Myanmar (Burma) 26 December to 9 January 2016 (15 days) · PDF file26th December to 9th January 2016 (15 days) Trip report compiled by: Martin Grienenberger . ... bellied Leafbird

Myanmar (Burma)

26th

December to 9th

January 2016

(15 days)

Trip report compiled by: Martin Grienenberger

Trip Report – Myanmar (Burma) Dec 2015 – Jan 2016

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Tour summary Note: This trip wasn’t a bird only trip, and I made this report for those like me who go birding on

the margin of their actual trip.

26/12 Arrival at the airport at noon, we

directly head to Mandalay’s most known

sites where some of the commonest bird

can be watched at. We end the day at

Mandalay’s Hill where House Swifts are

gathering before getting some rest. One

Ashy Woodswallow is feeding from the

top of the temple and provides a nice tick

for the first day.

27/12 The day was dedicated to the royal

towns around Mandalay, and we first

started with Mingun. This means we have

to cross the Irrawaddy by boat and this had produced great views at classic river

species, such as Grey-throated Sand-Martin and Pied Kingfisher nesting in the

bank, and one gorgeous male of White-tailed Stonechat.

Later on, we went to Ava, which is situated South of Mandalay. Going through

this area in carriage allowed us to taste the local life and feel the vibes of this

holy site. A 20-minutes birding stop in a rice paddy appears to be very prolific

with sightings of 28 species, including a Brown Shrike, Baya Weaver and 3

White-throated Babblers.

The birdiest moment of the day happened at U-Bein Bridge, where we came for

sunset. Birds gather in huge flocks before night and offer a beautiful show:

Asian Darter, Grey Heron, Pacific Golden Plover, Glossy Ibis, Little Cormorant

and Kites.

28/12 Most of the day consisted in going to the Mogok Valley, and was spent in

the car. Thus, we made a nice stop in Pyin Oo Lwin at the National Kandawgyi

Park that procuded interesting species such as Hooded Oriole and Grey-backed

Shrike. This park was the place where I heard and saw the most YBW of the trip,

approximately 30 birds in just an

hour!

29/12 Woke up at dawn to take a

walk in the montane evergreen

forest of Mogok which proved to

be a good idea. In less than an

hour, birding was nice and excit-

ing, and some of the commonest

bird in that habitat where sighted

with very great views, especially

Yellow-cheeked Tit, Orange-

A Blue Rock-Thrush sitting on the central stupa of Kuthudaw Pagoda

Ruby mining in Mogok


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bellied Leafbird and Blue-winged Siva. The place seemed to be good for Green-

ish Warblers that was kind of numerous here.

The day was spent visiting gems market and ruby mines around Mogok. We

went through Ananda Travels to come there, and we couldn’t have without them,

considering both all governmental authorizations and local negotiations needed.

In the afternoon, a quick look over the market produced a nice flock of 8 Wire-

tailed Swallows flying with some Barn Swallows.

Evening lunch was taken at the hotel, while Dark-rumped Swifs, only found

North of Myanmar, were flying all over us.

30/12 Due to local confrontations on our way back to Mandalay, we had to take

another road that included a few monaster-

ies to visit in east of Mogok. Those visit

were unexpectedly bird worthy! At Daw

Nan Kyi Pagoda, 2 beautiful Ashy Drongos

ssp. leucogaster showed really well just a

few meters from us, and then, at another

monastery, a Chevron-breasted Babbler was

singing while a magnificent Black Eagle

was just soaring over our heads. Later, a

quick stop at a lay-by on the road provided

great looks at a male Crested Honey-

Buzzard!

31/12 As long as car trips are kind of boring, we chose to go to Bagan with a

10-hour boat ride on the Irrawaddy River. The first 2 hours were just a bird-

frenzy moment, with new species constantly popping from nowhere, and with

more common species in very good numbers. While Black and Black-eared

Kites are feeding on fish and carrion, Swallows appeared to be uncountable.

