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| The clean inside of the hide with ventilation fan to boot! |
In October 2025 I was invited by Alan to check out the Sg Lembing bird hide. This port is run by Ricky who also operate Pollock Sg Lembing View Resort. They charge RM100 pax with a minimum 3 persons. So if you are alone they still charge you RM300. Ricky will ferry you from Sg Lembing town to the port by 4x4 in about 1/2 hr ride. Lunch is not provided but include bottled water. No toilets is available for now so ladies please take note.The bird port has been running for many years now but with the recent sighting of the Giant Pitta there the port got its limelight and attention.
The best time to bird here is during the dry season of March-May. Though August- September are also good; however it can be wetter weather but the canvas hide is sturdy enough to hold light rain . During the monsoon months of Nov - Jan has the risk of flooding as Sg Lembing may overspill to sink the town. The last happened in Jan 2024 and the water level was as high as 4.5 ft.
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| My gang of 4 Tony Low Alan & Mike |
Our day excursion starts at 5.30am reaching the Pollock resort before 9.30 am. We have our breakfast in Gambang at Kong Ah Rest. I had the Wantan Mee RM8.00) and it was good. The hainanese coffee is also recommended. For lunch I tapau CheeCheongFun (RM4) from the other stall.
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| Wantan Mee is good |
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| Ricky and his feeding port |
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| Tense moment waiting for Pitta |
From the hide to the log setup is about 30 feet. The hide can cater for 6 person only. So big group is not recommended, In the morning sun the background is a bit annoyingly bright thus not very condusive for proper auto light metering. Later in the afternoon the lighting is much better. Perhilitan do patrol the place and a permit is required to enter the forest. You may act ignorant but you can be asked to leave the forest under escort.
Red poly chairs are provided so no need to bring anything except lunch. Must learn to travel light with one sling bag like LKH with his fateful P950.
Overcast sky would be better. We ended our shoot at 5.00pm after a short drizzle and we return to Sg Lembing town to have our dinner at YeeTai. For 4 dishes cost us only RM103. Total spend for the day birding was just RM180 pax.
The Sg Lembing birds in pictures is displayed at Pollock resort.
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| We have no luck. The banded pitta was heard but did not show up |
The Giant Pitta will always steal the show here. Unfortunately it is not a regular appearance. If its call is heard then very good chance it will drop by the port. They have a big territory movement to cover. Sometime they may come around to the same spot after a time of 100 days unless nesting nearby that would be wonderful.
Besides that there are other gems like Cinnamon Trogon, Spotted Fantail, Rufous-tailed Sharma Crested Jay, Banded Pitta Garnet Pitta that you can encounter here in Sg Lembing forest but not at the hide.
Though I did not get any lifer the reacquaintance of the Grey-headed babbler was nice as well as the Rufous-chested Flycatcher. Here are my take from the trip as shown below:-
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| Black-capped |
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| Striped Squirrel |
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| Rufous-chested FC (Juv) |
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| Garnets |
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| Grey-cheeked |
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| Ricky & my Gang |
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| playful Low |
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| Yellow-bellied |
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| Grey-headed |
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| Yellow-chested Fp |
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