This is my third trip to Taman Negara forest Merapoh side (before Gua Musang) from Kuala Lipis. Those coming from the North usually takes the Grik side. I missed the MNS Selangor trip to Kuala Tahan- Sg Koh at the same time. This was on the request of Dr Rahul and so invited Mowsum to join me on this trip. My target lifer was of course the Large Frogmouth. For both my buddies in crime - picture below in action; they got their target Garnet Pitta and in the case of Dr R most of the birds he got are lifers.......lol
We booked 2 nights at Pekan Merapoh dormitory runned by SGI Outdoor in advance. The Perhilitan Chalets are still close citing refurbish. Hello its been 2 years! For the shophouse converted "barrack" at RM25 per pax per nite; we cannot complain about the basic single toilet, bunker bed, noisy fan and traffic noise. Better bring some beer to drowse yourself for a better sleep lol.
Anyway we started our journey late at 8 am no thanks to my buddy who got caught in traffic to our rendezvous at Zoo Negara. Travelling thru Bentong we reached Merapoh outskirt at about close to 11.30am. Packing & checking in was a breeze and then reaching the Perhilitan office minutes pass noon to pay entrance & camera fees which remains the same for the past years. Rahman was his usual chatty self and took his time to issue the receipts. On that Friday & Saturday we were the only guys birding along the trail but interruption of hikers and army of team building group was something a novelty as they get the opportunity to take selfie photos with their handphones with us with our bazookas .
Bird life as you can see from my collection of photos was somewhat brisk and busy as it is time of the year for breeding for many of the avian jungle dwellers.
On Sunday morning we met the threesome of Terence, Danny and Chin who are on a day trip to catch the Pittas. There were unfortunate as the place was getting crowded when another group of 6 supposedly from Perak dropped by for the same intent. Alas the Pittas was a no show at the spot we got the Garnet in the morning before. I guess they are still happy to see their Lifer of the Black-capped Babbler......I think. So here are my better catch of the trip with many blurred species of the Yellow & Black Broadbills, Leafbirds and Sunbirds which I am paiseh to post.
I like to report that the weather for May is erratic in Merapoh. The devastating flood here in Gua Musang in late December 2014 have not cause damage to the forest here.. We got downpour the entire Friday night thus we wasted one night to hunt for nocturnal birds. So if you are coming here please check the weather forecast. On Sat night we set out early, pack our dinner and prayed the sky hold back the rain. That night we were happy as the resident Large Frogmouth make an appearance.
The pair of Rufous-winged Philentoma and a fledgling was sighted. There were also other coupling Bulbuls pairs and post nesting feeding of Sunbirds. There were 2 nesting of Bronze Drongos that we sighted along the main road. So I must say the bird activity is happening here.
The Brown barbet was seen with beakful of seeds to feed its hatchling. It was weary of our presence and dare not approach its nest. We waited until it departed into the trees.
Then later in the evening session at the feeding station we saw the Male Black-capped Babbler presenting its easy catch to the Female. This is an act of courting for most birds There are many pairs of bulbuls in courting session but not in nest making stage as yet.
The Drongo as shown in the following picture is feeding its days old hatchling. At one time we saw the Male on guard duty attacked a bulbul which got too close to the nest and for that encroachment it lost some feathers. The lovely APFC was a bonus on the last hour walk back home. There were plenty of other birds species calling but high in the canopy which we cannot get any good pictures nor ID. And yes the Argus was calling in the wee morning for the 2 days we were there.
The Ferruginous Babbler was a surprise bird for me to see at close quarters at the feeding station. Its was a fine specimen indeed. We only managed to call out a pair of Scarlet-rumped Trogon but not the Red-naped. Nearer the Bridge; there were 2 gorgeous Fairy Bluebirds wooing the female bird with their chattering calls........
The Whiskered Treeswift was too high for my 400mm to get a good shot. This was at the former swamp land pass the Gajah crossing. Very sad that they have filled up the natural watershed habitat. Saturday the Rangers reported some Bantengs were crossing the road at about 1.30 pm. A single Bull Elephant also pass by the route in the late afternoon as reported by the ranger a day before. So guys be alert if you wonder into the trails to avoid any confrontation.
The yellow-vented flowerpecker was shot at the HQ compound. Notice the Indian Cherries are still green..............thinking of the scarlet breasted now.
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