Avian Field Report September 2018 - Flycatcher Galore at Awana

 It was a morning of flycatchers in  the last weekend of September. In the advent of the migration period  of Nov-Jan you can expect  visiting flycatchers to arrive soon to the low montane forest of Awana.  Indeed some have started their journey early maybe because of the  bad and wet weather  in Taiwan, China and Japan recently.

The first fc was the resident chubby looking male Snowy-browed Fc. This  was sighted up at Ulu Kali; not at the old post but instead popped at the Radar station side. It was missing for a good 6 months to a year. We were so happy to see that they are still around. The female was no where around though.

At Awana trail it was devastating to see trees and shrubs been cut down when Genting operator install now power lines and pole leading to their water treatment plant at the end of the trail. Good and bad you can go and see for your self. Bird life have been in the doldrum here for the past months.

However that weekend the flycatcher galore start.  The second fc I capture was the long missing Hill Blue. There was a pair of them. This is also a resident bird. I only wish to see the Pygmy Blue which is the rarest fc to see here. Alagan reminisced the time the thrill of shooting the bird as we walk pass the spot where it usually come out from the ravine. The Blue and White fc  ( Zappey's) can be spotted here during the wintering period up north. But today no such luck.

The Dark-sided

The third flycatcher  was a mature Little Pied. It was at the same side near the last gate. Later another one was seen upfront at the first ravine of the trail. The fourth  and fifth flycatcher is the migrants Asian Brown and a beautiful a juvenile Dark sided with its spotty  chest and crown. It keep us entertained for a good hour in the late morning.



While shooting the 2 birds,  the sixth fc  just popped out at the flowering  tree. It was a female Green-backed. It is probably in transit down to the lowland of klang valley.  It stayed for a few minutes and off it go and never returned.

The Mugimaki fc have yet to show itself maybe in the month of October onwards.

Asian Brown

 The Asian Fairy BlueBird, Long-tailed Sibia, Greater Leafbird and Sultan Tit are the other birds that made cameo appearance that morning in Awana.