A Malaysian Birder: July 2025

Day Trip to Hulu Langat & KL - 15 Jul 2025

The promise of a new birding day often brings clear skies, but today had a different plan for us. Heading out from KL towards the lush forests of Hulu Langat, the morning greeted us with an unexpectedly thick fog. The kind that wraps itself around the trees, muting the vibrant greens and making the sunlight a mere whisper. It was clear the birds might take a while to stir, so we made a quick, strategic stop. There’s nothing quite like a warm cup of teh tarik and freshly made roti canai at a local Indian Muslim restaurant to kickstart a misty morning.

Fuelled and ready, we drove deeper into the forest, eyes peeled for any movement. The initial quiet was palpable; even with a few fruiting trees around, the avian residents seemed to be enjoying a slow start to their day. But patience, as every birder knows, is key.

Our persistence soon paid off. We were thrilled to spot Thick-billed Green Pigeons and White-rumped Munias diligently carrying nesting materials, a wonderful sign of life flourishing even on a cloudy day. Nearby, we observed a flurry of activity with Plain Sunbirds, Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers, Buff-vented Bulbuls, and Scaly-breasted Bulbuls all busy feeding.

As we ventured further into the forest proper, the true treasures began to reveal themselves. We added some fantastic species to our morning list: Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill and Black-and-red Broadbill, the striking Buff-necked Woodpecker and Checker-throated Woodpecker, along with the energetic Sultan Tit, the elusive Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, the brilliant Blue-eared Kingfisher, and the charming Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher. Each sighting, a small victory against the persistent cloud cover.

After a well-deserved lunch break, our birding expedition continued into the afternoon, this time closer to the urban fringes of Kuala Lumpur. This shift in habitat often brings a new set of winged residents, and today was no exception. We were rewarded with sightings of majestic raptors like the Barred Eagle-Owl, alongside colorful passerines such as the Black-naped Oriole. Nearby, we had sightings of Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Asian Openbill, Black-crowned Night Heron, and the common but graceful Little Egret and Cattle Egret. Forest patches here yielded more woodpeckers, including the Common Flameback and Banded Woodpecker, plus the charismatic Sooty Barbet and the ever-active Pin-striped Tit-babbler.

Despite the grey skies and cloudy conditions that persisted throughout the morning, our birding trip was undeniably a success. To have encountered such a diverse array of species, from the deep forest dwellers of Hulu Langat to the urban-adapted birds near Kuala Lumpur, made for a remarkably fulfilling day. It just goes to show that there's always something incredible to discover for those willing to look.

Birding days are never the same—and today was a perfect reminder of that. From quiet owl hunts in the early dawn to surprise encounters in a city park, our journey took us through a range of habitats and emotions. Here's a recap of a day filled with patience, discovery, and a few unexpected delights.

We began our birding much earlier than usual, setting out in the dark with hopes of finding two specific nocturnal species: the Buffy Fish Owl and the Brown Boobook. The first 15 minutes were met with stillness—no calls, no movement. Undeterred, we ventured farther from the car, and suddenly, the silence broke with the call of an unexpected species: the Collared Scops Owl. Though not on our initial target list, we eagerly changed course to try and locate it. Within 10 to 15 minutes, we were rewarded with clear and satisfying views.

Soon after, the Brown Boobook made itself known with a series of calls not far from our location. It didn't take much effort to spot it perched openly, calling confidently. We lingered a little longer, but as the sky lightened and the dawn chorus began, we made the call to abandon the search for the elusive Buffy Fish Owl—its time had passed for the day.

Before continuing, we refueled with a quick local breakfast—a true Malaysian classic of roti canai and teh tarik—a delightful and energizing start to the morning.

Our next destination was the lush forest of Hulu Langat, where our focus shifted to finding kingfishers. Within an hour, the striking Blue-eared Kingfisher appeared, followed shortly by the high-pitched call of the Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher. With a bit of patience, this tiny gem eventually revealed itself.

We then explored the forest trails and areas near the car, scanning for various species of broadbills, woodpeckers, and bulbuls. As the day grew warmer and our stomachs reminded us of the time, we paused for a well-deserved (and slightly late) lunch.

In the afternoon, we made our way to an urban park known for hosting several waterbird species. There, we encountered Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, and Cattle Egret. Yet, the highlight of this park—and our primary target—was the Barred Eagle-Owl.

