| Introduction Back in early 1997-98, when i was still relatively new to birdwatching and keen to explore any site in Malaysia, since i had then only birded only in Singapore, my uncle showed me to a riverine site which he used to hang out during his youth days in the outskirts of KL. The forest didn't really impress me at first for i spent merely an afternoon there, perhaps for 1 hour or so and the only birds i saw was a orange-bellied flowerpecker and some bulbuls which i could not tell. He told me that it was called 'Tor Cheng Hor' in cantonese, though i could not really relate its meaning to the place.Someone also once told me that old reference to the location is as 'Bukit Belacan', and true indeed i noticed a signboard which states this prior to Lembah Jaya area. That was my first introduction to this rather modest looking forest until i paid a few more visits there later in 2000 and 2001 where i then discovered that it can actually be full of birds. While there are not too much of the big birds like pittas and pheasants to entertain the visiting birder, i can attest to the fact that this forest is actually richly littered with lots of good passerine species and with a bit of effort, a stunner of a kingfisher or trogon could be found too, lurking in the dense foliage that hungs the main stream which flows through the park. The Location Unlike Taman Negara or Endau, Taman Rimba Ampang is no sprawling forest stretching for hundreds of miles and the vegetation types is also pretty much limited. Based on my rather meagre knowledge of trees and forest formations, I think the large part of this forest park is covered in good quality primary evergreen lowland to hill dipterocarp forest (small part along the road might have been previously logged), with a number of towering trees. Some notable trees that can be seen from the road in, are a number of Gapis (Saraca sp), that occur predominantly by the riverside (these attract alot of birds when they flower, particularly sunbirds), a few individuals of Terap (jackfruit family), stately Pulais (Alstonia sp), Broad-leaved Figs (Ficus sp) and further up on the steep hillsides are dipterocarps, Shorea for one whose towering crowns shoot dramatically above the forest canopy. A tarmac road that stretches for some 1.5 km bisects the forest park and parallel to it flows a wide stream of rocky to sandy substrate. Near the entrance is a spacious carpark, adjacent a small pond. At the 100-300 m mark from the carpark and entrance arch which declares "Taman Rimba Ampang", towards the right if the road is a few zinc-roofed houses belonging to the Kampung there. General area around this kampung is of grassy clearings overgrown with bananas and also a few Betelnut Palm and Indian Cherry trees. Past the kampung, the concealed stream now becomes obvious and, at first still partly hidden by grasses, but finally transiting into good forest. It eventually winds its way in till it flows past the Puncak Niaga Intake, which is within a fenced compund. From then on, it is no longer possible to go any further. All in all, within the delightful environs of this little forest park, once is introduced to a variety of habitats, from more open country and some secondary scrub to the luxuriant forest that dominates. Access The only point of access to my knowledge is via Jalan Ampang which goes into the direction of downtown Kuala Lumpur. If heading towards the park, go on Jalan Ampang out of the city. As Jalan Ampang passes into the Ampang area, it gets narrower and then links to Jalan Lembah Jaya, from here, follow Jalan Lembah Jaya all the way to the end and that should lead you to the park. Look out for signage to Kampung Muhibbah along the way for this is the village situated right before the park. Apparently , IntraKota buses runs to within 2 -3 km of the park (The Service number is Intrakota 34A that runs between Chow Kit and Lembah jaya), on the main road, but that would take you quite some time before you reach it. I suppose taxi is the best mean of access, from Kuala Lumpur, but beware, for taxi drivers do not generally know the place by its name of Taman Rimba Ampang. If taking a taxi, the best way to guide him there, which i normally do is to tell him to take you to 'Jalan Lembah Jaya' and then get him to folow the road till it terminates before the park. Fare is around 7-9 ringgit depending on which part of KL you come from. It might be a more cost effective alternative, i feel, to take the LRT to Ampang Park, then switch to a taxi thereafter. Oh yes, just a stray point of mention, the area is not too far from famous Ampang Yong-Tau-Foo restaurants , so you could literally spend half a day birding and dine in the afternoon on the regions famous culinary delights. Birds and Wildlife From my occasional chinese new year trips from 1999 till now, i have managed to build up a modest list of nearly 120 species of birds for the park. Some of the special species that I think worth mentioning are the flycatchers, a few not so common ones but which can be easily located here. Rufous-chested Flycatcher, which is fairly common in the park, sometimes it is possible to hear up to 6 calling birds a morning, has to be one of the favourites though i must admit that it takes quite a bit of effort to spot these small secretive birds in the dark forest undergrowth and recesses. One very pleasant discovery recently (that was in July 2004 )was that of a nesting bird with 2 chicks, perhaps the first record of a nest in the Malay Peninsular. Another flycatcher that is relatively regular here must be the Pale Blue Flycatcher, not a