Purple Heron [Food in Mouth] @ Sungai Putat, Melaka, Malaysia

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a large, slow and active bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Sungai Putat, Melaka, Malaysia. The bird can be found along the river and trees around residential enclaves and lives coexist with human being. 

Other neighboring areas for birding destinations are Sungai Rambai, Parit Jawa and Sungai Balang. 

Sungai Putat is another wonderful birding destinations in Melaka, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds and has become migratory birds' destination too. The place has large area of water retention pond, river, paddy field, mangrove forest, seashore, and streams. Melaka is a popular weekend destination to the local for family get away, sightseeing and food. Adequate accommodations, restaurants, local food stalls and recreational activities are provided in the nearby town, Melaka. 

Sungai Putat can be reached in approximately two and half hour from Kuala Lumpur city center by car. The place has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds in Sungai Putat includes different types of kingfisher, woodpeckers, land birds,  shore birds, bitterns, stilts, shrikes, kites, pigeons, egrets and herons just to name a few.

Black-crowned Night Heron [Nest] @ Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil, Selangor, Malaysia

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a large and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil, Selangor, Malaysia. Black-crowned Night Heron is a resident bird to Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil. The bird can be found at the forest edges and around the lakes and ponds in the recreational forest.  

Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil is yet another wonderful birding destination in Selangor, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds at the same time a destination of many migratory birds. The recreational park covers a large area of approximately 450 hectares wetlands consist of conservation and research, educational and recreational zones. The massive wetlands park consist of many lakes and ponds, including crocodile pond, hippopotamus pond, water lily ponds, ecology ponds and fishing ponds. Inside the park, there are chalets, hostels and camp sites for rent as accommodations. Other amenities inside the park include local food outlets, jogging tracks and bicycle lanes. The entrance fee to the park is free and it is opened daily from 7.30 a.m. until 7.00 p.m. 

The park can be reached in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur by car. Paya Indah Recreational park has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of kingfisher, babblers, sunbirds, eagles, kites, shrikes, malkohas, land birds, herons, egrets, cuckoos just to name a few. Beside the birds, the park has become a wildlife sanctuary.

Since Paya Indah Wetlands Dengkil is also a popular destinations for family get awat especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.

  

Malayan Night Heron [Male] @ Xitou Nature Education Area, Central Taiwan

Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) [Male] is a colorful, slow and attractive bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Xitou Nature Education Area, Central Taiwan.

It is large size and colorful bird can be found in the low land areas in Taiwan. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1000, F 5.6, EV +0.0

Bird Photography and Bird Watching in Taiwan

Bird photography and bird watching in Taiwan have been getting very good attention and have captured overwhelming response from the local and foreigners alike. This can be witnessed by number of professional, enthusiast, serious hobbyist and beginners, men and women bird photographers and bird watchers at any birding location in the country.

Special attention has been given by the Forestry and Tourism Departments to promote outdoor activities including bird photography and bird watching in the forest recreational areas in the country. One of the annual activity organized by the departments includes Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area Bird Race, which draws international attention and participations.

Kindly be reminded that feeding and calling of birds are strictly prohibited throughout the country.  Signs are placed along the road leading to the mountains, both at Dasyueshan and Xitou.

Best time to visit Taiwan

For purpose of bird photography and bird watching activities in the mountainous areas in the country, the best time to visit the country is during winter and spring; from December to May. 

During this period, temperature is between 5 - 18 degree centigrade during day time and it goes down to between 0 - 5 degree centigrade during night time and early morning. Hence, prepare for suitable clothing. No rain is expected during winter hence, outdoor activities can be carried out whole day long. However, intermittent rain is experienced during spring. 

Exciting Bird Photography and Bird Watching Locations

Exciting bird photography and bird watching locations include Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area and Xitou Nature Education Area. 

Both places are located in central part of the country and they can be reached in approximately two and half hours drive from the airport, Taoyuan international airport. Alternative mode of transportation is by bus from Taichung city, which takes approximately one and half hour.

Although Dasyueshan and Xitou are located in small town some 160 km away from Taichung city, to cater for both local and foreign visitors visiting the areas, there are adequate hotels, resorts and guesthouses of different standards and prices. Not forgetting restaurants, cafe, convenience shops of different kinds and standards. 

For bird lovers, both Dasyueshan and Xitou certainly are places to test your passion and perseverance in getting the best from the mountainous forest of Taiwan. More importantly they are home to more than 60 species of endemic birds of Taiwan. 

Since these two Recreational Forests are popular destinations for outdoor activities and family get away especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.

Daily entrance fee of New Taiwan Dollar of NT$200 and NT$220 or approximately USD6 is payable at the entrance of Dasyueshan and Xitou respectively.

Purple Heron @ Chui Chak Langkap, Perak, Malaysia

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)  is a large, active and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Chui Chak, Langkap, Perak, Malaysia. The bird is a resident to Chui Chak, Langkap. It can be found around the paddy field area and surrounding plantation.

Chui Chak is a small district just 5 kilometres from Langkap town. It is yet another wonderful birding destinations in Perak, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds, bird watching and has become migratory birds' destination too. The place has huge area of paddy field and oil palm plantation. The name Chui Chak means water gate in local Chinese language. The water gate which is used to control paddy field irrigation system for the area. Langkap is a popular weekend destination to the local for family get away. Adequate accommodations, restaurants and local food stalls are provided in the area.

Chui Chak can be reached in approximately one and half hour from Kuala Lumpur city center by car via North South highway. The place has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds in Chui Chak includes different types of kingfisher, woodpeckers, land birds, ducks, rails, stilts, shrikes, kites, pigeons, egrets and herons just to name a few.

Nankeen [Rufous] Night Heron @ Kampung Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Nankeen [Rufous] Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) is a colorful, very active and attractive resident bird can be found in Kampung Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F 6.3, EV -1.0. 

Kampung Sembulan is a district located just few km away from the capital city Kota Kinabalu and Tanjung Aru. Located near the beach, it attracts a lot of shore birds both residents and migratory birds.

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.