Sunday, 4 November 2012

Semenyih & Perdik - Nov 2012


Finally i was able to show AT the spot where i saw the B&W Bulbul earlier. There were lots of bulbuls and green leaf birds as usual but the B&W Bulbul was missing. However we heard a Horsfield Babbler calling which added to the variety of birds seen at this spot. Here are some of the other birds which we saw:


Buff-vented Bulbul

Ashy Minivet 
Black-crested Bulbul 

After having waited for awhile we headed to Sungai Perdik. Showed AT a new spot which i believe he will be visiting it again. We saw a number of star birds as well as sub-montane birds.

Black-thighed Falconet
It was seen earlier munching on a large red beetle. It will loop down on its prey and goes up again on the branch - just like a "U" shape style of poaching. As it is light and small its flights were really fast.





Blyth's Hawk Eagle
This raptor is usually found at sub-montane regions rather than low lands like Perdik. It was rather silent and after awhile it was seen airborne much to our delight.


The torn feathers were probably as a result of hunting preys in the forest.
Here was what i meant. Despite its size it was able to maneuver swiftly amongst the forest trees albeit with torn feathers as a result.

Changeable Hawk Eagle - Dark Morph
From nowhere out came this raptor which was seen thermaling. It has the same features as the one which i saw in Bedong earlier - faint white patch on its wings, dark body and white (which is actually yellow) legs. Unfortunately this raptor did not spread its tail where you can see the thick black band.

Verditer Flycatcher

Pale Blue Flycatcher
Hairy-Backed Bulbul
This was probably the star bird of them all. Not only human being has the determination over adversity but birds as well. Certaintly admire its will to survive despite having a handicapped bill.

Monday, 29 October 2012

Raptor Watch @ Bedong - Oct 2012

Balancing family commitment and hobby interest can be quite a demanding task but when there is a window of opportunity for our hobby we will quietly disappear into thin air and head towards the birding site in no time. Although it was just for about 2.5 hrs of birding but it was well worth it. Met a couple of new friends (Choo Eng etc) as well as familiar raptor experts (Seng, Carol etc) up on the hill where a 4WD and sun screen would be greatly appreciated. Most of the raptors were thermaling quite high up on their autumn migration towards south. Looks like they are using the east route. So most images taken were only for record shots. Here are some of the uncommon raptors seen at this site:


While waiting for a positive confirmation from the raptor experts, this raptor was presumed to be a "Common Buzzard - Dark Morph"?.  Note: raptor experts have replied that the above raptor is most likely a Changeable Hawk Eagle - Dark Morph !


Black Baza
They are like butterflys up in the skies. Most of the raptors seen were comprised of this group.
 
 
Osprey

Probably the star bird sighted on this trip. We saw 3 of them.
 
 
 
 
 
I believe these are Oriental Honey Buzzards.
 
Paddy Field Pipit
We also saw this lone pipit on the way down from the hill.
 


Sunday, 28 October 2012

Kuala Muda Mudflats - Oct 2012

I went back recently and had some time to look at a few nearby mudflats. There were not many waders around but they were quite close.

Chinese Pond Heron
This Chinese Pond Heron is about to change into its breeding plumage. 

Common Kingfisher - Female
 
 
I believe this fellow is a Pacific Golden Plover - Juv? 
 
 
 
 
These are Pacific Golden Plovers
 
Common Sandpiper
Although it has more brownish colors but the "white gap" at the side of its body says that this bird is a Common Sandpiper
 

Little Heron
 
  A cross breed between a Jungle Myna and a Common Myna - how about calling it a "Junmon Myna"?
 
 One look it may be mistaken as a Germain's Swiflet but its darker body color indicates that this could just be an Edible-Nest Swiftlet.
 
Common Iora
 This Common Iora - presumably a female was seen searching for a nest inside an electrical pole.
 
  This fellow has some wings as well but its a bit mean looking than the feathered ones. I understand that this is a "Carpenter Bee".


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