really spectacular bird at all, but then again, it is not common or easy to see elsewhere in Malaysia. Problem here lies in identification as there is always a chance of confusion with the very similar looking Verditer Flycatcher, also common here. Another bird that I have recorded almost annually here is the Green-backed Flycatcher, a chinese migrant that was recently recognised to be a seperate species from the more widesread Narcissus Flycatcher. Green-backed Flycatchers are quite bold and I have seen a few hunting for insects in the ornamental 2-3 feet tall croton bushes that line the road in. Other commonly encountered flycatchers (crows to be exact!!!) are Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch and the dimunitive Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, and these are frequent participants of the bird waves that liven the forest here almost all day long. What Ampang forest lacks in big majestic birds, it makes up for in the sheer number of small passerines that seem to be around all day long in the mixed feeding flocks. Most distinctive among the flocks' members are the Scarlet Minivets, with their noisy twittering. Once in a while they would be joined by their smaller cousins, Fiery Minivets, distinguished by size and also the females plumage (note the orangy red rumps) and in winter, large groups of Ashy Minivets. While the minivets glean for insects in the upper canopy, parties of Velvet-fronted Nuthatches are also hard and work, creeping along the trunks picing up insects along the way. Present too, but less conspicuous are the Sultan Tit, the petit Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrikes, Black-winged Flycatcher-Shrikes and of course the ubiquitous Green Ioras. Woodpeckers are well represented here, with 8 species present, and inhabiting all levels of the forests. Surprisingly, a pair of Orange-backed Woodpeckers seem to like to hang around the secondary woods around the kampung surroundings, frequently perching on those bare trees that stilll stand. Deeper into the park, Crimson-winged, Checker-throated and Banded Woodpeckers are all relatively common, whereas their smaller relatives, are less noticeably as they keep to denser areas, including Buff-necked and Buff-rumped Woodpeckers. Most of the extreme lowland babblers are not yet recorded here, but what is interesting to note is how the hill species seem to be doing quite well, notably Rufous-fronted Babblers and Grey-throated Babblers. Very likely, these birds must have spread here via the Ulu Langat hills which are almost contiguous with the Titiwangsa range. Most conspicuous among the babblers must be the Grey-headed Babblers, a party of 4-5 which seems to always keep fairly near the main road. Its shyer relative, Horsfield's Babbler has also been recorded here too, but more often within the streamside vegetations, keeping very close to or on the ground itself. A pair of Chestnut-naped Forktails haunts the streamsides, frequently joined by Forest Wagtails from october on. Along the stream, sometimes in the overhanging branches would be perched a bobbing Rufous-backed Kingfisher or Blue-eared Kingfisher. And throughout most of the day, there are always considerable aerial activities, of that of feeding Glossy Swiftlets, Silver-rumped Spinetail, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Long-tailed Parakeet and swallows. Primates are easy to see here, with the Dusky Langurs, Pig-tailed Macaques and Long-tailed Macaques to be among the most conspicuous mammalian element, while through much of the day, hootings and roars from troops of Siamang or White-handed Gibbon reverberate throught the hills. Also present are a few squirrels and treeshrews though i have yet to identify them positively yet.But I reliably recorded Horse-tailed Squirrel, Red-bellied Squirrel and 1 each of Tupaia sp and Sundasciurus sp. The locals also tell me about the former occurence of Malayan Sunbear and Harimau Bintangs (Panther), but then these are years ago and they are unlikely to have survived. In the streams, I have found Spanner Barb (Puntius lateristriga) and Common Barb (Puntius binotatus). Other recorded vertebrates by me here are litter frogs (Leptobranchium sp), a large Rana sp, Copper-cheeked Frog (Rana chalconata) and various skinks. Places to observe Birds Kampung-Carpark Area Presense of grasses and scrublands means that various species of open country and disturbed forest birds can be seen here. The Indian Cherry trees, when in fruit are really good as they attract lots of leafbirds, bulbuls and barbets. Recorded around here are Plaintive Cuckoo, Raffle's Malkoha, Lesser Green Leafbird, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Finsch's Bulbul, Striped-throated Bulbul, Rufescent Prinia, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Brown Barbet, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird as well as various flowepeckers. Waterpipe Trail A trail made to plant illegal waterpipes into the forest streams and collection of firewood , 400 m past the guardhouse , with a yellow signboard saying 'Hutan Simpanan Kayan", leading off the side of the main road to the left can provide good birding at times The narrow trail cuts through a small stream before rising up a gentle slope, which eventually gets more difficult to manouvre along as the trails get increasingly rocky. A series of leaky pipes follows the trails for quite some distance..I have recorded here Buff-necked Woodpecker, Banded Broadbill, Banded Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Rufous-chested Flycatcher and a Diard's trogon. Playground