Ending the year with some Christmas cheer

 

Christmas - that special time of the year when anything is possible or so they say. And what better time to set out for not one but two lifers than on Christmas Day itself. It has been nearly 15 months since I last increase my life list. Undoubtedly, this is the longest I have ever gone without a lifer and it is courtesy of the ongoing pandemic and all the travel restrictions. I had a little appetizer before the main course which was slated for the afternoon. Unfortunately, the Black Bittern that was showing well for others at the Penang Botanic Gardens was no where to be seen. It was not a good sign especially before a major twitching trip and a striking Blue-tailed Bee-eater did not possess enough finesse to lift my spirits. So much for the magic of Christmas so far.

The Pied Stilt looks very much like some variances of the Black-winged Stilt and this graceful wader was my first twitch of the trip. It is a recent colonizer from the south to Peninsular Malaysia and a few finally made their way up to Penang state as predicted. The paddy planting district of mainland Penang houses hundreds of wintering Black-winged Stilts. Relying on the information others have provided and faith, I scanned through the flocks looking for the odd ones out. Luckily, I had James’s help for this tedious task as he accompanied me on this excursion. It was a hot and sunny day and the heatwave was almost unbearable. And then among a flock of 50 or so, I noticed one sporting a distinctive black mane. It was far and the paddy stalks, tall. Upon further strenuous scrutiny, it was beyond doubt I was squinting at my first Pied Stilt.

I carefully trod onto the muddy bund with the hope of obtaining better images. The paddy field is not a place where one can easily sneak up to a bird and the magic of Christmas, like everything else in life, has its limits.

Time was of the essence on this occasion and as I was about to leave for my next destination, the Pied Stilt strolled into full view. It was still a dreadful effort but then again, I could have just as easily missed the bird among the sea of stilts and stalks. Thus, always be grateful of what you have being given.

We arrived at the jetty along the Penaga River just in time to join the rest to search for Malaysia’s second Black-faced Spoonbill by boat. There is not much I can add that Google cannot provide about this unique and globally endangered species except that it presses all the right buttons for me – a water bird that is big, beautiful and rare.

We found the Black-faced Spoonbill at the river mouth where it frequents. However, all the excitement and anticipation built up to this moment drowned away because the distinguished visitor was foraging at a spot where the possibility of reducing the distance was non-existence.

The only thing left to do was to wait and hope for the Black-faced Spoonbill to wander closer and it was a long and taxing wait. A juvenile White-bellied Sea-Eagle gilded in and momentarily distracted us from the depressing situation we were in. It may sound like I am contradicting myself. I got my double lifers, didn’t I? It really should not matter that I only managed record shots for this lifer as well. But I was really looking forward to a memorable experience with the spoonbill and a distant observation is not exactly what I had in mind.

Anyway, back to the eagle. A sudden change of pace caught everyone by surprise and I almost missed the opportunity of capturing this majestic raptor dive successfully for what appeared to be a snake. On any other given day, this would have left me on cloud nine. But the disappointment with the spoonbill could not be that easily forgotten.

Even the appearance of a juvenile Brahminy Kite soaring effortlessly in the clear blue sky did very little to brightened up the trip. Not when now that the Black-faced Spoonbill had gone hidden from sight as it rested behind a line of mangrove trees.

At that point in time, we decided to venture elsewhere and to return here again before the day is over. A Collared Kingfisher was also taking shelter from the scorching heat and perched among the foliage of the mangroves.

The Black-capped Kingfisher is one difficult bird to photograph because of its shy nature. I found out today that it is more tolerant to approach by boat than car and this individual continued to rest in the shade despite our intrusion. This common but striking migrant did reposition itself during our observation and the encounter gave us to courage to hope for better things to come before the end of the day.

It was the moment of truth and the boat circled back for one more attempt with the Black-faced Spoonbill. On a wing and a prayer, we are hoping that the receding tide will draw it out from hiding and forage along the water’s edge. Just like this Great Egret.

Even from a distance, there is no mistaking the foraging technique of the spoonbill as it sweeps for aquatic invertebrates. We cautiously approach and now at least, we can truly admire the unique and enigmatic Black-faced Spoonbill.

Before the trip, I gawked at some of the images that were posted on social media. Although my own efforts do not even come close but I am happy. Two lifers in one day is a rare feat for me and given the unprecedented period I had to endure without lifers, this is one of my best Christmas Days in a long time. I suppose every birder wishes for easily attained lifers. However, sometimes the drawbacks and drama in a way add value to the experience. There was certainly no shortage of that today.

