Peninsular Malaysia

Naturetrek Tour Report 30 October - 12 November 2009

Report compiled by Cliff Waller

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Peninsular Malaysia

Tour Leaders: Mano Tharmalingam (Local Guide) Cliff Waller (Naturetrek Leader)

Participants: Margaret Brown Malcolm Brown Alan Channer Jo Channer Tony Hale Liz Hale Elizabeth Harland Timothy Harland Elaine Jones Ralph Jones Keith Laws Paul Lewis David Rickwood Juline Rickwood Carol Tero Colin Undrill

Day 1/2 Friday 30th - Saturday 31st October

London to Kuala Lumpur via Doha The group arrived at Heathrow in time for our comfortable flight to Doha, where after a short wait we caught our onward connection to Kuala Lumpur. The formalities at Kuala Lumpur airport were brief and we were immediately met by Mano, our tour leader and local expert. Once on board our comfortable air-conditioned coach, we followed the main highway skirting Kuala Lumpur. Birds were few but included House Crow and Common and Java Myna, while during a stop at transport a area to buy water etc, we found our first Tree Sparrow.

Arriving at Kuala Selangor, we soon settled into our comfortable accommodation, before quickly setting off on a short evening walk which provided us with a surprisingly good number of bird species, which included Grey, Great White and Green-backed Heron's, while Kingfishers included Stork-billed, Black-headed, Common and White- throated. Other species encountered included Common Sandpiper, Dollarbird, White-breasted Moorhen, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Brown Shrike, Ashy Tailorbird, Black-naped Oriole, Brown Shrike, Asian Magpie Robin, Ashy Drongo, Coppersmith Barbet and Scaly-bellied Munia. We also got really good close views of a Crested Serpent Eagle. Mammals seen included troops of Long-tailed Macaques and some Silver Langurs (Silvered Leaf Monkeys), We also encountered several large Water Monitors in the water drainage canals.

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

Day 3 Sunday 1st November

Selangor and Sekinchan Rice Fields We departed the hotel just after 7am, to visit the nearby Kuala Selangor Nature Park, which has been developed jointly by the Selangor State Government and the Malaysian Nature Society. The area comprises of a nice mixture of forest, lakes, mangrove and tidal mud. Here we spent an excellent morning, first walking through the forest and then along the boardwalk through the mangrove swamp, seeing an absolute host of new species, which included Little Egret, Purple Heron, Common Flameback, Laced and Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Collared Kingfisher, Olive-winged Bulbul, Ruby-cheeked and Brown-throated Sunbirds, Spotted Dove and Pink-necked Pigeon. There were also some Pacific Swallow and lots of migrant Arctic Warblers, but the highlight of the morning was without doubt a roosting Barred Eagle Owl. On returning to the main gate, we found a mini bird fair in progress, with stalls offering a range of birding paraphernalia for sale, particularly lots of books and t-shirts, but we were mainly interested in the cold drinks that were available from one of the stalls.

After lunch we headed off north to an area of coastal mud flats near Sekinchan, where in spite of the tide being extremely high we found a few waders along the shore, including Whimbrel and Redshank, while Common Tern was seen offshore. Moving a short distance to where there were some small pools behind the beach, we found a nice concentration of roosting waders, here we spent some considerable time searching through them, finding mainly Lesser and Greater Sand-Plover and Red-necked Stint, along with varying numbers of Terek Sandpiper, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and Curlew Sandpiper. As we walked back down the track, we found our first Red- wattled Lapwing, which is a surprisingly scarce bird here compared to many parts of Asia. Those who walked back following the bund, disturbed a very large snake!

Moving on, we drove around the rice fields near Sekinchan, where we made a number of short stops for species such as Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Green Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Whiskered Tern, Pied Kingfisher, Brown Shrike and White-bellied Munia. Later we followed the road alongside the main irrigation channel, which separates the fresh water swamp forest from the paddy fields. Here we found amongst other things, good birds such as Hill Myna and Lesser Coucal, as well as our first Sand Martin.

Returning to Kuala Selangor we dined in a seafood restaurant overlooking the Selangor River, then headed back to our hotel to catch up on the day's log, before heading out once again to search for a Buffy Fish Owl, which we located perched on some overhead electricity cables, which enabled everyone to get views of it, before it disappeared up into the trees.

Day 4 Monday 2nd November

Kuala Selangor to Frazer Hill We started our journey to Frazer Hill immediately after breakfast at around 7:15am, and made our first stop after a few miles by a roadside drainage channel, where we saw our first Asian Glossy Starlings, Japanese Sparrow Hawk and Long-tailed Parakeet, but the highlight here was a pair of Black Shouldered Kites, with two fledged young, the female having caught a large Brown Rat was tearing it into smaller pieces, with both of the juveniles mobbing her in close attendance.

2 © Naturetrek February 11

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

Our next stop was at some old tin mining ponds at Batang Berjuntai, where we saw a few new common species such as Little Grebe, Wood Sandpiper, Little-ringed Plover, and Paddyfield Pipit, as well as several more common species such Purple Heron and Yellow-vented Bulbul, while a Smooth-coated Otter was also briefly seen.

Returning to the main road we followed it along for a short distance before detouring to a marsh area at Tasik Puteri, where we found a Grey-headed Fish Eagle on its nest, while its partner was perched on a nearby tree, before it also flew in to join the sitting bird. Other species seen here included, Japanese Sparrowhawk and a somewhat skulking Black-bellied Malkoa, which everyone eventually got good views of.

