Limosa - Birdwatching and Wildlife Hoildays Worldwide

After clearing immigration and customs at KLIA, we were met by Malaysia’s leading birder and Limosa leader, Dennis Yong, who was to accompany us for the next 11 days. It was only then that we realised that one of our party was missing, a great start! After persuading the immigration chaps to let me back into the baggage hall, the laggard was soon located, having just collected his baggage. Following this minor setback, we were soon speeding on the new expressway towards Kuala Selangor (KS) on Malaysia’s west coast, as well as seeing our first birds including Brown Shrike, Dollarbird, Crested Serpent Eagle and the ever-spreading Javan Myna. We spent the first afternoon strolling around the Nature Park at KS. This reserve is an attractive mixture of mangrove, wetlands and scrub and is home to a wide range of species that we would not encounter elsewhere. Although it is no longer possible to access the open mudflats here, were shorebirds feed in large numbers, a walkway through the mangroves allows access into this otherwise inaccessible habitat. Our gentle introduction to Malaysian birds was underway. Herons and egrets abounded by the pools and marshes, with Grey and Purple Herons, Great and Little Egrets and Striated Herons all being conspicuous. Overhead, Brahminy Kites floated effortlessly, and Pink-necked Pigeons regularly flew across the mangroves and occasionally paused for prolonged ‘scope views. Kingfishers put on a good show, with Collared, Common and the hulking Stork-billed all showing well. As dusk approached, Yellow Wagtails formed pre-roosting flocks and Large-billed Crows gathered in their hundreds. Exhausted, we were glad of the opportunity of an early night, but not before a brief excursion in search of Buffy Fish Owl. Unfortunately, it failed to put in an appearance, but we were treated to nice looks at a Common Palm Civit.

With the effects of jet lag kicking in, most were wide-awake 06:00 and opted for a pre-dawn excursion around the hotel gardens where a Large-tailed Nightjar was summoned into view. He gave a couple of nice fly-bys before vanishing into the pre-dawn gloom. The rest of the morning was spent at the Nature Park, were we enjoyed many of the birds we had seen the previous day, enabling everyone to catch up with anything that may have been missed the previous day. Ashy Tailorbirds and Yellow-bellied Prinias showed well, as did a couple of Tiger Shrikes, migrants from northern Asia, and three Little Bronze Cuckoos. Calling Mangrove Pittas and Mangrove Whistlers remained deep within cover, and of Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, there was not a squeak. A couple of migrating Japanese Sparrowhawks, an Oriental Honey-buzzard and a pair of Serpent Eagles provided the raptor highlights of the morning. All too soon, and with the temperatures rising, it was time to move onto Fraser’s Hill for a four-night stay. Along the way, we made a couple of brief stops, the best being near Kuala Kota Bahru where four Brown Shrikes, a Paddyfield Pipit and a handful of Scaly-breasted Munias showed well. We reached our hotel at Fraser’s Hill with an hour of daylight left, so no wishing to waste a wonderful opportunity, our group assembled outside the hotel shortly after we checked in. This proved to be one of those perfect moves for, there in front of us was a party of five Blue Nuthatches. Not only are these nuthatches one of the most attractive of the genus, but they can be really tricky to find at Fraser’s. But here they were, our first birds and in the hotel gardens. Needless to say, we didn’t have time to venture beyond the hotel at this late hour, but with the best part of four days here to appreciate the montane forest and its birds, we knew we were going to be treated to some very special birds.