Little did I know the Black-faced Spoonbill saved the best for last. As the last light of day gradually slid back into the horizon, we found our main target of this boat trip basking in the golden light of the setting sun. And I, just took a deep breath and soak in the view. From utter disappointment to total bliss. The magic of Christmas? You bet it is. At the time of writing, this vagrant has not been seen in two days. All the more reason to be grateful.

When we returned to the jetty, a few Black-crowned Night-Herons have emerged from their roost. As our day comes to a close, theirs have just only begun. These common nocturnal water birds wrapped things up for the day and what a day it has been. The Pied Stilt will most probably get commoner here in Malaysia but for now, it is certainly a significant record. The Black-faced Spoonbill was just amazing and I may not have another chance to see this rarity again in my homeland. 2021 may not have been an eventful year but the appearance of these two species in the final weeks of the year has now made it otherwise.

Dancing Egrets

 

It was looking to be another beautiful morning and since I had a couple of hours to spare, it would be a waste not to spend it out in the field. With limited choices available in my beloved island home, it was back to the Penang Botanic Gardens. Being a weekend morning, the crowd was inevitable. However, the spot that I usually frequent when I am at this popular recreational destination is somewhat off the beaten track so I could bird relatively undisturbed. Along the stream, I noticed two Little Egrets with a whole lot of interaction between them. To my untrained eyes, they appeared to be performing some mating dance as the Egrets moved in synchronize. Then things started turning hostile and dance, became dispute with one chasing off the other. In the end, there was no romance brewing here – just hostility.

The lone Striated Heron did not let all the commotion by the Egrets distract it from what it set out to do – acquiring breakfast.

Food also drew the resident White-throated Kingfisher from its usual lofty perch and provided me with a brief moment to capture its splendour at eye level.

A repertoire of musical notes started to fill the vicinity and it was the contribution of a pair of Oriental Magpie-Robins. I suppose these beautiful songsters have found their sanctuary here as bird trappers know better than to try their shit at a location constantly monitored by park personnel.

This next bird has a wide range of calls and even imitates. The territorial call is sometimes such a disarray of notes it makes it distinct. The bird itself is no less unique. The tail extends into a wire-like appearance ending with a racket shaped feather at each end. The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo may be a common species throughout the country but it is still an exceptional bird.

The migratory Asian Brown Flycatcher, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Silent and dull, it would have gone unnoticed if not for its occasional sallies for insects. Birding at a local patch like this is usually a laidback affair and every bird present will receive some form of attention.

No visit to this landscaped garden is complete without encountering the Crested Mynas. A population has established itself well here and the Mynas hardly take any effort to conceal themselves from humans. Here is just one of the many Mynas that took to the lawns in search of food.

While observing the Mynas, a White-breasted Waterhen wandered into the vicinity in full view. To a certain degree, birds here are quite bold as they are accustomed to human presence. I pretended not to show too much interest and it worked like a charm. But once this photo was taken, my subject knew my true intention and gradually backed away.

Penang Island has the highest density of White-bellied Sea-Eagles and that is something that I can be proud of. Being an island, you can see White-bellied Se-Eagles from literally everywhere and this time, a juvenile soars effortlessly above the gardens. It was hot and sunny and this youngster was taking full advantage of the updraft.

Olive-backed Sunbirds are another common sight here. Although the male lacks some of the radiance of other species, he is still handsome fellow. And the dark orange border below the blue iridescent throat indicates he is a subspecies that occurs in the northern region.

A Brown Shrike that is yet to look prime for the coming breeding season up north was having a little sunbathe above a relatively busy walkway. Unperturbed by the all walkers below and a lone birder, it remained at the perch to be admired only by the latter.

This feisty winter visitor wrapped things up for this short excursion. Most of the species encountered today were the commoner ones but in the end, it does not really matter. It was certainly time well spent and for that, I am grateful.

Home sweet home?

