Bung Boraphet Water Bird National Park is the largest wetland in freshwater swamp category of Thailand. It is man-made lowland that aimed to contain rainy-water and forest-water from the plateau in the east of the country in flooding season, May and October. It also functions as the key agricultural source for farming, agriculture, and fishery.
Besides, this wetland is nationally significant as it is habitat of many bird species; the residents, migrants and passage migrants. The total number of found birds; Water Birds, Shore Birds, Accipiters Birds and others; is approximately 187 species (11 Orders, 43 Family and 114 Genus).
Birdwatching location in this 133,000-rai area is divided into 6 parts according to forest conditions those are: Open Water, Floating Weed, Emergent Weed, Island, Freshwater Swamp and Paddy Field.
The superstar of Bung Boraphet is White-eyed River-Martin : Pseudochelidon sirintarae Thonglongya, 1968, which found only at this location. The discovery of White-eyed River-Martin has turned Bung Boraphet that once was the unknown land to the famous place, in one overnight. Because the bird has been identified as a new bird specie on earth, and as the endemic that can be found only in this place. Besides, till the present, there is no report of the discovery of this bird in any other places in Thailand or in the world. However, unfortunately, White-eyed River-Martin is assumed to be the extinct one.
The most appropriate season to see those water birds is the ending period of summer, from April to June. This period is the breeding season, the egg-laying or feeding their young of the resident birds. Birds like Asian Golden Weaver, Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, Watercock, White-browed Crake, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and Bronze-winged Jacana in this time, are much more colorful than any other season.
Another suitable season is winter, from November to February. During this period, a hundred thousand of ducks migrate to this location and stay through the season. So, the swamp is full of many kinds of ducks, such as Northern Shoveler, Comb Duck, Common Teal, Cotton Pygmy goose and Falcated Teal. Bung Boraphet is also counted as the only closest duckwatching place from Bangkok. In some years, there are the rare ones come to surprise birdwatchers. For examples, Great Cormorant, Black-headed Ibis, Great Bittern, Black Bittern and Spot-billed Pelican.
We certify that whoever wants to see those in Bittern group, must not be disappoint. Because this location is another one place (excluding Sam Roi Yod National Park, Prachuab Kirikhan Province) that you can find them easily. The bird number our customer and we used to see in one day in winter is no less than 50-60 kinds. You can choose the one-day-trip program from Bangkok, or in Bung Boraphet-Mae Wong package (4 days, 3 nights).
Significant Birding Points
Crocodile farm and nursery is the first birding location you will meet before entering Bung Boraphet. The farm works for Thai freshwater crocodiles breeding and nursing in order to free them into the freshwater swamp.
Around the nursing pond, there are many kinds of birds you can find, such as Water bird, Paddy field Bird, Accipiters such as Asian Golden Weaver, Baya Weaver, Plan Prinia, Palm Swift, Coppersmith Barbet, Common Iora, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-napped Oriole, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Chestnuts-headed Munia and White-rumped Munia. Those in Water Bird group found are such as Yellow Bittern, White-browed Crake, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and Bronze-winged Jacana. Those in Predator group are such as Eastern Marsh-Harrier and Black-shoulder Kite, the two (of ten) that are often found.
Around the headquarter is the area that many riverside restaurants are situated. Mostly, the menu of those restaurants are freshwater fish which we often recommend to our customers. The superstars of this area are those in Starling group like Asian Pied Starling, Black-collared Starling and Vinous-breasted Starling. If you come in winter, you will probably see more of bird species like Chestnut-tailed Starling, White-shouldered Starling and Purple-backed Starling.
As for those in Myna group are the certain ones you can expect to see, such as Common Myna and White-vented Myna. Moreover, there are some more beautiful birds we want you to see like Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Olive-backed Sunbird and Plain-backed Sparrow. Though those in Uncommon group such as Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Pied Kingfisher, Red-throated Pipit and Eurasian Wryneck, are seldom found, we will try the best for you.
Birding in the boat the highlight of this trip. Beside seeing about 11 kinds of ducks, you can touch the fishermen's way of life together with beautiful scenery of this waterland. Especially in the morning, you are supposed to see pale pink Water Lillie blooming over the swamp, and Water Birds swimming in those Water Lillie.
The superstar in the morning is thousands of Lesser Whistling-duck that flying in one accord. When the boat passes pillars in the waterland, you can see Little Tern, Brown-headed Gull, Whiskered Tern or Barn Swallow hanging on those pillars. Or you may even see more of them like Osprey, Black Kite and Brahminy Kite. In the same morning, you may probably see God's Greatness from His Creation when you see long-toed Water Birds like Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen and White-browed Crake, walking on floating weeds and their bodies are not get wet or even waking tough those water birds.
Laem Ta Seng Island In the same boat, you may reach the only island in this swamp. The island once might be a hill before. When water was stored, it was not be under the water. The forest condition in the island is truly the same as that on the bank. However, there are those rare ones like Spotted Owlet, Siberian Ruby-throated, Bluethroat and Common Starling found.
