Wings Across Malaysia & Borneo (6–27 September 2025)
A Journey Through the Heart of Southeast Asia’s Birdlife
September 2025 marked an unforgettable journey across Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo — twenty-two extraordinary days of birding that revealed some of Southeast Asia’s most dazzling avian treasures. From the mangroves of Klang to the montane forests of Fraser’s Hill and the deep rainforests of Sabah, the group experienced an odyssey that celebrated both diversity and discovery.
Day 1 – 6 September: Arrival and the First Calls of the Wild
Our adventure began in Kuala Lumpur, where I met the group and set off for Shah Alam. Here, among paddyfields and forest edges, we had our first introduction to Malaysia’s birds. The walk produced a lively mix before we continued toward Klang in search of the Mangrove Pitta.
As we joined two fellow birders, anticipation hung in the air — and before long, the mangrove came alive. We were rewarded with close views of Slaty-breasted Rail, Ashy Tailorbird, and the star at the site, Mangrove Pitta. After farewells, we pushed on to Kuala Selangor.
Following a short rest at our hotel, the evening paddyfield session revealed Dusky Eagle-Owl and a good supporting cast. Dinner was followed by a rewarding nocturnal outing where we added Barn Owl and Large-tailed Nightjar — a perfect close to our first day.
Day 2 – 7 September: Migrants Arrive and the Climb to Fraser’s Hill
After breakfast, we ventured into Kuala Selangor’s mangrove park. Migration was clearly underway — the season’s first Forest Wagtail greeted us, along with two Mangrove Flycatchers, Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Golden-bellied Gerygone, and Little Bronze-Cuckoo.
By noon, the tropical heat sent us retreating to a seafood lunch before we began our ascent to Fraser’s Hill, our base for the next two nights.
An afternoon session at the hill station introduced montane delights such as Little Cuckoo-Dove, Fire-tufted Barbet, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill (seen by Judy), Malayan Cuckooshrike, Black-and-Crimson Oriole, Sultan Tit, Mountain Bulbul, and more.
A post-dinner night walk with Piming brought the unexpected — Mountain Scops-Owl, rarer than our target Brown Wood-Owl.
Day 3 – 8 September: A Day Among the Clouds
The full day’s birding at Fraser’s Hill was rich and rewarding. Highlights included Malayan Partridge, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Mountain Tailorbird, Hume’s White-eye, Grey-throated Babbler, Mountain Fulvetta, Silver-eared Mesia, Large Niltava, Buff-breasted Babbler, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Lesser Shortwing, Little Pied Flycatcher, Little Spiderhunter, Streaked Spiderhunter, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Green-billed Malkoha, Black-crested Bulbul, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Black-throated Sunbird, and Grey Wagtail — a good list of sub-montane specialties.
Day 4 – 9 September: Broadbills, Woodpeckers, and the Road to Bukit Tinggi
After breakfast, our morning birding at Fraser’s Hill produced Red-headed Trogon, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Maroon Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, White-bellied Erpornis, White-throated Fantail, Pygmy Cupwing, Golden Babbler, and Hill Blue Flycatcher.
After lunch, we checked out and descended towards Bukit Tinggi, noting Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Streaked Bulbul, and Lesser Green Leafbird en route. The day ended quietly with well-deserved rest.
Day 5 – 10 September: The Mountain Peacock-Pheasant Steals the Show
After a hearty breakfast, we ascended to the stake-out for the elusive Mountain Peacock-Pheasant — which, to everyone’s delight, appeared swiftly. The same area yielded Yellow-crowned Barbet, Raffles’s Malkoha, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Large Woodshrike, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Cinereous Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, White-rumped Shama, and Blue-winged Leafbird.
In the afternoon, a session at Lanchang added a treasure trove: Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Banded Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Black-throated Babbler, Malayan Black-capped Babbler, Short-tailed Babbler, and White-crowned Forktail before rain ended the day.
Day 6 – 11 September: Back to the City
The group opted for another productive morning at Bukit Tinggi, rewarded with Banded Kingfisher (again), Black-eared Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Rufous Piculet, Banded Woodpecker, Dusky Broadbill, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Verditer Flycatcher, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter, and White-rumped Munia.
A stop on the way back to Kuala Lumpur added Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Black-thighed Falconet, Black-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Red-eyed Bulbul, and Arctic Warbler.
Day 7 – 12 September: Owls, Pelicans, and Forest Jewels
Rain greeted us at dawn, so we swapped the birding for dim sum. When skies cleared, we explored the city park where Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Little Egret, and an unexpected Pink-backed Pelican entertained us.
At Hulu Langat, we added Malaysian Blue-banded Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Sooty Barbet, Dark-throated Oriole, Purple-naped Spiderhunter, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Black-bellied Malkoha, Grey-and-Buff Woodpecker, Spectacled Bulbul, and Spectacled Spiderhunter.
