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.
