My Birding field trips

Raptor Census at Tanjung Tuan, Malaysia

2011-04-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

The company that I work required us to utilise our previous year carried forward leave before 31st of March. It has being a few years already I use a big portion of my carried forward leave as field trips to participate in conservation of raptors through monitoring.

Raptor comes from a Latin word rapere that means to seize, to grap by force. Raptor is a term use for birds that have good eyesight for accurate judgement of distance for landing and hunting. They also have strong talons, strong curved beak, strong legs for catching, holding food and to tear flesh.

The purpose of research on migrating raptors through monitoring this long term migratory raptor census project is collate information on migratory raptor populations, species, it's flight strategies on weather conditions. Over the years of data information collated will then able to make a better analysis does it's flight patterns behaviour, populations are affected by the environmental factors. The intresting part is others countries who are in the migratory raptors flyway are also doing this type of survey and monitoring. The data collated by each country will then be combine and compile for a better information and knowledge necessary for conservation of raptors and their habitats.

Raptors migratory patterns and it's populations is a good yardstick of the health of our ecosystem environment. A healthy ecosystem is a good indicator availabilities of adequate food source and fresh water for all.

Where is the best site for Raptor migratory monitoring in Malaysia for spring migration?

At present we able to indentify that Tg Tuan or formally known as Cape Rachado.

The meaning of Spring migration.

Spring migration is bird in big population migrate long distance flying north bound in the spring to breed. Food source is the primary motivation for migration. The longer days of the northen hemispher sumner provide extended time for breeding birds to feed their young.

As migration is energy intensive the fly route are normally shaped by geographical, ecological, and even meteorological factors. Flyways normally is along mountain ranges or coastlines this is due the birds could have the advantage of updrafts and other wind patterns. If possible they will avoid large stretches of open water (sea).

What is the Best time to watch the raptors at Tanjung Tuan.

In order to conserve energy to cross the open sea the raptors will use the fly path of Pulau Rupat, Indonesia that is about 38km distance from Tg Tuan. As raptors are large they require thermals to assist them to glide without using much energy to continous flapping their wings, the timeframe windows on a good condusive weather for migration is between 11am till 4pm.

The waiting time for migratory raptors, you could observe the others residence birds and wildlife that residece in that small green lung.

This year the 42 days counting starts from Feb bring a final score of 57,128 raptors fly past Tg Tuan.

Oriental Honey Buzzard- 53,040

Black Baza - 2,818

Chinese Goshawk - 824

Japanese Sparrowhawk - 152

Grey-faced Buzzard - 118

Does the raptors migratory patterns and it's population impacted by the changes on global weather conditions and natural dissaster? If you are a birder based in Malaysia do spare some days as a volunteering basis to assist Raptor Census at Tg Tuan.

Your small contribution and effort will leads us the answers for the above. The census are carry out yearly from Mid February till April.

Raptors watching in Chumphon from 16th October – 25th October 2010 (Part 1)

2010-10-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

Where is Chumphon
Chumphon (pronounce as choom-pond) geographical coordinates 10° 30' 0" North, 99° 10' 0" East is located midway of Bangkok and Hatyai.
It is about 463km south from Bangkok. Located in the narrow landbridge linking Malay Peninsular with the mainland of asia, in between of Adaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Chumphon’s total land area is 6,009.0 km2 (2,320.1 sq mi). It is a stop-over place for most travelers for island hopping to Koh Tao and those who drive to the south from the north of Thailand.
Due to it’s strategically located in between of mountains range, agricultural is the main source income generator to the people of Chumphon. Majority of the people in Chumphon are involve in plantation eg rubber, palm oil, fruits and coffee. Besides the main occupation in agricultural sector minorities are also in fisheries as it is located near the coastlines. One walk into their morning market in chumphon town would discover fresh products from the sea.

Noticed that Chumphon is famous for princes finger banana. It taste in between of our pisang emas and berangan. The local make varieties of banana fritters for sells at the local products stalls along the road leading to Khao Radar.

Why chumphon is good for raptors watching.
Limited food resources in the winter in northern hemisphere will triggered the birds to do the annually migration. Chumphon is the bottleneck to connect 2 flyways of bird summer migratory route. To conserver energy, raptors migrate during the daytime where they make use of the hot thermals generated during the day to lift them up. We can notice great amount of raptors fly pass Chumphon it is due to during mid September till mid October the south east wind will push them to the coastal area. With the help of wind blow towards the mountain ridge that surround Chumphon they will be then updraft. In the recent raptor count study done from early September till early november by Robert DeCandido with a few birders recorded there are at least 26 raptor species and more than 210,000 individuals heading south towards Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sulawesi and even the Philippines. Chumphon is a good place for raptor watching and bird migratory study site in Thailand.
How to go to chumphon.
Ever since from January 2006 there are no flights to Pateu that is about 30km from Chumphon town. The nearest airport is in Phuket is about 281km from Chumphon town. Alternatively is to fly to Hatyai (450km away) or Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport about 390km.

Best time for raptor watching
For raptor watching the best time is from mid September till early November. To create migratory birds awareness it is an annual event of MNS selangor branch since 2003 will take 20 MNS members to chumphon for raptor watch. The 1,000+km journey will start from Kuala Lumpur on Friday night either by long journey bus or train to Hatyai. The journey from Hatyai would then continue in the mid-day around noon by stage bus or chartered van to Chumphon. This tedious journey would take at least 24hrs per journey. One would definitely forgotten the long tedious strenuous tiring journey after seeing the vast amount of migratory birds in the fields. Some of my friends do not mind even to drive all the way from Malaysia passing thai border through padang besar overnight at Hatyai. The next morning continue the journey follow the direction to Surat thani drive past trang, patthalung and then follow the signage to Ranong and Bangkok. Mueng Chumphon is in the midway of Hatyai and Bangkok.

Where to stay.
There are numerous affordable hotel accommodation range from 450baht to 1500baht at chumphon town which are within easy access to food and others common facilities such at shopping malls. For those who wish to have holiday mood kind of accommodation beside the beach can head to the coastline Pateu districts about 30mins drive from chumphon town.

Where is the site for raptor watch.
Raptor Watch Site - Nong Yai
My first visit to chumphon was in year 2003, we visited 2 sites then one of it is the King’s Project (Nong Yai). This place is very near to Chumphon town. The best time for watching raptors here is the morning from 6am – 10am and evening 5pm – 6pm where raptors can be easily identify off it’s species with a 10X binocular. In the midday where there is enough thermal the birds are flying very high.

Besides raptors watching due to the surrounding habitat of freshwater wetlands there are others birds worth to look out for.

I had my lifer the Asian Openbill. This colonies is at least 40 individual Asin Openbill perched on this tree.
Besides the flypast raptors our sightings here are
Asian Openbill, Bronze-Winged Jacana, Richard Pipit, Red-Wattled Lapwing, Chinese Pond Heron, Egret, Little Cormorant, White Stork, White-Throated Kingfisher, Black Capped Kingfisher, White-Rumped Munia, Javan Myna

Raptors watching in Chumphon from 16th October – 25th October 2010 (Part 2)

2010-10-17T02:46:00.000-07:00

Raptor Watch Site - Khao Radar (radar hill)

This raptor watching site is about 70km away from Chumphon town. Vehicles can drive all the way up to the summit.
Not too far from radar hill there is a highway big rest place. Facilities of toilets, public phones and souvenirs shops are available. There are many local fruits and food stalls there as well . This particular stalls attracted me.

This is the scene during weekends in the peak raptor migratory month (Sept - October) at Radar Hill. DSLR Camera with long lens mounted on tripod are lining up on the ridge waiting to capture images of fly pass raptors. There are also many bird photographers who owned 300mm, 400mm, 200mm lens who prefer hand-held shots as well. The day we were there I notices people from the media also busy shooting documentary of these real life event of migratory raptors
Beside birds dragonfly is also on migratory.

Besides the main focus birds (raptors) we sighted Black-Naped Oriole, Silvered Backed Needletail, Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow, Little Cormorrant.

Raptor Watch Site - Ban U-Tapao, Tha Yang

This is where they held the annual event of Raptor Watch festival at Chumphon.
Language barrier would not deter one to understand the signage of such and bird to lead one to the site during the Raptor Watch festival.

The needs of conservation start with awareness and education. This is Chukiat explaining to the children with great passion about the existing of raptors. Chumphon is a globally significant raptor site .. Why need to welcome the raptors.. why are they important to human .. what do they need in order for this raptor migratory phenomena continues from generation to generations.
Activities in such will keep the children interested.

The locals, friends from overseas such as Malaysia, Singapore, Filipines , school children participate for this event.
Cultural shows, life band are also one of the itinerary during the festival.
This event would not be complete without being officiated by the local government.
I’m really amazed of the hospitality being extended to all who attended the festival. Besides this hot coffee, mee , drinking water are being sponsor by a businessman and his uncle. Khop Khun Mar Kar.

This is being express out from the children.
We were observing a black kite on migratory.

Raptors watching in Chumphon from 16th October – 25th October 2010 (Part 3)

2010-10-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Raptor watch Site - Khao Dinsor Maueng Pateu, Chumphon

It is about 30 minutes drive from chumphon town with the coordinates 10° 37" 882' North and 99° 16' 49" East.

This place is also known as Pencil Hill as it was previously a graphite mine. From the Khao Dinsor viewpoint sign on the left is about 1km very steep and winding road head up hill to the parking place. Then one need to trek up hill on a nicely pave concrete trail into the forest. There are a number of observations shelter along that provide shelter from rain and sun. It’s last observation shelter is at 352m asl.

It is such a daily 45 minutes challenge for me for 9 days trek up Khao Dinsor with my camera gears, 1.5 litter of waters, lunch pack to the second shelter of 300m asl. I have to make numerous stop to rest and when I reached my destination observation hut my clothing are soaking wet with sweat. Nevertheless despite all these in my own judgment Khao Dinsor is the best raptor watch site cause some occasion raptors could just fly beside you or just right to you. This watch site allow me to see more than the 4 common variants of raptors back in Tanjung Tuan and Scot Hill Malaysia.

At Khao Dinsor I managed to see their eyes colour, their beautiful feathers marking. It is indeed an amazing sight to me for observing them fly pass to concurred many more thousand km to reached a safe place for wintering.

Whenever I walk on Khao Dinsor trail I wish to say thank you for those who labour to made this concrete trail. Every piece of rock and others materials are hand carry up. Every observation hut are well plan as well. It is there for me whenever I need to sit down to rest before scaled to 300m asl.

This is the view from the second last observation hut.

