Bueng Boraphet (Thai: บึงบอระเพ็ด) is the largest freshwater swamp and lake in central Thailand. It covers an area of 224 km² east of Nakhon Sawan, south of the Nan River close to its confluence with the Ping River.
Originally the area was covered by a large swamp, which was flooded in 1930 with the building of a dam to improve fishing.
This is the only known site for the White-eyed River Martin which used to winter there, but has not been seen since 1980, and may be extinct.
106 km² of lake have been declared as a non-hunting area in 1975. In 2000 it was also declared as a wetland of international importance by the Thai government.
Bueng Boraphet is a semi-natural lake which fluctuates in its water level throughout the seasons. Unfortunately the status of non-hunting area affords it little protection and the reedbeds are greatly reduced due to human disturbance.
This is one of the largest single wetland sites in Thailand and perhaps one of the most famous due to the few sightings of the almost mythical White-eyed River Martin all occurring here. Although it is unlikely that this bird will be seen again, a combination of reedbeds, lotus swamps, open water, grassland and fringing woodland makes for a great birding spectacle at any time of the year although winter will provide the most species.
Boat trips for birdwatching or sightseeing here are a pleasant option for birders and non-birders alike and the crocodile breeding centre offers a chance to see these creatures at close quarters.
Waterbirds are obviously the main reason for a visit to Bueng Boraphet, but many other open-country species can easily be seen here. For me one of the most memorable species is the Pied Kingfisher which can be viewed whilst hovering before it dives to catch its prey. However, for many people the large and colourful waterbirds such as Purple Swamphen, Asian Openbill Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Indian Cormorant, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and Bronze-winged Jacana are the main attraction and Bueng Boraphet has been the site where the populations of many of these scarce species are beginning to make a comeback in Thailand.
Despite declines in recent years, large numbers of waterfowl still use Bueng Boraphet in the winter. The resident Cotton Pygmy Goose and Lesser Whistling Ducks are very common but Garganey are also very numerous in the dry season. Other species regularly found include Ferruginous Duck and Tufted Duck although a pair of Baer's Pochard in 2009 were the first record for more than 10 years.
Apart from large waterbirds, Bueng Boraphet is an excellent site for passerines too. Asian Golden Weaver, Streaked Weaver and Baya Weaver can all be found and this is perhaps one of the easiest places to see Siberian Rubythroat. Oriental and Black-browed Reed Warblers are common in the dry season and in 2008 Thailand's first Blyth's Reed Warbler was trapped and ringed here.
Sightings of Quail are always exciting and many species occur here including Rain Quail, Blue-breasted Quail and Small Buttonquail, although none are easy to see; the grassy areas grazed by cattle would be the best places to look for these species.
This is, of course, the only place that White-eyed River-Martin has ever been found, with the last confirmed sighting in 1978. Read Doug Judell's article about investigating a possible sighting in Cambodia here: White-eyed River Martin
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