"Thanks for all, first of all for your professionalism. We are so satisfied." - Beppe & Mary, Italy
It was an absolute delight to guide a charming couple all the way from Italy on an unforgettable birdwatching adventure! Our journey took us to Kuala Selangor, Frasers Hill, and Hulu Langat, where we had the most incredible time capturing stunning photos of a wide variety of bird species.
Our adventure kicked off in an urban park in Kuala Lumpur, where we were greeted by Painted Stork, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Golden-bellied Gerygone, and more. As we ventured towards the coastal area, we were thrilled to snap photos of the Yellow-bellied Prinia, Ashy Tailorbird, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Laced Woodpecker, Common Flameback, White-throated Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, and other magnificent species. A stop before Kuala Selangor treated us to a breathtaking view of the Little Bronze Cuckoo, which we eagerly captured on camera. After a quick break at our hotel, we continued our birdwatching journey and were lucky enough to spot the Stork-billed Kingfisher, Asian Openbill, White-throated Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, and Black-winged Kite.
The following day, we encountered even more fascinating species like the Greater Flameback, Laced Woodpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Rufous Woodpecker, Crested Serpent Eagle, and others before heading to Frasers Hill. Along the way, we marveled at the Yellow-bellied Warbler, White-bellied Erpornis, and Orange-breasted Trogon. Our patience paid off when we finally laid eyes on the elusive Malaysian Partridge, as well as the Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush and Oriental Magpie Robin.
The next morning, our quest for the elusive Red-headed Trogon was met with a challenge - the thick morning mist limited our success. It wasn't until the late afternoon that we finally caught a glimpse of the trogon, although it was quite shy. Nevertheless, we had an amazing day of birding, spotting key species like the Silver-eared Mesia, Malayan Laughingthrush, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Pygmy Cupwing, Large Niltava, and many more.
On Day 4, we made another valiant effort to find the Red-headed Trogon, but once again, the mist made it tricky. Just as we were about to give up, I decided to take a longer walk away from our usual spot and was rewarded with a sighting of a female trogon. After some time observing her, we were thrilled to spot a male trogon near our car. Mission accomplished! We left Frasers Hill after lunch, adding the Black-and-yellow Broadbill to our list on the way to Kuala Lumpur.
For our final day of the trip, we ventured to Hulu Langat in search of the Blue-banded Kingfisher. We managed to snap some great photographs, although the Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher was a bit more elusive, only seen flying around. After a satisfying lunch, I bid farewell to Beppe and Mary as I dropped them off at the airport. What an incredible adventure it has been!
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As I continue to immerse myself in the world of birds and nature, I am constantly inspired by the beauty and diversity of the natural world. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my work with others and to educate and inspire through my images. Your support and patience are truly appreciated as I strive to showcase the wonders of wildlife in the most authentic and impactful way possible. Together, we can raise awareness and appreciation for the importance of conservation and preservation of our planet's precious ecosystems. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
*UPDATE: After a series of consultations, the issue affecting my mobility has been identified. As a result, I will need to attend therapy. My travel plans must be tailored to minimize the amount of time spent walking, trekking on uneven terrain, and to avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting.*
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Highlights (with photographs) for the trip:
Little Cuckoo-Dove / Tortora Cuculo Minore
Buff-breasted Babbler / Garrulo di Tickell
Mountain Fulvetta / Fulvetta di montagna
Silver-eared Mesia / Mesia guanceargento
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush / Garrulo sghignazzante capocastano
Rufous-browed Flycatcher / Pigliamosche cigliarossicce
Malayan Laughingthrush / Garrulo sghignazzante malese (Garrulo sghignazzante caponocciola)
Mountain Imperial Pigeon / Piccione imperiale montano
Pygmy Cupwing / Garrulo scricciolo pigmeo
Large Niltava / Niltava maggiore
Bushy-crested Hornbill / Bucero cespuglioso
Sultan Tit / Cincia sultana
Banded Broadbill / Beccolargo fasciato
Buff-rumped Woodpecker / Picchio groppacamoscio
Red-throated Barbet / Barbetto golarossa
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch / Picchio muratore vellutato
Golden Babbler / Garrulo dorato
Black-browed Barbet / Barbetto ciglianere
Red-headed Trogon / Trogone testarossa
Stripe-throated Bulbul / Bulbul golastriata
Fire-tufted Barbet / Barbetto ciuffoflammeo
Orange-backed Woodpecker / Picchio dorsoarancio
Rufous-browed Flycatcher / Pigliamosche cigliarossicce
Red-billed Malkoha / Malcoa beccorosso
Oriental Magpie Robin / Pettirosso gazza orientale
Black-and-yellow Broadbill / Beccolargo giallonero
Black-headed Bulbul / Bulbul testanera
Lineated Barbet / Barbetto lineato
Banded Woodpecker / Picchio fasciato
Black-thighed Falconet / Falchetto zampenere
Rufous Woodpecker / Picchio rossiccio
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker / Beccafiore dorsoscarlatto
Common Flameback / Dorso di fiamma comune
Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker / Picchio della Sonda
Laced Woodpecker / Picchio striolato
Common Flameback / Dorso di fiamma comune
Asian Koel / Koel comune
House Crow / Cornacchia delle case
Collared Kingfisher / Martin pescatore dal collare
Yellow-bellied Prinia / Prinia panciagialla
Little Bronze Cuckoo / Cuculo bronzato minore
Coppersmith Barbet / Barbetto ramatore
Common Iora / Iora comune
Pied Triller / Trillatore bianconero
Ashy Tailorbird / Uccello sarto cenerino
White-throated Kingfisher / Martin pescatore di Smirne
Stork-billed Kingfisher / Martin pescatore becco di cicogna
Asian Openbill / Anastomo asiatico
Javan Myna / Maina di Giava
Black-winged Kite / Nibbio bianco
Dusky Eagle-Owl / Gufo reale fosco
Zebra Dove / Tortora zebrata
Purple Heron / Airone rosso
Blue-tailed Bee-eater / Gruccione codazzurra
Greater Flameback / ???
