Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo - Khao Yai NP (1 Viewer)

[Matt Eade]

Visiting Khao Yai NP, Thailand next month and was wondering if there has been any RECENT and CONSISTENT sightings of any Cuckoos here. I understand there are a few stakeouts on thaibirding.com which aren't that reliable anymore, so any info would be brill. N worries if not.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[johnraven]

Have you tried Orientalbirding on yahoo groups?
John

 

[Matt Eade]

I'll give that a go.

Thanks John

 

[johnraven]

When I went there, back in 2008, I got good information there from the local bird photographers. They will know. I have no idea how to ask them for afar however.

 

[Ben88]

Could you let me know what you find out? I might be heading there in January, and that would be a great bird to see. Apparently, they aren't vocal until March.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Matt Eade]

No problem Ben, I'll attach a full report as well.

If you need any further help, PM me in late December when I'm back.

Cheers

 

[auchinbowie]

Visiting Khao Yai NP, Thailand next month and was wondering if there has been any RECENT and CONSISTENT sightings of any Cuckoos here. I understand there are a few stakeouts on thaibirding.com which aren't that reliable anymore, so any info would be brill. N worries if not.

Many thanks in advance.

We tried there last year but were later advised that the site was no longer active, so the very best of luck. You may need it.

Dave

 

[Matt Eade]

Thanks Dave for that.

I'm not expecting a sighting but you never know. A lot of walking off the main paths I feel for this one.

Thanks again

 

[birdboybowley]

Also be aware of the call you use Matt - we had a recording of one we used...and it sounded nothing - and I mean nothing! - like the real thing so no wonder we never gor a response!! Ours was from the cd-rom Birds of Asia...but I'm sure there's better on Xeno-Canto by now

 

[johnraven]

Nick Upton has updated his (excellent) page on Khao Yai, although he doesn't have a stake out either.
http://www.thaibirding.com/locations/north_east/ky.htm

Great place. Avoid weekends.

John

 

[Matt Eade]

Thanks for that Ads, I have the birds of tropical asia vol. 3, but I'll check against xeno-canto just in case.

John - unfortunately we will be there on a weekend and also a weekday, but due to amount of time available and also visiting Kaeng Krachan (I don't want to be there at a weekend on that single track road) this is the only time we can get there. Still, the birds will still be about, will just have to venture away from the crowds even more than we would normally.

Thanks

 

[gandytron]

The Radar Road seems to be the best place for the Ground-Cuckoo. They can be not uncommon by voice (I have heard four different birds calling on one day in the park).
There are a variety of calls, so learn them: download from XC, or get the Birds of Tropical Asia CD which has a good selection.

Best wishes,

Dave

 

[Matt Eade]

The Radar Road seems to be the best place for the Ground-Cuckoo. They can be not uncommon by voice (I have heard four different birds calling on one day in the park).
There are a variety of calls, so learn them: download from XC, or get the Birds of Tropical Asia CD which has a good selection.

Best wishes,

Dave

Thanks Dave, much appreciated.

 

[Steve Keen]

Visiting Khao Yai NP, Thailand next month and was wondering if there has been any RECENT and CONSISTENT sightings of any Cuckoos here. I understand there are a few stakeouts on thaibirding.com which aren't that reliable anymore, so any info would be brill. N worries if not.

Many thanks in advance.

When I was in Khao Yai in February this year I had the cuckoo on the Khao Khieo Road, 2.4km from where the forest starts. There were two birds calling very near to each other, and one was sat right out on a horizontal log visible through a gap in the forest edge. I found walking this road and side trails to be by far the best birding in Khao Yai, with calling Blue Pittas too and regular Firebacks.
If there were any stake-outs I didn't hear of them despite asking around a lot.

 

[Matt Eade]

When I was in Khao Yai in February this year I had the cuckoo on the Khao Khieo Road, 2.4km from where the forest starts. There were two birds calling very near to each other, and one was sat right out on a horizontal log visible through a gap in the forest edge. I found walking this road and side trails to be by far the best birding in Khao Yai, with calling Blue Pittas too and regular Firebacks.
If there were any stake-outs I didn't hear of them despite asking around a lot.

Thanks Steve, that's great. Sounds like a good spot, and time will definitely be spent around here now. All the best.

 

[gandytron]

Just to avoid confusion the Radar Road and Khao Khieo Road are the same (just different names).