If you want to download a pdf version of the guide and posters, you can do so at this link. If you'd like hard copies, please contact Wild Asia (not me!).
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Migratory Birds in Plantations
In my work with Wild Asia I recently helped produce a guide to migratory birds in oil palm plantations. The aim of this guide (three others will follow this one) is to inform plantation managers of the value of the wild spaces in their plantations for migratory birds, and what can be done to enhance these.
If you want to download a pdf version of the guide and posters, you can do so at this link. If you'd like hard copies, please contact Wild Asia (not me!).
If you want to download a pdf version of the guide and posters, you can do so at this link. If you'd like hard copies, please contact Wild Asia (not me!).
Monday, January 09, 2012
Yellow starlings - mystery solved!
Thanks to Ayuwat for sending this link. Obviously these birds have been deliberately dyed.
This is a known practice among pet traders, who dye birds such as munias to increase their trade value. The explanation of how they came to be released is perhaps the practice of 'merit releasing' of birds, whereby people buy and then release captive birds to gain 'merit' or blessing.
This is a known practice among pet traders, who dye birds such as munias to increase their trade value. The explanation of how they came to be released is perhaps the practice of 'merit releasing' of birds, whereby people buy and then release captive birds to gain 'merit' or blessing.
Sunday, January 08, 2012
7th Jan 2012: Kampung Permatang Nibong, Penang
Still getting back into the swing of things, so I decided to check out the paddyfields today.
After a brief early morning check of the pylons - no raptors surprisingly - perhaps they were already up and on the hunt, I went to the 'openbill ponds.' This is a fantastic spot just oozing with potential for something rare, but it's also extremely difficult to watch, as there's so much dense vegetation for things hide in. It would make the perfect spot for a ringing station I reckon.
A selection of birds flying over, which is about the only way you can see birds here! Black-crowned Night-herons.
Little Egret.
Great Egret.
A pond-heron of uncertain nationality. Now there's a good project for someone - work out how to identify pond-herons in non-breeding plumage!
A fly-over Eastern Yellow Wagtail.
What do think this is then?
An Asian Brown Flycatcher flying across the paddyfields!
Here's the same individual in more familiar pose!
This should be easier!
Brown Shrike.
Barn Swallow.
I spent a long time grilling the Purple-backed Starlings, hoping for something else in with them. In any case, they're really smart birds, reminding me in flight of Bohemian Waxwings which I had been watching not so long ago!
My heart did skip a beat when this odd yellow bird popped its head up! Nothing rang a bell for a moment, till it turned round...
...when I realized it was 'just' a Purple-backed Starling, but a golden-yellow one!
The colouring looked like natural pigmentation rather than any artificial staining or dye. It was strongest on the rump, which was bright golden-yellow. A very smart bird - too bad I couldn't get any closer.
Here are some more normally-coloured birds.
I drove over to the Permatang Pauh side and managed to sneak up to this confiding White-throated Kingfisher.
There were good numbers of waders in the pools where paddy hadn't grown. There was a flock of over a hundred Black-winged Stilts, including 4-5 with dark necks (which some claim to be White-necked). Most birds were a little too distant for photography and the light was getting harsh.
There were good numbers of snipe about.
Common Snipe.
Swinhoe's or Pintail Snipe. The most obvious differences are in the wings - Common has a much blacker, more pointed outer wing and a broad white trailing edge to the secondaries, compared to 'Pin/Swin' Snipe's browner and blunter outer wing, and lack of clearly demarcated white trailing edge.
Telling Swinhoe's and Pintail apart is much harder, you need to get a good view of the tail to be sure, and this is where photography helps!
When they fly, as the bird above eventually did when flushed by a passing motorcycle, they often fan the tail when braking as they come in to land. This bird shows broad white tips to the tail and fairly broad outer tail feathers (though the outermost may still be hidden). I think Pintail should show much less white in the tail than this, and should show a least a suspicion of fine pin-like outer tail feathers. So I reckon this is a Swinhoe's (I've yet to see a definite Pintail in Penang!)
There was even a male Greater Painted-Snipe sitting quietly on a bund. When I checked him out, I realized why he was being so cautious - he had a brood of four chicks in tow!
