The Shama Factor

Yesterday afternoon I walked up to Wat Tham Pa Plong, normally I find late afternoons fairly poor at Chiang Dao, but upon reaching the temple car park there was a huge amount of bird song. Especially vocal were White-rumped Shamas, with four males having a singing competition which later turned into a more aggressive battle, at one point three males were fighting right in front of me. At least four Drongo Cuckoos were singing as were many Black-hooded Orioles. A busy group of Striated Yuhinas were present in trees just above the temple gates along with two Velvet-fronted Nuthatch. Three Pin-tailed Green Pigeons zipped over and three male Paradise Flycatchers were dotted around the car park all calling. A male Blue Rock Thrush was singing from temple buildings and at least ten Asian Fairy Bluebirds including six bright males fed in a tiny fruiting tree along with various bulbuls. A pair of noisy and agitated Puff-throated Bulbuls were feeding recently fledged young and at least two Grey-crowned Warblers were feeding in bamboo at the start of the temple steps.