Back into the field...

 

After more than 180 days, I finally ventured out into field for some much needed birding. The government eased the travel restrictions between states and myself, fully vaccinated. The Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest remained relatively the same since the last time I was here. However, there was one difference. I had to follow the new normal and donning a medical mask is very much be a part of everything I do nowadays - including birding.

A Crow-billed Drongo was shadowing the movements of a pair of Plaintain Squirrels attracted by the insects flushed by the mammals. Although the only image obtained during the encounter could not reflect the true beauty of the Crow-billed Drongo but to watch it hawk among the foliage of the riverine trees was a great start to the day.

I admit that my identification skills are not as sharp as they should be as they have not being put to use for a long time indeed. But no matter how long I have been kept away from birding, there is no mistaking a Green-billed Malkoha. When it swooped across the access road with its long tail trailing and all, it certainly made me realize how much I miss this unusual hobby of mine. And just before the cuckoo disappeared into the swamp forest, it was kind enough to leave me with more than just a memory.

Shortly after, a true test of my identification skills took place. Flitting about the foliage of the canopy level, a little brown job looked set to giving me a hard time. Initially, I struggled. Prominent wing markings tried to complicate my thoughts. Unexpectedly, the bird dropped down to a smaller tree and good were now available to me. And the identification of this juvenile Asian Brown Flycatcher, solved.

The Malaysian Pied-Flycatcher after having terrorizing the small insects in the vicinity decided to take a breather on a somewhat expose perch. One does not see this notoriously active bird stationary like this all that often and taking a moment to appreciate it was the least I could do.

A lone male Common Flameback created such a ruckus that it would it impossible to ignore. Come to think of it, with that striking plumage of his, it would still be impossible to ignore him even if he was as quiet as a church mouse.

Although I mostly derived inspiration from birds, this attractive flower has a certain appeal to it and it was enough to even distract my attention. Or maybe it is just because I have been cooped up indoors far too often of late.

As usual, the bubbly song of the Olive-winged Bulbuls filled the locality. I managed to catch one enjoying the rays of the morning sun nearby the elevated boardwalk. Rain has been a regular feature of late and the warmth would be inviting indeed. I guess we could both use a little sunshine in our lives now.

The heat of late morning began to soar and so did some of the raptors that were present here today. Sounding remarkably like a mewing cat, the Brahminy Kite reveals its presence with this distinctive call. The resident pair appeared shyer than usual and I knew better than to press on for better images.

Back from their breeding grounds up north, the Black Kites are once again soaring over the swamp forest and paddy fields of this birding haven. A fair number was recorded but they kept their distance most of the time. This slightly more confiding individual provided a close but brief display of aerial agility. Just enough to lift my spirit.

Asian Openbills also took advantage of the hot air thermal to move from one feeding area to another. These peculiar storks have very much settled down in this part of the state and their huge silhouettes traversing along the skyline are a common sight. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder and I marveled at the Asian Openbill as though they were still the rare visitors of yesteryear.

One species that has always been a common winter visitor since the first day I took up birding is the Brown Shrike. Perched on top of a short tree, she (told by the barring on her underside) was probably scanning for potential prey. She was confiding and allowed me to shoot contently. That is until a couple of day trippers decided to stroll past with their MP3 player in toll. And people wonder why I am antisocial when birding...

Bright lighting certainly helps with photography but too much of a good thing can sometimes be the exact opposite. A female Plaintive Cuckoo resting in a low bush undoubtedly after a heavy meal was the last bird of the trip. Identification was anything but straightforward typical of female cuckoos. The harsh lighting and inevitable shadows compounded my frustration. But I packed up my gear a happy man. It is good to be back and hopefully, with more field trips to post in the days to come.

Hard disk birding - Chapter 1

 

As the title of this post implies, it has come to this. The movement control order in place to curb the ongoing pandemic and my own resolution to stay clear of the virus has kept me from indulging in one of my true passions in life. It has been nearly six months since my last birding adventure and that is unprecedented. The thing that scares me the most is that it feels like I am beginning to accept this life. A life without birding. And that will not do. Fortunately, my archive of digital images enables me to travel back in time to some of my more notable birding experiences. Although it is not as captivating as the real thing, in a time like this beggars can’t be choosers. These reflections of wings and inspiration help to keep my passion burning and for that, I am most grateful.

It was a moonless night and the windswept Eucalyptus Trees swayed eerily to the rhythm of Mother Nature’s will. A slight rustling among the leaf litter immediately caught the attention of the resident Brown Wood-Owl as nothing escapes its acute hearing. Despite having just fed told by the blood-stained talon, it will take more than usual to satisfy the hunger of this nocturnal predator on a chilly night like this. Together with a few companions, I documented the owl’s activities as long as it permitted me to intrude into its realm of darkness. The encounter took place in the forest of Bukit Larut many years ago. But the memory remains so vivid that every time I dwell in it, I could almost feel the caress of the cold mountain ambience once again.