Let me share out some of the species we saw.

Oriental Honey Buzzard
This species comes in different appearance (pale, dark, rufous)

This individual have a full crop.

Due to wear and tear some are in this condition.

Japanese Sparrowhawk.

This species are normally fly very high at Tg Tuan. We could have mistaken the Grey-Faced Buzzard as one. The benefits of raptor watching at Khao Dinsor is we managed to see them very near. I hope I manged to ID them correctly cause it is much more easier to ID them in the field by noticing them the pattern of their flight.

Chinese Sparrowhawk
I truly enjoyed to watch them at Khao Dinsor cause some individual are very low. They behave the same pattern I observed in Tg Tuan, they move in flocks.

Black Baza
This species normally can be seen at the tail end of raptor migratory. For a couple of days since we were there, it is our common statement " I wish to see the Black Baza tomorrow.." Our first sighting of Black Baza came after most of my Malaysian friends left for home. I and few birders jump for joy at Khao Dinsor summit with the 1st bird that came in at about 10:15am on 24th October.

On 25th we saw at least 22,000 Black Baza. In thai it is called King Kar

AQUILA
Once a while we notice some abnormal species

BLACK KITE
We may think that Black Kite is a residence species but some do migrate.

BOOTED Eagle
This species is lifer to me. Saw a number of them.

Common Buzzard
I have yet to see Common Buzzard in flight in such a distance.

Eastern Marsh Harrier
This species is my lifer too. They have owl looking face.

Grey-Faced Buzzard
They are many appearance of this species. The marking underneath would makes one confused them as Japanese Sparrowhawk.

Common Kestrel
This bird is very far. It is my lifer. Mr See alerted me to watch out for one strange one that fly by.

Crested Serpent Eagle
We notice a few CSE also in migratory flight pattern.
OSPREY
The last time I saw Osprey very near is in year 2004 at Perlis State Park. We have a few individual at Khao Dinsor

Pied Harrier
The female bird makes me think that I have had an encounter with Hen Harrier. Thanks to Dr Chaiyan who pinpoint to me the ID field marks.

Shikra
This species have yet to occurred in Malaysia. Where do they wintering after all there are so many of them fly past Chumphon, Thailand ?

The surrounding of Khao Dinsor is raptor perfect place for overnight/a stop-over. We encounter this bird at Earth's camp. Earth's camp is a small resort about 5 mins drive to Khao Dinsor.

Black Drongo
Beside raptors we saw Black Drongo, Ashy Minivet, Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Blue Throated Bee Eater, Chestnut Headed Bee Eater, Fork Tailed Swift also use Khao Dinsor as their migratory path.
Dear Raptors I bid you all good and safe journey.

This is what greeted us on my last day as I descending from Khao Dinsor on 25th of October. Rainbow reminds me of
Genesis 9:8-16
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

I have a good time raptor watching at Chumphon, thank you Oon Teik and Aun Tiah for taking us there. Wish to thank those new and old birders friends that I have make during this trip.
Thank you so much for your company.

Kaeng Krachan National Park Day 1 - 23rd May 2010

2010-08-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

Kaeng Krachan Birding Holiday Day 1

Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchaburi Province is about 3+ hrs drive southwest from Bangkok. It covers an area of 2,915 square km. It is the largest national park in Thailand. Kaeng Krachan National Park’s vegetation consist of tropical rainforest, dipterocarp forest and deciduous forest. Kaeng Krachan National Park geographically situated at midway on the southern Thai Peninsula spanning to the border of Myanmar. Due to this, it is in the zones of biodiversity mix Malaysia and Burmese.

More info about this largest Thailand national park I have share earlier in my previous posting.
As the day approaching nearer to the day of our travel from Malaysia, Bangkok political issue between the red-tshirt group with the existing government is getting more chaotic. Peaceful streets demonstration that has prolong since last year has up-turn to a tense un-control situation. Tourist are being advice to delayed their travelling plan to Bangkok until the un-control situation subside.

Due to safety reasons 3 of my other friends initially agreed to visit this largest Thailand National Park together with me decided to called off their plan. My parents who is keeping themselves closely with news update of Bangkok situation, have a heavy heart as I had set my mind to proceed for this trip. I keep assured them that my travel literary will bypass Bangkok city centre. I will also keep my focus right not to land myself in any shopping mall.

Mr Lam too having the same thought as mine. Once we land at Bangkok’s airport we will travel to outskirt. The news update of Red-t-shirt gang decided to step backed a day before our flight schedule to Bangkok has indeed lifted the worries of Mrs Lam on her husband safety. With this it seems that the chaotic situation at Bangkok will subside very soon.

Our Air Asia flight AKxxx take off from Kuala Lumpur LCCT as per schedule. We realised that there are a number of seats are empty. Hmmm maybe some tourist decided to called off there travelling to Bangkok with the political uncertainty situation.

After stepping our from Bangkok airport custom checkpoint the surrounding indicate that life are as usual in this part of Thailand. Unlike my previous visit during winter where people wears extra to keep warm, this period of my travel is summer. Some days temperature may soar to 39 Celsius. It is humid just the same in Malaysia, however Malaysia have yet to experience temperature gone beyond 37 celcius.

Our friend Mam picked us up from airport to continue our journey to Kaeng Krachan by car. In my replied to her question of what is expectation of this birding trip, I indicate to her that I only aimed to have 2 lifers (Brown Hornbill and Rachet-Tailed Treepie).

The land of smile greeted us with the scene of many Cassia bakeriana trees full bloom along our journey is indeed an eye-opener.

With the smooth traffic situation combine with heavy conversation of old friends catching with each other, the 4+ hrs journey inclusive of a meal and fuel top-up break seems to past very swiftly.

We stopped a little while at KaengKrachan National Park VISITOR CENTER.

This time there aren’t any single camping tent unlike during my 1st visit in last year Jan. The water level is also shallow. Water dam management at Thailand was well managed, if the same condition of water level in Malaysia we surely have water rationing.
We decided to have dinner cum watching the sunset before we checked in to our accommodation.

This meal of Thailand fragrant white rice, seafood tom-yam soup, squid salad and deep fried local freshwater fish cost us approximately 600 Baht.

After this yummy dinner we continue our journey to Barn Soong Nok.

Birds heard/seen
At Visitor Center – Copersmith Barbet, Black-Collared Starling,
At Restaurant – Red-Waltted Lapwing, Egret spp
On the way to Ban Soong Nok we encounter countless of large tailed nightjar.

Kaeng Krachan National Park Day 2 - 24th May 2010

2010-08-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

Kaeng Krachan Birding Holiday Day 2

Even though it is the off-peak period, we are unable to book any of the Park’s chalet/bungalow. This is due to they make use of this off-peak period to refurbish/renovate all visitor chalet/bungalow.
The other choice of park’s accommodation is camping. This is not too practical unlike during the dry winter. We foresee from April - Oct some days there will be heavy downpour.

To reduce our travelling time to the park daily, there are only 2 places of accommodation
to consider (Barn Maka and Baan SongNok). If the group is more than 4 then Barn Maka is the choice. Baan SongNok only has 2 chalets. Only one chalet is equipped with air-con.

To book Baan SongNok accommodation call the owner at 66-0860488330. FYI due to limited hand-phone signal, the owner may not able to attend on your call at the very moment.

This is the air-con chalet. It has bathroom and toilet attached. Cost us 1,500baht per night.
Today we start part of our morning session to try our luck for Khalij Pheasant. We wait in silence with mosquitoes whizzing condition behind the bird hide in Baan SongNok.

We have a Lesser Treeshrew.
Then a flock of Spotted Necked Dove,

followed by a group of Red Jungle Fowl flock with more female than male.

This time I notice one individual look alike female however it’s plumage are more like a sub-adult male.

The owner of Baan SongNok planted a number of fruits trees around the compound.
As papaya bear fruits more quickly than one could consumes, therefore the owner shares it with…
Our high hope of Khalij Pheasant appearance reduces as the day began brighter as the clock ticks. Knowing well that this shy species will not prefer to forage openly after prominent daylight. This reduces us one day less of the chance of seeing Khalij Pheasant. Well today is just the starting of our birding trip. Hopefully tomorrow or the day after we have the 'moment with Khalij Pheasant' . Without much delay we adjourned to the Park.

We drove pass some villages, paid our park fees inclusive of the vehicles park fees and here we are at Kaeng Krachan National Park. The Jeep track start, our dear friend Mam who is our chauffeur have to be careful negotiating the rough track. At one point ahead of us on the jeep track I saw a vibrant colour standing bird. I shouted… OOOOh .. that is pitta. Even though it is the most common Pitta species among the rest, I could not believe that I have to travel thus far to have the first glimpse of it.

During early April till end May the common reason for people to visit Kaeng Krachan National Park is for Butterfly Watching.

I could not believe my eyes on our journey to Baan Krang Camp we are greeted with such a mass amount of butterflies. There are big flock of butterflies fluttering in the air, some so engrossed sipping nutrients on the jeep track and not to mentioned the amount of butterflies congregated near the streams. The public toilet/bathroom wall at the camp group of Baan Krang is also full of butterflies.

There are not even aware/sensitive of the surrounding. Many have being run-over by vehicles.
The experience of so many Butterflies fluttering around, mass congregate on the road and river bank as well as sipping nutrients from flowering trees is totally a new experience to me. So far I have yet to encounter the same experience back in Malaysia. Hmmmm maybe this Kaeng Krachan National Park forest is a contiguous therefore the biodiversity is so rich.

I was so mesmerized by the butterflies phenomena have nearly forgotten about my wish list Brown Hornbill and Rachet –Tailed treepie.

Anyway have to force myself to move away to trek towards streams 1 , stream 2 and stream 3.
As it was nearly mid-day it was hard to hear any vocal birds call. Looking out for any movements of leaves and branches, scanning with a pair of binoculars on the canopy is totally exercising my patience. Anyhow I was rewarded of sighting of a flocks of at least 5 Brown Hornbill, Streaked Breasted Woodpecker. These lifer does not allow me any photography opportunity.

Only a Orange Breasted Trogon and Red-Wattled Lapwing is very obliging

We call it a day at Kaeng Krachan National Park towards the evening as it was hardly any vocal birds calls. We head back to continue our bird-watching activities at Ban Song Nok compound.

Once we reached Ban Song Nok, the lovely owner (Khun Aik) with all excitement informed us a new bird appearance. I looked through her tele-scope of that woodpecker perched far away… OOOh it is definitely a lifer for me too. We were debating could it be the Black Headed…no it does not look like one.

