Escape to Bukit Tinggi
"Weng Chun was my bird guide for a day trip from Klang to Bukit Tinggi. I had been to Malaysia twice before and had seen 116 Malaysian species previously. He and I chatted back and forth over WhatsApp and was able to plan our trip based on the species I had not seen. He was not only knowledgeable about all the birds we saw and heard, but he really helped me identifying the birds I described for him as having been seen around my hotel. He picked me up at 6:05, having left his house at 5:00 or so. We traveled up to the access road to Bukit Tinggi, and pointed out the birds we were seeing around the breakfast place. He was even able to identify the swiftlets that were flying above us. He then took us to several pullouts next to the road, at each of which we saw a good number of birds. Inside Bukit Tinggi he took me down a very unused path where we saw several unusual species, including Ferruginous Partridge and Tiger Shrike. After that we went down to a couple parks in Kuala Lumpur and finally to a mangrove area, where we saw maybe the best species, the Mangrove Pitta. In all we saw 90 species for the day, including 32 lifers, bringing my world total to 1380. Weng Chun is quite personable, an easy conversationalist, and very informative about Malaysia as well. I enjoyed him as a person and as a birding guide. His price was reasonable, and he quoted it to me as including picking me up, gas, food, and tolls and entry fees. He dropped me off at 6:05 pm. I recommend him without hesitation." - Jeff, USA
If you’re a birder in Kuala Lumpur and the clock is ticking, you don't always have the luxury of the long drive up to Fraser’s Hill. Luckily, we have a place to go with a short drive away: Bukit Tinggi.
Yesterday, I met up with Jeff early in the morning for a guided session. The mission was clear: find Jeff as many lifers (new species for his personal list) as possible. While Bukit Tinggi doesn't mirror the exact species count of Fraser’s Hill, it occupies a sweet spot in terms of elevation. It offers a unique mix of birds that you simply won't find in the steaming lowland forests surrounding the city.
We spent the entire morning birding the hill, checking spots where the activity is usually high. The forest was vocal, and it wasn't long before we started ticking off some solid residents. We had a great run with several species of Bulbuls, Flycatchers and Cuckoos. We even managed to spot some bird of prey circling above us, adding a bit of grandeur to the morning.
In birding, patience is usually the name of the game, but sometimes the birds decide to play along.
The undisputed highlight of the trip happened almost as soon as we sat down. We had just settled in, gotten our gear ready, and barely had time to get comfortable when a pair of Ferruginous Partridges decided to make an appearance. These guys can be incredibly shy, so seeing a pair out in the open was a massive win and an instant lifer for Jeff.
The hits kept coming:
Plaintive Cuckoo: We managed to get one at incredibly close range. Usually, you hear their mournful call long before you see them, but this one stayed put for a fantastic view.
Mangrove Pitta: After a bit of a quiet wait, this beauty decided to sneak out. Pittas are the "jewels" and this species is the jewel of the mangrove, and seeing that flash of color after a period of silence is exactly why we do this.
Bukit Tinggi is a good option for a morning birding session. You get a taste of montane birding without spending too much time driving. You get diversity, you get views of the landscape, and if you’re lucky like we were yesterday, you get a handful of lifers that make the early wake-up call totally worth it.
Jeff walked away with a long list and some great memories. As for me? I’m just happy the birds decided to show up for the party.
Species seen: Ferruginous Partridge, Plaintive Cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Spectacled Bulbul, Cinereous Bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Brown-throated Sunbird, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Green Iora, Common Iora, Emerald Dove, White-bellied Erpornis, Blyth's Hawk-Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Brahminy Kite, Black-thighed Falconet, Pin-striped Tit-babbler, Common Tailorbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Ashy Tailorbird, and many more
