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  Move along, nothing to see here!
Gulf of Thailand and I did not expect to see many birds. From September to begining of November we had a lot of birds. Birds immigrating and the landed on the boat. After November there was not many birds to see. +++++++++++++++
Monday 21st of September 2020 and daylight is braking and I spotted one Tiger Shrike on deck. First time I see this bird, we remember that I was to look for it at Mahachai back in June, I think it was. Never spotted the bird, but here it was at Greater Bongkot North Field. There was also one Arctic Warbler on deck
We have a new EX camera and it should be so good. Well, it is good for taking pictures on deck. But it is not quite good enough for bird pictures. But even though the picture is bad they managed to help me ID the bird on birdforum.net.  Arctic Warbler
4 October 2020 and I am busy, but I have one of my TOP GUNS on the bridge keeping an eye out for birds. And he had two Red-rumped Swallows visiting him on the bridge. Looking like Striated Swallows and I reported them in eBird as Striated Swallows. But they came back and the asked me to change it to Red-rumped Swallow. I never did it before, but after spotting the Tiger Shrike I make incidental bird reports from the ship to eBird. Nice to see what kind of birds we see in the middle of Gulf of Thailand. Quite a few bird that I spot but I'm not able to ID most of them as I don't get any pictures and they are to scared when I approaching with my binoculars. And yes, I have a set of binoculars in the CCR for bird watching.  Red-rumped Swallow
Picture by Mr. Praveen, our bird watcher on the bridge
 Red-rumped Swallow
Picture by Mr. Praveen, our bird watcher on the bridge
 Red-rumped Swallow
Picture by Mr. Praveen, our bird watcher on the bridge
 Red-rumped Swallow
Picture by Mr. Praveen, our bird watcher on the bridge
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Sunday 11th of October 2020 and pilot on board at 06:12. I spot two Pond Herons on deck when the pilot is approaching and I made a mental note to bring my birding camera next time. 2 Pond Herons in winter plumage so I cannot see if it is Indian, Javan or Chinese Pond Herons.
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Monday 12th of October 2020 and we discovered a pigeon on deck in the late afternoon. The crew arrange mooring ropes forward and I almost stepped on the pigeon.
Strong wind and rain so we brought the pigeon with us going back. Two rings, one green and a yellow. I wrote down the number on the green ring and the yellow ring was blank. Now I will see if I can find any information about the pigeon. I grabbed some cookies and our Pump Man brought rice and we placed the bird in cover from the wind and rain together with lots of food.  Rock Pigeon / Feral Pigeon
 Checking the rings
 We leave the birds with plenty food
The green ring is marked: Thailand HFT 2019 92257 I will try to find information about this bird with the help of the ring number. The racing pigeon clubs are for sure not very helpful and I never found out where the pigeon came from. +++++++++++++++
Friday 30st of October 2020 and we are steaming south towards Greater Bongkot North Field and FSO2 Pathumabaha to load condensate. ETA at the pilot 06:00 tomorrow morning. I discover a sea bird flying with us.