The woodpecker came nearer but somehow it does give us a greater window to determine what species. The birds was playing hide and seek with us. It fly away before we could pick up our binoculars to have a good look.

With great determination we tried to locate the bird scanning through our binoculars towards the direction of its call. After a long while this woodpecker hop to a spot that is no obstructing…
we managed to identify it as Grey Headed Woodpecker – female.

Birds sighted/heard for the day.

At Kaeng Krachan National Park
Red Jungle Fowl, Grey Headed Woodpecker, Streaked Breasted Woodpecker,
Greater Flameback, Common Flameback, Green Eared Barbet, Brown Hornbill, Pied Hornbill,
Orange Breasted Trogon, Chestnut Breasted Malkoha, Green Billed Malkoha, Greater Coucal,
Indian Roller, Red -Waltted Lapwing, Crested Serpent Eagle, Blue Winged Pitta, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Spangle Drongo, Greated Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Naped Monarch, Tickel Blue Flycatcher, White Rumped Sharma, Sooty Headed Bulbul, Black Headed Bulbul, Stripe-Throated Bulbul, Streak Eared Bulbul, Ocracheous Bulbul.

Mammals - Burmese Ferret Badgers, Barking Deer

At Padang Camp ground
White Breasted Woodswallow, White-Throated Kingfisher, Oriental Magpie Robin.

At Barn SongNok
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Puff-Throated Babbler, Red Jungle Fowl, Spotted Necked Dove, Common Tailorbird, Grey-Headed Woodpecker - female.

Kaeng Krachan National Park Day 3 - 25th May 2010

2010-08-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

Kaeng Krachan Birding Holiday Day 3

Prime birding spots at Kaeng Krachan National Park are :-
a) Barn Krang Campsite (KM15) trek up to cross stream 1, 2 and 3. If there is still time permit explore the well carve nature trail near the camp site

b) Panoen Tung Campsite KM30. (1,207 meter asl)
Due to the narrow jeep track, vehicles heading up are restricted at 5:30am – 7:30am and 13:00pm – 15:00pm. Timetable for vehicles heading down are at 9:00am – 10am and 16:00pm – 17:00pm.
Visitors that do not stay in any of the Kaeng Krachan National Park’s accommodation need to leave and pass the park entrance before dark. Visitors that have their accommodation inside the park are not allowed to roamed around after dark. This is due to many wild animals such as Wild Elephants are more fierce and active at night. For safety sake, the Park Authority impose the curfew rule to it’s visitors after dark.

A normal saloon car or van can safely land you to Barn Krang Campsite with careful manoeuvre. However 4WD is required for assessing Panoen Tung campsite due to 3 streams to cross from Barn Krang Campsite. During raining season the streams could suddenly swell up. In this situation it will pose difficulties/dangerous to any 4WD.

Today we hire Khun Piak the local nature guide with his 4WD to fetch us to Panoen Tung Campsite. Apparently he is one and the only local guide. He is also interested in bird-watching. Having him around as our chauffer to Panoen Tung, it makes us feel that we are interacting with a friend who have the same interest. Beside being a walking field guide himself, he also carry along birds and mammals field guides. He earned his living by fetching birders as well as normal tourist to admire the morning “sea of fog” at Panoen Tung. He told us during peak seasons (winter) everyday he is fully booked. Anyhow his preference is to fetch birders. Since he is the one and only local nature guide, his booking can be made with the help of your accommodation owner.

FYI Panoen Tung for bird-watching activities it is best to avoid Sat, Sun and public holiday.

Khun Piak arrived at our chalet doorstep about 30 mins earlier. It is norm for him to be earlier to wait for his clients. However I feel that “ooh no I’ve yet to change from my pyjamas….” .

Unlike my previous visit during winter, I notice that the journey to Panoen Tung campsite is not chilling cold even I sat on back of Khun Piak’s truck like vehicle. The journey is as rough and bumpy as before. A few times we nearly felt off from our seat.

Khun Piak would normally stops at a few strategic place before the last destination of KM30 to allow his client to have the chance to look out for White-Browed Scimitar Babbler, Hornbill fly pass and etc...

While trying to look out for birds, I notice a small forest crab crawling on the track.
We stopped a little while to look at long-tailed broadbill nesting activities. Nearby we noticed 2 cute short-nosed fruitbats clutching together.
Sightings of Blue-Throated Barbet seems to a guarantee at this higher altitude.
Something fells on the track like raindrops. Hei...wonder is these the act of Hornbill feeding activities? It looks like an edible fruits, however it seems that only the macaque are interested on this.
We reached KM30 station safely though. This time of the year there is no sight of any camps. During winter KM30 Panoen Tung campsite is full of tents.

Just incase you miss to see the Rachet-tailed Treepie. There is a photo of if inside the restaurant.
This Leopard was photograph by one of the Thai birder. They told us that one "auspicious day" this Leopard was noticed resting on the big tree in front of the restaurant. There are few photographs of this majestic mammals hangs on the restaurant wall to commemorate the very moment.
One can easily spot the Flasvescent Bulbul, Blue-Throated Barbet and Ochraceous Bubul at Panoen Tung campsite restaurant. Sharing with you the series of birds that I could freeze it’s moments.

Noticed another Long Tailed broadbill nesting activities. Nest building are done by both female and male.
The bird will get the nesting materials somewhere, would not fly directly to the nesting spot.
They will perched at some spot nearby for awhile. Will have at least 2 stop-over, each stop-over is getting nearer to the nest. They need to be cautions of any predators around.
This is how broadbill weave it's nest.
We have to hide behind some bushes to peep into this individual. This Green Magpie came many rounds bathing and foraging.

Another pose of Blue-Throated Barbet. Actually this fruiting tree attracted a few Blue-Throated Barbet.
Mam mentioned to us that she saw a flock of small birds waves of a plain looking bird. Since it is a lifer for even to my Thai birder friend, it is then worth for us to look out for. We look out and OOOPs another lifer. The Burmese Yuhina.
It was quite disappointing cause n the midst of our good birding day, our afternoon session have to ended earlier due to heavy downpour.

Birds heard and saw for the day
Red Jungle Fowl –male, Bay Woodpecker (L), Great Barbet, Blue-Throated Barbet, Moustached Barbet, Green-Eared Barbet, Moustached Barbet, Great Hornbill, Orange Breasted Trogon, Black-Backed Kingfisher (L), Greate Coucal, Emeral Dove, Little Cuckoo Dove, Red Waltted Lapwing, Blue Pitta (H,L) – call (peru-whit, peru-whit), Greater Green Leabird, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Long-Tailed Broadbill, Rachet-Tailed Treepie (L), Black-Naped Monarch –female, White Rumped Sharma, Flavescent Bulbul,Ochraceous Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Buff-Vented Bulbul – juvenile, Dark Throated Tailorbird, flock of Oriental White Eye, Black-Throated Laughingthrush (L), White Hooded Babbler, Burmese Yuhina (L), Streaked Spiderhunter, Little spiderhunter, Ruby-Cheeked Sunbird.

Mammals sighted
Gibbon
Spectacled Leaf Macaque

Kaeng Krachan National Park Day 4 - 26th May 2010

2010-08-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

Kaeng Krachan Birding Holiday Day 4

Rain has not stopped since from last night. Rainfall throughout the night vary from slight drizzle to heavy pour. We open the chalet’s door discovered that the air is still filled with colonies of winged swarming termites. My slipper which I left outside of the chalet is full of discarded termites wings.

Just before the rainy season with the right temperatures and humidity some termites from nymphs will developed reproductive organ and wings. Then swarming will occur in big colonies. The objective for this swarming is to seek for a new site for food, shelter and to build another colonies (reproduce).

In this url there is a chart that describe the life-cycles of termites/white ants.

Back to my childhood days living in village, we do experience termites swarm some days at dusk during a sudden change of weather (hot day to rainy day). So far I have yet to encounter such a huge colonies burst as compare in Kaeng Krachan. This species that occur at Kaeng Krachan I have yet to encounter back in Malaysia.

It is a wet gloomy morning, we decided to forgo the chances of seeing Khalij Pheasant and it’s chicks at Barn SongNok. We think it will be a slim chance therefore in unison we are having in mind to get away from the dark clouds. Hoping that Barn Krang Campsite which the journey is approximately 30mins from Barn SongNok is dry and sunny. Unfortunately rains seems to following us. We take shelter at Barn Krang visitor complex cum Ranger’s office. Instead of bird-watching we watch TV. In the midst of waiting arrive a full load 4WD of visitors. Due to the heavy downpour these visitors also decided to take shelter like us. One of them who speak perfect American English told me that actually there are from Bangkok overnight at Pethchaburi. Their motives to visit Kaeng Krachan National Park is to admire the mass amount of Butterflies during this time of the year. Alas their plan cannot materialised . No butterflies will flutter in the rain. Unlike us we waited for the rain to subside they head back to Bangkok instead.

We waited for ½ day , out of boredom, I explored and noted.

Ranger’s kitchen cum weekend restaurant for visitor has being shifted. This new kitchen was build in the most eco-environment friendly that I have known. Every piece of structure material was carefully dismantle from the old kitchen. This salvage materials is then re-use to build a new kitchen at this new place. With these they prove that not every new house need to be build with new materials.

I recognise the beam, the bench the dining table, the birds photos, the table cloth.. These are not new…I remember all these do exist at the old kitchen .
The display of Asian Wild Elephants skeleton.

Wonder how old was this tortoise before it died?

Silvered Pheasant a hard to see gems at Kaeng Krachan National Park. It was photograph by a Thai bird photographer.

Dead butterflies still able to preserve its beauty…amazing.

A sudden echo of a helicopter approaching break the silence. Is the helicopter fetching a VIP? Where is the helipad? Oops why is the helicopter turn off and fly away ? Later only come to my awareness that Forestry Dept use helicopter to patrol this Largest Thailand National Park.

Finally rain stopped at about 12 noon . The Greater Flameback bird break our bird less boring day. Below these 3 photos describe how it peck and draw out a termite nymph.

We encounter a number of Forest Crab but have not sight of Crab Eating Macaque.

This Black-Backed Kingfisher with food in it’s beak is about to fly back to it’s nest to feed it’s chicks. We noted that Black-Backed Kingfisher also having the cautious behaviour. It will fly in stopover at a few spot before heading straight to the nest. The moment the next stop is fly to the nest for chicks feeding it will gives a few series of high-pitched alarming calls.

