31.12.2020 - Year 2020 Closing

Happy New Year Folks.

In the beginning of 2020, my lifer target was 20 species. Then Movement Control Order was engaged, limiting my birding activity from March to June 2020. At that moment, I upgraded my Nikkor 70-300mm manual lens to Nikkor 70-300mm DX AF lens, where I no longer need to squeeze my eyes for a good focus. I started to shoot RAW and practiced my editing works in Lightroom CC. I even made my own sunbird feeder that time, for those Olive Backed Sunbirds, which visits my hibiscus patch daily. 

After MCO was lifted, it was a relieve since I still managed to roam around for birds, either solo or with birding friends. In Sept 2020, I managed to get my dream lens, Nikon 200-500mm AF-S ED VR lens, thanks to my wife, Tamarai, who aided me to own the lens. Thanks to her too, who tolerant enough to follow me to some birding spots.

As for the year 2020 I managed to bag 69 species including some rare ones, even first records in Malaysia. 

I would like to thank my friends for sharing me information on birding, birding sites and bird photography/post processing techniques:

1. Terence Ang and his wife Eileen Chiang

2. Jason

3. Ananth Ramasamy (Chennai, India)

4. Charith Fernando

5. Sudeep KC

6. Zarizal Rosli

7.  Ng Jung Chuan

8. Sien Chiong Chiu

9. Supriya Malhotra (Calcutta, India)

10. Inderjit Singh (Punjab, India)

11. Geoff Lim (Singapore)

12. Alfred Quah

13. Mike Birder

14. Shazlan

15. WBCM team, which organized birding trip to Awana Biopark (Genting Highlands) on Feb 2020.

Appreciate your help guys!

Lets hope 2021 will be a much better year. God bless you all.

07.12.2020 - Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Brown shrikes are indeed the most common migratory garden varieties that we often see in Malaysia. They are very vocal, so its easy to find them out there. They are available in Malaysia from September to May; however, some have been recorded arriving late and stay longer.

Its scientific name is Lanius cristatus; “Lanius” means “butcher”, whereas “cristatus” means “crest”, which is used in a broader manner than English. Its English name derived from the word “shriek”, which indicates its call. In Tamil its called as “Pazhuppu Keechaan” (பழுப்பு கீச்சான்), where “Pazhuppu” means brown, “Keechan” means shrieking bird.

There are 4 subspecies of Brown Shrikes have been seen in Malaysia:

       ·         L. c. cristatus (Siberian Brown Shrike)
·         L. c. confusus (Amur Brown Shrike)
·         L. c. superciliosus (Japanese Brown Shrike)
·         L. c. lucionensis (Philippine Shrike).

Details	L. c. cristatus	L. c. confusus	L.c. superciliosus	L. c. lucionensis
Breeding Region	Eastern Siberia – Mongolia	Manchuria – Amur land	South Sakhalin – Japan (Hokkaido to Central Honshu)	Korea – East China
Wintering Region	India - Peninsular Malaysia.	India, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.	SE Yunnan, Hainan and China, south to Indochina and the Great Sunda Islands (Sumatra to Flores)	SE China, Philippines, N Borneo and Sulawesi, as well as in Andaman and Nicobar Island.

1. Siberian Brown Shrike (L.c.cristatus)

The nominate race, L. c. cristatus is much robust with a larger head. The bill is more hooked. Wings are much shorter and rounded compared to other races. Tail is longer, narrow, and more graduated. Adult male has brown upperpart, with rusty brown crown and rump, with a brown tail. The flanks are chestnut washed. The supercilium is white (much homogenous in thickness) and well defined. Wings are brown; tertials and wing coverts are fringed with buff. Bill is black, but the base appears paler (pinkish) during winters. 

As for the female of cristatus race, looks like similar to the males, except, has dark brown eye stripe and a paler lore. It has strong crescentic on its underparts and malar area. Field observation (Nov 2020) also revealed that there were even cristatus females with less crescentic markings and looks like a male, except for their dark brown eye stripe, lack the rusty brown crown and rump. In some cases, the male and females can be distinguished by behavioral details during breeding, due to their very similar plumage. 

