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Borneo and Singapore -in search of Pittas, Broadbills and Trogons -Sept 2015 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dandsblair
- Start date
Brown wood owl
So upshot of conversation was that driver of night drive vehicle had spotted* the owl just 10 minutes away and thought it should be still there, sure enough after a sweaty 10 minute hike at pace we found the Brown Wood Owl perched on a electicity cable, good to see and photograph but more natural when he flew in to a tree. We did not get the Bay Owl he seems to have moved territory but we did see a Buffy-fish Owl near the river and other wildlife included Giant River Frog, Long-legged centipede, Bearded pig and Lowe's Squirrel.
Also forgot to say we found Bornean Wren Babbler in Jacuzzi area.
TRAVEL DAY
We had no guided walk planned so we just went out before breakfast for a short walk, no new trip birds but the comic situation of me calling to a Giant Pitta, it returning the call and getting closer, and so on until a guide came out of a side trail and we just smiled at each other. A good reason why I don't put heard only on the life lists.
We really enjoyed Danum and were pleased to hear an amount of the spend goes to a school and various eco projects, it is expensive but once there all soft drinks including the fridge in the room are free and food was excellent. Alcohol was actually cheaper than a number of other places. If you are going with Borneo Nature Tours BRL then they pick you up at Lahad Datu airport and afterwards took as back to their office to have a packed lunch, with Borneo Ecotours who own Sukua Lodge on the Kinabatagan River they made arrangements to have us picked us. The handover went pretty well with just a half or delay in the BRL office we were introduced to our guide Nester who who be our guide hear and would accompany us to Sepilok.
Nester was very young and a keen birder if not that experienced a guide but as we were mainly on water along the river that didn't matter too much.
So upshot of conversation was that driver of night drive vehicle had spotted* the owl just 10 minutes away and thought it should be still there, sure enough after a sweaty 10 minute hike at pace we found the Brown Wood Owl perched on a electicity cable, good to see and photograph but more natural when he flew in to a tree. We did not get the Bay Owl he seems to have moved territory but we did see a Buffy-fish Owl near the river and other wildlife included Giant River Frog, Long-legged centipede, Bearded pig and Lowe's Squirrel.
Also forgot to say we found Bornean Wren Babbler in Jacuzzi area.
TRAVEL DAY
We had no guided walk planned so we just went out before breakfast for a short walk, no new trip birds but the comic situation of me calling to a Giant Pitta, it returning the call and getting closer, and so on until a guide came out of a side trail and we just smiled at each other. A good reason why I don't put heard only on the life lists.
We really enjoyed Danum and were pleased to hear an amount of the spend goes to a school and various eco projects, it is expensive but once there all soft drinks including the fridge in the room are free and food was excellent. Alcohol was actually cheaper than a number of other places. If you are going with Borneo Nature Tours BRL then they pick you up at Lahad Datu airport and afterwards took as back to their office to have a packed lunch, with Borneo Ecotours who own Sukua Lodge on the Kinabatagan River they made arrangements to have us picked us. The handover went pretty well with just a half or delay in the BRL office we were introduced to our guide Nester who who be our guide hear and would accompany us to Sepilok.
Nester was very young and a keen birder if not that experienced a guide but as we were mainly on water along the river that didn't matter too much.
Sakua Regime
The routine for Birding trips is pretty set, breakfast at 5.30, out on boat at 6.00 return around ten. Then walk around boardwalk, relax, lunch, then off at 15.30 until 18.15.
Other wildlife trips are usually of much shorter duration about 2 hours each twice a day.
If you are staying more than two days you usually go to Gomatong Caves one afternoon.
There are optional after dinner boat trips each day but not a lot had been seen recently and wasn't when were there so we gave these a miss.
Before we arrived at Sukua we learned that the Bornean Ground Cuckoo always difficult bird to see but a big target for all birders had not been heard for 2 months and seen for almost 3, during a relatively dry spell. We would try to call the bird in the normal spot and elsewhere but expectations were well and truly managed and to put people out of their suspense we had no sign, not even a distant call to raise hopes despite lots of attempts at calling the birds.
In the interests of brevity I will just give a quick overview of each trip as I realise that Danum was a bit of a ramble.
Day 1 Sakua evening trip - as well as being keen birders we also want to see other wildlife, so we set off up river to see a herd of 20 or so Bornean Pygmy Elephants, we see the elephants well but the fact that there is 4 other boats lined up watching makes it feel like an african safari, but the benefit of longer boat trip is shown when we come back later and have 3 elephants including a baby in the water all to our selves a great experience.
Birding is pretty good with new birds in Storm Stork, Black and Red Broadbill, Wallaces Hawk Eagle, Mossy Nest Swiftlet on the nest, Wrinkled Hornbill, and others including good photographs of Yellow and Black Broadbill, Blue-eared and Stork-billed Kingfisher, Purple Heron, Darter, Little Egret and Red-headed Tailorbird. We also saw Proboscis Monkey, Long-tailed Macaque and Red Leaf Monkeys.
For those interested in Night trip- they got sleeping Oranutan, Prob Monkey and a Reticulated Phython plus Owl (probably Buffy Fishing) and sleeping Stork billed Kingfisher.
Day 2 - morning.
On the way to breakfast we saw a Silver Langur, after breakfast and on to the boat where we wanted a White-crowned Hornbill to complete the set of all 8 hornbills and this was the first bird of the morning and itvwas a lovely long sighting, second up was the Black and Red Broadbill we just loved these photogenic brightly coloured birds with their huge pale blue bills, I'll post a few of the better photos, when i get the chance to resize them for the forum, next bird was a White-chested Babbler and then number 4000 for me a Scarlet-rumped Trogon a very good bird to mark this milestone, things then slackened off before we added Jerdon's Baza and the usual Egrets, Purple and Striated Heron, then White-bellied Sea Eagle and Grey-headed Sea Eagle, it was interesting to the see the Wallace's Hawk Eagle to tick off ID differences with the Baza, apart from Stork-billed Kingfisher that was it for the trip.
