One thing that has struck me over the years is the number of different birds I have encountered. I used to live in the UK right by Epping Forrest with a large garden and saw plenty of birds all year round but I was shocked to realise the number of different birds seems much higher in Phuket. So I started counting. Then I started looking online to see what was a normal high concentration of birds. It turns out that birders often use a 5 mile radius (5MR) when setting challenges or targets and 100 different birds in a five mile radius is considered high, 200 very high.
After counting and a quick look on Google Maps, it turned out that within about a two kilometre radius of where I live there were over 100 species of birds that I had seen. It shocked me as most of what I see is just on my walk to work or to the beach or while having tea on my balcony. There is no jungle trekking or excursions to remote areas, no birds parks, no national parks. This prompted me to wonder how many species are really out there in the woodland and jungle areas that I do not frequent – how many different birds are there I have not seen?
If I then expand to the 8km radius near my home it takes in a huge area of jungle, cliffs, beaches, valleys, streams, ponds, woodlands and grasslands, all which will be home to many species I have not previously encoutered. That area will stretch from Patong Beach to Paradise Beach, Freedom Beach, Merlin Beach, Tri Trang Beach and all the hills and forest on the way. I would hazard a guess that any effort made by more experienced birders and photographers covering the area would yield at least 200 different species of bird.
So where am I going with this? This small peninsula that juts out between Patong and Karon seems to be a haven for larger numbers of both resident and migratory birds. Set between two of the most commercial towns on the island in Karon and Patong, this small peninsula stretches 2.4km across and 3.2km in length.. There are several roads and tracks, a few small villages, plenty of nice residential spots to rent and several small natural beaches, which in themselves are home to so much marine life. This peninsula has all the makings of the perfect natural park for both marine and land-based wildlife and is the perfect place for all wildlife lovers, bird watchers, photographers and natural beach lovers. A small oasis of natural beauty between two boisterous nightlife towns.
Havens of wildlife
That being said, how many other currently less populated areas are there still on the island? How many species of birds call Phuket home, either as residents or visitors? How many beaches, if kept natural on the many small peninsulas around the island, will become home to turtles and the rest of the vibrant wildlife that surrounds Phuket? As witnessed when the island becomes quiet, especially evident during COVID, the amount of wildlife that comes out is amazing. During low season these little havens of wildlife explode with bird song, butterflies, flowers and insects – how good would it be to have this all year on a few little enclaves around the island?
Leo and I have easily spotted over 100 species of wildlife on our regular commutes in the past year within our 5MR, which is mainly in a surburban environment. Imagine what several experienced birdwatchers armed with professional equipment and time could achieve in the same location? I’m sure well over 200 different species could be identified. Multiply that over several similar locations around the island and Phuket could be considered as one of the great wildlife and bird photography hotspots in Thailand. The best bit is nothing needs to be done. Nothing built, no more roads, just a few restrictions to deter any further mass development and allowing nature to take its course.
Over the past few years many people have asked me where I go to view and capture pictures of this abundant wildlife. My answer is always the same: it’s right here on my doorstep! An area near the Avista Hideaway Hotel with roughly a 2km radius, just out of Patong. From the cruise ship jetty at the south of Patong Beach to Tri Trang Beach and to Freedom Beach, a small peninsula that lies between Karon and Patong. I am positive there is way more up there that my limited schedule does not allow me to see and it would therefore be great to see more wildlife enthusiasts in the area. If we could collectively register 200 different species on that small peninsula it would be quite the achievement.