Preparing for June birding trips. To counter stress at this moment, I have to rely on the old faithful iPad2. Here are some drawings of Woodpeckers from yours truly.

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Black-browed Barbet (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

Blue-eared Barbet (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

Blue-eared Barbet (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

Gold-whiskered Barbet (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

Jambu Fruit Dove (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

Sooty Barbet (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

Yellow-crowned Barbet (Nikon D7000 + Sigma 500mm f4.5) 

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Blyth's Hawk-eagle (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm VR)

I was greeted by 3 Blyth's Hawk-eagle soaring in the sky late morning while on the way up to the highland. At the end of the day, on the way descending from the birding site, I got this individual perching high up on a dead tree. 

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Went up to the hill station today with 2 bird watchers. I have guided them to Krau more than 2 years ago. If it is not for the recent heavy rainfall and flood in Krau, we could have revisit the lowland forest again. Anyway, it is still a good trip up to Fraser's Hill. 

Upon reaching the hill station, we had Slaty-backed Forktail. Next, we proceed to look for the most active birding spot (which is good for Trogon). We did heard a Red-headed Trogon calling but unable to get a glimpse of this star bird. Nevertheless, we had good look at the Fire-tufted Barbet, Spectacled Laughingthrush, Black-throated Sunbird, Buff-breasted Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Pygmy Wren-babbler (Pgymy Cupwing) and a male White-tailed Robin. At our opportunistic stop, we saw a male Large Niltava and as we were trying to get a clearer view of the Niltava, we stumbled upon a small mixed flock which consists of Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Mountain Fulvetta, Golden Babbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Black-throated Sunbird (again) and Silver-eared Mesia. At the abandoned hotel car park, we had the best view of Fire-tufted Barbet together with Long-tailed Sibia and Spectacled Laughingthrush. It was almost mid-day, bird activity was low so we drove to a regular spot for the Rufous-browed Flycatcher which came out twice in the open area before it was chased away by a Large Niltava. 

After a nice lunch at the Smokehouse, we drove down the New Road and made several stops whenever we heard birds calling. We managed to get fantastic view almost at eye level of the Black-browed Barbet. There were a few Velvet-fronted Nuthatch high up on the big mature trees, a well hidden Hill Blue Flycatcher among the tree ferns, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Rufescent Prinia perched in the open, and 3 Rufous-bellied Swallow resting under shade.     

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Grey-bellied Squirrel (Nikon1 V1 + CX 70-300mm VR)

Another regular bird watching guest from Europe revisit Malaysia recently. Our first few highlight species of the day was a few Rufous Woodpecker. They very calling from nearby trees. We traced the call for a few minutes and finely rewarded with good views of the species. Also we have 2 flocks of Long-tailed Parakeet. Then there were Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot and Black-thighed Falconet. On the way into the forest, he asked me "will we see hornbills like what we saw while driving up to Fraser's Hill the other day?" (refer to this posting HERE). Immediately, we saw 2 Oriental Pied Hornbill next to the road! 

a female Banded Kingfisher (Nikon1 V1 + CX 70-300mm VR)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Nikon1 V1 + CX 70-300mm VR)

Lots of species were seen even before we reach our primary birding stop. Unexpectedly, a female Banded Kingfisher were spotted perching up on a bare branch. excellent view! Black-and-Yellow Broadbill were very very cooperative and even perched on a branch exactly above our head. However, Indian Cuckoo was teasing us. It flew several times across the road but we did not get to see it perching. Some of the notable species that we managed from Krau include Crested Serpent Eagle, Raffles' Malkoha, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Little Green Pigeon, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Whiskered Treeswift, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Sooty Barbet, Large Woodshrike, Rufescent Prinia, Hill Myna, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Scaly-breasted Munia, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter and many more.

We spent the next few hours in Krau before moving back to KL for a short visit to a local birding patch. 

Back in KL, we saw Gold-whsikered Barbet, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Asian Glossy Starling and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. We also heard the calls of Asian Koel and Drongo Cuckoo.

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Nikon1 V1 + CX 70-300mm VR)

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Buff-rumped Woodpecker (Nikon1 V1 + CX 70-300mm VR)

Went to FRIM Kepong for a morning bird watching session with Balan and his son. We made several stops which includes a pond, forest trail and an open area. The early morning was really good with lots of birds catching all the insects in the air and feeding on the small fruits on the trees. Nearer to the water, several trees with open branches provided good perching area for birds. We saw Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Pacific Swallow, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Sooty Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet, White-throated Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Plain Sunbird and Large Woodshrike. Other common birds in FRIM include Striated Heron (Little Heron), Zebra Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Javan Myna, Asian Glossy Starling and Oriental Magpie Robin  

We also had pretty good view of Buff-rumped Woodpecker at eye level just a few feet away from us. However, the Banded Woodpecker is a little high up on the tree. Another highlight for the day is the brilliantly colored Chestnut-breasted Malkoha on the same tree where we saw the Banded Woodpecker. Striped Tit-babbler, a common babbler species which is usually tricky inside the forest was so easy to see - it came near to the low shrubs next to the trail.

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