An additional public holiday announced recently gave me an opportunity to do some bird watching ! I had the mountain all by myself on that day and felt really in peace with all the birds chirping around me. Reached the peak at about 8.00am and it was a sunny and fog free morning.
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| An early morning in the mountains |
Most of the birds which you would like to see at this montane did came out in full force and with some "new" ones as well. Here are some of the "new" ones seen:
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| Snowy-Browed Flycatcher - male |
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| Snowy-Browed Flycatcher - female |
A rather small flycatcher at 11 cm and its range is mainly montane. I have heard only the male calling and you will really need to stretch your ears to hear its calls.
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| White-Browed Shrike Babbler - male |
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| White-Browed Shrike Babbler - female |
Despite lacking a supercilium I believe this is an adult female. Wherever she goes, the male bird will always follow closely behind. Despite its rather dull colours it is quite a pretty bird.
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| Long-Tailed Sibia |
Although a common bird in this mountain but this was the only time I have seen it here. There were about 6-7 of them this time. Very noisy, constantly moving from trees to trees and likes to disturb other birds especially the laughing thrushes.
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Stripped-Throated Bulbul
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A very common bulbul at lowland areas which has made its way up here.
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| Oriental Magpie Robin |
Another lowland bird which has also made its appearance in this mountain. I have seen one at Awana but never so high up.
And now for the other common resident birds which you would most likely find at this place:
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| Orange-Bellied Leafbird - male |
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| Javan Cuckooshrike |
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| Black-Throated Sunbird - male |
The bird in the top most photo was seen at the lower end of the mountain while the second one with a shorter tail and looks like a sub-adult bird was seen at the peak.
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| Large Niltava - Male |
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| Large Niltava - female |
This pair were always curious to see what was this human being up to - they would constantly flew and perched in front of me wherever I go.
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| Large Niltava - subadult/juvenile |
At a glance you may think that this juvenile bird is another bird sp if not for his accompanying parents.
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| Mountain Leaf Warbler |
This time it has decided to stay in the canopy instead of the shrubs near the roadside which it usually does.
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| Rufous-Winged Fulvetta |
Saw 3 of them but they too decided to stay further down from the roadside.
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| Chestnut-Tailed Minla |
A really cute bird which was involved in a singing competition with other birds. At times it can be a bit daring too as it landed on my camera lens briefly while chasing an insect. Note: This bird is also known as: "Bar-Throated Minla".
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| Spectacle Laughingthrush |
It was seen constantly squabbling with the Long-Tailed Sibia for food.
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| Chestnut-Crowned Laughingthrush |
Finally i have managed to record its calls which was loud but not as melodious as the Spectacle Laughingthrush
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| Grey-Throated Babbler |
It was constantly playing a peek-a-boo game with me, thinking that the branch could block my views from him.
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| Mountain Bulbul |
They too turned up in full force. Saw at least 5 of them.
Overall all I had a great time. Other birds which I saw but not photograph here was the Pacific Swallows (plenty), a mountain tailor bird and an owl (presumably Mountain Scoops Owl) as i have only heard one "hoot" at a time echoing across the valley. Will be back at this place again sometime next year, for sure.
