Myanmar certainly is an interesting country to visit. For bird lovers, it is relatively new and not very much explored so far but it really has great potential.
We started our birding tour with a visit to the Hlawga Park on the outskirts of the city, to look for the Davison’s Bulbul, which actually is just a Stripe-throated Bulbul. From here we drove to the Irrawaddy Delta. I found this a very interesting place where all the transport is going over water. Surprisingly, being in a remote place, we even stayed in a very acceptable hotel in a small town Wakhema. Birding by boat was productive and we were happy to find Sarus Cranes and we had good options to photograph Jerdon’s Babbler. After a couple of days, we went back to Yangon and from there to Moe Yin Gyi Wetland Resort. Many tourists here to have a weekend out, but in spite of this, we had some interesting and productive days with a lot of Photographic opportunities.
We had a 4-night stay in Bagan, which is one of the most frequented tourist places in Myanmar. A famous place, because of its more than 2000 temples. We did not know what to expect, but certainly, tourist activity was not disturbing at all our attempts to photograph birds. A nice stay with a boat-ride on the Irrawaddy River and visits to several places around the city. We photographed all “specialties”.
The next 4 nights we stayed at Mount Victoria at an altitude of 1.400 m. Typically forest birding, dense vegetation and small birds far away. Altogether we did not do that bad, but getting quality photographs was a real struggle. Although the temperature went down in the evening to levels below 10 ºC, no heating systems were in place to keep us warm in the restaurant or in the bedroom. The first time I experienced being served by waiters with gloves and a warm scarf and hat.
We drove back to Bagan and flew to Heho, the gateway to Shan State. We stayed in Pindaya, Kalaw and at the Inle Lake. An interesting area with a lot of agriculture activities. Although the Inle lake is another major tourist center, it did not disturb us when we were looking for birds. It is very interesting to see how the local people are living, with their houses built on posts over the water. Even the agriculture is done on small floating islands built up with aquatic plants.
Altogether Myanmar was a very pleasant experience, extremely helpful and friendly people, superb food, very good infrastructure, and very nice hotels. I can really recommend a visit to everyone.
Below a selection of photographs taken during this trip. Hovering over the image you will see a toolbar at the bottom where you can start a slideshow if you wish to do so.
If you want to see more photographs have a look on the following pages
Myanmar 2020
Temples of Bagan
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Batan1.jpg
Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Ashy_Drongo_-_Dicrurus_leucophaeus.jpg
Asian Barred Owlet - Glaucidium cuculoides
Asian Openbill (j) - Anastomus oscitans
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Asian_Openbill_j_-_Anastomus_oscitans.jpg
Baer's Pochard - Aythya baeri
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Baers_Pochard_-_Aythya_baeri.jpg
Bar-tailed Treecreeper - Certhia himalayana
Baya Weaver - Ploceus philippinus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Baya_Weaver_-_Ploceus_philippinus.jpg
Black-collared Starling - Gracupica nigricollis
Black-crested Bulbul - Pycnonotus flaviventris
Bagan temple.jpg
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Batan2.jpg
Black-throated Prinia - Prinia atrogularis
Black-throated Sunbird - Aethopyga saturata
Blue-bearded Bee-eater - Nyctyornis athertoni
Blue Rock Thrush - Monticola solitarius
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Blue_Rock_Thrush_-_Monticola_solitarius.jpg
Blyth's Shrike-babbler - Pteruthius aeralatus
Blyth's Shrike-babbler (f) - Pteruthius aeralatus
Brown-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
Buff-barred Warbler - Phylloscopus pulcher
Burmese Bushtit - Aegithalos sharpei
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Burmese_Bushtit_-_Aegithalos_sharpei.jpg
Burmese Collared Dove - Streptopelia xanthocycla
Burmese Shrike - Lanius collurioides
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Burmese_Shrike_-_Lanius_collurioides.jpg