With the rat securely clasped in its talons, the mighty Eastern Imperial Eagle carried itself effortless above a sea of green to feast in leisure at a secluded spot within the vast paddy planting district of Permatang Pauh in mainland Penang. A murder of crows half-heartedly harassed the raptor for a short distance before diverting their marauding attentions to some other unlucky victim. A lone birder struggled to maintain his composure as this memorable encounter unravelled before him in order to immortalize some bits and pieces of the experience to serve as a way to revisit this faithful day in years to come. Like today, twelve years later.

The sit-and-wait approach to wader watching is not fool proof. In fact when it comes to birding, nothing is. However on a beautiful Saturday morning along the bleak and muddy shoreline of northern mainland Penang, the rising tide pushed a Great Knot almost to my lap. This wader is a regular winter migrant to this area but in small numbers. And to have one foraging so close was just incredible. I have half-hidden myself quite uncomfortably among the rocks of a wave breaker before dawn and the luck of the draw this time made sense of all the aches I put myself through.

With a name like this, one would probably assume that the Amur Stonechat spends a whole lot of time in rocky habitats. Anyway, I find the ones wintering here in Peninsular Malaysia to have a preference for grassy stalks. Just before they migrate back north to breed, the males will start to look their best by donning their breeding plumages. The agricultural lands of Chuping in Perlis state play host to a healthy number of Amur Stonechats each season like this male in partial breeding plumage. He was quite vocal as the breeding season beckons and on this occasion, was true on his name.

The approaching thunderstorm darkened the sky but the anticipation of encountering more fascinating bird life along the access road up to the summit of Bukit Larut pushed me to carry on. Then the piercing territorial call of the Pygmy Cupwing filled the forest undergrowth and the gamble I took could pay off after all. This gloomy and densely foliaged domain can hide the bird well but decades of birding has made me a patient man. With only the call among the vegetation as my guide, I followed the movement of this adorable creature for a substantial period of time. My effort was rewarded when the Pygmy Cupwing momentarily abandoned its skulking persona and revealed its true beauty on an exposed perch.

Truth be told, the vibrant colours of the Blue-throated Bee-eater alone would be sufficient to make it an exceptional bird but Mother Nature has bestowed upon it aerial agility rivalled by few. Blue-throated Bee-eaters are summer visitors to Peninsular Malaysia and I can find them terrorizing winged insects in scrubland habitats throughout mainland Penang at the right time of the year. Their mid-air hunting forays are quite a spectacle and dragonflies form most of its diet here. And as the name implies, an occasional bee or two will suffer the same fate as well.

Of all the frogmouths that occur here in Peninsular Malaysia, the Blyth’s Frogmouth is probably the commonest. However, for this particular family of nocturnal birds, common does not mean easy. Its distinct call can be heard in several of my regular haunts but through the years, I was only fortunate enough to see it on a few occasions. On one such occasion, my companions and I came across a confiding female at the edge of a forest in Kedah state during a pre-dawn excursion. Her terrifying stare should send chills up the spines of most humans. But birders, are a breed apart and will find beauty in this unlikely animal.

I can consider myself lucky that I can come across the Black-naped Tern on a regular basis. Having stayed all my life in Penang Island, crossing the Penang Bridge is a normal routine for us islanders. And from the bridge is where these resident terns can be seen. However photographing the Black-naped Tern is near impossible here and judging on how people drive, hazardous to your wellbeing. My best photographic efforts come from the pelagic trips off the coast of Tanjung Dawai. Safely aboard a fishing vessel, I can acquire digital memories of this elegant tern with peace of mind.

An eagle in flight is awe inspiring and few representatives of the natural world can surpass the sight of this formidable predator soaring in the sky with its powerful wings. Identify the bird of prey accurately and you will achieve true enlightenment. However for the migratory Aquila eagles, scrutiny is usually required before their identities are revealed. And a racing pulse offers no aid in the process. On this occasion which took place in the paddy planting districts of mainland Penang, the Greater Spotted Eagle remained in view long enough to prevent any mistakes from the observer. Despite being the commonest of the three species that is known to occur, there is no denying the majesty of this winter visitor.

Among the diminutive woodpeckers that occur here in Malaysia, the Grey-and-Buff Woodpecker is the most exquisite in my book. Sporting a wicked crest, intricately marked upperparts and a flaming red forehead for the males; it can even give the big woodpeckers a run for their money. Because of its small size, it is often kept from view by the dense vegetation of the canopy from which it calls home. During one faithful day at the forest surrounding Pedu Lake, a confiding male provided a moment of magic for me and my companions. And in terms of forest birding, an encounter like this can very well be a once in a lifetime experience.