First winter cristatus has warm brown upperpart and crown is often rufous, flank chestnut washed, crescentic barring on crown, flanks and upper tail coverts. Ear coverts are dark brown. First winter juveniles are similar to the first winter cristatus, but has barring on the wing coverts.

2. Amur Brown Shrike (L.c. confusus)

The L. c. confusus race, is similar to the cristatus race, yet with homogenously colored upperpart. The wing primaries are much longer and it has a white patch on the base of its primaries. Adult male is similar to male cristatus, except it has a homogenous ashy brown upperpart, much distributed greyish white forehead (which is not well demarcated from its crown). The supercilium is white or greyish white much broader, especially at the region above the eyes. At times, the supercilium appears greyish, not well defined and merge with the crown. 

Females are similar to males with strong crescentic barring one its underparts and malar area. Note that some females do have less barring, and has very much similar appearance as males. 

First winter confusus race resembles the L.c. cristatus, except upperpart is homogenous ashy brown. 1st calendar female has barring on the malar area.

3. Japanese Brown Shrike (L. c. superciliosus)

The race superciliosus, L. c. superciliosus, as the name implies, is identified with its broad, uniform white supercilium and forehead. Adult male has a rich reddish-brown upperpart, with crown and rump appears much brighter. Some comes with cleaner underparts; chestnut washed flanks. Longer bill and more attenuated. Tail is redder with white tip. 

As for female, upperpart is similar to males with paler lore and much brownish eye stripe. Less crescentic barring on the flanks, no barring on the malar area.

The first winter confusus is similar to L. c. cristatus, but with much rufous upperpart (especially crown and mantle). Pale forehead. Buff underpart with strong crescentic barring, and a brown tail. Juvenile females of confusus are similar to the adult females, with strong barring on the underparts and malar area.

4. Philippine Shrike (L. c. lucionensis)

The lucionensis race, L. c. lucionensis, is typically distinguished from other races by its greyish crown. Adult male is similar to other brown shrikes, except for supercilium and crown are greyish. Rump and upper tail coverts are chestnut; tail is brownish. Bill is black, but the base will be paler during winter. Small white patch on the base of the primaries.

Female of lucionensis is similar to male, with strong crescentic barring on underparts and malar area. Eye stripe is brown, less solid black on the lore. Pale lower mandible. 

First winter lucionensis is also very similar to L. c. cristatus, but crown is grey (paler towards forehead). Mantle is greyish brown or brown.

Status and Distribution:

Occurs in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, between September and May. Some do overstay  since some Brown Shrikes are seen out of its wintering periods here*. [There not much known on the conservation status of the Brown Shrikes. The race superciliosus and lucionensis had declined by 80% in Hokkaido (Japan); causes were unknown. This may cause by habitat destruction (due to increase of agricultural land), pesticides and fires. Brown shrikes are not globally threatened and there is a little information available for its population level. Population is in declining trend (Birdlife Datazone) and yet classified as “Least Concern” by IUCN.

(* Terence Ang, July 2019, Sekinchan, Selangor;  Ang Teck Hin, June 27.06.2022, Batang Tiga Rice Field, Malacca)

Confusion Species:

Isabelline Shrike: Isabelline Shrike lacks the white supercilium of the brown shrikes. Adult male has a black eye stripe, reddish tail and pale patch on the base of its primaries. These attributes are enough to distinguish an adult male Isabelline race from the brown shrikes on the field. Females are similar to males, with paler eye stripes (brownish instead of black) and has crescentic barring on the underparts and malar area. Females’ rump and tail are reddish brown, not as bright as the males. First winter Isabelline Shrikes are similar to the female, yet much paler and with very weak barring on the underparts.

