16/11/2009: Bandar PERDA (Penang)

I scouted around this vicinity for about an hour or so hoping to capture some images of the Greater Spotted Eagles that was seen here a few days back. The illegal mist nets were a troubling sight and hopefully the Wildlife Department will take the appropriate actions as a few birders have already reported it.

The only raptors that crossed my path today were Brahminy Kites, including this immature bird.

Although there were no eagles around, there were certainly plenty of egrets. I think plenty is an understatement though...

All 4 species that occur in freshwater habitat were seen foraging together in this vicinity. The largest of them all is of course the Great Egret.

I was fortunately enough to come across this fellow having breakfast...

As the name suggests, the Intermediate Egret in the second largest...

Although this species is called the Little Egret, it is only the second smallest of the lot...

The smallest of them all is the Cattle Egret...

While observing the egrets, a female Cinnamon Bittern surprisingly alighted on an exposed area of the paddy field. She gave me enough time to take a few shots before she moved into a more hidden position.

This Zitting Cisticola rushed for cover upon my approaching vehicle. Sorry, buddy...

A flock of foraging White-winged Terns were seen at a flooded patch of the paddy fields. However, the images I obtained did not turn out as good as I had hoped for.

I feel that of late, the Common Moorhen is no longer a common species in Penang. Well, that's usually the story with wild birds here.

A rather confiding immature Black Drongo was the last bird I managed to capture before I decided to call it a day.