Over the next three days we explored many of Fraser’s Hill’s best birding sites including Jalan Girdle, the Gap Road, the Rubbish Dump, the Waterfall Road and the Bishop’s Trail. Every morning, however, we began the day by visiting the gardens at the Jelai Resort. Quite why these gardens are so attractive to such a wide variety of birds and in such numbers at dawn is a bit of a mystery. But, each day, for the first hour after dawn, these gardens were alive with birds. Most conspicuous were Fire-tufted Barbets, Long-tailed Sibias, Streaked Spiderhunters, Black-throated Sunbirds, Javan Cuckoo-shrikes and Chestnut-capped Laughingthrushes but with them we also found Black-browed Barbets, White-browed and Black-eared Shrike-babblers, Mountain Bulbuls, Orange-bellied Leafbirds, Mountain Tailorbirds, Mountain Leaf and Chestnut-crowned Warblers, Little Pied Flycatchers, White-throated Fantails, Golden Babblers, Silver-eared Mesias, Mountain Fulvettas, Fire-breasted Flowerpeckers, Black-and-crimson Orioles, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongos and much more. One bird we particularly wanted to see was the attractive Green Magpie. It was here each morning, but getting everyone onto it proved tricky. It seemed to enjoy waiting until it had been spotted, and then dived into the deepest cover. For some, it was readily seen, while others only glimpsed it at distance on our last morning here, but by way of compensation, a male Large Niltava sat on an overhead wire and sang his heart out. Overhead, diminutive Glossy Swiftlets and screaming parties of House Swifts vied for attention. Each morning was very special. We spent our four mornings here visiting the Gap Road (twice), Jalan Girdle, and the Bishop’s Trail. The afternoons were disappointingly wet; the once predictable rains associated with the northeast monsoon that traditionally began in November have been replaced by torrential downpours that seem to happen daily at any time of the year — perhaps the impact of global warming, or the effects of the forest fires in Sumatra?

Birding along the Gap Road proved to be one of the highlights of Fraser’s. Its slightly lower elevation brought us into range of a number of birds that don’t make it to the top. Our two mornings here enabled us to get superb ‘scope views of many exciting birds, perhaps the best being the two montane trogons, Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons, while parties of Black Laughingthrushes and Sultan Tits kept us occupied. In the forest, a calling Red-bearded Bee-eater was lured into view, a party of the elusive and enigmatic Pin-tailed Parrotfinches showed well as they fed on flowering bamboo, and the many bird waves included parties of Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrikes, Black-crested and Ochraceous Bulbuls, Blue-winged Minlas, Everett’s White-eyes, Large Woodshrike and much more. A delightful Black-thighed Falconet sat like a large bumblebee on a dead snag while overhead, a couple of Rufous-bellied Eagles were seen.

Trail birding in the forest is always exciting but can be tricky with a group. However, with so many exciting birds to see along the Bishop’s Trail at Fraser’s, we were all excited by the prospect of getting to grips with those skulking little brown jobs that are so high on everyone’s wants list. As we started along the trail, a skulking Buff-breasted Babbler sang beside the path. Dennis tried to persuade it to show itself, but to no avail, and other than a few quick glimpses as it shot across the track, it was not to be. Fortunately, our next goodie, Streaked Wren Babbler performed much better, as did a male Lesser Shortwing for those at the back of the group. For others, it remained an ethereal voice in the shadows. Bringing cheer to everyone was that delightful sprite of the forest floor, Pygmy Wren Babbler. This cracking little bird showed so well that at times it seemed as though you could reach out and pick it up. For 10 minutes or more, he entertained us, and was still singing away as we left him. Next came Rufous-browed Flycatcher, followed by a singing Marbled Wren Babbler. Predictably though, like all his kind, he stubbornly sat out of view and refused to budge, and the steep slope prevented us going in after him. At this very moment, however, a bird wave came through, accompanied by a party of stunning Long-tailed Broadbills. The clown-like appearance of this broadbill of the montane forests, combined with its outrageous habit of exaggeratedly cocking its tail up and down endeared this bird to everyone, making it one of the lasting memories of the tour. Other highlights included that pair of Large Scimitar-babblers which showed so well, the calling Malaysian Hill Partridges that refused to cross the track. Of course, we shouldn’t neglect the many other great experiences including the parties of Banded Leaf Monkeys, the early morning wailing of Siamangs across the ridge tops and the wealth of stunningly beautiful butterflies including Rajah Brooke’s and Yellow-winged Birdwings, which barely flapped as they floated between the treetops.

Fraser’s Hill certainly was a great success, but the lowland forests of Taman Negara beckoned. Just getting there was an adventure in itself, with a leisurely four hour boat ride along the Sungei Tembeling, accompanied by Rhinoceros and Oriental Pied Hornbills, Brown-backed Needletails, a smattering of raptors and several Red-wattled Lapwings. Although it is now possible to drive to the resort at Kuala Tahan where we were to stay for the next five nights, going in by boat sets the scene for the great birding that lies in wait. From our base at Kuala Tahan, a series of trails thread their way through primary lowland forest, while the hotel grounds have been planted with an attractive mixture of flowering trees and shrubs that proved to be extremely attractive to a wide range of birds. So, it was only necessary to step outside our cabins to see some great birds.

