Pulau Melayu Oriental Pied Horn Bills Update No. 01

My Friend wish to be a contributor to this birdwatching blog specializing on the Pulau Melayu hornbills. The original story featured on March 21 in this blog.

He will give us updates of any development about these birds.


The first time Fuad managed to shoot the 4 hornbills (2 pairs) in one photo.


The one-eye female hornbill is on the far right. The 3 egg jars that he placed on the balcony can be seen on this picture. Hopefully they may choose to lay eggs on one of the jars.




One of the hornbills seems interested on what is happening in his house.

Birdwatching Curtin Lakes and Kuala Baram Sungai Tujuh Area

Birdwatching Curtin Lakes and Kuala Baram Sungai Tujuh Area
25th. Apr 2010
Time 7:150 am – 12:00 am
Dry warm morning.
Participant: Ronald Orenstein, Nazeri and Musa (writer)


Today's birdwatching locations

Our first stop was South East Curtin Lake. Immediately we were greeted by an Asian Koel far on the south east of us, not a few minutes later a Slender -billed Crow flew above us.


Five ducks flew away from us.

When we reached the lake there were already 2 recreational fishermen there, trying their luck with the tomans and haruans that lurk in the shallows. They too saw the ducks that were there in the morning and the five that flew as we came in. At the farther end of the lake several Common Moorhen were feeding quietly with scant care for the human presence across the lake.


The two bird watcher nearly engulfed by the tall Lallang

We moved further in towards the larger lake, there were plenty of Tri-colored Munia (Chestnut Munia/Black-headed Munia) flitting about the tall grass. We also noticed a few more ducks in the area, an additional five Wandering Whistling Duck joined the five we already saw earlier. The ducks flew and they circled around before moving towards the east lake. All around us we can hear Yellow-bellied Prinia, White-browed Crake and White-breasted Waterhen, these were well hidden by the tall grass.


Missed the waders

Across the big lake, well over yonder on the tops of the tall bare trees we saw 11 Oriental Darter warming their wings, the highest number of OD we've seen in this area so far.

There were two instances of Purple Heron flying high towards the East.

At 7:41 we are off to Curtin Lake. Along the way we saw Collared kingfisher perching on the electric wire. The gate this morning is not locked and we went in the area. The Curtin Lake is already dried up. Tall grasses have grown in place of the water. We saw a Black-winged kite perching above the dead tree branch overlooking the area. A Blue-throated Bee-eater flew passed our car. Another black-winged kite fly high in the sky. Two lesser coucals were seen across the road. We went out of the area and proceed to Singai Tujuh, prawn farm.
Along the way we saw 8 tricolour munia and the crippling of grass-bird were heard along the road.

We reached the toll at 8:11 am. As we cross the toll 2 pied trillers welcome us. Plenty of grass birds chipping song are around us. A dollar bird flew on our right. Few wood swallows are seen perching on the wire. More than 10 Blue-throated Bee-eater flying and perching on the wire. Their flying remind me of like little a fairies in movie.

Happy anglers with two barramundi

We go along the road. A few pied triller and collared kingfisher are seen. We stopped at the junction of the prawn farm and off load our equipment and walk toward the farm.

Wood sandpiper that miss his boat

As we entered the area we saw 5 Intermediate and few little Egrets were seen at the east side of our path. As I was walking slowly behind Ron and Nazeri, I stumbled close to a yellow bitten and it flew off to a small bush not far from me. I saw a collared kingfisher. A prina with young cat cries is at our right part of our track, but a physical body is not seen. As I come closer to the farm gate I saw 7 little egrets.

Negotiating the narrow plank path

There are few angler at the gate area. It seemed they have caught 2 small barramundi. One of them have got frustrated because his 100 meter line have just been flush out by a strong fish.

Unidentified animal track

We tried to enter east track but the track is not negotiable due to uneven ground and tall grass. We saw a little stint and wood sandpiper. So we go along into the small village track toward the Beach.

A white-bellied sea eagle chased by wood-swallow

As we enter the area we saw a striated heron flew out of the bush startled by our presence. We saw another yellow bitten and a pied triller in the casuarinas tree branches. A lesser coucal flew cautiously into a bush to the right of our track trying to avoid our presence.

Fiddler crabs playing their symphony.

We passed few wooden house and came to a narrow plank walkway. The narrow plank walkway seemed it cannot sustain our weight and we decide to go one person per section. We finally reach the beach. We walk along the beach toward the prawn farm area. There we saw a single great egret hunting small fish at the river mouth.

A close encounter

We decided to back track toward the plank walk. We saw an animal track; we cannot identify positively what animal is this. The area is grown with 4 feet high grass. In a flash we saw a common Sand-martin flying crisscrossing us.