We didn’t have to search long. Not just one, but an entire family of Barred Eagle-Owls greeted us with their majestic presence. A truly memorable sight to wrap up a birding day that had started in darkness and ended in full light and satisfaction.

Days like this remind us why we bird—moments of silence, unexpected calls, and the thrill of a rare find. Whether deep in the forest or in the heart of an urban park, birds continue to surprise and inspire. Until the next adventure, keep your eyes sharp and your spirit open to the wild.

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Some of the highlights for this trip (seen or heard ONLY):

Grouse, Quails and Allies: -

Pigeons and Doves: Rock Pigeon, Spotted Dove

Cuckoos: Raffles's Malkoha

Nightjars: -

Swifts: -

Treeswifts: -

Rails, Gallinules, and Allies: -

Shorebirds: -

Storks: Painted Stork

Herons, Ibis, and Allies: Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron

Vultures, Hawks, and Allies: -

Owls: Collared Scops-Owl, Brown Boobook

Trogons and Quetzals: -

Hornbills: -

Bee-eaters: Blue-throated Bee-eater

Kingfishers: White-throated Kingfisher

Rollers and Allies: -

Barbets and Toucans: Sooty Barbet

Woodpeckers: Rufous Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Crimson-winged WoodpeckerBanded Woodpecker

Falcons and Caracaras: -

Parrots, Parakeets, and Allies: -

African and Green Broadbills: Green Broadbill

Asian and Grauer's Broadbills: Black-and-red Broadbill, Banded Broadbill

Old World Pittas: -

Thornbills and Allies: -

Cuckooshrikes: -

Shrike-Babblers and Erpornis: -

Whistlers and Allies: -

Old World Orioles: -

Woodswallows: -

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies: -

Ioras: -

Fantails: -

Drongos: Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Monarch Flycatchers: -

Jays, Magpies, Crows and Ravens: -

Fairy Flycatchers: -

Tits, Chickadees and Titmice: Sultan Tit

Cisticolas and Allies: -

Cupwings: -

Martins and Swallows: Pacific Swallow

Bulbuls: Black-headed Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul

Leaf Warblers: -

Bush Warblers and Allies: -

White-eyes, Yuhinas and Allies: -

Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies: -

Ground Babblers and Allies: -

Laughingthrushes and Allies: -

Nuthatches: -

Starlings and Mynas: -

Old World Flycatchers: Oriental Magpie Robin

Flowerpeckers: Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker,

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters: Spectacled Spiderhunter

Fairy-bluebirds: -

Leafbirds: -

Weavers and Allies: -

Estrildids: -

Old World Sparrows: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Other wildlife seen:

Plantain Squirrel

Dusky Langur

White-thighed Surili

Water Monitor Lizard

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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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3 Days in Johor - 11-13 July 2025

On this trip, we set out in search of one of Peninsular Malaysia’s most elusive and highly sought-after bird species—not the Rail-babbler this time, but the enigmatic Crested Jayshrike (formerly known as the Crested Jay).

We kicked off the adventure with a brief late-afternoon stop in Negeri Sembilan, hoping for an early glimpse of our target. The forest, however, remained silent. Undeterred, we pressed on to Panti Forest the following morning, and by afternoon, we had reached the Kahang area. Despite our efforts, the Crested Jayshrike remained elusive, with not even a call response.

Still, the excitement was far from over—we had one final morning ahead of us, and hope was very much alive.

I remained determined and optimistic about finding our target species for my guest. And sure enough—after more than 30 minutes of patient waiting—we finally heard the unmistakable call. “That’s the Crested Jayshrike!” We both lit up with excitement!

Although the call came from quite a distance, we held our ground and waited quietly, full of hope. Then, just as we wished, the bird appeared—not just for a fleeting moment, but in full, breathtaking view. And to our delight, there were two of them, perched lower than eye level, offering prolonged and crystal-clear views. It was a truly special moment, and I was thrilled to congratulate my guest on successfully seeing this elusive species in Peninsular Malaysia.

With our main target now ticked off in spectacular fashion, we spent the next couple of hours birding the area at a leisurely pace, soaking in the last moments of the trip before heading to the airport for the midnight flight. We hoped to beat the weekend highway traffic—but alas, we got caught in it eventually.

Nevertheless, with a few good hours still in hand, we made several rewarding birding stops en route, including visits to paddy fields and mangrove habitats, rounding off the trip with even more memorable sightings.

