Painted Stork and other non-waders of the inter-tidal flats - 2021

Aside from waders, you can also find other birds mingling together in the inter-tidal mudflats in this region. Their relationships in the coastline are generally cordial. Skirmishes which occur involved mostly the same species rather than intra-species and generally related to food acquisition. One of those non-wader birds which can be found in the mudflats lately are the Painted Storks.

Painted Storks have been regularly spotted along the mudflats of Selangor. They are probably a new colony which are distinct from those from ZOO Negara. However some birders believe the ones seen here could have originated from ZOO Negara when one or two of them begin breeding around Sepang or Putrajaya herony. From these few individuals, the colony has spread to the current numbers. I have once counted 50 of them at a single site.

They are not afraid of human or passing boats - not sure whether it was because of their sheer size or perhaps they are already accustomed with the presence of human beings.

So far I haven't seen them picking up fishes from the mudflats like some terns do.

They are like gentle giants wading casually on the mud.

Taking off.

They are also an elegant flyer.

This is a juvenile Painted Stork. Looks really ugly.

The next 'big bird' you will find is the Grey Heron. They too are accustomed to humans.

Like someone who has not enough sleep. The Black-Crowned Night Heron can be found mostly near the river banks.

Pacific Swallow 

They do fly along the mudflats.

Lesser Sand Plover

It has some neat looking plumage

Common Sandpiper with a chicken-liked feet.

Here comes the terns

This should be a White-winged Tern

Whiskered Tern

Probably the most common tern which you can find along the Selangor coastline.

Just like a Little Tern, Whiskered Terns do hover and practice plunge feeding as well.

Just like the Common terns, Whiskered Terns love to follow fishing boats as well.

They can provide you with nice bird-in-flight shots. 

Here comes the Common Terns

They too are elegant flyers

THAT'S ALL FOLKS !

World Migratory Bird Day - 9 October 2021

This year's World Migratory Bird Day falls on 9 October 2021, just in time when the Government eases some Covid-19 restrictions especially the part on inter-state travelling. I took the opportunity to survey some of the migratory birds along the coastline of Selangor as well as in Kota Kuala Muda. 

The first stop on October 9 was at a nearby mudflats in Kuala Selangor and here are some of its photos taken.

Here is a Common Redshank with its morning breakfast.

Just in case if you wish to learn more about the various plumage of waders, here is a description of them:

This is a Curlew Sandpiper. By this time many of the waders are in their winter plumage.

Lesser Sand Plover

 A Lesser Sand Plover with a crab

Better be careful - there is someone right behind you !

Eurasian Curlews are a prominent feature at this location.

Like some big heavy plane, these curlews will have to run for a few meters before they can take off.

A nice looking Common Redshank - most likely an adult.

Another Common Redshank.

A flock of Black-winged Stilts.

Although some of them are reported to migrate but most of them I believe have taken up residence in this region. Well at least they actually migrate from the nearby paddy fields to the mudflats.

Common Sandpiper

We only saw a few Red-necked Stint this time.

On the my second trip (i.e 17 October), I surveyed further up the coastline of Selangor. Joining me this time were two young researchers and waders enthusiasts.

They are fully sponsored in their survey I believed while I am under the sole proprietorship category. Good to see that there are younger generation who are interested to watch waders especially ladies.

A Common Sandpiper greeted us before our departure to the shoreline.

We saw this interesting Common Redshank with a curlew-liked bill.

Here is a Marsh Sandpiper (left) with a Common Redshank (right)

There were also two Common Greenshank seen nearby.

 

We saw quite a number of Black-tailed Godwits at this location.

A group of Black-tailed Godwits taking off.

No boat trip will be completed without photos of terns.

Whiskered Tern - still showing its breeding plumage at this time of the year.

A Common Tern up in the air

A Common Tern resting on the water.

To gobble down a fish in mid flight is not an easy task.

My final survey was at Kota Kuala Muda in the state of Kedah which was carried out on October 28.

On this trip the condition were slightly unfavorable. The sky were cloudy with overcast while most of the waders were 'stationed' at a distance. Therefore not many good photos were obtained this time. The above Lesser Sand Plover still has some patches of its summer plumage.

Common Terns are still abundant - almost close to 50 of them.

One of just a few Whimbrels seen at this location.

Like a B1 bomber !

Greater Crested Tern

The upperside of this Greater Crested Tern probably reflect the overhead cloudy sky colors.

This is a juvenile Greater Crested Tern. First time seeing it here. It was together with seven other adults Greater Crested Terns.

A Grey Heron versus a Common Redshank - so much difference in size.

A small flock of Common Redshanks

Terek Sandpiper

Oh! what a long "Pinocchio nose" you have there. 

THAT'S ALL FOLKS ! TILL WE MEET AGAIN