Cat Tien (part 3)
Day 17: Sunday 31st March 2019
Today we drove out to the end of the Heaven Rapids road, about 9km from the lodge. From here we walked back through an area with much bamboo, looking for some of the specialist birds of this habitat. We spent 5 hours in the field and found only 2 bird species that were new to us (Violet Cuckoo and Purple-naped Spiderhunter). We also had a fairly spectacular display of Great Hornbills flying from tree to tree - they have very noisy wings in flight.
Today we drove out to the end of the Heaven Rapids road, about 9km from the lodge. From here we walked back through an area with much bamboo, looking for some of the specialist birds of this habitat. We spent 5 hours in the field and found only 2 bird species that were new to us (Violet Cuckoo and Purple-naped Spiderhunter). We also had a fairly spectacular display of Great Hornbills flying from tree to tree - they have very noisy wings in flight.
After lunch and a break during the hottest hours of the day, we set off again with a truck drive about 4km from the lodge into the grassland area. From here we walked back with some enjoyable birding en route. The only new species was found back at the lodge after sunset - Great-eared Nightjar.
Day 18: Monday 1st April 2019
This morning we revisited the hide we had been to on Saturday afternoon, for another attempt to see Germain's Peacock-pheasant. The campsite was empty and the morning still and quiet - the bird appeared within 30 mins and was a magnificent beastie.
This morning we revisited the hide we had been to on Saturday afternoon, for another attempt to see Germain's Peacock-pheasant. The campsite was empty and the morning still and quiet - the bird appeared within 30 mins and was a magnificent beastie.
Flushed with success we visited a second hide in the hope of getting better views of Bar-bellied Pitta - and again we had rapid success.
Later in the morning we walked a short trail near the park headquarters - the Ancient Tree loop - which featured a large old tree, but in the heat of the late morning there were very few birds about.
After dinner we did a night drive - but this was not especially successful. It was hopeless for birds and all we saw were a number of Sambar deer - including one stag (see image above right)
Day 19: Tuesday 2nd April 2019
05:00 Breakfast and 05:30 departure back across the river, and a 2½ hour drive to our birding destination for today - the Di Linh pass.
05:00 Breakfast and 05:30 departure back across the river, and a 2½ hour drive to our birding destination for today - the Di Linh pass.