Back at the lodge we saw a mother and baby Orangutan jusy yards from the boadwalk although fairly high in tree, she was there three of the four days were there and is said be regular, unfortunately the large male who often stops by didn't put in an appearance.
Afternoon Session - most of the same birds but added Crested Goshawk and Blythe's Hawk Eagle but afternoon session was especially good for large male Proboscis Monkeys with 7 seen well and a number of Hareems with females and youngsters nearby.
I should mentioned boats have a silent mode where an electric motors allows you to move quietly amongst the wildlife, great for birding but as we were getting close to some Bushy-crested Hornbill suddenly this male Elephant surfaced right in front us I don't know who was most surprised the Bornean Pygmy Elephant or the Boatman whose face was a picture. The Elephant reacted first made a huge roar and then fortunately for us headed for the bank away from us and climbed ashore.
We also tried spot in the oxbow lake for Borneo Falconet - but not seen.
The routine for Birding trips is pretty set, breakfast at 5.30, out on boat at 6.00 return around ten. Then walk around boardwalk, relax, lunch, then off at 15.30 until 18.15.
Other wildlife trips are usually of much shorter duration about 2 hours each twice a day.
If you are staying more than two days you usually go to Gomatong Caves one afternoon.
There are optional after dinner boat trips each day but not a lot had been seen recently and wasn't when were there so we gave these a miss.
Before we arrived at Sukua we learned that the Bornean Ground Cuckoo always difficult bird to see but a big target for all birders had not been heard for 2 months and seen for almost 3, during a relatively dry spell. We would try to call the bird in the normal spot and elsewhere but expectations were well and truly managed and to put people out of their suspense we had no sign, not even a distant call to raise hopes despite lots of attempts at calling the birds.
In the interests of brevity I will just give a quick overview of each trip as I realise that Danum was a bit of a ramble.
Day 1 Sakua evening trip - as well as being keen birders we also want to see other wildlife, so we set off up river to see a herd of 20 or so Bornean Pygmy Elephants, we see the elephants well but the fact that there is 4 other boats lined up watching makes it feel like an african safari, but the benefit of longer boat trip is shown when we come back later and have 3 elephants including a baby in the water all to our selves a great experience.
Birding is pretty good with new birds in Storm Stork, Black and Red Broadbill, Wallaces Hawk Eagle, Mossy Nest Swiftlet on the nest, Wrinkled Hornbill, and others including good photographs of Yellow and Black Broadbill, Blue-eared and Stork-billed Kingfisher, Purple Heron, Darter, Little Egret and Red-headed Tailorbird. We also saw Proboscis Monkey, Long-tailed Macaque and Red Leaf Monkeys.
For those interested in Night trip- they got sleeping Oranutan, Prob Monkey and a Reticulated Phython plus Owl (probably Buffy Fishing) and sleeping Stork billed Kingfisher.
Day 2 - morning.
On the way to breakfast we saw a Silver Langur, after breakfast and on to the boat where we wanted a White-crowned Hornbill to complete the set of all 8 hornbills and this was the first bird of the morning and itvwas a lovely long sighting, second up was the Black and Red Broadbill we just loved these photogenic brightly coloured birds with their huge pale blue bills, I'll post a few of the better photos, when i get the chance to resize them for the forum, next bird was a White-chested Babbler and then number 4000 for me a Scarlet-rumped Trogon a very good bird to mark this milestone, things then slackened off before we added Jerdon's Baza and the usual Egrets, Purple and Striated Heron, then White-bellied Sea Eagle and Grey-headed Sea Eagle, it was interesting to the see the Wallace's Hawk Eagle to tick off ID differences with the Baza, apart from Stork-billed Kingfisher that was it for the trip.
Back at the lodge we saw a mother and baby Orangutan jusy yards from the boadwalk although fairly high in tree, she was there three of the four days were there and is said be regular, unfortunately the large male who often stops by didn't put in an appearance.
Afternoon Session - most of the same birds but added Crested Goshawk and Blythe's Hawk Eagle but afternoon session was especially good for large male Proboscis Monkeys with 7 seen well and a number of Hareems with females and youngsters nearby.
I should mentioned boats have a silent mode where an electric motors allows you to move quietly amongst the wildlife, great for birding but as we were getting close to some Bushy-crested Hornbill suddenly this male Elephant surfaced right in front us I don't know who was most surprised the Bornean Pygmy Elephant or the Boatman whose face was a picture. The Elephant reacted first made a huge roar and then fortunately for us headed for the bank away from us and climbed ashore.
We also tried spot in the oxbow lake for Borneo Falconet - but not seen.
Trip to the bat cave
Usual set up for the morning but we were spending most of the day where Ground Cuckoo was last heard, we did hear and tried to call in Bornean Necklaced Partridge and thought we were succeeding, we even went ashore but bird just stayed hidden.
We did get two Bat Hawks, and had some good fun with 4 Hooded Pittas, that responded to whistles and flew in and out of view and across the narrow channel, frustatingly I didn't photograph one, we had good views of Black and Red Broadbill, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Blue-eared Kingfisher and White-breasted Babbler. First new bird today was Long-tailed Parakeet, then we had Little Green Pigeon, before I spotted a lifer for Nexter a Bay-banded Cuckoo (he was really excited to be moving towards the Borneo400 club). Other birds as we went back to try for the Falconet on the oxbow, were Grester Coucal, Black-bellied and Raffles Malkohas, then a new one Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (only one more to go). Fortunately when we got to the bare tree at the end of the lake there was not one Bornean Falconet (the worlds smallest bird of prey) but 4 of these awesome little Falcons. For background there were loads of Proboscis Monkeys Playing nearby.
Once back at the lodge i tried calling the Black-headed Pitta but instead of that i got another Hooded Pitta, it showed then flew off, 5 in one morning, of a bird we had only seen twice before, we also had Hairy-backed and Yellow-bellied Bulbul and Rufous-winged Philentoma.
The Orangatun mother and baby also swung into their usual area.
