A birding report of a non-birding trip, 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.
[ Last edited by wcaptain at 15/04/2016 11:56 ]
