Ruddy Kingfisher @ Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest, Perlis, Malaysia

Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) is a very colorful, attractive and active bird among few hundreds of birds can be found at Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest, Perlis, Malaysia. It can be found along the road in the recreational forest. 

Ruddy Kingfisher is a resident of Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1250, 1/100, F 5.6, EV -1.0.  

Exciting Bird Photography and Bird Watching Locations in Perlis

Exciting bird photography and bird watching locations in Perlis include Wang Kelian, Tasik Melati Recreational Park, Chuping  Valley and Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest which can be reached in approximately 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes and 25 minutes drive from Kangar town respectively.

How to Get to Bird Photography and Bird Watching Locations

Bukit Ayer Recreational Park is a natural forest turned into recreational forest by the state government. It is located some 25 km and just 25 minutes drive from the city center, Kangar. The park provides recreational facilities to the visitors, including restaurants in the forest and walking trails. 

Tasik Melati Recreational Park is a public park, located some 35 km and just 20 minutes away from the city center, Kangar. The park provides recreational facilities to the town dwellers, including jogging and walking trails, children playground and ponds. One of the best features of the park is Chinese pavillion and ponds filled with water lilies.

Wang Kelian is the northernmost village in Peninsular Malaysia. It is located in the foothill of Karstic Nakawan Range and a border village to Satun province of Thailand. The nearest town to Wang Kelian is Kangar, the largest town in the state of Perlis, Malaysia. 

About The State Capital of Perlis; Kangar

Kangar is the state of Perlis capital and the largest town in Perlis. It is located some 500 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. It can be reached in approximately six hours by car via North-South highway. It can also be reached from Penang International Airport in approximately two and half hours via the same highway for a distance of 170 km. Other mode of transportation include buses and trains from major cities.

Although Kangar is a small town, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some homestay for rent and budget hotels. Some local restaurants, medical clinics and convenience shops are also available. 

What to Expect

 

Many different species of birds can be found at those locations. Wang Kelian state park certainly another wonderful bird watching and bird photography destinations in Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds and migratory birds too.  The main target birds in Wang Kelian state park include Owls, Malkoha, Hornbills, different types of Babblers, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Bulbul just to name a few. It is also home to many wildlife, including the iconic Beruk Kentoi.

White-tailed Flycatcher [Male] @ Tiang Lama, Ranau, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

White-tailed Flycatcher (Cyornis concretus) [Male] is a colorful, very cute and attractive resident bird can be found in Tiang Lama forest, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

White-tailed Flycatcher is endemic subspecies to mountain range of Borneo. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2500, 1/60, F 5.6, EV -0.7.  

All bird photos taken at Tiang Lama are dedicated to my dear friend, Mr. Ryan Wahtog who has made the very challenging trip possible. His knowledge of birds and wildlife of Borneo is unmatched. 

How to get to Tiang Lama, Ranau

Tiang Lama is a village located some 125 km away from the capital city Kota Kinabalu. Located in between Ranau and Tambunan districts of Sabah. Tiang Lama has both primary virgin forest and secondary forest, which attract a lot of birds both resident and migratory birds. 

Tiang Lama can be reached in approximately 3 hours 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu by car through winding roads and off road for the last 25 km before reaching the village which can be very bad condition during rainy season. As such, it is highly recommended to use four-wheel drive. 

To reach birding location, it requires to hike approximately 700 m through secondary forest behind a village crossing a small river. Special protection is needed against leaches for visiting the place during rainy season. Since the location is considered a remote place and the hike starts at 5.30 a.m. it is recommended to get hometay accommodation at Tiang Lama village, which is only 500 m away. However, prior arrangement must be made as limited rooms are available especially during weekend. This is since Tiang Lama is also well known for other nature activities, including hiking, jungle trekking and exploration and river activities at River Canyon. 

The Connecting City - Kota Kinabalu 

Kota Kinabalu can be considered as a transit place for many bird watchers and birders to Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia as it is a gateway to other more exciting bird watching and bird photography destinations in the island, such as Mount Alab, Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC) and Mount Trusmadi. 

Due to its geography, Kota Kinabalu has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 30 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of kites, eagles, parrots, bee-eaters, swallows, kingfishers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too. Other excellent nearby birding locations are Penampang and Tanjung Aru.

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo @ National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) is a colorful, attractive and very cute resident bird can be found in National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It can be found in the vegetation along small paths around the park.

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F 5.6, 1/250, EV -0.3.

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam or Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam in Malay is one a few parks located in the center of Shah Alam city. It is a public park that serves as green lung for city folks. It is located at Taman Pertanian Malaysia, just less than an hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur City Center. 

Covering an area of 817 hectares, the park is an important place for family get way, children activities, gathering, jogging and even wedding. At the same time, it attracts wildlife and it has become a bird sanctuary. A small entrance fee of RM3 per person is collected at the entrance to the park. The Park opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. It closes on Monday. 

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 60 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of pittas, eagles, doves, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too.

Other neighboring areas to National Botanical Garden Shah Alam for birding destinations include Shah Alam Lake Garden and Bukit Jelutong Eco Community Park.

Blue-banded Kingfisher [Male] @ Sungai Congkak, Selangor, Malaysia

Blue-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo euryzona) [Male] is a very colorful, fast and active bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest, Selangor, Malaysia. The bird can be found at the forest edges, along the small stream, in the recreational forest.  

Male Blue-banded Kingfisher is featured by blackish blue wings and head, mottled blue breast-band. The female lacks blue breast-band. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, 1/125, F 5.6, EV -0.7.

Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest is yet another wonderful birding destinations in Selangor, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds. The recreational forest covers a large area of tropical rain forest, waterfalls, trekking and streams. Whereas accommodations, camp sites, food and recreational activities are provided along the stream, right outside the entrance to the forest. It can be reached in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur by car. Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds in Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest include different types of kingfisher, babblers, sunbirds, shrikes, malkoha just to name a few.

Other neighboring areas to Sungai Congkak for birding destinations include Sungai Tekali, Sungai Tekala, Sungai Perdik, Sungai Lopo and Pangsun.  

Since Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest is also a popular destinations for family get away especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.

Pale-faced Bulbul @ Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Pale-faced Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucops) is a fast, active and attractive bird can be found in Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

Pale-faced Bulbul is endemic to mountain range of Borneo. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, 1/2500, F 5.6, EV -0.7. 

Gunung (Mount) Alab Substation is part of Crocker Range National Park. The place needs no introduction to the world, especially well-known to the nature lovers, hikers and jungle trekkers. Located in the district of Tambunan, South-east of Sabah, island of Borneo, East Malaysia, some 60 km from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. It can be reached in approximately 1.5 hours by car from Kota Kinabalu International Airport through winding mountainous road. Due to it high elevation, weather in the Substation is very unpredictable. It can be very chilling and foggy hence, prepare for suitable clothing. 

The Substation has the most diversified treasures, both flora and fauna, including more than 350 species of bird and 100 species of mammal. Although the place is small, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some basic rest-house, chalets and camping ground for rent. Some local restaurants and convenience shops are also available.

For bird lovers, Gunung Alab Substation certainly is the place to test your passion and perseverance in getting the best from the rain forest of Borneo. Some target birds include many species of Sunbirds, Trogons, Borneon Whistling Thrush, Babblers, Warblers, Barbets, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Drongos, Owls, Partridges, Whitehead's Broadbill, Bornean Treepie just to name a few.