Afternoon at Gomatong Caves, I had high hopes for Gomatong as people have seen some very good birds in the forest near the caves, it just didn't work outmthat way for us. For those who don't know about the caves they host three Swiftlets in large numbers and around 3 .5 million Horseshoe bats. The smell from the main cave is picked up about a mile away and in the caves you daren't touch a handrail thousands of cockroaches and stinging centipedes and a smell that is really powerful, you also need to keep your mouth closed when you look up (hopefully needs know explanation), there are also the rats running around amongst the guano so a lovely place. We only actually counted Black and Mossy Swiftlet as all the White nests were recently harvested, so while they were there we could not positively identify them.
We did see Horsefield's Babbler, Bornean Wren Babbler, Bold-striped Tit Babbler, Purple-naped sunbird and Wallaces and Rufous Bellied Hawk Eagles, but no Owls, Pittas, Trogons were seen. We finished with a few Bat Hawks as they had the bats to themselves.
Usual set up for the morning but we were spending most of the day where Ground Cuckoo was last heard, we did hear and tried to call in Bornean Necklaced Partridge and thought we were succeeding, we even went ashore but bird just stayed hidden.
We did get two Bat Hawks, and had some good fun with 4 Hooded Pittas, that responded to whistles and flew in and out of view and across the narrow channel, frustatingly I didn't photograph one, we had good views of Black and Red Broadbill, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Blue-eared Kingfisher and White-breasted Babbler. First new bird today was Long-tailed Parakeet, then we had Little Green Pigeon, before I spotted a lifer for Nexter a Bay-banded Cuckoo (he was really excited to be moving towards the Borneo400 club). Other birds as we went back to try for the Falconet on the oxbow, were Grester Coucal, Black-bellied and Raffles Malkohas, then a new one Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (only one more to go). Fortunately when we got to the bare tree at the end of the lake there was not one Bornean Falconet (the worlds smallest bird of prey) but 4 of these awesome little Falcons. For background there were loads of Proboscis Monkeys Playing nearby.
Once back at the lodge i tried calling the Black-headed Pitta but instead of that i got another Hooded Pitta, it showed then flew off, 5 in one morning, of a bird we had only seen twice before, we also had Hairy-backed and Yellow-bellied Bulbul and Rufous-winged Philentoma.
The Orangatun mother and baby also swung into their usual area.
Afternoon at Gomatong Caves, I had high hopes for Gomatong as people have seen some very good birds in the forest near the caves, it just didn't work outmthat way for us. For those who don't know about the caves they host three Swiftlets in large numbers and around 3 .5 million Horseshoe bats. The smell from the main cave is picked up about a mile away and in the caves you daren't touch a handrail thousands of cockroaches and stinging centipedes and a smell that is really powerful, you also need to keep your mouth closed when you look up (hopefully needs know explanation), there are also the rats running around amongst the guano so a lovely place. We only actually counted Black and Mossy Swiftlet as all the White nests were recently harvested, so while they were there we could not positively identify them.
We did see Horsefield's Babbler, Bornean Wren Babbler, Bold-striped Tit Babbler, Purple-naped sunbird and Wallaces and Rufous Bellied Hawk Eagles, but no Owls, Pittas, Trogons were seen. We finished with a few Bat Hawks as they had the bats to themselves.
Trip to Sepilok
We had no boat trip today, so just had a walk around the boardwalk where we finally got nice views of* Ruddy Kingfisher, then Red-headed Tailorbird, Spectacled and Red-eyed Bulbul and fly over Rhinocerous Hornbill. Including within Sakua package is tranfer back to Sandakan by boat or road return to Lahad Datu, we took the speed boat to Sandakan. It was not really a wildlife watching trip but we did see a few things: a last Pygmy Elephant, Whiskered Tern, then 3 Lesser Adjutant Stork, and as we got to sea some Black-headed Gulls and then a surprise Brown Booby (only 2nd seen by guys who do this trip a few times a week). After lunch in Sandakan we had short drive to Sepilok Nature Resort, only a few steps from Orangutan Rehibilitation Centre (we wouldn't visit this time during the day.
Area around our chalet 23 was really good for birds but it is furthest from reception and the restaurant, something to think on when it is pouring down. Before our 3.30 walk we had Raffles Malkoha, Pied Fantail, Magpie Robin, Little Spiderhunter and Ruby Throat from the area around the room.
On our walk it was clear that Nexter wanted to get Blue-banded and Chestnut-coloured Kingfisher as much for himself as for us, but as they were birds we wanted particularly the ghost bird, the female of which looks so much like the Philippine Spotted Wood-Kingfisher a favourite bird of mine. That meant we tried the Kingfisher trail and first part of the Pitta trail a few times, but all we got were Verditer Flycatcher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Rufous-winged Philentoma, a nice singing White-crowned Shama and then we made for the canopy walkway, we had just got up there seeing a Blue-throated Bee-eater and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker before there was loud clap of thunder and the first drops of rain, we decided to head back to the Trogon Tower to shelter - we saw Green Imperial Pigeon, Malaysian Honeyguide, and Black and Wreathed Hornbill. However rain was now pretty bad and so we decided to go back to resort and then make a call about our planned night walk.
10 minutes after planned start time the guide from SORC decided we could go as rain was now fairly light, we did start to see a few things, firstly a White-bellied Reed Snake, then Prevost Squirrel, before we reached the nursery building and had the sad site of three Orangutans shetering from the rain under an AC unit, a bit of roof and under the guttering, the guide said they are released into the wild and need to learn things like nest building from other older Orangutans but they will not be allowed back into the nursery. Herev we found some Red Giant Flying Squirrels still prepared to glide, one managed over 150 metres. Then we had Lesser Mouse Deer before rain came back on heavy, with that went chance of Tarsier or Loris, so remaining sightings were Agamid Lizard, Tree-hole Frog and a Pit Viper.
Hopefully it would be dry by morning.
We had no boat trip today, so just had a walk around the boardwalk where we finally got nice views of* Ruddy Kingfisher, then Red-headed Tailorbird, Spectacled and Red-eyed Bulbul and fly over Rhinocerous Hornbill. Including within Sakua package is tranfer back to Sandakan by boat or road return to Lahad Datu, we took the speed boat to Sandakan. It was not really a wildlife watching trip but we did see a few things: a last Pygmy Elephant, Whiskered Tern, then 3 Lesser Adjutant Stork, and as we got to sea some Black-headed Gulls and then a surprise Brown Booby (only 2nd seen by guys who do this trip a few times a week). After lunch in Sandakan we had short drive to Sepilok Nature Resort, only a few steps from Orangutan Rehibilitation Centre (we wouldn't visit this time during the day.
