As
I was about to call it an early night in preparation for my tour the next day,
I could hear a steady stream of wind caressing the window panes. The caressing
soon grew to pounding and with an intensity that I do not think I have
experienced before. I was sure I was out of harm’s way as long as I remained
indoors but there was still cause for concern. The side effect of Typhoon
Lekima that struck China has found its way to a few northern states in northern
Peninsular Malaysia and in its wake, a trail of destruction. This act of nature
could jeopardize the success of my tour tomorrow and I was a little anxious as
I led my Singaporean guest to the first location of the day and it was the
mangroves of Sungai Batu. The
winds certainly swept through here but luckily, the damages were not as severe
as I have feared. It was a gloomy morning and the resident Greater Coucals were
quite adamant in absorbing as much of whatever little sunlight that was available
today. So much so that they partly forgo their usual wary nature.
Crested
Serpent-Eagles can be confiding at times and this individual that was resting
on a low dead tree, certainly exhibited that trait. And on a slow day like
this, it was a much welcomed encounter despite the common status of this
impressive raptor.
It
was good to see a few big water birds present here today. This young Purple
Heron was one of them. The distance may not have been ideal but the beauty of
the Purple Heron deserved our attention.
Our
next destination was the Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest in mainland Penang.
Upon arrival, I was left speechless. I stared upon my deepest fear as last
night’s freak storm nearly flattened the place. When one of the mighty Banyan
Trees uprooted not too long ago, it had a devastating effect on this birding
site and now, a second Banyan Tree suffered the same fate when it could not
withstand the wrath of nature. I fear the end is drawing near for this once glorious
birding hotspot. And the atmosphere this morning was about as cheerful as a
cemetery.
Not
only does the site need to endure the power of Mother Nature but also the work
of my fellow Man. The illegal land clearing works right at the border of the
reserve were given stop work orders by the government but it may be too late. A
little piece of me dies with the demise of each birding site here in my home
state of Penang. Air Hitam Dalam and all the incredible moments it has provided,
will be a huge loss to the local birding community should it face an untimely death.
A
few Asian Openbills resting along the paddy fields of mainland Penang ended the
day on a slightly higher note. And these unique storks are settling in very
well indeed. Whether it is on top of isolated trees or on the fields, the Asian
Openbills have certainly found their refuge here.
My
next birding excursion took me to the hilly forest of Sungai Sedim in Kedah
state. The strong winds barely made it here deep in the interiors of Kedah and
for that I am most grateful. Birding could have been better and the birds did
just about enough to keep a couple of old school birders contented. My
Australia guest had shown a keen interest to go for her first ever canopy walk
and where better than what is supposedly the world’s longest one – the Sungai
Sedim Tree Top.
The
view from up here was spectacular as always. However, we were hoping for a
little more than breath taking views from our venture into the canopy level.
For
the second consecutive time, a mammal and not a bird, provided the main
highlight for me. A civet was seen making its way along the foliage of the forest
canopy. I tried my best to follow its movements but it was an uphill challenge
for both me and my modest photography equipment. Between cursing and not
toppling over the side of the canopy walk, I somehow managed to capture a few
reasonable images of this sleek creature. And it turned out to be a
Small-toothed Palm-Civet. My second ever encounter with this elusive and
uncommon species.
Like
most civets, it is nocturnal by nature and it is a true blessing to be given an
opportunity to admire and photograph the Small-toothed Palm-Civet in broad
daylight.
The
encounter lasted no more than a half minute but for the observers, it seemed
much longer than that. We could not take our eyes off the civet until it
disappeared into the dense foliage where it finds true sanctuary. Apart from
the usual species, I do not come across mammals all that often in the field.
But of late, I seem to be having more luck with mammals than birds.
Just
to prove my point, we also came across a relatively confiding Agile Gibbon.
This primate is shy and although the far-carrying territorial calls are much a
part of the sights and sounds of Sungai Sedim, to see one well like this
requires luck.
The
only bird image from this site that turned out well enough to be shared was of
this male Whiskered Treeswift. He was enjoying his time in the sun despite all
the commotion from a group of campers below.
At
the mangroves of Sungai Batu, the lighting condition was better than my
previous visit. It may be my imagination but even the plain-looking Abbott’s
Babbler appeared to be looking exceptional beautiful today.
There
will be no hesitation in describing the Mangrove Blue Flycatcher as beautiful
for it is one of the best-looking species of this swampy realm.
It
was a shame that this male Plain-throated Sunbird was in moult. He could have
easily improve the vibrancy of the surroundings as he is a striking species as
well.
A
female Oriental Magpie-Robin helped increase the variety of species encountered
today. Her kind may not possess a kaleidoscope of colours on their plumage but
their ability to sing is rivalled by few here in Malaysia. And sadly, their beautiful
song is not heard as often now especially here in Penang due to their demand in
the bird trade.
On
the other hand, the Yellow-vented Bulbul continues to do well throughout the
country especially near humans. Naturally, I do not pay much attention to this
species but there will be time of exceptions. A few were performing well at the
stakeout and it would just be wrong not to acknowledge their presence.
So,
one of the commonest birds in Malaysia wrapped things up for this time. Mammals
(and a natural disaster) probably overshadowed the other contents in this post.
I can state with much confidence, this time anyway, that there is certainly more to life
than just birds.
