MYANMAR TOUR REPORT JAN/FEB 2018

This list of highlight species below only tells a small part of how enjoyable the birding on our tour to Myanmar was. Not only was there quality of birds but also a good abundance, although birds were quite shy, allowing us to see most species more than once. We found all of the endemics that we targeted which is now up to a total of 11, depending on which taxonomy you use, and a very high proportion of our other target species which included many regional endemics. Beginning in Yangon we visited nearby Hlawga National Park where we found Davison’s and Ayeyarwady Bulbuls before taking a short flight to the proposed UNESCO world heritage site of Bagan. Birding in the dry habitats in the plains scattered with ancient temples we were delighted with excellent views of Jerdon’s Minivet, Burmese Bushlark and Hooded Treepie, also taking a boat trip along the Ayeyarwdy river to see White-tailed Stonechat, Sand Lark and Striated Babbler. Moving on from Bagan, by car, we spent four and a half days at Mount Victoria, where beautiful forest and scenery at a variety of altitudes allowed us to find Mount Victoria Babax, White-browed Nuthatch and Burmese Bushtit along with many other exciting Asian species and regional endemics. Transfering to Kalaw we took advantage in the change of geography to add Black-tailed Crake, Streak-throated Woodpecker and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler to our list birding within some very pleasant scenery. Our final destination was Inle Lake where nearby we found Collared Myna and then Jerdon’s Bushchat at the lake itself, enjoying our very pleasant accommodation and finding new birds right up to our departure. Myanmar provides some of the most pleasant and productive birding in Southeast Asia along with an ever-growing number of endemics due to taxonomic changes. Myanmar is one of the most under-visited birding destinations in Southeast Asia but one that deserves far more attention as it gives birders an excellent chance to see many species that are either absent or hard to find elsewhere.

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