The Penang Birder

It is always good to see the young children developing a love and interest in nature. My latest guest from Singapore, Nigel, has an eleven-year old son, Lucas, who is quite interested in animals. What impressed me the most was he was able to identify some of the commoner birds and is eager to learn and find out more about the wonders of nature. On the first day of their tour, I took them and Nigel's brother, Jimmy, to the swamp forest of Air Hitam Dalam in Penang. This small area of birding delight is the best choice to suit their needs as they are still relatively new to the world of birding.

As soon as we got down from the car, we were greeted by the resident pair of Mangrove Blue Flycatchers. It has been months since my last visit and I am delighted to see that the world's friendliest Mangrove Blue Flycatchers are still upholding the reputation they created for themselves.

Just so that I will not doubt them again, the male bird put on a memorable performance and it was one that left quite an impression on my guests. Heck, sometimes I myself cannot believe how confiding these flycatchers have become.

The other celebrity flycatcher of this locality, the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, is getting ready for the coming breeding season. He showed off his partial breeding plumage and it will not be long now before he undertakes the journey back north. Safe journey, bud. I hope to see you back here again in winter.

A few Abbott’s Babblers came surprisingly close to the elevated boardwalk as they foraged for food. However, the lighting conditions and active nature of the birds made photography rather challenging.

The resident Olive-winged Bulbuls were in full chorus throughout most of the morning. This individual was more confiding than usual. I guess the anticipation of the breeding season does that to you sometimes.

Another resident that looks set for the breeding season is the resident pair of Crested Serpent-eagles. One of them was enjoying the morning sun on an exposed perch and provided a prolonged and close encounter.

This female Common Iora was also soaking up the rays of the morning sun from the cover of the canopy. She looks rather content except for the occasional glance to see what these humans were up to.

I am a little disappointed with how this shot of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo turned out. It was a shame because the drongo was foraging so close and at eye level. I even had to reduce my zoom in order to fit it into frame. I guess I underestimated the influence of the dim lighting condition.

I was a little surprise to see this Forest Wagtail foraging nearby the main access road. Most of the time, I see it among the undergrowth of the swamp forest or within the rear car park area. Despite being out in the open, the wagtail was still a difficult subject for photography as it never stops moving.

The bird of the trip was undoubtedly the Spotted Wood-owl. This was my guests’ first wild owl and needless to say, we all know how it felt. Mysterious and beautiful, owls are truly fascinating creatures. It was a good experience for them especially for little Lucas. This is my third posting in a row that ends with owls wrapping things up but you will not hear me complaining.

For his second day of day, there is only one place that my Singaporean guest Nigel must go to at the present moment. Some place where something of a phenomenon was waiting for him and his brother. It was unfortunate that his son could not join us today as we are going to the Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers' fruiting tree at Sungai Sedim in Kedah. At day break we arrive at the locality and got ourselves ready for the performance to come.

The first to arrive for the feast was this rather confiding Buff-vented Bulbul. I am rather fond of the image I managed to take of it. In fact, it could one of my best efforts of this non-descript bulbul.

When the flowerpeckers came, I focused my attention on the duller ones for a change. As this is already my third visit to this fruiting tree, I was able to resist the mesmerizing presence of the male Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers a little better. Much to my delight, their female counterparts were also showing themselves far better today and I took full advantage of that.

The Yellow-breasted Flowerpeckers finally received their due attention from me. Today, it felt like they were more confiding and provided more photographic opportunities. Maybe it could be the spell of the Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers is starting to wear off from me and I am more observant of the other birds present at the fruiting tree.

For this species, the sexes are identical and this duller looking individual should be a young bird.

The Yellow-vented Flowerpeckers were also overshadowed by the Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers as well and I tried my best to make amends today. Unfortunately, they did not show themselves quite that often enough.

On my every visit here to this fruiting tree, this juvenile Green-backed Flycatcher will swing by for a second before moving away. And this time I was finally fast enough to capture a single shot before it disappeared into the forest. Got ‘ya!

Although I am a little more used to seeing the male Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers now, their beauty still do it for me. For my guests, they were lost in the moment just like yours truly one week ago when we first discovered the flowerpeckers.

Countless birders have made their way here to experience the Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker phenomenon. Up to today, birders are still coming in from far and wide. One of them actually left Kuala Lumpur at two in the morning; drove all the way here for these flowerpeckers and back in the evening. That is a round trip of about 800 kilometers. Would I have done the same if I was in his shoes? Well, given the fact that it is a fruiting tree and based on the quality of the images of this flowerpecker posted on various social media, hell yeah!

The Red-eyed Bulbuls are so confiding probably because they have been ignored and they do not see the humans present at this fruiting tree as a threat anymore. This individual must be quite surprised when I started to take notice of it.

Later in the morning, we retreated into the cooler access trails to carry on our birding excursion. This migratory Ferruginous Flycatcher reminded us on how bird photography in the forest is like most of the time and it is a timely reminder because of late, I have been spoilt by fruiting trees, the birds that patronize them and all the excellent photographic opportunities that came with them.

The Red-billed Malkoha is one of the rarer malkohas here in Sungai Sedim. Typically of the family, this striking cuckoo loves to move along the highest canopies and good views are hard to come by.

This is certainly something a whole lot easier to photograph - a confiding male Whiskered Treeswift on an exposed perch.

From the forest of Sungai Sedim, we made our way to a Palm Oil estate next to the Kulim Hi-Tech Park. Here, there is a particular Rain Tree next to the estate that is a regular roosting site for a pair of Barred Eagle-owls. It did not take long to locate one of the owls as it was roosting at almost the exact spot that I saw it a couple of days back. Unfortunately on this perch, it was slightly blocked by the vegetation and there is nothing we can actually do about it. Birding and wild bird photography can sometimes be frustrating, unpredictable and difficult. Most of the factors and elements involved are beyond your control. But on those occasions when everything does come together perfectly, it is sheer ecstasy.

Our final destination was the bee-eater colony at Penanti in mainland Penang. At this time of the year, it is possible to see both the Chestnut-headed and Blue-throated Bee-eaters together at a single locality. The former is a permanent resident and can be seen throughout the year.

The latter is a breeding visitor and will migrate to Malaysia just as the other winter visitors make their way up north to breed. Their breeding season has just begun thus making the birds very conspicuous and vocal.

After dropping off my guests at their hotel, I still had a few hours of daylight left and I decided to visit the Sungai Burung area in Penang Island. I was hoping for another memorable trip like the one I enjoyed during my last visit here around Christmas last year. But like I said, birding is unpredictable. Nothing but the very common birds were seen and to make matters worse, most of them were taking shelter from the blistering heat we have been experiencing here in Penang for past week. This Olive-backed Sunbird is either an eclipsed male or a juvenile bird. Because of this unfamiliar plumage, it finally gave me a reason to actually stop my car and look.

It so not very often that I get to see all of our open country bee-eaters on a single day and the sighting of this Blue-tailed Bee-eater cheered me up a little as it was the third and last species. When I just started birding, this locality used to have all three bee-eaters breeding here in one big colony. I can roughly recall the sight and sound of the colony where hundreds of bee-eaters can be seen but that sadly, is a thing of the past. I usually do not end my posts on a down note but this is something that is not only happening in my country but everywhere else in the world. Natural habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. My only hope is there will still be a few places left for me to bird in the future.

This trip to the northern state of Perlis with Dave was spontaneous to say the least. I was still contemplating on where to go the next day when Dave's proposition came in. The birding days to follow after the remarkable trips to Sungai Sedim for the Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers look a little bleak to me indeed. And a trip to Perlis to help search rarities for Dave's big year could be exactly what I needed to get over the flowerpeckers. We arrived at the Timah Tasoh scrublands just in time to witness the breaking of dawn over the lake.

I made it a point to open up my senses to other things and not only the birds. So, only after soaking in the view did I start with the birds. The lake and its surroundings are being cleared for some unknown reason and like all great things in life especially birding sites, enjoy them while they last. Although the Stork-billed Kingfisher is common in most waterways, it is still a striking bird. With such an impressive bill, it is hard to overlook or ignore it.

This individual was exceptionally confiding and allowed a very close approach. I cannot recall if I have ever photographed any kingfisher on foot so close before and I did not even have to crawl my way. The trip certainly started off on a high note.

There were three target birds for this locality. The closest we came to the Orange-breastedPigeon was a lone bird that looked very much like one but flew away too fast for a positive identification. I have seen the Racket-tailed Treepie only but once in my life. When two of them were seen moving among the canopy level, I was elated. But the feeling did not last long because the Treepie rejected my photographic proposal and I was left without a single image from the encounter again. I did manage to photograph our third target but it was far from satisfactory. The Thick-billed Warbler only allowed distanced obscured shots - just like my last encounter with this rare migrant.

There was a Shrike that was hunting at the edge of the scrubs which appeared slightly odd. We just had an interesting shrike also in the state of Perlis last month that turned out to be most possibly a hybrid Red-backed Shrike. Not wanting to take anything for granted, we scrutinized the shrike until we were sure that it was a Brown Shrike in moult and nothing else. Another thing that struck me as odd about this shrike was its confiding nature. It seemed to be quite comfortable despite being stalked by two birders.

Earlier on I mentioned that there are other things in life than just only birds. Well, I should have took it more seriously because I found out when I got back home that I missed out on photographing what is possibly Malaysia's first record of the Variable Squirrel. To make matters worse, there were at least five of them on this particular tree. Although they were active (and extremely noisy too), they remained on that tree for a long time. I gave up after my first shot was nothing more than a blurred photo of a brownish furry creature on a tree. Luckily, Dave managed to obtain a few better shots. By the way, he was the one who realized our discovery and we are now waiting for confirmation. This is not the type of first record that I yearn for but it is exciting nevertheless.