After partaking an excellent lunch at a local Chinese restaurant in Ula Yam, we continued a short distance to an area of open grassland around a small industrial site. Here we found our first Long-tailed Shrike and Black-headed Munia and by walking in a line, through various patches of grassland, we managed to flush and get good views of several Pintail Snipe, Savanna Nightjar, Barred Buttonquail and Blue-breasted Quail.

Continuing on our journey up from the steamy lowlands up to Frazer’s Hill, a colonial hill station located around 4,150 ft in the Titiwangsa Range, we made a few brief stops en-route, seeing species such as Rufus-bellied Eagle, Grey Wagtail and Black-crested and Scaly-breasted Bulbuls, as well as some Siamang Gibbons, the largest of gibbon family. After checking in at our comfortable hotel at Frazier Hill, we went for a short walk up the road, seeing several new birds such as Little Cuckoo Dove and Javan Cuckooshrike, as well as both Little and Streaked Spiderhunters, while mammals seen, included Grey-bellied Squirrel and Banded Langur Monkey.

Day 5 Tuesday 3rd November

Frazer’s Hill We were a little late getting away after breakfast but then drove to a more secluded area known as the telephone loop, where the road encircles a hill with many exposed areas overlooking valleys and rolling hills. Here we spent the rest of the morning strolling a short distance up the roads’ gentle gradient. We soon found a number of new birds, including Blue-winged Minla, Fire-Tufted Barbet, Black-browed Barbet, Mountain Bulbul and Long-tailed Sibia, along with other species such as Black-throated Sunbird and Asian Brown Flycatcher. As we progressed along the road we added a number of other new species, including Golden Babbler, Chestnut-crowned Laughing Thrush, Mountain Tailorbird and Mountain Fulvetta, while some of the group also saw Little Pied Flycatcher, Sultan Tit and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, while other species which showed well included Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Streaked Spiderhunter and Little Cuckoo Dove. Other interest revolved around Red-bellied Squirrel, a number of spectacular butterflies, including Malaysia’s national butterfly the Rajah Brook’s Birdwing, while some giant millipedes and a very impressive spider were also enjoyed.

Our first stop on our afternoon excursion was only a little distance from the hotel, where we followed the Henman Trail a short way into the forest, where a few people managed brief views of a Large Niltava and whilst walking back we encountered a small feeding flock, which included our first Black-eared Shrike Babbler, along with Silver- eared Mesia, Mountain Fulvetta, Black-throated Sunbird, White-throated Fantail, Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrush, Golden Babbler and Long-tailed Sibia. Driving a little further, we then stopped to follow the Bishop’s Trail for a short distance downhill, having been told about a pair of Red-headed Trogon, which we eventually found and got extremely good views of.

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

While on our way back we located more Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrushes and also found our first Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo. On returning to the road, we found another bird flock containing many of the species we had seen earlier as well as our first Chestnut Crowned Warbler.

Late in the afternoon we headed down to follow the Jeriau Waterfall Trail to look for Slaty-backed Forktail and Malayan Whistling Thrush, but unfortunately we failed to find either, but the falls themselves were pleasant and picturesque, but little of other interest was seen. On returning to the bus we waited patiently hoping for a flyby of Eared Nightjar, which most of the group eventually saw, while a more obliging Bat Hawk was a real bonus. After dinner, a few of us went out in heavy rain to search for Brown Wood Owl, which we failed to find, but we did see a very large moth, and some Asian Giant Toads (Bufo asper).

Day 6 Wednesday 4th November

Frazer’s Hill We set off for a short walk down to the town at around 6:40am, to look for Malayan Whistling Thrush, one of Malaysia's four endemic birds, which we successfully found feeding along the roadside.

Later, we headed down to the Gap, arriving just before 8am, to enable us to catch the downward traffic. Taking the bus mid-way, we then dropped off to walk the rest of the way down to the control point. Birding was quiet at first, and our first real find was some Siamang Gibbons which performed beautifully for us, swinging through the trees, dropping down from on high and then grabbing lower branches, there was also much shaking of branches, as they were well aware of our presence. Birds did eventually start to appear including our first Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Lesser Cuckoo Shrike, Greater Green Leafbird, Bronze Drongo and Black Laughing Thrush. As we continued down further, more new birds were found including Red-bearded Bee-eater, one of the rain forests most beautiful species, which Mano got in his scope for us, and we also saw Blue-winged Leafbird and Grey-chinned Minivet, while some White-thighed Langurs (Grey Leaf Monkeys) were also seen again. Reaching the checkpoint at the bottom, we went to a local cafe before birding around the Gap entrance, where we saw House Swift, Scarlet Minivet, Black-crested Bulbul and several other species.

After driving back up to Frazer Hill, we went for a short walk along the road, where some of us found and had really good views of a Blyth's Hawk Eagle, while Crested Goshawk was also seen and more surprisingly, a Slaty- backed Forktail was found in a tiny drainage channel running under the road. Our afternoon trip was somewhat curtailed by heavy afternoon rain, and we did not depart until 4pm, heading down the gap to lower altitude in the hope of finding better weather. The plan was to drop the group off, while I continued with Jo and Alan to the hospital to get Jo’s wrist x-rayed as she had fallen previously and we wanted to check it out, but unfortunately the bad weather continued all the way down, although we did find our only Pig-tailed Macaque of the trip, a big male, which was our fourth species of primate for the day. We also saw a few birds during brief stops when the rain was a bit lighter, including Gold-whiskered Barbet. The rest of the group went off birding, but another heavy rainstorm spoilt this and very little was seen.