Red Backed Shrike: Red Backed Shrikes have shorter tail and longer wings. Eight primaries are visible when its wings are closed. Adult male has grey crown, mantle and rump, with a reddish-brown back and wings. The underpart is white with a peach washed flanks. Tail is black with a thin white tip. Female shrikes similar to male but with paler plumage. Underparts are strongly barred. Upper tails are rufous and lower tail is grey. The juvenile shrikes are strongly barred than any other races, with a chestnut upperparts and paler underparts. This race has much tendency of confusion against the lucionensis race (as for the adult birds).

Since the Isabelline and Red Backed Shrikes are not been recorded in Malaysia, therefore we don't have to consider them both as a confusion species locally at the moment. 

Tiger Shrike: Even if for the greyish crown and nape, which resembles a male lucionensis, the male Tiger Shrike can be distinguished by barred brown wings. Female shrikes are similar to males with much brownish and less grey on the crown and nape. Lores are whitish. Some comes with short buff eyebrows. Underparts are buff-white with strong barring on the belly and flank. Juveniles are paler with heavy barring on the brown tinged grey crown, wings, rumps, face and underparts. It lacks the eye-stripe too. 

Behavior:

Most solitary in nature, except know to migrate with 2 to 3 birds together. Available in Malaysia between September and May. Very territorial with a small feeding territory. Calls are heard even as early as 6.30am and up to 7.30pm from their roosting point. Hunts from a vantage point, can be just a meter away from the ground or as high as 5 meters. The shrike lunges on its prey to the ground and goes back to its perch. Such lunging act may had given its Malay name as “tirjup” which could have been derived from the word “terjun”, which literally describe that lunging act. Never seen hawking or gleaning for prey. Its preys on insects, invertebrates and small vertebrates such as small frogs, lizards, even smaller birds. It has been mentioned that preys are impaled and teared before consuming. This behavior had given the shrikes another name as the “butcher bird”. It gives out a series of loud, harsh calls, which often longer in first 4 to 5 tones and gets shorter as it ends. It also gives a low volume series of chirping calls while waiting for the prey from its perch.

Habitat:

Forest edges, cleared lands, orchards, open grasslands with scattered shrubs and trees, parks and cultivated lands. Often seen perching on fences and utility cables.

Breeding:

Breeding is much later in high altitude breeding regions. Usually between June – August. Due to lack of obvious sexual dimorphism, mate attraction seems to be on “trial and error” base, where it is possible for unmated males to court each other and other shrike (which may be the reason for the occurrence of hybrids). Males will be on flight displays and land next to its potential mate, with bills erected upwards, turning the head side to side. If its mate performs the same display, it is a male shrike. Nesting site is selected by the males, build by both male and female. The cup shaped nest is made with grass stems, mosses, small twigs, feathers and roots. Usually 4 to 6 eggs (yellowish brown with brown spots) are laid, incubated for 15days. Nestlings will fledge in 2 weeks. 

References:

1. Craig Robson, 2017, A Field Guide To The Birds of South East Asia, Bloomsbury, London.

2. Tim Worflok, 2002, Identification of Red Backed, Isabelline and Brown Shrikes, Vol 2, Dutch Birding.

A male L. c. cristatus, with a bright crown and a well defined supercilium.
Location: Selangor

A female L. c. cristatus, which reddish crown and barred underparts and malar area. 
Location: Selangor

A first winter juvenile of L. c. cristatus, with barred, reddish crown, barred wing coverts and underparts. Bill is heavier and hooked. 
Location: Selangor

A male L. c. confusus, with a broad white forehead (not well demarcated from the crown, and tinged with grey), supercilium is broader above the eye, and the upperpart plumage is homogenously brown.
Location: Selangor. 

A female L. c. cristatus with pale lore, dark brown ear coverts, redder crown and rump, and barred flank and malar area. Location: Selangor.

A first winter L. c. cristatus, with barred reddish brown crown, and barred underparts. 
Location: Selangor

23.11.2020 - Bird Identification (Part 3)

 Greetings friends.