Area The open areas around the carpark is easy to bird because the trees are exposed and the casual birder would be able to see groups of birds flitting around among the foliage.One does not have to wonder far, but simply walk round the playground and should be able to see a fine selection of species. Present here are Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Black-bellied Malkoha, Maroon Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Gold-whiskered Barbets and groups of Hairy-backed, Olive-winged, Cream-vented, Buff-vented, Black-headed and Finsch's Bulbuls. Wooden Platform-recreational Area I cannot really think of a better name for these 2 locations, so i am simply going to call them wooden platforms becasue they are for a certain extend substended by a wooden boardwalk, though i reality the actual areas are built on solid ground. Along a point on the road into Taman Rimba Ampang, the stream which has always been to the right of the trail cuts under the road on a little bridge and from the turnoff onwards, it now flows parallel to the road on the left. 200 metres on are two fairly open areas joined by wooden (now under repair i think) boardway.Along these parts of the park are a number of Gapis (Saraca) trees that grow by the roadside and some overhangs over the stream. When flowering, these trees are no doubt an epicentre of bird activity attracted gangs of hungry sunbirds , flowepeckers and all. Also, I cannot really explain exactly, though i suspect it must be linked to the water present and the large numbers of healthy tall trees, bird activities, much of it in the form of mixed flocks always seem to be around here. On good days, Black-and Yellow Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Black-capped Babbler, Black-naped Monarch, Verditer Flycatchers, Large Wooshrike, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Purple-naped Sunbird and even the startlingly bright Dark-throated Oriole can be found around this stretch. The Birding In general, I find the birding along ths beautiful park very pleasant and enjoyable. I guess part of the reason comes from the cool environment around the park, thanks to the tall shady canopy trees and also partly from the aspect of the hillslopes blocking much of the sun in the morning. Sometimes, especially during the weekends, many joggers may be around with groups of noisy children , garrulous groups and all, but it does not really affect the birding too much for these feathered friends seem to have gotten quite used to human company, one example being that of the pair of Raffle's Malkoha that hunted 1 metre above a noisy group of walkers. I think what makes it sometimes really frustrating to bird here is that many of the birds are canopy denizens, so it really takes a great deal of neck straining and craning before a good view can be had, but by any rate, i guess it is definitely worth every neck muscle strained for the visual imbibement of these delightful , rainbow-hued feathered creations. Preliminery Bird List of Taman Rimba Ampang |
| Birding in Taman Rimba Ampang |
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| (Left) A male Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae (formerly lumped with Narcissus Flycatcher) photographed on site near the guardhouse at TRAmpang in February 2005. Green-backed Flycatchers are Palearctic migrants originating for North-eastern China, migrating towards sundaic South-east Asia during the boreal winter This individual was very approachable, feeding on insects just 40 cm above the gound in a clump of ornamentals plants. (Photograph by Ong Tun Pin) |
| Inspite of its proximity to civilisation, TRAmpang still hold a few pleasant surprises, like the 3 pairs of Rufous-chested Flycatchers Ficedula dumetoria that frequent thick undergrowth along the main trail in. Back in 2004, a quick morning visit to the park found this bird seen in the picture, visiting an overhanging broadbill-nest-like, hanging nest some 4 feets above the forest floor. The male was seen bringing prey items of araneid spiders, a small green caterpillar and small beetles to feed the 2 hungry chicks sometimes at a rate of 1 item every 5 minutes. This individual was also photographed on site.(Photograph by Ong Kiem Sian) |
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| Rough Map of Taman Rimba Ampang |
| Sightings for 2005 (updated in February '05) (Recorded by Myself and Tun Pin) 9 February 2005 1. Checker-throated Woodpecker 1 pair seen at platform 2 2. Rufous Woodpecker 1 pair at platform 1 3. Gold-whiskered Barbet 4 birds heard, 1 seen in bird wave at kampung 4. Banded Kingfisher 1 heard from 1st platform 5. Plaintive Cuckoo 1 adult outside streamside trail perched low 6. Little Bronze Cuckoo 1 heard near kampung 7. Chestnut-breasted Malkoha 1 seen near stream from 1st platform 8. Whiskered Treeswift 2 seen in flight 9. Black-and-Yellow Broadbill 2 birds heard near 1st platform 10. Banded Broadbill 1 heard from streamside trail 11. Lesser Green Leafbird 1 male in fruiting Indian Cherry 12. Green-backed Flycatcher 1 male and 1 female seen separately at Platform 1 and guardhouse 13. Rufous-chested Flycatcher 4 heard, 2 at streamside trail and 2 at playground 14. White-rumped Shama 1 hopping under someone's car at carpark 15. Grey-headed Babbler 5 seen at playground Others seen include Scarlet Minivet, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Striped-throated, Black-headed, Buff-vented, Spectacled, Cream-vented,Red-eyed, Olive-winged, hairy-backed and Grey-cheeked Bulbuls.Ruby-cheeked and Purple-naped Sunbird (Total 53 species) |