It
is always interesting to meet and get to know birders from other parts of the
world and this time, I had the companionship of two lovely ladies from Scotland . I
took Lucinda and Louise out for a day trip around Penang and we started off at
my favourite local patch, the freshwater swamp forest
of Air Hitam Dalam in northern
mainland Penang . This small patch of forest
has never fail to deliver and the birds there are quite accustomed to human
presence and confiding. There is also a good mix of forest and open country
birds here at this locality. That makes it a little easier for birders who are
not used to birding in a tropical rain forest. A typical rain forest may be
rich in diversity but it is quite challenging to actually locate the birds at
times.
The
denizens of the swamp forest gave the ladies a very warm reception with the
striking male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher leading the way. The confiding
individual was certainly the highlight for my foreign guests on this occasion.
The
open area was also alive with bird activities. Woodpeckers, kingfishers and
cuckoos were going about their daily routines and practically ignored our
presence. It was a great way to observe these fascinating birds in their
natural environment. The wintering Black Kites entertained us with their
graceful sallies as they moved about their roosting trees.
Birding
along the paddy fields by car was something new to my guests but the experience
was a memorable one for them. This was probably one of the most pampered ways they
have ever done birding in and some of the open country waders at Kubang Semang like
this Grey-headed Lapwing performed admirably to further enhance the experience.
My
favourite moment of the trip was encountering a flock of Purple-backed
Starlings foraging on a low bush. These winter visitors are not uncommon to
this locality but are usually wary of human presence. This time the distance
between us and the birds was within their comfort zone and we were rewarded
with reasonably good views as they foraged about. This female provided one the
best images I have so far of the beautiful species.
2 comments:
Great birds..... apart from the Black Kite, all passage migrants in HK, presumably on their way to you.
Thanks, John!
Post a Comment