Then we saw a White-bellied Sea-eagle flying high in the East. It flew high circling trying to avoid the wood swallow that persistently chasing it away. The wood-swallow trying to keep the eagle away from it nest.

On our way back I saw a fiddler crap area. It been quite sometime I did not see them. The last I saw them in Miri river when I was young. Then it was while waiting for ferry to take us across river to the General Hospital there. Their synchronised swinging of their pincer always fascinated me. It seemed that they are swing their pincer with an audible musical.

The heat is unbearable and we went to a small kampong small coffee shop. While having coffee we saw a magpie robin and few house sparrow.

We went off to old Kuala Baram ferry landing. There we saw a little egret, we came close to it and took some photograph. We went toward the Marine School area. We passed a school field and saw two cattle egrets. On our way back we saw few spotted dove and Dusky munia. The marine school area look abandoned and empty.

We finished our bird watching session at 11:45am.

Bird List:

Asian Koel 1
White-breasted Woodswallow 2
Oriental Magpie-robin 2
Yellow-vented bulbul 2
Slender-billed Crow 1
Tricoloured Munia 12
Wandering Whistling-duck 11
Common Moorhen 2
Oriental Darter 11
Purple heron 4
Collared Kingfisher 6
Black-winged kite 3
Blue-throated Bee-eater 15
Little egret 1
Lesser coucal 4
Striated Grassbird 5
Pied triller 6
Intermediate egret 6
Yellow bittern 3
Unid stint 1
Common sandpiper 1
Straited heron 2
Common sand martin 2
White-bellied sea eagle 1
Cattle egret 4
Spotted dove 7
Dusky munia 5
House sparrow 3

Musa Musbah/ MNS Miri/ April 2010

Bornean Bristleheads in Lambir Hills National Park

2009 IUCN Red List Near Threatened Bornean Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala at Lambir Hills National Park, latest sighting by Sara and Peter 0930hrs 02nd April 2010. This unusual species is likely to be declining moderately rapidly throughout much of its range as a result of forest loss and degradation. It is currently considered Near Threatened, and should be carefully monitored (Birdlife International 2009).

News from Sara after her trek at one of the trails in Lambir Hills National Park:

"This morning (2nd ) Peter and I hiked to Oil Well in Lambir Hills. At the Oil Well junction (on the Lepoh-Ridan Trail), at approximately 9:30am, we saw a group of 3 (possibly more) Bornean Bristleheads feeding in the trees right above us. At one point, one of them was only about 6 - 8m above me (see pic). They were flitting from tree to tree, branches to branches but didn't make a lot of noise.

There were also presence of other birds as well as squirrels including the Olive-backed Woodpecker running up a tree trunk. The trees here must be fruiting. We couldn't id the other birds and squirrels as I didn't bring bino and also we were busy looking out for the bristleheads.

Incidentally this was the place where I heard the Borneon Gibbon's song the other day about 2 weeks together with the trail maintenance team also at approx 9:30am, but today we didn't hear any.

All along the Oil Well trail, we heard Black Hornbills, Hill Mynas and wood knocking sound made by woodpeckers, plus many other bird songs which we couldn't ID. We did see some birds in the mid-storey and even on the ground, but too far to id them with our naked eyes.

We plan to go back to the same area tomorrow and try our luck again."

Similajau NP counted Bornean Bristlehead as part of it's birdlists (1986, 1995)), however there have not been any reported sightings there of late.

More on Bornean Bristlehead.

World Migratory Bird Day 2010 Focuses on Globally Threatened Migratory Birds

Malaysian Nature Society Miri Branch is again celebrating World Migratory Bird Day this year, our third year. WMBD events are extra special this year since in 2010 we are also celebrating MNS 70th Year Anniversary.

This year MNS Miri have confirmed the following events locally:

08th May
0700-1000hrs
Birdwatching at Innoue Trail, Lambir Hills National Park. Birdwatching with Khoo Swee Seng, MNS Raptor Study Group together with Miri Branch Bird Group, members and interested public.

1400-1600hrs
Talk and Slideshow on "Migrating Raptors" by Khoo Swee Seng at Pustaka Miri. Inline with this year's theme, Seng will be speaking about migrating raptors. This is a collaboration with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak. Seng will also touch on the upcoming MY Big Garden Birdwatch in June.

1800-1930hrs
Evening Birdwatching at Bukit Song, Lambir Hills National Park. Birdwatching with Khoo Swee Seng, MNS Raptor Study Group together with Miri Branch Bird Group, members and interested public.

09th May
0700-1100hrs
Birdwatching fieldtrip in Kuala Baram led by Seng and MBBG. MNS Miri will be providing a complementary 40 seater bus to transport participants to site from Pustaka Miri and back.

