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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