The
emergence of the Chinese Egrets in Penang Island revived my passion for tidal
habitats and the birds that find sanctuary there. I used to spend hours on end
at the mudflats of Bagan Belat back in the day. Back when hundreds or even
thousands of waders were present at this coastline. Sadly in recent years, the
objects of my obsession have shifted to rather inaccessible areas. This and the
destruction of most of the good wader sites in my home state has kept me away
from indulging in wader watching. Each January, the Asian Waterbird Count (AWC)
takes place throughout the continent and on this beautiful Saturday morning, I
decided to do my part.
The
tide was about right and the weather was good. But as expected, not much
variety of waders were present at the extensive mudflats of Bagan Belat. Common
Redshanks were the most numerous species present and it has been that way for
quite some time.
A
huge flock of white birds with black wings started to fly out from the
mangroves and alighted beyond the edge of the mudflats. The birds were too far
for me too positively identify them. Habitat may be ideal but they sure the
hell were not Milky Storks – not in this kind of number anyway. Asian Openbills
are a better bet and this is the first time I am encountering them in a marine
habitat.
Eventually
some of them flew over to my end of the mudflats and their identity were no
longer in doubt.
One
can always hope of something rare when gazing at flocks of waders out in the
mudflats. Imagination can only take you so far but when seen well, it is not
easy to misidentify a Common Greenshank for a Nordmann’s Greenshank.
All
the egrets present were scrutinized to make sure I do not overlook a would-be rarity.
I have recorded the globally vulnerable Chinese Egret here once before but
today, only the Great Egret provided any form of excitement from this family of
birds.
The
resident pair of Brahminy Kites were up to their usual routine of scavenging
and the occasional piracy of egrets’ fresh caught preys. However, what goes
round comes round and the kites have to put up with the constant mobbing of the
House Crows.
A
fair number of Whiskered Terns were also present and the river mouth seemed to
have their undivided attention today. A short walk along the rocky wave breaker
got me into a better position to photograph these angelic and graceful birds.
It is not easy but the good lighting helped tremendously.
Poetry
in motion – the bird and not the photography…
After
the AWC, I swung by the swamp forest of Air Hitam Dalam only to find a group of
schoolchildren making their presence felt along the canopy walk. This location
holds the status of an educational forest but judging from the level of noise and
disturbance this group was making, I doubt there will be much education to be learned
from this trip. The wintering Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo has been quite
tolerant to human presence so far this season but nothing could have prepared it
for the commotion that was now taking place. Inevitably, it was nervous and
skittish and a record shot was all I could muster.
The
male Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker is an exquisite creature despite his common
status. Naturally he had my attention and from the look of things, I had his too
(in a bad way). Not today, huh bud?
By
the later half of the morning, the temperature started to soar and so did some
of the birds. More Asian Openbills were seen again and this time at much closer
proximity.
Poetry
in motion – again the birds and not the photography…
Ever
wondered how this stork got its name? Apparently only mature birds will sport
this distinct gap between mandibles.
When
a striking adult Brahminy Kite leisurely glided into view it was deja vu again.
First the Openbills and now this common raptor.
I
was just thinking to myself that there is another species that often patrols
the sky above the swamp forest here this time of year and just like a staged
performance, in came a trio of Black Kites from the adjacent paddy fields.
The
kites were probably back to rest after the morning’s hunt and their favourite
site is the row of big trees across the river. Enjoying the sight of a tree
full of Black Kites is something you rarely get to say especially here in
Malaysia.
This
male Common Flameback signalled his arrival by uttering a series of his loud territorial
call. Although this species is a regular here, I have always adored his vivid
colouration. Today, he was particularly obliging and I think I took some of my
best images of the species to date.
After
the exciting encounter with the Common Flameback, I was ready to call it a day.
The heat of the midday sun was starting to wear me out. But, this birding
hotspot was not quite done. A male Banded Woodpecker alighted so close that it gave
me a startle. This species can be exceedingly tame here at times and this was
certainly one of those occasions. He was somehow attracted to a clump of Nipah
Palms and most probably is about food. A dried palm frown coincidentally
provide an interesting backdrop for the photo.
By
that time, lighting was getting harsh. Despite the confiding nature of the
woodpecker, some of my images somehow do not quite hit the mark. Nevertheless,
like the woodpecker, I took my time to gradually move out of the vicinity. My
last visit here was rather mundane but today was a whole different story. And
it did not even involved one single uncommon species.
I
would have missed the last bird of the day had I not seen it fly onto the
perch. Indian Cuckoos are common migrants and there are at least two
individuals wintering here this season. It is no award-winning photograph but sometimes,
experiences matter more. And observing this handsome male Indian Cuckoo resting
among the shadows of the canopy foliage is an intriguing experience indeed.
