A Malaysian Birder

August Day Trips

I want to express my sincere thanks and admiration for your devotion, energy, time and expertise over the past three days. It has been a wonderful time for me. I am sorry if at times I may have seemed less that appreciative, thanks to my mobility issues. But you compensated for that very well. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. You have helped me fulfill some of my most long-held wishes with the Broadbill, Woodpecker, Hornbill and Cupwing sightings. Without you, I would have seen very few of them. Thank-you again. I would love to see you in Australia some day! If that is possible, you will be most welcome. - Colin, Australia

Day 1: Bukit Rengit & Kuala Lumpur
We started the day with a early morning drive to Bukit Rengit and spent some time (roughly 1.5 hours) observing the birds in open areas. Then we moved into the stakeout for other species and the prime target is a Rail Babbler but it never appear and did not even make a single call. Fortunately, we did not stay long. It rained in the late afternoon so we drove back to KL where I showed Colin a small local birding patch. The highlight for today is Red-bearded Bee-eater (which we saw in both sites), a family of Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Banded Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Common Flameback, Black-capped Babbler, Ferruginous Babbler, Short-tailed Babbler, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill (feeding a young Indian Cuckoo), Painted Stork, and many more.

At the stakeout with bird photographers (all eyeing the Rail-babbler that did not even show up. sigh...well, that's birding. you can't never expect everything to appear. there is no 100% or guarantee birds. Not even the most common birds.

Coming back to KL, we tried to look for more target species.

Day 2: Fraser's Hill
An early morning drive up to the highland, Fraser's Hill with a brief stop at the Gap. We continued birding at the hill station before coming back to KL in the late afternoon. Well, we also made a brief stop at another site between Fraser's Hill and KL. Let's see what we have... Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Pygmy Cupwing (Pygmy Wren-babbler), Lesser Shortwing, Large Niltava, Silver-eared Mesia, Fire-tufted Barbet, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Sibia, Collared Owlet, Buff-breasted Babbler, Little Cuckoo-dove, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Greater Yellownape, Bamboo Woodpecker, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Red-wattled Lapwing, Blue-throated Bee-eater, and others.

We spent some time at the Gap before coming to this spot. I realized there was (or were) bird photographer(s) earlier in the morning. The evidence is obvious. :D We still get the enjoy the birds with great views!

Rufous-browed Flycatcher never fail to impress bird watchers and photographers.

Day 3: Hulu Langat
Our last day trip, we went to the nearby forest in the morning and in the afternoon to an open wetland. Although we did not get as many birds as we had for the past 2 days yet we managed to get to see some of the better species in Colin's target list. I would say our highlights for the day are Banded Broadbill, Green Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, and White-chested Babbler.

Ok. great! Colin got his target bird....

Someone got a Lifer

It is always good to meet Ding Li again and go birding with him. After a good quick breakfast, we made our way to the stakeout up in the highland. We arrived a little late but lucky to spot our target for the trip.

This is our target! Ferruginous Partridge

Someone got a lifer from the trail head. OK. done, let's go, bro! Not quite, we continued to wait at the stakeout - hoping to get another better view. No luck. only managed to get the Mountain Peacock Pheasant.

Next we drove to a lowland forest and reconnected with a species we saw together in Taman Negara many years ago.

Large Wren-babbler

Guided my first guest from a country known for salmon. Initially, I proposed a lowland forest nearby KL but he have heard so much about Fraser's Hill so I can't deny his request for a trip up to the hill station. On the way up, there are many birds calling but it would be hard to get decent photos without proper light. At our first stop, we had one of the star bird, a female Red-headed Trogon. We did not encounter any bird wave so we only concentrate on selected spots for specific species. No one should leave Fraser's Hill without a Silver-eared Mesia and a Streaked Spiderhunter. We tried and we got it. Another bird that many birders would love to see is the little cutie, Pygmy Cupwing. However, today it was not very cooperative. It took a long time before it eventually show itself well for both of us. Well, nothing is guarantee in birding. Just have to be patience.

