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.

A lily-trotting rarity

 

I have not been out birding as often as I used to but reports of a pair of Bronze-winged Jacanas at the marshlands of Batu Kawan awoken something in me that has been dormant for too long. It was just a matter of time before I made my way to seek out this scarce resident. Unlike in neighbouring Thailand, only a couple of sites in the northern state of Perlis is where this species has been recorded with any regularity in recent years.

It was a gloomy morning and with no signs of the jacanas upon arrival, the atmosphere was less than cheerful for my company and other like-minded birders. A White-browed Crake almost had us fooled when it caused some movement among the floating vegetation. But a Bronze-winged Jacana is just too stunning to be mistaken for anything else.

Migratory Reed-Warblers, as the name implies, find refuge here in the reeds as well. However, they can hide remarkably well if they want to. Today, only the Black-browed Reed-Warbler managed to find its way into my memory card.

When the celebrity birds finally revealed themselves, the joy was short-lived. Perhaps the presence of too many humans did not go well with the Bronze-winged Jacanas and they kept a safe distance throughout our observation. The poor lighting condition only compounded my dismay. Emotions aside, there is no denying the significance of this first state record. Enjoying the true resplendence of this lily trotter will just have to wait another day.

The pair was showing signs of breeding and we were even given a short courtship display. Inevitably, throng of bird photographers came for these beautiful water birds and some were overly enthusiastic and creative in their quest.  Shortly after our visit, Malaysia came under lockdown again due to the pandemic. I guess it was a blessing in disguise as the stricter movement control order gave the Bronze-winged Jacanas a chance to raise a family in peace. At the time of writing, the chicks have long fledged despite all the disturbances the nesting pair had to endure initially.

Without any indications of improvement shots for Bronze-winged Jacanas, I started to give the other species present their due attention. Unfortunately, there were not many around. A lone Asian Openbill was close enough for a record shot but not close enough to evoke anything else.

My best effort today should be of this adult Purple Heron resting all so elegantly among the reeds. It remained unperturbed by my presence and on a trip where good images are hard to come by, this common but striking heron provided the magic.

A good number was present in the vicinity today including juveniles pointing to a successful nesting season. Penang, my home state, is one of the busiest in the country. It is constantly being developed and sometimes at an alarming rate. Call me a pessimist but I can see no happily ever after for the colonies of Purple Herons here. It is just a matter of time before development displaces this wildlife refuge.

The absence of some of the usual water birds today was disheartening and the walk along the access road was long and tedious. A Malayan Pied-Fantail literally stopped me at my tracks when it suddenly alighted on the road not far from me. It was not exactly in pristine condition. Probably had a rough day so far as well but it did well enough to brighten up the day.

Chestnut Munias are the commonest munia species here and a small flock foraging along the edge of the reeds had my undivided attention. Like the Fantail, they were confiding and provided some cheer before the rains concluded the trip.

Three months have past since that gloomy morning with the Bronze-winged Jacanas. Due to the increased severity of the coronavirus in the country, it was my last birding excursion. It is a dark time now and life is shrouded with uncertainties. However, I always believe nothing lasts forever. Not even a global pandemic. To wrap things up for this time is not an image but rather, a cliché quote by Friedrich Nietzsche - that which does not kill us makes us stronger.

The urban hawk

 

A bird may be common to the entire country but if you do not come across it often enough it can be considered, in a sense, rare. There are hardly any records of the Crested Goshawk here in Penang Island. I cannot recall having seen one personally except for a fresh corpse in the outskirts of Georgetown City. Recently, a pair was reported to be nesting in a posh neighbourhood in the northern part of the island. I rarely question the ways of nature but the reason for the nest to be built on a lone tree growing from the divider of the main road instead of the safety of the adjacent forest, is beyond my comprehension.

I managed to make a single visit to pay homage to these beautiful birds of prey. This should be the first recorded nest for the island and hopefully, it will not be the last. Elsewhere in the country, the Crested Goshawk has adapted to living in urban areas and that trait alone can ensure the continuality of your existence in the world today. It was the dry season and the fallen leaves left the nest exposed to all the surrounding elements. But the two nestlings, days away from leaving the nest, appeared to be doing absolutely fine.

Another aspect about this nest that got me wondering was the tolerance of the local mob. Flocks of House Crows can be seen loitering about the vicinity but surprisingly, these marauders left the chicks in peace. Perhaps the parents manage to assert their dominance but it will take a whole lot to break the will of House Crows.

One thing that was not unexpected was the presence of birders and photographers at the nest site. Since it was smacked right in the middle of a residential area, we in turn drew the attention of curious onlookers. Although it is not really my cup of tea, I did my best to explain the significance of this raptor nesting here to all that approached me with the same query.

The parent birds did not make an appearance during my observation and I found out later that I arrived shortly after they have fed the chicks. In the absence of the adults, the youngsters make several short explorations of the surrounding areas in preparation of the big day when they will leave the nest for good. They have yet to develop the full aesthetic appeal and living skills of their parents but they certainly had my attention. After all, they are the true reason for my visit here.

