![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlvs50gDVeEocDuhcDy7ToQu2ZfvHJAt9mnx_pnOXX8rdH66JSXHulEd6LTPzFQ1H0-IuAdArxwTSys61MtQoVxfMyeiopw7BtNX72SOvVQ1pH_Rmum-cqFDlJjCOLBImovkRsw/s400/Blue-winged+Pitta1_PICT0006.jpg)
We started off in the morning whistling for Blue-winged Pittas. After a while we located a pair, one of which flew straight to us and sat in a tree almost overhead looking at us. Later on it started calling from a tree a little further away.
In the forest proper we spent some time scouting around for Blue-banded Kingfisher, and were eventually rewarded with good views of the male. This wasn't photographable, but there was plenty else that was.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-LP5UjeKkwhP6-yOOzQniWglnhpaq6PuTkcUBw3tVuqGdyOCxb0ijeW99kNFrazS0_jYghqGt6ymPghYjSQKZvaPgusHqyuojGR7dPn_tmlUjXA-AHZOrrVn-05q6DFzXQebIg/s400/Neurobasis+chinensis1_PICT0010.jpg)
This large damselfly, a male Neurobasis chinensis, sits on its territorial rock in mid-stream, opening its wings occasionally, flashing irridescent green wing patches. Several other males occupy similar rocks nearby, and a lone female, distinguished by her reddish wings, plays it cool not far away.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvVHiErdXI2KgiWfM_Ju5BsScl9Dju3jCElG4f9UFrnskikoepYYOTccMnqlQsCzkiFzEx-7zwvWnviCxpQ16LfI1VVGS28KNZ0SMnNZgAFtzsBTjcOd8DAXn13_Hak8dFUWboQ/s400/Kuhl's+Gliding+Gecko1_PICT0008.jpg)
This Kuhl's Gliding Gecko has lost its original tail, and the replacement is definitely not up to the required standard!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeB5mYSmY1SDvZ9MDStfeI2PvHCtiFWyueoyCyJo6mwDiadwBWlOPZqi8GGI1ZeIkzp5Szz_EOzaxTRkroMvZMl_BLTzvr7iNfAp9b4D9xUYshWs1sVaUXfyqSAYIwjAOjW6LEA/s400/Chinese+Water+Dragon1_PICT0031.jpg)
This agamid lizard is a kind of water dragon, but I'm not sure which one. In breeding condition, this male's throat will flush bright pink, adding to the already impressive array of colour.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cde_768BgjlV89zgohyH7UYJ1U3r9_zRhObWOEh4f3Db5Gj4z-qFfkOfc1g8rR6t-uM-U7oGcJsAg4PJzhclzqhUoB2q2Oi2MvQJFsFCOkZW6X7MPVZ7tLP9GoG8qlKxv0ByhA/s400/Yellow-breasted+Flowerpecker1_PICT0020.jpg)
This Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker had a problem with these juicy-looking fruits - the spiky hairs at one end.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEc9q6AsKntJJ-RAchbKxxSSiezjSCaRiMUzf_kEe_cY3C_xHzynpyeh-1HT9ODMtaqp1TuhbL_A1KdGOuaFzPncXto5ROSQRKwLb5Q0f0epEs0k_SKYc7RACY4WJf9VsssxFtA/s400/Yellow-breasted+Flowerpecker2_PICT0015.jpg)
It manouveured the fruit smooth end inward, and then proceeded to suck the goodies out without eating the skin.
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Problem solved! The skin is sucked dry then discarded.
After a good lunch we went to check up on an Oriental Pratincole breeding site.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM25kl4vOPoBxAA8fEn1F4cBTiSh0WL_nzbpJ4r3NacXByFOLQa5q9_r5oJScHtsxTtjHu7BsTB9X3as7w143-bvS5kbDSX_u74D5rTYIGsSURynPCmiF1WKODuP2Q3YP8X1mtDw/s400/Oriental+Pratincole1_PICT0049.jpg)
Several birds were in evidence, but there was no sign of breeding having begun yet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTnY9QDKuo1aHrXONLaNPq8YGoFRSY-jAT2Xmc2E-7w0PUt9w8O1_NUxwDz2SRNr1U9-gytqT2TgiwgUE6EUPW72EwZHTk2epUiRUcWoMSfZ8XZ4U4QtsRTuW63qfhvI1degG4g/s400/Oriental+Pratincole3_PICT0081.jpg)
All the birds were in wing and tail moult (new secondaries, old primaries), and their plumage was generally heavily abraded.
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Several pairs of Red-wattled Lapwings were also present, in a similar state of wear and tear.