During our five days here, we explored different trails each day, as well as spending much time watching the fruiting fig outside Room 106 in the hotel grounds. This tree held a wealth of birds attracted by the ripe fruit including Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Red-eyed, Cream-vented, Stripe-throated and Puff-backed Bulbuls, Greater Green Leafbirds, Thick-billed and Little Green Pigeons, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Red-crowned Barbet. In addition, up to four stunning Yellow-rumped Flycatchers dashed through the lower canopy, at times accompanied by an Asian Brown Flycatcher, while on the ground below them, a Forest Wagtail delicately picked its way around the cabins. The nearby gardens held Little and Streaky-breasted Spiderhunters, Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers, Common Ioras and Crimson-winged Woodpeckers.

Trail birding can be both great fun and incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, Dennis knows the songs of the forest birds so well that he was able to seek out the forest skulkers time after time after time. Inevitably, nobody saw everything, but after five days here, just about everybody saw just about everything. Highlights there were aplenty. Who will every forget that pair of Rail Babblers that Dennis coaxed into view, coming closer and closer, getting angrier and angrier, until one shot across the trail in front of us, followed by his mate at a more sedate pace, which then gave us wonderful views as she skulked in the trackside cover, thinking she was invisible but could be seen by everyone. Earlier that morning, a Garnet Pitta had sat in full view giving us time to get the ‘scopes set up on it. We saw so many exciting birds here that a mere list simply cannot do justice to the experience. Watching Rhinoceros Hornbills perched in the canopy; listening to the accelerating maniacal laughter of Helmeted Hornbill at dusk by the river; those Malaysian Eared Nightjars that drifted overhead with their ‘kiss me quick’ calls; the Large Wren Babbler that sat in the open and sang his heart out; gaudy Black-and yellow Broadbills and the more subtle Green Broadbills with their gentle rolling song; the party of normally elusive Black Magpies that came, saw conquered and still stayed around for longer than they really needed to; the plethora of small forest babblers including Chestnut-winged, Black-throated, Chestnut-rumped and best of all, the male Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler with the tiny white feathers bursting out from the sides of his throat; the Crested Firebacks that skulked so close to our rooms, yet we only managed to catch up with them on our last morning; the party of 60 or so Large Green Pigeons in flight over the swimming beach; colourful Red-naped, Diard’s and Scarlet-rumped Trogons seen well through the ‘scope; that stunningly diminutive Rufous Piculet that showed brilliantly as it worked its way through a bamboo forest.

Away from the trails, we made a few excursions along the rivers where we could enjoy a broader vista over the surrounding forest. These rivers remain a stronghold for the threatened Lesser Fish Eagle, so we were please to see a pair still occupied a territory along the Kuala Tahan. Elsewhere, A changeable Hawk Eagle sat in a riverside tree while parties of Brown-backed Needletails came streaming down to the river to drink just after dawn, while Silver-rumped Spinetails rocketed over the canopy. It was here that we also saw both Grey-rumped and Whiskered Treeswifts, several parties of Blue-throated Bee-eaters, Dollarbirds, Black-and-red Broadbills and their suspended nests over the river, and who will forget those stunning demoiselles flying low over the river, flashing brilliant green, then black. Right up to the last gasp, we were still adding new birds, the last being three Dark-necked Tailorbird right outside our rooms, where had they been hiding? As we reluctantly had to tear ourselves away and pack, we could easily have stayed another week and still carried on seeing new birds and enjoying wonderful experiences. Malaysia is a great country, with a wealth of fantastic birds along with many other outstanding wildlife experiences. Although the forests and their birds can, at times, be almost overwhelming, with Dennis’s vast experience and knowledge of songs and calls, nobody should feel that this tour is beyond their abilities, and everyone is assured a great experience.

Abbreviations used within this summary

FH — Fraser’s Hill

KS — Kuala Selangor

KKB - Kuala Kota Bahru

KLIA — Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Sg. — Sungei (river)

TN — Taman Negara

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
At least 15 at KS on 19/9 and 8+ there the following day.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Only noted at KS with 2 on 19/9 and one on 20/9.