Area around our chalet 23 was really good for birds but it is furthest from reception and the restaurant, something to think on when it is pouring down. Before our 3.30 walk we had Raffles Malkoha, Pied Fantail, Magpie Robin, Little Spiderhunter and Ruby Throat from the area around the room.
On our walk it was clear that Nexter wanted to get Blue-banded and Chestnut-coloured Kingfisher as much for himself as for us, but as they were birds we wanted particularly the ghost bird, the female of which looks so much like the Philippine Spotted Wood-Kingfisher a favourite bird of mine. That meant we tried the Kingfisher trail and first part of the Pitta trail a few times, but all we got were Verditer Flycatcher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Rufous-winged Philentoma, a nice singing White-crowned Shama and then we made for the canopy walkway, we had just got up there seeing a Blue-throated Bee-eater and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker before there was loud clap of thunder and the first drops of rain, we decided to head back to the Trogon Tower to shelter - we saw Green Imperial Pigeon, Malaysian Honeyguide, and Black and Wreathed Hornbill. However rain was now pretty bad and so we decided to go back to resort and then make a call about our planned night walk.
10 minutes after planned start time the guide from SORC decided we could go as rain was now fairly light, we did start to see a few things, firstly a White-bellied Reed Snake, then Prevost Squirrel, before we reached the nursery building and had the sad site of three Orangutans shetering from the rain under an AC unit, a bit of roof and under the guttering, the guide said they are released into the wild and need to learn things like nest building from other older Orangutans but they will not be allowed back into the nursery. Herev we found some Red Giant Flying Squirrels still prepared to glide, one managed over 150 metres. Then we had Lesser Mouse Deer before rain came back on heavy, with that went chance of Tarsier or Loris, so remaining sightings were Agamid Lizard, Tree-hole Frog and a Pit Viper.
Hopefully it would be dry by morning.
Sepilok Chestnut-collared Kingfisher
One of the nice things about Sepilok Nature Resort is the early morning Hornbill display, as we were finishing breakfast around 5.45 a birding tour group arrived to witness the movement of 10 Black Hornbills, 2 Rhinoceros and 6 Bushey-crested Hornbills, a nice start to the day as we finished our coffee.
*It was then off to the RDC. We headed straight up to the canopy walkway, there wasn't much showing but we did get Green Iora, Brown Barbet and the same three hornbills we had seen earlier, thebbirding group headed off when there was no sign of the Bristlehead, frustratingly we could hear two Pittas Black-headed and Giant and a Diard's trogon of course as soon as we went down they stopped calling. We were still on a mission to get the Kinfishers but with no luck, however we did get a Buff-rumped Woodpecker and a cracking Maroon Woodpecker and then a couple of Epornis and the last new bird of the morning Black-throated Wren Babbler.
Other birds were Wrinkled Hornbill, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Little Spiderhunter, Green Imperial Pigeon and a nice Rubycheek.
Back at the resort after lunch we again had our local Raffles Malkoha.
Following lunch I told Nexter that he shoukd stop obsessing about the Kingfishers and just enjoy what we see. We briefly tried for Giant Pitta near Pitta trail but it stopped calling before we got close, we then had some Borean Black Magpies, Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler, Buff-vented Bulbul before in following a Hairy-backed Bulbul into a thicket we found ourselves looking at a georgeous female Chestnut-collared Kingfisher (in view the female is better looking bird), I did say told you so as only when he stopped looking where the bird should be did we find it was on Tarsier Crossing trail.
We then spent some time at the front if the RDC getting Sunbirds and Flowerpeckers, we had RED-throated Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Purple-throated Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Plain Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.
One of the nice things about Sepilok Nature Resort is the early morning Hornbill display, as we were finishing breakfast around 5.45 a birding tour group arrived to witness the movement of 10 Black Hornbills, 2 Rhinoceros and 6 Bushey-crested Hornbills, a nice start to the day as we finished our coffee.
*It was then off to the RDC. We headed straight up to the canopy walkway, there wasn't much showing but we did get Green Iora, Brown Barbet and the same three hornbills we had seen earlier, thebbirding group headed off when there was no sign of the Bristlehead, frustratingly we could hear two Pittas Black-headed and Giant and a Diard's trogon of course as soon as we went down they stopped calling. We were still on a mission to get the Kinfishers but with no luck, however we did get a Buff-rumped Woodpecker and a cracking Maroon Woodpecker and then a couple of Epornis and the last new bird of the morning Black-throated Wren Babbler.
Other birds were Wrinkled Hornbill, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Little Spiderhunter, Green Imperial Pigeon and a nice Rubycheek.
Back at the resort after lunch we again had our local Raffles Malkoha.
Following lunch I told Nexter that he shoukd stop obsessing about the Kingfishers and just enjoy what we see. We briefly tried for Giant Pitta near Pitta trail but it stopped calling before we got close, we then had some Borean Black Magpies, Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler, Buff-vented Bulbul before in following a Hairy-backed Bulbul into a thicket we found ourselves looking at a georgeous female Chestnut-collared Kingfisher (in view the female is better looking bird), I did say told you so as only when he stopped looking where the bird should be did we find it was on Tarsier Crossing trail.
We then spent some time at the front if the RDC getting Sunbirds and Flowerpeckers, we had RED-throated Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Purple-throated Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Plain Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.
Dry night at Sepilok
Fortunately the rumble of thunder passed by and we went straight out for our night walk. Before wr started we found another group of Bornean Falconets and heard but couldn't find a Boobook. The better weather gave us hopes of some night mamals and maybe a few owls.
