It was a privilege to be back in Sabah. My last visit was last year and since I am more focus in Peninsular Malaysia, I never really had the opportunity to plan my own birding holiday to visit Sabah or even Sarawak. My guest for this trip insist that I follow him on this trip, although he can just go directly to the local guide but I guess this trip will make him more comfortable and get to know the local guide.
Despite my hectic schedule, I managed to allocate 1 week to accompany my guest to this wonderful forest. No network signal? No problem. It is not always we can be connected to the natural world but at the same time disconnected with the urban world.
Day 1. We took a early flight out from KLIA and landed in KK. Met the local guide, Calvin in front of the airport. After a quick lunch, we covered a few local birding spots. Weather wasn't perfect but we had to made do with whatever we can get for this afternoon. After dinner, we headed to the hotel and rest for the night.
Day 2. Calvin picked us up from the hotel before sunrise and we arrived at our birding spot just in time for a taste of birding in the highlands of Sabah. A great selection of local species which include Bornean Treepie, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Indigo Flycatcher, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Crimson-headed Partridge, Red-breasted Partridge, Sunda Bush Warbler and much more. Moving on to another forest at 1,200m above sea level, we went into a birding hide - hoping to get the Bulwer's Pheasant. No luck for today.
Day 3. Wonderful day! We finally got the Bulwer's Pheasant but dipped on Bornean Banded Pitta and Crested Partridge.
Day 4. It was a great morning session which we bagged the Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler, Brown Fulvetta, Spotted Fantail, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Ashy Drongo, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, and a lot more. We nailed the Bulwer's Pheasant again and after changing several locations, we finally got our targeted Bornean Banded Pitta in the afternoon.
Day 5. In the morning, we went to try for the Crested Partridge. Still no luck. We check-out from the camp by mid-day and Calvin dropped us off at Kundasang.
Day 6. I have made arrangement with a local resort owner, Mr Kang and he sent us to Kinabalu Park where we met Andrew, one of the most experienced bird guide in Sabah. He was with us the whole day and helped us to get our 2 main targets - Whitehead's Trogon and Whitehead's Broadbill along with several other species. But the bonus for us would be a Fruit-hunter.
Day 7. We got Mr Kang to sent us to KK where we met Calvin again. Calvin tried for the Hooded Pitta again. By noon, we call it a day and went to the restaurant to get our lunch before taking our flight back to KL.
