Watching Waders at Bagan Belat, Muara Sg Abdul - Jan & Feb 2014

Watching waders is not really my forte but if you want to enjoy what you like to do then you will just need to get through it. So after having some splendid views of the flycatchers at Air Itam Dalam i drove up to Bagan Belat, hoping to catch the waders just before the receding tide. Relying on the fishing tide chart which i do at times i reached the place at about 4.40pm and lo and behold the tide had already gone down half way across the mudflats. To add to the misery, the waders were "muddling"  (if there is such a word) in an area where the sunlight was shining directly on it creating reflections of an unkind nature. Not satisfied with the initial trip i did visit the place again a few days later. So the photos depicted here included both the days.

Here are some of the "better" photos from the first visit (30 Jan 2014):

Terek Sandpiper

There were lots of them on the first day but only a few were spotted on my second visit. They were probably wading elsewhere i guess.

Eurasian Curlew

I believe this is a Common Greenshank rather than a Marsh Sandpiper

Looks like a Greater Sand Plover

A Brown-Headed Gull with a Broad-billed Sandpiper in the back ground.

A group of plovers and Curlew sandpipers

I think this was just a Germain's Swiftlet 

Day 2 - 2 February 2014

My second trip was much better. I reached the mudflats about 40 minutes before the tide receded at about 17.00 hrs/5pm.

A flock of Pacific Golden Plovers. I have noticed that they would circle around before deciding to land on a suitable site.

The waders were more concentrated here as compared to the first visit hence allowing better scrutinising of the birds. Bulk of the waders were Pacific Golden Plovers followed probably by Curlew Sandpipers.

White-Bellied Sea Eagle

Whiskered Tern

The one of your left is a Common Greenshank while the one on the right was probably a Spotted/Nordman's Greenshank. Looks like they might have some kind of disagreement. Note: after further checking both the birds could have just been Common Greenshanks after all.

A Great Egret had also just landed.

A trio of Bar-Tailed Godwits. Initially i thought i have also seen an Asian Dowitcher but in the absence of a positive id and for ethical reporting i decided to forgo it.

Curlew Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

There were lots of this small whitish colored sand plovers but i believe they were just Lesser Sand Plovers

Initially i thought the bird behind the curlew was a Grey Plover but experts say it was just a Pacific Golden Plover. 

Broad-Billed Sandpiper or Curlew ? (left)

A group of Curlew Sandpipers 

Although the weather was extremely hot on both days but i did enjoyed the trips and would certainly continue to do wader watching in the near future. 

The Flycatchers of Air Itam Dalam Forest Reserve, Sg Dua - Jan 2014

Air Itam Dalam FR is located in Sungai Dua which is in the district of Seberang Jaya, Penang. Kubang Semang (which is another favourite birding area among the Penang birders) is also located not too far away from this place. Although this FR was not too big a place to explore but it certainly has an enriching ecosystem supporting various avifauna. In this recent trip which was on the eve of the Chinese New Year celebration, i saw four types of flycatchers i.e Asian Brown Flycatcher, Dark-Sided Flycatcher, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and the illusive Green-Backed Flycatcher at this location alone.

Asian Brown Flycatcher

According to David Wells (1999 - Vol. 1), besides Arctic Warbler, Asian Browns are also one of the non-breeding migrants in this part of the world.

Dark-Sided Flycatcher

Here is an expert's affirmation: "Note wing-tip to tail-tip length. Always longer in Dark-Sided as your pictures appear to show. The Asian Browns have shorter wings making the tail looks longer. Note also dusky side of breast and flanks indicating Dark-Sided".

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher - Male

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher - Female

Both the Mangrove Blue Flycatchers were seen not too far away from each other. They were silent and foraging below the concrete pathway which was probably due to the presence of Black Kites around the vicinity at that time. Really smart couple !

Here is the biggest catch of the day: "Green-Backed Flycatcher"

Green-Backed Flycatcher (F. elisae)

After tired of walking i sat on the stairs facing the car park area watching some Ashy Minivets foraging when i heard a familiar "trrt" calls of a flycatcher.  I decided to look for the bird even though thinking initially that it could had just been a mangrove blue.  In the thick dark foliage on top of a low tree there it was foraging alone. Apparently this flycatcher is an adult male ! I did not thought of recording its calls as i was more anxious of getting its photos at that moment. Its calls were quite similar to other flycatchers except that it did not end with a "tac".  According to IUCN records this flycatcher is currently under the "stable" status in the absence of evidence for declines or substantial threats. Nevertheless based on B.i.W record and at "press time" this was the only second recorded sighting at this location after Tan Choo Eng's in Apr 2013.

In addition to the above flycatchers, here were the other birds seen in and around the area:

Black Kites

Saw three of them this time. They were all thermaling above and one of the kites was seen teaching another kite (probably a junior) on how to fly - see above photo. After awhile one of them decided to fly down and perched on a tree near the river side. 

This was how it looks like when it was about to perch.

Forest Wagtail

It was foraging at the car park area and i did not notice it until it moved.

These were Ashy Minivets. Saw five of them this time. Quite a friendly bird species.

Olive-Winged Bulbul

A bulbul which had always gave me her best posture.

Green-Billed Malkoha

Despite its size and long tail, it could easily maneuver up a tree and among the vines.

White-Breasted Waterhen

Although this waterhen species were said to be common but it has been reported that some folks have been "deep-frying" and making "soup" out of it ! Very soon this bird might just go under the "vulnerable" status as well.

Asian Openbills

As i was driving out from the FR i stopped at the road side to see a bunch of Asian Openbills thermaling up in the sky. I counted 12 of them and they were thermalling quite high up together with other swallows/swifts. That was about 4.15pm and i reckoned that they might probably be looking for a suitable site to roost. I did not stay on to see whether they were join further by their own clan as i was rushing to another birding site but i believe that these soon to be "fairly common" stork in Peninsular Malaysia will eventually make this place their second home.