The Giant Red Flying Squirrels were really doing their thing gliding from the highest tree behind the nursery and flying over 180 metres we estimated to the entrance area giving really good viewsvas they crossed the open area. Next spot was Lowe's Squirrel, before we were inundated with various huge months, stick insects and beatles. We tried really hard for a Tarsier but despite better conditions we just couldn't find one, also no Orangutans tonight as with better weather there was no need to come close to the centre.
We again found a Pit Viper, almost certainly the same snake before the star of the show put in an appearance it was the Slow Loris, this cat sized primate was happy to* just slowly move up his tree allowing me some good photos (I should start posting some in a couple of days).
No owls seen and no trace of Bay Owl
Fortunately the rumble of thunder passed by and we went straight out for our night walk. Before wr started we found another group of Bornean Falconets and heard but couldn't find a Boobook. The better weather gave us hopes of some night mamals and maybe a few owls.
The Giant Red Flying Squirrels were really doing their thing gliding from the highest tree behind the nursery and flying over 180 metres we estimated to the entrance area giving really good viewsvas they crossed the open area. Next spot was Lowe's Squirrel, before we were inundated with various huge months, stick insects and beatles. We tried really hard for a Tarsier but despite better conditions we just couldn't find one, also no Orangutans tonight as with better weather there was no need to come close to the centre.
We again found a Pit Viper, almost certainly the same snake before the star of the show put in an appearance it was the Slow Loris, this cat sized primate was happy to* just slowly move up his tree allowing me some good photos (I should start posting some in a couple of days).
No owls seen and no trace of Bay Owl
Sepilok to Mount Kinabalu
We just had time for a couple of hours at RDC before breakfast and the trip to the airport.
We spend most of the time on the canopy walkway, not a lot new to begin with Dollarbird, Violet Cuckoo, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot and Little Green Pigeon the best birds on offer but things then picked up with two White-bellied Woodpeckers flying into a high tree, then a Velvet-fronted Nuthatch before a surprising group of 4 Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeons flew in (Nexter reckons these were heading for the nearby mangroves as he had never seen them here before).
It was then a short flight to Kota Kinabalu where we were picked up by Osman who would guide us in the mountains, we were due to have Adrian but due to a bereavement we got Osman ( I was happy with this I had heard good things about him). We reached the edge of the park about 13.30 where we had a little lunch, we then had just enough time to unpack at Hill Lodge (just inside the park near HQ) before being ready to get out at 15.00. Sods law what had been a nice sunny afternoon was now turning to rain, still it wasn’t too heavy so we decide to what up the road and come back via a trail. Birding wasn’t quick but we were seeing some good birds first up was an Ochraeceous Bulbul, then a Bornean Whistler, before a target bird a male White-browed Short-wing just sitting on a log, we then caught a little wave of Bulbuls but alongside was a couple of Black-capped White-eyes, just when things were looking good with an Indigo Flycatcher joining the mix the heavens opened and we decided it was prudent to sit behind the Ligwani restaurant to bird in the dry. The only bird we saw from here was Sunda Laughing Thrush before after about 45 minutes we lost patience and on hearing some partridge nearby decided to do a bit of the Silau-Silau trail. It was a good call as although we couldn’t see the Partridges we found a Bornean Whistling Thrush, then I called Forktail as a lovely Bornean Forktail flew in and carried on up the stream. So not a great start weather wise but a few nice birds to kick off our time in the mountains.
We just had time for a couple of hours at RDC before breakfast and the trip to the airport.
We spend most of the time on the canopy walkway, not a lot new to begin with Dollarbird, Violet Cuckoo, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot and Little Green Pigeon the best birds on offer but things then picked up with two White-bellied Woodpeckers flying into a high tree, then a Velvet-fronted Nuthatch before a surprising group of 4 Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeons flew in (Nexter reckons these were heading for the nearby mangroves as he had never seen them here before).
It was then a short flight to Kota Kinabalu where we were picked up by Osman who would guide us in the mountains, we were due to have Adrian but due to a bereavement we got Osman ( I was happy with this I had heard good things about him). We reached the edge of the park about 13.30 where we had a little lunch, we then had just enough time to unpack at Hill Lodge (just inside the park near HQ) before being ready to get out at 15.00. Sods law what had been a nice sunny afternoon was now turning to rain, still it wasn’t too heavy so we decide to what up the road and come back via a trail. Birding wasn’t quick but we were seeing some good birds first up was an Ochraeceous Bulbul, then a Bornean Whistler, before a target bird a male White-browed Short-wing just sitting on a log, we then caught a little wave of Bulbuls but alongside was a couple of Black-capped White-eyes, just when things were looking good with an Indigo Flycatcher joining the mix the heavens opened and we decided it was prudent to sit behind the Ligwani restaurant to bird in the dry. The only bird we saw from here was Sunda Laughing Thrush before after about 45 minutes we lost patience and on hearing some partridge nearby decided to do a bit of the Silau-Silau trail. It was a good call as although we couldn’t see the Partridges we found a Bornean Whistling Thrush, then I called Forktail as a lovely Bornean Forktail flew in and carried on up the stream. So not a great start weather wise but a few nice birds to kick off our time in the mountains.
Full day at Mount Kinabula NP
Being based in the park has its advantages, not least that you can be at the Power Station and Gate in 10 minutes from leaving the front door (where a Hair-crested Drongo was hawking moths by the Chalet light each morning). Out approach was to drive up to the Power Station and then walk back, only stopping if we saw something on the way up, we had two stops one for a mixed laughing thrush flock, it only contained Sunda and Chestnut-headed Laughing Thrush and then for the endemic Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher, which was sitting right next to nest with a Bornean Swiftlet on it (good to see it on the nest and be certain it was not a Glossy) on arrival at the top there was no sign of the sought after Everett’s Thrush despite looking on the start of various trails and on the road, so we went to the viewing area above Timpohon Gate, here we got Temminck’s Sunbird, Mountain Leaf Warbler and a nice group of Mountain Black-eye and from a group of Chestnut-crested Yuhina one landed and showed well, lastly we had a flyover group of Waterfall Swifts. It was then time to start walking down the road and when we stopped for a Bornean Whistler very common on our trip, we then saw the first Whitehead but it was a Pygmy Squirrel not a bird, fortunately we quickly were joined by a very nice bird wave, first up was a Checker-throated Woodpecker with its almost luminous crest, then Ochraceous Bulbul, Golden-naped Barbet, Black-capped White-eyes, Yellow-breasted Warbler then into view and stopping on a branch for just long enough to get a decent shot of one of them was a pair of Whitehead’s Broadbill – despite what I said earlier a great bird! It was then time for a Sunda Bush Warbler and after we heard and saw the first one they were pretty common all the way down the road.