Before we move on, I would like to emphasize on some special head features of birds. The features are:

1. Crest: 

Crest can be described as short, medium or long. Some birds has a very prominent crest, such as the Black Crested Bulbul, which is used to derive its name.

A Black Crested Bulbul

Crest has its function as a display ornament during courtship, showing feelings like aggression or stress (to communicate), and even as a threat display to alert its allies. 

A male Greater Flameback, with a red crest.

 

Eurasian Hoopoe [Photo Credits: Inderjit Singh - Punjab, India]

Birds also display the crest to mark its leadership among the member of the flocks and also to ward off mating competitors, territorial invaders and predators. There are two types of crests:

                a. Recursive Crest: Crest that is noticeable even if its not erected (i.e. Great Myna)

                b. Recumbent Crest: Crest that is not noticeable unless erected (i.e. Common Myna)

2. Comb: 

Comb is a fleshy projection on the top of the head, which present in fowls. It indicates how healthy a fowl is and helps to stay cool.  

A male Red Junglefowl, with a red comb. [Photo Credits: Sudeep K.C. -Malaysia]

3. Snood: 

Snood is a fleshy protuberance above a bird's bill, precisely turkeys. This functions as an ornament of mating displays.

Wild Turkey

4. Mouth Bristles: 

Also known as "rictal bristles", these are hair like feathers arise around the base of the bill. Its common among insect feeding birds. The function of these bristles are:

        a. as a "net", helps to capture of flying prey.

        b. prevents particle (broken fragments of prey) from striking eyes (during flight), or to protect                     against contacts of vegetation.

        c. functions as mechano-receptors

Mouth bristles on a male Large Niltava

5. Wattles: 

Wattles are fleshy caruncles hanging from various parts of the head and neck. Its an ornament for courting potential mates in some birds species. It indicates the health level of a male bird.

A male Muscovy Duck. The male ducks have larger wart-like wattles compared to those females.

6. Beard: 

Some birds has a hair like structure at the center of the breasts (Wild Turkeys) or a cluster of feathers below on its chin, which referred as beard, erected for mating displays.

7. Ear Tufts: 

Skin projections which covered with feathers, mostly noticed in owl species. Its function remains uncertain. However there are some theories mentioning that its used for finding suitable mate and to give more threatening look to predators and rivals.

Brown Fish Owl [Photo Credits: Supriya Malhotra, Kolkatta (India)]

8. Nape plumes: 

Its a long projection of feather from the nape. I.e. Little Egret.

All these attributes need to  be taken note; their colors and size, it will help you to identify a bird and also to distinguish a similar looking birds, or even distinguishing the gender of the bird.

To be continued...

06.11.2020 - Bird Identification (Part 2)

Good day Friends! Its Bird ID - Part 2!

We are going to look into the next attributes which may help the bird identification, which are shapes and sizes. Most new birders will go for colours to ID a bird. They often left out shapes and sizes of those birds. It is very crucial to record these two matters.

Size can be described as "how big" or "how small" a bird relative to some commonly seen bird species. For an example, you can note it as, "smaller than a Spotted Dove" or "bigger than a House Crow". This way you may able to distinguish birds with similar colors but with different size. 

Shapes can be described by the look of their bills, tails, legs or even the birds overall body shape. Overall body shape will give the idea of the birds' general name. That's first thing comes to the mind when we trying to find the ID of the bird. This could be helpful when you unable to see the bird's plumage due to backlight, you may use the shape of its silhouette to gets its general ID.

 

You may also notice that not all birds have the same stance when they perch. Some do perch in a "hunched" manner, like the cuckoos or doves. Some perch in upright stances, like some raptors. Perching stances also can be a vital information that you may use to ID a bird.

Lets continue with the bill or beak. The shape and the size of the bill of a bird will give an idea to us about its diet and feeding habits. 

