Tuesday, 11 July 2023

White-headed Munia [Pair] @ Chui Chak Langkap, Perak, Malaysia

White-headed Munia (Lonchura maja) is a fast, 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.












Buff-rumped Woodpecker @ Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia

Buff-rumped Woodpecker (Meiglyptes tristis) 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.


















Monday, 10 July 2023

Bornean Partridge aka. Red-breasted Partridge @ Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Bornean Partridge aka. Red-breasted Partridge (Arborophila hyperythra) is a large, colorful and attractive bird can be found in Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

Red-breasted Partridge aka. Bornean Partridge is endemic to mountain range of Borneo. The photos were taken using Nikon D850 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2500, F 5.6, EV -1.0. 

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.













Sunday, 9 July 2023

Little Pied Flycatcher [Female] @ Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni) [Female] is a cute, active and attractive bird can be found in Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

In terms of color, size and other features there is no significant differences between Little Pied Flycatcher found in East and West Malaysia. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, F 6.3, EV -2.0. 

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.















Saturday, 8 July 2023

Grey-rumped Treeswift [Female] @ Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis) [Female] is a colorful, very active and attractive resident bird can be found in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 640, F 6.3, EV +0.7. 

Tanjung Aru is a famous beach in Kota Kinabalu, just 6 km away from the capital city. The beach is an important place for family get way, children activities, kite flying, picnics, jogging and even wedding. It is the best place to witness sunset in the island. At the same time, it attracts wildlife and it has become a bird sanctuary. For best birding activities result at Tanjung Aru, avoid weekend, dusk and dawn as heavy crowd gathers around the beach area.

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, Tanjung Aru also 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 Kampung Sembulan and Panampang paddy field.
























Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher @ Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher (Vauriella gularis) is another colorful, cute and attractive bird can be found in Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher is endemic to mountain range of Borneo.  The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, F 6.3, EV -1.0.

Kinabalu Park needs no introduction to the world, especially well-known to the nature lovers. Located in the district of Ranau, west coast of Sabah, island of Borneo, East Malaysia, some 90 km from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. Kinabalu Park is the first Malaysia's World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO. It can be reached in approximately 2.5 hours by bus or car from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. 

The park has the most diversified treasures, with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including more than 300 species of bird and 100 species of mammal.

Kinabalu Park covers 754 square kilometers surrounding the infamous Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo island. Other main attractions in the area include, Poring hot spring and Desa dairy farm. There are abundant accommodation, food and daily needs of all kind around the area.    

For bird lovers, Kinabalu park 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, White-headed Trogon, Bornean Whistling Thrush, Babblers, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Drongos, Owls, Whitehead's Broadbill, Bornean Treepie just to name a few.