Day 7 Thursday 5th November

Frazer’s Hill to Taman Negra

4 © Naturetrek February 11

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

Leaving at just before 8am our first stop was at the entrance to the Gap, where we found a small feeding flock, which provided us with excellent close views of several species out in the open, especially Silver-eared Mesia, Streaked Spiderhunter and Long-tailed Sibia. We made a further brief stop as we travelled down to the Gap, this to check out a perched raptor, which proved to be another Rufous-bellied Eagle. We stopped again a few miles further down, finding Black-crested Bulbul and Olive-winged Bulbul. Due to the poor weather and sometimes poor visibility, we drove quite a way before stopping again and went for a walk to locate some birds, and what we found were new for us. Species seen here included Chestnut-bellied and Black-bellied Malkoha, Grey-throated Babbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler and Black-naped Monarch. Some of us also saw a Grey Leaf Monkey trying to take a large fruit from a Red-bellied Squirrel. The highlight here however, was without doubt, a showy Black and Yellow Broadbill. We had to push on to reach our lunch spot, but we did make a brief stop to see our first Grey-rumped Treeswift perched on some roadside electricity wires.

After stopping to have an excellent lunch at a chinese restaurant, we continued to the town, where we stopped to visit a roost site for a Mottled Wood Owl, which provided us with some fantastic views and photographic opportunities, while Red-throated Sunbird was also new for the group, there were also close views of more Philippine Glossy Starlings. We then did some shopping for drinks and many also indulged in some excellent ice cream. Afterwards we continued to Taman Negra. We arrived at Kuala Tahan, Taman Nergra and it took some time to sort out passengers and luggage for the river crossing to the lodge, we did see a few birds though as we hung about, including Chinese Pond Heron, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Black-headed Oriole and Scaly- breasted Munia. After checking in we had a walk through the extensive gardens to get to our comfortable chalets. After dinner on our way back through the gardens we saw a pair of Common Tailorbirds huddled together, roosting in a small tree fern.

Day 8 Friday 6th November

Taman Negara The overnight rain continued throughout the morning, which really restricted options, so after breakfast we stood in the shelter of the reception to watch some adjacent large trees, which produced some Thick-billed Pigeon, Blue- crowned Hanging-Parrot and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. Some of the group also went unsuccessfully to look for some Crested Firebacks that were reported from just behind the reception area. Later we walked to the hide, but little was seen, although when I went down on my own to the lower tier, I saw two White-bellied Woodpeckers followed by a Crested Jay.

Due to the weather later in the morning the group dispersed to do their own thing until conditions improved, although a number of us gathered back at the reception, where we saw Little Green Pigeon, Fairy Bluebird and several species of Bulbul including Stripe-throated, Grey-bellied Red-eyed and Buff-vented as well as Common Tailorbird. On our way back from lunch, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Silver-rumped Swift and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird was seen in the garden. Later while waiting in the garden for the group to gather we found a Slaty Woodpecker, the largest of the Malaysian woodpeckers, as well as getting really excellent views of a beautiful Fairy Bluebird.

Our afternoon walk was up on to the Tahan trail, where we found a beautiful Black-thighed Falconet, while some fruiting and flowering trees provided us with our first Grey-breasted Spiderhunter, while further along the trail we found Lesser Green Leafbird, Scarlet Minivet and Raffles’s Malkoha

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

While on our way back we found nine Crested Firebacks in the gardens, comprising of eight males and a female. Taman Negara is one of the easiest places in the world to see this rare species. We then continued to try for Blue- winged Pitta, which we had heard calling earlier in the morning, but despite hearing it again we failed to see it, eventually giving up due to the deteriorating light. Finally, we headed to the high hide again which produced little, but we did see some more Crested Firebacks on our way there.

Day 9 Saturday 7th November

Taman Negara Our morning excursion was a trip downstream by boat, and we very good views of an Abbott’s Babbler near the reception. Soon after landing we saw a very good bird, a beautiful Scarlet-rumped Trogon, but generally birds were slow to appear here at first, but we did eventually find several other new birds, including excellent species such as Green Broadbill and the elusive Cinnamon-rumped Trogon. Others included a Black-throated Babbler which was most obliging, and Moustached Babbler, Raffles’s Malkoha, Black and Yellow Broadbill and Hairy-backed Bulbul. We also heard Banded Kingfisher, but it was elusive, as was a very distant Helmeted Hornbill. Our first Flying Gecko of the genius Draco was also seen (an orange-winged one).

On our way back, we made a brief detour onto the Gua Telinga trail near the river, where we only went a short distance but found our first White-rumped Sharma, and Rufous-winged Philantoma, as well as another Black-naped Monarch. Those of us who waited on the steps near the river for the second boat had very close views of an Oriental Whip Snake.