Lesley and John busy with a bird on the wire

John and Lesley were greeted by Adam in the morning. Their morning target are Mountain Peacock Pheasant and Ferruginous Partridge, however only managed to see the former species. In the afternoon I met them in Krau forest with my 3 guests. We had a short birding session as the weather and lighting were not ideal. Along the road, we managed to get Black-bellied Malkoha, White-rumped Shama, Buff-vented Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole and White-breasted Waterhen. After bidding farewell to the 3 guests, Adam sent them to Kuala Selangor while I took John and Lesley back to Bukit Tinggi where we had great view of a Great Hornbill flying towards us, a very obliging Dark-necked Tailorbird, Striped Tit-babbler, and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker.

In the morning, we birded in Krau forest again. Our highlights for the morning include Black-thighed Falconet, White-breasted Waterhen, Black Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black-capped Babbler, Black-throated Babbler, Short-tailed Babbler, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Hairy-backed Bulbul, White-rumped Shama, Red-billed Malkoha, Whiskered Treeswift, Lesser Green Leafbird, Rufescent Prinia, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill and others. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Taman Negara. It was already late in the afternoon when we reached Kuala Tahan and by the time we checked into our rooms, we have very limited time so we head towards the nearest hide. After dinner, we hit the trail (boardwalk) and spotted our first scops owl.

Day no.3, we took a boat ride and saw very interesting birds which some of them we did not see again for the rest of the trip. After breakfast, we walk along the trail until mid-day and managed to get our first 2 species of trogon for the trip. After an afternoon rest, we continue our walk and a stop at the hide. Our highlights for the day include Blue-banded Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Lesser Fish Eagle, Malayan Peacock Pheasant, Black-thighed Falconet, Crested Serpent Eagle, Large Green Pigeon, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Drongo Cuckoo, Silver-rumped Needletail, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Dark-throated Oriole, Black-naped Monarch, Crested Jay, Straw-headed Bulbul, White-chested Babbler, Abbott's Babbler, Moustached Babbler, Scaly-crowned Babbler, Horsfield's Babbler, Sooty-capped Babbler, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Plain Sunbird, Sooty Barbet, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Emerald Dove, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Crested Fireback and others.

On the fourth day, we spent all our time focusing along the trails and hide, which we managed to ticked more species - Great Argus, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Plaintive Cuckoo, Raffle's Malkoha, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Banded Pitta, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Thick-billed Pigeon.

Lesley heard some interesting calls along the trail

Lesley taking notes of what she saw

Our last day in Taman Negara, we managed to get very good views of Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot and White-bellied Woodpecker. By late afternoon we have arrived in another premier birding site in Peninsular Malaysia, Fraser's Hill. Our highlights for the day include Changeable Hawk-eagle (again), Red-wattled Lapwing, Asian Palm Swift, Buff-necked Woodpecker, White-necked Babbler, Purple-naped Spiderhunter (Sunbird), Oriental Honey Buzzard, Little Cuckoo Dove, Glossy Swiftlet, House Swift, Rufous-bellied Swallow, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Fire-tufted Barbet, Black-browed Barbet, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape, Large Cuckooshrike, Bronzed Drongo, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Ochraceous Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Pygmy Cupwing (Wren-babbler), Spectacled Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Blyth's Shrike-babbler, Little Pied Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, and Streaked Spiderhunter.

White-bellied Woodpecker (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm)

Pygmy Cupwing (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm)

Day 6, we spent our time entirely at the hill station which we rewarded with Blyth's Hawk-eagle, Brown Wood Owl, Red-headed Trogon, Bay Woodpecker, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Sultan Tit, White-throated Fantail, Golden Babbler, Malayan Laughingthrush, Mountain Fulvetta, Slaty-backed Forktail, Malayan Whistling-thrush, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Verditer Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Orange-bellied Leafbird and Black-throated Sunbird.

Brown Wood Owl (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm)

Red-headed Trogon (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm)

Our final day in Fraser's Hill. We had a morning birding along the New Road and Old Road which we ticked off Orange-breasted Trogon, Mountain Scops Owl, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Banded Broadbill, Cinereous Bulbul, Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Black Laughingthrush and Hill Blue Flycatcher. In the afternoon, from Fraser's Hill to Kuala Selangor, our list continues with Baya Weaver, Long-tailed Shrike, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Heron, Grey Heron, Brahminy Kite, Buffy Fish Owl, Germain's Swiftlet, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Collared Kingfisher, Common Flameback, Pied Triller, Yellow-bellied Prinia and Plain-throated Sunbird.

