Avian Field Report January 2018 - Krau-Bukit Rengit

The weather has been improving as we approach CNY so I decided to visit Lancang on the second weekend of January.  Alan T a budding birder wanting to tag along with my birding trip was accepted.

After rendervous at the Shell McD station along MRR2 we started our journey at 4.45am. Usually I start out early to seek out the Blyths FM and Reddish Scops or the Malaysian Eared NJ along Deerland which still remain elusive in my past outing  I can hear them but no sighting . I am not a norturnal expert in hunting them out from their calling perch. TK Ang did give me some tips but so far no luck.........

We met Kwai with his 2 chinese guest at the port after the unsuccessful dawn hunt for the target birds.  Lighting was really dim and I was shooting at 1/8 speed at ISO3200.  The surprise bird was the Hooded Pitta. It show up on the log feeding amongst the other birds. It was a bit skittish staying for less that 15-30 seconds each session. All in all it came out  4 times during the morning session

The other regular babblers and bulbuls provide some good showings The Ferruginous was not sighted though. The birds  are now in mating session as  the males were offering the mealworms to it other half.

The male White-rumped Sharma with its perfect coat and long tail was beholding not to shot. It will chase its other half around the port  from time to time.

The female Siberian Blue Robin (the blueish covert and shoulder also may be an immature male)  is still around since last December when I first saw it but the Orange-hooded Thrush was no longer around. Earlier tot it was a juvenile but since its colors never change it must be a female SBR. Those who want the male have to go to BT okay. It is the tiniest of the lot  there and it will only pop out to feed when the others are not around.

Later at noon we drove down to Krau side and  the drizzle started. Alan with his sharp eyes sighted 2 bird of preys in the misty white sky. We approach the bare tree vie the Perhilitan Quarters to have the nearest shot. Still we were about 150-200 ft away. These were my best shots against the white droopy sky. Got to bum up  exposure to +2.5 to get some details of the bird.

Lastly  my hightlight  was the Rufous-collared Kf. It was very obliging to day. It did several sorties to the log to feed until as late as 11am.  It was the first bird to feed at 7.30am. There used to be a pair  here in Deerland but this time it was alone. Wish for the female which have different coat of feathers. These are best pictures I have captured  so far of this beauty.