Mike is the name Birding is the game ( Birding in Malaysia - Malaysian birds in photos ): Wader (60/70) August 2020 - White-headed Stilt aka Pied Stilt (Lifer 541)

MikeBirder - Malaysian Birds

Hi

Welcome to my Malaysian Birding Blog. I migrated to blogspot.com as my blog at multiply.com closed shop in 2012. I wish to showcase all Malaysian birds that I have photographed whether here or overseas. My countdown of lifers started in 2005. Coming to Oct 2022 my countdown of lifers photograph has reached

559/688 species of birds of Malaysia in photos.

My shooting gear was a EF400mm f4 DO lens and Canon 7D body which to me is the ideal setup for mobility and bird chasing at that time. Eventhen the weight over my shoulder is more that 5.5 kg. As of June 2016 I have also acquired a Fuji XF 100-400mm OIS lens to complement my travelling cum birding trip overseas. My Fuji X-T2 went kaput recently and I upgraded to the X-T5 in 2023 ; the weight over my shoulder is much lighter now by 30%. In December 2018 I acquired the Nikon Coolpix P1000 as supplementary camera for distance shooting of 3000mm.

Fuji have finally made available their new XF 200-600mm lens which I yet to decide to spend another RM10,000. As for Fuji body I will stop with X-T5 36megapixel ..........

I am a weekend birder. Do feel free to drop me a line at mikebirding@gmail.com and I see whether you can tag along in my outings. My usual day trip is just an hour ride away to Hulu Langat, Lancang, Kemensah, Krau, Awana, Hulu Kali, Gombak Ole Road, Fraser's Hill , Bukit Tinggi and KSNP & Coastal Sg Janggut Jeram side of the coast . Overnite trip to Merapoh & Cameron, Air Hitam and further north to Kuala Sidim is a seldom affair but for lifer we travel. Panti in Johor is another good birding site that I yet to go. Then there are the Borneo birds of Sabah and Sarawak of Malaysia which I seriously much go to chalk up more lifers. This I did in 2018 to Sepilok Sandakan and Kinabalu Park. Next Danum and LahatDatu.......

WARNING Birding is an addiction once you started its hard to stop. The wifey and children are now birding widow and orphan.

ALL PHOTOS IN THIS BLOG ARE COPYRIGHT OF MIKEBIRDER. KINDLY SEEK PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER IF YOU want to use them for commercial purposes.

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Wader (60/70) August 2020 - White-headed Stilt aka Pied Stilt (Lifer 541)

The Pied Stilt or White-headed was always in my look out's list during the migratory period which starts as early as August till December in Peninsula. When news came from TK that there is a sighting here in Sg Balang; it was a no wait and see situation but to drive 170km from KL asap just in case the lifer leaves the spot which did happen for the Wooly, and Glossy Ibis.

It looks like the breeding plumage of the BW Stilt except for its pure white head and body and distinct black mane up to the back of its head. I would note that its head is more rounded (maybe because of the mane) and its beak a bit upturn. It would feed amongst the waterbirds here in the plowed section of the padi fields. It supposed to be smaller but I saw its aggressive behavior of chasing away a BW stilt during a feeding session.

It was the first record in pictures here in Muar or rather Peninsula Malaysia according to the resident birder, Thank to Ang for his assist.