Buffy Fish Owl (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm)

The last day of the trip with John and Lesley. We walked into the mangrove reserve for our final targets which we did pretty well. We have the following species included into our trip list - Mangrove Whistler, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Laced Woodpecker and Little Bronze Cuckoo. On the way to the airport, we added Black-shouldered Kite and Painted Stork.

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (Nikon V1 + CX 70-300mm)

Overall, I believe we have done pretty well. I am very glad that John and Lesley got quite a good number of species in this trip. Well done John and Lesley!

"Weng Chun is a knowledgeable and energetic birder who worked tirelessly for seven days to get us on the birds. With well over 200 birds seen and heard, we were not disappointed. He knows the birds, the calls, and the locations very well, and he got us comfortably and efficiently from one spot to the next. Malaysia is a stellar location for tropical birding, and Weng Chun is an excellent guide and birding companion. Highly recommended." - Cliff

This is indeed another amazing trip for me guiding 3 very knowledgeable birders (Cliff, Alex and Mike) from USA. Each of them carries a camera and a binocular. Cliff has an additional equipment, a video cam.

Day 1: As soon as we leave the airport, they were already looking out the car window for birds - typical birds around the airport and the along the road include Eurasian Tree Sparrow, House Crow, Pacific Swallow, Javan Myna and Common Myna. We stopped by a rest area along the highway where we spotted egrets and herons, starlings and doves. Next, we made a quick stop at an open field for additional species and exceptional close encounter with a Ruby-cheeked Sunbird. Before ascending highway 55, we added shrike, oriole, bee-eater, and lapwing into our list. On the way up, we had Chestnut-naped Forktail. Our other highlights for today include but not limited to Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Red-wattled Lapwing, Mountain Scops Owl, House Swift, White-throated Kingfisher, White-breasted Waterhen, Germain's Swiftlet, Pacific Swallow, Rufous-bellied Swallow, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Long-tailed Shrike, Black-naped Oriole, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-crested Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Rufous-crowned Babbler, Black Laughingthrush, Striped Tit Babbler, Common Myna, Javan Myna, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Asian Glossy Starling and Oriental Magpie Robin.

Day 2: We started the day early and continue to bird the entire day until night. During mid-day we were hit by a bird wave....incredible mixed species!!!! We have covered most of the targets up at the hill station which include Malayan Whistling Thrush, Fire-tufted Barbet, Little Cuckoo Dove, House Swift, Red-headed Trogon, Black-browed Barbet, Bay Woodpecker, Large Cuckooshrike, Grey-chinned Minivet, Black-and-Crimson Oriole, Common Green Magpie, Pacific Swallow, Rufous-bellied Swallow, Ochraceous Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Mountain Tailorbird, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Streaked Wren-babbler, Pygmy Cupwing (Wren-babbler), Spectacled Laughingthrush, Malayan Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, White-browed Shrike-babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Mountain Fulvetta, Long-tailed Sibia, Everett's White-eye, Asian Glossy Starling, Oriental Magpie Robin, White-tailed Robin, Slaty-backed Forktail, Little Pied Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Black-throated Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter, Malayan Partridge, Emerald Dove, and a call of Rusty-naped Pitta!

Stumbled upon a small group of local photographers. Here Cliff pointed out a Black-and-Crimson Oriole

Cliff found a Giant Forest Milipede

After a long wait, when everyone else have left the site, we were (quite) reluctant to move away from our position. Our persistent pays off, and we got 3 partridges.

Day 3: Again, we started the day early, well much earlier than yesterday. We made full use of the available time - day and night. We also walked along the Old Road - 2km down from Upper Gate. There were some species which we saw the days before but we managed to add Brown Wood Owl, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Grey-throated Babbler, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Golden Babbler and White-throated Fantail.

