My trip to the Kuala
Gula Bird Sanctuary in Perak with Choo Eng and Hor Kee could not have started
off any worse. The pre-dawn sky truly opened up and the torrential rain and
strong winds made visibility relatively poor on the highway. The weather
started to ease when we reached our destination but it was still gloomy, cold
and wet. So much so that even a waterbird like this Common Redshank did not
want to get its feet wet and rested on an elevated perch.
Fortunately for us,
the sun managed to find the strength to rise above the rain clouds and
everything came to life like this Crested Serpent-eagle drying off on an
exposed branch before the commencement of the morning hunt.
This Common Iora is
also feeling a little sluggish after the rain. It is not often that I come
across one that is so stationery and I took advantage of its accommodating mood.
This birding hotspot
is basically a vast area of pristine mangrove forest and it provides sanctuary
not only to the birds that occur along this mangrove belt but also the water
birds along the coastline as well.
My last visit was a
couple of years back and the locality has changed substantially since then.
Some parts of the mangroves are now being killed to make way for aquaculture. I
guess their definition of a bird sanctuary bears a completely different meaning
from mine.
For now, the magic
still lives on and a pair of confiding Sunda Woodpeckers was one of the main
highlights of the trip. These miniature woodpeckers are only found in mangroves
and coastal areas here in Peninsular Malaysia. They are not uncommon and are occasionally
overlooked due to their small size and brownish plumage but not today. Today,
they certainly wanted to be seen and photographed…
I find the
population here in somewhat more confiding than elsewhere. I have had quite a
number of good photographic opportunities in the past but today’s encounter was
the best.
The male bird differs
slightly from his mate by having a small red patch below his crown. This red
patch is often obscured from view and his active nature does not help on this
matter at all.
Another mangrove
specialist that we encountered today was the Great Tit. This bird is widespread
and common throughout most of Europe and Asia. Here in Malaysia, it has a
limited range and is confined to the mangroves. Being adorable and a delight to
observe, this species is highly sought after by many birders including yours
truly.
The mangroves are also
home to the Golden-bellied Gerygone. Its prolonged whistle is a very much a
part of the sights and sounds of any mangrove forest. Due to its minute size,
it is more often heard than seen. That is most unfortunate because it is a
rather attractive little bird and these inquisitive individuals gladly helped
in supporting my claim.
Brahminy Kites are
undoubtedly the commonest raptor at this locality. No less than half a dozen were
seen during this trip alone. The population here is quite accustomed to human
presence and at times, they will fly quite low and close.
We found the resident Ashy
Drongos to be more skittish than usual. Throughout the morning, they were
flying away at the first sign of our presence. I guess one must have felt a
little embarrassed at being such awful hosts that it eventually posed for the
visiting birders.
Honeybees are usually
not dangerous unless they feel that their hive is threatened. Well, this is one
big hive and that is I the reason why I am shooting this from a distance – a
very safe distance.
The presence of a
brownish flycatcher was another adrenalin-inducing moment of this trip. It was
rather well-behaved and allowed reasonably close approach. We took quite a
number of shots and after much scrutiny the flycatcher, with confirmation from
Dave back home, was a Brown-streaked Flycatcher.
Much overlooked due to
its similarities with the commoner Asian Brown Flycatcher, this species occurs
as both resident and migrant here in Peninsular Malaysia. Based on the locality
and date, this individual is most probably a migrant.
A pair of White-breasted
Woodswallows ignited excitement again within our group or maybe just me. It
used to occur only in the Selangor state but gradually, the population is
spreading up north along the west coast. Photographing a black and white bird under
the noon sun is a challenge. Anyway, I tried my best because I have had only a
handful of encounters prior to this and there is no way I will turn down an
opportunity like this.
I always have a soft
spot for water birds and if they are also large and rare, then true fascination
and admiration kicks in. Three species of storks, which meet the criteria
perfectly, occur within the borders of this bird sanctuary. We managed to see 2
species today. The first was a couple of Lesser Adjutants that appeared to be
rather wary of human presence even when they are flying at a distance.
This locality is
probably the last stronghold in Malaysia for the globally endangered Milky
Stork – our second stork species of the trip. A flock of 21 birds were seen
circling above the Wildlife Department HQ and that is the highest number ever
for me. Seeing this stork in such big numbers soaring gracefully was worth the
trip alone. The majority of this flock is part of the re-introduction program
that started back in 2007. A few could very well be second generation birds and
that is a very good sign indeed.
After a much
anticipated seafood lunch, we decided to make a little detour before heading
back to Penang. There is a Chinese Temple just outside the sanctuary where a
Collared Scops- owl has been roosting for the past couple of years. The temple
itself is decorated with the "mascot" of the sanctuary - the Milky
Stork. However, to locate a small owl that is perfectly suited to blend into
the environment among a dense bamboo clump is nothing short of a miracle. And,
there were more than one clump. Despite the miss, it was still another
rewarding excursion to one of the best birding areas in Peninsular Malaysia.
8 comments:
Stunning selection of birds. I think my favourite has to be that woodpecker. Superb shots.
Had to smile when I read your comments about the Great Tit. I have a few of them visiting my garden daily. A very common bird here.
Wise to keep clear of that mass of bees. Plenty there. lol
Thanks, Keith!
Mun, in Europe their Great Tit has a yellowish underpart. Our Great Tits looks a bit like the American Chickadees. Very nice and sharp photos of the Brown-Streaked Flycatcher.
The overcast skies gave you beautiful lighting in many of these shots. Great stuff!
It’s interesting how the Redshank perches up like that on a tree. Here they perch up on fence posts in the breeding season but otherwise are strictly shore birds (very hard to approach too).
The Sunda Woodpeckers certainly chose a good tree to which to show off. Brilliant captures.
Your Great Tit is so pale and you made me smile because here most birders don’t record them because they are so common.
That hive is an incredible size. I think you did right to stay clear Choy.
Cracking pictures of the flycatcher and a shame about missing the owl but on a positive note, it means you will have to return.
Thanks all for your compliments and comments.
Dave, thanks for confirming the flycatcher.
Great close-ups of the Sunda Woodpeckers, you had a successful day out !
Thanks, John. It certainly was a great trip.
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