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Some of the highlights for this trip (seen or heard ONLY):

Grouse, Quails and Allies: -

Pigeons and Doves:

Cuckoos: Violet Cuckoo,

Nightjars: Malaysian Eared-Nightjar

Swifts: -

Treeswifts: -

Rails, Gallinules, and Allies: -

Shorebirds: -

Storks:

Herons, Ibis, and Allies:

Vultures, Hawks, and Allies: -

Owls:

Trogons and Quetzals: Diard's Trogon, Scarlet-rumped Trogon

Hornbills: Black Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill

Bee-eaters:

Kingfishers: Banded Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher

Rollers and Allies: -

Barbets and Toucans: Red-crowned Barbet, Sooty Barbet

Woodpeckers: Maroon Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker

Falcons and Caracaras: -

Parrots, Parakeets, and Allies: Blue-rumped Parrot

African and Green Broadbills: -

Asian and Grauer's Broadbills: Banded Broadbill (Banded), Black-and-yellow Broadbill

Old World Pittas: -

Thornbills and Allies: Golden-bellied Gerygone

Cuckooshrikes: -

Shrike-Babblers and Erpornis: -

Whistlers and Allies: -

Old World Orioles: Dark-throated Oriole

Woodswallows: -

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies: -

Ioras: Green Iora, Common Iora

Fantails: -

Drongos: Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Monarch Flycatchers: Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher

Crested Jayshrike: Crested Jayshrike

Jays, Magpies, Crows and Ravens: Malayan Black Magpie

Rail-babbler: Malaysian Rail-babbler

Fairy Flycatchers: -

Tits, Chickadees and Titmice: -

Cisticolas and Allies: Dark-necked Tailorbird, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Common Tailorbird

Cupwings: -

Martins and Swallows: Barn Swallow

Bulbuls: Hairy-backed Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul (White-eyed), Olive-winged Bulbul (Olive-winged), Red-eyed Bulbul, Streaked Bulbul

Leaf Warblers: -

Bush Warblers and Allies: -

White-eyes, Yuhinas and Allies: -

Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies: Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Chestnut-rumped Babbler, Sooty-capped Babbler, Rufous-fronted Babbler

Ground Babblers and Allies: Malayan Black-capped Babbler

Laughingthrushes and Allies: -

Nuthatches: -

Starlings and Mynas: Common Hill Myna (Common)

Old World Flycatchers: Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher

Flowerpeckers: Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters: Plain Sunbird, Purple-naped Spiderhunter

Fairy-bluebirds: Asian Fairy-bluebird

Leafbirds: Blue-winged Leafbird

Weavers and Allies: -

Estrildids: -

Old World Sparrows: -

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6 Days with Granger in Peninsular Malaysia - 3-8 Jul 2025

6-Day Birding Adventure with Granger – A Journey Through Malaysia’s Avian Wonders

What a fantastic 6-day birding journey it's been with Granger! Our route took us through some of Peninsular Malaysia's most rewarding birding locations—Hulu Langat, Kuala Selangor, Fraser’s Hill, Lanchang, Bukit Tinggi, and several urban green spots around Kuala Lumpur.

This trip was especially rich in owls and woodpeckers, offering us memorable encounters with some elusive and charismatic species. From the misty montane forests of Fraser’s Hill to the lowland wetlands of Kuala Selangor, every stop added something special to our bird list.

The diversity we experienced—both in habitat and species—made this trip a rewarding one, filled with lifers, great photo opportunities, and shared enthusiasm for birds and nature. Thank you, Granger, for the great company and keen eyes in the field!

Looking forward to more birding adventures soon!

Observing a Black Copper Rat Snake (roadkill)

a close-up of the snake

Birding in the park

Observing a milipede in Lanchang

another roadkill - Water Monitor Lizard

the crowd in Fraser's Hill

a late morning walk in Fraser's Hill

Red-headed Trogon through the spotting scope

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant in the early morning

Dusky Eagle-Owl

a flattened toad in Fraser's Hill

Laced Woodpecker through the spotting scope

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Some of the highlights for this trip (seen or heard ONLY):

Grouse, Quails and Allies: Malayan Partridge, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Red Junglefowl

Pigeons and Doves: Rock Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Little Cuckoo-Dove, Asian Emerald Dove, Zebra Dove, Pink-necked Green-Pigeon, Mountain Imperial-Pigeon

Cuckoos: Greater Coucal, Raffles's Malkoha, Green-billed Malkoha, Asian Koel, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Nightjars: Malaysian Eared-Nightjar, Large-tailed Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar

Swifts: Plume-toed Swiftlet, House Swift

Treeswifts: Whiskered Treeswift

Rails, Gallinules, and Allies: Slaty-breasted Rail, White-breasted Waterhen

Shorebirds: Black-winged Stilt, Red-wattled Lapwing, Barred Buttonquail

Storks: Asian Openbill, Painted Stork

Herons, Ibis, and Allies: Oriental Darter, Little Egret, Striated Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Medium Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron

Vultures, Hawks, and Allies: Black-winged Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Blyth's Hawk-Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Black Eagle, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Owls: Eastern Barn Owl, Mountain Scops-Owl, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Barred Eagle-Owl, Collared Owlet, Spotted Wood-Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Brown Boobook

Trogons and Quetzals: Orange-breasted Trogon, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Red-headed Trogon

Hornbills: White-crowned Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill

Bee-eaters: Red-bearded Bee-eater, Blue-throated Bee-eater

Kingfishers: Banded Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher

Rollers and Allies: Dollarbird

Barbets and Toucans: Sooty Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Black-eared Barbet, Fire-tufted Barbet, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Black-browed Barbet

Woodpeckers: Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Greater Flameback, Rufous Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Bamboo Woodpecker, Common Flameback, Lesser Yellownape, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Laced Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Checker-throated Woodpecker

Falcons and Caracaras: Black-thighed Falconet

Parrots, Parakeets, and Allies: Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

African and Green Broadbills: Green Broadbill

Asian and Grauer's Broadbills: Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill

Old World Pittas: Rusty-naped Pitta, Mangrove Pitta

Thornbills and Allies: Golden-bellied Gerygone

Cuckooshrikes: Scarlet Minivet, Malayan Cuckooshrike, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Pied Triller, Lesser Cuckooshrike

Shrike-Babblers and Erpornis: White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler

Whistlers and Allies: Mangrove Whistler

Old World Orioles: Dark-throated Oriole, Black-naped Oriole, Black-and-Crimson Oriole

Woodswallows: White-breasted Woodswallow

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies: Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike

Ioras: Common Iora, Green Iora, Great Iora

Fantails: Malaysian Pied-Fantail, White-throated Fantail

Drongos: Bronzed Drongo, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Monarch Flycatchers: Black-naped Monarch, Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher

Jays, Magpies, Crows and Ravens: Common Green Magpie, House Crow, Large-billed Crow

Fairy Flycatchers: Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher

Tits, Chickadees and Titmice: Sultan Tit

Cisticolas and Allies: Common Tailorbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Ashy Tailorbird, Rufescent Prinia, Yellow-bellied Prinia

Cupwings: Pygmy Cupwing

Martins and Swallows: Pacific Swallow, Rufous-bellied Swallow

Bulbuls: Hairy-backed Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Finsch's Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Cinereous Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul

Leaf Warblers: Chestnut-crowned Warbler

Bush Warblers and Allies: Yellow-bellied Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird

White-eyes, Yuhinas and Allies: Swinhoe's White-eye, Hume's White-eye

Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies: Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Golden Babbler, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Black Laughingthrush, Black-throated Babbler, Chestnut-rumped Babbler

Ground Babblers and Allies: Puff-throated Babbler, Malayan Black-capped Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Streaked Wren-Babbler

Laughingthrushes and Allies: Mountain Fulvetta, Malayan Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Sibia, Blue-winged Minla, Silver-eared Mesia, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush

Nuthatches: Blue Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Starlings and Mynas: Asian Glossy Starling, Common Hill Myna, Common Myna, Javan Myna

Old World Flycatchers: Oriental Magpie Robin, White-rumped Shama, Large Niltava, Verditer Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Lesser Shortwing, Slaty-backed Forktail, White-tailed Robin, Little Pied Flycatcher,

Flowerpeckers: Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker,

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters: Long-billed Spiderhunter, Little Spiderhunter, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter

Fairy-bluebirds: -

Leafbirds: Greater Green Leafbird, Lesser Green Leafbird, Blue-winged Leafbird, Orange-bellied Leafbird

Weavers and Allies: Baya Weaver

Estrildids: Scaly-breasted Munia, White-rumped Munia

Old World Sparrows: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Other wildlife seen:

Short-tailed Gymnure

Himalayan Striped Squirrel

Pallas's Squirrel

Grey-bellied Squirrel (subspecies concolor)