There is a boundary clearly drawn to informed every birdwatchers, bird photographers, normal visitors that no one should trespass. This is a nesting spot be cautions, respect the birds. It was written clearly not to feed the birds, practice good ethical. If not observing the rules the penalty is 1,000Baht. The Park Rangers is really serious. They do patrolling and makes sure that no one gone out of bound. Malaysia has long way to learn the seriousness of conservation like what I experience here.

Wish you success for bringing up the young ones Black-Backed Kingfisher.

You think this Crested Lizard is feeding on dry bamboo leaves. Of course no. It is aiming for the Winged Termites however the Winged Termites is with the dry bamboo leaves.

Is it a gorgeous ?

What caught my attention was this Forest crab feeding on the winged termites.

Another species of Crested Lizard. It is also feeding on Winged Termites.

Another forest crab on the trail.

This Crested Lizard is also feeding on Winged Termites.

Through my observations I did not noticed any bird swarm in to rush for the winged termites. Somehow others seems to find it as delicacies (Forest Crab and Crested Lizard).

Fungi another living organism at Kaeng Krachan National Park.

We went backed to Barn SongNok for the evening birding session. This Himalayan Stripped Squirrel is camera friendly while we are looking out for birds activities.

2 thai birders who check in last night told us that despite the rain, Kalij Pheasant do appear in a flock of (Male, Female and chicks…) …. AAArgh we make the wrong decision this morning. Well maybe we would have the chance tomorrow morning.

Birds Sighted and Heard
- Kaeng Krachan National Park
Greater Flameback – 2 male 1 female
Ochraceous Bulbul
Common Tailorbird
Black Backed Kingfisher
Red-Waltted Lapwing

- Barn SongNok
Red –Legged Crake
Puff-Throated Babbler

Kaeng Krachan National Park Day 5 - 27th May 2010

2010-08-21T04:13:00.000-07:00

Kaeng Krachan National Park Birding Holiday - last day

Time past so fast. I woke up with heavy heart. Today is the last day of this birding holiday. I still bears the hopes that it will end in climax of seeing and photograph the Khalij Pheasant’s family. After breakfast I walked to the choice of my bird hide that are made available at Barn SongNok. Set my camera behind the hide, blend to the environment and wait in silence.

The camera start to put in action with a lone Puff-Throated Babbler appear for morning bath.

This bird bath attracted a few of others species as well.

A Brown Cheeked Fulvetta.
A male Black-Naped Monarch.

At about 7:45am I noticed behind the scrub some slow movements of a chestnut looking character. OOOh must be the Crake. Noticed 2 birds. Quickly change and tune the right setting to wait for this 2 shy bird to flush out in the open. Have program my mind that when the birds walked out in open first thing is to look at it’s leg. This is due to there are two quite similar looking bird the Slaty Legged Crake and the Red-Legged Crake.

Oh.. It has a pair of red leg..

We noted these 2 Red-Legged Crake came for this bird bath yesterday evening. This morning we noticed that they did 3 round of bird bath. I do wonder why crake practice such a level of cleanliness? I doubt that they are great swimmers based with the fact that they don’t have webbed feet. Somehow they favour wet areas. In my previous encounter with Slaty-Legged Crake at Kuala Selangor Nature Park, I do noticed that Crake somehow when they saw a pool of water, the very things that they will do is bathing.

After the dip it will quickly flush back to the forest.

The Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush

The Greater Racket Tailed Drongo also did it’s bird bath.

Streaked Eared Bulbul

The male Black-Naped Monarch came again.

So does the Brown Cheeked Fulvetta

Striped-Throated Bulbul

White-Rumped Shama Juvenile
As the action of bird bath has died off. I move away to another spot noted of a Tickell Blue Flycatcher, a few Streaked-Eared Bulbul. Suddenly a big Black Bird swoop in.. OOOh the appearance of a Southern Pied Hornbill.

It is about noon time. It is time that we should bid farewell and promise ourselves that will make another trip again to Kaeng Krachan. There are still alot to see at this largest Thailand national park.

On the way we stop over at Visitor Complex for a while, to look out for Black-Collared Starling. It is a very hot mid-day and there aren't any sign of birds. I discovered that the Souvenier shops at visitor complex is worth to drop in to source some souveniers.

We discovered these nice decent accomodation apposite the visitor complex.

This chalet cost 1,200 baht regardless of peak or non-peak season.
This chalet can fit 4 guest. It is with attached bathroom, tiles flooring, very clean.
I have a good enjoyable and memorable birding trip with my birding mates Mr Lam and Mam. Thank you very much for your company. The jokes and laughter we had, the delicious food, the lifers that I tick together with you all, the experience of only 3 of us walking up and down on the trail. All these I will always remember......

Birds sighted and heard for the day
Black-Naped Monarch
Red-Legged Crake
Stripe-Throated Bulbul
White-Rumped Shama
Puff-Throated Babbler
Brown Cheeked Fulvetta
Southern Pied Hornbill
Streaked-Eared Bulbul
Greater Racket Tailed Drongo
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush
Orange-Fronted Leafbird
Unidentified Raptor

Tanjung Piai National Park

2010-07-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Field trip to Tanjung Piai National Park

13th April 2010

Today we will bid good bye to Kota Tingi in order for us to move on to Kukup. Since we are in Johor State, taking the chance to introduce Tanjung Piai the southern tip of Asia to my friends. No doubt both of this town is in Johor state, but Kota Tingi is in the east where else Kukup is in the west. According to my GPS the journey should takes about 2 hrs, unfortunately GPS could not process with a parameter called “traffic Jam”.

The co-ordinate of N01o 19 569 E 103o 26 612 from Kota Tingi will need us to pass through Johor Bahru a big township in Johor state. As today is Tuesday normal working day, we seem to be joining the crowds of office workers battling traffic jam.
***sigh*** oooh no this seems to remind me of my daily journey to office back in KL.

With a friend recommendation it might be an interest of us to stop at Gunung Pulai, Kulai. Since is on the way, out of curiosity we discovered that this place is frequent by picnickers during the weekends and public holidays. We reached Kukup, Kampung Air Masin about noon. Kampung Air Masin is a fishing village in the district of Pontian Johor, This small fishing village is a popular spots for tourist particularly Singaporean and Indonesian on weekends and public holiday. There is a ferry terminal with regular ferry service connect to Tanjung Balai and some parts of Riau Island. Weekends Singaporean will flocks in by chartered ferry. Tourist attraction here would be seafood, boat trips to fishing trap build on stilts. If possible tourist would also make a trip to Tanjung Piai National Park for sunsets and have a memorial moments at the Southermost Tip of Asia.

For bird watching trip to Tanjung Piai would not be complete without visiting Kukup National Park. Kukup National Park, a mangrove island forest situated 1 km from Kg Air Masin, Kukup. It is approximately 647 hectares. Pulau Kukup was gazetted as Johor National Park on 27th March 1997. Till to date this small island remain uninhabited. Arrangement of boat service can be make at Kukup National Park Office, Kg Masin. In this field trip I was quite a disappointment to discovered that Kukup National Park is close for renovation until September. I still recalled during my previous visit in the year of 2004 the majestic moment of encountering Mangrove Whistler. Never could believe that such a melodious whistling calls could come from a plain olive looking bird. I still recalled the whistling melodious song from that Mangrove Whistler initially makes me think that it was originate from my birding mate.
Hei.. you whistle ? No it is not from me.. is a bird nearby …. Look just above ….

After we had our lunch at a famous Seafood restaurant, Kg Air Masin we head off to Tanjung Piai National Park. Tanjung Pia National Park, is at the southern tip of Mainland Asia. It is named after the fern called “Piai”. Tanjung Piai is a mangrove forest reserves in Johor. The GPS co-ordinate is N01°16 E 103°31.

This park is also managed by Johor state government - Johor National Parks Corporation (JNPC). Previously Tanjung Piai was part of Sg Pulai mangrove forest reserve. Tanjung Piai was approved by Johor State Government as a Johor National Park in 1997. It is open to the public in year 2002.
With the result of Ecological survey conducted by Wetlands International-Malaysia in 2001, on 31st Jan 2003 it was enlisted as part of Ramsar Site. Tanjung Piai National Park is home to about 20 ‘true’ mangrove plant species.

What is Ramsar Sites?

Ramsar is a named of a place in Iran. Ramsar sites is named after the place at Iran where the 1st convention gathering of representatives from 18 countries on 2nd Febuary 1971. Through this convention gathering the representatives came to agreement that wetlands of many kind such as lake, swamp land, mangrove forest existence has it own use to balance the world ecology system. Some wetlands such as swamp land which is non profitable would normally be overlook it’s significance. Changing their ecology will eventually disastrous to mankind. Many of natural disaster such as floods, tsunami, enormous fatalities could be avoided by not mismanage any of the natural existed wetlands of any kind.

Looking at the importance of wetlands, over the years Ramsar sites list continues to grow. Each sites is of internationally interest.

To be listed as Ramsar sites it has to met and fulfil the conditions and criteria that had being agreed upon in that convention.
http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-about-sites-criteria-for/main/ramsar/1-36-55%5E20740_4000_0_

Up to date there are 5 Ramsar sites in Malaysia (Tasik Bera, Pulau Kukup, Tg Piai, Sungai Pulai, Kuching Wetland National Park and Lower Kinabatangan, Segama Wetland). The uniqueness is 3 of Ramsar Sites are at Johor States. Pulau Kukup 647h, Tg Pia 526h, Sg Pulai 9,126h.

Tanjung Piai is a wetland consist of coastal mangroves and intertidal mudflats located at the southernmost tip of continental Asia. Besides being the home to about 20 ‘true’ mangrove plant species as well as 9 more mangrove-associated species in such a small area. Tanjung Piai is also in the East Asian Australasia flyway of birds migrations path.

A slow scroll on the boardwalk, one would discover the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems. Mangrove forest beside act as protection against erosion, it is also home for many species of animals, fishes and moluska.

I wish to thank Mr Harban Singh the park manager of Tg Piai who is with great enthusiasm give us a talks on the importance of Ramsar Sites.

Accomodation.
Tg Piai resort tel no 07-6960011 beside the Tg Piai National Park a privately own resort could be a choice if do not wish to stay at some homestay facilities offered at Kg Air Masin, Kukup or Kukup golf resort. Tg Piai Resort have restaurant facilities for those who prefer Halal food.

Non-Halal Food.
With the Tg Piai Park manager recommendation we have our dinner at Sin Chuan Heng N01°20 361 E 103°27 599. We have no regret. FYI this restaurant is only open for dinner.

EEEEEh an ignorant actions of mismanage waste disposal would pile up the sea bed with a lot of rubbish. The chain reaction is fish, crabs could not breed, this will lead to sea products that is one of our food source affected.