I like their chestnut back stripe!
There were a few Red-rumped Swallows around. They had almost no pink or reddish tones at all - practically white on the rump. Perhaps they were worn birds; I didn't get a good look.
The usual loose flock of about 30 Grey-headed Lapwings was dotted around here and there, and this bird remained long enough for a few shots.
I can't remember a day at this location when I saw so few raptors - just one Brahminy! But once the rice is harvested the place should be good for waders and raptors alike. Something to look forward to!
After a brief early morning check of the pylons - no raptors surprisingly - perhaps they were already up and on the hunt, I went to the 'openbill ponds.' This is a fantastic spot just oozing with potential for something rare, but it's also extremely difficult to watch, as there's so much dense vegetation for things hide in. It would make the perfect spot for a ringing station I reckon.
A selection of birds flying over, which is about the only way you can see birds here! Black-crowned Night-herons.
Little Egret.
Great Egret.
A pond-heron of uncertain nationality. Now there's a good project for someone - work out how to identify pond-herons in non-breeding plumage!
A fly-over Eastern Yellow Wagtail.
What do think this is then?
An Asian Brown Flycatcher flying across the paddyfields!
Here's the same individual in more familiar pose!
This should be easier!
Brown Shrike.
Barn Swallow.
I spent a long time grilling the Purple-backed Starlings, hoping for something else in with them. In any case, they're really smart birds, reminding me in flight of Bohemian Waxwings which I had been watching not so long ago!
My heart did skip a beat when this odd yellow bird popped its head up! Nothing rang a bell for a moment, till it turned round...
...when I realized it was 'just' a Purple-backed Starling, but a golden-yellow one!
The colouring looked like natural pigmentation rather than any artificial staining or dye. It was strongest on the rump, which was bright golden-yellow. A very smart bird - too bad I couldn't get any closer.
Here are some more normally-coloured birds.
I drove over to the Permatang Pauh side and managed to sneak up to this confiding White-throated Kingfisher.
There were good numbers of waders in the pools where paddy hadn't grown. There was a flock of over a hundred Black-winged Stilts, including 4-5 with dark necks (which some claim to be White-necked). Most birds were a little too distant for photography and the light was getting harsh.
There were good numbers of snipe about.
Common Snipe.
Swinhoe's or Pintail Snipe. The most obvious differences are in the wings - Common has a much blacker, more pointed outer wing and a broad white trailing edge to the secondaries, compared to 'Pin/Swin' Snipe's browner and blunter outer wing, and lack of clearly demarcated white trailing edge.
Telling Swinhoe's and Pintail apart is much harder, you need to get a good view of the tail to be sure, and this is where photography helps!
When they fly, as the bird above eventually did when flushed by a passing motorcycle, they often fan the tail when braking as they come in to land. This bird shows broad white tips to the tail and fairly broad outer tail feathers (though the outermost may still be hidden). I think Pintail should show much less white in the tail than this, and should show a least a suspicion of fine pin-like outer tail feathers. So I reckon this is a Swinhoe's (I've yet to see a definite Pintail in Penang!)
There was even a male Greater Painted-Snipe sitting quietly on a bund. When I checked him out, I realized why he was being so cautious - he had a brood of four chicks in tow!
I like their chestnut back stripe!
There were a few Red-rumped Swallows around. They had almost no pink or reddish tones at all - practically white on the rump. Perhaps they were worn birds; I didn't get a good look.
The usual loose flock of about 30 Grey-headed Lapwings was dotted around here and there, and this bird remained long enough for a few shots.
I can't remember a day at this location when I saw so few raptors - just one Brahminy! But once the rice is harvested the place should be good for waders and raptors alike. Something to look forward to!
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
28 December 2011: Batu Kawan and Pulau Burung, Penang
Two days after we arrived back from holidays in the UK, a small window of opportunity became available, and there was only one place to go; Batu Kawan, to see whether Mun's superstar visitors had waited for me, as he had promised they would! Getting up early wasn't a problem, courtesy of jetlag, so I was on site as first light dawned.
Sure enough, a quick scan soon located a solitary Oriental Darter roosting in a dead tree, and not long afterwards, the second bird flew in, having apparently been fishing in the floodwater beneath the tree.