The bird keep an eye on the bow wave to see if there is any dinner to catch. The bird dive a few times to try to catch fish. I had no clue what bird it was, but I had help by the bird forum and it turned out to be a Red-footed booby. Quite a rarity for Thailand. I was told that this was the second observation for Thailand reported to eBird and the first observation was 5 years ago. Red-footed Booby Number observed:1 Details: Thanks to www.birdforum.net for yet again being able to ID a bird for me with the help of very poor pictures: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=396135 Bird sail flying with us towards Greater Bongkot North Field. Was with us for 2 hours and I was sitting with the bird at an EYE TO EYE level. I wish I had my real camera when the bird was 4 meters from me. Flying along us looking at the bow wave and several times the bird flipped to the side and dove down to get a fish. Legs shorter than tail and skin / redish colour and the feathers was pinkish around the legs covered by feathers in flight. Suddenly the bird folded out one leg and started to scratch itself in flight. I also saw the bird preening in flight, at least it looked like that when the bird put the feathers straight, never thought that bird was doing this in flight. Bill skin coloured, feet skin/ red coloured. The bill is very pointy with a down bend at the end. Looked like the bill and the face had the same skin and the feathers started behind the eye. Black on top of the wings and what looked to be black wing tip. Gulf of Thailand so I guess the birds might have been dirty. The bird looked white but dirty. A band on the chest in grey/ red colour, throat and belly white/ dirty. Position of bird at 16:00 N10 deg 39,8Min E101Deg 40,5min  Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
 Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
 Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
 Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
 Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
 Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
 Red-footed Booby flying with us towards Bongkot in the south
I was impressed that the members on birdforum managed to ID the bird with my poor pictures. Our explosion proof camera is for sure not to take bird pictures with. We have a lot of birds passing the ship, not many seabirds but small warblers etc. Our Agent representative found my bird caller in my cabin later on in the evening when he came to visit, and he is quite amused and he likes to try my bird caller every now and then. He loves my bird caller
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4th of November 2020 and I spotted 2 Little Egrets on deck when we arrived to Bongkot. Departure on the 5th of November and I spotted one Striated Heron that took off from deck. The bird was flying over the water and suddenly the bird dove to catch a fish. At least it looked like that.
I saw one heron dive for fish during one of my bird trips back in Bangkok, but I did not know what to think so I never reported the bird. I have seen a lot of Egrets and herons, but always walking in the water (Or next to the water) looking for fish. But now I saw it for a second time so I guess the herons are diving for fish as well.  Little Egret at Greater Bongkot North Field
 Little Egret at Greater Bongkot North Field
 Female Asian Koel at Greater Bongkot North Field
Going back north and I had a Pond Heron following us in the wake and it behaved like a tern diving for fish so I guess by now I am pretty sure they hunt like this as well. And who would have expected to see herons and egrets in the middle of the ocean. The diet, well, have not been as successful as I had expected. My exercise have been nothing but a disappointment. A few yoga videos is what I have been doing. But I hope that this will change. Yoga instruction video #1
Yoga instruction video #2
Yoga instruction video #3
I don't know what he is trying to do
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Saturday 21st of November 2020 and I spotted the Red-footed Bobby while preparing for tank entry. The bird was flying at the front looking for fish in the bow wave. We were steaming south towards Bongkot and it was all dark in the south, heavy rain will soon fall. And me boys have started to paint on the starboard side.
I never reported the bird in eBird but I wrote to the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University in Bangkok and they were happy to get the report. Just for your information. I spotted one Red-footed Bobby again today (21st September 2020) at GPS position N10Deg 22,6Min E101Deg 42,4Min Was with us for a very short while, disappeared and it might have been due to heavy rain approaching from the South. Day light really turned in to black. I don’t know if it is the same bird as last time. But the position is not so far away from last position. But I really don’t know how much they move around on the sea, or if they have their own territory like some other birds and animals. +++++++++++++++
Friday 27th of November 2020 and this day goes down the books as the day we spotted a snake on board. Early morning and our O/S found a snake on the poop deck. He shat his pants but he put the snake in one of the “save alls” around a bunker tank vent. He called Pump Man that let the snake in to the sea and the snake was swimming away and it will soon be back ashore.
For many of us this was the first time with a snake on board. But Pump Man experienced it on board Ribe Maersk, a snake coming up on the anchor chain.  Python
 Python
 Python
The snake and I learned something interesting. I call this snakes Boa but the boa snake just lives in South America. Here they are called Pythons. Not exactly the same but we know what I am getting at.  Snake skin
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Monday 7th of December 2020 and Map Ta Put pilot board us at 04:06 and we had all fast at TTT 2B at 05:00. I was in my office when Pump Man banged on the window a little bit after 5 o'clock. He had a Watercock in his hand. They had spotted the bird sleeping forward during the mooring.