You can play an important role to save/preserve our Mangrove Forest by spreading the news about the importance of the Mangrove Forest

List of Birds saw and heard.
Sunda Pgymy woodpecker, Laced Woodpecker, Spotted Wood Owl, Common Redshank 100+ at about 6:15pm (low tide), Grey Heron, Little Heron, Common Iora, Black Naped Oriole, White Throated Fantail, Javan Myna, Yellow Vented Bulbul (1,000+ in the early part of the morning at Southern tip participating in group fly out to 1-2 km to the sea and back) Ashy tailorbird, Artic Warbler, Big Flocks of Red Jungle Fowl, White Collared Kingfisher.

Panti Bird Sanctuary

2010-06-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Field trip to Panti Forest

10th April 2010
Even though my friend Mam has arrived from chiangmai two days ago, due to the project of data and server migration task that required me to work 24hrs on 7th April till 8th April, only today we could start our journey to Kota Tingi. There are a series of emails that we exchange a few weeks ago to decide on which are the birding spots to be shown to her during this time of her visit to Malaysia. Field trips reports and words of mouths from her friends about Panti Bird Sanctuary/Bunker Trail instigated to her that it must be a place for her to visit one day.

Panti Forest, the GPS coordinates is N 01o 52 504 E 103o 54' 948. It is being highlighted in Birdlife factsheet as IBA. It has been recorded several endemic and gloabally threated species found here eg Storm Stock, Crestless Fireback,Wallace's Hawk-eagle, Short-toed Coucal. This trail the bird watchers communities foldly called it as Bunker Trail. It was named after the two bunkers demarcate both side of the road ever since from World War II.

As the journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Tingi the nearest town for Panti Bird Sanctuary takes 5 hrs, we will use this day as our travelling day. This allow me and kim the chance to show her Kluang Railway Stations and Zenxin Organic Park at Kluang.
Kluang Railway station is a must to patron to taste the old times hainanese aromatic coffee, kaya butter toast and soft boiled eggs. Over the years things have change this coffee shops is no longer having some Chinese hainanese mens running around to server you food. After many centuries past, this old times coffee shop has a new facelift and is now operated by young Malay entrepreneurs. However the taste of coffee, the old time utensils being display reminds me of my late grandmother’s coffee.

Accomadation.
For Panti forest birding trip, Hotel Seri Kota, Jln Jaafar, Kota Tingi tel no 607-8838111 seems to met the criterias of decently clean bedsheets as well as bathroom, reasonable rate, within walking distance to food court to ease food packing to be taken as trail lunch .

How to get there.
Hotel Seri Kota the GPS co-ordinate is N01o 43 609 E 103o 54 024. Use the North South Expressway exit at Ayer Hitam toll. Then follow the signage to Kluang town, then follow the road signs to Kota Tingi Town. A self-drive journey from Kuala Lumpur is approximately 5hrs.

11th April - 12th April 2010

The long awaiting days with great anticipations for Mam to have the taste of birding at Suaka Panti/Panti Bird Sanctuary has finally arrived. Panti Bird Sanctuary surprisingly beside well known Taman Negara and Fraser’s Hill this small dot in Malaysia map is well known to bird watchers locally & internationally. There are many posting in the internet regarding Suaka Burung Panti or was fondly refer as Panti Bunker Trail.

During this visit of mine I was shocked to discovered that many foreigners beside Singaporean who can self-drive , there are visitors from Australia, American, Holland do visit this small dot of Malaysia’s map. In this trip we met up with a Conservationist by profession, origin from Holland. He told us he read all the field trips that was posted in the internet regarding bunker’s trail. He did his trip in a budget manner, during his time at Panti, he stay in Hotel Seri Kota, dine at our local food at the food court nearby the hotel. He arrange taxi service to send him and pick up to Suaka Panti. He told us the taxi service it cost RM50 for a to and fro trip.

For your knowledge Suaka Panti is under the management coverage of Johor South Forestry Department. It is their requirement for visitors to write formally to inform them the date of your visit and furnish them the list of names, identity card no/passport no of the visitors.

Some days Johor forestry rangers do patrol Suaka Panti, few of my friends due to ignorant did not write to before hand are being ordered to leave bunker trail immediately.

Below is the sample of required formal letter that need to submit before your visit. I have sudocode some sensitive informations.

Pejabat Hutan Daerah Johor Selatan,

Aras 9, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim,

Jln. Bukit Timbalan,

80000 Johor Bahru.

Tuan/Puan,
Per: Kebenaran Melawat Ke Suaka Panti (Panti Bird Santuary) Bunker Trail
Dengan hormatnya, saya merujuk kepada perkara tersebut di atas, sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa saya dan rakan-rakan saya akan mengadakan lawatan ke tempat disebut.

Sehubungan dengan itu, dipohon jasabaik tuan/puan untuk membenarkan :-

Tarikh : 10th April 2010 - 14th April 2010
Pelawat: Wong Chor Mun icno 9999-99-9999 tel no 012-1234567
Lam XXX XXXX icno 9999-99-9999
Lee XXXXXX icno 9999-99-9999
NXXXXXXX passport no ABC12345

Tujuan : Bird watching and nature photography
Saya berharap tuan/puan dapat mempertimbangka.

Sekian terima kasih,

Yang benar
Signature

Compare to my previous visit, the uneven gravel jeep track has being put a great effort to level it and sand pave. We are grateful that this has allow Suaka Burung Panti can be reached by normal sedan car.

Johor govertment is still upgrading Suaka Burung Panti. In this visit I discovered that it has some new well carve jungle trails, resting hut/wakaf, parking lot, information gallery, Observation Tower (is open now), bird bath. However it is still incomplete cause there is no toilet.

I’m just lost of words when my overseas friends asked me “… Aren’t this place a forest reserve ?

There are still logging activities ? We saw a few logging trucks pass by where every logs would required at least 3 person to hold hands in order to able to hug a log. Compares to the forest reserver and national park in the overseas that I have visited. In my 2 sen, as Suaka Burung Panti is gaining it’s popularity it would necessary to equip it with forest ranger, basic accommodation in the form of chalet and camping ground.

We also wish to highlight to express our desire that this Suaka Burung Panti would continue exist for many generations to come because Malaysia have not many good low land forest that can act as a water catchment’s and flood resistance place. Suaka Burung Panti is also a few left good low-land forest that home Great Argus (burung kuang) , Malaysia Peacock-Pheasant (Merak Pongsu) that we Malaysian should be proud off.

This small dot in Malaysia Map do contribute a small substantial income to Malaysia through eco-tourism/green tour.

As I carry out a conversation with a lone bird watcher from Netherlands who was there during my visit, he was very much concern about the logging activities that still persist on. He stress that by the rate of the big load of logs being transport out the ecosystem of Panti would be fragmented will lead to animals, insects, birds diminish. In long run will contribute to global warming and the end result the sufferer would be us the Malaysian e.g. scarce drinking water. He also wish to highlight and hope that we Malaysia will not repeat the same problems that other countries are facing due uncontrolled logging.

This year we seems to have a longer drier spell compare to previous year. This long spell drought has greatly affected Johor State. The workers at panti relate to me that in the previous month the plants at the parking lot small garden start to withered and die. They have to ferry water from the rivers at least 3 times a day to maintain their survival.

In this visit I notice the river’s water level is indeed very low compare to my previous visit. Due to the heat, we notice bird activities in the morning session diminish completely after 10am.

Nevertheless we managed to see and heard during this 2 days.
Great Argus, White Bellied Woodpecker, Checker-Throated Woodpecker, Buff-Rumped Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker, Gold Whiskered Barbet, Red-Throated Barbet, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Scarlet Rumped Trogon, Red Bearded Bee Eater, Rufous Backed Kingfisher, Indian Cuckoo, Whiskered Treeswift, Emerald Dove,Crested Serpent Eagle, Blue Winged Pitta, Black and Yelllow Broadbill, Greater Racket Tailed Drongo, Dark Throated Oriole, Scarlet Minivet, Black Naped Monarch, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher, White Rumped Sharma, Black Headed Bulbul, Grey Bellied Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul, Red-Eye Bulbul, Buff-Vented Bulbul, Cream Vented Bulbul, Yellow Bellied Bulbul, Striped-Throated Bulbul, Artic Warbler, White Eye, Striped Tit Babbler, Chestnut Winged Babbler, Scooty-Capped Babbler, Yellow Breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson Breasted Flowerpecker, Ruby-Cheeked Sunbird

What Can YOU do for World Environment Day

2010-05-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

MY Garden Birdwatch
What are the species of birds living within your vicinity? In conjunction with World Environment Day, Malaysia Nature Society Selangor Branch Bird Group invites you to participate in “MY Garden Birdwatch”, the first survey of its kind in Malaysia.

"MY Garden Birdwatch” aims to collect data on birds that are found in residential areas, cities, parks, gardens and the kampung. The information you contribute will be used to protect garden birds and their environment.
The Big Garden Birdwatch in United Kingdom has over the past 30 years proven to be a great success. It has been an effective mode to collect data on the dramatic decline of populations of certain common birds. Thanks to survey results, several conservation efforts on the House Sparrow, starlings and song thrushes has been initiated.
MY Garden Birdwatch kicks off this year -- all you need to do is set aside 30 minutes on either 5th or 6th June 2010. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY. ALL IT TAKES IS THE SKILL TO IDENTIFY THE COMMON BIRDS AROUND YOU. IF YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY THEM, SIMPLY TAKE NOTE OF THE BIRD FEATURES OR CAPTURE AN IMAGE OF THE BIRD ON THE CAMERA, AND EMAIL IT TO wcmsusan@gmail.com. I WILL DO MY BEST TO ASSIST YOU. THIS SURVEY GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO BE A CONSERVATIONIST!

How the survey is done
Your survey site should be somewhere accessible -- your garden, playground, or any green area near your house or apartment. Just a 30-minute survey will do -- anytime in the morning 7am – 11am or late afternoon 4pm – 6pm, when the birds are most active. For every bird you see, identify it and take note of how many you saw. DO NOT INCLUDE birds that can be heard but not seen.

If you don't see any birds during your survey duration, your report should indicate zero, plus the condition of the surrounding areas and the weather condition.

With that precious data in hand, email the Count Sheet to chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com by 20th JUNE 2010 or if preferred, key in your data directly onto the online database BIRD I-Witness www.worldbirds.org/malaysia.
For further details, please email chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com, or sign up as a counter right away at http://www.mygardenbirdwatch.com/

Tanjung Tuan/Rachado Cape - Important Bird Area

2010-04-05T03:26:00.000-07:00

Tanjung Tuan or Rachado Cape as it was formally known. It is with the cor-ordinate of N 02 24 468 E 101 51 130 is the site of the oldest lighthouse in Malaysia.

