While waiting for a friend to reply my call, I went over to a nearby park. Surprisingly there are many local folks enjoy a morning walk in this park. Unfortunately, I did not spend enough time to check what other birds can be found here apart from the Oriental Magpie Robin, Common Myna, Javan Myna, Common Iora, House Crow, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

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It was a second birding trip to Peninsular Malaysia. We had done a trip together last year but the itinerary had to be adjusted due to the air condition back then. This time we went to the mangrove and secure our sightings for the Mangrove Whistler but no luck with Mangrove Blue Flycatcher. We even cover areas in southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Some of the memorable / highlight species during our trip include Cinereous Tit, Sultan Tit, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-capped Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Grey-and-Buff Woodpecker, Buffy Fish Owl, Spotted Wood Owl, Ruff, Lesser Whistling Duck (lost count of the number), Large-tailed Nightjar, Grey Nightjar, Black Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Blue Nuthatch, White-tailed Robin, Crested Goshawk, Dusky Broadbill and so much more.

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Red-headed Trogon was heard at several stops throughout the trip however we managed to locate 3 birds before sunset. This photograph was taken with Nikon V1 + Sigma 500mm f4.5

A casual trip with a regular guest to Fraser's Hill with no particular target species in mind. For almost the entire period up in the hill station, the weather was unfortunately not birding-friendly. Only 1 morning walk provided good clear weather. And that was rather a good session with lots of bird waves and I believe my guest had a lifer with good views of Bay Woodpecker (this species was calling at almost all the places we went to).  On a late afternoon we had excellent view of a pair of Red-headed Trogon.

The species sighted for this trip include the following (but not limited to...)
Silver-eared Mesia
Mountain Fulvetta
Large Niltava
Black-browed Barbet
Fire-tufted Barbet
Black-and-Crimson Oriole
Red-headed Trogon
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush (Spectacled Laughingthrush)
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush (Malayan Laughingthrush)
White-browed Shrike-babbler (Blyth's Shrike-babbler)
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Streaked Spiderhunter
Black-throated Sunbird
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Buff-bellied Flowerpecker)
Blue-winged Minla
Little Pied Flycatcher
Rufous-browed Flycatcher
Lesser Shortwing
Streaked Wren Babbler
Buff-breasted Babbler
Bay Woodpecker
Greater Yellownape
Lesser Yellownape
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
Sultan Tit
Blue Nuthatch
Grey-chinned Minivet

Streaked Wren-babbler unexpectedly appear next to me while I was waiting for bird wave. This photograph was taken with Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5

Large Niltava is one of the most cooperative bird and commonly seen perching on wires by the roadside. Usually there should be a female nearby too but somehow could not get a view of his partner. Photo taken with Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5

This Little Pied Flycatcher was showing the typical flycatcher behavior - flying out and back to the same perch and that was how I managed to spot this small sized bird high up. Photo taken with Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5

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I have never expect Putrajaya will attract attention from bird watchers and photographers until the report of 3 not-so-commonly sighted and photographed species spread. I have managed to see all the 3 species which include Ruddy-breasted Crake, Barred Buttonquail and Slaty-breasted Rail.

Ruddy-breasted Crake (adult)

Ruddy-breasted Crake (chick)

While waiting for the Crake, Rail and Buttonquail, there were several Yellow-vented Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Common Iora, Black-naped Oriole, Oriental Magpie Robin, Paddyfield Pipit, Common Myna, Javan Myna Blue-throated Bee-eater, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Common Flameback and Rufous Woodpecker.

Rufous Woodpecker

Common Myna

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Painted Storks have landed in Kajang for a long time now. I have so far spotted them at a stream near Sg Ramal / Sg Chua and Sg Kantan Area (Giant is the landmark area). Here are some of my photographic records.

21.08.2009 - around 7 to 8 birds perching up on the Giant signboard 

21.08.2009 - a close-up view of the birds through the spotting scope

21.08.2009 - the same flock landed on a nearby water retention pond

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Seriously? What could a birder possibly see in Bangi? Well, personally I have explored a few spots around Bangi and the found my favorite. This place is called Taman Tasik Cempaka. Pretty decent looking park while the water body is a little bit untidy with lots of dead branches, rubbish and sedimentation. However, it actually provide some interesting sighting which I could not get from Putrajaya Wetland.

One of my favorite shot from the past. A Great Egret waiting for its prey as I sit and observed.

Sometimes few individual birds to few dozens of Painted Stork flying above the water body.

Another personal favorite shot of mine from Bangi.

Almost a dozen of Painted Stork hunting together in Taman Tasik Cempaka.

* Now I am sharing these old photographs dated slightly more than 10 years (from the date I am writing this post) just to get people especially those staying in Bangi Selangor to look and appreciate nature, even if it is just a small park. Believe me, you do not need to wonder far away from home to appreciate birds. I am not denying that there are many more different species that one will see if he or she go further out - into the forest, up to the mountains, on a boat ride... yes, birding is an exciting adventure that encourage travelling to various countries and to experience new environment and culture. 

 

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Recently I paid a visit to one of my old "backyard" - Putrajaya Heronry. As I was walking to the garden next to the heronry, I saw someone with few gadgets aiming at the heronry. At first I thought he could be employed by the authority to monitor the bird population here. After a short chat with the gentleman, I got to know that he is actually doing his PhD (UKM) studying the Painted Stork and he also told me he lost most of his equipment a week before. .

Since he is so interested to know more about Painted Stork in Putrajaya, I would like to shared with him my personal record which include the amateurish photographs I took with a Nikon D70 and Sigma APO 170-500mm lens and my digiscoping gears. (Now I am using a Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 500mm f4.5 - view my photo gallery at http://sigma500mmf45.blogspot.com).

1st July 2004 - 4 birds wading in the wetland with Purple (Black-backed) Swamphen 

1st July 2004 - observe how the stork wading in the wetland cell while hunting for food

They might have successfully trapped the prey at the base of the Lepironia

And after a long observation of the Painted Stork in Putrajaya, eventually, I managed to record them nesting at the heronry. The following photos seems to show that the nesting started in 2009 but if I can remember well, it should be earlier than this. But let us assume it started in 2009 until I can find any other photos showing earlier nesting.

11.07.2009 - So far, this is my earliest record of hatchings in Putrajaya Heronry

11.07.2009 - Parents guarding the nest and tending to the hatchlings

11.07.2009 - Purple Heron and Grey Heron nests are also recorded nearby

11.07.2009 - Strange plumage

25.07.2009 - Comparison between Painted Stork and Purple Heron

Both Grey Heron and Purple Heron are nesting on the same island at the same time with Painted Stork

25.07.2009 - a closeup view of the nestling

23.08.2009 - Incubation period

23.08.2009 - there is a young bird nearby

23.08.2009 - under the nests, there are numerous birds on the island ground

09.09.2009 - Size comparison between parent and their young ones

09.09.2009 - a bit of stretching before learning to fly

09.09.2009 - 2 young birds from a different nest seen next to another nest with adult bird

Maybe some would think that bird breeding season is for a short period in a year. But here in Putrajaya Heronry, the breeding is almost throughout the year.

26.04.2010 - not entirely sure if they are showing affection to each other. 

26.04.2010 - the above photos show a pair of Grey Heron in action while Purple Heron is busy gathering nesting materials

* This heronry was started with a dozen of Black-crowned Night Heron, thanks to a tip-off from a good friend working for the same authority of the federal administrative center. 

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