After lunch, we went out again at around 3:30pm, but an advancing storm made us shelter under the long veranda, where we spent some time watching Chestnut-capped Bee-eater, Philippine Glossy Starling, Thick-billed Pigeon and Brown Flycatcher amongst other species. We went again to the hide and this time we did find a few birds, including a few new ones such as Cream-vented Bulbul, Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike and Common Iora, along with Fairy Bluebird, Blue-winged Leafbird and Common Tailorbird. We then had a quick visit to look for Blue- winged Pitta again, without any luck, but we did find our first Crimson-winged Woodpecker and Buff-necked Woodpecker. Tim and Liz, who stayed behind in the garden, saw our first Black and Red Broadbill and another flying gecko.

Day 10 Sunday 8th November

Taman Negara After breakfast, we set off in five small canoes to explore up a backwater, the smaller, narrower Tahan River, and as we travelled upstream we saw Striated Heron, Black-capped Kingfisher, Black-naped Monach, Rufous-winged Monarch and a few other common species. Going ashore we followed the Tahan trail, which runs parallel to the river, then onto the shorter Tabling trail, where we got great views of our first Black-capped Babbler. Later we heard Malaysian Rail Babbler and also had a brief view of a Garnet Pitta, but a Black and Red Broadbill showed extremely well, which was great for those who missed it previously, and several Slender-tailed Squirrels were also seen.

6 © Naturetrek February 11

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

After leaving the forest, we then took the boat, a short distance upstream, finding our first Lesser Fish Eagle and Straw-headed Bulbul, the latter a severely endangered species. Heading back down towards the main river we saw along the way Stork-billed Kingfisher and several Silver-rumped Swifts, the latter being new for most of the group.

After lunch, we moved off into the forest, following the Swamp Loop Trail where Garnet Pitta was heard and and we did get fantastic views of Black-throated Babbler again. We again visited the Tahan hide, seeing Lesser Racket- tailed Drongo, Pied Falconet, Dollarbird and Black-naped Oriole, while on the way back a Brown Flycatcher was seen in the gardens. Some roosting fruit bats were also seen by various people during the day roosting under the eaves of one of the chalets.

Day 11 Monday 9th November

Taman Negra to Kuala Lumpur We went out at 6.50am to try for Blue-winged Pitta again, but first we found our first Black Magpie in the garden, as well as a Buff-vented Bulbul. The Pittas did not perform as we hoped, although one person got views of one and a Hooded Pitta came extremely close in response to a tape, but still we failed to see it. Venturing into the forest again after breakfast, we did find our first Chequer-throated Woodpecker and Rufous Woodpeckers, while other species seen included Chestnut-breasted Malkoha. We again went along the trail towards the canopy walkway, seeing Abbot’s Babbler, Little Spiderhunter and Rufous-winged Philantoma, but the morning's proceedings were again curtailed early due to rain. The rain then continued until way after lunch, which delayed our start back to Kuala Lumpur and with the boat and luggage transfer taking a while; we were quite late getting away.

We travelled back but did have a stop for a quick look at a palm oil factory, and we also saw some distant Wreathed Hornbills here and a number of much closer Asian Palm Swifts. Mano had already stopped further back along the road to provide us with close views of fruiting palm oil trees. A few other brief stops were made for fuel and comfort breaks, while we also stopped at a wayside stall to give the group the opportunity to try “the King of Malaysian Fruits” an evil smelling, beige football-sized thorny thing called Durian Fruit, which was not popular with many! It was fairly late by the time we arrived and got our rooms sorted at our city hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 12 Tuesday 10th November

Ulu Gombak Valley and Genting Highlands We made an early start for the Ulu Gombak Valley and Genting Highlands to search for some new montane birds, a number of which reach there southern limit here, but first we stopped lower down, where we spent some time watching a tree across the valley, where a number of birds were coming to warm up in the glow of the morning sun. Here were some particularly showy Scarlet Minivets, while up to three Black-thighed Falconets were also seen and nearby a pair of Verditer Flycatchers were new for some of the group, while other species here included Asian Fairy Bluebird, Dark-necked Tailorbird and Streaked Spiderhunter. Next a fruiting tree provided us with a number of nice birds including both Bar-winged and Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Blue-winged Leafbird, Asian Fairy Bluebird and Scaly-breasted and Red-eyed Bulbul. Rustling leaves and movement also attracted as to a new mammal, the Dusky Langur (Dusky Leaf Monkey).

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

Mano continued to call to a replying Helmeted Hornbill and he did very well to eventually find it perched in a tree, where we were all able to view this amazing species through the telescope, before a pair of these spectacular birds flew across the valley in front of us. Liz and Tim who had lingered further back, still watching the fruiting tree, had seen some additional species, so we all returned there, finding many of the species seen earlier as well as Blue-eared Barbet and Greater Green Leafbird. Our next stop was to follow a narrow track alongside a small stream to search for Chestnut-naped Forktail and we were lucky as eventually everybody saw at least one of this pair, which were working their way along the stream, while our only Horsefield’s Babbler of the trip was seen by some of the group.

Driving on the Genting Highlands, we stopped at a small town with casino and hotel complex, where we had an extremely good lunch at a huge chinese restaurant, before driving back down into the town to try to get access to the small reservoir, which unfortunately we were told was now closed to the public. We did find a few birds here though, in a line of trees alongside the high street, where we got really excellent views of Sultan Tit and Crimson- breasted Flowerpecker, which were new for some of the group. Driving back down a few miles we then walked a considerable distance downhill, where we found our only Red-billed Malkoha of the trip, and amongst the few birds seen were our first Blue-tailed Bee-eater for a number of days, and a few other common species such as Crested Serpent Eagle, Scarlet Minivet and Scaly-breasted Munia.