After Portugal conquered Malacca, Cape Rachado this strategic place was chosen to build a lighthouse facing straits of Malacca to guide it's ships. Sometimes between 1528 and 1529 a lighthouse was built. Till to date this lighthouse is still functioning and it is use to guide the heavy sea traffic at straits of Malacca. Straits of Malacca is a narrow stretch of sea that divide West Malaysia and Indonesia.

Besides being a historical place it is also of the last remaining coastal forest on west coat of Peninsular of Malaysia. It was first gazetted in 1921 with the areas of 80.97. However by year 2002 re gazetted has been made and the actual area were 75.92 hectares.Due to it is situated in the East Asian-Australia flyway for Raptors migrations. This very small remaining patch it is being recognized as an Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The IBA Programme of BirdLife International is a worldwide initiative aimed at identifying and protecting a network of sites, critical for the conservation of the world's birds.
An Important Bird Area (IBA) is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed by Bird Life International. IBA sites are determined by an internationally-agreed set of criteria.

Every year around February till early April on an average each day there are about 1,000 to 2,600 raptors fly past Tanjung Tuan as a seasonal movements from Pulau Rupat (Indonesia).
The reasons they migrate are due to escape from the cold winter where their food sources disappear. Some will wintering along their fly path and the furthest place they choose will be Indonesia. When spring are approaching these Raptors will make their annual migration back to their breeding ground in Japan, Northern China, Siberia, Korea and Mongolia due to the food source to raise their young.

Due to their huge and heavy body is quite a cumbersome task for this annual event that they must undertake, they will choose the easier and most flapping economical methods. Tanjung Tuan facing Pulau Rupat Indonesia is the shortest distance to the next mainland. It is also a small green lung that can provide a brief rest for them if the situation arise.

Importance to Conserve Raptors.
Raptors are good indicators of the health of our ecosystem environment. For example the decline of Brahminy Kite will linked to the disappearance of mangrove forest. The disappearance of mangrove forest will also resulted harm to mankind as there is no protection from the strong tidal waves such as Tsunami. Many raptors diets are rats and snakes therefore they are our natural pest control.

Realising the importance of raptors with the uniqueness migration phenomena at Tanjung Tuan, Malaysia Nature Society Bird conservation council held the first raptor watch week in 2000 to create public awareness and educate the importance of raptors. This annual event that normally held on the 2nd weekend of March since then is also aimed to highlight the importance of conserving Tanjung Tuan as a migration site. The annual Raptor Watch event is also a eco-tourism event and it has attracted foreign and local naturalist and bird watchers to congregate together to witness the beauty and awesome Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black Baza, Grey Faced Buzzard, Chinese Sparrowhawk and Japanese Sparrowhawk as they journey thousand of miles back to their breeding ground.

In line with the other raptor watch sites throughout the world, we also do raptors migrations census at Tanjung tuan to contribute to the study and behaviours of migratory raptors.

As of 4th of April 2010 the final figure is 73,152 raptors
As of 31st of March the total number of raptors 71,000
As of 25th of March the total number of raptors 67,593
As of 19th of March the total number of raptors 55,629
As of 16th of March the total number of raptors 40,656
As of 14th of March the total number of raptors 33,883
As of 13th of March the total number of raptors 31,405
As of 8th of March the total number of raptors 27,210
http://www.raptorwatch.org/raptor_count.htm

My field trip reports
I utilised part of my 7 days brought forward last year annual leave as a raptor counter at Tanjung Tuan from 23rd of March till 29th of March. This past 7 days at the lighthouse is indeed a total switch from the busy schedule at office to the relaxing duties of look out for raptors fly past. Some days where the weather are not favourable there would be no Raptors fly past. Below are some of my photos that I managed to take. I miss a lot of golden photography opportunities cause I discovered that the Auto Focus from my lens is not functioning.

This particular fruiting tree attracted Plantain Squirrels, Black Banded Squirrels, Olive Winged Bulbul, Yellow Vented Bulbul.
During the time of my volunteering for raptor counting is actually near to the tailed end of raptors migratory, therefore we noticed less Oriental Honey Buzzard. We have a few flocks of Black Baza. I do recall we got a surprise as we look through our binoculars cause in one of the flock it is actually a mixture of a few Oriental Honey Buzzard, majorities of Black Baza and a few Chinese Sparrowhawk. Lucky on that particular day we have a few Raptors Counters cause some of us can count on different species.
Oriental Honey Buzzard comes in variant of colours eg Pale morph, Dark Morph.

Occasionally we have a few fly past within a zoom lens reach. We even can noticed the colours of it's eyes as well eg red eyes or yellow eyes. This bird have yellow eyes.
OOps ... AAARgh a long big snake ????While we looking out for raptors in the sky one of our teammates spotted a “long big snake” Look through the binoculars OOOOh My is a crocodile. Sungei Linggi is where crocodile can be found., this being stray one could have cause by disturbance that make it wonder out from it’s cozy home. Have we ever ponder why a wild crocodile need to escape out from it's comfort zone ?

The list of birds I heard and saw at Tg Tuan.
Black Naped Oriole, Purple Throated Sunbird, Olive Backed Sunbird, Black Baza, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Grey-Faced Buzzard, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Frigatebird, Common Tailorbird, Banded Kingfisher, Olive-Winged Bulbul, Yellow-Vented Bulbul, Brahminy Kite, White Bellied Sea Eagle (Adult and Juvenile), Common Myna, Javan Myna, Changeable Hawk Eagle (dark & pale morph), Common Iora, Black Headed Munia, Blue Throated Bee eater, Blue Tailed Bee eater, Red Eyed Bulbul.

My lifer is the Lanceloted Warbler sighted on 24/3/2010 @ 10:16am –field mark

Grey in colour (maybe due it is perched under the shade of leaves), scally back, frontal straight stripe like juvenile asian glossy starling, white eye browed. Call is a cat-cat -cat-cat (continuously), There is no photograph opportunities at that moments.

Fraser's Hill, Malaysia Atrractions for Naturelist

2009-11-29T00:17:00.000-08:00

Fraser's Hill

Fraser’s Hill is a cool retreat hill station established by the British Colonial in the early 1900’s. It is about 1,300m above sea level on Titiwangsa mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia. It lays on seven hills straddle in the Selangor and Pahang border. This hill station was named after a Scottish tin miner James Louis Fraser who explored and discovered it as a prospect tin mining site. He stayed on employed Chinese miners to help him to work on the mine. However he mysteriously disappeared without any trace some years later. In 1917, Reverend C.J Ferguson-Davie while he was on holiday at the Gap, he trekked up to looked for the bungalow’s of James Loius Fraser. He could not found Fraser but instead he was being compelled to write to Singapore High Commission suggesting that the area be turn to hill station.

Unlike the others two hill stations namely Genting Highlands and Camerron Highlands in Peninsular Malaysia, till to date Fraser’s Hill is lack of commercial development. Due to this fact Fraser’s Hill remains as a popular spot for nature enthusiast namely the bird watchers.

Throughout the year Fraser’s Hill temperature are between 17°C-25°C. With this comfortable ideal range of temperature one can walked a few KM a day without feeling lethargic. For birdwatching is ideally to arrange your visit between Monday to Friday and try to avoid public holiday as Fraser’s Hill is also popular spot for city folks to escape the heat and stress. No doubt in the mid October to December we are experiencing more rains it is also worth to visit Fraser’s Hill cause it is a bird migratory period.

How to get there
Car- self drive

As of to date Fraser’s Hill is best reached by self-drive vehicle, taxi or engage a license tour agent/guide. From Kuala Lumpur head north towards Rawang. From Rawang follow the direction to Kuala Kubu Bahru . Kuala Kubu Town is last destination that you need to fill up the car fuel tank before heading up to Fraser’s Hill.

Kuala Kubu Bahru is about 40km from Fraser’s Hill and there is no petrol station along the way after that or at Fraser’s Hill. Alternatively Fraser’s Hill can be reached via Karak highway. Turn left at Bentong junction proceed to Teranum. At Teranum take left turn towards GAP.

Keep in mind that if the new road from the Gap to Fraser’s Hill is close for renovation then the 8km narrow and winding old road is put to full used. Vehicles are only allow to go up on this one way road between 7am till 7pm (odd hour). The down traffic is from 6am till 6pm (even hour). The gate keeper would allow the last traffic to pass the gate at 40 minutes eg 6:40pm as the journey might takes 15 minutes. At 7:40pm till 5:40am this stretch of road will open for both way traffic. One need to be fully alert cause the road is very narrow and winding only at certain stretch is wide enough for 2 vehicles. If need to travel during this hour do remember to switch on the head lights and look out for on-comming vehicles.

Public Transport
Unlike a few years back for those who prefer to travel economically they can take the option to reached Fraser’s Hill by public transport. I do recalled taking this small rickety bus that ply from Kuala Kubu Bahru bus terminal to Raub that would drop you off to the clock tower of Fraser’s at 12:30noon. To date if you take the option of public transport, from Bangkok Bank Kuala Lumpur take metro Bus no 43 that head to Rawang. The frequency of this bus is every 20 minutes. At rawang bus terminal take bus no 36 to Kuala Kubu Bahru. The frequency of this bus is every 30 minutes. At Kuala Kubu Bahru hire a taxi to Fraser’s Hill do recall inform him/her the date and time to you off from fraser because there is no taxi at fraser’s.

Accommodation
Old style colonial bungalow, apartment, hotel and Inn are the range that one can choose from. Price is range per night from Rm70 per room to RM1, 000 for a bungalow.
At of present the famous GAP resthouse that is situated at the foothill is close for renovation. Puncak Inn at Fraser’s Hill that is newly renovated have a few range of rooms tailored to meet the needs of visitors. Being the cheapest a standard room is price at RM70 weekdays at weekend the same room is at Rm91.

It would be wise to make your reservations before hand, as during long weekends the accommodation there might be fully booked. Enquiries and Reservations can call to Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation on 609-3622201 (information), 609-3622007 (room reservation).

Share with you all some of flora and fauna that can be found at Fraser's Hill. This photo below is Sonerila the uniqueness of this species is endemic and only can be found at Fraser's Hill. Therefore this will give us all the reasons more to conserver and preserver Fraser's Hill.

