26/02/2011: Sungai Burung (Penang)

I decided to do a quick session at this local patch as it has been quite a while since my last visit. Most parts of the paddy fields have been recently harvested and that left me with little hope of finding any surprises. Just then a falcon flew across overhead and my senses were back into birding mode again. It turned out to be a Peregrine Falcon and it is always great to see this beautiful raptor.

However, I don’t think this Common Myna that was foraging nearby feels the same way…

The Asian Glossy Starling is best enjoyed in good light. This is when the bird displays its true beauty as its green iridescent plumage usually appears black in the field.

It is another common species that I still don’t have a comprehensive collection of images and this confiding individual was more than happy to help me out on that.

While photographing the starlings, a Collared Kingfisher alighted momentarily on the same tree.

A little too close for comfort, perhaps? Well, the White-throated Kingfisher certainly felt so and re-positioned itself a few meters down the cable from the pair of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters.

A detour to the mudflats provided me with a breathtaking view of a huge mix flock of waders. I have reduced birding for waders along mudflats ever since I took up DSLR photography because the reach is usually insufficient. Come to think, I do miss just sitting by the coast with my scope and put my identification skills to the test as I slowly go through thousands of these similar looking birds. There is always the possibility and anticipation of finding something rare among the commoner ones. Anyway, the majority of the waders here were Lesser and Greater Sand-plovers.

A group of Common Redshanks were foraging slightly closer but not close enough for photography.

A Striated Heron with quite a mouthful quickly moves to a safer distance to enjoy its meal in leisure.