Brown Wood Owl

Day 4: Our final day in the highland, so we went "hunting" at a lower elevation which proves to be a successful session and of course, we also spent time early in the morning. At one point, Cliff shouted STOP STOP STOP when we were travelling downhill. We had fantastic view of a Crested Serpent Eagle. Our additional birds from this highland include Banded Kingfisher, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Blue-eared Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet (heard only), Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Cinereous Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, White-bellied Erpornis and Orange-breasted Trogon. Driving towards the world's oldest rainforest, we added Black Hornbill (1 pair and the male almost hit our windscreen) and we also got a better look at a Gold-whiskered Barbet. At night, we did a nightwalk along the forest boardwalk with other interest in mind - snakes and frogs.

We were walking along the road and suddenly all of us spotted a bird perching quietly on a horizontal branch.....

Why we stopped here? in the middle of nowhere? actually we were on the way to Taman Negara when everyone shouted turtle!!!

Admiring at the Asian Box Turtle

Possibly a Malayan Bridle Snake

Forest Scorpion

Day 5: Today, we have Sabri to walk with us along the boardwalk. We walked uphill and downhill, lots of steps along the boardwalk....sweat alot under the hot and humid condition of the rainforest. Our highlights for today include Black-and-Red Broadbill, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, White-bellied Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Silver-rumped Needletail, Sunda Scops Owl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Bulbul, Abbott's Babbler, Sooty-capped Babbler, Green Broadbill, Maroon Woodpecker, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher and Purple-naped Sunbird.

White-bellied Woodpecker

Day 6: Another great birding day starting from morning until night. A boat ride rewarded us with new species to be added into our growing list and we even walked the boardwalk (AGAIN!!! because none of us feel tired at all). Some of the new species we had today include Barred Buttonquail (good spotting Mike!), Large Green Pigeon, Black-bellied Malkoha, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Reddish Scops Owl (heard only), Buffy Fish Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar, Diard's Trogon, Red-naped Trogon, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher (heard only along the small stream), Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill (heard only), Banded Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Straw-headed Bulbul, Ashy Tailorbird, Ferruginous Babbler, Moustached Babbler, Grey-headed Babbler (heard only), Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler, Black-throated Babbler, White-chested Babbler, Chestnut-winged Babbler, White-rumped Shama, Lesser Fish Eagle, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter and call of Great Argus.

Day 7: In the morning, we went straight to the hide, hoping to add more species into our list. And yes, we did it! After breakfast, we check-out from the resort and before we leave Kuala Tahan, we managed to add Blue-rumped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Dollarbird and Asian Palm Swift. Along the way, we had a few raptors - Crested Goshawk perching next to a Crested Serpent Eagle. And then, there was a pale morph Changeable Hawk-eagle as well as a dark morph Changeable Hawk-eagle. Today is our last day birding together and my pal, Adam is suppose to send the 3 gentlemen to Kuala Selangor. Our meeting point is a lowland forest between Taman Negara and Kuala Lumpur. Upon arrival, we wasted no time and continue birding before the rain finally ended our trip. In a span of few hours here, we added few more flowerpeckers, babblers, and probably the last species (Cinnamon-rumped) needed to complete the Trogon series for Peninsular Malaysia.

Blue-rumped Parrot

I believe it was very very windy yesterday or 2 days ago. Few big trees were uprooted and this shelter was hit by one of the trees. This remind everyone going out birding to be extra careful during undesirable weather conditions.

I was there for a short while. Heard Ferruginous Partridge calling (not from its usual stakeout), Great Hornbill, and Rhinoceros Hornbill. Sightings include Oriental Magpie Robin, White-rumped Shama, Black-crested Bulbul, Blyth's Hawk-eagle and Oriental Honey Buzzard.

Short trip to Kuala Tahan

Went to the National Park and its surrounding few days ago. Short trip but a good one though. Surprisingly not many people around.

The surrounding was pretty quiet too. Inside the trail, only met 1 tourist for the entire afternoon. *surprised!* Some of the highlights during the stay around Kuala Tahan include Rhinoceros Hornbill, Green Broadbill, Maroon Woodpecker, Gould's Frogmouth, Buffy Fish Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar, Slow Loris and so on....