Day 13 Wednesday 11th November

Kuala Lumpur We made an 8am start for our tour of the city in the hope of avoiding the rush hour. Our first stop was at the King’s Palace, where many photographs were taken of the palace guards, some on horseback in their splendid uniforms. We also visited the old railway station and the Sultan Abdul Samad building, built to a beautiful Moorish design in 1897, behind which is the Majid Jamek Mosque, which is located at the confluence of Gombak and Klang Rivers - it was here that the settlement of Kuala Lumpur was started 130 years ago. A line of trees run along side the river and these produced a couple of good birds including Olive-backed Sunbird, while across the road is the Royal Selangor Club, a famous mock tudor building used by early colonialists as a gathering place, and still a social club to this day. It has a large lawn in front, previously used for cricket, tennis and rugby matches amongst other activities, and here we sat for some time, in the shade of one of the fountains in the adjoining small garden.

We then visited the Malaysian Butterfly Park, where over 8,000 butterflies of over 150 species fly freely amongst 15,000 plants of over a hundred different species, which enabled many opportunities to photograph some of these scarcer species, while a number of live herpitiles and insects are also on display, as well as a huge collection of mounted insects, which include almost all of the large and spectacular insects of the region. Moving on to the Bird Park we found that due to time constraints, it was hardly worth the entrance fee, but Malcolm and Margaret went through the shop to a free viewing area, where they got some good footage of some of Hornbills. Several of us walked a short distance and managed to get access along the road into the Deer Park, where we saw a couple of displaying Crested Goshawks and our first Purple-backed Starling.

In the afternoon the group did their own thing, some sightseeing with visits to the KL Tower which gives spectacular views of the city. Others visited the Petronas Twin Towers, which were briefly the world’s tallest building, while some just shopped or rested in the cool.

8 © Naturetrek February 11

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

Early evening we set off for the airport some 80 kilometres away, but first detoured so that everyone got good views and the opportunity to photograph the Petronas Twin Towers. We then had an excellent leisurely dinner at a restaurant close to the airport, where we had an opportunity to thank Mano for all the hard work he had put in on our behalf. We then headed off to the airport to catch our flight to Doha, for the first leg of our homeward journey.

Day 14 Thursday 12th November

Doha to London Our scheduled flight was a little late leaving Kuala Lumpur, but we arrived in Doha about 7.30am. Here we had a comfortable two hour wait for our onward flight to London and after saying our farewells to Paul, who was catching a plane to Manchester, we even had time for a little bird watching, seeing a few common species such as Collared and Palm Dove, Spanish Sparrow and the introduced Red-vented Bulbul and Common Myna. Our onward flight arrived at Heathrow more or less on time and after the usual hurried farewells around the luggage carousel thus ended a very pleasant and interesting tour.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!

Tour Report Peninsular Malaysia

Species Lists

Birds (h = heard only; c = circa, + = more than) October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 1 BLUE-BREASTED QUAIL Coturnix chinensis 8 2 RED JUNGLEFOWL Gallus gallus h 3 CRESTED FIREBACK Lophura ignita 14 4 BARRED BUTTONQUAIL Turnix suscitor 3 5 SUNDA PYGMY WOODPECKER Dendrocopos moluccensis 1 6 RUFOUS WOODPECKER Celeus brachyurus 1 7 WHITE-BELLIED WOODPECKER Dryocopus javensis 2 8 BANDED WOODPECKER Picus miniaceus 1 1 9 CRIMSON-WINGED WOODPECKER Picus puniceus 1 1 10 CHECKER-THROATED WOODPECKER Picus mentalis 1 11 LACED WOODPECKER Picus vattatus 1 12 COMMON FLAMEBACK Dinopium javanense 2 13 ORANGE-BACKED WOODPECKER Reinwardtipicus validus 1 14 BUFF-RUMPED WOODPECKER Meiglyptes tristis 1 15 BUFF-NECKED WOODPECKER Meiglyptes tukki 1 1 16 GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER Mulleripicus pulverulentus 5 17 FIRE-TUFTED BARBET Psilopogon pyrolophus 7 1 2 18 BLACK-BROWED BARBET Megalaima oorti 3 19 YELLOW-CROWNED BARBET Megalaima henricii 1 20 BLUE-EARED BARBET Megalaima australis 1 21 COPPERSMITH BARBET Megalaima haemacephala 2 2 1 1 22 BROWN BARBET Calorhamphus fuliginosus 1 23 ORIENTAL PIED HORNBILL Anthracoceros albirostris 2 24 BLACK HORNBILL Anthracoceros malayanus 1 25 HELMETED HORNBILL Buceros vigil h 2 26 WREATHED HORNBILL Aceros undulatus 6 27 CINNAMON-RUMPED TROGON Harpactes orrhophaeus 1 28 SCARLET-RUMPED TROGON Harpactes duvaucelii 2 29 RED-HEADED TROGON Harpactes erythrophalus 2

