Kaeng Krachan National Park Day 4 - 26th May 2010

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

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

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

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

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/