Shapes of Birds' Bill

Seed eaters like the sparrows, weavers and munias has short and thick bill to extract the seed from the husk. Insect gleaning birds like the tailorbirds and warblers has rather thinner beak. Nectar feeders like the sunbirds and spiderhunters has long, tubular and slightly bent bills in order to probe flowers for nectars. Some spiderhunters use that bill to probe for insects and larvae in tree holes. Raptors have large and hooked beak to shred meat from their preys. So, shape of the bill definitely will aid you to ID a bird correctly. Do consider to note the color of the bill as well. 

Seed Eater

Nectar Feeder

Meat Eater

Color of the bill helps you to find the gender of the bird (i.e. ducks), or even the age of the bird. For an example, an adult Black Naped Oriole has a pink bill, while a sub-adult has a black bill, which gradually changes to pink as it grew. Another example, is the White Throated Kingfisher; adult bird has a red bill, whereas the immature bird has rather brownish bill. Check if both upper and lower mandibles are same in color or different. 

An immature Black Naped Oriole, with black bill.

An immature White Throated Kingfisher, with rather brownish bill

Beak/Bill Anatomy 

The upper mandible is known as premaxillary while the lower mandible is called mandibular. It may have a structure called "nail", which serves different purposes depending on the birds' diet, whether to grasp prey (like in shrikes) or for digging purposes (in fowls). The color of the nail is something important to note as it is used to distinguish male and female birds, as well a bird's age. 

I learnt that bill details are very much important to be noted when I was trying to ID waders. For an example, to distinguish Lesser Sand Plover from the Greater Sand Plover, you may need a closer examination of their bills. Greater Sand Plover has a rather heavier bill compared to the Lesser Sand Plover. The culmen bulge for the Greater Sand Plover is at 1/2 length of its bill, compared to its lesser cousin. However I have to remind you that some juvenile Greater Sand Plovers really hard to distinguish from the Lesser Sand Plovers. In this case, you have to find it out by comparing their legs. Greater Sand Plovers have yellowish legs, while the lesser has a black leg. If let say, the legs are covered in mud...I'm so sorry, getting its ID is a tough job then.

Lesser and Greater Sand Plover sketch

Similar to this, I had tough time to ID to similar looking leafbirds, the greater and the lesser green leafbirds. Some field guides do mentioned about the thin yellow margin on the Lesser Green Leafbird' black throat markings. However its not that easy to see the yellow margin unless you have a closer look. So what I did, I look at the bills. Greater Green Leafbird has a slightly bigger bill, with a hooked end, compared to the Lesser Green Leafbird. I have seen Greater Green Leafbirds taking small lizards and bigger insects, therefore the larger and hook-ended bill is much handy for them, in order to grab squirming preys. 

Greater Green Leafbird

To be continued...                 

22.10.2020 - Bird Identification (Part 1)

"ID please."

"Can anyone ID this bird?"

"What bird is this?"

We often see these questions in any birding groups in the social medias. It is the usual way of seeking a bird's ID from other (experienced) birders. And I mean birders, not photographers, since I have seen a plenty of photographers don't even know the name of the bird that they are clicking. You may need some field experience to ID the birds. Like my buddy once had said, "to ID a bird correctly, it really matters how much you are exposed to that bird". He was damn right! So in this entry we going to look into how to ID a bird. I am not sure I can cover every single aspects of bird identification, but I will try my best. 

Blue Throated Bee-eater

During the good old days, bird identification totally depends on field observation. Colors, shape and other characteristics of the birds are written on a notebook. Some even make a quick sketch of the birds and label it. The birder has to spend some time with the birds at the field either with their binoculars or a spotting scope. More time they spend with the birds, more exposure they get and they gather more details. This is how we do it those days. 

Picture Credit: Supriya Malhotra, a birder from Calcutta, observing birds with a binocular

In modern days, most birders are equipped with cameras. Birds are photographed, analyzed for its ID. So there is no necessity to wait at the field like in those days, unless you are truly a birder. You might rush to grab all the birds that you see at the field.

