Chet Khot Pong Konsao Nature Center, Saraburi, Thailand
At the western tip of the Khao Yai uplift, tucked away in the foothills, is a small retreat with cabins, picnic tables, and a campground beside an old reservoir. There is a small trail network around the retreat and into the forest which provides opportunities to find many of the birds that are typical of Khao Yai National Park, including Siamese Fireback, Asian Emerald Dove, Thick-billed Green-Pigeon, Asian Barred Owlet, Brown-backed Needletail, Banded Kingfisher, Red-breasted Parakeet, Vernal Hanging-Parrot, various bulbuls, babblers, flowerpeckers, and sunbirds, and Blue-winged and Golden-fronted Leafbirds.
Orientation
Directions
The Chet Khot Pong Konsao Nature Study Center is about two hours’ drive (150 km) north of downtown Bangkok. There are two ways to get there: a western route and an eastern route. From most of the Bangkok metropolitan area, the western route is simpler and more efficient, but the eastern route is more direct and can be faster, depending on traffic.
Western Approach. Take any of the major freeways north out of the city to the area where they converge about 45 km from downtown, then take Route 1 north-northeast toward Saraburi and the northern entrance to Khao Yai National Park. Remain on Route 1 to Saraburi, then exit onto Route 2 eastbound.
Stay on Route 2 for 21 km, then exit left to take the overpass U-turn. After returning 2.5 km west on Route 2, turn left onto Route 1003. Remain on this road for 22 km until it reaches a large, obvious pond. Turn sharply left (north) beside the pond. After about 400 m the entrance to Chet Khot Pong Konsao Nature Study Center will be on your left.
Eastern Approach. Begin northbound on the Chalong Rat Expressway, which merges into the Route 9 freeway just north of the Safari World theme park. After another 6 km, exit onto Route 305 eastbound, then stay on this road for approximately 50 km to the junction with Route 3051.
Golden-fronted Leafbird. © Bhaarat Vyas
Turn left onto Route 3051, go 6 km to Route 33. Turn left onto Route 33, go 1.1 km, then turn right onto Route 3222. Remain on Route 3222 for 16..7 km, then turn right onto Route 3113. After 4.7 km, turn left toward the Ched Kot Waterfall (a.k.a. Chet Khot, Jedkod, etc.).
The road twists through the foothills. At about 7 km, turn left onto Route 1003 (away from the waterfall). After another 4 km or so, Route 1003 makes a 90-degree turn to the right then immediately arrives at a large, obvious pond. Fork right at the pond, then after about 400 m the entrance to Chet Khot Pong Konsao Nature Study Center will be on your left.
Blue-winged Leafbird. © Lo Chun Fai
Birdfinding
The Chet Khot Pong Konsao Nature Study Center is a small parklike campus surrounded by extensive foothill forest. On its western side the forest is mostly dry and deciduous. To the east it transitions to evergreen. There are four main options to explore the area on foot: (1) the picnic loop; (2) the reservoir trail; (3) the forest trail network; and (4) the ridge road to the overlook.
Picnic Loop. A small loop road with picnic sites, cabins, and several flowering trees. This area seems to be productive at all times of day—at least when there are a few trees in bloom. Birds often seen in this area include: Thick-billed Green-Pigeon, Asian Barred Owlet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Vernal Hanging-Parrot, several bulbuls (including Black-headed, Black-crested, Sooty-headed, and Stripe-throated), up to four species of flowerpecker (Thick-billed, Yellow-vented, Fire-breasted, and Scarlet-backed), up to six species of sunbird (Ruby-cheeked, Brown-throated, Van Hasselt’s, Purple, Olive-backed Sunbird, and Crimson), Little Spiderhunter, and Blue-winged and Golden-fronted Leafbirds.
Vernal Hanging-Parrot. © Savio Fonseca
Reservoir Trail. At the north end of the picnic loop is a short path that connects to a trail around the perimeter of the reservoir. Roughly the same set of birds are likely to occur in the trees along this trail, which offers additional possibilities as it passes beside extensive forest. It also provides open views across the reservoir, where aerial birds such as raptors and swifts (including Brown-backed Needletail) can often be seen.
Forest Trail Network. At the south end of the reservoir is a trail that leads into the deep forest. The main trail goes to the Chet Khot Waterfall, but there are a few forks to other locations.
Brown-backed Needletail. © Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok
It is possible (but discouraged) for visitors to walk the first stretch of the trail, about 2 km to a small waterfall. Beyond that, it would be unwise to explore any of the side trails or attempt to reach Chet Khot—the trails are not maintained to facilitate casual, self-guided hiking. Guides can be hired at the main administrative building—rates vary from 200 to 400 baht, depending on the trail.
Birds are usually sparse in the forest interior, but many interesting species are possible, including: Scaly-breasted Partridge, Red Junglefowl, Siamese Fireback, Asian Emerald Dove, Banded Kingfisher, Bronzed Drongo (in addition to the commoner Hair-crested and Greater Racket-tailed), Puff-throated and Gray-eyed Bulbuls, a few babblers (including Puff-throated, Abbott’s, and Limestone Wren-Babbler), Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Siberian Blue Robin, Blue Whistling-Thrush, and White-throated Rock-Thrush.
Ridge Road. On the entrance road about 1 km west of the nature study center is a junction with a side-road that ascends a ridgeline to an overlook with a view of the valley. This road is about 2 km and may be driveable by passenger car, at least most of the way, but it gets very little use, has some rough patches, and is not consistently maintained. Overall, it seems better suited for hiking up to the overlook. The road passes through dry deciduous forest and may produce a somewhat different set of birds (but when the author visited at midday there was little evidence of any birds).
Services
Accommodations
The Chet Kot Pong Konsao Nature Study Center (+66-89-237-8659) has 28 cabins and an open campground tents and sleeping bags available for rental (100 and 50 baht, respectively). The cabins are picturesque and have kitchens with refrigerators and ovens. Prices for overnight stays are not advertised, but considering that this is a government-run sanctuary they are likely to be reasonable by both domestic and foreign standards.
Notes
When to Visit
This site is mostly empty on weekdays, but tends to fill up on weekends.
Hazards & Hassles
The trails into the forest are not easy walking and not easy to navigate. The first 2 km or so is straightforward, but beyond that it is necessary to hire a guide.