From the scrublands of Timah Tasoh, we headed to the limestone outcrops of Kaki Bukit in search of the Dusky Crag-Martin but it ended in vain. Once again, I dipped out on this would be lifer. This resident Peregrine Falcon could have been able to lift my spirit if only it was flying much lower than this.

We ventured into the nearby forest of the Perlis State Park to see if anything was about. There were some birds present but none really got me truly excited except for this lone Dusky Broadbill foraging among the canopy of the forest. Although it lacks the vivid colours of the other broadbills, it is the largest and I think the rarest of them all. That makes it a priority to me whenever I come across it in the field.

It was mid day when we reached the grasslands of Chuping. The heat and the dust were relentless and a shy Green Sandpiper certainly did not help improve the situation. Dave thought it was best to check out the small pockets of trees and scrub scattered sparingly over the grasslands. There were no objections from me as shade is a rare commodity out here. As soon as we stepped into our first copse, we were greeted by an adult Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo. The cuckoo’s abrupt disappearance got the ball rolling and we started to pick up a lot of bird activity within the copse. But the one that had our immediate attention was a female Grey-capped Woodpecker.

I have not seen this species for years and possibly the population here in northern Peninsula Malaysia could be on the decline. That is a shame because this species is absolutely adorable much like the commoner Sunda Woodpecker. In fact, the two species are superficially similar and habitat is one of the best ways to tell them apart as the latter is confined to the coast and mangroves.

While being entertained by the antics of the Grey-capped Woodpecker, a couple of the commoner species did come into view like this inquisitive male Olive-backed Sunbird.

The Golden-bellied Gerygone is a small bird with a big voice and its characteristic song is a regular sound in habitats like this. To actually see the bird, it usually takes some effort. If by chance one decides to alight in the open and reasonably close, you better make the best of it.

Malaysia recently released the second edition of its official checklist. This latest revision follows the Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. There are a substantial number of splits and lumps that will take some getting used to. One such split involves the Blue-And-White Flycatcher. The race where the male has no black on the face, throat and breast region is now a species of its own and is called the Zappey's Flycatcher. A bird will need a huge dose of panache to live up to a name like that. And the Zappey's Flycatcher has no shortage of that. This adult male that was foraging in the copse had the both of us eating from the primaries of his wing. He is truly a gorgeous bird and the immature male I saw a few years back does not even come close.

By the way, only the males are distinguishable in the field. With only three confirmed records of the White-and-Blue Flycatcher in Malaysia to date, chances are the immature I saw, which was my first record, was also a Zappey's Flycatcher. The flycatcher is Dave's 400th bird for his Big Year and he was a very happy man. Rightfully so I might add.

The last destination for our rarity hunt was the paddy fields of Pendang in Kedah state. What made this location so interesting are the surrounding scrublands and reed beds. In fact, one particular reed bed eventually became the stage for one last string of performances before we headed back home.

It was apparent that quite a number of reed-warblers and as well as grasshopper-warblers were present within this reed bed. We could hear them and once in a while, catch a fleeting glimpse as they move about. We saw a handful of Oriental Reed-warblers. Dave identified a few Pallas’s Grasshopper-Warblerby call which I did not even bother to try locating. More than a dozen Black-browed Reed-Warblers were counted and with such high density, chances of getting a clear shot were favourable. But I should have known better…

Another species that shared this reed bed with the warblers were Yellow Bitterns and they certainly make better photography subjects. The only thing that hindered my efforts was the fading light but I am quite happy with the results. The bittern concludes what has been a long but rewarding day. The drive back was marred by traffic congestion as the school-holidays are drawing to a close and families are rushing back from holidays to prepare the children for school. However, the two hour journey was still bearable as my thoughts constantly drifted back to a particular copse in Chuping where a handsome Zappey’s Flycatcher flitted among the rays of sunlight from the sanctuary of the canopy.

The mystery of the male hybrid Red-backed Shrike has yet to be solved and on this beautiful morning, Hor Kee and I were back at the UniMap Guesthouse compound to try and obtained more images of the shrike - hopefully with his moult completed. Unfortunately, he was no where to be seen. Thus began our trip with a considerable amount of Murphy’s Law involved. After a futile search, we diverted our attention to the adjacent mudflats where a number of Javan Pond-Herons were foraging. Although the herons were foraging at a distance, the good lighting helped me in obtaining some reasonable shots.

Any attempts to try and reduce the distance were met with much resistance.

Most of the Pond-Herons that are showing partial or full breeding plumages here are Javan Pond-Herons. This is probably one of those rare occasions where they outnumber the more numerous Chinese Pond-Herons.

The Chinese Egret and Little Stint that were recorded on the last trip were absent this time as well. Luckily, there was a lone male Swinhoe's Plover to keep us occupied. Although this species is not recognized by everyone as a full species, I feel that it should be. The male Swinhoe's Plover was among a flock of Kentish Plovers, the species that some consider it to be a race of. Well, based on appearance alone, you be the judge. It is the second peep from the left.

This is the best image I could conjure up in the end showing the side profile of this uncommon wader that seems to have a preference to winter along the north-western coastline.

We decided to check out the rest of this stretch of mudflats that goes all the way to the Kuala Perlis jetty. As we were making our way to the car, we saw a parent Malaysian Pied-Fantail attending to a juvenile bird and it reminded me of those single parents trying to control a hyperactive child at a departmental store. The only difference here is this parent is just as hyperactive as the child!

At least two Black-capped Kingfishers were seen along the coast here. These beautiful but shy birds are getting ready for the passage back north to breed. Despite the approaching breeding season, they are still as skittish as ever.

Timah Tasoh was our next destination and we were lucky enough to stumble upon a fruiting tree. This year, I have the good fortune of enjoying quite a number of fruiting trees and the birds that came with them. Despite the absence of rarities at this tree, it was still a rewarding encounter thanks to the adorable Coppersmith Barbets.

My only qualm was the tree is very sparse and the harsh mid morning sun does not compliment the images well. There is little much I can do about the back lighting and since I have had little luck with this common but attractive species in the past, I made the best out of the situation.

Although there are more than enough fruits for the two pairs Coppersmith Barbets present, squabbles occasionally erupted and one bird will end up being chased by the other around the vicinity.

A flock of Large Woodshrikes announced their presence with their signature vocalizations. Photography was a challenge as the flock was on the hunt and was constantly moving about.

For the second trip in a row, I crossed path with the diminutive Grey-capped Woodpecker. Perhaps this species is doing better here than in my home state of Penang. This pair was foraging along the canopy level of the scrubland trees and was not really in the mood to be photographed.

A female Plaintive Cuckoo taking a breather from the overwhelming hot and dry weather that we have been experiencing here for the past month or so. With the sun at its zenith, there was no better time for us to seek some shelter, food and a cold drink to rejuvenate before proceeding to our final destination for the day - the grassland of Chuping.

The Green Sandpiper and Racket-tailed Treepie again got the better of my camera. However, I did not feel much disappointment for missing the latter again. Perhaps, I have accepted the fact that I will never ever photograph a Racket-tailed Treepie. However, Chuping has so much more to offer than just a couple of rarities. A flock of eleven Little Cormorants resting at their usual haunt is one fine example of the magic of this locality. This is by far my biggest count of this recent colonizer.

One of them eventually alighted on the near side of the pond for some reason that I have yet to fathom because this species is relatively shy. Although this was the closest I have ever been to a Little Cormorant, I still could not obtain the type of images that I have been wishing for. This is Murphy's Law at its best. I will not dwell on this any further and the photo says it all.

Foraging along the floating vegetation was the same Pheasant-tailed Jacana that we have been recording here for the past few months. The encounter would have been much sweeter if the Jacana was a little more tolerant of our presence and foraged a little closer. It is has even started to moult into breeding plumage. Now, it would have been quite a sight to see it in full breeding plumage because it is one of the most stunning water birds in the world.The heat wave also affected the outcome of most of my images at Chuping. The result appeared like the subject was out of focus and there was blurred movement. None of which are welcomed in any photograph.

Well, at least the jacana was still within reasonable reach of my camera. Our first record of a Ruddy-breasted Crake in Chuping satisfied only the birders in us.

The heat wave together with the harsh lighting made today one of the most testing days in terms of photography in Chuping. There were around 80 Eurasian Moorhens present at the ponds and that figure was another highlight of the trip. But due to the shooting conditions, I only have this one image that I can be proud of.

The Little Grebes are also in their usual numbers and with their breeding season in full swing, they are a lot more tolerant to human presence.

I then decided to drag Hor Kee to that faithful copse that provided such a rewarding experience during my last visit. For our efforts, the only thing worth mentioning is that we heard the Collared Kingfisher again. Although it is mainly confined to the coastal areas, it is not unheard of for it to occur far inland.

One of the highlights of our trip this time was a dark-morphed Booted Eagle. This scarce winter visitor has been recorded a little more regularly in recent years and most of the sightings are from the northern region including here in Chuping. The height at which the eagle was soaring was beyond my gear’s comfort zone and the harsh afternoon sun only made it worse. But it is still my best image of it to date.

Do not be fooled by the Plain-backed Sparrow's name. If you are not familiar with the species, you might envision it as another little brown job. But the male Plain-backed Sparrow will rock your world if seen well. I am quite ashamed to use this image. It does no justice to the bird at all although it was quite near to our vehicle. I should have done better but this was my best shot.