Ducks are not left, with good flocks of Ruddy Shellduck, along with 5 Common,

Indian Spot-billed Duck or Black-winged Stilt. As we are taking a quick stop to

avoid traffic, a glance at the whole river bed provided Black-headed Ibises, Eur-

asian Spoonbill, Common Crane and Black Stork, while a House Swift crosses

the wayof 4 Bar-headed Geese. A few miles further, a huge flock of 700 Asian

Openbills were resting as 5 Hornbills sp. were flying over.

The rest of the day was quite calm instead, so we could enjoy the ride and take a

look at people’s life on and alongside the river.

The arrival at Bagan wasn’t worse either, since the port’s trees are used by hun-

dreds of Kite as a huge sleeping place.

01/01 So as to be able to see everything we wanted during the trip, we had to

reduce our Bagan stay at only a day, which proved not be a good choice on the

bird side: Bagan’s dry zone is the most interesting area for that kind of habitat.

A quick one-hour birdwatch at dawn produced great looks at a 1cy Paddyfield

Pipit, 2 lovely Burmese Shrikes and some Tickell’s Leafwarblers and Olive-

backed Pipits.

Ashy Drongo ssp. leucogaster


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Even if the birding wasn’t as great as

I would expect, birdwatching in such

a site will be one of my greatest bird-

er’s memories, strolling through this

millenary temples while balloons are

rising above my head and watching

for birds in the same time.

As we were enjoying sunset from top

of one of the pagodas, 3 Crested

Honey-Buzzard in a row passed right

in front of us: another outstanding

watch of this trip.

02/01 Not much to see on this day dedicated to go from Bagan to Kalaw.

03/01 Before starting our trek, I took a walk outside the hotel to see some birds

of the Kalaw region: Slender-billed Oriole and Black-collared Starling showed

well.

Our two-day trek started on the road between Kalaw and Shwe Nyaung. Our

route passed through open cultivated area, pine and broadleaved evergreen for-

ests. We went through many small villages in which we could have a look at lo-

cal life, such as workshops and

farms.The very beginning of the trek

was very productive on the raptor side:

3 Black-shouldered kites, 1 Rufous-

winged Buzard and 2 Crested Honey-

Buzzard.

During our mid-day break, a beautiful

Daurian Redstart was calling clear and-

loud, and showed really well.

We ended our first day in a monastery

at approx. 1400m high, in a very pro-

ductive montane evergreen forest: Hy-

malayan Black Bulbul, Velvet-fronted

Nuthatch, Black-napped Monarch, Jap-

anese White-eye and a Blue Flycatcher

sp.

04/01 On our second day, we went down from the monastery directly to Inle

Lake through cultivated area, bamboo and mixed evergreen forests. A few stops

added new birds to the list such as Grey Bushchat, Plain-backed Sparrow or

Common Rosefinch.

A lovely Shikra seen on the morning in Bagan

Daurian Redstart


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We arrived at mid-day at Inle

Lake, and besides the view

was incredible, the first cross

over the lake was the occasion

to get familiar with the com-

mon birds we’ll see for the

next three days: Intermediate

Egret, White-throated King-

fisher, Glossy Ibis and Pheas-

ant-tailed Jacana for the most

striking. A quick walk into the

Marshes in front of our bed-

room proved to be a smart

choice, with highlights includ-

ing Greater Coucal and Striat-

ed Grassbird.

05/01 In order to get better views at some birds I

flushed the day before, I went into the marshes in

early morning and although took me: the crake I

saw appeared to Baillon’s, while 2 Chestnut-

capped Babbler were shouting just a few meters

away. Usually a scarce species, a hundred Grey-

headed Parakeets were flying off their roost site

right above the hotel.

The tranquil Inle Lake is known for one of Bur-

ma’s avian specialties, the little known Collared

Myna. This species was seen in great conditions

on most parts of the day, especially in the south-

ern part of the lake.

06/01 Most of the birds seen the day before

were also seen this day. A 2-hour boat ride led

us to the small town of Sankar, situated south

of Inle Lake. Unexpectedly, we found 2 prob-

able Rufous-winged Buzzard, 1 Red-watteld

Lapwing, a goodlooking male of Red Avada-

vat and a magnificent Pied Harrier male that

just flew right over our boat!