Burmese Yuhina - Yuhina humilis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Burmese_Yuhina_-_Yuhina_humilis.jpg
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush (f) - Monticola rufiventris
Chestnut-capped Babbler - Timalia pileata
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch - Sitta nagaensis
Chin Hills Wren-Babbler - Spelaeornis oatesi
Chinese Grassbird - Graminicola striatus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Chinese_Grassbird_-_Graminicola_striatus.jpg
Chinese Pond Heron - Ardeola bacchus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Chinese_Pond_Heron_-_Ardeola_bacchus.jpg
Clamorous Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus stentoreus
Collared Scops Owl - Otus lettia
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Collared_Scops_Owl_-_Otus_lettia.jpg
Common Iora - Aegithina tiphia
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Common_Iora_-_Aegithina_tiphia.jpg
Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Common_Kingfisher_-_Alcedo_atthis.jpg
Coppersmith Barbet - Psilopogon haemacephalus
Daurian Redstart - Phoenicurus auroreus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Daurian_Redstart_-_Phoenicurus_auroreus.jpg
Dusky Warbler - Phylloscopus fuscatus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Dusky_Warbler_-_Phylloscopus_fuscatus.jpg
Eastern Spot-billed Duck - Anas zonorhyncha
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Eurasian_Coot_-_Fulica_atra.jpg
Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow_-_Passer_montanus.jpg
Eastern Marsh Harrier - Circus spilonotus
Eyebrowed Thrush - Turdus obscurus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Eyebrowed_Thrush_-_Turdus_obscurus.jpg
Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Ferruginous_Duck_-_Aythya_nyroca.jpg
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker - Dicaeum ignipectus
Fire-tailed Sunbird - Aethopyga ignicauda
Flavescent Bulbul - Pycnonotus flavescens
Gold plated temple Bagan.jpg
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Batan3.jpg
Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Glossy_Ibis_-_Plegadis_falcinellus.jpg
Great Myna - Acridotheres grandis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Great_Myna_-_Acridotheres_grandis.jpg
Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Green_Bee-eater_-_Merops_orientalis.jpg
Green Shrike-babbler - Pteruthius xanthochlorus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Green_Shrike-babbler.jpg
Grey Bush Chat - Saxicola ferreus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Grey_Bush_Chat_-_Saxicola_ferreus.jpg
Grey Sibia - Heterophasia gracilis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Grey_Sibia_-_Heterophasia_gracilis.jpg
Grey-backed Shrike - Lanius tephronotus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Grey-backed_Shrike_-_Lanius_tephronotus.jpg
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher - Culicicapa ceylonensis
Grey-headed Lapwing - Vanellus cinereus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Grey-headed_Lapwing_-_Vanellus_cinereus.jpg
Grey-headed Parakeet - Psittacula finschii
Grey-headed Parrotbill - Psittiparus gularis
Grey-headed Swamphen - Porphyrio poliocephalus
Harvesting Peanuts
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Harvesting_Peanuts.jpg
Himalayan Buzzard - Buteo burmanicus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Himalayan_Buzzard_-_Buteo_burmanicus.jpg
Hooded Treepie - Crypsirina cucullata
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Hooded_Treepie_-_Crypsirina_cucullata.jpg
Indochinese Roller - Coracias affinis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Indochinese_Roller_-_Coracias_affinis.jpg
Intermediate Egret - Ardea intermedia
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Intermediate_Egret_-_Ardea_intermedia.jpg
Japanese White-eye - Zosterops Japoñicus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Japanese_White-eye_-_Zosterops_Japoicus.jpg
Jerdon's Babbler - Chrysomma altirostre
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Jerdons_Babbler_-_Chrysomma_altirostre.jpg
Jerdon's Bush Chat - Saxicola jerdoni
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Jerdons_Bush_Chat_-_Saxicola_jerdoni.jpg
Jungle Myna - Acridotheres fuscus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Jungle_Myna_-_Acridotheres_fuscus.jpg
Laggar Falcon - Falco jugger