I found myself staring at a 28-day partial lock down as a strict Movement Control Order was laid down in place by the Malaysian government. That is a long time to go without birding. To help me keep my sanity and feed my often insatiable appetite for birding, I challenged myself to come up with a post for my blog and all the contents must be obtained from my home balcony. It would be a difficult one because a few years back, the management decided to chop down every single tree that is in plain sight from my balcony but I figured the challenge might do me some good. I could walk around the compound in order to obtain better images but with all the neighbours home-bound, I will draw even more stares and attention than I usually do. This home quarantine has made me slightly temperamental and I certainly do not need to subject myself to unnecessary stress. Nope, this post was an accumulative effort of a couple of hours each day over a period of one week from my balcony and my housing area is not exactly what one would consider as good for birding.

The most prominent species of bird here is not even a wild bird. Feral Pigeons thrive living alongside humans. Some of these pigeons do possess a striking resemblance to the wild Rock Pigeons but apparently, the only pure Rock Pigeons in Malaysia are the ones found at Batu Caves in Selangor state.

These pigeons multiple rapidly and often successfully. So much so that they are considered as pests by some. I noticed that the pigeons have started to pair up again or are trying their best to do so. Subtlety plays no part in courtship and this amorous male is prove to that.

Somehow Feral Pigeons have a way of earning the affections of non-birders and will receive handouts regularly from them. Every morning without fail, the pigeons will descend from the rooftops and gorge themselves on the offerings courtesy of my neighbours.

Now, the Spotted Dove is a truly wild bird and it is also doing well – not only here but throughout the country. Unlike the Feral Pigeons, it takes no interest in the handouts. It could be pride or it could be survival instincts but the Spotted Dove rarely exhibits the ridiculously bold behaviour of those feral birds.

With the absence of trees in front of my balcony, a row of lamp posts is the most strategic perch for photography. It is amazing how your perception of things can change when there is absolutely no choice to the matter.

The adorable Zebra Dove shares a similar fate with the Spotted Dove. Both are popular cage birds but despite of that, the wild populations are still doing well. A pair was getting very comfortable with each other at a building rooftop across from mine. It came as no surprise as it now the breeding season and most of the birds here were showing signs of that.

Being smaller, it was much more challenging to capture decent images of the Zebra Dove and its numbers here are much lower as well. The closest this dove ever came to my position was when it alighted on the perimeter fencing. For a species that is often obliging in normal times, I surprised even myself when a sense of achievement briefly developed within me after obtaining this far from ideal image. Or maybe it is just my cabin fever acting up again.

The sweet bubbly call of the Yellow-vented Bulbul is very much the dawn chorus of this bustling neighbourhood in the outskirts of Georgetown City. Here, it is convenient living because everything is literally at our doorstep. Everything except good birding, that is.

Anyway, the Yellow-vented Bulbul is another success story because it has adapted well to life among humans and this trait alone will almost ensure you of your existence in this world. The Mohawk does earn the bulbul some points when it comes to appearance but the bird does not linger close often enough for good photographic opportunities.

The resident pair of Common Mynas can be seen strutting around the vicinity except during the hottest parts of the day. Although abundant in the country, Common Mynas are full of character and can be a delight to observe.

Like most myna species, it is very adaptable and opportunistic. However here in Penang Island, the Common Myna faces stiff competition from the Crested Myna. There are certain localities where it is significantly outnumbered but the Common Myna still remains as one of the commonest birds on the island.

Being somewhat of a Penang Island specialty, the Crested Myna was an introduced bird that has been accepted into the national checklist. Apparently, the tropical island ambience suits it well and the population is blooming here and nowhere else in the country. A pair moved into the neighbourhood about a year back and they have been a regular sight since. It says a lot about one’s character if you are able to compete and even better the likes of a Common Myna.

During my challenge, this species provided the best photographic opportunities. Beggars cannot be choosers and I took those opportunities with much enthusiasm. I cannot recall the last time when this locally common species stirred up such exhilaration.

Due to the Crested Myna’s status here in my home state, it is usually taken for granted by local birders. Occasionally, I am guilty of this too and it is unfair to the bird. Sporting a sultry black plumage and an absolutely wicked crest, it is a stunning bird. And this time-at-home period opened up my eyes to the beauty of the Crested Myna again.

The lamp posts again provided the magic (I cannot believe that I actually wrote that) for my photographic efforts. From the looks of it, the birds here are fond of these manmade perches as well. The Feral Pigeons are harmless but they are cumbersome. The facial expression of this Crested Myna says it all when a pigeon decided to squeeze in on the perch.

Clumsy as it may be, the pigeon still has the mentality to practice social distancing which is more than I can say for some of my fellow humans...