Inle’s art of rowing the boat with the leg

Greater Coucal

Pied Harrier


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In late afternoon, we took a walk into the northern part of the lake, in a dried

rice paddy that gave great looks at another Pied Harrier, 1cy this time, and at 2

dazzling Chestnut-eared Bunting.

07/01 Another transportation, with a flight from Heho to Yangon, and a car-ride

to Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir, passing by Bago to visit some of the local temples

and Buddha.

08/01 For 10$, you can rent a boat and have a bird guide that leads you throu gh

this Ramsar site. Even if the number of species isn’t the highest of Burma, you

can have good looks at wetland’s species, and nice rarities such as Sarus Crane

can occur. The first step of the tour consists in gliding through vegetation on the

lake and offers great sightings on Purple Swamphen, Asian Openbill, Black-

capped Kingfisher or Lesser Whistling-duck. Both Eastern and Western Marsh-

Harrier occur here and we had the chance to see them both. As we were aiming

for the second step of the tour, a walk on the marshes on the other side of the

reservoir, Plaintive Cuckoos were popping here and there in the emergent ma-

cophytes. As a 200-bird flock of Glossy Ibis was feeding, 2 Grey-headed Lap-

wing were spotted by the birdguide. Muddy parts of the marsh turned to be at-

tractive for waders such as Pacific Golden and Little Ringed Plovers and Wood

Sandpiper. Acrocephalus aren’t outdone, since Oriental and Indian Reed-

Warblers also showed really well.

Our way back to the hotel, following

the dam, was also nice with a Yellow

Bittern, a Wryneck and plenty of

more Plaintive Cuckoos.

The rest of the day was dedicated to

get back to Yangon and visit some of

the most known sites of the city. We

ended the day with sunset over the

magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda,

which is covered in pure gold!

09/01 As we had a free morning for

our last day in Burma, we took a walk

in the park right in front of our hotel,

People’s garden, and we could have a

look at the southern garden’s bird species such as Asian Koel or Black-napped

Oriole. A tiny feathers ball perched in a tree turned to a cute Asian Barred Owlet.

Even if Inya Lake doesn’t have the charm of Inle, a birder must have to take a

look there, as far as raptors are numerous there. To conclude this wonderful trip

here in Burma, the lake had one more bird to offer, unexpected but warmly wel-

comed: a dazzling Brahminy Kite soared and flew over the lake for a while.

What a great bird for the last seen on this trip!

Shwedagon Pagoda


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ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRDS (174 species recorded) Note: Names and taxonomical order of the bird species list follows IOC World Bird List version

6.1.

Ducks, Geese & Swans Anatidae Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica

Good flocks seen on each wetland.

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus

Four in flight along Irrawaddy on cruise day.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Four along the Irrawaddy.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Seen each time we were on the Irrawaddy and on Inle Lake.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Here and there, didn’t pay much attention.

Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha

Hundreds along Irrawaddy.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta

Five on Irrawaddy.

Garganey Anas querquedula

One in Inle Lake

Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca

Ten in Inle Lake.

Pheasants & Allies Phasianidae Partridge sp.

One heard in Mogok

Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus

Common along the roads in jungle.

Grebes Podicipedidae Little Grebe Podiceps ruficolis

A few in Moe Yin Gyi.

Storks Ciconidae Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans A huge flock of 700 birds along Irrawaddy on our cruise day from Mandalay to Bagan. Later we

enjoyed fabulous close looks at a nesting colony at Inle Lake.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra

18 birds seen along Irrawaddy on our cruise day from Mandalay to Bagan

Ibises, Spoonbill Threskiornithidae Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus

15 birds feeding with one Eurasian Spoonbill along Irrawaddy on our cruise day from Mandalay

to Bagan.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

14 over U-Bein Bridge. Good numbers in Inle Lake.

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

1 bird feeding with Black-headed Ibises along Irrawaddy on our cruise day from Mandalay to

Bagan.


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Herons, Egrets & Bitterns Ardeidae Indian/chinese Pond Heron Ardeola grayii/bacchus

Small numbers identified throughout the trip.

[Eastern] Cattle Egret Bubulcus( ibis) coromandus Small numbers of this species were encountered on seven days of the tour. NOTE: Clements lumps this species with Western Cattle Egret B. ibis as Cattle Egret B. ibis.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Small numbers identified throughout the trip at wetlands.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

One was seen on Inle Lake, and three in Moe Yin Gyi.

