Air Itam Dalam Forest Reserve - Nov 2012

Since most of the paddy fields in Kedah and Penang were not ready to be harvested so we headed to a forest reserve area which has quite a similar setup like KSNP. Saw a number interesting and also familiar birds here:

Lineated Barbet

Buffy Fish Owl (Ketupa Ketupu)

At 47cm it can be considered quite a large owl. It has a white forehead which separates it from the uncommon brown fish owl. I needed to use flash here in order to determine that feature.

Streak-Breasted Woodpecker

Although it looks like a laced woodpecker but i believe they were streak-breasted woodpeckers.

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher - Juvenile

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher - Female

Black Kites

There were three of them up on this tree. Probably waiting for thermal to built up. Looks like juveniles from the streaks on their wings.

Saw at least 5 of them circling up above me.

Olive-Winged Bulbul

Probably one of the sharpest image i had of this bulbul so far.

Greater Coucal

Ashy Tailorbird

Beside the pied fantails, ashy tailorbirds also featured prominently at this place.

Pin-Stripped Tit Babbler

Although its body color is quite whitish but it will be difficult to determine whether this is a germain's swiftlet without seeing its rump band. So this swift may have just been an edible-nest swiftlet.

Arctic Warbler

Not an easy bird to photograph as it never stays still.

This place is certainly conducive for birding or simply just to chill out. If i have stayed a little longer i might just be able to see more birds at this location. Perhaps i will save it for another day. 



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.

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.

 



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".



Birds in October 2012

I did a quick bird watching session at some nearby areas today and it looks like the Winter Visitors birds have taken over the scene from the local birds. Most of them are in their summer clothings.

I believe this fellow was just a Paddy Field Pipit instead of a Blyth's due to its clear supercilium. Some how it would appear at the same place during this time.

Grey Wagtail

Asian Brown Flycatcher

These are Brown Shrikes rattling away

Some local birds which were seen although not many:

Black-Crowned Night Heron?

The top is an adult and the bottom is probably a sub-adult.

Hill Mynahs

 There were 6 of them up on this tree calling out loudly.