He came in to the CCR and I had a few pictures with my phone before we left the bird on the poop deck out of way for people.  Watercock, นกอีลุ้ม
 Watercock, นกอีลุ้ม
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Friday 11th of December 2020 and we are waiting for Bongkot Pilot and at 05:45 and I spot this bird at arrival to Greater Bongkot North Field. Pitch dark but deck illuminated by flood lights giving a yellow light. I instantly ID the bird as a Yellow Bittern. When the bird turn I am not so sure any more, well, I am pretty sure it is not a Yellow Bittern. Consulting my book that I now have got from my home in Bangkok and I ID the bird as a Cinnamon Bittern.
First picture and it look white on the top throat. Black feathers and it look like the Cinnamon bittern in my book. But the yellow light is very confusing. 2 original pictures and 2 colour edited pictures attached. Pitch dark so I had to use a crazy ISO speed so the pictures are very poor When I see the front of the bird it has one black stripe on the breast. My book have no front picture of the Cinnamon Bittern but it looks to be darker on the front of the breast.
  Cinnamon Bittern, นกยางไฟธรรมดา
 Cinnamon Bittern, นกยางไฟธรรมดา
 Cinnamon Bittern, นกยางไฟธรรมดา
Leaving Map Ta Put 10 o'clock on the 13th of December and I counted to 27 Great Crested Terns on the buoys in the approach channel last time we left. Today there was only one but the bird got scared when we approached the buoy and the bird took off leaving the buoy empty.  Greater Crested Tern
 Pond Heron, Ardeola at Greater Bongkot North Field, Gulf of Thailand
Arriving to SiRacha on the 18th of December and I get a LINE message from our Agent's Representative 6 o'clock in the morning. Aur Agent sent me a picture of the Agent's Representative waiting for us at the boat station.  Handing over the book to me
 Ripping open the package
 Ripping open the package
 Ripping open the package
 SCIENCE of YOGA
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Saturday 9th of January 2021 and as our Agent's Representative like to enjoy himself on deck I took him to our PPE store and I gave him a full set of PPE so he have something for the next time. I had given him the two tea cups I brought with me when I was on board Roy Maersk 6 years ago.
I wrote his name on the mugs as I had done on his helmet and he was really happy. He is polishing the mugs every day and now he is as happy for his new PPE.  Agent's Representative's new clothing
 Agent's Representative's new clothing
 Agent's Representative's new clothing
 Agent's Representative's new clothing
 Agent's Representative's new clothing
 Agent's Representative's new clothing
We are steaming south towards Greater Bongkot Northern Field and we are passing through Cambodian water this time. We have renewed the charter for PTT. And some tax detail make us having to leave Thai water and we pass through Cambodian water. I am in my room when 2/O calling me from the bridge.  - We have 2 birds forward
 - Thank you!
Turned out that we had 2 Red-footed Booby chasing flying fish up front. This record goes to Cambodia and I am the first one to report the Red-footed Booby for Cambodia. We crossed the border to Thailand at 16:44 so the birds was in Thailand as well. The sound recording is done around 17:30 and then we were in Thai water.   Red-footed Booby / นกบู๊บบี้ตีนแดง
 Red-footed Booby / นกบู๊บบี้ตีนแดง
 Red-footed Booby / นกบู๊บบี้ตีนแดง
 Red-footed Booby / นกบู๊บบี้ตีนแดง
 Red-footed Booby / นกบู๊บบี้ตีนแดง
 Red-footed Booby / นกบู๊บบี้ตีนแดง
Listen to the red-footed Booby
Sound from www.xeno-canto.org
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Monday 11th of January 2021 and coming out on the poop deck in the afternoon and I ran in to two birds, one Female House sparrow and one Black-browed Reed Warbler (Thanks to www.birdforum.net for help with ID) I went inside to get some fruit for the birds and they didn't care for the fruit. So I went to get some steamed rice. 20 minutes later and there was two birds eating rice, but no sign of the Black-browed Reed Warbler. But now there was two female House sparrows
 Black-browed Reed Warbler - Gulf of Thailand, Pos Lat 10° 22,5' Long 102°
 Female House sparrow - Gulf of Thailand, Pos Lat 10° 22,5' Long 102° 10,0'
 Female House sparrow - Gulf of Thailand, Pos Lat 10° 22,5' Long 102° 10,0'
 Female House sparrow - Gulf of Thailand, Pos Lat 10° 22,5' Long 102° 10,0'
 Female House sparrow - Gulf of Thailand, Pos Lat 10° 22,5' Long 102° 10,0'
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Tuesday 12th of January 2021 and Pilot on board in Map Ta Put at 10;30, we had been waiting since 09:42 as there was plenty ships leaving and entering the port of Map Ta Put. Again, we had hundreds of Black-naped Terns chasing fish in the wake of the tug boat.
