Wader - Sanderling (Lifer 594/688)

Spot the bird ....shooting with Fuji XF100-400mm from a distance of 50-60m away

Sanderling are gregarious in winter; flocking in numbers on mudflats or sandy beaches. In peninsula Malaysia like Jeram, Sg Serdang Kapar side. We only see them in smaller group or joining other waders in flight in late August 2026. We managed to see a single bird. News was there are more to see in Morib side. They may be on passage further to Australasia and Borneo seafronts. They breed at the extreme northern  artic tundra in July. Those which are not breeding may migrate down south  earlier. 

Sandeling from 60m away by MingLee Nikon 800mm 

It is somewhat unlike other small sandpipers in appearance, in particular in lacking a hind toe, which has led to the suggestion that it should be placed into a monotypic  genus Crocethia. More recent reviews indicate that the sanderling is a fairly typical "stint" or small sandpiper and should be retained along with the knots and other relatives in the genus Calidris.(wiki) It definitely larger than stints at 20cm in size of many plovers. Always look for their pale grey to white body (winter plumage) with short broad black bill and black legs. 

This bird is similar in size to a dunlin, but stouter, with a thick bill. It shows a strong white wingbar in flight. Feeding habits; it will  runs along the sandy beaches it prefers with a characteristic "bicycling" action of its legs, stopping frequently to pick small food items. It eats small crabs and other small invertebrates. .The birds appear to rush madly around at the edge of the surf, but in reality they are maximising their chances of catching as many prey animals as possible when they are at their most vulnerable near the surface.

Lifer 593 - BULBUL 26 /29 : Black & White Bulbul (August 2026)

Finally after more than 20 years of birding my gang got  news of the re-appearance of this rarity bulbul down south of Peninsula Malaysia. We missed the June-July sighting report by other birders;  that case it was nesting and too sensitive to divulge . This time  my gang made the effort to drive 4.5 hours to Kota Tinggi  to try our luck with our Johor gang. Thanks AT and ML ; JB John and Lim for their company.

Photo courtesy of MingLee@2026

It was not an easy bird to see as they are arboreal canopy bird   and feed in the clearstory of 50-100 feet fruiting trees. They have a wide range where there are fruiting trees.  They may stay a week or two here and then moving to the next fruiting spot. So whenever there are sighting it is best to take the trip soonest to the spot. The best time to chance on them is during the mating and breeding season from May - July of the year. Popular places to see them are at Merapoh, Taman Negara Tahan, Panti, Endau Rompin in Peninsula Malaysia. It is recorded as a visitor to Singapore in Pulau Ubin.

Don't mistake them for a OMR or Philentoma if you chance on them in the lower storey from afar. Its body is dark or brownish black with a obvoius splayed white patch on its upper covert of its wing. Supposedly red-eyed. Its rather small upto tp 6-7 inches.

Listen for its  metallic chweet call and hope they response to you. If there other birds around they may take their turn to feed as they tend to be bullied or harassed because of its small size.

When they are breeding they make their nest at low lying tree as low as 2-3 feet high. Here is a photo of a previous nest which surprising in the open without  undercover which is unusually tidy.

Photo courtesy of JB birders

We found a gem of a place to eat  here in Kota Tinggi for seafood dinner popular amongst  the locals- I would rate it 3.5/5 pulled down by its pricing which equal KL rates. Total damage RM162 for 3 dishes as shown.

Avian Site Taman Melati Kangar - Bronze-winged Jacana

We reached the venue at about 6.30pm as dusk is approaching we managed to see the pair of  "resident" Bronze-winged feeding at the lily pond amongst joggers and picnickers nearby. We were shooting at close quarters of 40-50 feet. For me it was tought shooting with the contrasty backdrop. The birds can be seen year thru here in the urban park.... I think. If you are there do keep yourself in the car and shoot. It is not advisable to get out to chase them in the open as they are weary of you with your bazookas.

You can really see the bronze color of their wings 

 We did not manage to see the Plain-backed Sparrow at the padi field nearby.

Avian Sighting Jun2026 - 2 Nuthatches sighting

Seeing the two species of Malaysian nuthatches  in Frasers was so exciting. They came in a birdwave amongst the minivets, leafbirds, sunbird, ioras,  flycatcher-shrike and others. My gang was hunting the Wedge-tailed Pigeon at Hermant's trail side but alas the pigeon was a no show that morning to our dissappointment as many of the trees were fruiting but only started to ripen I think. This  attracted Asian Glossy Starlings and other fructivorous to the locale. 

Blue Nuthatch in its somersault attics

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch are rarely seen in  highlands while the Blue not commonly seen below 800m ASL forest.

 

Avian Sighting March 2026 - Olive-winged Bulbul

 I have not seen  the Olive-winged Bulbul for quite awhile. The trees at the temple hotspot of Maxwell hill Taiping were fruiting well in March attracting plenty of frugivorous birds especially the many  bulbuls 

Red-eyed Bulbul I would say is the most likely be seen amongst the 28 odd species in Malaysia

Avian Sighting June 2026 - Himalayan Cutia

Went to Genting Highland for cooling fresh air and some birding. a surprise is the present of a family of Himalayan Cutia the opposite side of Ulu Kali Mossy forest. As it was in the early morning the lighting was a bit harsh in clear sky condition. Nevertheless it was an exciting shooting with my buddy ML.

 

Avian site report Feb 2026 - Visiting Bukit Lancang Pahang after MCO

Bukit Lancang has not been what it used to be; many areas have been opened for various privatised scheme and farming This is very sad that this forest reserve have been violated Some more  the road towards Perhilitan centre is fully closed.

The good thing is the  port A77 is still active. Somebody had place a water shed and placed fishes to lure this rufous-backed kingfisher. It was active during the morning dropping in several time to feed.  The Pittas and Railbabbler was not heard there in the month of April- May this 2026. If you are going do bring along fish fries and a change of water so that the birds continue to strives there.