Ornifolks in Vietnam-- 2008

Despite some persistently dismal weather and some other weather related logistical problems in the northern half of the country Ornifolks second visit to Vietnam was another great success. The tour began at Tam Dao, and here despite foggy and wet weather plus a landslip that effectively prevented access to one very important trail we still enjoyed Fork-tailed Sunbird, Striated Yuhina, Tristam's Bunting, White-hooded Babbler, Grey Laughingthrush, Ratchet-tailed Treepie and White-gorgeted Flycatcher. At Cuc Phuong the trails were busy with Vietnamese school children, but despite the disturbance we still found Silver-breasted Broadbill, plenty of Hainan Blue Flycatchers, White-tailed Flycatcher, White-winged Magpie, Silver Pheasant, Japanese and Black-breasted Thrushes and Red-vented Barbet amongst a good number of other good birds. 

Our visit to Xuan Thuy was marked by strong winds and a drop in temperatures, but we still managed to find our target birds in the form of Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Black-faced Spoonbill, whilst a scattering of migrants included Black-faced and Crested Bunting. At Bach Ma the bad weather didn't let up, but we still enjoyed great looks at Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler and stunning Silver Pheasant running down the road towards us. Also seen here were Masked Laughingthrush, White-crowned Forktail, Long-tailed Broadbill and a smart male Narcissus Flycatcher. 

The weather improved in the south and predictably we enjoyed the best birding of the trip in this area. At Cat Tien we enjoyed success again with the Galliformes, with superb looks at Siamese Fireback, Red Junglefowl, Germain's Peacock-pheasant and several close encounters with Green Peafowl. Here we also scored with Dusky, Black-and-red and Banded Broadbills and the stunning Bar-bellied Pitta. Other highlights included great looks at Pale-headed Woodpecker, Swinhoe's Minivet, Violet Cuckoo, Black-and-buff Woodpecker and plenty more besides. On the final leg of the tour to the Bao Loc and Da Lat area we saw all four currently recognised Da Lat plateau endemics (Orange-breasted and Collared Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Vietnamese Greenfinch) plus the local forms of Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Grey-headed Parrotbill and Cutia, which are all likely splits in the near future. Other great birds in this area included Black-headed and Rufous-backed Sibia, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, White-cheeked and Black-hooded Laughingthrushes, Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Eye-browed Wren-babbler, White-throated Rock Thrush, Slaty-backed Forktail and a host of other great birds. 

Anyone interested in the possibility of a further trip being organised should contact me. 

Chris Bradshaw

chris@northkentbirding.freeserve.co.uk