Pencil Hills Raptor Watch
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Khao Dinsor Raptors Since the 1960s, biologists have been searching for areas on the Thai-Malay Peninsula to observe the migration of raptors. Previous research has primarily focused on field studies conducted in Malaysia, leaving raptor migration in Thailand largely unexplored. However, significant numbers of migrating raptors were observed by C. Nualsri near the town of Chumphon in southeast Thailand. Subsequent observations confirmed substantial movements of raptors through the region each autumn. This coastal-plain bottleneck in peninsular Thailand was previously identified approximately 100 km north of Chumphon by Fletcher, Philip D. Round, and others in 1983–1994 at Kui Buri, around 5 km east of Ban Yang Chum near the Gulf of Thailand. Despite its apparent importance, this flyway has not been thoroughly studied, and key details such as the relative numbers of raptors using it in spring and autumn, the origin of the migrants, and their ultimate destinations, remain largely unknown. In 2003, a six-week count was conducted to determine the phenology of these movements, including the numbers of species and individuals involved, as well as the trend of their daily and seasonal timing of migration. The first observation shed was established by Chukiat in 2007, marking the inception of Raptor Watch in Thailand, located at Radar Hill. Shortly after, in 2009, a second spot further south known as Pencil Hills was identified. Throughout September and October, volunteers systematically recorded the passage of raptors. Migration rates varied throughout the weeks of the month. Over the years, some ballpark figures showed migration ranging between 250,000 to 500,000 raptors, consisting of approximately 25 species of birds that utilize the Isthmus way. In addition to the more common raptors, less common migrants such as the Needletail were also recorded. To illustrate with the example of the year 2010, a total of 329,559 individuals across 14 migratory raptor species were recorded. Among these, the Chinese Sparrowhawk comprised 257,971 birds, accounting for 78.3% of the total, while the Gray-faced Buzzard accounted for 71,045 birds, or 1.6% of the total. The view from the summit of Pencil Hill is remarkable, offering vistas of the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Isthmus of Kra to the north and west. Raptors of various species can be observed flying at low altitudes, utilizing thermals, and passing just above the ridge, almost at tree-top height. Birds can often be seen catching updrafts on the slope, providing bird watchers with eye-level views. Likewise, raptors departing from the base of Pencil Hills can be spotted flying across the valley, sometimes below the observation point. Depending on the desired photography style, the results are often spectacular from these vantage points along the ridge. Additionally, the east-to-west movement of the sun throughout much of the day provides favorable lighting conditions, illuminating the birds from the front, allowing for better observation and photography of their details and colors. A concrete-and-stone-covered trail has recently been constructed through the low-stature forest on Pencil Hill, leading to the best bird-watching sites on the ridge. Sheds have been installed at several vantage points to provide shelter from the sun and rain Many birdwatchers consider Pencil Hill to be one of the premier sites for observing raptors during their southbound migration in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. For the northbound migration, Tanjung Tuan near Port Dickson, southwest of Kuala Lumpur, is another spectacular site. #1 The Signboard Pencil Hill or Khao Dinsor
#2 The small landing or car park Good view of the coast already from here
#3 The coastline The temple at the foot of the hill
#4 Close up view
#5 The Car park No crowd! Only us and the working team on top
#6 The Trail head Start of hike
#7 Birding at the car park
#8 Getting ready for the day's hike
#9 The hike Clear single trail relatively easy Gentle slope
#10 Some rocky surface Broken stones
#11 At last on top
#12 level track but with stretches of incline too
#13 The undergrowth taller than us
#14 With side tracks
#15 They have installed mist net
#16 A Warbler caught
#17 Retrieving its catch
#18 Careful . Don't loose it
#19 back at the tent Recording
#20 Series of measurement
#21 An impression of the present elevation
#22 The rest place
#23 Robert DeCandido Robert DeCandido and Deborah Allen have conducted raptor migration research in Asia from Israel and Turkey east to Nepal and south to Malaysia since 1998. At home in New York City, they are studying urban nesting kestrels in Gotham.
#24 The Signboard Ready for release
#25 Detailed checks Taking all measurements
#26 Time for breather
#27 Assoc Professor Philip D Round Deeply engrossed with his bird
#28 Dr Kaset Sutasha Dr Kaset Sutasha Chairman Bird conservation Society of Thailand Head centenarian veterinarian of the Avian and Exotic Pet Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Kasetsart University
#29 One of the 3 sheds then Empty - no other birders
#30 Making our way back
#31 Anything interesting
#32 This part on top of the hill already paved
#33 Close to noon time, the place still foggy
#34 The Thai birders - late comers
#35 The Raptors This is the type of shot we get in PD
#36 But not this style while gaining height
#37 Or when the Raptor is tracking thermal
#38 Eye level shot we could never get
#39 We could hardly see a Raptor heading down
#40 One at an angle Apologies for the absence of any images capturing the raptors flying by on this page. The reason for this is that I was so captivated by the spectacle that I kept shooting blindly. However, upon reviewing them, I noticed that all of the images depicted only a solitary bird passing by. This occurrence can be attributed to the fact that the birds were shot at relatively close range, and their flight past was so swift. Consequently, the limited perspective and the narrow viewing angle only allowed for the capture of a single bird in each photograph. The raptors came endlessly but well-spaced and not in formation or clusters. Later down the hill and in later hours, raptors which started their ascent from a place much further north of Pencil Hills could be seen congregating and performing the usual circling before flying south together |
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