Picture Credit: Zarizal Rosli, photographing shore birds at mudflats of Selangor coast

Therefore less time to observe the birds. To avoid this, I usually click few good photos of those birds and then I will observe them. This way I wont miss both photos and the details of the birds. Details are usually written on a notebook or I will do a voice recording, whichever convenient at the field. Keep a small note book and a pen with you always to record any field notes. As an alternative, you may use any notepad apps or voice recorder in your smartphones. 

So what we have to write in the field note? First you have to record the location, date and time of sightings. These details are useful to narrow down the identification process. How? Location or habitats can provide you the most basic information of a bird, either its garden variety, forest birds, shore bird, or montane bird. It also determines the food and nesting details of that particular bird as well as the type of trees and vegetations which supports a bird's life. For an example, when you find a small bird from the mangroves, you can narrow down your search within the group of birds which dwells in the mangroves from the bird guides or from webpages. Then you may consider other attributes such as size and colors to further the process of identification. 

A typical bird list with location and date detail.

Date and time are also important matter to note down. When you note the date, you may able to have a series of data of when the bird is sighted the most in a year. This way, you may use the data to find particular birds easier. Its very important for migratory birds and for those resident birds which migrate locally. When I was in Perak, in the 90s, I noticed that the White Throated Kingfishers are rarely seen between December and March at my neighbor-hood. They move to another habitat for breeding. So this type information can be gathered when you record the time or date of the sightings.

As a conclusion, I can say that its easier to sight a bird again and again, with recording its location and date/time of sightings. When this happens, we are much exposed to the bird, thus its easier to ID or to distinguish the particular bird from one another. So start to note down the location and the date when you are birding . 

Happy birding!

To be continued...

12.10.2020 - Sharing Birding Locations

At times we see in Facebook or Instagram, photographers/birders share bird photos by tagging them with much general locations like, "Pahang" or "Selangor", or even worse "Malaysia". They tend not to share the exact location of some rare or uncommon birds. However, it wont be too long for their friends to text or call them to know the pin-point location of such birds. So ultimately, they cant keep the locations as confidential for long. It happens right?

First, you must know with whom you are sharing the info. You must know their MOTIVE. Whether they want to:

1. Photograph the bird.

2. Observe the birds' behavior and record it.

3. Expose the location to other photographers - for fame or to make money

4. The worst...to lead poachers (directly or indirectly)

We never know what's their motive most of the time. In such cases, some never expose the location openly in the social media...but they may expose it indirectly by disclose it to their close buddies. So what's the guarantee your friends will not expose the location's in social media? Well, ask yourself, is it right? 

Those friends who is asking for the location details, please be ethical, not to bring a party to the mentioned location. That location detail(s) were given to you by mean of trust. So be trustworthy to your friend. 

I know people will tag you as "stingy" or bad when you never share the locations totally, its still OK, you already playing a role to protect the welfare of our feathered friends. You did the best!

I have a friend from a neighboring country who loves birds a lot. As for him, he wont let know others if he finds an uncommon birds, fearing people may crowd up and drive away the bird from that location. He has his point, yet he is degraded and isolated by other photographers. However, I am proud of his concern on the birds' welfare.

As I was talking to my buddy, who is an avid birder, he did exposed to me poaching is getting serious now in Malaysia. Some of our endangered birds are being the target. Poaching is not as what we think. Its a big network and these poachers are everywhere, including our local birdwatching groups in social media. Who knows your birding buddy could be allied to them. So be very careful in sharing locations. He suggested me just to share it generally, as I mentioned before, i.e "Selangor" or "Perak", or if possible no to share at all.

"How the new bird photographers/birders know where to find this particular birds if we don't share location?" Simple, they have to look for it. What's the fun if everything been spoon fed? When I migrated to Selangor, I don't know much about the birding locations here. I don't even have birding friends here that time. So what I did was, I look for locations through internet, and yes I did found so many spots, such as Paya Indah Wetland, Taman Botani Putrajaya, Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Taman Botani Negara, Taman Templer and a lot more. So my advice to the newbies, why not you search for your self, instead of expecting from senior bird photographers? Birding spots can be anywhere, even in some wooded area near your house or any kampung. You got to find it

"Poachers are everywhere!" 

