Avian Sighting July 2017 - Dollarbird

 The dollarbird  can be seen more often at coastal area than in the hither-land (inland) like in Rengit or Air Hitam SP. I believe when they are pairing & breeding mode they go further into hither-land  jungle.  I was lucky to catch this one  at eye level off the trail in Tanjung Karang Kuala Selangor  about 50-60 ft out . It was a solitary bird perched on a flimsy skin of a palm trunk. It would sally to catch flying insect or hopped to the ground to pick grubs.

Pelagic 4/30 Lifer 475 in the month July 2017 - Christmas Island Frigatebird

A rare sighting of a lone vagrant in the month of July 2017 at  a coastal fishing estuary Tanjung Karang Selangor. There are 3 species of Frigatebird you can spot in Peninsula Malaysia. This is the most common one.

The white bellied of the bird indicate it is the Christmas Island specie whilst the whitish head indicate its a juvenile. The Christmas Island frigatebird is the ninth most evolutionary distinct and globally endangered bird in the world. Australia shares this bird with Indonesia. Christmas Island is its home and the only place in the world where it breeds and nests in the forest canopy. The male frigatebird has a bright red throat pouch called a ‘gular’, that it blows up like a fancy balloon to attract females during the mating season. It takes at least 15 months for a pair of Christmas Island Frigatebirds to raise one chick to independence, and the birds can live as long as 50 years. Frigatebirds primarily forage in the ocean for food, scooping marine organisms such as fish and squid. Over-fishing in its south-east habitat effects food availability for the frigatebird, contributing to the decline of the species.

The bird was sighted in the afternoon when the fishing boats were returning to port of call. Probably it was following them for a free makan as the fisherman throw back their unwanted catch.

 At the shore sandbund this Braminy Kite dive into a grey heron with a big catch  trying to intimidate it to discard the fish but was not successful. Along the sandy patch  were a bunch of 20 whimbrels which were feeding...................

Wader 55/60 Lifer 474 in July 2017 - Cinnamon Bittern

Actually I have seen and shot this bird before but did not post then as my file went missing. So just for as a record in my blog I will count this  lifer in now. The bird is very shy and seldom seen as they tend to stay off the beaten track. I was shooting about 70-80 ft away.

 It is mentioned it is a passage migrant but I believed some stayed behind for good and become permanent resident in Malaysia  as our weather and habitat suit them here.

Below the very common  juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron which you can see in open water estuary. Their population is ballooning  across the coastal plains and Malim Nawar ex mining land.

At best you shoot from the car which it is less intimidating.

Avian Sighting July 2017 - Lesser Shortwing

The new port created  at Ulu Kali Genting have  regular acquaintance and many birders visit the spot regularly either  get better pictures or lifer. As for me it was to just enjoy the cool weather and some fellowship with other birders. I have not been birding for a months or so. Today target was the female Lesser Shortwing but alas it was a no show. The male was there though .

The Cutia have moved on again and Pak Long informed that it have not shown itself for the past weeks since Ken got it in June. Lucky fellow. Here are my take ....................

The birds anticipate free makan of mealworm and take their turn to come out to feed. As usual the Niltavas dominate the hunt which comprises a pair and its fledging. The male bird will chase the baby away whenever it was out in the open.

 First time seeing a pair of chestnut-capped laughingthrush  so high up here. Usually the chestnut-crowned is seen more often in this altitude. Below a record short of the beautiful little black-eared shrike-babbler. Got it amongst a birdwave at  the foot of  Ulu Kali.

A wasps nest high in the open savannah of lowlying mountain shrubs trees