A Malaysian Birder

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1st Birding Group in 2 Years - 24th-28th Jan 2022

Really appreciate the 5 days tour with guests from Singapore.

Buffy Fish Owl

It's been rather quiet around in KL recently. The only decent sighting with video opportunity is a Buffy Fish Owl which was seen in the afternoon was a consolation for a short and casual outing.

Buffy Fish Owl taken with Panasonic Lumix G7 + Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm II

Javan Myna, a common species in the urban area and edge of the forest. Usually found in flocks and also mix around with other species such as Eurasian Tree Sparrow and Common Myna.

This shot was taken with my faithful and walkaround camera, Panasonic Lumix G7 + Panasonic 100-300mm II.

Birding in Taiping 29-30 Dec 2021

This is the last birding trip for year 2021 and it was a last minute request from Bip. Our priority for this trip are Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Orange-headed Thrush, Hooded Pitta, Green-backed Flycatcher and Black-capped Kingfisher. We nailed all of that!

Birding in Hulu Langat - 17 Nov 2021

Went birding with Bip and his wife again today. This time to a site near Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately as soon as we arrived it rain and we went to a coffee shop for a light breakfast.

We returned to the forest where we spent a few hours with Banded Broadbill, Drongo Cuckoo and Grey-breasted Spiderhunter.

Birding in Fraser's Hill - 14 Nov 2021

It was a last minute request but Bip wanted her wife to see the elegant Red-headed Trogon (male). So we started off much earlier than usual from Kuala Lumpur and arrived at the hill station before sunrise.

We heard the trogon calling but the bird just don't want to show up in the first 2.5 hours when we were there. Very unusual. We left the spot at 930am and about 1 hour later I was informed by a friend that the trogon appeared but by that time we were far from the site.

We spent some time with Sultan Tit and other bird species at the usual stakeout.

Finally we decided that Bip should go up and wait for the Rusty-naped Pitta since there is opportunity today.

Waited for 5 hours and it appeared! This is one of the much awaited species, not commonly seen due to its elusive behavior.

By the time, Bip finished the session with the pitta, it was already late to continue birding. We left the hill station and will plan another trip again later.

Cleaning up the mess

After a few days in Fraser's Hill and setting up the foldable bird hide, it is time to clean up the mess on the hide.

I have been receiving enquiries for past weeks. Just to let everyone know that i am still actively guiding whenever there is a request from birders based in KL.

And since the borders will be opening soon to Singapore, yes I can help any birders from Singapore who are interested to join me for a birding adventure in Fraser's Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Hulu Langat, Merapoh and any other sites, depending on target species.

WhatsApp: +60183632738

Guiding Dr Kuan again. Trying harder to nail a few more elusive targets up in the hill station.

Together with Andrew Sebastian from ECOMY, we were highlighting the importance and potential of Malim Nawar as a birdwatching and photography site. We also provided recommendations how it can involve the local community, hence it would be a beneficial ecotourism product to Malim Nawar.

Let's try to see how many more dates that I can fill up until end of this year.

Joined the hornbill expedition in Royal Belum on 20-22 October 2021.

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Welcome to "A Malaysian Birder"

Hi, I’m a licensed guide in Peninsular Malaysia with over 15 years of professional guiding experience and a lifelong passion for birds. My journey began during my university studies in Parks & Recreation Management, leading to a career in environmental education, park management, and guiding. Whether you're targeting Peninsular Malaysia’s deep-forest endemics, seeking elusive species like the Rail-babbler and Malaysian Banded Pitta, or exploring top birding hubs like Fraser's Hill, Taman Negara, and Bukit Tinggi, I design tailored itineraries to match your life-list targets. Explore my trip reports, species galleries, and travel advice below. Planning your next photography or birding expedition? Get in touch to book a custom guided tour.

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Bird Watching Tours

There are quite a number of birding groups from Australia, United States and United Kingdom that come over to Malaysia annually visiting the traditional key sites that include Kuala Selangor, Fraser's Hill and Taman Negara. There is not doubt that the 3 sites are the preferred birding sites in Peninsular Malaysia. So if you are coming over for birding and intend to hire a guide, you can send me an email at nature2pixel@gmail.com and go over to posting section to view photos and summary of trip reports with testimonials from past clients.

Besides following the traditional route, I also customized trip according to clients needs, preference and interests. So there are some local patches that I can introduce to all bird watchers, digiscopers and photographers.

Here are a few of my favorite birding spots around Kuala Lumpur.

• Kuala Selangor - the habitats include mangrove forest. Good for woodpecker and kingfisher. Some amount of walking is required on flat terrain.

• Fraser's Hill - one of the traditional key sites for birding in Peninsular Malaysia and still the best place to visit. Elevation between 900 - 1200m above sea level. The species found here are different from the city of Kuala Lumpur. Targets may include Trogon, Woodpecker, Partridge, Laughingthrush, Leafbird, Spiderhunter and Sunbird.

• Hulu Langat - one of the most visited birding spot due to its proximity from the city centre. Walking is required but on easy terrain in this lowland forest. Sometimes need to wait at fruiting trees. Generally a good spot for Broadbill, Kingfisher, and Babbler.

• Bukit Tinggi - An alternative spot if you do not want to spend too long hours travelling to Fraser's Hill. It's about 900m to 1,000m above sea level and you get a combination of lowland and highland species at this elevation. Walking is required but just a short distance. Traditional known for Broadbill, Hornbill, Partridge and Pheasant.

• Gombak-Ampang - Generally recommended for photographers targeting Blue-eared Kingfisher and at times during fruiting season, it attracts many species of Bulbul and Barbet. Located in urban area.

• Putrajaya - If you are staying in any hotel in Putrajaya, it's a good place to look for herons, egrets, bittern and storks.

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