There’s a nice breeze coming through the window in the early mornings these days and in other office most people are wearing jackets and even scarves – while I continue to sweat like a well-oiled and very handsome pig. Meanwhile, the rice fields are starting to be flooded and the new season of winter is marked by the arrival of the Asian Openbill (at least they look very close to the photo and description in my book).
Anastomus oscitans (the Asian Openbill, as previously advertised) is “A large black and white bird which flies with its neck outstretched. This is the only remaining stork which can be seen with any regularity in Thailand.” Large means up to 81 cm, which really is quite big compared to the birds available in the UK and outside a battery farm.
The A.O. spends most of its life in the Indian Sub-Continent but arrives here for the winter and hangs about in marshes and paddyfields – most of the ones I see out at Pathum Thani were in the water and probing away for something with their bills – food, presumably. It really is a heartwarming sight – all the more so considering the misery of the political system and the view of the liner Democracy disappearing over the horizon.
