Interlude 4: Chiang Mai University Main Campus, Thailand

08/17/2013.  7:35 AM.

Start:  GPS N 18, 48.449, E 98, 57.230
End:   GPS N 18, 48.449, E 98, 57.230

Chiang Mai University's main campus is located about 5 km (3 miles) west of the city center and has a surprising number of trees and small wooded areas within the campus boundary.  The main campus is also adjacent to the Huay Kaew Arboretum along its northern border. The campus is situated just at the base of Doi Suthep Mountain, without much development between the campus and mountain foothills, so the trees here have the potential to attract forest species more normally found along the slopes of Doi Suthep.

The front entrance to Chiang Mai University's campus is accessible from Huay Keaw road, which runs from the northwest corner of the old city to the Chiang Mai Zoo and beyond to Doi Suthep.  It can be easily reached by Sangtheo. If the driver does not understand where you want to go, ask to be taken to the zoo, then turn and walk back a few hundred meters (past the Arboretum) to the main gate of the university.

The most promising areas for birding would seem to be those that border the campus on the Doi Suthep side, so I began my outing along some pathways separated by open spaces that are located near the university's front gate.  I then made my way to the small lake on campus to see what sort of water birds I might find, then headed to the western edge of campus as my final stop.

Species Sighted Near the Front Gate:

White Vented Myna:  GPS N 18, 48.483, E 98, 57.155. These birds are ubiquitous around the city of Chiang Mai, and were no less numerous in the open fields on campus.

Common Myna:  Also very common around the city, and frequently found foraging in the same patches as the White Vented Myna.

Lineated Barbet:  GPS N 18, 48.446, E 98, 57.163. My first view of this bird was so brief that I couldn't tell what it was. Later, it did me the favor of perching with its mate on an open tree branch long enough to determine its species name.

Greater Coucal:  I saw these in two different places around campus.  They are surprisingly common in the city, given their size.

New Species In Vicinity of the Lake:

I first reached the edge of the lake at GPS N 18, 48.381, E 98, 57.079. It is a small lake with two or three small islets within it. A pathway follows the edge of the lake for about half of its circumference.  It seems to be a popular place for couples to have their photos taken.


Black Crowned Night Heron:  GPS N 18, 48.476, E 98, 56.996. Several of these were perched on trees on one of the three islets. Many can be seen nesting in the trees of the islet closest to the dock that projects into the lake.

White Throated Kingfisher: I first saw a bright flash of blue wings across the water. Fortunately, the kingfisher returned to a branch right out in the open, making identification easy.

Green Billed Malkoha: GPS N 18, 48.474, E 98, 57.058. I was trying to figure out another bird species name when I noticed this even bigger bird in the background.  The red eye skin and very long tail is a big giveaway.

Asian Koel: This is the bird I was trying to identify when I saw the Malkoha. I have heard it many times, but only seen it once or twice. It has a call that always makes me think of the jungle.

New Species Along the Western Edge of Campus:

Spotted Dove:  GPS N 18, 48.227, E 98, 56.884. These are also common birds around the city and I was surprised it took so long to see one. I ended up seeing several in this part of campus.

Ashy Woodswallow?:  I wasn't able to figure out what species this bird was while at the university, so I took notes on what I had seen and tried to find it later. I think it was the Ashy Woodswallow, but can't be certain. I'll be ready if I see it again, though.


New Species Sighted on Return Route:

Oriental Magpie Robin: I saw both an adult and a juvenile.

Olive Backed Sunbird: GPS N 18, 48.306, E 98, 57.005. Got a nice view of this male when it was flushed from one tree and into another by a passing motorcyclist.

Streak Eared Bulbul: I think I had seen these earlier in the day but wasn't able to identify them.

I spent three hours or so on campus and only identified 12 species.  There were at least three additional species that I saw but had no idea what they might be, so I think a birder with more experience in Chiang Mai would do better. I did manage to see some species that I would not expect to see around the city proper, such as the Malkoha, Kingfisher, Koel, and Barbet. I will probably return to the university on future weekends as access is easy and there are still areas left to explore.