Asian Glossy Starlings can form huge flocks to roost but unfortunately, not in this neighbourhood. This week their numbers were relatively lower and although most of us have been requested to take a break from work, I can see Murphy is still hard at work maintaining his law. Then on one beautiful morning, a lone individual alighted on a water pipe of the unit above mine. The perch was hideous and obstructing but thankfully, it could not obscure the true radiance of an Asian Glossy Starling.

Back when I was an easily excited teenage birder, I used to travel all the way to the fruit orchards in the southern part of the island to watch Dollarbirds and their aerial displays. At that time, it was a sight very foreign to me and I found these birds to be remarkable. Anyway, a lone individual will usually come round in the evenings and I was that teenage once again as I marvelled at the Dollarbird’s presence and occasional sallies. The backdrop of brick and mortar may not be as appealing as the lush greenery of the orchards but at least this common bird gave me something to look forward each evening.

Being married to a birder has enriched my wife’s knowledge on birds including their calls. And when it comes to bird vocalizations here in the city, the Asian Koel has no rivals. Loud and unbelievably persistent, the territorial call of this parasitic cuckoo is a regular sound in my neighbourhood. Inevitably, my wife has had ample opportunities to learn the calls. To actually see the bird, on the other hand, requires effort and luck as it often keeps itself concealed. A fruiting palm tree was the only reason I managed a few record shots during my challenge and even then, the Asian Koel rarely gave in to the temptation.

One other bird that she has learned to recognize by call quite efficiently is the White-throated Kingfisher. It will announce its arrival by filling the vicinity with its tremulous call and needless to say, striking appearance.  My wife still has to go to work during this lockdown period because she is attached to a private hospital. Although she is not really on the frontline, the risk is very real for her. Whenever I see the White-throated Kingfisher in this difficult time, an uneasy feeling creeps in. My better half is the only thing that makes sense in this world other than the birds. Everyone should be fighting this war but from what that I can see, it is not the case. She is out there doing her battle and I am proud of her. My only concern is that I cannot be there to protect her.

The vibrant colours of the Black-naped Oriole is a welcomed sight here. Its beautiful song is a reminder that the world is not such a gloomy place after all. Some might find solitude in religion and others in music but for me, it is always the birds. The Black-naped Oriole has a preference for trees when alighting and that puts me out of luck except for a few rare occasions.

I hate to admit it but the king of the block is the marauding House Crow. There is a reason why they are called a murder of crows. Although I am not terribly fond of this species, I have to respect its intelligence and tenacity. Nothing is safe when these birds have their eyes locked on it. Luckily House Crows are not capable of killing everything at will but they certainly have mastered the art of harassing and tormenting their victims.

However for several months each year, this ruthless king will be temporarily dethroned. For there is one that can strike fear even in the hearts of the hardiest House Crows. The Peregrine Falcon has a cosmopolitan distribution and in Malaysia, it occurs as both migrant and resident. The migrants will usually winter in concrete jungles where it reigns supreme. Even the House Crows do not mess with this deadly predator and that is one of the reasons why it is my all-time favourite bird (apart from the mighty Harpy Eagle of South America). For me the Peregrine Falcon is the most exciting bird to be found from home and through the years, I have seen it on several occasions. During the challenge, fleeting views in flight (it is the fastest bird in the world) was all that was given. A stroke of good luck produced this distant image of the Peregrine Falcon looking over its kingdom from a lofty perch. It was an unworthy shot for such an amazing bird but it was the one shot I wanted the most for this post.

There is one more raptor that makes me feel blessed I can enjoy it from the comforts of my balcony and it is the majestic White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Penang Island has the highest density of White-bellied Sea-Eagles in Malaysia and they are also one of the largest eagles around. The sight of these eagles soaring effortlessly on those huge wings is very impressive indeed and even after all these years, it still takes my breath away.

I stay relatively close to the coast and this raptor can be seen regularly making its way out and back from the sea. Evenings will usually have the White-bellied Sea-Eagles returning and occasionally, with fish securely in their talons.

I am elated I managed to obtain enough content for a decent blog posting despite all the drawbacks. In fact, I rather enjoyed the whole challenge. The birds, regardless of status, still continue to thrill and amaze. Surprisingly, the sunsets here can be quite lovely at times. Something that I usually do not take notice of. To quote from an antihero lead character in a movie that has some relevance to what we are facing today - enjoy the little things. And that I shall.