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My birding journal for 2008 |
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When it comes to writing report, I am happy with those Birding Field Trip Reports, I had compiled for 2007. So the hard work paid off. I am glad that I am able to read about my birding days. As for type of birds mentioned - Sorry, not that many uncommon birds nor the tiny Babblers from the under storey. The main point is - I am using these report to evaluate my chances while I plan the next move. Knowing how much can I expect and also the decision which birding spot to choose. So often when all the potential spots have not been turning out good results in previous trips, then a couple of preferred spot will be pitched against one another. That's when these reports help. |
January
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December is one month where birding activities has to slow down. Usually it would be bad weather, so we "hibernate". But comes January, it is time to go out. Fine weather and also some birds making their way north. Yes, that was the mood, All geared for a busy month. When it comes to selection of birding spots, the new calendar year also bring new hopes, For example, the wetlands:- In 2006, the new fields were flooded on the 25th December. But this year, the release of water was postponed to the 1st January 2008. The waders would stay away from the dried fields and food is scare. But once the field is flooded and the grains are sown, a completely new eco-system aroused. I would be there to capture the scenes of the crucial first few days. Scenes in the forest and highlands also will see changes. After an extended period of torrential rainfalls, many trees are ready for the next flowering and fruiting season. They are the impetus in luring birds back to the usual haunts where we saw them before. So, it is not only a new year in January, but also the time of changing scenes. |
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Out of our expectation, bad weather continued for the whole of January. There were occasional sunshine in the morning but quickly switched to gloomy day by early afternoon. More often than not, rain came by 4.00 pm. I wake up each morning, staring at the sky and wondering - "should I take the risk?" Most days the sun would only appear around 9.00 am, by then it was too late to make any decision or any trip. Then, other times when there was sign of a fairly clear sky in the early morning, there was no guarantee that the sky would that way after 11.00 am. So difficult for risk taking, leave alone planning trips. As you can see, I did squeezed a good number of trips and with mixed results. |
February
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This is one month when the Lunar New Year is celebrated. True for 2008. It doesn't matters much to me as I had gone birding on that very important day itself. But the trip to Penang and the disruptions and uncertainties caused by dinner dates really breaks the momentum. Then, most Februarys are time for dry spell. Time for many northerners to be passing by or making their last feeding season before flying off. Good examples are the Ferruginous and Mugimaki Flycatchers, the passage migrants on the shore lines and my Pygmy Gooses in Bidor. Without doubt a conducive period for outings. |
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As you can see from the low number of trips made, I was not in the mood! Nope! This month, February suddenly I struck a grandeur idea of cataloguing flowering & fruiting plants. Lots of time and effort was spent in the library and whatever outings made were spent focusing on plants and taking pictures of them. With that few number of trips would not be fair to comment on bird life for this month. Not forgetting that the 15 days of Lunar New Year too had disrupted moods and planning. |
March
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The Raptor Watch scheduled near the Easter Holidays is one events that signifies the season for departures to most migrants. These are the birds that brings hope and giving us added colors each year. Sad that the smaller birds that we do not get to see them moving in flocks, they would be passing through too. So it's good time for me to get to the Park, forest edges and jungles to see those tiny little Flycatchers. Who knows you would bump into lone stragglers. Oh! By the way, if it is important. The Pond Herons are in their breeding plumages while the Indian Pond Heron was spotted again in the Penang Airport area. |
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Well, what can I say? Chasing after plants takes time and I can only focus into taking care of one topic at a time. As for birding, when I am not on the subjects, I get wind of tremendous amount of happenings where I was not there. Personally, my jalopy was out of service for a couple of weeks with a broken gearbox. |
April
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April is a favorite month when the plants are suppose to be fruiting and more number of birds are nesting. I heard that is the choice month - mentioned by locals in Merapoh and Taman Negara. But a few points I can confirm from my record - the fruit trees in Old Pump House where Barbet frequented, should be fruiting in April. I saw one fruiting in February last, perhaps this plant is fruiting more frequent than I thought. Then bird life was very strong in Bukit Tinggi last April and the Great Tits were active in KSNP. Whew! very assuring datas. |
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So far for April. Things are not getting on that well. Nope! the particular plant that I have in mind at the Old Pump House Road that attracted Black-browed and Brown Barbet was fruiting in the second week. I was not there. All the same, suddenly my eyes were opened to many other isolated shrubs bearing fruits in both Old Pump House Road and Perdik. Incidentally, these were the only hot spots where the birds had gathered. I will start making special notes on these isolated plants in my trip report |
May
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May should also be an equally exciting month. In the highlands, Silver-breasted still in the midst of nesting. In the lowland forest like Rengit, Weaver birds, Monarch and Spiderhunter were nesting during this month, the Orange-backed Woody in Kuala Tahan and the Banded Pitta very active in Merapoh. In the Park, the time for the Pied Triller to be having their young. Bird life should be above average in Ampang. In the padi fields, harvesting would be done and fields cleared. Remaining waders should be making last gathering before flying off. So, you too have some ideas on planning. |
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June
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Oh No! I have not being doing my homework. Right into June and I have a blank mind. Very interesting indeed, how resolution goes. |
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July
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Susan called and seek my opinion on the level of bird life for the month of July. I concurred with her that this should be "low" month. Who knows, migratory season starting soon and she may bump into a fruiting tree. Actually this is not a bad month. We saw the Woodpecker breeding, the sensational Frogmouth fledging and not to mention the little known Philentoma chicks as well. There may not be many birds flying around, many birds could be nesting too.