The female is no push over in the looks department as well but incomparable to the handsome male. Naturally, her image turned out better than the male’s. Here you go. Murphy's Law at work again. But one thing Mr Murphy could not deny us was this one last rewarding birding trip to a little state up north called Perlis - until the commencement of the next autumn migration that is.

Birders here in Penang are blessed to have Air Hitam Dalam. I have been birding at this site since the first day it opened its door to the public which was more than two decades ago. Although there is a drop in bird species and the size of this small reserve has been much reduced, it still remains as one of the best. Where else in Penang or even Malaysia can one regularly encounter and observed nocturnal species in broad daylight like this Brown Boobook showing off its mystical beauty on an exposed perch like this.

The Boobook was not only out in the open but it was confiding as well. This is certainly not my first encounter with this species but there is just something about it that I find so fascinating. Maybe it is because it is the first owl that I saw in the wild many moons back when I was still a teenager. I do not know. But all I do know is that all owls are truly special and I will always be fascinated by them.

It is kind of ironic I had to worry about the direction of the sun when photographing a night bird - not that I am complaining though.

The Olive-winged Bulbuls were also showing well today. It is now peak breeding season and the bulbuls are lot more confiding than usual. This individual perched on the rope barrier of the elevated boardwalk lacks most of the olive colouration on its wings but does not appear to be a young bird.

This man made structure is a favourite perch for a pair of these bulbuls. All I had to do was to be still and wait for them to come round again. The lighting and distance was favourable but the only slight letdown was the artificial perch. Well, you cannot have your cake and eat it all the time.

Of late, I have been seeing a lot more of the Laced Woodpecker here than the usual Streak-breasted Woodpecker. There are only very subtle differences between the two species and positive identification can be quite a challenge if the birds are not seen well. Anyway, this male Laced Woodpecker provided excellent views but the strong backlight made photography difficult.

The Asian Openbill is no longer a regular at my usual birding spots in Penang. Here at Air Hitam Dalam, they used to roost in huge numbers. I was lucky to have a few juveniles flying over this morning and the lighting was quite ideal for shooting these unique storks in flight.

There is no way to mistake a Forest Wagtail for anything else due its striking plumage. However, it tends to keep close to cover which makes it a challenging subject to photograph. The constant movement of the bird does not help the situation either.

The Malaysian Pied-Fantail is usually not a good subject for photography either - much like the Forest Wagtail. This individual managed to catch a dragonfly for breakfast and I was hoping this substantial prey will weigh down my subject long enough for me to capture a few images. At the end, of the stream of images that I shot, only one turned out good enough to be shared.

Just last week there were records of some splendid birds coming from the vicinity of the rear car park. The Ruddy Kingfisher, Black-And-Red Broadbill and the migratory race of the Asian Paradise-Flycatcher just to name a few. Unfortunately, none of them were recorded this trip. The migratory Blue-winged Pitta was also heard calling from the nearby vicinity but stayed well out of sight. But I did get one species that I was hoping to see - the male the Korean Flycatcher in breeding plumage.

The throat and upper breast region now has an orange tinge and it is a sign that he is ready to fly back north to breed. You handsome devil!

The new checklist by Clements replaced the old name of Yellow-rumped Flycather with Korean Flycatcher. I am no scientist but I still prefer the old name because it describes the bird perfectly and I am sure it is not the only flycatcher in Korea. Here you can see him backing up my opinion.

The Mangrove Blue Flycatchers are residents and will breed within the boundaries of this reserve. The superstars of this hotspot, you are almost guaranteed to see one on every visit.

The car park is usually the center of bird activity at this birding hotspot. It is just a small area and can only accommodate about 10 vehicles and the passengers with all their gear comfortably at one time. All you need to do is wait for the birds to come. You will even get to enjoy skulkers like the Abbott's Babbler.

Birds are not the only animals present at the car park. The Common Sun Skink is regularly recorded and like the birds, has grown accustomed to human presence. In good lighting, the iridescent colours make this reptile an appealing subject as well.

Air Hitam Dalam is also a great place to catch up with birding friends. It is very popular with the local birders including yours truly and on any given weekend you are bound to bump into another bird person. For this trip, I met no less than 5 different groups of birders. Hor Kee, James Neoh and Zo Cozy were among them. If that is not enough, this site is almost next door to the coastline of the Teluk Ayer Tawar IBA. I did sneak off for about an hour to the IBA when the tide was right but there was nothing noteworthy about except for a Brown-headed Gull in breeding plumage. The distance was too great for any good shots but I did take a record shot before I returned to the car park of Air Hitam Dalam for a couple of hours of pleasant birding before I finally called it a day.

The Malayan Night-Heron is a rare migrant to Peninsula Malaysia. I have had only two previous encounters before this but both were not that rewarding in terms of photography. All that changed when a fellow Penang birder, Seng Chee, informed me (the perks of being helpful and willing to share knowledge and information with other birders) of a tame juvenile at the Penang Botanic Gardens. I used to envy those photographs of the Malayan Night-Herons from Taiwan where the birds will forage confidingly in gardens and parks because the herons that winter here are certainly do not behave like that. Or so I thought. The day after the tip-off, I weaved past the rush hour traffic after work on my trusted iron steed and found myself face to face with the heron on an open grass area on the outskirts of gardens. Please do excuse the language but it was f*#king unbelievable. I never once thought I will ever get to experience an encounter with such a tame Malayan Night-Heron in Malaysia let alone my home state of Penang. And to think I even dipped out on the heron during my vacation in Taiwan a few years back.

Fortunately, there was still some sunlight left in the evening sky and I quickly made myself comfortable on the grass and clicked away. I was as close as possible to the heron without having to reduce my zoom lens. It was a full-framed affair.

It was not the least bothered by my presence. Neither did it care about all the other visitors to the gardens that occasionally strolled past quite close. In fact, I was more concerned about them because I did not want them to accidentally spook my subject away. All the heron cared about was the highly-nutritious earth worms!

At one time, the heron wandered towards me and I had to reduce the zoom of the lens in order to fit the whole bird into frame. It was a good thing I was seated with my gear propped up by my knees because I was trembling with excitement. This encounter will certainly become one of my all-time best. What can better a rare waterbird performing exceptionally well? Life can be truly beautiful at times...

When the light started to fade, I noticed a few Crested Mynas foraging in the vicinity also. I guess they were there all this while but were overshadowed by the heron.

One last image of the juvenile Malayan Night-Heron that graced my home state of Penang with its beauty and grace. I am not a big fan of head shots but I guess I can make an exception for this distinguished visitor. The encounter would have been perfect if it did not take place is such a "public" area. I had to put up with curious onlookers and noisy evening walkers. Most of them do not even notice the bird in front of me. They are just curious of what this bald bloke sitting on the grass is photographing. Once, I even had to stop a human from trying to get closer to the heron in order to get a better shot with his smartphone. On second thoughts, if the heron were to show up in an isolated area, there is a very good chance its presence will have gone unnoticed. I guess nothing in birding and life can be perfect.

Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill) is the closest montane birding site to home and it always will have a place in my heart. My very first few montane birding experiences was at this hill resort and it also provided me a number of great lifers including my first hornbill. Every time I inhale the aromatic fragrance of the Eucalyptus Trees around the former Speedy Bungalow, flashbacks of my birding adventures here as a teenager will fill my thoughts. However one of the letdowns of this site, depending on your tolerance towards the smell of diesel-powered exhaust fumes and high-speed hairpin cornerings, is the jeep ride which happens to be the only mode of transportation that ferries visitors up and down the hill. Inconsistencies in terms of quality birding is another reason why Bukit Larut is often not considered to be one of the premier montane sites in Peninsula Malaysia. My latest visit here did not start off well. Hor Kee and I were greeted by heavy mist and gloomy weather upon our arrival.

The unfavourable lighting condition made photography even harder than it already is in a tropical rain forest. We recorded a good number of birds but shooting them was another thing altogether. A confiding male Orange-breasted Trogon was one of the highlights of the trip. Despite the fact that he was on an exposed perch, my photos did not turned out as well as I hoped they would. At least I have a few images to show for the encounter. This is more than I can say for the shy male Red-headed Trogon that was calling persistently from hidden perches throughout our visit.

The resident male Hill Blue-Flycatcher was just being difficult and it was a frustrating encounter. Despite being extremely vocal, teasing glimpses and distanced shots were all that he was willing to offer today.

The Rufous-browed Flycatcher restored our faith in the locality (and our sanity) by performing a whole lot better than its more colourful cousin. Being drably-coloured and having a preference for the dark domain of the forest undergrowth, its thin penetrating whistle is usually the only thing that gives away its presence.

We were delighted to see a handsome male Siberian Blue Robin still here in his wintering ground. It was a short encounter and one miserable shot was all I could muster before he disappeared into the undergrowth.

In most hill resorts, the persistent calls of the Black-browed Barbet can be heard throughout the day. To see the bird, effort is required as it blends well with the foliage of the canopy levels. To see bird at eye level, luck is required as well. And to compose it well in your shot may be asking for a little too much.

The barbet's call may be very much a part of the sounds of the forest but there is one sound that is noticeably disappearing from the forest. And that is the sultry song of the White-rumped Shama. Cursed with the ability to belt out remarkable repertoires of heavenly notes and with the looks to match as well, this songbird is heavily trapped for the bird trade. The population in Malaysia is on the decline and sadly, even wiped out from a few localities. The pale colouration on the underparts of this male bird suggests that it may be a young bird. Like most youngsters, he tend be a little too bold for his own good. Lucky for him, we are firm believers that caged birds will never sing as well as free birds. And the shama wrapped things up for this slightly mediocre birding excursion.

