A Malaysian Birder

Another fun trip with a regular group from Singapore! It's not just about birds, but the food and the surrounding. This is the 3rd time I am guiding them - our first trip was Fraser’s Hill followed by Bentong & KL on our 2nd trip. This trip covers mainly Perak and durian (just like the previous 2 trips). The daily highlights are listed below:

Day 1: Banded Broadbill, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Green Iora, Brown-throated Sunbird, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Red-eyed Bulbul, Olive-winged Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Red-throated Barbet, Asian Fairy Bluebird, White-rumped Munia, Pacific Swallow, Blue Rock Thrush, Asian Glossy Starling, Java Sparrow, Red-whiskered Bulbul

Day 2: Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Paddyfield Pipit, Zitting Cisticola, Red-wattled Lapwing, Black-winged Kite, Chestnut Munia, White-breasted Waterhen, Asian Openbill, Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Oriental Magpie Robin, Oriental Pratincole, Baya Weaver, Grey-headed Swamphen, Yellow Bittern, White-breasted Woodswallow, Milky Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Lineated Barbet, Cattle Egret, Little Egret

Day 3: Pin-striped Tit-babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Sooty Barbet, Red-eyed Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Plain Sunbird, Drongo Cuckoo, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Blue-winged Leafbird, Scarlet Minivet, Oriental Pratincole, White-breasted Waterhen, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Cattle Egret, Red-wattled Lapwing, House Crow, Olive-winged Bulbul, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Greater Flameback, Crested Serpent Eagle, Collared Kingfisher, Copper-throated Sunbird

Day 4: Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Buff-vented Bulbul, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Large Woodshrike, Crested Goshawk, Blue-winged Leafbird, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Raffles’s Malkoha, Sooty Barbet, Crimson-breasted Malkoha, Bushy-crested Hornbill

Day 5: Blyth’s Frogmouth, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Puff-throated Babbler, Pacific Swallow, Spectacled Bulbul, White-bellied Erpornis, White-rumped Munia, Plain Sunbird, Red-throated Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Purple-naped Spiderhunter, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Crested Serpent Eage, Black-and-red Broadbill

Here is the full checklist according to families (exclude HEARD ONLY birds) for the trip:

Grouse, Quail and Allies: -

Pigeons and Doves: -

Cuckoos: Raffles’s Malkoha, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Drongo Cuckoo

Frogmouths: Blyth’s Frogmouth

Nightjars: -

Swifts: -

Treeswifts: -

Rails, Gallinules and Allies: Grey-headed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen

Shorebirds: Red-wattled Lapwing

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers: -

Storks: Asian Openbill, Milky Stork

Cormorants and Anhingas: Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter

Herons, Ibis and Allies: Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret

Vultures, Hawks and allies: Crested Serpent Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Crested Goshawk

Owls: -

Trogons and Quetzals: -

Hornbills: Oriental Pied Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill

Kingfisher: Collared Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher

Bee-eaters, Rollers and Allies: Blue-throated Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

Barbets and Toucans: Sooty Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Lineated Barbet

Woodpeckers: Greater Flameback

Falcons and Caracaras: -

Parrots, Parakeets and Allies: Long-tailed Parakeet, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot

African and Green Broadbills:

Asian and Grauer’s Broadbills: Black-and-red Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Banded Broadbill

Old World Pittas: -

Thornbills and Allies: -

Cuckooshrikes: -

Shrike-Babblers and Erpornis: White-bellied Erpornis

Whistlers and Allies: -

Old World Orioles: -

Woodswallows: White-breasted Woodswallow

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies: Large Woodshrike

Ioras: Green Iora

Fantails: -

Drongos: -

Monarch Flycatchers: -

Crested Jayshrikes: -

Shrikes: -

Jays, Magpies, Crows and Ravens: House Crow

Rail-babbler: -

Fairy Flycatchers: -

Tits, Chickadees and Titmice: -

Cisticolas and Allies: Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Zitting Cisticola

Cupwings: -

Martins and Swallows: Pacific Swallow

Bulbuls: Olive-winged Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Hairy-backed Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul

Leaf Warblers: -

Bush Warblers and Allies: -

White-eyes, Yuhinas and Allies: -

Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers and Allies: Pin-striped Tit-Babbler

Ground Babblers and Allies: Puff-throated Babbler

Laughingthrushes and Allies: -

Nuthatches: Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Starlings and Mynas: Asian Glossy Starling

Old World Flycatchers: Oriental Magpie Robin, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Blue Rock Thrush

Flowerpeckers: Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters: Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Plain Sunbird, Red-throated Sunbird, Copper-throated Sunbird, Purple-naped Spiderhunter

Fairy-bluebirds: Asian Fairy-bluebird

Leafbirds: Blue-winged Leafbird

Weavers and Allies: Baya Weaver

Estridids: Java Sparrow, White-rumped Munia, Chestnut Munia

Old World Sparrows: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Wagtails and Pipits: Paddyfield Pipit

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Send messages via email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024

