Bang Phra Reservoir- a good place for the soul

Around 15 km from Bangsaen, Bang Phra reservoir is a beautiful, natural place to visit. The reservoir itself is large, 40 km or so, and it is surrounded by lush grassland and woodland. There is a picnic area where you can relax by the water, and a pathway that meanders through the woods and around the reservoir. It’s a great place to go bird-watching and see the different species in their natural habitat.

 

It was so peaceful and quiet. We were the only ones there apart from the odd runner, or cyclist, who had taken advantage of the beautiful landscape for their daily exercise.

As we walked around we passed a viewing tower from which you can sit and watch the resident and visiting birds at different times of the year. In the distance we saw a flock of Asian Open-Billed Storks and Adjutants resting in the tree tops. Different species of birds, but from where we were we couldn’t really appreciate how big these birds actually are. According to http://www.thaibirding.com on a good day you may well see over 100 species- Bushlark, Prinia, Barred Button Quails, Chinese Francolin, Oriental Darters, Rufous Treepie, Laced Woodpecker to name but a few.

As someone new to bird watching and not really knowing what I am looking for, or where to look for that matter, it is kind off special to be able to see the birds through the binoculars in the first place and then, after consulting my book, to actually name what I have seen. I am getting better, but my friend is constantly asking me “what’s that”? He instantly see birds high up on tree tops, that I, even with binoculars, take several minutes to find, and then invariably too late. But as Chris says, it’s easy for him to tell me the name of the bird, but it’s better that I learn myself and that way I will remember what I have seen.

Bang Phra is a peaceful place and, even if you are not into bird watching, just taking a gentle stroll round the reservoir will sooth your soul and get you out in the fresh air.