For the photo below I do know what is the name of the species, but I doubt I have seen this.
This glittering leaves below was being notice by Irene. It was not raindrops.

After along hot spell and the sudden wheather change to rainy season will cause fungi or in common terms refer as mushroom to burst. Fungi perform an essential role in the decomposition of organic matter and have fundamental roles in nutrient cyclung and exchange. Actually there are many forms of fungi that I notice inside the trails.
This Moth was resting for many hours inside the apartment since I notice it. This white beattle flew in while we were at the waterfall road waiting for the appearance of the Green Magpie.

A common shrub plants that I notice there. There are alot of nice plants as well of small living beings there. It is advisable to takes nothing back but only photograph. All these will not survive well in urban city.

Below is a fig plants. The fruits just branch out from the branches, both photos are the same species but with different lightings.

Short Cut/Trails
My colleague Asmah who use to spend her early childhood there told me this “ Fraser’s is really quiet during weekdays … off and on there are foreigner walking around hanging around there neck with a pair of binoculars … Super peak period is the Bird Race event that normally happens in June…. Best lar staying there so many short cut to go here and there…” She means the Trails are the short cut.

There are many well-marked trails are worth to explore to avoid the heat from the sun in the afternoon. All of these trails are started/used for a purpose. All of them have been exist since in the early 1900’s except Rompin trail in the late 1980’s.

To name a few :-

Pine Tree Trail
Pine Tree trail being the toughest that demand physically challenge to complete the 5000m long trail takes 7 hours per journey. It was open by the British to walked to the mountain peak to enjoyed the view of the surrounding of Fraser’s Hill. It is wise to inform the hotel/at the local police station and engage a licensed local guide if intend to explore the whole of this trail.

Maxwell Trail
Maxwell trail is 1800m long is named after Sir George Maxwell the Chief Secretary of the Federated Malay States who took keen interest to developed Fraser’s Hill. In 1919 this trail is used for the workers who stayed at the Labour Lines now the present Pine Hill resort to gain access to the only radio at Fraser at Whittington bungalow the present Guthrie House who owned by an English miner to listen to news of World War 1.

Kindersley Trail
Kindersley trail is 750m long is a few minor obstacles are created in 1928 used by the British official to attend church service at Methodist House.

Rompin Trail
Rompin Trail being the shortest is only 500m. It was created in the late 1980. It is being used by the residents of Taman Sungai Hijau to commute daily to the town centre.

This could be a barbet or a woodpecker home once.

A millipede that we noticed.

To discovered more get the detail map and full illustration of all the trails of Fraser’s Hill at the tourism counter located at Puncak Inn lobby. Pick up a proper walking shoes preferable suitable for trekking, pack along some drinking water and some snack and I'm sure you would notice alot of more wonders that I do.

My November Bird Watching Field Trip to Fraser's Hill, Malaysia

2009-11-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

My field Trip.
In this one field trip report consist sightings of my 2 field trips that I make in the same month. My first trip is in the 1st week of November it was a long time then since my last visit. The news sightings of tiger place a great curiosity that I can’t wait for work assignment to be lighten a bit so that I could takes some time off. It was so happen that Dr Fong called me up to inquired some info about birding at Doi Inthanon. In the midst of conversation I lamented that I need a break from office and since new road is close therefore it may be a good idea to take our chance to bump into tigers. :-)

Since I managed to booked my company’s holiday apartment for this. My younger brother voluntary offer to drive and we packed along our father. Our mum decided to give it a miss cause she could not handle the curvy and winding road. My other immediate families have other commitment therefore I could have a spare room to host Dr Foong and his lovely wife. It is indeed an ideals plan cause it allow me to spend more time with my immediate family members and in the mean time able to squeeze up a birding trip with my birding friends.

Due to I did not drive up therefore it also free up my brain to think of what is the next destination of birding spot. Since we have been birding for quiet sometimes we decided to spend more times at the promising spot for a few species that are in our wish list. Dr Foong, his wife and me seems to be diligently patron at a few spots to give ourselves a great windows to have a glimpse of what is in our wish list.

The days in the 1st week of November during our visit at Fraser’s it seems that most of the days are either drizzling or raining. The leech of 3 sizes there are highly active inside the trails.

Many parts of the days are misty as this during my 1st week of november visit.

No doubt after some years of birding sightings of Long Tailed Sibia would not get one excited. Well have to remind ourselves that there are each different individual and not found at Thailand.

Beside our common wish list of the Mountain Peacock Pheasant, Cutia and Rusty-Naped Pitta. I also secretly wish to see the Malayan Hill Partridge. On the last day of our trip before we head down from this famous montane bird watching hill station in Peninsular Malaysia we are blessed to have a glimpse of Mountain Peacock Pheasant and Malayan Hill Partridge. I also have a small glimpse of a very unique looking pheasant that until today I yet to ID it. It was fogy then. Due to I’m more incline to be a birder rather than to be a bird photographer therefore I tense to look at the bird first. If they allow me more time to look at them and if they permit I would then take their photos. Therefore the above mentioned lifer I have to planned for another trips to record it in the CF card. The next trip I have to negotiate all the curvy and winding road myself as I need to drive.. ALL because of YOU - the Mountain Peacock Pheasant one of the 3 endemic birds species of Peninsular Malaysia. I wish that you give me a better glimpse.. :-)

Some part of the days are better during the 1st week of november therefore able to get a decent photos of Fire-Breasted of Flowerpecker. Due to I wish to clear a few more days of my annual leave, I head off to Fraser’s Hill again on the 4th long weekend. This time I hosted Irene and Chan. This time during our visit, the raining spelt seems to be a totally reverse. We are experiencing more hot sunny day compare to my 1st visit.

Hah.. this red fruiting trees was fruiting to it's glory during the 1st week of november. It attracted Black Crested Bulbul, Scally Breasted Bull, Black Browed Barbet, White Eye..

However on my second trip during the 4th weekend the fruits are all gone. This lone Feruginious Flycatcher winter visitors have found this place to be secure and comfy for wintering.. It was still there on my second trip.

One would not consider to complete your Fraser's birding trip if you did not notice this common montane species. We nicknamed them CCLT.

We tried to lookout for Trogon and as we drive past this area Dr Foong notice a pair of Little Cuckoo Dove.

A sudden burst of bird wave at the telekom loop. We have Chestnut Capped Laughingthrush, Cuckoo Shrike, Silvered-Eared Mesia, Minivet, Golden Warbler, Lesser Racket Tailed Drongo, Blue Nuthatch.

I must have too long since I go out to the field, until a common grassland habitat bird also takes me awhile to identify it as Rufescent Prinia.

The mission that I have set on my second trip however has failed... Hahh.. where are you Pheasant.... ?? I heard your friend the Hill Partridge calls in a very far distance. Well all I could conclude It is still consider a fruitful and blessed trip cause I managed to look at Red-Giant Flying Squirrel and Colougo. I could not believe my eyes when I saw how the Red-Giant Flying Squirrel fly across ... WOW..

Colugos are shy, noctural and they are restricted to the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia. Colugos also known as Flying Lemur. This is a gliding mammals. They are using flaps of extra skin between their legs to glide from higher to lower locations.

The Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista, it feeds primarily on leaves and branches. It is able to glide for long distances.

Birds heard of seen.
Fire Tuffted Barbet, Black Browed Barbet, Brown Barbet, Red Headed Trogon, Red Bearded Bee Eater, Collared Owlet – heard (definitely not from the playback tape), Little Cuckoo Dove, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Rusty Naped Pitta (h), Lesser Racket Tailed Drongo, Green Magpie, Oriental Magpie Robin, Large Billed Crow, Black and Crimson Oriole, Malaysian Cuckoo-Shrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Grey-Chinned Minivet ,White Throated Fantail, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Rufous Browed Flycatcher, Feruginous Flycatcher, Slaty-Backed Forktail, Blue Nuthatch, Sultan Tit, Siberian Thrush, Verditer Flycatcher, Canary Flycatcher, Yellow Vented Bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Scally-Breasted Bulbul, Black Crested Bulbul, Mountain Tailorbird, Dark Necked Tailorbird, White-Eye, Chestnut-Backed Scimitar Babbler, Golden Babbler, Black-Eared Shrike Babbler, White Browed Shrike Babbler, Blue Winged Minla, Mountain Fulvetta, Fire-Breasted Flowepecker, Streaked Spiderhunter, Black-Throated Sunbird, Grey Wagtail, White-Rumped Munia, Silver-Eared Mesia, Mountain Peacock Pheasant, Malayan Hill Partridge, Chestnut Capped Laughingthrush, Chestnut-Crowed Laughingthrush.

Endau Rompin National Park - Kuala Jasin Could Be Better

2009-10-03T03:11:00.000-07:00

In my humble opinion Kuala Jasin could be better, below is a copy of suggestion letter I have written to them.

Dear Sir,

During my visit to Endau Rompin Kampung Peta last year, I first saw Kuala Jasin and thought it was a marvelous place for a holiday to escape from the city. At that time, the chalets were in the midst of renovation and I was unable to experience an overnight stay. The surroundings were well shaded by tall trees and looking around I saw many gingers, fungi and other herbs on the forest floor around the visitor area. The air was cool and the closeness of the surrounding vegetation made it feel like you were really in a tropical rainforest . Many trees were labeled and I learnt the names of so many trees.

I made up my mind to visit again in August this year to my disappointment I found out that a new VIP bungalow has been built, new toilets have been constructed and a small hall is being built. In additional many trees had been cut down, including those that had been labeled and the surrounding greenery had been cleared. I was dismayed that this development was accompanied by such wholesale clearing of the original vegetation. Now, the trees which have not been cut down do not offer enough shade to keep the area cool and it is hot and bare. Previously green areas around the kitchen are now gone and the gingers, herbs and other plants on the forest floor are missing too. When I stood near the kitchen, I could see all the way to the new toilet block and almost to the last family chalet 100 metres away. There was no natural greenery in between the buildings to give the area the feel of being close to natural forest or to offer some privacy to guests. Even the surrounding natural vegetation has been cleared drastically. In my view it is done too excessively. With the loss of its cool green atmosphere, this beautiful place has lost its unique and tranquil appearance and is on the way to becoming just another ordinary spot.
The trend of clearing away the natural vegetation cause total expose has also taken place at the NERC, around the family chalets and the dormitories. I’m sure most visitors to a National Park are there to experience and get a feel of our rainforest. What a let down for them to stay in a chalet which is totally exposed to every vehicles or persons that comes down from the NERC road! Sadly, the natural riverside vegetation next to the jetty has also been cleared and many of the beautiful overhanging trees have been chopped down. These trees gave the shady pool its attractive quality, sheltered the aquatic life and kept the pool cool. What was once a cool, green and refreshing scene has lost its natural beauty. It appears there is an obsessive need to clear away vegetation which occurs naturally so as to make everything look neat and tidy or to give an unobstructed view.

