The heron (kokokan) bird-watching at Petulu Village, Ubud 22 May 2013

Coming from the direction of Ubud town, watch out for this signage or a paddy field on your left in Petulu village. 

From  Ubud town centre, head to east on Jl Raya Ubud till you reach the junction with a big statue. Turn left to Jl Raya Andong, go up the road. About 2km thereon, watch out for the sign on the left to Petulu Village.

We requested to be dropped off here from Eve Spa's free transportation service. On the way home, we booked Warong Enak 's free pick up service and had dinner at the warong.  

There is a hut with tables and chairs by the paddy field that give you a great view of the birds. 

Order a cup or coffee/tea or "Bintang" from the man who runs the hut. 

There is a fee to watch the heron at the village, 15,000 IDR per adult and no charge for kids.

The ticket counter is located at the end of the village. You will need to walk past the paddy field to see it at the end of the road, in front of the village temple.  

Why do birds fly in V formation?

Mynah incubating process August 2012

The female Mynah looking out from the birdhouse. She does most of the incubation. 

The Mynah will make sure it is safe before flying into the house. 

We saw the head bending to the side of the birdhouse, to check if we are there. 

The male Mynah stands guard around the birdhouse most of the time. 

In the late evening, he would fly away to the common roosting area, leaving the female alone in the birdhouse.

The Mynah was seen incubating the eggs while looking out from the window! Lovely. 

Mynah birdnest in a box 29 July 2012

29 July 2012

2 August 2012

Both male and female built the nest together and they paired up for life.

Male is slightly bigger and brighter. 

9 August 2012

The same pair of Mynah will keep the same territory and they will reuse the nest as well.

The nest was built in a span of 2 to 3 weeks before she finally laid eggs on 14 August 2012 morning.

This nesting box was made on 26 June 2011. Click here. 

Introductory to Birdwatching at Lake Garden with MNS 11 December 2011

Introductory to birds' briefing by Liong, a veteran birder.

We were loaned a pair of binocular with greater magnification than the pairs we owned.

Pond heron - photo captured through the lens of a telescope.

This time around, a telescope was set at kid's height.

En's weaving.

Checking the mynah species we spotted - which was a Javan mynah.

Birding at Lake Garden was so much friendlier compare to our previous experienced at Kemensah.

We had a wonderful morning as the location chosen was more kids' friendly - with wide space to roam without disrupting the birds from afar.

We sighted Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Asia Glossy Starling, Asian Koel, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-naped oriole, Spotted Dove, Common Iora, Magpie and many more.

Three types of crows in Malaysia.

After an hour, the kids had enough of birding and hopped onto the huge playground.

Lots of opportunity for physical movement.

Bird Watching with MNS, at Kampung Kemensah, Hulu Klang 29 May 2011

It was an early Sunday, 7 in morning, with MNS Selangor for birdwatching which took place at a lowland secondary forest at Kg Kemensah. Little did I know, there is a serene and quiet little village with a river running through it,  at the back of our Zoo Negara. For direction, simply turn left from Zoo Entrance A and go straight till you arrive Teratak Angah.

The bird enthusiasts immediately set up their high tech binoculars the moment they got off their cars and . This photo was taken at the parking area.  The group watched from the left, trailing the bird to the right (below).

I simply admire their love and interest in birds. 

we walked up the forest after a short briefing,  

This is the entrance to the forest, which is near to Teratak Angah Chalet entrance.

They stopped, watched at the same spot for a moment and moved up. The trip lasts for 3 long hours.

 I could hear 'Red Eye Bul Bul' and followed by the direction of the bird and everyone would aim their binoculars to the position.

This gadget on the left provides crystal clear image of the bird. When I looked through it, I was awed by this magnificent tool and its view.

wanna hear the soothing chirping sound?

Shortly after, Hui found the sand more fun. She created fish-sand, so she said, with her shoes. She spent a great deal of time decorating it. We both fell behind. While Hui did her sand craft, I simply listened to the birds' chirping and watched them flew above us.

An hour later, En too had enough of the birds. :)

A water surface tension experiment which clearly illustrates what is it about.

 

Video on surface tension.

Raptor Watch @Tanjung Tuan 26 March 2011

Saturday 11am

Hike up Tanjung Tuan.

 Photographers at work.We 'parked' ourselves here and waited for the raptors avidly. 

A MNS member at work, guarded the left area.

At 1205pm, we spotted the first raptor flying from the horizon. It was seen as a small little dot.  

The sight of the raptor was getting bigger as it flown towards the lighthouse.

We cheered happily. It was such a beautiful sight, watching the raptor coming from the far horizon, and towards us. There were less than 20 raptors. We could saw one flying low, above us. It was so amazing getting upclose with an eagle.  This experience was so different from our last year visit, when we only spotted them gliding and circling above the sky.  

Hiking down to the beach. The steps to the beach are very steep. I did not handle it very well. I felt my chest tightened and I was wheezing. Prior to that, a hike to Tanjung Tuan light house, made it worse.

