When
I was in high school, I started to develop my passion for birds and birding. At
that time, birding was something most folks in Malaysia are not familiar with.
I was the only one among my peers that does this insane activity of going to
God forsaken places to record and observe birds in their natural habitat. I
suppose this is an universal thing but whenever I tell someone I am into
birding, a smirk or even laughter is the usual reaction. And of course, there
is always the typical 'Oh really - what kind of a bird?' response with the sly
smile. Nowadays more Malaysians are aware of the existence of birders and
sometimes, I don't even get the bewildered stares when I stalk around a bush
with my gear in semi-military attire. Through social media, I have come to know
that a few of my former schoolmates are now also into birding. Well, what do
you know - I'm not alone after all.Victor,
a schoolmate that I have not seen for more than 20 years, was back in town for
a couple of days and I took him to experience a little taste of birding around
Penang as he now resides in Kuala Lumpur.
The first location we visited was the
recreational forest of Sungai Sedim in Kedah. It was a reasonably good visit as
we came across no less than 3 separate birdwaves. I did not have much luck
shooting during the waves but this rather obliging Eastern Crown Warbler was
the only exception. Leaf-warblers are a difficult group when it comes to
identification and photography. But the yellow vent and dark crown should be
sufficient in saving me the embarrassment of another misidentification - I
hope.
A
pair of Scarlet-rumped Trogons was also out and about on this beautiful
morning. Unfortunately, I have only the duller female to show in the end.
As
we were making our way out of the reserve, the striking colours of a male
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker momentarily postponed our journey to the paddy
fields of Kubang Semang in Penang.
The
first bird to catch our attention at the paddy fields was a lone raptor
circling high up on the sky. Buzzard was the first thing that came to mind.
Looking through my images after the raptor was gone triggered alarm bells in my
head as the plumage was similar to that of a juvenile Bonelli's Eagle - a
species yet to be recorded in Malaysia. A quick check there and then with
Chaiyan and Hor Kee (the wonders of modern technology) put me back to my place.
It was only a juvenile Oriental Honey-buzzard sporting a plumage variance that
closely resembled a juvenile Bonelli's Eagle. So much for saving myself from
the embarrassment of another misidentification! Anyway, I am truly grateful of
having birding buddies both locally and abroad that are willing to put up with
me when my enthusiasm gets the better of me. Thank you, guys. You know who you are.
The
paddy fields provided a couple of hours of rewarding car-birding. The Long-toed
Stints were still in high numbers and some of them came rather close to my
stationery vehicle this time.
The
diagnostic call of the migratory Yellow Wagtails filled the vicinity and the
newly planted fields are certainly their preferred habitat. Rarely have I seen
a wagtail in such a vertical posture. Ten-hut!
Grey-headed
Lapwings are commoner in northern Peninsula Malaysia and for Victor, this
migratory wader was one of his target birds for this trip up north. A small
flock resting among the young paddy stalks was a little more tolerant than
usual towards human presence and provided a fitting end to this short but
rewarding birding excursion.
6 comments:
Nice to see some species familiar to us in HK here (apart from the Trogon, and OHB is difficult).
Ah, phylloscopus warblers…. you won't hear any corrections from me !
If it is Victor Loo, then I know him too. He stays in Subang Jaya and during the last migratory season, he came to Kota Kemuning (where I stay)often.
I've seen the Eastern Crowned Warbler here in Niigata too. I lke the trogen even though it female. Striking looking bird and nice capture of the Buzzard. I pretty successful time with the birds...and glad to know that more people are waking up to the joy of encountering wild birds.
Thanks, John. Those warblers can be a real nightmare.
Yes, Swee Hock. It is Victor.
Thanks, Russell. Yup, bird photography is really started to pick up these past few years.
It's a small world indeed when both of us can see Yellow Wagtails.I think you did really well identify the Eastern Crowned Warbler, never mind photograph it so well.
The wonders of bird migration. Thanks, Phil.
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