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A photogenic Scaly-breasted Munia
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And, from the same fence, I got a scolding from a 'lucionensis' Brown Shrike.
From Penaga I drove north to an area of abandoned fish ponds at Pasir Debu. The area is surrounded by a high fence and a padlocked gate, but I was able to borrow the key from a nearby house.
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When I last came here, the ponds were still being managed, and the empty pools were a magnet for waders. Now all the pools were full of water and getting rather overgrown. I was immediately struck by how few birds there were - fewer than I would expect at a place that is supposedly undisturbed. The few birds I did see were very wary.
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Here is the probable reason! I found several holes in the fence, and more than one of these spent shotgun cartridges.
There were 8 or 9 Grey Herons, a couple of Purple Herons and some egrets in the mangroves behind the ponds - a possible heronry in the future? No sign of nests at the moment though.
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A Dollarbird was making use of the lamp posts to hunt for insects
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I flushed this Watercock from the edge of one of the ponds
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Fish fry skitter out of the path of this Common Kingfisher, even though it was more interested in getting away from me!
When returning the key, I asked about the owner's plans for the ponds. Apparently he intends to start operating them again "soon". If there are any wealthy environmentalists out there, I think the place has great potential to be managed as a wetland reserve. Now if you'd like to make him an offer...!
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