This was told by many senior birders when I contact them, in order to write this blog. So keep this in mind when you post something, especially rare, uncommon and endangered species, which are the targets of the poachers. You have to know what are the birds common in the trade. Some poachers are in disguise of birders and bird photographers too. They are even active in some birding and photography groups in social medias. So be very careful of what you are sharing. 

Poachers on the move at Klang Gates area for the parrots

If you find any traps/nets or any suspiscious activites related to poaching or trappings, kindly report it to the PERHILITAN through their webpage, under "e-aduan" (PERHILITAN). Take some photos of these traps and if situation allows you to remove or destroy the nest, don't hesitate to do it.

We are not only concerning on poachers alone. Overzealous photographers and birders are also a threat to out feathered friends, just in order to get a sight of a rare bird. I have seen and heard some photographers with long telephoto and prime lenses go to close to the bird for a shot. Getting too close with stress the bird. Its an harassment if you ask me. I can say these guys does not even know the true capability of their gears. Even a 2000mm lens wont be enough.

Another issue is overcrowding. The latest sensation here was the Helmeted Hornbill sighting in Pahang. It drew unwanted attention instantly in social medias. I was told by a local birder, nearly 40 photographers gathered at the spot to click on that rare bird. Some even camped at the spot for days., even after they managed to get good shots. Humans just cant have enough. It was a small area where you cant have many tripods in. Its on the roadside, and road safety is a big concern as well. Who bothered? One guy did; he reported to the local police station that photographers parked their vehicles recklessly along the road. 

They even did landscaping to have a good view of that hornbill, which is ethically wrong. The calls were not used minimally. Finally the photographers pointed fingers to each other when people starts to condemn them to expose the site and overcrowd. I just want to say, whoever present there at the site, they did their best to expose an endangered species and you guys know it. Its good that the bird gone after finishing up the wild figs in that area.

Lastly always keep in your mind, the no.1 priority is the well-being of birds, any birds whether common or rare. Safeguarding the location of the birds will definitely decrease the danger that birds face. 

"Sharing at times not caring at all"

16.09.2020 - Chasing Waders with Buddies!

It was sudden plan with my buddy Terence along with his wife, Eileen to have a family birding , to visit the waders at the mudflats of Selangor. We invited another friend, Jason, who actually had a plan to visit another spot for migrants. It was rather early for us still at the area, since the tide was too low and less birds, except for some Lesser Sand Plovers and distant Lesser Adjutants. 

Lesser Sand Plover

Lesser Adjutants

Collared Kingfisher

We then moved to a nearby jetty, to have a look on the herons and egrets. This is place is populated by herons and egrets. We managed to get some nice shots here. In between a Black Crowned Night Heron displayed, what I call rather unusual hunting behavior (to me), since I have only seens them taking their prey while wading along shallow waters. What happened was this heron, took a fish direct from the surface of water in flight...that odd. The ladies were on the boat, managed to see some shorebirds as well.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Pacific Swallow

Pacific Swallow

Grey Heron

After that we head to one more jetty nearby. This jetty is nicknamed as "Rainbow Jetty" due to its colourful painting. There is a heronry here, shared by night herons, cattle egrets and little egrets. It was not heavily populated yet since its off season for the herons and egrets now.

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker

House Crow

Black Crowned Night Heron

We had out lunch here and then proceed again to the mudflats. The tide was just nice, managed to click on some waders and terns.

Common Redshank

Ruddy Turnstone

Little Tern with Lesser Sand Plovers

Bar Tailed Godwit in flight.

Red Necked Stint

A very productive day I would say, since I managed to bag some lifers; Little Terns, Red Necked Stints and Bar Tailed Godwits. Thanks for my buddy Terence for helping me out with the IDs.