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August
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I am not looking forward to August. Though July surprisingly is turning out to be such a good month for birding under the shadows of very unpredictable weather. Dull surroundings was the order of the day during prime time. Did hamper my many chances of getting better quality pictures. I was so indecisive each morning, pondering whether I should use up my petrol to take the risk. As I could see it, this trend of rapid weather changes could well be the pattern for the future months. Tracing back the records from the last 2 years, I could not see any encouraging signs. I was almost everywhere. In Frasers, Ipoh, Rengit and Genting. All trips returning a record that show trips with below par performance. Should not let my own flimsy record discourage me. Who knows, let me look towards another month of unexpected. Like what is happening for the month of July, August may turn up well - without planning and expectations.
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September
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The Little Heron started nesting towards the end of the month. My limited energy were channel to the nesting report. Somewhere in the planning, I was slotted to be with Boo Cheng in Taman Negara on the 9th. Still no news from her and the program for the month looks dim and unproductive. |
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October
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I get that strange feeling that birding in Malaysia is getting rather quiet. All the reports received so far are about Waders. This lack of activities was reflected through the very little reports read on the net. In contrary, in teh same period, there were lots of reports generated from bird watchers down south in Singapore. OK, I am merely giving excuses as I am not in the best state of health. Next, half of my birding partners are in Europe and the remaining Stephen bogged down with domestic chores. Keep my fingers crossed. |
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November
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The schedule is out. On 2nd November, there will be the annual Raptor Watch in Scotts Hill. Need not travel that far to Radar Hill. Hmmm! Just waiting to see whether any one keen to travel on that weekend! Also in November, I will be looking forward to seeing my entry into the Kapar Power Station area. Sounds that big and difficult but quick becoming a sour grape to me. I am not crazy about waders. Next, petrol price will soon be returning to its Rgt 1.90 level. Let's me hear my excuses for not travel that often |
| Dates | Location | Results/Outcome |
| 1st November | Bird life on the Highland Road? | As usual -got birds but not showing themselves |
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2nd November |
The hunt for the Black-capped starting |
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4th November |
Birding in my backyard |
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6th November |
Raptor over the Kiara Hills |
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19th November |
"National Service" in Jeram |
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19th November |
But first visit the Raptor in Rimba |
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They have spotted over 5,000 Raptors over a Sunday. I am still waiting the density over Kiara, each morning whenever I could. On Monday, 3rd November, Henry and myself counted 19. Big birds -Buzzards. This morning 6 Bazas in Kiara and another 3 Buzzards coming down from Bukit Lanjang. So much on the craze about Raptor. But to be honest, the craze to travel and watch birds is on the decline. I would rather watch birds at ease in Rimba than to drive 100 kilometers to Rengit to meet up with th same birds. |
December
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The benefit of the lower petrol price level is felt. Human beings are, is the real funny lot, just yearning to have. Once they have got it, the matter rest, nothing further will be done. I am talking about myself as an example. No ambitious plan to travel. Then again, December is a school holiday season. No more tied to sending Dexter to school. Free to travel or is it too much crowd everywhere? Choose the reason! I have no plans and no excuse. Not until Allan of UK who was here on holiday! He gave me the excuse. |
| Dates | Location | Results/Outcome |
| 8th December | Birding with Allan in Rimba | Got my lifer - Malaysian Night Heron |
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12th December |
Let's see what the "coastal area" can offer |
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23rd December |
Another birding trip with Allan |
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December came and gone. Truly such a great months full of waders and its gone. No visit to the Kapar Ash pond either. Could it that this is the last item on the calendar that I am slowing down. To consolidate my writing? No I have not updated this page now for months. but thanks to Allan I really enjoy that few outings. I see birding in another lights, enjoy seeing the trash birds as lifers! How lucky we are to be able to get birds that easily while we are perpetually comparing our birds with those in Australia who eat out of the human hands. Is 2008 a good year? It is realistic to measure the achievement for the year by the total number of outings or by the number lifers. It is also possible to gauge that year's success by the level of satisfaction. I would say, I am most contended that this summary is maintained and that there were adequate frequency here I am out in the field. As a time frame for one year, 2008 was not such a conducive year, the second half was pathetic with unpredictable weather conditions. Dull and rains starting just after mid-day, really dampens long haul trips. Time really flies and very quickly I have completed one more page for 2008. It is tedious I can tell you, seating down and cleaning up the bits and pieces. It is also during this time in refreshing my action, motives, results and satisfaction level that I re-examine my focus. OK I am already doing that at the end of every month but year end, the writing gives me a bigger determination. Yes, I will continue writing another page for 2009. On the format of presentation, very minor alteration. I would see the greater change in the way as to how I see birding as a topic. I don't rally know how the write-up for the next page would look like. So much influenced by the way I do birding I suppose. Happy 2009 to all of you who have reached this page. |
Return to Index page | Wanna see what happened in earlier years?