Great Egret Egretta alba
Four at KS on 19/9 and six there the following day.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Up to 15 at KS on 19/9 and 20/9.

Striated Heron Butorides striatus
Four at KS on 19/9 and 20/9. In addition, one flew across the Sg. Tembeling, TN, on 26/9.

One over KS on 20/9 and two along the Gap Road, FH, on 24/9.

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Two between KLIA & KS on 19/9, followed by two at KS the next day.

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
Common at KS with 30+ noted daily. Not recorded elsewhere.

Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis
A pair along the Sg. Tahan, TN, on 27/9.

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
Widespread in small numbers throughout, and noted on seven days. Regularly encountered at KS, FH and TN, with occasional sightings at various locations elsewhere while travelling.

Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus
A juvenile perched in riverside bushes by the Sg. Tahan, TN, on 25/9.

Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
Two at KS on 20/9, and one at FH on 21/9. A regular migrant through Malaysia from Palearctic Asia.

Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii
Single immature birds over the Gap Road, FH, on 22/9 and 23/9.

Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus
One flew in front of the boat as we travelled from Kuala Tembeling to TN on 24/9. Another seen perched in a riverside tree at TN as we headed towards the Blau Trail on 26/9.

Blyth’s Hawk Eagle Spizaetus alboniger
Singles seen at FH on 21/9 and at TN on 27/9.

Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius
Outstanding looks at a perched bird along the Gap Road, FH, on 24/9.

Malayan Hill Partridge Arborophila campbelli
Heard along Jalan Girdle, FH, on 21/9.

Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
One seen at KS on 19/9, and others heard there the following day. Also heard at TN on 26/9 and 27/9.

Crested Fireback Lophura ignita
A pair plus at least three well-grown youngsters showed well near the start of the trail to the canopy walkway on 28/9 and 29/9.

Malayan Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron malacense
Heard at TN on 25/9, 26/9 and 28/9.

Great Argus Argusianus argus
The distinctive and far-carrying call of the male was heard at TN on 25/9 and 28/9.

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus
One heard at KS on 19/9 and one seen well in a roadside ditch between KS and FH on 20/9.

At least five along the Sg. Tembeling between Kuala Tembeling and TN on 24/9.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
At least four at KS on 19/9 and 20/9. A minimum of six along the Sg.Tembeling between Kuala Tembeling and TN on 24/9.

Regularly noted around human habitation in the lowlands. Common near KS, but not recorded at FH or TN.

Little Cuckoo-dove Macropygia ruficeps
Up to six birds seen daily at FH between 21/9 and 24/9.

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Single birds noted daily at TN. Difficult to get to grips with and most were seen briefly in flight over rivers.

Zebra (Peaceful) Dove Geopelia striata
Confined to the lowlands, with two at KS on 19/9 and six there the next day. Elsewhere, at least 12 noted on 20/9 between KS and KKB, before the road began to climb to FH.

Little Green Pigeon Treron olax
Singles occasionally seen most days at TN, with a maximum 8+ on 26/9.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans
Common at KS, with 60+ there on 19/9 and 40+ there the following day. Not recorded elsewhere.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra
Only seen at TN, with the fruiting fig adjacent to Room 106 being the favoured locality. Ones and twos noted here daily between 26/9 and 29/9.

Large Green Pigeon Treron capellei
Only seen in trees fringing the Sg. Tahan, with one on 27/9, and several groups totalling 30+ birds coming into roost by the swimming beach on 28/9.

Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia
Common at FH and noted daily between 21/9 and 24/9.

Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus
Two parties of seven (the same?) in flight over the Sg. Tahan, TN, on 27/9.

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus
One in flight over the Gap Road, FH, on 24/9. At TN, the distinctive flight call was regularly heard and several birds were glimpsed as they rocketed over the canopy. Seeing one perched was, however, an altogether different matter, but most managed to see the bird in the fruiting fig at Room 106 on 26/9.

Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii
One heard along the Tahan Trail, TN, on 27/9.

Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus
Three at KS on 20/9 and two in the hotel compound at TN on 29/9.

Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea
Several heard at KS on 20/9, with one bird seen briefly by some here.

Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi
Ones and twos seen daily at TN between 26/9 and 29/9.