Great Egret Ardea alba

Didn’t pay much attention. One in Bagan and a few on Inle Lake.

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia

Small numbers on Inle Lake.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Small numbers identified throughout the trip at wetlands.

Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger

Recorded in each wetland.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

4 in flight above Irrawaddy during our cruise day from Mandalay to Bagan

Darters Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

Six birds in flight above U-Bein bridge, plus a presumably huge flock of 500. One in Moe Yin

Gyi Reservoir.

Hawks, Kites, Eagles & Vultures Accipitridae Crested (Oriental) Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus

A total of six of these handsome raptors were seen on the tour.

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

Small numbers were encountered in Kalaw at the very start of the trek and, and lastly around Inle

in good numbers.

Black Kite Milvus migrans

Commonly seen throughout the trip, but can hardly be told form Black-eared. Thus, typical indi-

viduals have been seen.

Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus

Commonly seen throughout the trip, but can hardly be told form Black. Thus, typical individuals

have been seen.

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

Clearly one of the biggest surprise, and the very last bird of the trip: a beautiful adult soaring over

Inya Lake in Yangon.

[Western] (Eurasian) Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

At least two birds were sighted in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

[Eastern] (Eurasian) Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus

Two identified birds on Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Pïed harrier Circus melanoleucos

A handsome male flew above our boat south of Inle Lake, and later one 1cy in dry rice paddies in

North Inle Lake.

Shikra Accipiter badius

This is another widespread species that was seen on several occasions throughout the trip.


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Rufous-winged Buzzard Butastur liventer

One bird at the very beginning of the trek near Kalaw, and two putative other on our road to

Sankar.

[Himalayan] (Common) Buzzard Buteo barmanicus

Individuals were seen in Mogok and Kalaw. NOTE: Clements lumps this species with Common Buzzard B. Buteo, Eastern Buzzard B. japonicus and Socotra Buz-zard B. socotraensis as one species, Common Buzzard B. buteo.

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis

One bird soaring over a temple in the east of Mogok.

Rails, crakes, gallinules & Coots Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

One bird seen in the marsh in front of our bedroom at Inle Lake.

Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla

One bird seen two days in a row in the marsh in front of our bedroom at Inle Lake.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Good numbers flocks were seen in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir. NOTE: IOC splits Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio into two species, Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

and African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis, whereas Clements only recognizes one species, Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

One in a rice paddy in Ava and another in the marsh in front of our bedroom at Inle Lake.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

Large numbers were seen on Inle Lake.

Typical cranes Gruidae Common crane Grus grus

Four birds along Irrawaddy on our cruise day from Mandalay to Bagan.

Plovers, Lapwings & allies Charadriidae Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus

Two and one birds were seen in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir!

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

One bird during our trip to Sankar.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

A few during the trip.

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

A hundred seen in flight over U-Bein bridge and two individuals at Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Two birds during our boat trip to Bagan, and a dozen on Inle Lake.

Jacanas Jacanidae Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus

Commonly seen in Inle Lake and Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

One single bird flushed in my feet aroud the Hotel in Kalaw in a dry field area.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

One single bird seen in a rice paddy in Ava.


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Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

The species that has been the most seen on the trip, with individuals in Ava, Bagan and Moe Yin

Gyi.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

One bird in Ava.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

One seen along Irrawaddy on our cruise day from Mandalay to Bagan, and another at Inya Lake in

Yangon.

Terns Sternidae

Whiskered tern Chlidonias hybrida

Four birds in Inle Lake and Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Gulls Laridae Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus

One bird at U-Bein Bridge. Good numbers were seen on Inle Lake.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

One bird was picked out from the much more common Brown-headed Gull on Inle Lake.

Vega Gull (Mongolian) Larus vegea mongolicus

Two immature birds were seen on Irrawaddy shore near Mandalay.

Doves & Pigeons Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia

We found this species to be fairly common in towns and cities throughout.

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Small numbers were found in the Bagan area.

Red [Turtle] (Collared) Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica

One bird was seen at Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

Good numbers were seen at most localities.