My latest visit to a little piece of birding heaven located at mainland Penang in Malaysia that goes by the name of Air Hitam Dalam is one that will be remembered for a long time to come. With my former favourite, the marshlands at Pulau Burung 'destroyed' by my fellow human beings, this birding site has now reinforced its position as my new favourite in Penang. The magic of this locality has even found its way to this migratory Forest Wagtail and the latter has certainly joined the ranks of top performers here.

It is one of the most confiding Forest Wagtails I have ever encountered before and I made it a point not to take it for granted as it will be heading back to its northern breeding grounds soon.

Usually, you will have to be on your belly to get half this close to a Forest Wagtail. But here, it is not necessary. Just go down on your knees and enjoy the show.

While being spellbound by the wagtail's performance, an inquisitive Olive-winged Bulbul dropped in to have a better look at what was going on. What’s up?

The Mangrove Blue-Flycatchers were being confiding selves - as usual. With the migratory Korean Flycatcher now gone, they do not have to share the limelight with any other tame flycatchers for the time being.

There are a few sought-after species that this site is famous for and one of them is the resident Ruddy Kingfisher. Most of my encounters with this species took place here and this time of the year is the best time to observe this elusive kingfisher. However, it did not perform as I had expected. It exceeded my expectation…

This image is almost too good to be true. A ravishing Ruddy Kingfisher on an exposed perch with a relatively clean background and well within the reach of my gear is not something I expect to happen. But it did and I had to pinch myself just to make sure I was not dreaming.

What are the odds of having another encounter of similar magnitude later in the same day? This time the kingfisher was at eye level and had its back towards me. I was trembling with excitement and without the aid of a tripod, shooting it in the dim understorey of the swamp forest was no easy task. But today is no ordinary day and one of the shots turned out great despite all the factors that were against my favour.

Air Hitam Dalam is a haven for kingfishers and I was reminded of that today. The mighty Stork-billed Kingfisher receives its due respect and admiration whenever it is present. It was taking a breather under the shade of a large fig tree when I came across it and much to my surprise, it did not disappear into the swamp forest like usual.

At the other end of the size spectrum, there is the migratory Black-backedDwarf-Kingfisher but it is elusive by nature and a fleeting glimpse was all I had today. The Collared Kingfisher is the commonest kingfisher of them all at Air Hitam Dalam and unlike the Dwarf-Kingfisher, it is almost a guaranteed species on any visit. Its raucous calls and confiding nature makes it difficult to be overlooked.

Woodpeckers also find sanctuary within the borders of this educational forest. This Banded Woodpecker that was foraging along a densely-foliaged tree was quite tolerant to my presence. Perhaps the foliage provided it with a sense of security. Unfortunately for me, it was a hindrance to my efforts of trying to obtain unobstructed images.

The Black-naped Oriole is without doubt one of the most stunning of our common birds in Malaysia and is a common sight even from built-up areas. There are usually a handful of them present here but because of their status, this beautiful bird is often ignored. The oriole’s bright colour and melodious calls have attracted my attention even before I started birding. Although the impact of its presence is more subdued nowadays, it still feels good to be greeted by one when I open my balcony doors in the morning.

There are only three species of babblers that regularly occur here. At the present time, the Abbott's Babbler is the most conspicuous one with its persistent vocalization and confiding nature.

Cuckoos are a fascinating family of birds. They come in all shapes and sizes and some are truly spectacular. However, they are generally shy and good photographic opportunities have to be earned. The Green-billed Malkoha is one of the biggest cuckoos in Peninsula Malaysia. It grows to a staggering two feet in length and the long tail is more than half the body length.

The Chestnut-winged Cuckoo may not have the malkoha's size but it is a striking species. Two of them were present today and they led me on a wild goose chase around the locality. Through sheer persistency and luck, I eventually managed to obtain an image that I quite fancy. This cuckoo is a migrant and it has taken me almost this whole migratory season to capture its image. I guess I can live with the strong back light and obstructing vegetation.

Whilst stalking the Chestnut-winged Cuckoo along the elevated boardwalk, a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo alighted on an exposed perch just in front of me. Although it is a common bird, it would have been a sin if I did not stop to appreciate the encounter.

In fact, I was so impressed with its confiding nature that I took the time to observe and photograph it. As a result, I let my initial quarry slip deeper into the swamp forest but it was a decision that I do not regret. A bird in full view is worth two in the bush - especially if it is performing so well.

When I was about to call it the day, something propelled me to stay back and take one last walk around the boardwalk. Call it intuition. Call it luck. Call it whatever you want but as soon as I stepped onto the boardwalk, I can just barely picked out a distanced sound that is not unlike the bleating of a goat. I knew what it was and I have been trying my best to photograph it for the past few visits to this locality but without success - the Black-and-red Broadbill! I have crossed paths with this amazing bird a number of times before here and as well as other sites in the past but I have yet to obtain its image until now. When I finally managed to track it down, it was a brief encounter and I only managed to take a few shots from the same angle. But sometimes, it is the circumstance and the bird involved that makes some encounters stand out more than others. The broadbill’s decision to finally show itself to me after weeks of disappointment was like a fairy tale ending to this trip. But will the alluring birdlife at Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest live happily ever after? That is a question only time can answer.

There is one thing about enjoying the wonders of Mother Nature and that is you have to take whatever she decides to offer you in your stride. The southwest monsoon has commenced and rainy days are back in western Peninsula Malaysia. Lightning is the last thing you want when you set off on any birding trip especially one with a foreign guest. Billy is his name and he hails from Ireland. With the weather starting to turn against us, our best bet would be Air Hitam Dalam in mainland Penang. This locality has yet to disappoint even in the gloomiest of weathers. A few mischievous Abbott's Babblers were the first to greet us upon our arrival at the car park.

Billy is no stranger to this land as it is his third visit to Malaysia. In fact, he has been to every continent on Earth to photograph wild birds. Penang is just part of this time's 6-week birding adventure to Southeast Asia. I feel proud that Penang is in his list birding sites. It looks like my home state is starting to gain more recognition among the international birding community.

The Olive-winged Bulbuls performed admirably today and it was much to Billy's delight because this species is new to him. It was about then the first rays of the sun managed to pierce through the rain clouds. And the magic of Air Hitam Dalam began to weave its way into the heart of my foreign guest.

Loud and large, the Stork-billed Kingfisher certainly made its presence felt. This species is always a favourite among foreign birders and it is not difficult to see why.

Most birders and bird photographers alike will have a wish list when they go for a birding vacation. The Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher happens to be in Billy's. And if there is any place where you are almost guaranteed to see this species, it will be Air Hitam Dalam.

The Black-and-red Broadbill teased our camera sensors from the dense foliage of the canopy level. So did the Streak-breasted Woodpecker. Fortunately, we managed a few reasonable shots of the latter. Well, one of us did anyway and it was not me.

When the noon hour was at hand, we decided it was time for lunch. On route to satisfy our hunger, we made a stop at the bee-eater colony in Penanti. At this time of the year, the Blue-throated Bee-eaters will be the star attraction of this modest little birding site. These aerial hunters provided a memorable performance and this species also happens to in Billy's wish list. The overcast sky was a blessing in disguise as we were able to experience the bee-eaters without the harsh lighting of the midday sun.

The arrival of the rain ended our photo session with the bee-eaters. A nearby eatery provided lunch and a place to wait out the rain. When the rain started to ease, we did a little detour for the roosting Barred Eagle-Owl behind the Kulim Hi-Tech Park before heading to Sungai Sedim in Kedah for the afternoon session of birding. The owl was a lifer for Billy. So despite the obstructed view, the detour was still a good call.

When we reached the entrance to Sungai Sedim, it started to pour again. Lugging loads of birding gear along a forest trail in a tropical storm should not be part of any birding tour. Reluctantly, I had to think of a contingency plan and it was back to the swamp forest of Air Hitam Dalam. Unfortunately, the storm followed us all the way there and we had to take shelter under the roof of the public toilet at the car park. It was a cruel twist of fate when a Blue-winged Pitta suddenly made an appearance and foraged at the other end of the car park in the rain. Birding lenses, big or small, are not waterproof. And we had no choice but to enjoy the pitta from our shelter.

When the rain finally went away, so did the Pitta. We moved our car to a strategic position to use it as a hide and hoped for the Pitta to return. But it did not and we had to settle for this Brown Shrike instead. I was a little surprise to record both the Brown and Tiger Shrike at this locality today because they should have undertaken their journey back north by now. Rain is an integral part of tropical Asia and can have devastating effects on your birding plans. I guess we were lucky to still get to enjoy a rewarding one in the end.

I woke up to the sound of the alarm on my iPhone and therhythm of the falling rain on the roof. I was in a solemn mood as I contemplated on the fate of my birding plans for today. By the time I got myself ready, the rain almost dwindled to a stop and the dawn chorus started to fill the surrounding areas of my humble abode. Although the chorus consisted mostly of the bubbly calls of the ever-common Yellow-vented Bulbuls, it was music to my ears and all the motivation I needed to head out the door for my next birding adventure. The hilly forest of Sungai Sedim in Kedah was the choice location this time and it was a beautiful morning there unlike the gloom weather back home in Penang.

A handsome male Rufous-winged Philentoma was busy establishing his territory from the lower storey of the forest with his mournful disyllabic whistle. As confiding as he may be, the poor lighting condition was simply too much for my gear to overcome and I had to settle for these slightly mediocre images.

