Black Bazas - stunning and plentiful raptors that proved a challenge to count....
A little context: Khao Dinsor is a peak overshadowing the Thai Gulf shore, offering stunning panoramic views in all directions (Myanmar to the west, rolling, lush ranges to the north and south, the ocean to east), but uniquely well-positioned to watch the squadrons of southbound migrating birds of prey as they follow flightlines learnt and honed over countless generations.
and a few more....
'Discovered' as a raptor hotspot - and already rivalling the most famous equivalents on the planet - only recently, Khao Dinsor is a very much a work-in-progress, with plenty still to find out and study; thanks to a small but dedicated band of ornithologists, birders and raptor devotees however, its reputation is growing fast, with plans to build an interpretation centre (and hopefully also a vulture rehabilitation facility) at the foot of the trail in the pipeline. The possibilities are exciting, and a combination of field research alongside pro-active outreach within local communities promises much for the future.
and another.....
The peak period is between mid-September and early November, so we'd arrived just time before the season's window began to close; the peak for some species had already passed of course, but as we were to find out, there was plenty still to come.
the main peak to the north of us, with a huge squadron of almost invisible Baza's on the way.....
a close-up of a small section of the same photo, showing a sliver of the birds involved (click on either to enlarge)
more from Khao Dinsor to follow....