It seems the Park authority may have overstepped a fundamental line in the concept of what it means to conserve a natural forest – instead, it is attempting to “tame” the forest when it is more appropriate and in line with conservation to adjust oneself to the natural environment. I appeal to the Park authority, please give us the visitor from the city the experience of what a natural rainforest looks and feels like, rather than attempting to make nature neat and tidy to mirror any parks in the city. Endau-Rompin should proudly display its forest in its natural form, and not provide an unnatural, modified version of the real thing.

regards,

Wong Chor Mun

My Visit to Endau Rompin National Park 27/8/2009 - 1/9/2009 (Part 1)

2009-10-02T03:33:00.000-07:00

Having a thought to take a break just like me ? A place to recharge and escape from the city ? A place that is far off from the city with limited mobile phone coverage? No accessibility to newspapers, television, radio and Internet ? A tropical rainforest that need not one to trek with at least 10kg weight of backpack to reach it’s destination ? To me the only place that met those criteria is Endau Rompin National Park.

Where is Endau Rompin National Park ?
In google map Endau Rompin National Park is situated with the co-ordinate 2.541866, 103.417196 . This park lies from the southern state of Pahang to the northern state of Johor. This protected rainforest is approximately 870 km². It is named after both Endau and Rompin rivers that flow through the park.

How Does This Park Comes About.
In 1985 to 1986 without the support from the members of Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) that makes up from enthusiastic nature lovers, scientists, the co-operations of others individuals with the same like minded channel in through our local universities and from some big corporate companies, Endau Rompin National Park would not be exist. It would not be reality too if not from the generous peoples from Denmark who compelled the need to save and to conserve a natural forest. It is also would not be possible too without the generous donations from a long list of individual and cooperation in Malaysia. To all these peoples who lend your helping hands in donations or any forms of scientific expedition volunteer service whether big or small , a salute to you.

Your service has cause the magnificent tualang trees, rare fan palm Livistona endauensis, other rare interesting plant species that are yet to discover by the botanists continue to reign. Has given a chance trees and plants continue to grow naturally, function in it’s manner as one of the supporting component to others living animals and insects in the forest. We human may able to grown trees, fashion them marvelously however we fail to design it with such micro-architecture beauty that what nature has provide.

Indirectly secure a place for the Hornbills who need tall solid big trees for their survival in terms of food supply from the fig trees and cavity nest to raise their next generations. Your service have also indirectly ensure Elephants, Tigers, Panther, Sumatra Rhinoceros, Malaysian Peacock Pheasant continues their generation lineage, as they need big forest to roam around

In 1993, the Endau Rompin National Park was finally created. Since then the administration of the park is being lay upon the shoulder of Johor National Park Corporation (PTNJ) and our Johor local govement. Kampung Peta and Kampung Selai are the two entry points to the park administer by Johor National Park Corporation.

How To Get There
If you want to access Endau Rompin Kg Peta

by own vehicle
Use the North South Highway exit at Ayer Hitam, proceed and follow the road direction to Kluang/Mersing. That would leads you to Kahang town which is the midway to Mersing. The Endau Rompin National Sign Board would leads you to the Park office at 11, Jln Bawal 1. Tmn Kahang Baru. 86700 Kahang, Kluang. Johor Tel: 07-7882812 Fax 07-7882813 which is on the ground floor of a two storey shop lot. Entry permit and registration need to done at this park office.

The journey from UPM toll to Ayer Hitam head to Kluang and then to Kahang took me 4 hrs with 2 pit stops with my driving speed of 90/110 kmph. As this National Park is established recently the road access to it (about 56Km) would be too rough stretch to be bear by a normal car. 4WD transfer can be pre-arranged from the Park office. The 4WD would travel along the dirt tracks that is used to be the old logging track pass by rubber, oil palm plantations, orang asli settlement. This rough journey on the road takes 2 hrs.

If you have booked the 4WD transfer from Kahang office that will normally wait for you at 12noon, therefore do work backward the time you need to start your journey.

Public transport
Proceed to Kluang using express bus or train. Then proceed to Kahang Park Office by taxi or the local bus. Do make the prior arrangement as they need to pre-arrange the 4WD transfer.

Accommodation
If your visit to this park is not booked through the eco-tourism agent. Do make your booking by phone at 07-788 2812, or email them at peta_er@yahoo.com. There is no other accommodation beside the park’s accommodation. The park provide a few choice of accommodation to suit it’s visitors on how they wish to experience the rainforest. Accommodation range from camping , dormitories, standard chalet to family chalet.

If your choice of accommodation is at sungai marung or kuala Jasin then boat transfer need to be arrange from kampung peta. Guest vehicles are not allowed to goes beyond Visitor Complex as this national park beside being an eco-tourism spot it also serve an important conservation area. Beside the reason being for guest safety sake by curd guest vehicles this will ensure less disturbance to the wildlife there.

Fees
A to and fro 4WD transfer cost RM350 per vehicle. Entrance fees to the park for Malaysia is RM5 per pax, RM10 per pax for Non Malaysian. Visitor need to take up the Insurance coverage of RM2 per pax . For more details refer to http://johorparks.com.my/your-visit/accomodations/ For better comfort call the park office for latest rates.

What are the Attractions ?
What are the Attractions of Endau Rompin National ParkThis national park is one of the spot for eco-tourism. At this national park you would have an ideas of it’s local communities culture aborigines being refer as Orang Hulu or Jakun. Activities that can be pursued here are such as jungle trekking, photography and others nature appreciation. Due to the fact of it’s rich biodiversity this park is also constantly visited by researchers.

Share with you all some of the photos that I managed to took during my trip there from 27/8/2009 - 1/9/2009.

Purple- Naped Sunbird attracted to Setawar

Notice the bird stuck it's beak inside.

It will draw out the the nectar in a glue form

The melodious called from the White-Rumped Sharma could not stop me to look out where the sound originate.

Trogon.. Trogon... no matter how many times I have seen them yet I will never be bored.

A Male Crimson Winged Woodpecker. I traced it by it's pecking sound.

As I was treking down to complex this Yellow-Bellied Bulbul came and stop for awhile not too far from me. No doubt it was near however I find it hard to work on this subject as I depend on the natural lighting.

OOh.. Tiger Shrike have reach Johor so early ?
During this field trip this is the only migrant. The rest is yet to arrived.

A Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher was hawking for insect when I notice it.

I aim for a better photo next time for this spp.

This Asian Paradise Flycatcher was hawking for insect too.

Endau Rompin National Park is the site you can easily sight Brown Fulvetta.

I notice it swallow in a berry instead of press, suck it juice and discard the skin.

This is how it's juvenile looks like

Endau Rompin is the best place to look out for Jungle Babbler.

As I trek down from Kuala Jasin, halfway I notice a solitary Banded Kingfisher.

This bird is very patient with me.

The Park's staff told me that this bird was raise up at this trees. Nearly everyday it will come back here.

A Greater Racket Tailed Drongo that I notice came to perched nearby.

tee dee ...dee.. where ? OOps I found you friend.. Spectacled Bulbul.

Notice a flock of White Rumped Munia always mingle in this "certain spot"

It was nearly dusk, time for birds active again before they retire for the day.

HHhmm.. a flock of black bird with a crest.. OOOh it has being long I have encountered Crested Jay.

Well their are threated by habitat loss.

Musa gracillis the smallest Malaysis banana plant that grow wild here, provide a good source of nectar for the little spiderhunter.

The Little Spiderhunter will fly in and perched nearby , look out for any possiblilites of predator before it comes down to the banana flower.

Quite caution of the surrounding, before it draws nectar out from the banana flower.

Fell the surounding is safe it will come down to another perched.

Start to draw out the nectar.

BIRDS Sighted and Heard during this field trip
Great Argus - male,Checkered- Throated Woodpecker,Crimson-Winged Woodpecker,Rufous Piculet,Olive-Backed Woodpecker,Orange-Backed Woodpecker,Buff-Necked Woodpecker,Blue-Eared Barbet,Gold Whiskered Barbet,Black Hornbill,Rhinocerous Hornbill,Scarlet Rumped Trogon,Banded Kingfisher,Rufous-Backed Kingfisher,Indian Cuckoo,Rafles's Malkoha,Silver Rumped Swiftlet,Redish Scops Owl,Malaysian Eared Nightjar,Emerald Dove,Crested Serpent Eagle,Banded Pitta,Blue Winged Leafbird,Greater Green Leafbird,Black and Yellow Broadbill,Greater Racket Tailed Drongo,Lesser Racket Tailed Drongo,Bronzed Drongo,Tiger Shrike (Juvenile),Crested Jay,Black Magpie,Large Billed Crow,Dark-Throated Oriole,Great Iora,Green Iora,Lesser Cuckooshrike,Bar-Bellied Cuckooshrike,Scarlet Minivet,Spotted Fantail,Black Naped Monarch,Asian Paradise Flycatcher,Rufous Winged Philentoma,Tickell's Blue Flycatcher,Grey-Headed Flycatcher,Verditer Flycatcher,Oriental Magpie Robin, Chestnut-Naped Forktail,White-Crowned Forktail,Hill Myna,Red-Eyed Bulbul,Spectacled Bulbul,Cream Vented Bulbul,Yellow Bellied Bulbul,Grey-Cheeked Bulbul,Hairy Backed Bulbul,Finch's Bulbul,Buff-Vented Bulbul,Common Tailorbird,Dark-Necked Tailorbird,Rufous-Tailed Tailorbird,White-Chested Babbler,Ferruginous Babbler,Abbott's Babbler,Moustached Babbler,Scooty Capped Babbler,Scally Crowned Babbler,Rufous Crowned Babbler,Horsefield's Babbler,Marbled Wren Babbler,Grey Headed Babbler,Grey Throated Babbler,Black-Throated Babbler,Chestnut-Rumped Babbler,Chestnut-Winged Babbler,Rufous Fronted Babbler,Striped Tit Babbler,Brown Fulvetta,Fuffy Tit Babbler,Yellow Bellied Yuhina,Yellow Breasted Flowepecker,Plain Flowerpecker,Purple Naped SunbirdLittle Spiderhunter,Thick-Billed Spiderhunter,Long Billed Spiderhunter,White Rumped Munia

Will followed up with a write up on others things sighted beside birds soon.