One week ago, I headed to Ba Vi National Park
and spent 2 days there. I chose Ba Vi because there were lots of tourist during
these days at Tam Dao. Of course Ba Vi attract also lots of tourist but
they generally avoid my secrete place hehe..., right under the ruins of the
French church (at ca 650m asl).
The first day was not too easy, I arrived at
2pm and soon found a singing male Hainan Blue Flycatcher. Not so long after, I
spotted 2 other individuals. Some common birds in fruiting trees include
Puff-throated and Black Bulbuls, Black-naped Oriole - the latter being a lifer. Before
the sunset, I got some shots of a male Fork-tailed Sunbird.
The day after, I woke up early and went to an
alt. of 400m, cannot go higher because of the fog... I spotted there a
pair of Crimson Sunbird, a Grey-chinned Minivet, a pair of Striped Tit
Babblers... After that, I saw a Green-billed Malkoha perched on a dead
branch, but too far for a good shot.
At 10am, when the fog lifted, I went back to
the place under the church.
For the second time I saw a male Red-headed
Trogon perched 100m away. I quickly took out my camera but as I was about to
pull the trigger, some Drongos mobbed it, and it flew off, never to be seen
again. Arghhh, f........g drongos!
One hour after, I was more than happy to
discover a nest of Red-vented Barbet. I hide myself in my camouflaged tent for
more than 2 hours. Had some good shots of this lifer :D But I didn’t want
to make the birds uncomfortable, so after that, I left quickly the place.
After having a very fast lunch, I stayed at
the feet of a fruiting tree and waited for some more birds. Same stuff:
Black and Puff-throated Bulbuls, Black-naped Oriole… But finally, 2 lifers
came for a nice ending birding trip: an Orange-bellied Leafbird and a stunning
male Siberian Thrush.
Le Viet Tuan Hoang
singing male Hainan Blue Flycatcher
Black-naped Oriole
male Fork-tailed Sunbird
Red-billed Blue Magpie
Red-vented Barbet at nest
Puff-throated Bulbul
Black Bulbul
male Orange-bellied Leafbird
male Siberian Thrush
