pond
88 Striated Grassbird * Around the lookout
89 Oriental Reed Warbler * Around the lookout
90 Clamorous Reed Warbler * Around the lookout
91 Thick-billed Warbler * Building its nest at the hillside next to the resort
92 Black-browed Reed Warbler * Around the lookout
93 Dusky Warbler * * Inland side of the resort
94 Common Tailorbird * * * * Common
95 Tree sparrow * Very common
96 House Sparrow * Common
97 Plain backed Sparrow * Not to difficult to find this bird at Bagan
98 Black-naped Monarch one was seen at the first engine breakdown location, probably 15 km away from Kalaw
99 White-throated Fantail * secondary woodland near Mt Popa Resort
100 Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker * * common
101 Oriental White-eye * Mixed with CF white-eye
102 Chestnut flanked White-eye * Mixed with O white-eye
103 Common Iora * At a village between old bagan and new bagan
104 Purple Sunbird * * particular common at the Mt Popa resort
105 Lesser necklaced Laughingthrush * Common around the Mt Popa resort
106 Chestnut capped Laughingthrush * difficult to observe the detail. Grey body, white tail tip, chestnut cap. So should be this bird
107 White-throated Babbler * Common in Bagan
108 Chestnut capped Babbler * Around the lookout. Not more than 2 birds
109 Striped Tit Babbler * a flock of 20 birds was seen at the resort
110 Black Drongo * * * Common
111 Bronze Drongo * secondary woodland near Mt Popa Resort
112 Ashy Drongo * Nesting near Kalaw; also near the foothill near Pristine Lotus Resort
113 Greater racket-tailed Drongo * secondary woodland near Mt Popa Resort
114 House crow * * * very common. In fact, they are the king of Yangon. They colonize everywhere of the city
115 Burmese Shrike * At a village between old bagan and new bagan
116 Grey-backed Shrike * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
117 ? Treepie Between Mt Popa and Bagan, likely to be Rufous Treepie
118 Black-necked Starling * village near Pristine Lotus resort
119 vinous breasted starling * * common around Bagan; two far away, young birds should be seen at dusk at Pristine Lotus Resort
120 White-vented Myna * very common around Inlet Lake
121 Collared Myna * marshes near Pristine Lotus resort
122 Common Myna * * * very common
123 Baya Weaver * seen when going uphill; also at the marsh
124 Spotted Munia * * common around the marsh
30 36 71
wcaptain 15/04/2016 11:54
Can't fix the align problem 3551em016445
John Holmes 15/04/2016 13:00
Never mind the "align" - some fine birds and thanks for sharing the info. !
kmatthew 15/04/2016 16:30
Thanks for sharing Captain, great info and a pretty good selection of birds!
subbuteo 15/04/2016 19:45
Thanks Captain. Really nice report.
Dylan
Mr.Cyan 16/04/2016 00:11
Indeed, thanks for sharing captain, great field report and pics :)
gary 16/04/2016 13:42
Good Birds and Good Trip!!
kkchang168 16/04/2016 19:41
Very useful and very detail report. Thanks for sharing.
fneil 17/04/2016 10:37
Good Report. Very helpful as I'm planning a trip there in late July.
Neil.
wcaptain 19/04/2016 14:54
THX for all views and comments. here are more photos
Green Bee-eater
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0296.jpg[/img]
Vinous breasted Starling
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0454.jpg[/img]
Yellow-streaked Warbler
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0494.jpg[/img]
Clarmorous Reed Warbler
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0801.jpg[/img]
Shikra (chasing House Crow)
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A0914.jpg[/img]
Indian Pond Heron
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1505.jpg[/img]
Paddyfield Pipit (?)
[img]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/wongcaptain/160A1689.jpg[/img]