Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bornean Bristlehead in Balingian


The emblematic Bornean Bristlehead, this time by Junis Sp of Nature and Science Society, Bintulu. Photo by Junis Sp.

Junis Sp stumbled on this rare bird in Balingian, nearby a logged forest. This is the first time this pecies have been recorded in Balingian. Based on previous records, two sightings were made in Kelawit-Tatau and Samarakan, both Acacia plantations. This time however it's in a forest area to be logged.

The area has been pegged for logging, where licenses have been issued and camps already built. The location is just past Selangau, to get to where the BBH is, one would have to drive for one hour through an oil palm plantation followed by a logging road, after that another hour of trekking through the forest.
BBH was recorded in Similajau NP a long time ago, recent records for Northern Sarawak have only been from Lambir Hills National Park, Kelawit-Tatau and Samarkan acacia plantations and this latest sighting in Balingian.

In Sabah, this bird has been a crowd puller for tourists, birdwatchers and photographers alike. One is most likely to see BBH in Danum Valley Conservation Area and recently the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Center. At RDC, a tower within a network of canopy walk has been named "Bristlehead Tower" due to regular sightings of Bornean Bristlehead in the area. The Bristlehead Tower has been on many a birdwatchers itenarary of late.

Nazeri Abghani/MNS Miri/May 2010

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