Raffles’s Malkoha Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus
The most numerous malkoha at TN, with up to four seen daily between 25/9 and 28/9, and others regularly heard.

Red-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus javanicus
One along the Blau Trail, TN, on 28/9.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris
Singles seen at various sites at TN on 26/9, 27/9 and 28/9.

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
One by the river at TN resort on 26/9 and 27/9. Also heard here on 28/9.

Short-toed Coucal Centropus rectunguis
The distinctive five-note boom was heard along the Blau Trail, TN, on 28/9.

Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus
Regularly heard at FH each night. Seeing one was altogether a different prospect, with only Dennis seeing a bird on 21/9, which flew before others got onto it.

Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodei
One seen along Jalan Girdle, FH on 21/9. Others heard regularly during the day at FH. Not recorded elsewhere.

Singles heard just before dawn along the Tahan Trail at TN on 26/9 and 28/9.

Gould’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus stellatus
Singles heard just before dawn along the Tahan Trail at TN on 26/9 and 28/9. Dennis managed to see one bird on 28/9 but this flew before the rest of the group could get onto it.

Javan Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis
Singles heard just before dawn along the Tahan Trail at TN on 26/9 and 28/9.

Malaysian Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus temminckii
One seen and heard over the hotel compound at TN at dusk on 24/9. Three seen and heard at the swimming beach by the Sg. Tahan at dusk on 28/9.

Singles seen at heard in the hotel grounds at KS on 19/9 and 20/9.

Common at FH, with up to 20 daily between 20/9 and 24/9. Not recorded elsewhere.

Swiftlet Collocalia sp.
The small swiftlets that occur throughout the lowlands in Malaysia are not identifiable to species in the field. Both Black-nest Swiftlet C. maxima and Germain’s Swiftlet C. germani breed, while Himalayan Swiftlet C. brevirostris is a passage migrant. Separation is only possible by examination in the hand, or by examination of the nest the bird is sitting on; that of Black-nest incorporates feathers and other foreign matter into the construction, while that of Germain’s typically uses saliva only. On this tour, we saw at least 20 in the evening of 19/9 at KS, and 6+ over the Sg. Tembeling between Kuala Tembeling and TN on 24/9.

Silver-rumped Spinetail Rhaphidura leucopygialis
Two over the rubbish dump at FH on 21/9 and 23/9 were the only sightings away from TN. Common at TN where it was seen daily over the forest and rivers, with a maximum of 60+ on 28/9.

Brown Needletail Hirundapus giganteus
Four over the Sg. Tembeling between Kuala Tembeling and TN on 24/9, followed by a flock of 60+ over the river near the hotel in the early morning of 26/9. On this date, many were flying low over the river and occasionally hitting the water surface, presumably to wet their plumage. The only other sighting was of two over the swimming beach on the Sg. Tahan at dusk on 28/9.

Asian Palm-swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
Two over the hotel at KS on 19/9.

Pacific Swift Apus pacificus
Six over the forest at TN on 27/9, followed by two on 28/9 and 29/9.

House Swift Apus affinis
Common at KS and FH, where groups of up to 60 birds were regularly noted. Not recorded at TN.

A flock of at least 25 at TN on 26/9, followed by ones and twos there on subsequent dates.

Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocene comata
Two perching in a riverside tree, and seen in flight, by the Sg. Tahan at TN on 27/9, followed by one over the river the following evening.

Two males on the Blau Trail, TN, on 26/9.

Diard’s Trogon Harpactes diardi
A male seen briefly on the Tahan Trail, TN, on 25/9.

Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii
A male perched gave great ‘scope views on the Tahan Trail at TN on 25/9. Others heard at TN on 27/9 and 28/9.

Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus
Seen or heard daily at FH between 21/9 and 24/9, with at least five birds seen and others heard. The Gap Road was particularly good for this species.

Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios
A male showed extremely well in a roadside tree along the Gap Road at FH on 24/9.

Singles seen at KS on 19/9 and 20/9. At TN singles along the Sg. Tembeling on 24/9 and 26/9.

Blue-banded Kingfisher Alcedo euryzona
A male showed well by the swimming beach on the Sg. Tahan, TN, on 27/9. Later that day, three seen by the lead boat during the upriver excursion.

Singles heard in the forest at TN on 25/9 and 28/9, but no birds seen.

Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella
Singles heard along the Gap Road, FH, on 24/9 and at TN on 27/9. Single birds seen along the Tahan Trail, TN, near the camp ground, on 28/9 and 29/9.

Two at KS on 19/9 and 20/9. Occasionally seen at TN, with four on the Sg Tahan on 27/9 and by the swimming beach on the Sg. Tahan, on 28/9.

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Common and widespread in the lowlands. Regularly seen at KS and in open areas at TN, plus many roadside sightings throughout the lowlands. Not recorded at FH.

Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris
Two at KS on 19/9 and 20/9.

Rufous-collared Kingfisher Actenoides concretus
At TN, singles heard along the Blau Trail on 28/9 and near the hotel on 29/9.

Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus
Singles seen along the Gap Road, FH, on 24/9, and along the Tahan Trail, TN, on 25/9.

Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis
Two at KS on 19/9. Small groups noted most days at TN, with six in riverside trees by the Sg. Tahan on 27/9 being the highest count.

Two between KLIA and KS on 19/9, followed by two at KS on 20/9. At TN, four feeding over the Sg. Tahan on 27/9.

Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
Three in flight over the Sg. Tembeling on 24/9, and one in the fruiting fig next to Room 106 at TN on 26/9.

Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros
Two distant birds in a riverside tree between Kuala Tembeling and TN on 24/9. The following day at TN, two in trees by the Tahan Trail gave nice ‘scope views.

Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
One heard along the Gap Road at FH on 21/9.

Heard at FH on 21/9, 22/9 and 23/9. Occasionally heard at TN on 27/9 and 28/9. Unfortunately, no birds were seen this year.

Fire-tufted Barbet Psilopogon pyrolophus
Common and recorded daily at Fraser’s Hill.

Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
Only seen at KS, where it was noted in the reserve and near the hotel, with four seen on 20/9.

Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon
Heard along the Gap Road at FH on 22/9 and 24/9. Occasionally heard at TN, and one seen in a fruiting fig along the Tahan Trail on 27/9.

Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos
Regularly heard and occasionally seen at TN.

Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti
Common at FH, with up to 15 birds seen daily, although less numerous than Fire-tufted Barbet.

Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henricii
Occasionally heard at TN but only one bird seen, on the Tahan Trail on 27/9.

Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis
Regularly heard at TN but elusive in the canopy and not seen.

Three at KS on 19/9 and noted there again on 20/9. Not recorded elsewhere.

Brown Barbet Calorhamphus fuliginosus
One along the Tahan Trail, TN, on 25/9 and 6+ there on 27/9.

Rufous Piculet Sasia abnormis
One showed extremely well in a small patch of bamboo along the Tahan Trail at TN on 25/9.

Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis
Confined to KS, where one was seen on 19/9, and at least five the following day.

Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus
Heard at TN on 25/9 and 26/9, but not seen.

Banded Woodpecker Picus miniaceus
Singles showed well along the Canopy Trail at TN on 26/9 and 29/9, and along the Tahan Trail on 27/9.

Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
Only seen at FH, with two on 21/9 followed by singles on 22/9 and 23/9.

Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus
Three seen well at TN on 26/9.

Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha
One seen at FH on 22/9.

Checker-throated Woodpecker Picus mentalis
Two along the Gap Road at FH on 24/9. Singles and small parties seen most days at TN, with four on 25/9, and 6+ noted on 27/9 and 28/9.

Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus
Confined to the lowlands at KS, where it was seen in the reserve and at the hotel. Two there on 19/9 followed by four on 20/9.

Common Flameback Dinopium javenense
Like Laced Woodpecker, restricted to the lowlands at KS. One there on 19/9 and at least three there the next day.

Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus
One heard along the Tahan Trail at TN on 25/9, but not seen.

Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtipicus validus
A pair seen well along the Blau Trail at TN on 27/9.

Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis
Three feeding high in the canopy along the Gap Road at FH on 24/9. At TN, one seen along the Sg. Tahan on 27/9.

Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki
Three along the Canopy Trail at TN on 26/9, followed by four along the Tahan Trail the next morning.

Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Two seen briefly at dawn along the Tahan Trail , TN, on 26/9. Another heard near the swimming beach on the Sg. Tahan at dusk on 28/9.

Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus
Several calling along the Blau Trail at TN on 28/9, but nobody managed to get more than a glimpse of a dark shape high in the canopy.

Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchus
Common at TN and recorded daily. Regularly seen by the river in the hotel grounds and along the trails. Several hanging nests noted over the Sg. Tahan.

Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus
Only seen at TN, with singles noted there on 25/9 (juv), 27/9 (adult) and 28/9 (juv).

Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus
Common at TN and recorded daily. The rapid and accelerating call was one of the characteristic sounds of the forest.

Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae
A party of at least 12 birds was seen well along the Bishop’s Trail at FH on 23/9. One of the highlights of the tour.

Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis
Common at TN were it was recorded daily. Although most were only heard, it was seen each day, with a party of seven on the Tahan Trail being the largest group.

Rusty-naped Pitta Pitta oatesi
At least two and possibly four calling birds heard along the Bishop’s Trail at FH on 23/9. Seeing them proved impossible.

Garnet Pitta Pitta granatina
Two calling birds along the Blau Trail at TN eventually revealed themselves after a great deal of persuasion. That was hard work.

Mangrove Pitta Pitta megarhynchus
Single birds heard at KS on 19/9 and 20/9, but not seen.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Occasional sightings throughout, including 15+ at KS on 20/9, 10+ at FH on 21/9, and six over the Sg. Tembeling on 24/9. Erratic at TN, where getting an unobstructed view over the canopy was difficult.

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
Common, widespread and noted daily.

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indica
One feeding on the ground by Room 106 at TN on 26/9.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
At least six at KS on 19/9 showing the characters associated with the form M. f. tschutschensis.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Common at FH with an estimated 15 feeding at the Rubbish Dump on 21/9, and 10+ there on 23/9, plus numerous records of ones and twos throughout. At TN, two on 27/9 by the Sg. Tahan.

Paddyfield (Oriental) Pipit Anthus rufulus
Two in rough grassland somewhere near KKB between KS and FH on 20/9.

Javan Cuckoo-shrike Coracina javensis
Common at FH, in particular by the Jelai Resort garden at dawn, where up to six birds were seen each day.

Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata
One calling near Room 106 at TN on 28/9, but remain deep in cover and was not seen.

Lesser Cuckoo-shrike Coracina fimbriata
A pair showing well by the swimming beach on the Sg, Tahan at TN on 27/9 was the only record.

Pied Triller Lalage nigra
At least four at KS on 20/9.

Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris
Up to 10 daily at FH between 21/9 and 23/9. In the Malaysian race P. s. montanus, the heads of the males are black rather than grey.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus
Often seen in bird waves at FH, with two on 21/9, 6+ on 22/9 and one on 23/9.

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus
Two in a bird wave along the Tahan Trail at TN on 25/9.

Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus
A fairly common riverside bird at TN. Regularly heard around the camp and frequently seen when travelling by boat along the Sg. Tahan and Sg. Tembeling.

Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps
One or two regularly seen in the fruiting fig at Room 106, TN, but six there on 28/9.

Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
After a couple of elusive single birds seen at FH on 21/9 and 22/9, a party of at least 10 along the Gap Road, FH, on 24/9 was seen well by everyone.

Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus
Single birds seen in the fruiting tree opposite to the swimming beach on the Sg. Tahan, FH, on 27/9 and 28/9.

Grey-bellied Bulbul Pycnonotus cyaniventris
Two in the fruiting tree opposite the swimming beach on the Sg. Tahan, FH, on 27/9 and one in the fig outside Room 106, TN, also on 27/9.

Puff-backed Bulbul Pycnonotus eutilotus
Two seen on several occasions in the fruiting fig outside Room 106 at TN.

Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Most sightings came from the hotel grounds at TN, in particular in the fruiting fig outside Room 106, where up to three birds were seen daily between 25/9 and 29/9.

Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier
Common at KS and in the lowlands. Ones and twos occasionally seen at FH, with the Rubbish Dump being the favoured site. Similarly, rare at TN and only seen in the fruiting fig outside Room 106.

Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus
Only seen at KS, with four there on 19/9 and six the following day.

Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex
Singles in the fruiting fig outside Room 106, TN on 28/9 and 29/9.

Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus
Common at TN where it was seen daily. The best views came, not surprisingly, from the fruiting fig next to Room 106. Not recorded elsewhere.