Before I started bird photography, I would be absolutely delighted to be able to record three species of Trogons on a single trip. A female Red-naped Trogon provided flitting glimpses as she moved along the canopy level but I did not have the chance to even focus my camera on her. This female Scarlet-rumped Trogon, on the other hand, was sitting still for a prolonged period of time but there was only a narrow gap among the foliage to photograph her.

It was an all-ladies affair for the trogons as the third and final species was also a female. The female Diard's Trogon is one of the most striking of all the female Trogons. She was calling from deep within the forest when our paths crossed. Almost at eye level, it would have been a reasonably good shot if she was just a little closer. None of the trogon images today were good enough by any standard and I cannot help but to feel a little disappointed.

The Orange-backed Woodpecker is probably the largest woodpecker you will get to encounter here at Sungai Sedim. The male of this species is also one of the most vibrantly coloured woodpeckers in Malaysia. Usually vocal by nature, this woodpecker is conspicuous whenever it is present. However, good photographic opportunities are not easy to come by. Take this male for example. He stopped just long enough for me to take a single shot before he disappeared back into the forest.

Apart from game birds, only two other birds actually walk on the forest floor in Malaysia. One is of course the enigmatic Malaysian Rail-babbler and the other, the Black-capped Babbler. The former is on my list of birds that I need to shoot before my time on Earth is done but no such luck today. It was the latter and it is nevertheless, a bird that I would love to shoot as well. I anticipated the path that the bird will take and waited at a slightly more open area of the undergrowth. However, instead of the babbler, this butterfly came along and happily alighted not too far from where I was lying in wait.

One of the most widespread and adaptable birds in Malaysia is the White-rumped Munia. Its habitat ranges from the paddy fields of the lowlands to the primary forests of the mountains. With such an impressive range of habitats, it comes as no surprise that the population of this little seed-eater is doing well. This lone individual was foraging on a small tree as I was making my way back to the car park. It was already midday and I was drenched to the bone in my own sweat and dripping blood from multiple leech bites on my legs. I guessed I had enough of birding along forested trails for the day.

With the weather still holding well, I decided to do some afternoon birding at Air Hitam Dalam in mainland Penang. This locality is now probably the hottest spot for bird photography. Even at this hour, I was greeted by a few birding friends at the car park area. I did not linger at the car park though. I wanted to see if anything was about from the stretch of elevated boardwalk that cuts through the swamp forest. To come across a confiding Black-and-red Broadbill just beyond the boardwalk was more than I could ever wish for. In birding, sometimes wishes do come true…

Unlike my previous encounter, it seemed like the broadbill was not going anywhere soon. And neither was I, naturally. It foraged, preened and danced among the foliage of a particular group of trees in the vicinity. As for me, I made myself comfortable and soak in the moment. And of course, took as many photos that this amazing and adorable creature would allow me to.

The two-toned bill of this species is really something else. Just look at it. It isturquoise on the top and yellow on the bottom. All the other broadbills have one-toned bills. There is no other bird in Malaysia that has a bill like that. The very first time I saw the Black-and-red Broadbill, it was along the lower slopes of Cameron Highlands. Only part of the head was visible but one good look at the bill and its identity was revealed.

The lighting conditions put my gear and my photo-taking abilities to the test. The dense foliage was another major hindrance as most of the time, the broadbill was slightly obstructed. But an up close and personal encounter like this is somewhat of a novelty to me. So, almost the entire afternoon was dedicated to the broadbill and it was time well-spent indeed.

A male Ashy Tailorbird did wander close to where I was observing the broadbill. By then it has been more than an hour and I could managed to drag myself away from the latter and shower the tailorbird with some attention.

This is a picture of true bliss and contentment. A Collared Kingfisher indulging in a late afternoon sunbath.

A walk along the river trail produced nothing much but this flying shot of the resident Brahminy Kite. This common but striking raptor wrapped things up for this time and it was another rewarding excursion courtesy of a couple hours of sheer birding pleasure with a confiding broadbill at my favourite site in Penang.

I have been neglecting a few birding sites in Penang of late and so, I decided to head south this time to Bukit Panchor State Park. This locality used to house quite a number of lowland forest species but it has deteriorated tremendously in terms of bird life. To be honest, the only reason why I still visit this place is hoping to find something short of a miracle - the Giant Pitta. But even that hope is now diminishing. During the past two visits, I only managed to shoot one single bird respectively. For this trip, I ended up empty handed and after two hours of trekking through the forest, I decided to move on to another locality. As I was about to reach the car park, I could hear an emcee making announcements and music been blasted at a decimal that would even drown out the far-carrying territorial call of the Great Argus. By the way, this used to be the only place in Penang where this spectacular pheasant occurs. Only God knows what other events go down at this state park and how frequently. I am not saying these events are bad but if you are going to hold them amidst the wonders of nature, show a little appreciation and respect. If not, why bother to hold them at such a locality in the first place?

I was in a foul mood when I left Bukit Panchor and since I was in dire need of some quality birding time to get over this state of mind, one birding site came to mind immediately - Air Hitam Dalam. It was past mid morning when I finally arrive and after greeting a couple of birding friends at the car park, I decided to head to the elevated boardwalk.

The striking colours of the Black-and-red Broadbill stood out like a sore thumb even from a distance. I slowly inched my way closer. Much to my delight, it was unperturbed by my approach and went about its business. The magic of Air Hitam Dalam prevailed yet again and I was rewarded with an encounter of a lifetime with this exceptional avian beauty.

The encounter started off with the broadbill very close but unfortunately, in very strong backlight.

I made a request, as politely as I possibly can, for the broadbill to shift to the other side of the boardwalk where the lighting was better. Astonishingly, it obliged. Now, that's a good girl!

This broadbill is relatively sluggish and it tends to move about at a leisurely pace. During my observation, it foraged along every level of the forest from the undergrowth to the canopy.

When it has an insect prey in sight, it steps up a gear and goes into overdrive. Due to the lighting conditions, most of my images of it devouring its prey were blur and soft. All except for this one, that is.

Eventually, the broadbill moved deeper into the forest and out of sight. I tried to make amends for ignoring the other species that came along during my time with the broadbill and it included notable species like the Blue-winged Pitta and Streak-breasted Woodpecker. But in life, sometimes you only have one shot and you have to seize the moment because you might not have a second chance. A female Ashy Tailorbird that was busy preparing for the breeding was very little compensation.

The colour of the native Green Crested Lizard can certainly catch your attention...

If not for his deafening territorial calls, I would not have noticed this male Asian Koel that was perched slightly lower than usual. Head on, this cuckoo was hidden from sight but from the side, I managed to find a less obstructed angle to capture his images. This is certainly one bird that you hear more often than you see and I am happy with this encounter.

At the rear car park, the female Mangrove Blue Flycatcher was venting out her frustration of being ignored the entire morning from an open perch. When all else fails, the 'in-your-face' approach will not...

Air Hitam Dalam has an under-utilized canopy walk. It is nothing compared to the behemoth structure at Sungai Sedim and probably about ten meters above ground and one hundred meters long. I have only been on this canopy walk a couple of times since it was built. I wanted to capture some shots of this educational forest from a different perspective. My godfather frequently reminds me to include shots of habitats and other things in my blog as it will make it more interesting.

And guess who was also enjoying the view from the canopy walk area. If I did not know any better, I swear the broadbill was following me around this time and not the other way round...

Again it was exceptionally tame and comfortable in my presence and looking absolutely gorgeous even with a loose feather sticking out from its crown.

For the second trip in a row, I was blessed with the opportunity to observe and enjoy this fascinating bird at such close quarters. To wrap things up for this time, here is one last image of the broadbill.

It will have to take a very special bird to get me to wake up a few hours earlier than usual on a working day and twitch for it before going to the office. The Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo is one such bird. Earlier in the week, at least 10 of these rare cuckoos were recorded in Singapore which is their highest count in history. Birders up north are hopeful for at least one of them to make its way up here and one certainly did. With only four confirmed records in Peninsula Malaysia so far, this austral migrant shook my world when a single bird was discovered by Hor Kee yesterday morning at the Pulau Burung Landfill in mainland Penang. Unlike usual migratory birds, this species migrates only at this time of the year to escape the harsh winter of southern Australia. The months of May to August are the best time to see them at their wintering grounds which rarely included Peninsula Malaysia. This cuckoo qualifies as a mega lifer for me but with only a window of one hour to relocate a small brownish bird among the dense scrubland of the landfill, it will not be an easy twitch.

Despite Hor Kee and Choo Eng's pointers of the cuckoo's locality and habits, I had a tough time searching for my quarry. And to make things worse, time is a luxury I do not have today. With each passing minute, my optimism grew weaker and disappointment slowly crept into my soul. Just about then, a small brownish bird with longish wings and tail flew awkwardly above the scrubland and alighted not far from where I was. A quick glance with my binoculars confirmed its identity. What better way to start off a work day than with a successful twitch for a mega lifer. I heaved a sigh of relief as I captured my first ever image of the Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo. The 40-kilometre southward journey was certainly worth all the effort.

With the cuckoo in sight, I lost myself in the moment, as expected, and trekked off the beaten trail into the scrublands in my work clothes. The urge to get closer for better shots was simply too strong and a promise I made to myself to keep myself presentable for work was forgotten. By the time Irealised it, my shoes and trousers were covered with earth, dew and grass seeds. But, I also managed to obtain much better images of this rare visitor and that was what matter the most.

