The Penang Birder

Saturday, 14 November 2009

14/11/2009: Bukit Gambir (Penang)

I decided to swing by this local patch for a couple of hours of birding before heading to the office. It has been quite a while since my last visit.

Just after dawn, I saw a lone raptor circling overhead and the body shape suggests it was not one of the commoner species of this locality. After further scrutiny, it turned out to be the migratory Oriental Honey-buzzard.

As I was walking along the access road, I came across a rather confiding female Emerald Dove. This species is usually wary of human approach and in most cases you will only get to see it diving into the vegetation.

The distinctive call of the Drongo Cuckoo caught my attention and I decided to try and locate the source. I was successful in locating the bird but it was calling from a perch that was pretty much out of the reach of my camera.

This Dark-sided Flycatcher decided to hawk for breakfast in a recently cleared area of the forest. However, the poor lighting conditions at that time prevented me from obtaining clearer images.

The White-crested Laughingthrush is an escapee that has successfully established themselves in the wild here. Small populations have been seen throughout the central hilly region of Penang Island. A flock of 12 birds were foraging quite noisily along the mid-level of the forest but due to their active nature, my photography skills were really put to the test.

I was rather disappointed when the flock gradually moved deeper into the forest, leaving me without a single clear image. Then, one of them turned back and alighted on a partially unobstructed perch long enough for me to capture a few shots. Thanks, buddy...

I was about to get into my car when a flock of Baya Weavers alighted among the long grass in front of me. The images turned out better than I had expected thanks to the good lighting conditions and the fresh green colour of the grassland.

Friday, 13 November 2009

13/11/2009: Sungai Burung (Penang)

I had a little break from work and did a short excursion to this locality.

I came across a pair of Brahminy Kites quartering low above the ground. Their presence caused quite a panic among the smaller birds foraging at the paddy fields.

Only the feral Rock Pigeons continued to feed and totally disregard the raptors' hunt.

There were only a small number of Pond-herons present in the vicinity today. Maybe the rest of them are foraging in other sections of the paddy fields.

A small family of Scaly-breasted Munias were feeding on grass seeds just next to the access road. I couldn't really get a clear shot due to the dense vegetation and the constant movement of the birds.

There were a few Baya Weavers foraging in the same vicinity as well...

As there was nothing particularly exciting about, I took some shots of the common residents to keep myself occupied. This Common Myna seems to agree that it is a good idea...

And so did the ever-present White-throated Kingfisher...

The same goes for this Pacific Swallow...Thanks, fellas...

The Blue-tailed Bee-eaters were hawking for insects from their usual vantage points - the surrounding electrical cables.

This Common Sandpiper was so preoccupied with hunting on the side of the access road that it totally ignored my approaching vehicle.

Well, you better be careful as danger lurks beyond the next bend...

The huge Monitor Lizard took its time to cross the road despite my presence. It gave me a chance to take a close-up shot of the head.

Another reptile that caught my attention was this striking Garden Fence Lizard.

I tried to capture it from another angle but it became defensive and reduce the intensity of its colours to try and blend into the surroundings.

On my way back, I came across a pair of Crested Mynas foraging along the road that cuts through the Relau Hills. This introduced species is the common rare bird of Penang as it is only abundant in my home state.

Monday, 2 November 2009

31/10/2009: Pulau Burung & Kampung Pertama (Penang)

I was greeted by a rather cold and gloomy morning when I arrived at the the Pulau Burung marshlands. Quite a number of egrets were still resting on their roost for the night. Anyway, I took a few shots as they began to disperse for the day.

Despite the weather, a pair of Greater Flamebacks were out foraging along the line of dead trees at the edge of the marshlands. It was a shame that the poor lighting conditions prevented me from obtaining great shots as the pair was rather confiding. The black "hair-do" belongs to the female...

And the red is the male...

All the commotion caused by the foraging pair attracted another pair of woodpeckers to the same vicinity - the almost-similar Common Flamebacks. A pair of them decided to alight on the very same tree as the former and proceeded to forage. The two pairs seemed to get along quite well despite competing for the same food source.

As I was observing the woodpeckers, the unmistakable call of the Hill Myna filled the vicinity. It did not take me long to locate the bird. Just on the adjacent tree, there was a lone individual moving about the branches.

As I drove slowly along the mangrove belt, I came across a rather confiding immature Pied Fantail. Although it is a common species, it usually does not provide good photography opportunities due to its active and shy nature. The local name for this species is "Murai Gila" which basically means "Crazy Thrush" and I think it is quite a suitable name choice. Anyway, this fellow gave me ample opportunities to capture its image. The only downside is that it was still rather gloomy.

And like the case of the woodpeckers earlier, the commotion caused by the ever-excited fantail while it was foraging attracted a pair of Oriental Magpie-robins to the same bush.

A Black-winged Kite hovering at a far distance. I only wish it was a lot closer so that I could get some good shots of those wing actions.

The Collared Kingfishers were at their regular posts. I find this pair to be rather tolerant to human approach.

As the lighting conditions gradually, so did my images. There were quite a number of Cattle Egrets foraging in the vicinity and as usual, they were quite confiding.

The Little Egrets were just dying to be photographed today and I, for one, will never turn disappoint the birds...

The resident Jungle Mynas were out foraging with the next generation of youngsters...

The Yellow Wagtails are back from their breeding grounds up north. This fellow still has traces of its stunning breeding plumage.

The beautiful Blue-tailed Bee-eaters have also found their way back to their wintering grounds...

So did a few first-winter birds...

The only place for me where Brown Shrikes don't always fly away at first sight of my approaching vehicle is here at Pulau Burung.

I'm glad to see you too after such a long holiday up north...

The resident Brahminy Kite also took advantage of the turn in weather to ride the thermals in search of food.

Much to my delight, this immature White-breasted Waterhen decided to forage right in front of my stationery vehicle.

This Common Sandpiper was not too happy that the waterhen was hogging all the attention. So, it decided to put a show of its own nearby. Guess what? It worked...

The Little Ringed Plovers also did their part to produce another rewarding trip for me to this locality...

Around mid-day, I decided to try my luck with Dave's Temminck's Stint at Kampung Pertama paddy fields. This rather scarce migrant was seen by him a few days back but I know it will be like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Being one of the smallest of waders doesn't help much either.