Seriously? What could a birder possibly see in Bangi? Well, personally I have explored a few spots around Bangi and the found my favorite. This place is called Taman Tasik Cempaka. Pretty decent looking park while the water body is a little bit untidy with lots of dead branches, rubbish and sedimentation. However, it actually provide some interesting sighting which I could not get from Putrajaya Wetland.

One of my favorite shot from the past. A Great Egret waiting for its prey as I sit and observed.

Sometimes few individual birds to few dozens of Painted Stork flying above the water body.

Another personal favorite shot of mine from Bangi.

Almost a dozen of Painted Stork hunting together in Taman Tasik Cempaka.

* Now I am sharing these old photographs dated slightly more than 10 years (from the date I am writing this post) just to get people especially those staying in Bangi Selangor to look and appreciate nature, even if it is just a small park. Believe me, you do not need to wonder far away from home to appreciate birds. I am not denying that there are many more different species that one will see if he or she go further out - into the forest, up to the mountains, on a boat ride... yes, birding is an exciting adventure that encourage travelling to various countries and to experience new environment and culture. 

 

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Recently I paid a visit to one of my old "backyard" - Putrajaya Heronry. As I was walking to the garden next to the heronry, I saw someone with few gadgets aiming at the heronry. At first I thought he could be employed by the authority to monitor the bird population here. After a short chat with the gentleman, I got to know that he is actually doing his PhD (UKM) studying the Painted Stork and he also told me he lost most of his equipment a week before. .

Since he is so interested to know more about Painted Stork in Putrajaya, I would like to shared with him my personal record which include the amateurish photographs I took with a Nikon D70 and Sigma APO 170-500mm lens and my digiscoping gears. (Now I am using a Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 500mm f4.5 - view my photo gallery at http://sigma500mmf45.blogspot.com).

1st July 2004 - 4 birds wading in the wetland with Purple (Black-backed) Swamphen 

1st July 2004 - observe how the stork wading in the wetland cell while hunting for food

They might have successfully trapped the prey at the base of the Lepironia

And after a long observation of the Painted Stork in Putrajaya, eventually, I managed to record them nesting at the heronry. The following photos seems to show that the nesting started in 2009 but if I can remember well, it should be earlier than this. But let us assume it started in 2009 until I can find any other photos showing earlier nesting.

11.07.2009 - So far, this is my earliest record of hatchings in Putrajaya Heronry

11.07.2009 - Parents guarding the nest and tending to the hatchlings

11.07.2009 - Purple Heron and Grey Heron nests are also recorded nearby

11.07.2009 - Strange plumage

25.07.2009 - Comparison between Painted Stork and Purple Heron

Both Grey Heron and Purple Heron are nesting on the same island at the same time with Painted Stork

25.07.2009 - a closeup view of the nestling

23.08.2009 - Incubation period

23.08.2009 - there is a young bird nearby

23.08.2009 - under the nests, there are numerous birds on the island ground

09.09.2009 - Size comparison between parent and their young ones

09.09.2009 - a bit of stretching before learning to fly

09.09.2009 - 2 young birds from a different nest seen next to another nest with adult bird

Maybe some would think that bird breeding season is for a short period in a year. But here in Putrajaya Heronry, the breeding is almost throughout the year.

26.04.2010 - not entirely sure if they are showing affection to each other. 

26.04.2010 - the above photos show a pair of Grey Heron in action while Purple Heron is busy gathering nesting materials

* This heronry was started with a dozen of Black-crowned Night Heron, thanks to a tip-off from a good friend working for the same authority of the federal administrative center. 

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Today, I had the opportunity to take Heather up to Fraser's Hill, something different  from what she experienced in Singapore a few days before. As usual on the way up towards the Gap in the morning, we will certainly not miss the Oriental Magpie Robin. Lots of Barbet callings too. Didn't bother to stop so we head up straight to the hill station. Before reaching the upper gate, there was a Slaty-backed Forktail (we saw this bird again when we walked along the path towards Jeriau waterfall).

As soon as we arrived, we stopped by near the arch. Totally surprised to see a Red-bearded Bee-eater perching so low and close to where we were standing. There were several Long-tailed Sibia and Silver-eared Mesia too. For the next 30 minutes we birded between this spot and the Chinese school, and we were rewarded with Black-throated Sunbird, Blue Nuthatch, Mountain Fulvetta, Lesser Shortwing, and Golden Babbler. Somewhere behind the golf course, we had birds such as Large Niltava, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, White-browed (Blyth's) Shrike-babbler, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Streaked Spiderhunter, Buff-breasted Babbler, Chestnut-capped (Spectacled) Laughingthrush, Black-browed Barbet, Sultan Tit, Bay Woodpecker (glimpse) and others. Before lunch, we were along the path towards the waterfall where we nailed 2 Slaty-backed Forktail,  Everett's White-eye, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Little Cuckoo-dove and Mountain Bulbul. There were also Hill Blue Flycatcher on the road before reaching the car park to the waterfall. 

After lunch, we stopped by near a small playground and saw 4 Javan Cuckooshrike. Meanwhile, at the Telekom Loop, we had a nesting Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Black Laughingthrush, Green-billed Malkoha, Fire-tufted Barbet, Black-and-Crimson Oriole, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, White-throated Fantail, Chestnut-crowned (Malayan) Laughingthrush and several other birds. Before going down the New Road for late afternoon birding, we stopped by at the Flycatcher stakeout but we were not able to add anything new to our day list except for a heard only Greater Yellownape. As we were about to leave the hill station, we finally saw a Lesser Yellownape. 

On the New Road and the Gap, we managed 4 species of woodpecker that includes Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker and Bamboo Woodpecker (which was the finale for the day).

Here is the bird list for the day.

