Laem Pakarang waders

I've been on the Andaman coast for a few days now, staying in Khao Lak. The waders at Laem Pakarang have more than made up for the slow going elsewhere. Like the last post, you may want to call me ungrateful - with broadbills and barbets in the forest (I have seen a couple), these have played second fiddle to my wader fixation. Pride of place goes to a Grey-tailed Tattler that I found on New Year's Eve (and still present today); not a common sight here by all accounts and the first one I've seen for a few years.

There are also loads of other waders too, especially in the high tide roost - testament to the ferocious power of nature, waders use rocks dredged up by the Boxing Day tsunami to roost on (as well as the more conventional sandbar). 40 or so Terek Sandpipers, loads of Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers (much more straightforward identification wise than watching the two species in Kuwait two winters ago - race differences in Lesser are remarkable!), 100+ Pacific Golden Plovers, a few Red-necked Stints as well as commoner stuff like Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Grey Plover. Really enjoyable wadering in a quiet and remote setting.

Greater Sand Plover Laem Pakarang

Pacific Golden Plover Laem Pakarang

And nice to end up in the nearby beach shack, with a cold drink. Being a Geography teacher, I'm all too aware of the plight of this area as I teach the Boxing Day tsunami 2004 each year, so it's heartening to see the area packed out with tourists and locals getting on with things.