Malaysia tour update

Limosa’s tour to Malaysia has just concluded, led by our expert guide Lee Kok Chung. The tour got off to a good start with cracking views of Blue-winged Pitta in the Botanical Gardens, along with Western Hooded Pitta and followed by multiple Malaysian Eared Nightjars, Dusky Eagle Owl and a pair of Spotted Wood Owls in the evening. The mangroves provided the group with the expected specialities, namely Mangrove Whistler and Golden-bellied Gerygone, but a bonus came in the form of two Chestnut-winged Cuckoos.

On to the famous Fraser’s Hill which, despite some inclement weather, did not disappoint. Prolonged close views of Lesser Shortwing, Malay Partridge, Malay Laughingthrush, Red-headed Trogon and Silver-breasted Broadbill were some of the many highlights. Blue Nuthatch played hard to get but the group managed to connect with this much sought after species on the final morning on the hill.

Krau Forest was next up with an amazing performance from a Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher, along with a supporting cast of elusive babblers including Black-throated and Large Wren-babbler and a brief male Malayan Banded Pitta.

The following day at Bukit Tinggi a displaying male Mountain Peacock-Pheasant was nearly out-staged by a pair of Ferruginous Partridges.

Moving on to the lowland jungles of Taman Negara the group added a number of excellent birds to the list including Crested Jayshrike, Banded Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Black-and-red Broadbill, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Malayan Crested Fireback and the elusive Malaysian Rail-babbler.

Lee had one last surprise for us when, on the way back to the airport, he took us to see a Mangrove Pitta providing the group with a fitting end to an incredibly successful and enjoyable trip.