Birding in Malaysia - Field Trip Report 2009

I started full time birding in August, 1998 and now my 11th year. The first report with some information on the 7 trips was prepared in December 2003. As a follow up in 2004 - reports in greater details of the 18 outings done that year. It was not until January 2006 that this trend of close monitoring started, better structured with photographs and posted on pages done on Multiply.

Looking back and into the records, they make me happy that I have put in the hard work and now so rewarding to read about them. It is with regrets that I had not started earlier as most time spent on the computers in the early days focused on the subject of Waterfalls. I had videos of those days but could not bring back all the memories of those days. Those were my best times of my lifers and birding in Bukit Lanjang was so near my house or getting the car to deliver us to any part of Old Pump House Road, so memorable. The road was not paved yet, the bushes beside the mud track in Rengit, wild were so productive. These places we went to so unrestrictive.

An encouraging thought to start a new page.


Dates	Location	Results/Outcome

17th January	Tanjong Karang	Saw the Sea-eagles Roosting in the heart of town.
24th January	Taiping Lake	Got my Roller & my lifer in Kemunting
25th January	Air Itam Dalam	Neglected but gaining back some glory
27th January	Penang Island	Just the regulars seen
31st January	Telapa Buruk	Some results marred by poor weather

Summary for January

This was the Chinese New Year season. Big provision given around the festive period and so outing was done on a short notice basis. The trip up north did bring out less visited destination and less frequently seen birds. Otherwise the month was not a strong month for birding. Weather was unpredictable

February


Dates	Location	Results/Outcome
8th February	Puteri Heronry Rawang	Birds especially Purple Herons in good numbers
14th February	Rimba Kiara	Hornbill & Common Kingfisher
21st February	Frasers Hill	The usual Birds but good enough for a day's outing

Summary for February

After a hectic January, quiet February seemed short and passed without much fanfare. Stephen the main initiator for group outing had trimmed down his call as well. Only one trip this month.

March


Dates	Location	Results/Outcome
2nd-24th Mar	Nesting - Goshawk	Interesting development
4th- 17th Mar	Nesting - Orioles	very exciting time
4th Mar-1st Apr	Nesting - Common Flameback	No action but fledged
9th March	Sabak Bernam	Getting Tern & Pond Herons in Breeding plumage

Summary for March

Continueing from last months of no group outing, March would be a mundane period without exciting leads.

I struck gold in Rimba Kiara, when one nest after another were seen. Had a busy period spending most part of the month doing bird photography in my backyard

April


Dates	Location	Results/Outcome

	Nesting - Coppersmith Barbet	Surprising development
28th April	Malim Nawar	Found Wader's pond, home of Painted Snipes

Summary for April

Practically living in Rimba when I have nothing pressing. So sad that other nest like that of the Bulbul fledged without I having spent time with it. Then the Kingfisher were working on the nest for a while without starting nesting season. The Robin too was seen building nest. I suppose there should be close follow up.

May


Dates	Location	Results/Outcome
2nd May	Awana -Genting	Met lots of Photographers & Birders
Summary for May Right in May now, I am still concerned about the weather. News report talked about the impending hazy sessions and long hot spell till September.