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© Peter Ericsson

Pak Thale

13.14729 , 100.05924

Thailand

This site and the surrounding area is most likely the most diverse shorebird site there is anywhere. I have had 38 species of shorebirds in one day.

The main reason to visit is Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher and Nordmann's Greenshank. On most trips I see them all. Add to that White-faced Plover (Lampakbia sandspit), Malaysian Plover (Lampakbia sandspit), Lesser (Tibetan) and Greater Sandplovers, Great and Red Knots in huge numbers, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruffs, Terek Sandpipers in the hundreds, Red-necked Phalaropes, stints, sandpipers etc etc

But it can be hard to find Spoonie (commonly called) and if you don't bring a scope you can forget it.

There are also many Terns in the area: Common, Whiskered, White-winged, Little, Great Crested, Lesser Crested, Caspian are the regular ones. Gulls are dominated by Brown-headed but at times larger gulls do show such as Pallas's and Heuglin's.

Towards the sea Chinese Egret if often found.

You might be able to do this site in a day but only if you have help or you need to spend 2-3 days as it can be tricky to know where to find each species.

The area consist of salt pans and adjacent mangrove plus a shoreline. On a good day birds will be everywhere and yet on other days you wonder where they all went.

Park the car and do not drive passed the used car tyres used as a barrier. Walk on the wide bunds. Bring water and wear a hat.

Prepare for a long search and yet it might just be one of those days when you see the 'little one' immediately! Either way, there are so many birds to enjoy that you easily will spend a few hours in the field. Get there in the early morning when the light is good and sun not too hot.

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L921142

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Pak Thale" (2023-06-05 15:04:21 )

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Pak Thale National Reserve" (2023-06-05 15:02:51 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 13.1473/100.0592 (2020-12-20 21:46:21 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Pak Thale NR" (2020-12-20 21:46:21 )

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-06 01:31:20
This site and the surrounding area is most likely the most diverse shorebird site there is anywhere. I have had 38 species of shorebirds in one day. The main reason to visit is Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher and Nordmann's Greenshank. On most trips I see them all. Add to that White-faced Plover, Plover (Lampakbia sandspit), Malaysian Plover, Plover (Lampakbia sandspit), Lesser (Tibetan) and Greater Sandplovers, Great and Red Knots in huge numbers, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruffs, Terek Sandpipers in the hundreds, Red-necked Phalaropes, stints, sandpipers etc etc But it can be hard to find Spoonie (commonly called) and if you don't bring a scope you can forget it. There are also many Terns in the area: Common, Whiskered, White-winged, Little, Great Crested, Lesser Crested, Caspian are the regular ones. Gulls are dominated by Brown-headed but at times larger gulls do show such as Pallas's and Heuglin's. Towards the sea Chinese Egret if often found. You might be able to do this site in a day but only if you have help or you need to spend 2-3 days as it can be tricky to know where to find each species. The area consist of salt pans and adjacent mangrove plus a shoreline. On a good day birds will be everywhere and yet on other days you wonder where they all went. Park the car and do not drive passed the used car tyres used as a barrier. Walk on the wide bunds. Bring water and wear a hat. Prepare for a long search and yet it might just be one of those days when you see the 'little one' immediately! Either way, there are so many birds to enjoy that you easily will spend a few hours in the field. Get there in the early morning when the light is good and sun not too hot. https://ebird.org/hotspot/L921142
Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-05 07:12:36
This site and the surrounding area is most likely the most diverse shorebird site there is anywhere. I have had 38 species of shorebirds in one day. The main reason to visit is Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher and Nordmann's Greenshank. On most trips I see them all. Add to that White-faced Plover, Malaysian Plover, Lesser (Tibetan) and Greater Sandplovers, Great and Red Knots in huge numbers, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruffs, Red-necked Phalaropes, stints, sandpipers etc etc But it can be hard to find Spoonie (commonly called) and if you don't bring a scope you can forget it. There are also many Terns in the area: Common, Whiskered, White-winged, Little, Great Crested, Lesser Crested, Caspian are the regular ones. Gulls are dominated by Brown-headed but at times larger gulls do show such as Pallas's and Heuglin's. You might be able to do this site in a day but only if you have help or you need to spend 2-3 days as it can be tricky to know where to find each species. The area consist of salt pans and adjacent mangrove plus a shoreline. On a good day birds will be everywhere and yet on other days you wonder where they all went. Park the car and do not drive passed the used car tyres used as a barrier. Walk on the wide bunds. Bring water and wear a hat. Prepare for a long search and yet it might just be one of those days when you see the 'little one' immediately! Either way, there are so many birds to enjoy that you easily will spend a few hours in the field. Get there in the early morning when the light is good and sun not too hot. https://ebird.org/hotspot/L921142

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Tibetan Sand-Plover (Anarhynchus atrifrons)
Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)
Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)
Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)
Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer)
Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris)
Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus)
Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta)
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea)

Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:06:41)

Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:05:26)

Tibetan Sand-Plover (Anarhynchus atrifrons) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:05:11)

Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:04:59)

Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:04:46)

Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:04:30)

Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:04:16)

Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:04:04)

Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-05 07:03:46)

  • Timing and strategy

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Not available yet
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Not available yet

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There is a bird center clubhouse near by which has toilets but is not always open. Do your business before you arrive.

Back towards the main road there are clean toilets by the temple shaped like a boat. These are open for public use.

Lots of restaurants at Chao Samrun Beach, a touristy area with many hotels as well.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-06 08:59
There is a bird center clubhouse near by which has toilets but is not always open. Do your business before you arrive. Back towards the main road there are clean toilets by the temple shaped like a boat. These are open for public use. Lots of restaurants at Chao Samrun Beach, a touristy area with many hotels as well.
Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-05 07:03
There is a bird center clubhouse near by which has toilets but is not always open. Do your business before you arrive. Back towards the main road there are clean toilets by the temple shaped like a boat. These are open for public use.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2021-12-29 to 2022-01-03 Kaengkrachan, Pakthale and Latkrabang Peter Ericsson
2023-01-07 to 2023-01-09 Pak Tale and Kaengkrachan, Thailand, 7-9th of Jan 2023 Peter Ericsson
2023-03-08 to 2023-03-23 Central and Southern Thailand 8th-23rd of March, 2023! Peter Ericsson
Pak Thale - Orniverse