We then went back down to breakfast via the Mempening trail – Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher photographed, before walking back up to our room where the Medinella Berries outside were a good place to see flower-peckers but none were about at this time but we did hear and then find the first of many Bornean Treepie in the trees opposite our room. Decision time what trails to walk and where to start, we did the Silau-Silau trail for a bit and picked up White-throated Fantail, then a Snowy-browed Flycatcher by the stream before we quickly changed direction and moved towards a pair of calling Trogons unfortunately just as we thought we were very close we came across a group of birders who were using playback.
The first decent view of a Bornean Short-tailed Magpie was some consolation. Osman suggest we try the Bukit Burang trail for the Trogon as he felt he could find then without any calling as he knew a pairs territory, after what seemed like a long bird-less walk we came to the area and there sitting a tree showing reasonably well was a male Whitehead’s Trogon I would have preferred a closer totally unobscured views but good enough to grab a few shots, we then found the female sitting lower down and she was not hidden but unfortunately kept her head tucked down so not the greatest of photos but a least we had seen a pair of this very desirable bird.
On the climb to the shelter we discussed the calling of birds and birding approach – Osman says he tries to avoid playback and certainly won’t use it if birds are nesting or sitting on territory, his approach is to get people in the right place at the right time and give maximum opportunity to see the bird. He will use playback if he thinks it will deliver results and in his view isn’t disturbing the birds but we didn’t resort to that too often. At the shelter we had Mountain Tailorbird and Ashy Drongo. We then decided to go for a chance of Ibon at a place that does lunch just outside the park, we saw a Grey-throated Babbler but no Ibon. Lunch was good and we were asked for our main target – fortunately we both agreed Fruithunter.
So we drove up to the Power Station and started walking back down the Liwagu Trail first bird was Mountain Imperial Pigeon, then I spotted a Pale-face Bulbul a bird I thought we might struggle to see without access to the summit trail, then another good bird in Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, I then thought I had found the fruithunter when a bird flew in at great speed to a nearby tree, but bird I had in my binoculars was a Little-cuckoo Dove then I found a Sunda Laughing Thrush both birds had just enough colour to give hope that I was looking at a female fruithunter for a micro second. Then Osman came over all excited and said I have the male in that tree and just as I looked up the beautiful male Fruithunter popped out into the open and sat still long enough to allow me to fire off a series of shots – to even change cards and start again. The female meanwhile which I thought I had saw fly into the first tree also revealed herself but stayed largely hidden and un-photographed.
We then decided to bird the lower trails as we were starting to feel a little tired as we had been walking the trails and roads for about 9 hours, so we went for the Borean Flowerpecker in the bushes near the Liwagu restaurant and were successful and also added Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike. It was then back to the room where we added Grey Wagtail and Tree Sparrow to the daily list.
We heard Mountain Scops Owl quite close to the road on the way to dinner but had been warned that it doesn’t respond to calling and no surprise it didn’t.
Other wildlife included Jentink’s and Mountain Ground Squirrel and Mountain Treeshrew.
Picture of Whitehead's Broadbill, Trogon (M and F) Eyebrowed J Flycatcher and Treepie
Being based in the park has its advantages, not least that you can be at the Power Station and Gate in 10 minutes from leaving the front door (where a Hair-crested Drongo was hawking moths by the Chalet light each morning). Out approach was to drive up to the Power Station and then walk back, only stopping if we saw something on the way up, we had two stops one for a mixed laughing thrush flock, it only contained Sunda and Chestnut-headed Laughing Thrush and then for the endemic Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher, which was sitting right next to nest with a Bornean Swiftlet on it (good to see it on the nest and be certain it was not a Glossy) on arrival at the top there was no sign of the sought after Everett’s Thrush despite looking on the start of various trails and on the road, so we went to the viewing area above Timpohon Gate, here we got Temminck’s Sunbird, Mountain Leaf Warbler and a nice group of Mountain Black-eye and from a group of Chestnut-crested Yuhina one landed and showed well, lastly we had a flyover group of Waterfall Swifts. It was then time to start walking down the road and when we stopped for a Bornean Whistler very common on our trip, we then saw the first Whitehead but it was a Pygmy Squirrel not a bird, fortunately we quickly were joined by a very nice bird wave, first up was a Checker-throated Woodpecker with its almost luminous crest, then Ochraceous Bulbul, Golden-naped Barbet, Black-capped White-eyes, Yellow-breasted Warbler then into view and stopping on a branch for just long enough to get a decent shot of one of them was a pair of Whitehead’s Broadbill – despite what I said earlier a great bird! It was then time for a Sunda Bush Warbler and after we heard and saw the first one they were pretty common all the way down the road.
We then went back down to breakfast via the Mempening trail – Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher photographed, before walking back up to our room where the Medinella Berries outside were a good place to see flower-peckers but none were about at this time but we did hear and then find the first of many Bornean Treepie in the trees opposite our room. Decision time what trails to walk and where to start, we did the Silau-Silau trail for a bit and picked up White-throated Fantail, then a Snowy-browed Flycatcher by the stream before we quickly changed direction and moved towards a pair of calling Trogons unfortunately just as we thought we were very close we came across a group of birders who were using playback.
The first decent view of a Bornean Short-tailed Magpie was some consolation. Osman suggest we try the Bukit Burang trail for the Trogon as he felt he could find then without any calling as he knew a pairs territory, after what seemed like a long bird-less walk we came to the area and there sitting a tree showing reasonably well was a male Whitehead’s Trogon I would have preferred a closer totally unobscured views but good enough to grab a few shots, we then found the female sitting lower down and she was not hidden but unfortunately kept her head tucked down so not the greatest of photos but a least we had seen a pair of this very desirable bird.