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 30 DOLLARBIRD Eurystomus orientalis 2 1 9 1 31 COMMON KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis 2 6 1 32 BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER Alcedo meninting 1 33 BLUE-BANDED KINGFISHER Alcedo euryzona h 34 BANDED KINGFISHER Lacedo pulchella h 35 STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER Halcyon capensis 1 1 36 WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER Halcyon smyrnensis 2 20+ 30+ 10 4 8 12 4 37 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER Halcyon pileata 1 3 2 38 COLLARED KINGFISHER Halcyon chloris 3 39 RED-BEARDED BEE-EATER Nyctyornis amictus 1 1 40 BLUE-THROATED BEE-EATER Merops viridis 6 15 20+ 10 41 BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER Merops philippinus 10 80+ 30+ 10 4 8 12 4 42 INDIAN CUCKOO Cuculus micropterus h 43 ASIAN KOEL Eudynamys scolopacea 2 5 3 44 BLACK-BELLIED MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus diardi 1 1 2 1 2 1 45 CHESTNUT-BELLIED MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus sumatranus 1 46 GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus tristis 2 47 RAFFLES’S MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus 3 2 1 2 48 RED-BILLED MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus javanicus 1 49 CHESTNUT-BREASTED MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus curvirostris 1 50 GREATER COUCAL Centropus sinensis h 2 2 1 1 1 1 51 BLUE-RUMPED PARROT Psttinus cyanurus 1 2 2 52 BLUE-CROWNED HANGING-PARROT Loriculus galgulus 1 1 53 LONG-TAILED PARAKEET Psittacula longicauda 4 54 GLOSSY SWIFTLET Collocalia esculenta 1 30+ 40+ 20+ 20C 8 15 8 55 SILVER-RUMPED NEEDLETAIL Rhaphidura leucopygialis 12 10 15 56 ASIAN PALM SWIFT Cypsiurus balasiensis 6 12 57 FORK-TAILED SWIFT Apus pacificus 2 58 HOUSE SWIFT Apus nipalensis 1 6 20+ 30+ 6 6 50+ 59 GREY-RUMPED TREESWIFT Hemiprocne longipennis 9 60 REDDISH SCOPS-OWL Otus rufescens h 61 MOUNTAIN SCOPS-OWL Otus spilocephalus h

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 62 BARRED EAGLE-OWL Bubo sumatranus 1 63 BUFFY FISH-OWL Ketupa ketupu 1 64 SPOTTED WOOD OWL Strix seloputo 1 65 JAVAN FROGMOUTH Batrachostomus affinis 1 66 MALAYSIAN EARED NIGHTJAR Eurostopodus temminckii 2 67 LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus macrurus h 68 SAVANNA NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus affinis 3 69 ROCK DOVE Columba livis 2 50+ 30+ 20+ 30c 70 SPOTTED DOVE Streptopelia chinensis 1 15 12 12 2 3 4 71 LITTLE CUCKOO-DOVE Macropygia ruficeps 1 5 4 6 72 EMERALD DOVE Chalcophaps indica 1 73 ZEBRA DOVE Geopelia striata 12 14 1 2 74 LITTLE GREEN PIGEON Treron olax 4 75 PINK-NECKED GREEN PIGEON Treron vernans 14 2 5 20+ 10 8 76 ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN PIGEON Treron bicincta 6 77 WEDGE-TAILED GREEN PIGEON Treron sphenura 10 12 2 7 8 3 2 78 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN Amaurornis phoenicurus 2 1 79 COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chlorophus 3 80 PIN-TAILED SNIPE Gallinago sternura 8 81 WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus 5 82 SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus 1 83 COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus 100c 84 COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia 1 1 85 WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola 3 86 TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cinereus 30+ 87 COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos 2 9 88 RED-NECKED STINT Calidris ruficollis 150+ 89 CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea 30+ 90 Ruff Philomachus pugnax 1 91 COMMON RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula 5 92 LONG-BILLED PLOVER Charadrius dubius 93 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius 5

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 94 LESSER SAND-PLOVER Charadrius mongolus 300+ 95 GREATER SAND-PLOVER Charadrius leschenaultii 20+ 96 RED-WATTLED LAPWING Vanellus indicus 2 2 97 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE Glareola maldivarum 1 1 98 LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons 6 99 WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybridus 6 100 ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis ptilorhynchus 3 4 1 1 1 101 BAT HAWK Macheiramphus alcinus 1 102 BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE Elanus caeruleus 1 5 103 BRAHMINY KITE Haliastur indus 5 12 2 104 WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE Haliaeetus leucogaster 1 105 LESSER FISH-EAGLE Ichthyophaga humilis 1 106 GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus 2 107 CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE Spilornis cheela 1 1 1 2 1 108 WESTERN MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus 4 109 CRESTED GOSHAWK Accipiter trivirgatus 1 2 110 JAPANESE SPARROW-HAWK Accipiter gularis 2 2 1 1 111 RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE Hieraaetus kienerii 1 1 112 BLYTH’S HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus alboniger 1 113 LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis 2 114 GREY HERON Ardea cinerea 2 20c 6 115 PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea 1 5 116 GREAT EGRET Egretta alba 3 50+ 8 117 LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta 40c 1 3 118 CHINESE EGRET Egretta eulophotes 2 1 1 1 119 CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis 4 10 2 120 STRIATED HERON Butorides striatus 1 30+ 2 1 2 1 121 YELLOW BITTERN Ixobrychus sinensis 2 122 CINNAMON BITTERN Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 9 123 BLACK-THIGHED FALCONET Microhierax fringillarius 1 3 5 3 124 BLACK-AND-RED BROADBILL Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos 1 2 125 BLACK-AND-YELLOW BROADBILL Eurylaimus ochromalus 1 1 1