It was relatively easy to follow and observe the cuckoo due to its confiding and sluggish nature. There are times when it was constantly on the move and I can only assume it was foraging. It was also quite alert towards bigger birds flying overhead. A good look at the red iris indicated that it was a male bird. He was a handsome specimen with the greenish sheen above and the subtle barrings below. And of course, the diagnostic eye-stripe completes his look. A switch of location by the cuckoo resulted much to my advantage. I could then photographed him against the green background of the scrub vegetation and the excitement of this short but memorable trip escalated to a whole new level.

The cuckoo was also getting comfortable with my presence and much to my delight, started to preen and even showed off his chestnut outer tail feathers to a gawking Penang birder...

Some movement on a nearby bush distracted my attention momentarily. My hope for a second Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo was dashed when it turned out to be just a Zitting Cisticola.

The cuckoo shifted one last time before he flew deeper into the scrubland. The choice perch this time was quite ideal because it was a dead twig and in good light. The timing for the cuckoo's departure could not have been any better as well. With it out of sight, I hastily started my journey back as I could still make it to work on time. It would have been a very different story if the cuckoo had stayed on and continued to mesmerise me with his presence. Back home my better half asked me what I would have done if I failed to find the cuckoo and that question required some thinking. After a significant pause, I replied that I would go to work when the time came regardless of the outcome of my search. I am not sure if she was fully convinced because I was not. Six months is a long time to go through without a lifer. Then came this cute, little Australian cuckoo that felt it was time to put some life back into my dormant life list. Thank you and welcome to Penang, mate!

It is time to put on your citizen scientist’s coat and give a helping hand to the conservation of bird life in Malaysia. This year, My Garden Birdwatch (MYGB) will be held on the 20^thand 21^st of June 2015. All you need to do is record and count all the birds you see from your garden for 30 minutes on any of the two dates. It is as easy as that. To register yourself for this significant survey or for more information, please do visit the MYGB website. Below is the image of one of commonest birds in Malaysia that can be found in most residential areas, the Pacific Swallow. Usually ignored by most birders due to its abundance, this graceful aerial feeder has adapted perfectly to living alongside humans. It certainly does brighten up my day every time I see it glide overhead as I head out to work in the morning.

It has been about a year since my last pelagic trip. Thus, it was too good of a chance to pass when Hor Kee invited me to join him and Dave for a day of birding out at sea. It was not smooth sailing all the way as the fishing boat left the dock later than usual because of poor weather. Here in Kedah’s Tanjung Dawai Fishing Village, our pelagic birding is not from chartered boats. It is done from this particular fishing boat. We follow the fishermen out at dawn and come back only when they are done at dusk. And it is all thanks to Choo Eng who knows the owner of the boat.

As soon as we got into the fishing zones, the weather improved and like clockwork, the birds will appear once the boats cast their nets. All those trapped and discarded fish are natural magnets to the birds and they will come in from every corner of the sea. During the migratory season, terns numbering to the thousands are drawn to these fishing activities. As it is mid-June now, only the resident terns are likely to be around. It is also a little late for southern sea birds like shearwaters on their passage up north as well.

The Bridled Terns are the commonest terns at this time of the year and form the majority present today. They are also the most confiding and at times, flew very close to the boat.

A few of the Bridled Terns were in their smart breeding plumage and a much welcomed difference from the usual mottled plumages of both the juvenile and non-breeding adults. Unfortunately, there was not much good photographic opportunities as they kept their distance most of the time.

A Lesser Crested Tern in breeding plumage was a pleasant find because it should have migrated back to its breeding grounds by now. Whatever the reason, it provided some excitement to our maritime excursion that has started to become somewhat dull.

Sometimes in birding, you do not need many birds to make a trip worthwhile. You just need one. A bird like let's say a Roseate Tern in breeding plumage. This scarce off-shore tern is my second lifer this week and it made waking up at 4 in the morning to brave a pre-dawn shower, endure the tormenting conditions of the open sea and tolerate the scorching temperature of the midday sun the second great decision I have made this week.

The Roseate Tern has a tantalisingpink hue on its underparts that is only prominent in good light. Together with its slender appearance and graceful maneuverability, it is truly a feast for the eyes.

Naturally, it had our undivided attention. It stayed in the vicinity for at least a few hours and provided a memorable performance to the three of us. Capturing the Roseate Tern in action was no easy task due to the shooting conditions from the boat. But there was no way I was going to give up without giving it my all first. The Almighty must be looking down on me today because I found that I managed to capture more good shots than I had anticipated.

After going through his images back home, Dave told us that there were at least two Roseate Terns present and not one as we had earlier suspected. The man's eye for the finer details is unbelievable. I certainly did not notice it. Perhaps the aftermath of all the emotions from laying eyes on my very first Roseate Tern clouded my vision. A very slight difference in the wing and tail feathers' stage of moult and bill colour were the only differences between the two birds. After scrutinizing my images, I found only a single image of the second bird with itsleft outer primary being the most noticeable difference.

It is much easier to identify Roseate Terns when they are in breeding plumage. The minussensis race of the Common Tern with the red legs is quite similar to the former and the root cause of misidentification between the two species.

With my newly acquired field experience, I found that I could differentiate the Common from the Roseate Tern (when seen together) even without the aid of my bins. The latter is a much more elegant and slender tern. And the former is simply more of a brute. A small number of Common Terns were recorded today and are most probably over-summering birds.

In fact, the Roseate Tern has almost the same jizz as the Black-naped Tern. However, the latter is a much paler tern. It is almost wholly white and still is the closest thing I will ever get in seeing an angel.

Our fishermen friends were also kept happy by the good haul today. Although the amount of anchovies (their main target fish) caught was significantly low, they did quite well with other small fish species.

We got back to dry land with a couple of daylight hours left. Dave still needed a Mangrove Pitta for his Big Year and the Merbok mangroves along the coastline here is one of the most extensive and unexplored mangroves in Peninsular Malaysia. He also happens to know of a spot where you can drive right to the edge of the mangroves and wants to try his luck there. It was just next to a Malay village and upon arrival, instantly reminded me of my beloved Air Hiram Dalam back in Penang. I intentionally left all my gear in the car as we stepped towards the mangroves. Years of birding has taught me that long shots and anything short of a miracle will only take place when you are least prepared or equipped. True enough, we were greeted by no less than three Mangrove Pittas! It may sound odd but this is the first time I have ever seen a Mangrove Pitta in the mangroves. Just in case you are wondering, I ran back to the car and grabbed my gear soon after we heard the calls.

Eventually, one of the pittas came quite close and alighted on a Rambutan tree. The only reason I know it is a Rambutan tree because it had unripe fruits on it. Otherwise, it will be just another "tree" next to the mangroves.

We started off the day with an unexpected sighting of three Wreathed Hornbills flying low above the coastal trees where our fishing boat was docked. And Mother Nature felt it was only right that we end this outstanding trip with another hornbill. This male Oriental Pied Hornbill was foraging on a dead coconut stump as we made our way out of the mangroves.

With the light disappearing at such a rapid pace, I tried my best to capture a few images. Lucky for me, one of them came out relatively good. Although Oriental Pied Hornbills are the commonest hornbill in Peninsular Malaysia, I have not had as many encounters with them as I would love to. One of the reasons is the fact that they are absent from my home state of Penang and that is a real shame.

Owling is a term used by birders to describe their quest to search for night birds in the dead of the night and it proves to be one of the most unique and intriguing field experiences. A group of four perfectly sane and logical men from Penang (Dave, Choo Eng, Hor Kee and yours truly) decided to do some owling in the swamp forest of Bukit Panchor State Park in southern mainland Penang. We crept out of our respective homes at a God-forsaken hour and reached our destination a couple of hours before dawn. As we cautiously walked along the narrow elevated boardwalk that cuts through the swamp, we soon found ourselves surrounded by an array of eerie and ghoulish sounds but they were music to our ears. And for once in my life, I was overwhelmed by the variety of bird species present in an owling excursion.

Eventually, we made up our mind to focus our attention on two particular species - the Gould's Frogmouth and Oriental Bay-Owl. The two of them had us walking to and fro the boardwalk in a game of hide-and-seek. Each time one of them sounded closer than the other, we would head towards its direction. Just as we were about to lose hope, Dave pointed his torchlight in front of us and I was dumbfounded. An Oriental Bay-Owl was perched on an exposed vine and looking straight at us. It was so close I did not even need my binoculars to admire every intricate detail of this beautiful creature of the night.

However when I tried to capture its image, I found that my camera could not focus on it. My emotions were on overdrive at that moment and I also know that the owl will not stay for long. I panicked and decided to manually focus my camera resulting in dozens of crappy shots. When I regained my composure, I checked the Auto/Manual focus switch on my lens only to find it was on Manual. I must have accidentally switched it to Manual earlier on during the search. When everything was finally right, I only managed to take one single shot before the owl disappeared back into the cover of darkness. And to add salt to the injury, my camera’s exposure was also wrong. It would have been a perfect encounter if not for my dreadful mistakes. Well, like I always say, it would not be birding if everything goes according to plan all the time.

As I was still cursing myself, Dave directed his torchlight above us and the words Gould's Frogmouth escaped his lips. Although it was nothing more than a whisper, it resonated with such amplitude in my ears that I was almost knocked off my feet. This is my second ever encounter with this species. The last time I saw it was about 20 years ago at Pasoh forest reserve in Negeri Sembilan. And for the second time this night, I was left trying to catch my breath due to another exhilarating encounter.

The frogmouth was more confiding than the owl and it stayed for a much longer time. I even had time to capture it from another angle. Frogmouths are probably the weirdest looking of our Malaysian birds. The massive head and piercing eyes and not to mention a head full of whiskers are not exactly what one would consider to be beautiful traits. But they are truly fascinating and mysterious birds and that is more than enough to make them one of my favourites.

