Owl Encounters and Forest Jewels: A Rewarding Day of Birding in Hulu Langat & KL - 20 Jul 2025

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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