It has been a year since our last visit. The beach is still as clean and quiet.

There are no toilet facilities here. After having a fun splash, the kids have to hike up, wet and dirty.

Related post First Raptor Watch

Olive-backed sunbird 25 February 2011

I spotted a birdnest of an olive-backed sunbird, a common resident seen wherever there are suitable flower shrubs in parks and garden close to buildings. 

We observed the bird flying in and out constructing its hanging nest with all sorts of things.

Kapar Power Station 21 February 2011

The huge & high chimneys emitting smoke at the magnificient power station that runs on coal. We can only admire from outside. The person who suppposedly brought us in, was not on duty hmmmm.. According to the another staff, Kapar power station only opens to visitors during The Festival of Wings in September/October. We gonna have to make another trip here to catch the migratory birds.  

The farthest that we could see from our pick-up truck.

Cockle processing area adjacent to Kapar Power Station.

We saw fishermen came back with loads of cockles and the sound of the machine washing cockles could be heard nearby. It reminds me of Kuala Sepetang. 

This is the machine.Cockles are thrown in from one side. The machine spins while water gushes in, washing cockles. 

Thanks Norlin for the invite.

Raptor Watch Tanjung Tuan Melaka 12 March 2010

Friday 645am
We headed to Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve for "raptor watch" and nature walk. It was a relax journey with clear traffic. It took approx 2 hours to arrive at the entrance of Tanjung Tuan, by NSE, exited at Seremban/PD. Turn right at traffic light after toll. Follow the sign to PD highway. After the final toll, go straight till you reach roundabout, take first left exit. There is "Teluk Kemang/Rumah Api Tanjung Tuan" signboard. Head down to the trunk road till you see Thistle Hotel on your right and you should see a signboard of Hutan Simpanan Tanjung Tuan on your left. Shortly after, you see  Rachardo Army Camp on your right. You need to turn right into a small road before the Rachardo Army Camp. Go straight to the end and you will see Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve entrance. Park outside of Ilham Resort which is next to the Tanjung Tuan entrance. Entrance is free as well.

Entrance of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve.

 Follow the walking path up the hill from entrance and you will reach the light house at the end. Along the way,  you will find variety of flora and fauna, long tail macaque, dusky leaf monkey and variety of birds.

Left- En with unique twig that came with a twirly stem.

 Right- Hui found a thick heavy stick & she pointed to where the stick dropped from .

Left- thorny twig. Right- timber  that is broad, tall and stunning!

Left- En was happy with her newfound-tree branches. Right-Beautiful nipah.

Left- Resting. Right- A fresh bird poo dropped right in front of us!

Left-En found a tiny green fruit. Right-They searched for more.

When you see this sign, turn left, lead you to a scenic pristine beach. Go straight lead you to lighthouse at the top of hill.  At the lighthouse, there are another 2 trails that lead you back to the beach.

Clean beach and sea in PD!

Tanjung Tuan is one of the last remaining undeveloped beaches along the coast of Port Dickson

Shells collected from Tanjung Tuan beach.

Left-Long tail macaque. Right-climb 72 steps to stunning light house.

Left- EnHui were excited gathering palm fruit. Right- dusky leaf monkeys

Left- Palm fruits of EnHui's collection. Right- stunning lighthouse.

Left- Walk beside the lighthouse led us to the other side, ie Monkey Bay view -Right.

It's magnificient view of the straits of Malacca! :)

Between mid Feb to mid April, raptors (migratory bird of prey) will be fying over the straits of Malacca back to their breeding grounds in northern hemisphere. At Tanjung Tuan, they will be flying low making it possible to have a good view of the magnificient bird. It also provides food for the raptor as well as resting spot. The best time to catch them is between 11am to 3pm where the weather is hot and serves as a thermal for the raptor to glide over the sky without using energy to flap its wing. We saw lots of pacific swift  flying low and right in front of us. ! We spotted green turtle surfacing frequently and dived into sea.

Right- a resident eagle flying in the sky and the camera lens belong to the MNS(Malaysian Nature Society) people.

When we arrived at 930am, the MNS people started to set up huge umbrella, cameras etc to begin their day work at counting the number of raptors that fly over. They started counting in mid Feb.. and till 12 Mar, there are over 29,000 raptors has crossed the straits of Malacca.

At around 1130am, the raptors were spotted at 4th mile flying high in the sky. While waiting,

Left- Brunch. Right- Hui showed what she found.

Left- a black ant carried the crumb home. Right- Hui scooped sand.

Right- En learnt to use the telescope on her own. Right- En trailed the ant home.

Left- En & dad weaved. Right- En found a small coconut.

At 2pm, EnHui 's patience was wearing thin. We decided to head downhill .. and we saw over 20 raptors circling in the sky. They flapped their wings and glide in the sky.

Left- En in deep thought. Right- tyre swing.. wheeee!

Left- Hui on the tyre swing. Bottom- En dare to climb up the tree.