Dave rose to the occasion one last time and found us a Sunda Scops-Owl. This adorable little owl is not uncommon and also occurs even within human development. But like all night birds, it can quite elusive most of the time and good views are not easy to come by. It was perched quite low but sadly, it also did not stay long as well. Although I had it in focus this time and with the right exposure, it did not show its face to me and this was my best effort. Despite the photographic failures, this is one of my best owling excursions and a revisit to this nocturnal hotspot is just a matter of time.

Choo Eng and Hor Kee had to make a return trip home because of prior engagements while Dave and I decided to take full advantage of our lucky streak and made our way to the hilly forest of Sungai Sedim in Kedah. Unfortunately, our luck seemed to have run out as soon as the rays of the morning sun brightened up the land. We managed to record more than 60 species during our 5-hour visit but nothing out of the ordinary was present and the photography was not particularly great as well. Just a few hours ago we were surrounded by the calls of 3 species of owls among others. Now, it was the trogons' turn - the Scarlet-rumped, Diard's and Red-naped Trogon. The latter could have made our day if it was perched a little closer because it was hardly obstructed by the vegetation and it was a handsome male.

The Scarlet-rumped Trogon did not reveal itself except for its characteristic call. Two Diard's Trogons were calling persistently and in the end, we only managed to locate this young male along the canopy of the forest.

This male Black-and-yellow Broadbill did not help much in providing more excitement to the trip. He was also a little too far for any great shots.

A flock of noisy and inquisitive Chestnut-rumped Babblers filled the vicinity with their mellow and loud calls. Unfortunately, they were quite active and kept to the dimly-lighted understorey of the forest where photography was a real challenge.

A heavily moulting Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo provided a temporary rush as we were not completely sure of its identity initially. But when we moved closer and had a better look, its identification was no longer an issue. The Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo is indistinguishable from the former in the field at the present time as the degree of fork on the tail is highly variable but lucky for us, it occurs here in Malaysia only in the migratory season.

I thought things were finally going to turn around when we came across a fruiting tree. But only a few species of Bulbuls were present including 15 Scaly-breasted Bulbuls. The height of the tree was a little beyond the reach of my gear and on this occasion and I enjoyed the encounter through my bins. To wrap things up for this time, a Dark-necked Tailorbird that foraging very close to me but ignored my presence. On the drive back to Penang, I asked Dave how on the Earth he located the night birds during our owling session. He replied know the habits of the subjects, a whole lot of luck and enough self-confidence to believe it is there although you cannot be sure of it. So, now you know.

Whenever I have a foreign guest with me, a visit to the swamp forest of Air Hitam Dalam is usually inevitable. Reliable and rewarding, I cannot think of a better place to introduce Penang's birding experiences to visiting birders. Darren is a British birder who has been working in Singapore for the past couple of years and this birding hotspot provided yet another memorable trip for both me and my guest.

The Mangrove Blue Flycatchers had another successful nesting season - as expected. And the young ones are following their parents' footsteps to becoming the next generation of ambassadors for this little birding paradise.

Now that I think of it, it was silly for me to ask Darren if he wanted to photograph a Stork-billed Kingfisher resting in the shade nearby. I mean who doesn't? The massive bill and striking colours certainly make it a great subject for photography.

The Lineated Barbets did not provide much photographic opportunities and this lone individual that was resting on an exposed perch was just a little too far for any great images.

The best image of the day for me was probably this Greater Racket-tailed Drongo that was following a troop of Long-tailed Macaques around the swamp forest. Unfortunately, the vegetation is quite dense and completely unobstructed views were difficult to obtain.

To wrap things up for this time's tour was this confiding Common Sun Skink. This reptile is also thriving at this locality. Despite constantly getting on the nerves of birder as it has a tendency of scaring away the birds, it is still a beautiful animal to photograph.

One of the best times of your birding life is at the beginning when you just started. Every bird will be new to you then. And your maiden trips to premium birding sites like Taman Negara and Fraser's Hill will overwhelm your senses with excitement, awe and fascination. I wish I could go back to the beginning. Back to when even the commonest species will ignite a spark but everyone knows that there is no such thing as time traveling. That is why sometimes I envy those who have just started to take up this life-altering hobby. My latest guests, from the neighbouring state of Selangor, just join the birding community in Malaysia a few months back and birding in Penang happens to be their next on their agenda.

I always try my best to make my trips enjoyable and rewarding for my guests but Mother Nature may not be so accommodating all the time. It started to rain upon our arrival at Air Hitam Dalam in Penang. And rain is the one thing I dread on any guiding trip. After a fair amount of waiting, the rain started to ease and the ambassadors of this locality, the Mangrove Blue-Flycatchers, were the first to come out and greet our party. The juvenile was exceptionally confiding today - much to the delight of my guests.

The Ashy Tailorbird is another resident species that is regularly encountered here. However, it is not as confiding as some of the other residents and effort is required to obtain good views and clear shots. This handsome male stayed put just long enough for us to take a few shots but the lighting condition was a bit of a letdown.

We birders have a tendency to take the commoner birds for granted. If you are new to birding, the Common Iora will certainly leave an impression. Its song is melodious and varied and the colour of the male is especially striking. As we were birding along the access road, two pairs were having a territorial dispute. Flashes of colours accompanied by a repertoire of rich whistling notes stopped us at our tracks. When the dispute was over, only a female bird was left in the open for us to admire.

There is only a handful of Babbler species found here at Air Hitam Dalam. The boldest of the lot are the Abbott's Babblers. I bet the fact that they are the biggest and not to mention the loudest of the babblers here play a significant role in shaping their personality. But no matter how bold or big a bird you are, a troop of marauding Long-tailed Macaques is not to be taken lightly and this lone Abbott's Babbler kept a constant watch on the movements of monkeys.

It is always a blessing to see a Streak-breasted Woodpecker. Before its discovery here, I had to hike for a few hours up Bukit Juru in southern mainland Penang to see this northern specialty for the first time. Thanks to the small population here at Air Hitam Dalam, I have had numerous encounters since then and occasionally, I do not even need to break a sweat like this female foraging next to the rear car park. This woodpecker concludes the excursion for this time and despite the less than desirable weather, it was still a good trip.

I was starting to develop withdrawal symptoms from birding insufficiency but lucky for me, this weekend is the first one in weeks that I am able to get out into the field again. The Orange-backed Woodpecker is a stunner that resides in both primary and secondary forests. An encounter with a family of three at the Sungai Sedim Recreational Forest in Kedah was truly an exciting affair. The birds were foraging in the dimly-lit middle storey of the forest and that made it difficult to capture good images. However, just to observe them on the hunt and the flashes of red and orange against the dark backdrop of the dense tropical foliage whenever they shift positions was a true privilege.

Tom, my guest from USA, has never been to Malaysia before and I felt proud to be the one to introduce him to the birding scene here. And these woodpeckers certainly had his full attention - naturally.

Bird waves are a common phenomenon in the tropics but to a visiting birder, they can be quite foreign and at times overwhelming. A flock of Green Ioras took part in this particular wave. A female bird, unable to resist the temptation of food, came very close and even stop momentarily to savour the meal.

This Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker has nothing to gain from participating in a bird wave as it has no interest in the insects flushed. Berries are what it is after. Its presence may have been a mere coincidence but to us, the up close encounter that we managed to enjoy made it a very rewarding coincidence indeed.

Everything was such bliss until this male Great Iora reminded us of the difficulties and frustrations of forest bird photography. However, it was a good record because this largest of the Ioras is not a species commonly encountered.

It is always nice to come across a Rufous-tailed Tailorbird because of the contrasting colours this little fellow boasts. A lone bird resting in the open was unfortunately too far for any truly sharp images.

On the way to lunch, we made a detour hoping to catch a glimpse of the roosting Barred Eagle-Owl. The sudden drizzle threatened to foil our plans but thankfully, the Rain Tree provided enough shelter for the owl and we caught it peering down on us from its lofty perch.

After a hearty lunch, we made our way to Air Hitam Dalam in mainland Penang. A confiding Stork-billed Kingfisher started things off on a high note for this birding hotspot as well.

Tom had a few targets for this trip but he really wanted a Green Broadbill and any pitta. He got the former at a fruiting tree in Sungai Sedim earlier on but the distance prevented any good captures. His second target was a much better encounter which was a pair of Blue-winged Pittas performing well. Few things could better that. It does not matter which pitta species. If it is showing well, then you got it made. Simply magical...

A female Streak-breasted Woodpecker also decided to forage near the car park area and momentarily diverted our attention from the pittas.

To wrap things up for the day, one last image of the Blue-winged Pitta. Most birders, including locals, are fascinated by these beautiful terrestrial birds. Tom wanted a pitta and he certainly got one. It was a memorable encounter and a great way to end his maiden birding trip to Malaysia.

A birding honeymoon. Now, that is a term you do not hear often. In fact, I think it is unheard of here in Malaysia. But there is always a time for everything and for newlywed Americans Mervis and Mitch that is exactly what they were doing here in Penang. They decided to incorporate a few days of guided birding into their itinerary and I was given the privilege to show them the hidden birding treasures of Penang. Their tour certainly did not start off well. I had to cancel the first day due to rain. On the second day, it rained again at dawn but lucky for them, after the rain subsided, the swamp forest of Air Hitam Dalam weaved its magic and the resident birds gave the love birds a warm reception. This birding locality has not failed me even once and today, it provided another memorable experience for my guests with notable performances by the Blue-winged Pitta, Black-and-red Broadbill, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and Streak-breasted Woodpecker.

