Wednesday, 3 December 2025

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.

















Tuesday, 2 December 2025

Indochinese Blue Flycatcher [Female] @ Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest, Perlis, Malaysia

Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis sumatrensis) [Female] 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. 

Indochinese Blue Flycatcher is a resident of Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, 1/125, 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.





















Saturday, 29 November 2025

Black-back Dwarf Kingfisher aka. Three-toed Kingfisher @ Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest, Perlis, Malaysia

Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher aka. Three-toed Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) 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. 

Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher is a resident of Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, 1/60, 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.


























Friday, 28 November 2025

Blyth's Frogmouth [Male] @ Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest, Perlis, Malaysia

Blyth's Frogmouth (Batrachostomus affinis) [Male] 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. 

Blyth's Frogmouth is a resident of Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1000, 1/40, F 5.6, EV +0.3.  


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.