We arrived at the entrance barrier to Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary at 6am but were not allowed to drive the entrance road until 8am due to the risk posed by Elephants. Once at the summit of the Phu it was again foggy, cool and windy. Having not seen any trip reports including this site we were not sure where to start looking for the hoped-for Black-eared Parrotbill being the only site it occurs in Thailand so we asked a ranger who suggested we walked the 2km circuit trail of the summit. Whilst there was some bamboo, the habitat didn't look quite right for the Parrotbill, but the sandy soil was clearly to the liking of a number of species of Orchid that were everywhere and truly spectacular. Putting this place in perspective in our three weeks in Thailand we didn't see any other Orchids. We then set off along a track to a Dinosaur footprint. Whilst we never reached the footprint we did encounter several mixed-species flocks and the habitat looked good for the Parrotbill that unfortunately we never did see. With fog and drizzle again closing-in we retraced our route back down the Phu walking several sections of the road until it was time to reluctantly leave the Wildlife Sanctuary. I could easily have spent a few days at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary especially as the road gives good access to forest at different elevations. We made it back to the London Bus for another good meal just before they closed for the night. We then drove to the pre-booked Phu Pha Nam Resort.
Indian Roller 1
Ashy Woodswallow 2
Scarlet Minivet 3
Grey-backed Shrike 2
Large Cuckooshrike 1
Ashy Drongo 6
Bronzed Drongo 2
Hair-crested Drongo 2
Red-whiskered Bulbul 6
Flavescent Bulbul 10
Mountain Bulbul 15
Red-rumped Swallow 20
Greenish Warbler 2
Davison's White-tailed Leaf Warbler 5
Grey-crowned Warbler 1
Blue-winged Minla 10
Japanese White-eye 40
Blue Rock Thrush 1
Blue-winged Leafbird 4
Olive-backed Sunbird 4
Black-throated Sunbird 1 male
Scarlet Minivet at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Wild Orchids at the summit of Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Track to a Dinosaur footprint
Davison's White-tailed Leaf Warbler at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Blue-winged Minla at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Mountain Bulbul at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Clipper at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Chocolate Tiger at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Red-spot Jezebel at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Chocolate Pansy at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Tailed Jay at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
The rather grand Phu Pha Nam Resort
