With the migratory
season drawing to a close, I decided to visit the marshlands (I have to stop
referring to the wetlands here as marshlands because they now look more like
lakes) at Pulau Burung, Penang to check if there were any migratory waterbirds around. However, it was not the birds that
caught my immediate attention upon my arrival but the row of newly-planted
trees along the water's edge. My last visit to the area had me thinking what are
the plans for this area and now, it is crystal clear. Dave was right - the
local authorities are going to turn it
into a "proper" landscaped lake. I don't mean to be a pessimist but I
sincerely doubt that their vision of a landscaped lake and mine is the same. I
just hope that the birds will gradually be able to adapt to this change.
As I was moving along
the adjacent mangroves, I jammed on my brakes when I heard the diagnostic call
of the Mangrove Pitta. When I finally traced the call to the source, a river
stood in the way between me and my quarry. With no crossing anywhere within the
vicinity, I had no choice but to take a few record shots from a slight
distance. My only other record of this elusive species here was about 2 years
ago. Although Pittas are terrestrial birds, they do have a tendency to call
from a lofty perch and this one was belting out its territorial call
persistently from the very top of a scrubland tree.
How does one get close
to a Black-capped Kingfisher? I have absolutely no idea. This shot like the
many others I have taken of this extremely skittish species is from a distance.
I find this behaviour rather odd for an open country kingfisher especially when
the other kingfishers that share its habitat are more tolerant.
This snipe has the
utmost confidence in its ability to camouflage itself when threatened and
rightfully so because I would have missed it if not for the lone Common
Sandpiper that was foraging next to it.
Some birds, on the other
hand, do not have to rely on stealth for protection simply because they have no
natural enemies - except for man that is. A good example is this Crested Serpent-eagle perched conspicuously on a dead tree next to the
mangroves. I am not sure if it is out of curiosity or fear but the raptor
actually turned around to face me when I started photographing it. But then
again, maybe it just felt like turning around.
The pair of Asian
Dollarbirds from my last visit was still present at the same area.
Unfortunately, this time they were a little hesitant to perch as low as the
last encounter.
The mangroves here are
certainly one of the best places in Penang to
see the Greater Flameback - a species that is confined to such habitats. In
fact, I think it is more regularly encountered here than the similar-looking
but more widespread Common Flameback.
The Cattle Egrets have
started to sport their smart breeding plumage. The landfill has become an
ideal feeding ground for these egrets and despite the sanitary issue, they
seemed to be really thriving with this way of life.
Just before I concluded
my visit here, a Blue-tailed Bee-eater gave a performance that was reminiscence
of the good old days when the marshlands habitats were at their prime. It was
as if the little fellow was trying to reassure me that everything here is going
to be fine. I certainly hope so, bud.
My next destination for
the day was the paddy fields at Permatang Nibong, Penang.
The Pond-herons have also started to sport their breeding plumage but for
today, only the Chinese Pond-herons were recorded.
At the Asian Openbill
haunt, I could see even from a distance that there were quite a big number of
them present this time. I made myself comfortable (I have a feeling I was going
to be there for quite a while) in my car at a strategic spot and pretty soon I
was surrounded by Asian Openbills. Most of them were resting on the trees as
usual and true enough, I eventually counted about 120 individuals - making it
an all-time high personal record.
There were a few that
were flying about and some were just coming in to join their resting compatriots.
There were even storks
resting on perches overlooking the former fish ponds.
A Great Egret alighted
in the middle of one of the ponds and momentarily distracted me from the
storks. And unlike the storks, it does not seem to mind getting its feet wet.
I have been lamenting to
Choo Eng that the storks here somehow do not fancy standing or resting on the
ground - unlike other places. Even when they do, they become wary of human
presence. But today, they certainly proved me wrong. At least 2 groups were
taking refuge among the paddy stalks...
And some were even standing
out in the open. And to think that I thought I will never get to photograph
them standing from a reasonably close distance.
I know the Asian
Openbill is probably not a big deal anymore in Malaysia. Particularly every birder
here and even Singapore
has now seen it thanks to the huge influx this season. However, I guess I am
still spellbound by these storks. I made a wish for the Asian Openbill to
hopefully become a regular sight in Penang
when I saw my very first one a few years back. It looks like that wish is
coming true. Seeing them in such huge numbers and at such a close proximity was
simply an incredible affair. A scene like this is more likely to take place in India or Thailand
but instead, it is here in my home state of Penang.
This encounter has left quite an impact on me. I honestly do not know how to
describe this overwhelming feeling inside of me. I guess you just had to be
there. Anyway, this juvenile provided the best photos for the day. In fact with
the green background, they may be my best images of this charismatic species
yet.
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