On the climb to the shelter we discussed the calling of birds and birding approach – Osman says he tries to avoid playback and certainly won’t use it if birds are nesting or sitting on territory, his approach is to get people in the right place at the right time and give maximum opportunity to see the bird. He will use playback if he thinks it will deliver results and in his view isn’t disturbing the birds but we didn’t resort to that too often. At the shelter we had Mountain Tailorbird and Ashy Drongo. We then decided to go for a chance of Ibon at a place that does lunch just outside the park, we saw a Grey-throated Babbler but no Ibon. Lunch was good and we were asked for our main target – fortunately we both agreed Fruithunter.
So we drove up to the Power Station and started walking back down the Liwagu Trail first bird was Mountain Imperial Pigeon, then I spotted a Pale-face Bulbul a bird I thought we might struggle to see without access to the summit trail, then another good bird in Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, I then thought I had found the fruithunter when a bird flew in at great speed to a nearby tree, but bird I had in my binoculars was a Little-cuckoo Dove then I found a Sunda Laughing Thrush both birds had just enough colour to give hope that I was looking at a female fruithunter for a micro second. Then Osman came over all excited and said I have the male in that tree and just as I looked up the beautiful male Fruithunter popped out into the open and sat still long enough to allow me to fire off a series of shots – to even change cards and start again. The female meanwhile which I thought I had saw fly into the first tree also revealed herself but stayed largely hidden and un-photographed.
We then decided to bird the lower trails as we were starting to feel a little tired as we had been walking the trails and roads for about 9 hours, so we went for the Borean Flowerpecker in the bushes near the Liwagu restaurant and were successful and also added Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike. It was then back to the room where we added Grey Wagtail and Tree Sparrow to the daily list.
We heard Mountain Scops Owl quite close to the road on the way to dinner but had been warned that it doesn’t respond to calling and no surprise it didn’t.
Other wildlife included Jentink’s and Mountain Ground Squirrel and Mountain Treeshrew.
Picture of Whitehead's Broadbill, Trogon (M and F) Eyebrowed J Flycatcher and Treepie
Attachments
Last Day in the Mountains
Up nice and early and we drive up to Bukit Ular trail to try for the Everett’s Thrush. In the gloom just about a 1KM before the trail entrance I shout "stop Thrush". The driver stops immediately after passing the bird, by then I had recognised that it was Orange-head Thrush, not new, but a nice start to the morning as we all saw him well. Then it was onto the trail, on the walk as far as the closed trail sign (you can’t walk down to the power station or up to the viewpoint due to earthquake damage and mud slides) we did not see a single bird, all very different from yesterday where the mountain forest seemed to be dripping with birds. Fortunately as we retraced our steps back down the trail we heard the call of Mountain Wren Babbler, at least 3 birds were calling but we just couldn’t get on one, as we tried to whistle one in another target Bornean Stubtail suddenly made an appearance and we were right on top of him, literally he was in the bush 2 feet away and when I bent down he was within 2 or 3 feet of my nose, way too close for a photo but we had great views of this little skulker. While we were distracted by the Stubtail one of the Wren-babblers had obviously decided to check us out and when we looked at where the bird was now calling from he was very close but still in a tangle of vegetation, fortunately the bird came out for a at least one good look and Mountain Wren Babbler was the last of the 3 Bornean Wren-babblers endemics we saw on the trip.
We could then hear close-by both Partridge species calling, we headed to the closest call and managed to see a female Crimson-headed Partridge walk across the trail unfortunately none of the other birds in the groups joined her. It was still pretty slow going and all we added were Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher, Sunda Thrush and Bornean Whistler as we made our way down the road and on to the mempening trail, hear we heard some Red-breasted Hill Partridge and went off trail to try to get them , the call seemed to be immediately below us and three or 4 times we thought we had them as Ground Squirrel, Smooth-tailed Treeshrew and Emerald Dove came into view as we scanned the likely area, after being encouraged down a steep slope by Osman to get the birds we still couldn’t see them and gave up eventually and went to get a very late breakfast.
We decided after breakfast to try for Bornean Spiderhunter (not a lifer as we saw last time) and Bornean Laughing Thrush up near the view point where there were some fruiting bushes that the Spiderhunter was said to frequent between 10-11.00 but it didn’t show and a bird flying in that I tried to turn into Sunda Cuckoo-Shrike turned out to be just a Ashy Drongo, only other birds we saw on this really slow morning were Imperial Pigeon, Bornean Treepie, White-throated Fantail another Whistler, and Yellow-bellied Warbler.
We had to check out of our room by 12.00 so we threw our bags in the van and driver handed in the keys to reception whilst we walked down to claim back our key deposit later, the walk down offered us only a Temminck’s Sunbird, Bornean Flowerpecker and Glossy Swiftlet.
By 13.00 the fog had really came in down the mountain and by 13.30 the rain looked like it was on for the afternoon so we decided to wrap it up and head for the coast at Tanjung Aru where we had a night’s accommodation booked before our flight to Singapore tomorrow.
On route to the hotel Osman suggested a 5 minute detour for Rufous and Black Crowned Night Herons which were in a tree just minutes from the hotel.
Other birds seen in the warm afternoon sunshine on the coast were Magpie Robin, Green Imperial Pigeon, Asian Glossy Starling, White-breasted Wood-swallow and Yellow-vented Bulbul.
Up nice and early and we drive up to Bukit Ular trail to try for the Everett’s Thrush. In the gloom just about a 1KM before the trail entrance I shout "stop Thrush". The driver stops immediately after passing the bird, by then I had recognised that it was Orange-head Thrush, not new, but a nice start to the morning as we all saw him well. Then it was onto the trail, on the walk as far as the closed trail sign (you can’t walk down to the power station or up to the viewpoint due to earthquake damage and mud slides) we did not see a single bird, all very different from yesterday where the mountain forest seemed to be dripping with birds. Fortunately as we retraced our steps back down the trail we heard the call of Mountain Wren Babbler, at least 3 birds were calling but we just couldn’t get on one, as we tried to whistle one in another target Bornean Stubtail suddenly made an appearance and we were right on top of him, literally he was in the bush 2 feet away and when I bent down he was within 2 or 3 feet of my nose, way too close for a photo but we had great views of this little skulker. While we were distracted by the Stubtail one of the Wren-babblers had obviously decided to check us out and when we looked at where the bird was now calling from he was very close but still in a tangle of vegetation, fortunately the bird came out for a at least one good look and Mountain Wren Babbler was the last of the 3 Bornean Wren-babblers endemics we saw on the trip.