A pre-dinner stop yielded a juvenile and an adult of Barred Eagle-Owl, a satisfying end to our Peninsular Malaysia circuit.
Day 8 – 13 September: Crossing to Borneo
After breakfast, we took a relaxed stroll near our hotel, recording Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Asian Koel, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Black-winged Kite, White-breasted Waterhen, Dollarbird, Coppersmith Barbet, Black-naped Oriole, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Ornate Sunbird, and White-headed Munia.
Our driver Vincent saw us off at the airport. A short flight brought us to Kota Kinabalu, where Andy, our driver for Sabah circuit, awaited. At Tanjung Aru, we immediately began with Green Imperial Pigeon, Collared Kingfisher, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Long-tailed Parakeet, Blue-naped Parrot, Pied Triller, White-breasted Woodswallow, and Chestnut Munia.
Days 9–14: The Highlands and Kinabalu
From Kota Belud’s paddyfields to the misty slopes of Mount Kinabalu, the birding was spectacular. We encountered Java Sparrow, Striated Grassbird, Sunda Laughingthrush, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Indigo Flycatcher, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Golden-naped Barbet, and a host of mountain specialties. Despite persistent rain, the numbers climbed each day.
At Trusmadi, highlights included Crested Partridge, Bulwer’s Pheasant, Bornean Banded Pitta, Dayak Blue Flycatcher, Bornean Forktail, and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter.
At Kinabalu Park, we were thrilled with Whitehead’s Trogon, Bornean Whistler, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Indigo Flycatcher, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Temminck’s Sunbird, and the elusive calls of Whitehead’s Broadbill.
Days 15–18: Into the Lowlands – RDC, Kinabatangan, and Beyond
In Sandakan and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), we encountered Sabah Partridge, Violet Cuckoo, Diard’s Trogon, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Bornean Bristlehead, and Western Hooded Pitta.
At Kinabatangan River, wildlife sightings reached a crescendo: Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Proboscis Monkey, Orangutan, Oriental Darter, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Wrinkled Hornbill, Stork-billed Kingfisher, and Large Frogmouth on our night walk.
Days 19–21: Lahad Datu, Silam, and Utan Rainforest
Our journey deeper into Sabah led to Utan Rainforest Lodge via Silam and Gomantong Cave. Here, with Wang Kong guiding, we secured views of Bornean Crested Fireback, Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, Blue-headed Pitta, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Hooded Pitta, Helmeted Hornbill, Large Frogmouth, and Oriental Bay Owl (heard).
Subsequent days produced Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon, Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Shama, Horsfield’s Babbler, and Brown Fulvetta, culminating in an exhausting but bird-rich drive to Tawau.
Day 22 – 27 September: Farewell at Tawau
Our final morning in Tawau began with hornbill calls — Rhinoceros and White-crowned — teasing us from the canopy. Though unseen, the forest offered a fitting farewell through Crimson Sunbird, Black-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Violet Cuckoo, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Charlotte’s Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul, Wreathed Hornbill, Red-bearded Bee-eater, and finally Lesser Cuckooshrike.
At the airport, we bid farewell to Andy, whose dedication had carried us through Borneo’s every landscape.
Epilogue – The Spirit of the Journey
From the quiet mangroves of Klang to the cloud forests of Kinabalu and the river of Kinabatangan, this 22-day expedition revealed over 300 bird species and countless memories. Each call, flash of color, and shared moment deepened our appreciation of the region’s unparalleled biodiversity. This expedition was not merely a checklist exercise — it was a journey of patience, camaraderie, and awe. The rhythm of rain, the play of light on feathers, and the pulse of wild Malaysia and Borneo will continue to echo long after the final flight home.
Author’s Note
This expedition was privately guided and meticulously tailored for dedicated birders seeking intimate encounters with Southeast Asia’s most captivating avifauna. Each itinerary is designed to balance comfort, discovery, and authentic field experience — ensuring that every journey is not just about birds, but about connecting deeply with nature.
Yes, it was tiring — early mornings, long drives, and countless hours in the field — but every moment was filled with excitement and discovery. Along the way, I encountered a stunning variety of birds and wildlife, each sighting adding to the thrill and wonder of exploring one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
More than just a birdwatching trip, it became a journey of learning — understanding habitats, observing behaviors, and appreciating the fragile balance of nature that makes Malaysia such a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
If you’re ever dreaming of an adventure that awakens your senses and fills your memory cards with color and life, this is the journey to take. 🌏✨
#BirdingMalaysia #SabahBorneo #PeninsularMalaysia #WildlifeAdventure #Birdwatching #NaturePhotography #BorneoBirding #ExploreMalaysia #BirdsOfMalaysia #JungleAdventure
*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.*