1. Crested Serpent Eagle
2. Little Cuckoo-dove
3. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot
4. Green-billed Malkoha
5. Collared Owlet (Heard Only)
6. Red-bearded Bee-eater
7. Fire-tufted Barbet
8. Red-throated Barbet (Heard Only)
9. Gold-whiskered Barbet (Heard Only)
10. Black-browed Barbet
11. Blue-eared Barbet (Heard Only)
12. Greater Yellownape (Heard Only)
13. Lesser Yellownape
14. Crimson-winged Woodpecker
15. Checker-throated Woodpecker
16. Bay Woodpecker
17. Maroon Woodpecker
18. Bamboo Woodpecker
19. Pacific Swallow
20. Rufous-bellied Swallow
21. Large Woodshrike
22. Javan Cuckooshrike
23. Fiery Minivet
24. Scarlet Minivet
25. Blue-winged Leafbird
26. Orange-bellied Leafbird
27. Black-crested Bulbul
28. Yellow-vented Bulbul
29. Ochraceous Bulbul
30. Mountain Bulbul
31. Bronze Drongo
32. Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
33. Black-and-Crimson Oriole
34. Large-billed Crow (flying away)
35. Sultan Tit
36. Blue Nuthatch
37. Golden Babbler
38. Grey-throated Babbler
39. Striped Tit-babbler (Heard Only)
40. Black Laughingthrush
41. Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush
42. Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush
43. Silver-eared Mesia
44. White-browed Shrike-babbler
45. Black-eared Shrike-babbler
46. Blue-winged Minla
47. Chestnut-crowned Warbler
48. Yellow-bellied Warbler
49. Mountain Tailorbird
50. Yellow-bellied Prinia
51. Dark-sided Flycatcher
52. Asian Brown Flycatcher
53. Verditer Flycatcher
54. Mugimaki Flycatcher (Heard Only)
55. Rufous-browed Flycatcher
56. Little Pied Flycatcher
57. Large Niltava
58. Hill Blue Flycatcher
59. White-throated Fantail
60. Black-throated Sunbird
61. Streaked Spiderhunter
62. Everett's White-eye

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This has been one of my longest birding trip in Peninsular Malaysia. After meeting up with my guests, we head towards the nearest site for an introductory birding in 2 open wetlands. In the next few days, we gradually move further inland covering lowland forest and the highlands - hoping everyone get to acclimatize with the weather and the birding conditions.

The 2 open wetlands were simply easy birding which requires little effort to locate the birds while things get harder in the forest of Taman Negara. Sometimes we walked in the forest for an hour without seeing new birds.Most of the time was spent focusing at fruiting tree at the resort compound and the hide. We had 1 session of birding on the boat where every birder will usually nailed the Lesser Fish Eagle, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Large Green Pigeon, Blue-banded Kingfisher and Straw-headed Bulbul. In the evening, an Asian Tapir visited the resort's restaurant. What a nice surpise!

 

Everyone was very happy birding in Fraser's Hill due to easy birding condition and does not require lots of walking compared to Taman Negara. Most importantly, the coolness up in the highland makes Fraser's Hill more favorable than the lowland forest. Although we did not encounter many bird waves (mixed flocks), we still managed to nail the Blue Nuthatch, Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Common Green Magpie and the much anticipated Silver-breasted Broadbill.

It was really hot for my guests when we reached Kuala Selangor, but without much effort we managed to find a Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker (and also a nestling too!). We went "hunting" around the large paddy field - for the Eastern Marsh Harrier and White-headed Munia (dipped on the latter). While searching for the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, we were rewarded with Mangrove Whistler, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and a pair of Laced Woodpecker. I guess our best birds here in Kuala Selangor are Barred Eagle Owl and Ruddy Kingfisher (but I was the only one who saw it though).

The following list shows some of our sightings throughout the period.

Trogon
Scarlet-rumped Trogon (male & female), Cinnamon-rumped Trogon (female), Orange-breasted Trogon (female), Red-naped Trogon (female)

Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher

Woodpecker & Piculet
Banded Woodpecker, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Grey-and-Buff Woodpecker, Laced Woodpecker, Rufous Piculet,

Raptor
Crested Serpent Eagle, Common Buzzard, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Blyth's Hawk-eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle

Malkoha
Black-bellied Malkoha, Green-billed Malkoha, Raffles's Malkoha, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

Cuckooshrike
Javan Cuckooshrike, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Lesser Cuckooshrike

Bulbul
Straw-headed Bulbul, Black-and-White Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Puff-backed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Olive-winged Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Finsch's Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul

Flycatcher & Niltava
Asian Brown Flycatcher, Ferruginous Flycatcher, Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Large Niltava

Sunbird
Brown-throated Sunbird, Red-throated Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Purple-naped Sunbird, Purple-throated Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black-throated Sunbird

Mammals

1. Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula)
2. Crab-eating Mongoose (Herpestes urva)
3. White-thighed Surili (Presbytis siamensis)
4. Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina)
5. Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)
6. Spectacled Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus)
7. Sundaic Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus)
8. Western Striped Squirrel (Tamiops macclellandi)
9. Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps)
10. Mountain Red-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus)
11. Low's Squirrel (Sundasciurus lowii)
12. Slender Squirrel (Sundasciurus tenuis)
13. Horse-tailed Squirrel (Sundasciurus hippurus)
14. Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus)
15. Cream-colored Giant Squirrel (Ratufa affinis)
16. Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista elegans)
17. Common Treeshrew (Tupaia glis)
18. Brush-tailed Porcupine (Atherurus macrourus)
19. Lesser Gymnure (Hylomys suillus)
20. Asian Tapir (Tapirus indicus)
21. Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa)

* Another highlight of this trip is my spotting scope fell down while on the boardwalk at Taman Negara. Unable to use at this moment. :(

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