Cuckoos Cuculidae Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis

This widespread species was heard and seen well at Lake Inle on several occasions.

Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus

A male was seen and heard, and a female-type in People’s Garden in Yangon.

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus

Good sighting in the floating gardens in Inle Lake, and in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Owls Strigidae Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides

Excellent views were had of this species in People’s Garden in Yangon

Swifts Apodidae Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris

A few in Inle Lake area.

Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

This is a common species in the lowlands.

Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus

A few in Inle Lake area.


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Dark-rumped Swift Apus acuticauda

Great views of a twenty-bird flock each night in Mogok.

House Swift Apus nipalensis

This is a commonly seen species in urban areas.

Rollers Coraciidae Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

Several of these attractive birds were seen during the trip, mostly from the car.

Kingfishers Alcedinidae White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

Fairly widespread and common, this attractive kingfisher was seen on each day of the second

week of the tour.

Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pyleata

Four birds were sighted in Moe Yin Gyi.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis First seen in Bagan, we later found a few birds in the Inle and Moe Yin Gyi areas.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

This extremely widespread species was seen along the Irrawaddy River at Mandalay once.

Bee-eaters Meropidae Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis

Small numbers were seen on most days in the lowlands.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Up to ten birds were seen in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Hoopoes Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Several birds were seen on consecutive days in the dry, scrubby habitat around Bagan. NOTE: IOC splits the above species into two separate species: Eurasian Hoopoe U. epops and African Hoopoe U.

Africana whereas Clements only recognizes one species, Eurasian Hoopoe U. epops.

Hornbills Bucerotidae Hornbill sp. Five birds in flight near Mandalay, probably Oriental pied.

Barbets Capitonidae Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala

Obviously the commonest barbet in Myanmar, with sightings almost all days.

Woodpeckers Picidae Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

One individual in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Grey-capped [Pygmy] Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus

One sighting in forest around our hotel in Mogok.

Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae [Common] (Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Several sightings throughout the tour.


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Parrots & Parakeets Psittacidae Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria

Three birds were calling and flying at sunset in Bagan.

Grey-headed Parakeet Psittacula finschii Great views of a hundred-bird flock in the trees near our hotel in Inle Lake.

Woodswallows Artamidae Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus

Seen on three occasions: on top of Mandalay Hill, in Inle Lake in flight and in Moe Yin Gyi Res-

ervoir.

Ioras Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

A single bird was seen during our way down to Inle Lake during the trek.

.

Cuckooshrikes & allies Campephagidae Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus sp. One at our monastery break during the trek, at approx.. 1300 m high.

Shrikes Laniidae Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus

Small numbers were seen at several open-country sites.

Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides

Small numbers of this attractive shrike were encountered daily in the Bagan and Kalaw areas.

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach

This strikingly-plumaged shrike was seen daily in the Kalaw area.

Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus

One bird was seen in National Kandawgyi Park in Pyin Oo Lwin and another right in front of our

bedroom in Inle Lake.

Old World Orioles Oriolidae Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris A single bird was seen well in pine around the hotel in Kalaw.

Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis

Good views were had of a juvenile in People’s Garden in Yangon.

Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus This very striking species was seen in flight only in National Kandawgyi Park in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Drongos Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

Commonly seen in open lowland habitats.

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus

Good views of this nice drongo, especially one of the ssp. leucogenis at Daw Nan Ki pagoda.

Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus

Seen daily in Inle Lake area, often feeding in flowering trees.

Fantails Rhipiduridae White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis

A total of three birds were seen well in mixed flocks in the forest in Mogok and near Inle Lake.


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Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

Great views at a single bird during our monastery break during the trek.

Crows, Jays & Magpies Corvidae House Crow Corvus splendens Abundant throughout the lowlands!

[Eastern Jungle] (Large-billed) Crow Corvus levaillantii

A rather scarce species, with a some sightings around Mogok. NOTE: Clements lumps this species with Indian Jungle Crow C. culminatus and Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos

as Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos.

Fairy Flycatchers Stenostiridae Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

Recorded in Mogok and Kalaw.