We could then hear close-by both Partridge species calling, we headed to the closest call and managed to see a female Crimson-headed Partridge walk across the trail unfortunately none of the other birds in the groups joined her. It was still pretty slow going and all we added were Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher, Sunda Thrush and Bornean Whistler as we made our way down the road and on to the mempening trail, hear we heard some Red-breasted Hill Partridge and went off trail to try to get them , the call seemed to be immediately below us and three or 4 times we thought we had them as Ground Squirrel, Smooth-tailed Treeshrew and Emerald Dove came into view as we scanned the likely area, after being encouraged down a steep slope by Osman to get the birds we still couldn’t see them and gave up eventually and went to get a very late breakfast.
We decided after breakfast to try for Bornean Spiderhunter (not a lifer as we saw last time) and Bornean Laughing Thrush up near the view point where there were some fruiting bushes that the Spiderhunter was said to frequent between 10-11.00 but it didn’t show and a bird flying in that I tried to turn into Sunda Cuckoo-Shrike turned out to be just a Ashy Drongo, only other birds we saw on this really slow morning were Imperial Pigeon, Bornean Treepie, White-throated Fantail another Whistler, and Yellow-bellied Warbler.
We had to check out of our room by 12.00 so we threw our bags in the van and driver handed in the keys to reception whilst we walked down to claim back our key deposit later, the walk down offered us only a Temminck’s Sunbird, Bornean Flowerpecker and Glossy Swiftlet.
By 13.00 the fog had really came in down the mountain and by 13.30 the rain looked like it was on for the afternoon so we decided to wrap it up and head for the coast at Tanjung Aru where we had a night’s accommodation booked before our flight to Singapore tomorrow.
On route to the hotel Osman suggested a 5 minute detour for Rufous and Black Crowned Night Herons which were in a tree just minutes from the hotel.
Other birds seen in the warm afternoon sunshine on the coast were Magpie Robin, Green Imperial Pigeon, Asian Glossy Starling, White-breasted Wood-swallow and Yellow-vented Bulbul.
Attachments
Morning in Borneo and Singapore
Just time for a quick walk before breakfast. In the gardens were the usual Asian Glossy Starling, House Sparrow, Magpie Robin, Pink-necked Green Pigeon and the what appears to be occasional Blue-naped Parrot. I then spotted a photographer on the beach trying to get close to some waders and had to have a look there was a dozen Lesser Sand Plovers and a single Greater Sand Plover in nice breeding plumage. Last birds in Borneo were Glossy Swift and Cattle Egret at the airport.
Singapore
We arrived in Singapore just before the F1 Grand Prix qualifying began, we didn’t realise it was on when we booked flights and hotel but the Island was pretty busy with motor racing fans and all the hotels and restaurants were busy with F1 themed events. We decided to embrace the occasion and pretty much acted as tourists for our three days with just a little bit of birding in Botantic Garden, the Gardens in the Bay and around our hotel the Shangri-La.
We saw quite a few birds including a Rufous Woodpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Olive-backed Sunbird, Pied Fantail, Java Myna, White-breasted Waterhen, Pacific Swift, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Blue-throated Bee-eater, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Black-naped Oriole, There were even a couple of migrants coming through in the form of Arctic Warbler and Dark-sided Flycatcher.
Just time for a quick walk before breakfast. In the gardens were the usual Asian Glossy Starling, House Sparrow, Magpie Robin, Pink-necked Green Pigeon and the what appears to be occasional Blue-naped Parrot. I then spotted a photographer on the beach trying to get close to some waders and had to have a look there was a dozen Lesser Sand Plovers and a single Greater Sand Plover in nice breeding plumage. Last birds in Borneo were Glossy Swift and Cattle Egret at the airport.
Singapore
We arrived in Singapore just before the F1 Grand Prix qualifying began, we didn’t realise it was on when we booked flights and hotel but the Island was pretty busy with motor racing fans and all the hotels and restaurants were busy with F1 themed events. We decided to embrace the occasion and pretty much acted as tourists for our three days with just a little bit of birding in Botantic Garden, the Gardens in the Bay and around our hotel the Shangri-La.
We saw quite a few birds including a Rufous Woodpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Olive-backed Sunbird, Pied Fantail, Java Myna, White-breasted Waterhen, Pacific Swift, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Blue-throated Bee-eater, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Black-naped Oriole, There were even a couple of migrants coming through in the form of Arctic Warbler and Dark-sided Flycatcher.
Thanks
Thanks Mike
I would have loved no.4000 to be the Whitehead Trogon or the Broadbill but Crimson-headed Partridge was still a nice bird
Sarah
I agree on the Kingfisher a great bird that I would have loved to have seen perched for a while.:gh:
Thanks Mike
I would have loved no.4000 to be the Whitehead Trogon or the Broadbill but Crimson-headed Partridge was still a nice bird
Sarah
I agree on the Kingfisher a great bird that I would have loved to have seen perched for a while.:gh:
Pictures of Pittas
So title was in search of Pittas, Broadbills and Trogons
So here are some Pitta we found
Blue-banded Pitta x 3, Blue Headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta
So title was in search of Pittas, Broadbills and Trogons
So here are some Pitta we found
Blue-banded Pitta x 3, Blue Headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta
Attachments
Some Broadbill photos
Whiteheads, Black and Yellow x2, Black and Red, Green ( not great)
Whiteheads, Black and Yellow x2, Black and Red, Green ( not great)
Correction
On looking at these it is Rufous-tailed Shama in first picture not Snowy browed Flycatcher
On looking at these it is Rufous-tailed Shama in first picture not Snowy browed Flycatcher
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