There is a certain crispness to the air at Bukit Tinggi that always sets a high bar for a day of birding. I met Nic in Kuala Lumpur early this morning, and by the time the sun was fully up, we were already immersed in the lush gardens and hill forest of the Berjaya Hills area.
The morning was a masterclass in patient observation. The highlight for Nic, without a doubt, was the Mountain Peacock-Pheasant but for me it was the Eyebrowed Wren-babbler. These tiny, "tail-less" forest dwellers are notorious for staying in the dark undergrowth, but today we were fortunate. We caught a clear, exciting view as it moved through the leaf litter.
After a productive morning and a relaxing lunch, we shifted gears. We descended back toward Kuala Lumpur to explore a specific forest edge known for its "drummers" and "fruit-eaters."
The afternoon heat brought out the activity we were looking for. We spent our final hours focused on the canopy, tracking the rhythmic tapping of Woodpeckers and the persistent, mechanical calls of Barbets. It was the perfect way to round out the list: starting with an elusive ground-dweller in the mountains and ending with the colorful canopy specialists of the lowlands.
Bird list for today:
Javan Myna
Oriental Magpie Robin
Pacific Swallow
Plume-toed Swiftlet
Red-bearded Bee-eater
Black-eared Barbet
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
Dark-necked Tailorbird
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Stripe-throated Bulbul
Black-bellied Malkoha
Green-billed Malkoha
Spectacled Spiderhunter
White-rumped Shama
Mountain Peacock-Pheasant
Buff-breasted Babbler
Siberian Blue Robin
Orange-breasted Trogon
Bushy-crested Hornbill
Scarlet Minivet
Blue-winged Leafbird
Yellow-bellied Warbler
Pin-striped Tit-babbler
Whiskered Treeswift
Red-throated Barbet
Gold-whiskered Barbet
Rufous Woodpecker
Bamboo Woodpecker
Banded Woodpecker
Brown Shrike
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Rufous-bellied Swallow
Scaly-breasted Bulbul
Black-crested Bulbul
Eyebrowed Wren-babbler
White-rumped Munia
Black-and-yellow Broadbill
Blue-eared Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Pink-necked Green-Pigeon
Plaintive Cuckoo
Blue-throated Bee-eater
Coppersmith Barbet
Lineated Barbet
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Common Flameback
Golden-bellied Gerygone
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird
Black-headed Bulbul
Red-eyed Bulbul
Chestnut-winged Babbler
Asian Glossy Starling
Common Myna
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Large Woodshrike
Green-backed Flycatcher
Grey-breasted Spiderhunter
Lesser Cuckooshrike
Other wildlife:
Short-tailed Gymnure
Himalayan Striped Squirrel
Long-tailed Macaque
White-thighed Surili
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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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