Chickadees & Tits Paridae Cinereous (Grey) Tit Parus cinereus Species sighted two days in a row in Mogok area NOTE: IOC splits Great Tit Parus major into three species: Great Tit Parus major, Japanese Tit Parus minor & Ciner-

eous Tit Parus cinereous, whereas Clements only recognizes Great Tit Parus major. .

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus

A few birds were encountered around the base of Mt. Victoria. NOTE: Clements splits Green-backed Tit into two species: Green-backed Tit P. monticolus and Turkestan Tit P. bo-

kharensis, whereas IOC only recognizes one species: Green-backed Tit P. monticolus.

Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus

A single of these striking yellow and black birds was seen ion the forest in Mogok.

Larks Alaudidae Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula

Several singers during our trek through cultivated area, and two birds in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens

Eight birds seen two days in a row in forest in Mogok.

Streak-eared Bulbul (E) Pycnonotus blanfordi

Good numbers found around Mandalay,Yangon and Bagan.

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus

Fairly common above 900m.

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer By far the commonest bulbul in Burma; it was seen almost daily.

(Hymalayan) Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus

This widespread Asian species was seen on our monastery break during the trek, showing well

with a fifty-bird flock.

Swallows Hirundinidae Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus

Ten birds were seen during our way from Mogok to Mandalay.

Common Sand-Martin Riparia riparia

Seen daily on Inle Lake and in Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Grey-throated Sand-Martin Riparia chinensis

Good numbers were seen breeding along the Irrawaddy River, and some other birds in Ava.


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Dusky Crag Martin Hirundu concolor

A few birds were seen at cliffs in Mogok.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Good numbers were seen throughout the lowlands especially on Inle Lake where there were at

least 1000 feeding in the sunset. Both ssp. gutturalis and tytleri were seen in Inle Lake, with the

first way more common.

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii

Seven birds were seen flying low over gems market in Mogok, and another pair in Kalaw.

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica

Commonly seen throughout the trip. NOTE: IOC splits the above species into three distinct species; Red-rumped Swallow C. daurica, Sri Lanka Swallow C.

hyperythra and West African Swallow C. domicella whereas Clements only recognizes two species, Red-rumped Swal-

low C. daurica and Sri Lanka Swallow C. hyperythra.

Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata

Commonly seen throughout the trip.

Leaf Warblers & Allies Phylloscopidae Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus Seen and heard daily

Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis

Seen daily in Bagan area.

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus

A very common species found on most days of the trip. Clearly the tune of the trip, with his tsi-

huit going all day long!

Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides

Fair numbers of this nice warbler were seen in forest in Mogok, with one singing bird on the first

day.

Reed Warblers & Allies Acrocephalidae Oriental Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis

A few in Moe Yin Gyi area.

Indian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus brunnescens

One in Moe Yin Gyi area.

Thick-billed Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus aedon

One bird showed briefly on a morning walk in Inle marshes.

Grassbirds & Allies Locustellidae Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris

Excellent views were had of numerous singing birds on the Inle Lake.

Cisticolas & Allies Cisticolidae

Hill/Rufescent Prinia Prinia superciliaris /rufescens

One bird heard and quickly scoped during our way down to Inle Lake during trek.

Plain Prinia Prinia inornata

Seen in scrubby areas in marshes in Ava and Inle Lake.

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius

Heard and seen fairly regularly in the lower-lying areas.


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Babblers, Scimitar Babblers & Allies Timaliidae Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata

Good looks at a pair in marshes in front of our bedromm in Inle Lake.

Chevron-breasted Babbler Timalia pileata One singing bird was seen in a monastery east from Mogok.

Laughingthrushes and allies Leiotrichidae Blue-winged Siva Siva cyanouroptera

Flocks of these attractive birds were seen in the forest of Mogok on both days.

White-eyes Zosteropidae Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicas

Five birds were feeding in trees during our monastery break on Kalaw’s trek.

Nuthatches Sittidae Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis

This handsome nuthatch was seen at monastery break during the trek.

Starlings, mynas and allies Sturnidae White-vented (Great) Myna Acridotheres grandis

One bird seen along the Irrawaddy. Good numbers were found in the Inle area.

Collared Myna (NE) Acridotheres albocinctus This extremely localized myna appears to be easily seen going through the channels in south of

Inle area. A few were seen each day of our stay in Inle Lake.

