Kemensah - April 2012

I had wanted to go to Ulu Langat earlier but a massive traffic congestion before Batu 14 town makes me detoured to Kemensah. So when i finally reached the place it was already close to 9.30am. Although i had only birded until 11.30am, but the birds seen was worthwhile to share here.

The first bird seen at the start of the trail was this Greater Racket-Tail Drongo which was calling out loudly.

This could be a potential lifer - have sent the photos for experts verification. Pending their comments, this bird looks more like a warbler than a flycatcher as its bill and legs are not black which are usually associated with a flycatcher. It could just have been one of those "Phylloscopus" Sp.

Foraging nearby was these Grey-Bellied Bulbuls.

This was certaintly the find of the day - a Black-Capped Babbler. Said to be common but certaintly not easy to locate and certaintly even harder to photograph. This bird was heard calling and it was just few inches above ground in a dark undergrowth. I did also managed to record its continous nasal call of nwit nwit or puip puip as some books id them. My lifer for today of course.

This is another beautiful bird to see - a Ruby-Cheeked Sunbird (male).

Finally this Rufescent Prinia was also presence here. Looks like they are everywhere at this time (April) - also saw them at Serendah and Taman Rimba Ampang earlier.

Asian Koel

Asian Koel(Eudynamys scolopacea) is reported to be a resident as well as a migrant bird in this region. The bird which i often seen and heard near my residential area however could probably be a migrant as it could only be seen and heard twice a year. According to Allen J (source: www.mygardenbirdwatch.com), Asian Koel would usually lay its eggs in Common House Crow nest which will then host its nestlings. From my observation, Asian Koel would call as early as 6.00am ie slightly later than oriental magpie robin (5.00am) and yellow-vented bulbul (5.45am). The Asian Koel name was derived from the loud calls it makes which sounds like ko-el and its female partner has a different shades of colors i.e. a striking pattern of brown spots and streaks. Here are some of the images of its male counterpart taken recently at a park near my house:

It was spotted eating berries quietly in the trees. The berries when riped are reddish in color.

Then he saw a human being snapping his picture from below !

Nah he is not a threat, so i will continue eating.

After filling up its stomach, its time for a short rest. Note: Asian Koel (male) is not entirely black. As you can see from the images above, it has some brown colors on its wings. This bird is also probably an adult/matured male.

Here are some photos of the female Asian Koel.

Taman Rimba Ampang

Taman Rimba Ampang or Ampang Recreational Forest is a small recreational forest which is quite close to the city. Its trail is not too long and easy to stroll. Unfortunately this place which is frequented by morning joggers has more primates than birds. Today i noticed that the trees along the trail are either chopped down or collapsed due to soil erosion which renders the place in a bad state. Nevertheless the resident birds are still present but not as many as the previous years. Here are some of them which i have seen today:

This should be the second most common bird here - an Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker (male). Today i saw at least three pairs. So it looks like they are doing well here.

This is a juvenile Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker (male).

And this one is a female Orange-Backed Flowerpecker trying to pluck off a ripe berry.

This is a Yellow-Breasted Flowerpecker (male) showing off its distinguished orange crown patch.

There was also this White-Rumped Munia which was seen looking for nesting materials.

A group of this Scaly-Breasted Munia was also seen nearby.

Today i saw this Buff-Vented Bulbul which was quite silent.

So as this Red-Eyed Bulbul.

Whiskered Treeswifts like this one are also quite common here. This one is a male.

Today this Banded Woodpecker came to greet me. Saw two of them pecking at a tree trunk.

Finally i saw a few of this Rufescent Prinia calling. It looks quite the same as a yellow-bellied prinia except for its vent colors as well as its call which is shorter - ti'chew ti'chew.