![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzMCbOzMt9qNZCsbTbZfL0oSdU9xO-uqBmoRSgUOIYFVCY3yrjjZSVxOCAywHejgjHUSDY4_q9t3LANGVNMY8BueqsWkZv-Rv4xmkY5ues_yCU5C-Yfmrtg1PNTl6DF2gjzlD/s400/WBS1+004.jpg)
Our vehicle of choice - a Bell helicopter provided by Hornbill Skyways and piloted expertly by Capt Yusoff Ali. In the photo are Daniel Kong (right), Anthony Wong (centre) and yours truly.
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The view from the top. As photographer, I was sat in the rear on the left, with my camera pointed out of a small open window. Our survey altitude was 150-200m.
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Surveying at high tide makes location of concentrations of birds at roosts easier.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkTouX4VOd_QQ59HiwEr6NkzSyyI6A3vFDCqnqPzE1ZzBJsdQwQuFhOWXH1T-K-Bhcq9gBZVGZT9eM5P8GdEwWCsQyN4VXTIsRKjAnplVlOC7J2XlTANsw5wSLYQoUWg9X6kt/s400/WBS1+140.jpg)
Eroding coastline. The coconut palm trunks offshore mark where the coastline once was.
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The thick coastal mangrove fringe and strong waves make access to potential roost sites a challenge whether by land or sea!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAhlAXSJU2X7gRzJBC0CStCBwDrsoaM7o7X44TNqFT8HPhK98GfArB1eNC6nXBtTsFgmYNHXbV_YOwM7Mhy-PIZyj_xrmXIVn58_NGF12snRmbxaZFr1X9GW1RBjSeyxqGotV/s400/WBS1+048.jpg)
This is the kind of thing we were looking for - a raised sandbar at a rivermouth.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_kFyPs69Cw3JDtzfIvhsSVaIYoZpNEZXb-9KXiQUJjlDZMt1bhIVVMq513oH_86jAVM6UKiFD9FBY4PnRifnhSzRFc9BZJ3eS4ObAFOcGFArFpy36oYn8kl3RG6TvM9VlHr6/s400/WBS1_SLR+088.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p4JeOD4J0Xo0vg-9vcLIZHs1iCINxhmCOv92o3Y9wj2eQ3bpC0HtMZvbLq0unEM9kHxY0rK-wyWqkknj3PZDO5-TSfGNccBmNCoQeIZn9c3a68e4Lkf6doLmNSPzrKm1AFwZ/s400/WBS1_SLR+087.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnCvE9GJWrMUyWAYpfnhlnMb8YkUGPPtLwUIUeClbH_itkCea7z2daabW81qBoPr0B0IN_aHY1IVHm6Wg65m-yOxsU7nlzMntiR_i16dgAI3eSw6fwq-IlDZ4dwZrXUYN3XLX/s400/WBS1_SLR+086.jpg)
And bingo - a roost!
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As the birds took flight, they did so in several groups, curlews (at the top), terns (right) and smaller waders (two flocks, left). This was quite a sizable roost - about 2,000 waders and just over 160 terns (all Gull-billed except for 1 Little!).
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Some of the terns (spot the solitary Little Tern!).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLumQf-CGNwoIYsAoNMNNtjGLM8Ub9pqPRCoqoOOwFjCP-P58WsKO5KaUBdAJSW3Ol_zGsfIJhjcrwjBNRz4Gze52Zv3Ezvr1a46qitwX4Qu25T6N2kmijK7nnM2pAkmeVHck/s400/WBS1_SLR+060.jpg)
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Part of the curlew flock, which consisted of about equal numbers of Eurasian and Eastern (just over a hundred of each). Eurasian can easily be distinguished by its white rump, back and pale inner wing.
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Terek Sandpipers are particularly numerous along this coast (spot the lone sandplover!).
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Tereks commonly roost in mangrove trees, making them particularly tricky to count if only land-based surveys are carried out.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskQ21jfRjYKkBHIDxABxyZJYlcD3FpzUSodK3RWjlaTbs7WGOi_WuooBIjwjn8JqQB1UAu-YSvETPISgJWEfD-NCSesS9lgbo9jEjtydYjkYuTw0Y6KjZ8HRl7K-hEsV4QCD5/s400/WBS1_SLR+103.jpg)
Me and my shadow! Terek Sandpipers have a similar wing pattern to Common Redshanks but have no leg projection beyond the tail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MKjYUorfJF_96R531coNjkoO-2yprgg83P-0c_IrKMWLNcjs5V6sU-Gt9bu9S63E6lP3_8ZOXr4Akf-Tvsydak-Pk_bf-WU__B93JYxm99Wxcq2pgQZ4EabyO2G5_z6EGWKQ/s400/WBS1_SLR+064.jpg)
A small flock of distinctively plain Pacific Golden Plovers.
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Some Lesser Sand Plovers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38fNPXDJLjkdOxGdwbTubuHFRdd7d-EoLJ2ezx5mZbAFgoTi-R37FjkSPGea_pvsgnGdji-T2A9G47SGyuOhZwuF4zJDUqV8yV5DW1witIL82yJPm79QcPWjPVElP9ElLasYJ/s400/WBS1_SLR+126.jpg)
And another couple with a Red-necked Stint. I'm thinking of writing an paper on 'Identification and aging of Stints and Peeps from the air'!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NefxYngkMohjaScvwgkAUPiw4a66nlE3my-iJYhbdzYuCKZKEopaUCDtjO9-CCN2IgUMwXom7xcP3H90x_cJrpwOs2XCfv4Y_8tYNqpj1COvHtHkzsRNgEG83QqgfFahMW5d/s400/WBS1_SLR+131.jpg)
More Lesser Sands.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KpwmVksFjkQ9GR60dZxrd6OXtbh90uWkc2A-Dz_PqNrlmWgY4EgpPGCvQqoFsui0rShfe1qbV9J80Z3ti5Oy3WKj6Pe0SvFJ3v_STAbtidQmJ65QOcrYtF4dVvrA0Iq-KfEK/s400/WBS1_SLR+132.jpg)
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An interesting pair of images of Lesser and Greater Sand Plover, showing the ...er difference in leg projection beyond the tail ...!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwLvtZaeFxUAvORYw4fudo0jqSG9zn4dwqWXjgwD11I7RzKxod-l5VnZdOdSYdOmWiJgKgCGIKcBQ8VBTL1ITkapyhF6tSMj9q5j0If1o_860ekZgSwqe4526bRRVvSpkK5Xq/s400/WBS1_SLR+139.jpg)
A couple of Kentish Plovers with Lesser Sand Plovers. The apparent leg projection of these Lessers is pretty variable between individuals.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY779mbp9fi1yFoR2oXWI550ePLrEKoo6KPVvca1z3XAPiCCOvRN1rC_nLhNEe4DE0RtKUuq2c1IfhMONlHMJrN7Qw7nHo5KSReRSBbFrIbdFIkZpjpzhE0usDk4eLv6Xb2CFf/s400/WBS1_SLR+269.jpg)
Most egret roosts were in mangrove trees - either right on the tideline or some way inland.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHIys8cJ-9RFf23uY4_Jfk1P8ldd2cIf28wqnr2h9r4vs_4zZqDqh7FNKWIRZHmvYw42g_zy_Rhvkn7wb2DDBl4-GLb1-Oi8fILt23zedc7P3FDUbnpAKj7tvWF8yj2Fx-7ef/s400/WBS1_SLR+153.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmRr61IiK9PU1-iFKldifeTIS0SzSk9kRmmwXS44JVdksSzORz_4cJkgFAjwQCy6oope7xT_eSm8pevHR3jWWfWpB99W7qplXFvIejxL-oC1wNIG9B0eazDbQ9JRsWGoGsBAy/s400/WBS1_SLR+155.jpg)