Common Flameback / Dorso di fiamma comune R
ufous Woodpecker / Picchio rossiccio
Collared Kingfisher / Martin pescatore dal collare
Oriental Magpie Robin / Pettirosso gazza orientale
Black-naped Oriole / Oriolo nucanera
White-throated Kingfisher / Martin pescatore di Smirne
Pink-necked Green Pigeon / Piccione verde collorosa
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher / Pigliamosche blu delle mangrovie
Ashy Tailorbird / Uccello sarto cenerino
Yellow-vented Bulbul / Bulbul culgiallo
Olive-winged Bulbul / Bulbul alioliva
Golden-bellied Gerygone / Gerigone panciadorata
Javan Myna / Maina di Giava
Crested Serpent Eagle / Serpentino crestato
Pacific Swallow / Rondine del Pacifico
Whiskered Treeswift / Rondone boschereccio baffuto
Orange-breasted Trogon / Trogone pettoarancio
White-bellied Erpornis / Yuhina panciabianca
Yellow-bellied Warbler / Luì panciagialla
Cinereous Bulbul /
Malaysian Partridge / Pernice di Campbell
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush / Garrulo sghignazzante capocastano Streaked Spiderhunter / Cacciaragni striato
Black-throated Sunbird / Nettarinia golanera
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker / Beccafiore pettoigneo
Orange-bellied Leafbird / Fogliarolo panciarancio
Black-browed Barbet / Barbetto ciglianere
Little Pied Flycatcher / Pigliamosche bianconero
Brown Boobook / Civetta sparviero bruna
Blyth's Frogmouth / Bocca di rana di Blyth
Blue-banded Kingfisher / Martin pescatore bandazzurra
Orange-backed Woodpecker / Picchio dorsoarancio
Black-thighed Falconet / Falchetto zampenere
Crimson-winged Woodpecker / Picchio alicremisi
Rufous-collared Kingfisher / Martin pescatore collorosiccio
Black-and-red Broadbill / Beccolargo rossonero
Seen:
Javan Myna / Maina di Giava
Asian Glossy Starling / Storno splendente asiatico
Yellow-vented Bulbul / Bulbul culgiallo
Zebra Dove / Tortora zebrata
Speckled Piculet / Picchiolo marezzato
Red-headed Trogon / Trogone testarossa
Orange-bellied Leafbird / Fogliarolo panciarancio
Mountain Bulbul / Bulbul montano
Black-crested Bulbul / Bulbul ???
Painted Stork / Cicogna pittata
Black-crowned Night Heron / Nitticora
Little Egret / Garzetta
Cattle Egret / Airone guardabuoi orientale
Grey Heron / Airone cenerino
Brown-throated Sunbird / Nettarinia golauniforme
Golden-bellied Gerygone / Gerigone panciadorata
Common Myna / Maina comune
White-breasted Woodswallow / Rondine boschereccia pettobianco
Spotted Dove / Tortora macchiata
Feral Pigeon / Piccione selvatico
Pacific Swallow / Rondine del Pacifico
Red-wattled Lapwing / Pavoncella indiana
Eurasian Tree Sparrow / Passera mattugia
Asian Glossy Starling / Storno splendente asiatico
Paddyfield Pipit / Pispola orientale
Lineated Barbet / Barbetto lineato
Swinhoe’s White-eye / ???
Collared Kingfisher / Martin pescatore dal collare
Asian Glossy Starling / Storno splendente asiatico
Swinhoe’s White-eye / ???
Eurasian Tree Sparrow / Passera mattugia
Brown-throated Sunbird / Nettarinia golauniforme
Blue-winged Leafbird / ???
Mountain Bulbul / Bulbul montano
Malaysian Pied Fantail / Codaventaglio bianconero
Large-tailed Nightjar / Succiacapre codalarga
Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher / Martin pescatore dorsorossiccio Zebra Dove / Tortora zebrata
Blue-tailed Bee-eater / Gruccione codazzurra
Pacific Swallow / Rondine del Pacifico
Grey-headed Fish Eagle / Aquila pescatrice testagrigia