Lately, there have been an uproar regarding unethical photography of nesting birds. It is nothing new and has been going since the first day people started nest photography. However the great lengths poachers and photographers used to obtain their goals this time, reignited the issue. My documentation of the Crested Goshawk took place almost 3 months ago and the chicks by now, are out there somewhere terrorizing small birds and mammals on their own in my beloved island home. I am no birding authority. Just a bloke who is passionate about birds and birding. So, here I am thinking out loud. If it has to take installing a barricade to keep your enthusiasm in check, then so be it. Perhaps in time, an imaginary barricade will do the job just as well. By the way, your fantastic images will still garner the same amount of likes even if you post them on Facebook or whatever online social media a few months later. And to conclude my post this time is this young Crested Goshawk that wandered reasonably close to my position.

Knock, knock...

The trip did not start out all that smoothly. There were delays here and there during the journey to Bukit Panchor State Park. When we arrived at the destination, we were disappointed to find the boardwalk flooded from last night’s downpour. However, sometimes things do happen for a reason. As we lingered around the entrance to the boardwalk contemplating our ill luck, the surrounding forest started to come alive. First was the array of calls. Followed by movements among the vegetation. Then a Stripe-throated Bulbul decided to start the morning by calling from an exposed perch and I should have known then that was a sign that today was going to be special despite the locality’s unimpressive record of late.

No, it took a handsome Tiger Shrike in breeding plumage to make me realize that. After a prolonged observation of this Tiger Shrike on the prowl for breakfast, it was a unanimous decision to stay put and wait for whatever else that may pass through here.

A Yellow-vented Bulbul may not be a species that local birders desire due to its abundant nature but you cannot really hold that against it.

It is good to see that the Jungle Myna is still predominant here – for now.

More often heard than seen, the Gold-whiskered Barbet should be the commonest Barbet species here. I was lucky enough to catch this individual as it took a breather among the foliage of the forest canopy. It is an impressive bird and every sighting will not go unappreciated.

Both the Yellow-bellied Prinia and Rufescent Prinia occur here in Bukit Panchor. Their ranges may even overlap but the Yellow-bellied Prinia will not venture into the forest proper and this foraging individual provided a brief moment to capture its image when it alighted on a bare perch.

My attention was immediately diverted when a Buff-necked Woodpecker started to call in the vicinity. This species is not common here in Penang State and when the woodpecker finally revealed itself, there was no shame in not being able to contain my excitement.

We were given ample time to enjoy the encounter and wonderful views. The missing red malar stripe meant that it was a female and her performance today was most commendable.

Several other species came and went but one of the most notable was a Little Green-Pigeon in flight. A pair of Lesser Green Leafbirds was attracted to a nearby fruiting tree. Judging from the images I obtained, the tree was just not near enough for my modest equipment.

The Blue-throated Bee-eaters filled the vicinity with their calls but kept a distance for most of the time. One did alight slightly closer but the lighting condition was most challenging.

There was just something about the trees surrounding us that were drawing in woodpeckers. The Rufous Woodpecker was the second species to be recorded but it was a distant encounter. As the name implies, the Common Flameback is one of the commoner species of woodpeckers in the country. The plumage especially the male with flaming red crest, is amazing and a close encounter like this one can still, very much, rock my world.

When things started to sizzle down, we decided to venture into the forest which was our initial plan. The mass of Bertam Palms is a distinct feature of this park but there are hardly any bird activities among these prickly vegetation at this site.

Birding in this dense and gloomy forest was frustrating as usual. I rarely had any opportunity to raise my camera despite the occasional birdwave or two. This Dark-sided Flycatcher ought to be back in the mountainous regions of northern Asia by now but here it is, testing the patience of a few birders by remaining in the darkest spot of the forest.

From the look of things, the group of Fruit Bats residing at the hut along the access trail just got a little bigger. The paler individuals I assume are young ones and the parents were a little anxious of my presence – a situation that I quickly remedied.

One of the highlights of the day was this 3-inch caterpillar. If memory serves me right, this is the biggest caterpillar I have ever laid eyes on and it was quite a sight. I will not hazard a guess of its true identity. Insects are mostly beyond me and this little mammoth certainly was.

When things do fall in place when birding in the forest, something remarkable will usually unfold. A family of Checker-throated Woodpeckers kept us company for quite a long time from the cover of the forest canopy and initially, I did not think anything significant would materialized from this. Then, one decided to descend from its lofty domain and alighted almost at eye level. This is one of the reasons why we birders endure all those hours wandering aimlessly in the heat and humidity of the tropical rainforest time after time – a chance to experience the alluring bird life found here up close and personal.

The incomplete chestnut colouration on the plumage suggested that it is a young bird but it did not make much difference. I was mesmerized by the presence of this woodpecker for it is a striking bird. The birding excursion here this time was surprisingly fruitful and it just goes to show one cannot truly know what to expect when it comes to birding. And this confiding young Checker-throated Woodpecker certainly played a big role in the outcome of the trip.