Vietnam is a wonderful country for birding. In my experience, based on the many tours that I have had the privilege to lead to that country, it is still quite ‘birdy’ especially at the right time of year and in the better protected areas. For me one of the most striking features is how things have improved in recent years. For example, now within a protected areas such as Nam Cat Tien National it is usually easy to see Siamese Firebacks (note plural) along the main road through the forest; the endangered Green peafowl appears to be substantially on the increase (or at least they are more confiding and thus more visible) along with Gaur in the same habitat. Hornbills, Gibbons, Black-shanked Douc Langur, Bar-bellied Pitta and hordes of parakeets – almost absent now in Thailand! Admittedly things are not perfect but with the exception of Bhutan where are they? Yes there is illegal trapping, hunting and logging BUT more people are becoming aware of their exciting natural heritage and new areas such as in the Komton province for the endemic Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush and Black-crowned Barwing still has extensive forests oozing with birds, many of them exciting and little known. Playback is a useful tool but can be overdone by the inexperienced, however, in my opinion sure beats trampling the habitat to dig out a particular bird. The Vietnamese guides that I know are exceptional all-round naturalists and very professional. I’ll be back there later in the year and I for one cannot wait! David David Bishop Bird Tours K David Bishop Semioptera Pty Ltd PO Box 1234 ARMIDALE, NSW, 2350 Australia +61 412 737 297 +61 2 6771 5580 kdbishop@ozemail.com.au _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org