As the light improved, I was joined by Mun himself, so was able to congratulate him personally on a memorable find (his finder's account is here).
Having had a good look at the darters, I decided to make my way to Pulau Burung. Mun was a bit shocked when I announced that I was moving on so soon, and in retrospect, I probably should have hung around longer, as his superb shots testify, but it was my first time out in over a month, I only had a few hours, and was anxious to get better views of the Garganeys, and whatever else may be lurking at Pulau Burung.
My first port of call was the temporary pools where the Little Stints had been last time. Since then, there've been White Wagtail and Pectoral Sandpiper, so I gave it a good grilling. There were now fewer birds, and all were were much more distant. Just one Little Stint was in evidence, and no rare wagtails or waders!
As I drove along the track I disturbed a pair of foraging Barred Buttonquails. This is quite a familiar scenario. The birds run along the track directly in front of the car. They are wondering how they can escape into the foliage either side, while I am wondering how to avoid the windscreen, get my eye to the viewfinder out of the side window (pointing forwards!) while keeping my foot gently on the gas and the car from meandering off the road! As usual, I largely failed, but the male did dither long enough for me to get one or two acceptable shots.
Next up it was time to focus my attention on the Garganeys. Oddly, they didn't associate with each other the whole time I was there. This rather bright bird turned out to be a female (you can check out the forewing colour in Mun's blog here.)
The male (told by the bright blue-grey forewing) kept much more distant, and hung out with the Lesser Whistling-ducks most of the time.
The other birds present were the 'usual suspects', but, even though I have filled my memory cards many times over with their images, it's hard to resist them when they pose so beautifully!
Blue-tailed Bee-eater.
A subadult (and subtly colourful) Common Moorhen.
Common Sandpiper (and friend!).
Wood Sandpipers.
So, thanks to Mun and those Oriental Darters, I managed to pick up my 560th species in Peninsular Malaysia on my last birding outing of the year! What surprises will 2012 turn up? Bring it on!
Every best wish for 2012.
Sure enough, a quick scan soon located a solitary Oriental Darter roosting in a dead tree, and not long afterwards, the second bird flew in, having apparently been fishing in the floodwater beneath the tree.
As the light improved, I was joined by Mun himself, so was able to congratulate him personally on a memorable find (his finder's account is here).
Having had a good look at the darters, I decided to make my way to Pulau Burung. Mun was a bit shocked when I announced that I was moving on so soon, and in retrospect, I probably should have hung around longer, as his superb shots testify, but it was my first time out in over a month, I only had a few hours, and was anxious to get better views of the Garganeys, and whatever else may be lurking at Pulau Burung.
My first port of call was the temporary pools where the Little Stints had been last time. Since then, there've been White Wagtail and Pectoral Sandpiper, so I gave it a good grilling. There were now fewer birds, and all were were much more distant. Just one Little Stint was in evidence, and no rare wagtails or waders!
As I drove along the track I disturbed a pair of foraging Barred Buttonquails. This is quite a familiar scenario. The birds run along the track directly in front of the car. They are wondering how they can escape into the foliage either side, while I am wondering how to avoid the windscreen, get my eye to the viewfinder out of the side window (pointing forwards!) while keeping my foot gently on the gas and the car from meandering off the road! As usual, I largely failed, but the male did dither long enough for me to get one or two acceptable shots.
Next up it was time to focus my attention on the Garganeys. Oddly, they didn't associate with each other the whole time I was there. This rather bright bird turned out to be a female (you can check out the forewing colour in Mun's blog here.)
The male (told by the bright blue-grey forewing) kept much more distant, and hung out with the Lesser Whistling-ducks most of the time.
The other birds present were the 'usual suspects', but, even though I have filled my memory cards many times over with their images, it's hard to resist them when they pose so beautifully!
Blue-tailed Bee-eater.
A subadult (and subtly colourful) Common Moorhen.
Common Sandpiper (and friend!).
Wood Sandpipers.
So, thanks to Mun and those Oriental Darters, I managed to pick up my 560th species in Peninsular Malaysia on my last birding outing of the year! What surprises will 2012 turn up? Bring it on!
Every best wish for 2012.
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