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 126 GREEN BROADBILL Calyptomena viridis 2 127 HOODED PITTA Pitta sordida h h 128 GARNET PITTA Pitta granatina 1 h 129 BLUE-WINGED PITTA Pitta moluccensis 1 h h 130 BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica 20c 200+ 500+ 40+ 30+ 400+ 30+ 30+ 20+ 300+ 20+ 12 10 131 PACIFIC SWALLOW Hirundo tahitica 2 4 8 6 15 10 6 8 132 SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia 5 3 133 JAVAN CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina javansis 1 1 134 LESSER CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina fimbriata 1 135 SCARLET MINIVET Pericrocotus flammeus 12 8 10 20c 136 GREY-CHINNED MINIVET Pericrocotus solaris 3 4 137 BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE Hemipus picatus 2 3 2 138 BLACK WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE Hemipus hirundinaceus 3 3 139 COMMON IORA Aegithinia tiphia 1 140 LESSER GREEN LEAFBIRD Chloropsis cyanopogon 3 3 141 GREATER GREEN LEAFBIRD Chloropsis sonnerati 2 2 1 142 BLUE-WINGED LEAFBIRD Chloropsis cochinchinensis 2 2 2 2 4 4 143 STRAW-HEADED BULBUL Pycnonotus zeylanicus 4 144 BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL Pycnonotus melanicterus 3 6 8 2 145 SCALY-BREASTED BULBUL Pycnonotus squamatus 1 10 146 STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL Pycnonotus finlaysoni 1 3 1 147 YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL Pycnonotus goiavier 20+ 10 3 5 2 148 OLIVE-WINGED BULBUL Pycnonotus plumosus 1 1 149 CREAM-VENTED BULBUL Pycnonotus simplex 2 150 RED-EYED BULBUL Pycnonotus brunneus 1 2 8 151 SPECTACLED BULBUL Pycnonotus erythropthalmos 1 152 FINSCH’S BULBUL Alophoixus finschii 1 153 GREY-CHEEKED BULBUL Alophoixus bres 1 1 154 YELLOW-BELLIED BULBUL Alophoixus phaecephalus 2 2 155 HAIRY-BACKED BULBUL Tricholestes criniger 2 156 BUFF-VENTED BULBUL Iole olivacea 8 6 4 157 STREAKED BULBUL Ixos malaccensis 5 3 1

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 158 MOUNTAIN BULBUL Ixos mcclellandii 4 1 1 159 ASHY BULBUL Hemixos flavala 1 5 160 BRONZED DRONGO Dicrurus aeneus 8 161 LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO Dicrurus remifer 1 162 GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO Dicrurus paradiseus 47 5 3 5 3 163 BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE Oriolus chinensis 1 2 1 1 3 3 1 3 164 BLACK-AND-CRIMSON ORIOLE Oriolus cruentus h 165 ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD Irena puella 1 1 4 3 2 1 166 CRESTED JAY Platylophus galericulatus 1 167 BLACK MAGPIE Platysmurus leucopterus 5 168 HOUSE CROW Corvus splendens 30+ 100+ 30+ 20c 2 169 SLENDER-BILLED CROW Corvus enca h h h 170 LARGE-BILLED CROW Corvus macrorhynchos 8 2 2 1 5 6 171 GREAT TIT Parus major 3 172 SULTAN TIT Melanochlora sultanea 2 3 173 BLACK LAUGHINGTHRUSH Garrulax lugubris 3 174 CHESTNUT-CAPPED LAUGHINGTHRUSH Garrulax mitratus 20c 6 4 175 ABBOTT’S BABBLER Malacocincla abbotti 1 2 h 176 HORSFIELD’S BABBLER Malacocincla sepiarium 1 177 BLACK-CAPPED BABBLER Pellorneum capistratum 1 178 MOUSTACHED BABBLER Malacopteron magnirostre 1 179 SOOTY-CAPPED BABBLER Malacopteron affine 1 180 RUFOUS-CROWNED BABBLER Malacopteron magnum 2 181 BLACK-THROATED WREN-BABBLER Napothera atrigularis 1 182 GOLDEN BABBLER Stachyris chrysaea 12 2 183 GREY-THROATED BABBLER Stachyris nigriceps 2 2 184 BLACK-THROATED BABBLER Stachyris nigricollis 3 185 STRIPED TIT-BABBLER Macronous gularis 2 2 186 SILVER-EARED MESIA Leiothrix argentauris 5 4 5 187 BLACK-EARED SHRIKE-BABBLER Pteruthius melanotis 2 188 BLUE-WINGED MINLA Minla cyanouroptera 10 4 189 MOUNTAIN FULVETTA Alcippe peracensis 16 2 3

