Avian Birding Site - Panti Forest Reserve Johor

Before embarking on your trip please take note that you have to apply for an entry permit. I do not know how well and efficient is the Rangers' enforcement though. MNS should write to Perhilitan Johor to make available e-application so that we do not have to spend a whole morning/ day to just drop by their office in JB town to do the paper work.......Also we birders from other states comeby on a day or upto 3 days trip. Why do we need a 2 months permit. We also bird in smaller group of 2-4 and not 10 pax. Can I assumed you do not need permit if in smaller group........😖

"Apa buat susah susah bang hoi"

Extract from JohoreBirder Group

Panti Bird Sanctuary - Info on Entry Permit Application

Forestry Dept Tel no : 07-2243048

Effective from Sept 2018 : 07-2242211

Person to contact : Miss Nana / Miss Intan

Address : Pejabat Hutan Daerah Johor Selatan
Aras 9, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim
Jalan Bukit Timbalan
80000 Johor Baru
Johor Darul Tazim

a) Permit costs RM150-00 for 10-person and valid only for 2mths, request for longer period is possible but subjected to FD's approval.

b) Each vehicle is required to pay RM50-00 to use the main bunker trail for the validity of your permit. Vehicle Registration number must be submitted during your application.

c) For Malaysian will be given one mth period instead of the normal 2mths.

As such, for group application, you should apply permit separately for Malaysian and non-Malaysian.

d) For walk-in application, call Forest Dept in advance if you want the permit approved on the spot/on the same day.

Important doc to bring:
Malaysian: a photocopy of IC
Non-Malaysian: a photocopy of passport (the page showing yr photo)

e) For email: Encik Umar - Pengawai Hutan Daerah Johor Selatan.

m1435u2014a@gmail. com

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Bear in mind the approved permit only bears the sole applicant's name. So for group application all the individual must carry a copy of the approved letter when entering PBS.

Anyway to bird  Panti there are many ports & trails  that you can go without going thru the hassle.For us birders from Klang Valley an overnighter is recommended. As the journey is 6-7 hours with stop for makan-makan.  It is best to have Johor or Singapore birder to bring you to the familiar ports there without hassle. Target birds that you might want to see are the Grey-breasted Babbler, White-necked Babbler, Crested Jay, Short-toed Coucal, Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker and a few uncommon Wren-babbler and my target Rufous-tailed Sharma. 

Adapted from ConFoley writup

Panti forest is about 10,900 hectares. There are a few access trails and forest fringe ports only the local birder know. For the unfamiliar the main access trail is the "Bunker Trail" simply because vehicles can drive in; on the gravel & laterite road with relative good forest cover. There is large scrubby terrain at the entrance and at the end of the road is a disused sand quarry with another scrubland which you can find visiting grassbirds and the Javan Munia!

Yes it was mentioned that the Storm's Stork is a rare encounter here if you are damn lucky at open river crossings.

Peek-a-Boo, I see you!!!!

My other lifer wanted list here in Johor are :-

Long-billed Partridge

Crestless Fireback

Jerdon Baza

Cinnamon-head  Green Pigeon

Malaysian Nightjar

Grey Nightjar

Blyth's Frogmouth

Silver-rumped Spinetail;

Silver-backed & Brown-backed Needletail

Fork-tailed Swift

Giant Pitta

Black&White Bulbul

Grey-streaked Flycatcher

Grey-breasted Jungle flycatcher (Resident)

Javan Munia (PR status)

Thick-billed spiderhunter

Thick-billed Flowerpecker