Friday 28 April 2023

Crested Partridge [Female] @ Mount Trusmadi, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Crested Partridge (Rollulus rouloul) [Female] is a colorful, active and attractive bird can be found in Mount Trusmadi, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

Male Crested Partridge is featured by chestnut-maroon crest, wire like forehead plumes and glossy blue-black plumage. The Female counterpart has completely different features; greyish head and grass green plumage. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1250, F 5.6, EV -1.7 and Nikon D850 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F5.6, EV -1.0. 

Mount Trumadi is the second highest mountain in Malaysia after Mount Kinabalu. The place needs no introduction to the world, especially well-known to the nature lovers, hikers and jungle trekkers. It is "a less travelled place" as compared to Mount Kinabalu. Located in the district of Tambunan, South-east of Sabah, island of Borneo, East Malaysia, some 80 km from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. It can be reached in approximately 2 hours by car from Kota Kinabalu International Airport through winding mountainous road. Due to it high elevation, weather in the area is very unpredictable. It can be very chilling and foggy hence, prepare for suitable clothing. 

At the time of this writing, the main access road to Mount Trusmadi main gate is under major improvement, which makes the access to the said place only possible by four-wheel drive. The major road improvement for a distance of approximately 8 km is expected to complete by middle of 2024. For those who are interested to explore Mount Trusmadi for any purposes, Tambunan is the nearest town which only takes half an hour to the main gate by car. Although Tambunan is a small town, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some basic rest-house for rent and budget hotels. Some local restaurants, cafeterias and convenience shops are also available.

Mount Trusmadi has the most diversified and unique treasures, both flora and fauna, including more than 350 species of bird and 100 species of mammal. 

For bird lovers, Mount Trusmadi 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, Pittas, Trogons, Pheasants, Babblers, Warblers, Barbets, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Drongos, Owls, Partridges, Whitehead's Broadbill, Bornean Treepie just to name a few.


























Thursday 27 April 2023

Great Hornbill @ Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia

Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is yet another colorful, large and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia. It can be found in the forest at the Hill.

Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi is certainly another wonderful birding destinations as it is a residence to many exotic birds. Although the area is not as large as Fraser's Hill, but the bird population and density certainly entice many birders to be there. The main target birds in Berjaya Hill include Partridge, Mountain Peacock, Orange-breasted Trogon, Orange-headed Thrush, Silver-breasted Broadbill just to name a few. Berjaya Hill can be reached by car in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur. 

To enter Berjaya Hill, an entrance fee of RM16 or approximately USD4 per person will be collected at the foothill. The Hill is open for guests from 9.30 a.m. onward. Since Berjaya Hill 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.


















Banded Woodpecker @ Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia

Banded Woodpecker (Chrysophlegma miniaceum) is yet another colorful, active and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia. It can be found in the forest edges at the Hill.

Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi is certainly another wonderful birding destinations as it is a residence to many exotic birds. Although the area is not as large as Fraser's Hill, but the bird population and density certainly entice many birders to be there. The main target birds in Berjaya Hill include Partridge, Mountain Peacock, Orange-breasted Trogon, Orange-headed Thrush, Silver-breasted Broadbill just to name a few. Berjaya Hill can be reached by car in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur. 

To enter Berjaya Hill, an entrance fee of RM16 or approximately USD4 per person will be collected at the foothill. The Hill is open for guests from 9.30 a.m. onward. Since Berjaya Hill 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.

















Crested Partridge [Male] @ Mount Trusmadi, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Crested Partridge (Rollulus rouloul) [Male] is a colorful, active and attractive bird can be found in Mount Trusmadi, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

Male Crested Partridge is featured by chestnut-maroon crest, wire like forehead plumes and glossy blue-black plumage. The Female counterpart has completely different features; greyish head and grass green plumage. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1250, F 5.6, EV -1.7 and Nikon D850 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F5.6, EV -1.0. 

Mount Trumadi is the second highest mountain in Malaysia after Mount Kinabalu. The place needs no introduction to the world, especially well-known to the nature lovers, hikers and jungle trekkers. It is "a less travelled place" as compared to Mount Kinabalu. Located in the district of Tambunan, South-east of Sabah, island of Borneo, East Malaysia, some 80 km from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. It can be reached in approximately 2 hours by car from Kota Kinabalu International Airport through winding mountainous road. Due to it high elevation, weather in the area is very unpredictable. It can be very chilling and foggy hence, prepare for suitable clothing. 

At the time of this writing, the main access road to Mount Trusmadi main gate is under major improvement, which makes the access to the said place only possible by four-wheel drive. The major road improvement for a distance of approximately 8 km is expected to complete by middle of 2024. For those who are interested to explore Mount Trusmadi for any purposes, Tambunan is the nearest town which only takes half an hour to the main gate by car. Although Tambunan is a small town, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some basic rest-house for rent and budget hotels. Some local restaurants, cafeterias and convenience shops are also available.

Mount Trusmadi has the most diversified and unique treasures, both flora and fauna, including more than 350 species of bird and 100 species of mammal. 

For bird lovers, Mount Trusmadi 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, Pittas, Trogons, Pheasants, Babblers, Warblers, Barbets, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Drongos, Owls, Partridges, Whitehead's Broadbill, Bornean Treepie just to name a few.