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"Looking back on a few very nice days of birdingwatching with Weng Chun in the midwest of Malaysia, we have to say it really surprised us. The amount of species exceeded our wildest expectations when we planned this trip, 150 + species were on our list after 3 days of birdwatching,.along the way, in different places, along the route. The care we received was heartwarming, everthing was done to give us an unforgettable time. By being patience and perservering to the end our guide managed to showed us as many species as possible, but sometimes this was not always immediately possible due the fickle speed of the birds. Because of the friendly interaction with each other, it was a pleasure to get through these days with a joke and serious birding. We had an unforgettable time, worth repeating next year 😁" - Margaret & Rob

The 3 days trip covers the usual spots in Hulu Langat, Bukit Tinggi and Kuala Selangor. Initially, we wanted to go to Fraser's Hill, however the dates coincide with Fraser's Hill International Bird Race and it will definitely not the best period to go because we will not be able to book any accommodation. Hence, we altered the original plan and decided to cover different spots.

Although it is considered a rush trip, we still managed to see some of the colorful species throughout the trip. A great experience for both Margaret and Rob.

Some of the highlights from the trip: Bamboo Woodpecker, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Black-thighed Falconet, Dark-throated Oriole, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Barred Eagle-Owl

The following list is a compilation of birds and other wildlife "seen and photographed" throughout the trip.

Javan Myna, Common Myna, Zebra Dove, Spotted Dove, Oriental Magpie Robin, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Olive-winged Bulbul, House Crow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Feral Pigeon (Rock Pigeon), Pacific Swallow, Rufous-bellied Swallow, House Swift, Germain's Swiftlet, Plume-toed Swiftlet, Rufescent Prinia, Emerald Dove, Scaly-breasted Munia, White-rumped Munia, Little Spiderhunter, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Spectacled Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, White-throated Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Rufous Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Bamboo Woodpecker, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Laced Woodpecker, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Flameback, Grey-throated Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Pin Striped Tit-babbler, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Ashy Tailorbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Red-throated Sunbird, Plain Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Black-eared Barbet, Sooty Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Black-thighed Falconet, Raffles's Malkoha, Red-billed Malkoha, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Green Iora, Common Iora, Dark-throated Oriole, Black-naped Oriole, Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Blue-winged Leafbird, Lesser Green Leafbird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Brush Cuckoo), Little Bronze Cuckoo, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Baya Weaver, White-bellied Erpornis, Long-billed Spiderhunter, Cinereous Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Whiskered Treeswift, Scarlet Minivet, White-rumped Shama, Ferruginous Partridge, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Large Woodshrike, Little Cuckoo-Dove, Asian Glossy Starling, Brahminy Kite, Black-winged Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Medium Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-breasted Woodswallow, Cinnamon Bittern, Large-tailed Nightjar, Collared Kingfisher, Asian Koel, Pied Triller, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Grey Heron, Striated Heron, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Malaysian Pied Fantail, Swinhoe's White-eye, Lesser Adjutant, Mangrove Whistler, Cinereous Tit, Barn Owl, and Barred Eagle Owl

Other wildlife: Great Anglehead Lizard, Pig-tailed Macaque, Dusky Langur, White-thighed Surili, Plantain Squirrel, Siamang, Silvered Langur, Himalayan Striped Squirrel, Short-tailed Gymnure, Long-tailed Macaque, Common Sun Skink, Common Gliding Lizard (Sumatran Flying Lizard), Water Monitor Lizard, Fiddler Crab, and Giant Mudskipper

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Send email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024

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Check out the following bird families:

Birds of Year 2015

Thank you for stopping by this post where I am excited to share some of the beautiful birds I have encountered and captured through my lens this year. The list features the species I have spotted for the first time in 2015, and I will continue to update it with more photographs. Stay tuned for more amazing bird sightings!

Siberian Thrush

8 Mar 2015

Genting Highland, Pahang

f/4, 1/60sec, ISO800

Snowy-browed Flycatcher

8 Mar 2015

Genting Highland, Pahang

f/4, 1/320sec, ISO800

Mugimaki Flycatcher

8 Mar 2015

Genting Highland, Pahang

f/4, 1/800sec, ISO800

Large Niltava

13 Jul 2015

Fraser's Hill, Pahang

f/5.6, 1/30sec, ISO400

Green Iora

5 Nov 2013

Taman TAR, Kuala Lumpur

f/4.5, 1/125sec, ISO 200

Orange-backed Woodpecker

26 Sep 2013

Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang

f/4.5, 1/100sec, ISO 360

Tiger Shrike

9 Mar 2013

Bukit Tinggi, Pahang

Nikon1 J1, NIKKOR VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, f/4.5, 1/25sec, ISO 100

Welcome a fierce annual migrant to Peninsular Malaysia. The Tiger Shrike is celebrated on eBird for its distinct tiger-like black barring and thick, hooked bill. This small, predatory passerine favors forest edges, actively hunting insects and small vertebrates during its wintering journey through tropical Southeast Asia.

