Banded Kingfisher [Male] @ Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest, Perlis, Malaysia

Banded Kingfisher (Lacedo pulchella) [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. 

Banded Kingfisher is a resident of Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest. The photos were taken using Nikon D850 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, F 5.6, EV -0.3.  

How to Get to Bukit Ayer Recreational Park, Perlis

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. 

Kangar 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. 

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.

 

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.

Grey-chinned Minivet [Male] @ Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area, Cental Taiwan

Grey-chinned Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris) [Male] is a colorful, active and attractive bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area, Central Taiwan.

It is medium size and colorful bird can be found in the mountainous areas in Taiwan. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F 5.6, EV -0.3

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.

Ferrugious Partridge @ Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia

Ferruginous Partridge (Caloperdix oculeus) 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.

Exotic Flowers @ Xitou Nature Education Area, Central Taiwan

Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area and Xitou Nature Education Area located in Cental Taiwan are definitely the best birding destinations in the country as they are home to many exotic birds, both endemic and migratory birds. The hill covers a large area of tropical rainforest, waterfalls, trails, trekking paths and streams.

Beside birds, the two forest areas are also famous for their flora and founa as they cover a large tropical rainforest. Wild flowers, mammals, insects and other creatures with many varieties and colors can be found a long the roads and trails around the hills.

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.