The weather was unforgiving on the third day as well. It rained shortly after our arrival at the recreational forest of Sungai Sedim. Fortunately, I managed to show them the Grey-rumped Treeswifts at their usual roosting tree. The sight of 50 Grey-rumped Treeswifts slicing through the gloomy skies while screaming their heads off was something will leave me speechless let alone a couple of foreign birders on their maiden trip to Malaysia. And the presence of a couple of Whiskered Treeswifts at the vicinity added more colours to the encounter.

All seemed lost when we had to seek shelter in the multipurpose hall of the main car park to escape the downpour. With the rain showing no signs of stopping anytime soon, nothing short of a miracle could now save the trip. Out of nowhere, I caught a glimpse of a bird hawking. It was followed by another and another. Upon further scrutiny, I realisedthat winged termites were swarming and when this natural phenomenon occurs, it attracts birds like a natural magnet - rain or shine. Soon after, we were enjoying barbets, bulbuls and bluebirds from the comforts of our temporary rain shelter. I would never have imagined that I could salvage a birding trip when it rains. The experience was simply unbelievable.

We watched in disbelieve when two pairs of Green Broadbills came to join in the feast. These jewels of the forest usually occur singly or in pairs. To see four together was incredible. And to see them for a prolonged period of time hunting termites was priceless. The emerald plumage of the male birds pierced through the blanket of rain like a green beacon. A lone Black-and-yellow Broadbill also came for the nutritious termites but was chased away by the Green Broadbills. It was not to be denied and returned after the aggressors have had their fill and departed from the vicinity.

After lunch, we visited the nearby forest reserve of Ulu Paip because I wanted to show my guests the celebrity birds of this locality. The Blue-banded Kingfisher and the Chestnut-naped Forktail are regularly seen along the fast flowing river here. "Have faith" - that was what Mervis said to me when I wanted to give up after failing to locate both the birds. And thus we pushed on and a few minutes later, a striking male Chestnut-naped Forktail hopped out from the dense riverine vegetation and remained in the open for us to enjoy the sight. Faith restored...

The highlight of the day and the entire tour for me was a casual detour to an empty plot of land within the industrial park at Kulim that resulted in a mega lifer for all of us. I have been searching for the Small Buttonquail ever since it was discovered by Dave in the same district almost 10 years ago. It was a brief encounter. Luckily, I managed to see all the field characteristics before it casually strolled into the grassy area and vanished - just like that. I swear to God, all quails are born with talents that even Houdini himself would be envy of. Although it was not much of a compensation for the Buttonquail episode, I did manage to photograph a handsome male Red Collared-Dove at the paddy fields of Permatang Pauh before concluding the tour.

Missing out on photographing the Small Buttonquail did not go well with me. I know that could have just blown the only chance I will ever have to do it. So, I was back at the empty plot of land two days later but this time with infantry - Choo Eng and Hor Kee. However, trying to relocate a bird the size of a tennis ball and perfectly adapted to conceal itself in such an environment was near impossible.

When the thought of dipping out on this rare game bird started to sink in, we paid more attention to the other birds that were present. There was a fair number of Oriental Pratincoles in the vicinity. With the breeding season over, almost every bird was in non-breeding plumage.

The Savanna Nightjar can be considered a recentcoloniser to Peninsular Malaysia from the south. When I started birding, it was only found south of Selangor state. It took these night birds some time to finallycolonise the peninsular and nowadays, they are probably the commonest nightjar in open country habitats. I never had much luck with this species in terms of photography. When Choo Eng spotted a few roosting next to a retainer, it was heaven-sent to me.

If you ask me the concrete pavement provided the best backdrop for the nightjars to camouflage themselves. It is no wonder that they are roosting here and not the adjacent grasslands. This photo-lifer provided the highlight of this short outing but like the previous visit was not much compensation for missing out on a tiny bird that gets a kick out of performing vanishing acts in the presence of birders.

Tom's first visit to Sungai Sedim in Kedah must have made quite an impression on him. And since he had to say back another week to complete his working assignment here in Penang, he made arrangements with me for a second trip. I usually do not take visiting birders to the same location twice but I had to agree with Tom's decision because this locality is really happening of late. As we made our way into the recreational forest, we just had to make a quick stop at the Treeswift Tree to admire the usual big number of roosting Grey-rumped Treeswifts.

While being entertained by the Treeswifts, a pair of Lesser Cuckooshrikes came into the picture. I have seen this species in this particular spot quite a few times but they are always at a distance. I cannot say that it is common anywhere in the forests that I frequently bird and any encounter is a good encounter.

We did not even manage to walk far from my parked car when a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills decided to fly over the car park area. The male led the way and I was only fast enough to capture his female companion. When these huge hornbills are in flight, they are truly majestic. Now, this is what I call a warm welcome...

Before we could fully regain our composure, a flash of bright emerald flew across our path and alighted on a nearby tree. We traced the Green Broadbill to a small fruiting tree and much to our delight, there was not one but four of these resplendent birds in the vicinity. Unlike the other Broadbills here, Green Broadbills are omnivorous and a fruiting tree is just as inviting as swarming winged termites. Just this week alone, I have witnessed both these behaviours and these four birds are probably the same individuals that provided the experiences.

The Green Broadbill was one of Tom's main target birds for his trip to Malaysia. We were not given any photographic opportunities during his first visit. Today, it was a whole different story. Despite the dim lighting conditions, I am quite pleased with how the images turned out.

The fruiting tree also attracted barbets. We recorded a total of five different species in the vicinity but I only managed to obtain decent images of three. Forest barbets spend most of their time among the safety of the top most canopy levels. More often heard than seen, it is only at suitable fruiting trees like this that you can truly admire the beauty of these birds. The Blue-eared Barbet is the smallest of all the forest barbets and is common throughout its range.

The Red-throated Barbet is one the largest and most striking barbets in the forest here. It has a tendency to forage lower than most barbets and I encountered it on more than a few occasions. The availability of food made this male bird even more confiding and provided the best photo opportunities.

Here he is showing off his brilliant plumage in the sun...

The Yellow-crowned Barbet may not be as vividly coloured as most of the other barbets but there is also beauty in simplicity and subtlety. This may not be the best of images but I have not photograph this species before and that naturally made it a keeper for me.

We could have spent the entire day at the fruiting tree but the urge to explore deeper into the forest was too strong to resist. As we made our way up the Gunung Bintang access trail, we found a blue morph Rufous-winged Philentoma resting at the middle storey of the forest. Here in Sungai Sedim, this colour morph is not that uncommon but it has been years since my last sighting.

The Olive-backed Woodpecker is scarce throughout Peninsular Malaysia. This is my third only sighting so far and was determined not to end up without any images from this encounter. This pair of Olive-backed Woodpeckers made their intentions clear right from the very beginning. Keeping to the top most part of the canopy and well hidden most of the time was absolutely disheartening. But through a little perseverance, I managed this record shot of the female at the end.

Hor Kee recorded a Rufous-tailed Shama here a few months back. That is another species I have not seen for many moons. Although it does not sing as well as the White-rumped Shama, its vocal capabilities are good enough to stop me at my tracks. Well, maybe not so much the song but the status of the bird that got me all excited. Unfortunately, this encounter was only for the enjoyment of my ear drums as the bird did not reveal itself in the end.

You can never know what to expect in birding. The last thing I expected to see here in Sungai Sedim was a flock of Long-tailed Broadbills moving through the canopy level. These gorgeous birds are usually found high up in the montane forests and this is the first time I have encountered them at such a low elevation. It is also my first record for this site. It is unfortunate that the flock was travelling at such a rapid pace. They really caught me by surprise and my slow reaction sealed the outcome of the encounter.

We visited the swamp forest at Air Hitam Dalam later in the afternoon and was greeted by a few confiding Abbott's Babbler at the rear car park.

The one species that you are almost guaranteed to see at this location is the Mangrove Blue Flycatcher. Best of all, they are often very obliging for photography. That's a good boy...

The Pin-striped Tit-Babbler is another regular babbler species found within this small patch of forest. Their loud and persistentvocalisations give away their presence every time. Obtaining clear and prolonged views is somewhat of a privilege due to the active and skulking nature of this species.

The resident Brown Boobooks have been keeping themselves well out of sight these past few weeks. But I guess today is no ordinary day based on the great results from Sungai Sedim earlier on. And true enough, we managed to see a lone bird on their usual roosting tree. A number of branches and leaves were in the way but it does not really matter. I was glad just to know that it is still here. The owl was a great way to wrapped up a rewarding and exciting trip. Disappointments and frustrations are aplenty in birding but the unexpected surprises will certainly balance things out and they have kept my passion for this hobby going even after all these years.

The children are our future (15/03/2015)

The flowerpecker frenzy continues...(16/03/2015)

Northward bound - again (21/03/15)

Why, Murphy? (28/03/2015)

Size doesn't matter (04/04/2015)

What the heck is he shooting at? (09/04/2015)

A misty affair (18/04/2015)

Once upon a time...(25/04/2015)

Rainy days are back (10/05/2015)

Oh, what a bill! (16/05/2015)

Saved by the bill...(23/05/2015)

G'day, mate! (08/06/2015)

My Garden Birdwatch 2015

Earth Angels (13/06/2015)

Things that go bump in the night (20/06/2015)

Penang's birding ambassadors (21/06/2015)

Back to the beginning

Welcome to birding in Malaysia (02/08/2015)

Feathered Houdini

Birding is like a box of chocolates ((09/08/2015)