And one special event in collaboration with our MNS Sabah friends at Kinabalu National Park:

15th May
0800-1300hrs
Birdwatching with members and school students in Kinabalu National Park World Heritage Site. This is also a joint celebration of MNS 70th Anniversary with MNS Sabah Branch. Students will be led through the different routes around to park in search of Sabah endemics and other interesting KNP birdlife.

MNS Miri Branch members, students and members of the public are invited to participate in the above events. All events in Miri are complementary, and all are welcomed.

For more details about the WMBD events in Miri, please email : mnsmiri@yahoo.com

More information on WMBD2010 from the UNEP-AEWA Secretariat:

The Secretariats of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) and the Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS) are pleased to announce the countdown for World Migratory Bird Day 2010. This two-day awareness raising campaign will take place globally for the fifth consecutive year from 8-9 May 2010.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) aims to inspire people to take action for the conservation of migratory birds and encourages national authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), clubs and societies, universities, schools and individuals around the world to organize events and programmes, which help draw attention to migratory birds around a central theme each year.

This year’s theme is “Save migratory birds in crisis – every species counts!” It is closely linked to the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) declared by the United Nations for 2010.

The WMBD 2010 theme aims to raise awareness on globally threatened migratory birds, with a particular focus on those on the very edge of extinction – the Critically Endangered migratory birds.

In line with the International Year of Biodiversity, the 2010 WMBD theme also highlights how migratory birds are part of the biological diversity of our world and how the threat of extinction faced by individual bird species is a reflection of the larger extinction crisis threatening other species and the natural diversity that underpins all life on earth.

Migratory birds in crisis
A staggering 1,227, or 12,4% of the total 9,865 extant bird species in the world are currently classified as globally threatened and 192 of these are considered Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, i.e. they face an extremely high risk of becoming extinct.
An estimated 19% of all known birds and about 30 of the 192 Critically Endangered bird species are considered to be migratory and undertake regular cyclical movements between their breeding and non-breeding areas.

Some prominent examples of “migratory birds in crisis” being highlighted in the context of this year’s WMBD campaign include the Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris), the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), the Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius), the Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) and the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) – all of which are migratory and listed as Critically Endangered.

Migratory birds as indicators
By focusing on “migratory birds in crisis” during the International Year of Biodiversity, World Migratory Bird Day 2010 is also highlighting the role played by birds as indicators, enabling us to clearly see and highlight the negative effects our current way of life is having on the planet and it’s biodiversity.

As one of the best researched taxa, birds serve as vital indicators for the state of biodiversity and the biological health of the ecosystems they inhabit. If a bird species becomes threatened with extinction it is often a clear sign that the conditions of the required habitats have changed and that other species that depend on them may also be affected.

Migratory birds rely on several different habitats to survive – often across several continents. They need areas to breed, rest, feed and to raise their young. The conservation of migratory birds depends to a large extent on the conservation of their habitats, thereby simultaneously benefiting other species.

WMBD 2010 during the International Year of Biodiversity

The International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations for the year 2010, is an appreciation of the value of biodiversity and the vital role it plays in all our lives. However, it is not only a celebration, but also an invitation to take action to safeguard the variety of life on earth. Humankind relies on this diversity, because it provides us with food, fuel, medicine and other essentials which we need to survive.

Yet species are disappearing at an unprecedented rate because of human activities, amongst other threats, and these losses are irreversible. In fact, the current rate of extinction is a thousand times faster than the natural one. For birds, the natural rate of extinction is one bird per century, but in the last thirty years alone, 21 bird species have become extinct. Without immediate action, many of the “migratory birds in crisis” will no longer exist in ten year’s time.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2010 is an opportunity to take action and to draw international attention to those migratory birds which are threatened by extinction and to highlight them as flagship species during the International Year of Biodiversity.

Further Information:

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global initiative devoted to celebrating migratory birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. It is being organised by the Secretariats of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) – two international wildlife treaties administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – and other partners.

People and dedicated organisations around the world will be using the event to draw attention to migratory birds that are threatened by extinction. Activities to mark WMBD include bird festivals and bird watching trips, public discussions, exhibitions, presentations, bird rallies and other educational and public events.

Event organizers are encouraged to register their events on the WMBD website and can order the WMBD 2010 poster and other information materials to support their events by writing to: contact@worldmigratorybirdday.org

For more information please visit:
http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

WMBD Partners:




United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the environment in the United Nations system. It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet's natural assets for sustainable development.



The United Nations General Assembly declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). The goals of this special year are to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity, highlighting the fact that it continues to be lost, and to celebrate novel solutions being carried out around the world for its conservation and sustainable use, and the equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Year 2010 was chosen to coincide with the biodiversity target agreed by world leaders in 2002. During the Year scientists will report on a global trend on biodiversity.



Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS; also known as the Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Since the Convention's entry into force, its membership has grown steadily to include 113 (as of 1 January 2010) parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.



African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty developed under the CMS dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds. The Agreement covers 255 species of birds, ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. The treaty covers a large geographic area, including Europe, parts of Asia, Canada, the Middle East and Africa. So far 63 out of the 118 countries (as of 1 February 2010) in this area have become Contracting Parties to the International Agreement.



BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity. BirdLife International has long been committed to the conservation of migratory birds and the habitats upon which they depend. The BirdLife Partnership is engaged in migratory bird conservation at numerous scales, from projects focused on individual species or key sites, to broader policy and advocacy work to promote migratory species conservation, and involvement in flyway-scale projects.


Wetlands International is an independent, non-profit, global organisation, dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Wetlands International works globally, regionally and nationally to achieve the conservation and wise use of wetlands, to benefit biodiversity and human well-being.



The Partnership for the East Asian - Australasian Flyway - Launched in November 2006, the Partnership is an informal and voluntary initiative, aimed at protecting migratory waterbirds, their habitat and the livelihoods of people dependent upon them. There are currently 21 partners including 10 countries, 3 intergovernmental agencies and 8 international non-government organisations. The Partnership provides a framework for international cooperation, including: (1) development of a Waterbird Site Network (for sites of international importance to migratory waterbirds), (2) collaborative activities to increase knowledge and raise awareness of migratory waterbirds along the flyway, and (3) building capacity for the sustainable management and conservation of migratory waterbird habitat along the flyway.

MNS Miri, March 2010

Birdwatching around Hilltop Lodge Lambir Hills NP

We have always wanted to spend a weekend at this secluded lodge. Being right at the head of Innoue trail was perhaps one reason, the other perhaps is it's "away-ness" from the rest of the other chalets ... makes you feel like a part of the landscape rather than the touristy part of the park.

That aside, we finally managed to get a hold of it last weekend. Since the Lambir NiteWalk with MNS Miri members was taking place over the Saturday nite, we thought it was a good excuse to just hangout at the park until Sunday, maybe do a bit of birdwatching at the trailhead and listen to the birds.

Several visits ago, once during WMBD 2008 with Choo Tse Chien and gang, I remembered there were quite a few birds flitting around the lodge then. We caught glimpses of a fiery red kingfisher dashing back and forth, Asian Fairy Bluebirds flying around and heard a variety of calls thoughout the morning, some we couldn't recognise. Later during a trekking exercise (which got me crawling back after about 20 minutes into the trail) during MNS Miri Branch 2008/2009 AGM, we could hear quite a spectrum of bird calls at the start of the Innoue trail.

We woke up the Sunday morning to a loud call of a Sooty-capped Babbler, it was just so melodious, I can't possibly not remember it if I were to hear it again next time. It called from the top of the trees all the way to the bushes at the edge of the lodge. Two simultaneous notes which I swear could not have been more sweeter than that coming from this tiny grey bird. Several chirps, followed (if not simultaneously) by a melodious lengthy portion of the song.

It even came out to an open perch for a perfect photo-op! (I wouldn't belabor the fact that the CF card wasn't in the camera at the time %$£&^!)

The rest of the morning was as eventful. The small fiery kingfisher flew from under the house just as I was leaving the porch! It's either hanging out under there or was extremely good at hiding itself in the bushes nearby.

As lady fortune would have it, the kingfisher flew and perched inside the trees not 10 feet away from where I first spotted it. I got some pictures this time ... a Rufous-backed Kingfisher!


Hilltop Lodge's Rufous-backed Kingfisher at Lambir Hills.


The same with flash!

Throughout the morning, other birds made their way through our frontyard as they have always done so on numerous other occasions. Black-headed Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Lesser Leafbird, Crimson Sunbird, Dusky Munia, and ... Blue-eared Kingfisher! All these without us having to be out of sight of the front porch of the lodge!!! There's also a tiny hut just by the pond which makes perfect spot to hang out and watch birds fly past.


The most ubiquitous bulbul in the park office area.


Blue-eared Kingfisher, finally on camera albeit a bit too far away even with a 600mm!


Blue-eared Kingfisher in side profile.


The only featherless "flying" creature captured on camera that weekend.

To our family at least, the Hilltop Lodge has just been elevated to the status of "weekend home away from home" which promised more of us spending quality time at Lambir Hills watching birds and listening to their songs. Other favorite spots in the same niche are Nepenthes Villa at Kinabalu Park, and the musty King Edward's Lodge at Mesilau Kinabalu Park.

Nazeri Abghani, Mar 2010