AVIAN Birding Site 3/10 - Merapoh Taman Negara

Merapoh  is the eastern corridor to Taman Negara. It is about 2.5- 3 hours drive from Gombak toll vie Bentong passing Raub and   Kuala Lipis travelling at an average of 100kmph. The time of travel is cut short with a new stretch of highway( after the last town) now open since 2016. The total distance from KL is about 260km one way. Best is to carpool.

To stay overnite the nearest homestay is just outside the bridge. bunker-bed cost only RM25 per head while you can rent a bungalow with 3 rooms. Gua Musang is the next nearest town which have plenty of budget hotel.

Best time to go there is Mar - July where the bird activity is highest. During this period nesting sighting is common. It is a matter of knowing the signs and spot to see them.

Blue-eared Barbet feeding on ficus berries in the month of March

The  star bird & lifers here are Brown Fulvetta, Black&White Bulbul, Spotted Fantail, Crested Jay the resident Pittas species and Large Green Pigeon and many more. The dry period here of  March till April the trees usually bear fruits and berries which bring congregation of birds to the place. The star frugivorous bird is the Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker. If you are lucky enough the Large WrenBabbler and Scaly Thrush

The norturnal birding can bear lifers like the Large & Gould's Frogmouth unless you are lucky to spot them roosting in the day.

Male Maroon Philentoma