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Laggar_Falcon_-_Falco_jugger.jpg
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Long-tailed_Shrike_-_Lanius_schach.jpg
Olive-backed Pipit - Anthus hodgsoni
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Olive-backed_Pipit_-_Anthus_hodgsoni.jpg
Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Pacific_Golden_Plover_-_Pluvialis_fulva.jpg
Pheasant-tailed Jacana - Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Plain-backed Sparrow - Passer flaveolus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Plain-backed_Sparrow_-_Passer_flaveolus.jpg
Plaintive Cuckoo - Cacomantis merulinus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Plaintive_Cuckoo_-_Cacomantis_merulinus.jpg
Puff-throated Babbler - Pellorneum ruficeps
Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Purple_Heron_-_Ardea_purpurea.jpg
Pygmy Striped Squirrel
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Pygmy_Striped_Squirrel.jpg
Red Avadavat - Amandava amandava
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Red_Avadavat_-_Amandava_amandava.jpg
Red-billed Blue Magpie - Urocissa erythroryncha
Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Red-vented_Bulbul_-_Pycnonotus_cafer.jpg
Views of temples and pagodes
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Scenery2.jpg
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Red-wattled_Lapwing_-_Vanellus_indicus.jpg
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus
River Lapwing - Vanellus duvaucelii
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/River_Lapwing_-_Vanellus_duvaucelii.jpg
Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Ruddy_Shelduck_-_Tadorna_ferruginea.jpg
Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Rufous_Treepie_-_Dendrocitta_vagabunda.jpg
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher - Ficedula strophiata
Rusty-fronted Barwing - Actinodura egertoni
Sand Lark - Alaudala raytal
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Sand_Lark_-_Alaudala_raytal.jpg
Sarus Crane - Antigone antigone
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Sarus_Crane_-_Antigone_antigone.jpg
Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata
Scarlet Minivet - Pericrocotus speciosus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Scarlet_Minivet_-_Pericrocotus_speciosus.jpg
Washing in the river
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Scenery.jpg
Goats
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Scenery3.jpg
Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Siberian_Stonechat_-_Saxicola_maurus.jpg
Slender-billed Oriole - Oriolus tenuirostris
Spotted Owlet - Athene brama
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Spotted_Owlet_-_Athene_brama.jpg
Streak-throated Woodpecker - Picus xanthopygaeus
Streaked Spiderhunter - Arachnothera magna
Striated Babbler - Argya earlei
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Striated_Babbler_-_Argya_earlei.jpg
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos atratus
Striped Laughingthrush - Trochalopteron virgatum
Vinous-breasted Starling - Acridotheres burmannicus
Violet Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Whiskered_Tern_-_Chlidonias_hybrida.jpg
Whiskered Yuhina - Yuhina flavicollis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Whiskered_Yuhina_-_Yuhina_flavicollis.jpg
White-browed Fulvetta - Fulvetta vinipectus
White-browed Laughingthrush - Pterorhinus sannio
White-browed Nuthatch - Sitta victoriae
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/White-browed_Nuthatch_-_Sitta_victoriae.jpg
White-tailed Stonechat - Saxicola leucurus
White-throated Babbler - Argya gularis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/White-throated_Babbler_-_Argya_gularis.jpg
White-throated Fantail - Rhipidura albicollis
Ye Min Aung - Guide
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Ye_Min_Aung_-_Guide.jpg
Yellow Bittern - Ixobrychus sinensis
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Yellow_Bittern_-_Ixobrychus_sinensis.jpg
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie - Urocissa flavirostris
Squirrel on Temple
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Squirrel.jpg
Yellow-breasted Bunting - Emberiza aureola
Yellow-eyed Babbler - Chrysomma sinense
https://www.birdphotography.eu/images/Trips/Myanmar2020/Yellow-eyed_Babbler_-_Chrysomma_sinense.jpg