Chinese Pond Heron

9 Apr 2013

Bangi, Selangor

Nikon D7000, Sigma 170-500mm, f/8, 1/100sec, ISO 200

Malayan Laughingthrush

23 Sep 2014

Fraser's Hill, Pahang

f/4.5, 1/250sec, ISO 640

Black-throated Sunbird

22 Sep 2014

Fraser's Hill, Pahang

f/8, 1/80sec, ISO 800

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo

23 Sep 2014

Fraser's Hill, Pahang

f/5.6, 1/250sec, ISO 1600

Birds & Wildlife of Tabin Wildlife Reserve - May 2024

Tabin Wildlife Reserve, located in Sabah, Malaysia, is a premier destination for bird and wildlife photography enthusiasts. Covering an area of approximately 300,000 acres, this reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it an ideal location for capturing stunning images of the natural world. A wildlife photography trip to Tabin Wildlife Reserve offers a unique opportunity to witness and photograph some of Borneo's most iconic wildlife species in their natural habitat.

One of the main highlights of a wildlife photography trip to Tabin Wildlife Reserve is the chance to photograph the elusive Bornean pygmy elephant. These gentle giants are the smallest species of elephant in the world and are a sight to behold in the lush forests of Tabin. With a keen eye and a bit of patience, photographers can capture stunning images of these majestic creatures as they roam freely in the reserve. In addition to the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Tabin Wildlife Reserve is also home to a wide variety of other wildlife species, including Orangutan, Clouded Leopard, Tembadau, Island Palm Civet (formerly known as Common Palm Civet) and Northern Grey Gibbon. With its diverse range of habitats, from dense rainforests to expansive mangrove swamps, the reserve offers photographers the opportunity to capture a wide array of unique and captivating images.

Overall, a wildlife photography trip to Tabin Wildlife Reserve is a truly unforgettable experience for any nature enthusiast. With its diverse range of wildlife species, breathtaking landscapes, and rich biodiversity, the reserve offers photographers the opportunity to capture some of the most mesmerizing scenes of the natural world.

Our targets are mainly birds and personally, I would say the highlights for this trip are the frequent sightings of hornbills (Rhinoceros, Oriental Pied, Black, White-crowned, and Wrinkled), Striped Wren-babbler, Blue-headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, White-crowned Shama, Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela pallidus) a subspecies to northern Borneo, Storm's Stork, Bornean Crested Fireback and Great Argus. I missed the latter species, though.

This trip was a pre-arranged trip to focus on a few specific birds of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. I had to missed the first 2 days of the trip due to family matters. This is my 1st trip to Sabah for year 2024 and my 2nd visit to Tabin after almost 14 years.

Nonetheless, it was a good trip for myself because I get to spend some time with the newly acquired Sony A6700 and the 200-600mm lens. The lens is surely heavy and not suitable for me to hand hold it for long period of time.

Blyth's Frogmouth (Blyth's) Batrachostomus affinis affinis

Distribution covers Southeast peninsular Thailand south to Sumatra and the Riau Archipelago, and virtually throughout Borneo (including Banggi Island). The vernacular name is in honor of Edward Blyth (1810–1873), an English zoologist who served as the curator of the Museum of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Calcutta from 1841 to 1862. Blyth was also a renowned collector.

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher Cyornis turcosus

Distribution covers Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. The small flycatcher is not globally threatened, but is currently classified as Near Threatened. The species can be found in Taman Negara National Park and other localized habitat in Peninsular Malaysia, where it is considered uncommon. However, the species is common and widely distributed in Borneo.

Olive-backed Woodpecker Gecinulus rafflesii dulitensis

There are 2 subspecies for Olive-backed Woodpecker and the dulitensis subspecies is smaller than the rafflesii. This subspecies is only found in Borneo.

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis borneana

There are 11 subspecies and borneana subspecies is only found in Borneo and Banggi Island (the largest island in Malaysia, located north of Sabah). The diet of the insect-eating bird includes caterpillars, spiders (Araneae), fruit, pollen, and nectar. It forages primarily in the upper storey but can also be found in the lower levels. The bird is known to feed on spider webs and probes flowers for nectar. Additionally, it gleans insects from leaves.

Striped Wren-Babbler Kenopia striata

This species is generally uncommon, occurring at fairly low density. Sightings has been reported in Taman Negara National Park and some other forests in Peninsular Malaysia. It is also frequent in Borneo, although reportedly uncommon in Sabah. I heard this twice and saw once throughout the duration of our stay in Tabin.

White-crowned Shama Copsychus stricklandii

This species is sedentary and typically found in lowland or lower montane forests, frequently near streams. They can also be found in primary and secondary heath forests up to 1,200 meters in northern Borneo, freshwater swamps, scrub areas near mangroves, tall closed island forests, logged forests, and other disturbed habitats. The diet of this species consists primarily of insects such as ants, worms, spiders, and centipedes, as well as berries.

Black-crowned Pitta Erythropitta ussheri

Endemic to Borneo.

Black-throated Wren-babbler Turdinus atrigularis

Endemic to Borneo.

Buffy Fish-Owl Ketupa ketupu ketupu

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela pallidus

This subspecies is found in the lowland of North Borneo.

Red-legged Crake Rallina fasciata

Found this individual resting while we were on the way back to the resort at night.

Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista

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Send messages via email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024

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Check out the following bird families: