For a while now I've been wondering whether it is feasible to see 600 species in Peninsular Malaysia - that's 91% of the total list ever recorded (currently 661). I have 37 species more to go to hit that magic number. In case you want to help me get there, I'd be especially glad to receive any up-to date information on the following species in Peninsular Malaysia.
PhasianidaeLong-billed Partridge
Black Partridge
Chestnut-necklaced Partridge
Ferruginous Partridge
Crestless Fireback
Crested Argus
Anatidae
Northern Pintail
Procellaridae
Threskiornithidae
Black-headed Ibis
Fregatidae
Greater Frigatebird
Christmas Island Frigatebird
Falconidae
Amur Falcon
Eurasian Hobby
Accipitridae
Jerdon's Baza
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Mountain Hawk-eagle
Rallidae
Slaty-legged Crake
Heliornithidae
Masked Finfoot
CharadriidaeOriental Plover
Jacanidae
Bronze-winged Jacana
Scolopacidae
Spotted Redshank
Green Sandpiper
Columbidae
Cuculidae
Hodgson's Hawk-cuckoo
Himalayan Cuckoo
Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo
Strigidae
White-fronted Scops-owl
Oriantal Scops-owl
Upupidae
Eurasian Hoopoe
Picidae
Grey-and-buff Woodpecker
Pittidae
Oriolidae
Black-hooded Oriole
Monarchidae
Japanese Paradise-flycatcher
Timaliidae
Grey-breasted Babbler
Eyebrowed Wren-babbler
Sturnidae
Chestnut-cheeked Starling
White-shouldered Starling
Rosy Starling
Turdidae
Chestnut-capped Thrush
Eurasian Scaly Thrush
Muscicapidae
Brown-streaked Flycatcher
White-tailed Flycatcher
Dicaeidae
Brown-backed Flowerpacker
Estrildidae
Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch
Motacillidae
This is a selection, not every bird on the Peninsular Malaysian list I haven't seen. The photos were all taken outside Pen Mal (obviously!), in Singapore, East Malaysia and Thailand. The list includes a few embarrassing misses, but most resident species on the list read like a who's who of the most difficult ones to see in the Peninsula these days.
So - can anyone help me plan my itinerary over the next twelve months?!
Dave, you could try Gunung Raya in Langkawi for both the Jerdon's Baza and Mountain Hawk-Eagle. My dad has photographed both species in one trip there, albeit three years ago, along with the Black-Hooded Oriole at Kisap. The Eye-Browed WB is present in Larut, albeit at low densities. Common Buzzards are usually present at highland locales during the migrant season, recent years have them being seen at Bkt Tinggi. merapoh is a known place for the Crestless Fireback at Sg Relau, and I've heard Giant Pitta there too. The Grey-and-Buff Woodie should be found in lowland and hill forest, I've seen it at Larut a number of times as well as at the durian orchards at Burmese Pools. One Black-Headed Ibis did make an unexpected appearance at Permatang Nibong two years ago, but has not been seen since, so keep a lookout for it there. if you are heading to Perlis for the White-Fronted Scops Owl at the Park and the Jacana at the lake, I'll love to tag along too! Hhope this helps!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Hor Kee
I saw a Grey & Buff Woodie at Bukit Tinggi just last month.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck, Dave !
ReplyDeletePlugging away at the sea birding might bring a few surprises...
Thanks for the tips Hor Kee and Ronnie! I'm fairly familiar with the generic stuff on where to see many of these species. What I'm hoping for is more the "I saw one yesterday at such and such a place" type of gen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement John. I will indeed keep plugging away on the high seas, but know that some trips to the sweaty, leech-infested jungle will be inevitable!
haha, many of your expected rare migrants and vagrants are not easy to find...... seen none of these in Peninsular Malaysia...... but good luck, I guess you should still be able to find some Hoopoe, Common Buzzard and etc by the next season....
ReplyDeleteDave, some of the birds in your list(such the EB Wren-babbler ) are also in my search list. I particularly wanted to get the ER Wren-babler because it has eluded me a couple of times,just because I was out of position by a few meters.Before I make my next attempt in Telapak Buruk. I will email you to see if you are keen to join me.ATiah
ReplyDeletePlease do Aun Tiah!
ReplyDelete