I really did not pay any attention, I have reported this to eBird two times already. But suddenly, a big Dark Grey bird joining the Terns, a Pacific Reef Heron chasing fish Tern / Gull style. I had no camera but I borrowed our Agent's representative's phone. Of course, not any good pictures, but better than nothing. See HERE for eBird checklist. Picture by phone so no good pictures, if you cannot see the heron try to click on the picture for bigger 2ized pictures.  Pacific Reef Heron fishing Tern/ Style - Click picture for bigger picture
 Pacific Reef Heron fishing Tern/ Style - Click picture for bigger picture
Map Ta Put Port entrance, Thailand - 12 January 2021
 Pacific Reef Heron fishing Tern/ Style - Click picture for bigger picture
Map Ta Put Port entrance, Thailand - 12 January 2021
 Pacific Reef Heron fishing Tern/ Style - Click picture for bigger picture
Map Ta Put Port entrance, Thailand - 12 January 2021
 Pacific Reef Heron fishing Tern/ Style
Map Ta Put Port entrance, Thailand - 12 January 2021
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Tuesday 19th of January 2021 and we left TOP SBM1 10 o'clock and we were soon having hundreds of birds in the wake. Black-naped Terns and Whiskered Terns chasing fish in the wake. I spotted one Pacific Heron among the Terns as well.
I also spotted one Arctic Jaeger sitting on an empty plastic drum. So this was a new bird for me and I reached 928 different birds seen on my eBird records.  Black-naped Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบท้ายทอยดำ
 Black-naped Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบท้ายทอยดำ
 Black-naped Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบท้ายทอยดำ
 Black-naped Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบท้ายทอยดำ
   Whiskered Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบเคราขาว
 Whiskered Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบเคราขาว
 Whiskered Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบเคราขาว
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Saturday 30th of January 2021 and leaving Map Ta Put for the last time bound for Singapore where I will leave the ship. We had the usual Terns in the wake,, bit I spotted a big bird and ut turned out to be a Brown-headed Gull
 Black-naped Tern / นกนางนวลแกลบท้ายทอยดำ
 ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
 Brown-headed Gull / นกนางนวลธรรมดา - Here together with a Black-naped Tern
ID as a FIRST WINTER by the black pattern on the wings and the orange legs and bill
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Tuesday 2nd of January 2021 and they called me around 01 thirty in the morning.
- Doctor on board, all of signers to go see him.
- OK, I am coming
I went to the bridge to get my “fit to fly” certificate. What a joke! Temperature and he checked  the oxygen level in the blood and I had my “fit to fly” certificate. All of signers need this to be able to get to the airport.
And yes, he asked if I had any cough as well. I went back to bed and I was too excited to fall asleep. New Chief Officer came on board around 11 o'clock and our boat will pick us up at 18:00. The boat arrived 5 or 10 minutes before 6 and it was time to leave the ship. We were soon on our way towards the Immigration at Marina South Pier.  Bye Bye
 Bye Bye
 The best picture
 The best picture
 Brahminy kite
 Many people waiting to pass Immigration at Marina South Pier, Singapore
Reaching the Marina South Pier and I spotted a Brahminy kite soaring over the marina looking for food in the water. We came ashore to discover a long line to the Immigration and it took us an hour ++ before we were cleared at the immigration and we were soon on our way to the airport. So let's see how exciting my totally unplanned birding trip to Europe will turn out. Just click HERE!      
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