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

Commonly seen at several localities.

Vinous-breasted Starling Sturnus burmannicus

Good numbers were seen in Ava and the Bagan area.

Black-collared Starling Sturnus nigricollis

A pair with one singer was spotted on a morning walk aroud the hotel in Kalaw.

Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra

One singer heard and sighted at the channel entrance of our hotel in Inle Lake.

Chats & Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

One handsome male was feeding in a garden during a walk in north of Inle Lake.

Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus

A stunning male showed really well during trek.

Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius

One bird sitting on the Kuthudow Pagoda and another in the Mogok area.

Grey Bush Chat Saxicola ferreus

Two birds were seen during trek in Kalaw area.

[Siberian] Stonechat Saxicola maurus

Small numbers were seen daily in the Mogok,Kalaw and Inle areas. NOTE: IOC splits Stonechat into five species: European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus, African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus, Stejneger’s Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri & Madagascar Stonechat

Saxicola sibilla, whereas Clements only recognizes one species, African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus.

White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura

Good numbers of this usually scarce species were encountered along the Irrawaddy River.

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata

Small numbers seen throughout the tour. Appears to be common winter visitor.


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Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara

One bird showed really well in Mogok forest.

Large Niltava Niltava grandis

One bird on top of Daw Nan Ki pagoda.

Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla The most common flycatcher of the trip, a few on each day.

Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis

Good views were had of a lone birds in Mandalay, Inle Lake and Moe Yin Gyi Reservoir.

Leafbirds Chloropseidae Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii

Excellent views of both male and female were had in the forest of Mogok.

Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum

This stunning little flowerpecker was seen during our way down to Inle Lake.

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Sunbirds & Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus

Males and females were encountered in low numbers on a few occasions in fairly dry country

throughout the trip.

Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis Singleton birds were seen in Mandalay and Yangon.

[Mrs] Gould’s Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae

Several of these dazzling sunbirds were seen in Mogok and Kalaw.

Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna

A few birds seen and heard in Mogok, feeding nectar in flowers.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Commonly seen around towns throughout the tour.

Plain-backed Sparrow Passer flaveolus

Two birds were seen during our trek in the Kalaw area.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

This species is by far the commonest sparrow outside of towns.

Weavers and Allies Ploceidae Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus

A few birds were seen in a scrubby rice paddy in Ava.

Avadavats & Munias Estrildidae Red Avadavat Amandava amandava

Only one male has been spotted in a Scally-breasted Munias flock during our boat trip to Sankar.

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata

One male was briefly seen in a rice paddy in Ava.

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

Small flocks were seen occasionally during the trip.

Wagtails & Pipits Motacillidae Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Singletons were encountered almost daily.


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White Wagtail Motacilla alba

Commonly seen throughout. Note: Two distinct races were encountered: leucopsis, also known as Amur Wagtail, and Baicalensis, also

called Baikal Wagtail if split. Neither IOC nor Clements recognize these splits.

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

A few individuals at each wetland.

[Paddyfield] (Oriental) Pipit Anthus rufulus

Commonly seen around Bagan.

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

This common wintering species from Siberia was seen around Bagan, Inle Lake and at Kalaw.

Finches Fringillidae Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Great views were had on our way down to Inle Lake on day two of the trek of a single bird.

Buntings & allies Emberizidae Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata Two birds were greatly seen in a dry rice paddy in the north of Inle Lake.

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ANNOTATED LIST OF MAMMALS Irrawaddy Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus

This is the common squirrel around Bagan.

Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Dremomys lokriah

A few were seen in a monastery near Mogok.

Pallas’ Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus

A few were seen in People’s Garden in Yangon.

Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta

A few of these primates were seen at Mount Popa’s Dick.

NON EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF BUTTERFLIES Great Windmill Atrophaneura dasarada

Tawny Mime Papilio agestor

Chocolate Tiger Parantica melaneus

Plain Tiger Danaus chrypus

Helliconiinae sp.

Neptis sp.

Documents

Myanmar (Burma) 26 December to 9 January 2016 (15 days) · PDF file26th December to 9th January 2016 (15 days) Trip report compiled by: Martin Grienenberger . ... bellied Leafbird