Thale Noi Bird Watching

Thale Noi-Patthalung is a swamp area, one of the largest freshwater lakes in southern  Thailand, classified as a 'Non-Hunting Area' and protected by the Department of  Forestry. Bird-watching is mainly done from boats. Many water birds can be seen at  this site including reported sightings of Painted Storks and Black-headed Ibis. Bird List of Thale Noi

Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserveis the largest waterfowl reserve in Thailand. It can be  reached via Highway No. 4048 from Amphoe Muang to Amphoe Khuan Khanun and to  Thale Noi, for a total distance of 32 kilometers. The road is paved asphalt all the way.  The reserve is the responsibility of the Royal Forestry Department and covers 450  square kilometers, divided into 422 square kilometers of land (94%) and 28 square  kilometers of water (6%), or Thalae Noi.

The low season is June-September which is the nesting period. Species that are  prevalent here are those of the heron and stork family such as yellow bittern, great  egret, painted stork, red stork; ducks such as lesser whistling duck, cotton pygmy  goose, and garganey; grebe; rails such as white-browed crake, white-breasted  waterhen, watercock, common moorhen, and Eurasian coot; jacanas such as pheasant-tailed jacana and bronze-winged jacana; cormorants such as great  cormorant and little cormorant; black-winged stilt; Brahminy kite; red-wattled lapwing; whiskered tern; common kingfisher; and barn swallow.

The best time to study flora and fauna is during October - March when there is an  abundance of birds and pink lotus in full bloom cover the reserve. Moreover, tourists  can visit villages and see cottage industries like reed mat making. Thale Noi has been  named the first world wetland site in Thailand.

Thale Noi bird watching 3 days Sample Itinerary Day 1: Thale Noi.   Pick up from your hotel or air-port,and transfer to Thale Noi.   Arrive at Thale Noi/Start the Bird watching around the Lake. 12:00 Lunch 14:00 Start the afternoon Bird watching program. 17:00 Return back to Bungalows. 19:00 Dinner.   Meals:B/L/D   Overnight at: Bungalows near the Park. Day 2: Thale Noi. 06:00 Breakfast/Early morning birdwatching. 12:00 Lunch 14:00 Start the afternoon program. 17:00 Return back to Bungalows. 19:00 Dinner.   Meals:B/L/D   Overnight at: Bungalows near the Park. Day 3: Thale Noi-Khao Pu-Khao Ya National Park. 06:00 Breakfast/Early morning birdwatching at Khao Pu-Khao Ya National Park. 12:00 Lunch/Check out. 14:00 Start the afternoon birding program. 16:00 Transfer to hotel or Air-port.   Meals:B/L Trip Information: Duration Trip Grade Group Style Group Size Season 3 days 2 nights  Easy Private Tour 1 to 8 persons All Year Inclusion: Exclusion: -English-speaking Bird leader -Any other service not mentioned in the programs -Park entrance fees (400 Baht/per/person) -Personal expenses -Refreshment -All alcoholic. -Insurance Preparation : -Vat 7% -Light walking boots or sports shoes -Bird check list -Spotting Scope and binoculars -Transportations and Accommodations -Long trousers and long sleeved shirt for walking in the forest -Meals,Fruits,Coffee and Tea -Mosquito repellent,sun hat and sun cream  Group size 1 2 3 4>up  Baht/person/3days