Chinese Egrets were much the commonest species at these roosts!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxmjlEDExkt6OpsRRqLQ9mOTgbGK9jBr9s-H1pdudWJKEeayC3p4MMpSvjpFLz4XaMhRnmCYagLNQn4DdKXvgaioZo99S9g_iXtHODzfZYkkXBophnuJ5mQoMWQa2kEpykPvl/s400/WBS1_SLR+183.jpg)
Mangrove roosts were also favoured by large flocks of Whimbrel...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63Zr8DJqCdgxAv_kaMDcr8wjHMGv6SvUuDvtwJ4XoJszMlUHrN2OPbs5fHoOEI8T0Pu7d-WCHusDSk2NQzcK5cmCH93UnzpIVzooK2yX0VawGyHwjByMB3UmceibQ2xZzkV_7/s400/WBS1_SLR+158.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9am6qxttmr0JmMIMEx5mH4cufE6On9TWdsftPLkk0Dm8GWc1y6q9pwj8S6ezRA2ta7Sq2Ty_Joz2nv7ftV7L4WDT0Kw0hmJcXPiLpB5jNKlDOCULnFVFwCe6jIwKBxFclEsfE/s400/WBS1_SLR+161.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaEUvwXRIJkuOj4iRnITxanByb8hLDRyifWKuZUgPpLNur4mn2x1G4re0eOHp_DgX3ijdwQ9JWBrv27aYCgLgdo8NuAj0JGMBKXdukvX7dKw8Sgc5XeRFEFoCZm6oAsvHOcrX/s400/WBS1_SLR+162.jpg)
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There was one large flock of mangrove-roosting Bar-tailed Godwits.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjOepQalgtX_6AwJu_zVBumNLQhSfOjWfVEsrW9jDXyvjd2yy8DQrnK-siHz4T0p2JViI9vOcAk5aIWw5E_FfRzsqfrbkeRMEmDSWiSfYMyi3VVr7UsTM60sPXTK8rEUqNFoW/s400/WBS1+391.jpg)
Inland of the coast, we checked out aquaculture ponds like these.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1JPhhZl8I_F4Gjuhdvn-lLygG-RnJR4qwNccFzwBjR9CHo57uY9HGGc41aCw4ZrUJ-UVjlMJ9n3nV__z3kZTnboevXC8aKmdMhF5EVXjfszlN8rVFuRNcH1CG0IUA-k7FiwT/s400/WBS1_SLR+224.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTArNCUWkiDp8alY-A8Zl-tN0aJrtQ43c5E6oROsxmDDXuyz6JbNrUtOpgx0keyDDURLub_4nQL3PlZc_Smsf1RVaS_CaNV01CkT8gNCSvOjASKbWUnHIDyToaI3VGXuOst4A/s400/WBS1_SLR+233.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBqdqq5ONc5yNlTApy39JfNcrQvwSm9fWTxA5lNBdDhpaJ98iBcWL992a1I__AzVGZ54T0RDzGCW01_o867zoqlkPiW8ONiqrmdIXpfCFUKILSNgQvIBo6z69XvP90jeH4_Cw/s400/WBS1_SLR+233%2527.jpg)
Even where ponds are full, if there are vegetation-free bunds, birds can use them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOBWnvx-p-t9qzskKfv-Oo5SlS85XEk8e8MOm4eGciDR7C0cB6g1rbficSu6RcTxIfRQiXiBaN6jeZLejYemv26HtZ_AfD4fqHjv-HruVSVSPUbDFnfNDDfkkXpfmEnB-RxJU/s400/WBS1+548.jpg)
By the time we flew past Sejingkat power station ashponds, a known roost, we were fast running out of daylight.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PD4usWGQZXRMYEbxrN9TFb9VOrdqDFs1ZMz-Pj912V-nNnem4krCZADnqSTO8wNhRJG3a1M97_dHPkF0viCIusKj5uY3o_jswZqZzixmdBSGAuTC4g6ET2lbidFmdKgmozix/s400/WBS1+565.jpg)
A twilit view of Kuching to finish off a very successful first day!
For details of how you can volunteer to take part in the Sarawak Waterbird Survey, see here.
1 comment:
It must have been pretty impressive to do this from a helicopter! Very nice pictures :)
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