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 190 LONG-TAILED SIBIA Heterophasia picaoides 20+ 12 6 191 WHITE-BELLIED YUHINA Yuhina zantholeuca 1 192 MALAYAN WHISTLING-THRUSH Myiophonus robinsoni 1 193 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER Muscicapa dauurica 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 194 LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula westermanni 1 195 VERDITER FLYCATCHER Eumyias thalassina 1 3 196 LARGE NILTAVA Niltava grandis 1 197 WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA Copsychus malabaricus 1 3 2 198 CHESTNUT-NAPED FORKTAIL Enicurus ruficapillus 2 199 SLATY-BACKED FORKTAIL Enicurus schistaceus 1 200 GOLDEN-BELLIED GERYGONE Gerygone sulphurea 1 201 ZITTING CISTICOLA Cisticola juncidis h 2 202 YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA Prinia flaviventris h 203 MOUNTAIN TAILORBIRD Orthotomus cuculatus 3 1 204 COMMON TAILORBIRD Orthotomus sutorius 2 3 3 2 205 RUFOUS-TAILED TAILORBIRD Orthotomus sericeus h 206 ASHY TAILORBIRD Orthotomus ruficeps 3 15 207 ARCTIC WARBLER Phylloscopus borealis 20c 1 4 208 CHESTNUT-CROWNED WARBLER Seicercus castaniceps 1 209 YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLER Seicercus montis 1 1 210 WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL Rhipidura albicollis 1 6 2 2 211 PIED FANTAIL Rhipidura javanicus 6 212 BLACK-NAPED MONARCH Hypothymis azurea 2 2 2 213 ASIAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER Terpsiphone paradisi 1 214 GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea 7 3 6 8 h 215 PADDYFIELD PIPIT Anthus rufulus 15 5 216 RICHARD'S PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae 1 217 TIGER SHRIKE Lanius tigrinus 1 1 1 218 BROWN SHRIKE Lanius cristatus 1 8 5 1 1 1 2 219 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE Lanius schach 2 220 LARGE WOODSHRIKE Tephrodornis gularis 1 221 RUFOUS-WINGED PHILENTOMA Philentoma pyrrhopterum 1 1 1

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 222 ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING Aplonis panayensis 15 6 4 8 4 10 20+ 223 COMMON HILL MYNA Gracula religiosa 1 1 224 JAVAN MYNA Acridotheres javanicus 50+ 200+ 50+ 10 20 30c 225 COMMON MYNA Acridotheres tristis 30+ 60+ 50+ 2 1 20c 8 4 226 PURPLE-BACKED STARLING Sturnus sturninus 4 227 RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD Chalcoparia singalensis 5 1 1 228 BROWN-THROATED SUNBIRD Anthreptes malacensis 2 229 RED-THROATED SUNBIRD Anthreptes rhodolaema 2 1 230 PURPLE-NAPED SUNBIRD Hypogramma hypogrammicum 2 231 PURPLE-THROATED SUNBIRD Leptocoma sperata 3 232 OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD Cinnyris jugularis 1 1 233 BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD Aethopyga saturata 8 234 LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER Arachnothera longirostra 1 1 235 GREY-BREASTED SPIDERHUNTER Arachnothera affinis 3 2 1 1 236 STREAKED SPIDERHUNTER Arachnothera magna 1 4 2 2 1 237 CRIMSON-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER Prionochilus percussus 2 4 238 ORANGE-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER Dicaeum trogonostigma 3 239 ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE Zosterops palpebrosus 10 240 EURASIAN TREE SPARROW Passer montanus 10 15 20+ 20c 15 30+ 20c 241 WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA Lonchura striata 5 242 SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA Lonchura punctulata 10 20+ 10 10 8 9 243 BLACK-HEADED MUNIA Lonchura malacca 30c

Mammals 1 Southern Pigtail Macaque Macaca nemestrina 1 4 2 Crab-eating Macaque Macaca fascicularis 10 20+ 60+ 1 20c 12 6 15 12 3 Dusky Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus vobscurus h 3 4 Griffith's Silver Langur Trachypithecus villosus 5 Banded Langer Presbytis femoralis 8 6 4 6 Grey Leaf Monkey Presbytis hosei 7 Siamang Gibbon Symphalangus syndactylus 3 8 4 h 8 Grey-bellied Squirrel Callosciurus caniceps 1 4 3 3 3 3

Peninsular Malaysia Tour Report

October/November Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 9 Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus 1 10 Low's Squirrel Sundasciurus lowii 1 11 Slender Squirrel Sundasciurus tenuis 3 6 12 Himalayan Striped Squirrel Tamiops macclellandi 4 4 1 13 Tree Shrew species 2 14 Smooth Otter Lustra perspicillata 1 15 Smaller Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus megaphyllus 16 Fruit Bat species 3 1 17 Wild Boar Sus scrofa 9 3 18 Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak 1

Hepitiles 1 Paradise Tree Snake Chrysopelea paradisi 1 2 Oriental Whipsnake Ahaetulla prasina 1 3 Flying Gecko Species 4 Asian Giant Toad Bufo asper 2

Butterflies

Common Tiger Danaus gentutia gentitia Cycad Blue Chilades sp. Blue Glossy Tiger Ideopsis vulgaris Ciliate Blue Anthene sp. Wavy-line Glory Melanocyma faunula Malay Baron Euthalia sp. Common Tit Hypolycaena erylus Rajah Brooke's Birdwing Troides brookiana albescens

Other taxa

Fireflies Various Millipede species Various Praying Mantis Orb Web Spider Mud Skipper Fiddler Crab