The 80th Anniversary Garden in the south side of Bang Kachao is a little known and much less visited garden than Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park, but it boasts an impressive number of resident kingfishers and other birds. Recent sightings include black-capped, stork-billed, ruddy, and collared kingfishers, alongside striated herons, blue-tailed bee eaters, and a variety of orioles, drongos and more.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to the garden is by the usual ferry from Khlong Toei or Bang Na, then a motorbike taxi once you're in Bang Kachao. This should set you back 50 baht from the pier. When you want to leave, you can walk out to the main road from the park past Wat Chak Daeng to another motorbike taxi rank, or you can take a nice walk across the island to Coconut Lane for a delicious breakfast.
The best birding spots
The best birding spots in the park are around the area marked on Google maps as Bang Kachao Beach. At either end of the beach the trees and mangroves do not obstruct the view towards the Chao Praya, where countless bamboo rods have been driven into the ground (presumably to prevent erosion). Kingfishers love to sit on these bamboo rods - but tread carefully, they are very quick to spook. Another option is to shoot directly through the trees to the rods - you'll want at least a 400mm lens, and longer would be better.
On the south-west side of the park there's also a large lake, which has some great lines of sight for spotting birds. Several of the best spots have however unfortunately been closed off by the park staff.
Finally, there are a number of waterways and paths through the park that are worth looking around. Rumour has it that otter tracks have also been spotted in this area.
Let us know how you get on if you go to the park!
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