The best of Ba'kelalan at Kelabit Highlands

 8-12th July 2026

Targeting two of Sarawak's rarest endemic birds—the Dulit Frogmouth and Black Oriole—Cikgu Sang and Nick led a group of birders from China on this challenging expedition.

The Dulit Frogmouth certainly lived up to its reputation, giving us a very hard time despite our best efforts. Fortunately, the Black Oriole eventually rewarded our patience. A juvenile female was seen feeding in a fruiting tree, while the adult remained concealed high in the canopy, calling continuously from one of the tallest trees that was unfortunately not visible from the main road at Lepak.

Although we missed clear views of the adult, witnessing this elusive endemic in its natural habitat was still a memorable experience and a fitting highlight of the trip.

eBird trip report https://ebird.org/tripreport/549062

Breakfast in Beaufort before Klias Peatswamp Forest

Watching the uncommon Red-throated Pipit

On our way to look for the rare Hook-billed Bulbul

With Ron and John in Sipitang town

Waiting for the ferry in Lawas

One of the remaining wetlands in Lawas

Ongoing upgrading road project from Lawas-Ba'kelalan

With Cikgu Sang and Mark

Sang's Homestay at Buduk Nur village

Birding around Ba'kelalan-Bario Road

Stuck on a deep mud while searching for the Black Oriole

Succesful trip for the Dulit Frogmouth

Birding at Mt. Murud

View of Maligan Highlands

Slaughtering the hen for soup

Oil seal for the hub

Ron's ninja king 

Paddyfield Pipit

Large Frogmouth

8 species of Hornbills completed!

 22nd June -1st July 2026

Together with Jack, Dr. Sunshine, and Joel, we embarked on a journey to see some of Sabah's specialty birds and other remarkable wildlife. The trip began at Tanjung Aru Beach, where we searched for the Blue-naped Parrots and Long-tailed Parakeets, Mt. Trusmadi for the Bornean Banded Pitta, Mt. Kinabalu for the Mt. Blackeye and Bornean Swiftlet, Telupid for the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and the endemic Bornean Bristlehead seen through the scope at Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok and concluded at the Kinabatangan River. During our final river cruise, we were rewarded with sightings of the last two hornbill species on our target list—the Bushy-crested Hornbill and the iconic Helmeted Hornbill—as well as the endangered Storm's Stork.

They are now exploring Tabin Wildlife Reserve, where we hope they will be rewarded with sightings of the elusive pittas and the highly sought-after Bornean Ground-Cuckoo!

eBird trip report https://ebird.org/tripreport/545455

Misty afternoon at Mt. Alab bird station

Shooting the smallest and endemic raptor; White-fronted Falconet

Mt. Kinabalu

Admiring the smallest Orchid

View from The Pampines Villa

On our way to look for the Whitehead's

View Point and we got the Wreathed Hornbill here

With the Swarovski Optik AX Visio 10x32

View of Kg. Serusop from Timpohon Gate hehehe

Extra effort were needed for the Whitehead's Trogon (dipped)

On our way to the starting point for the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide

Muddy road through the oil palm plantation

New and stable bridge for visitors

Yes for the Bornean Bristlehead seen well with the Swarovski Optic ATC56 scope !!!

A very quiet morning at Sepilok

Dr. Sunshine at the skywalks

At Kinabatangan River with plenty of hopes for the remaining Hornbills

Cruise after the rain

Busy for the Orang Utan

Gomantong Cave for the Mossy and Black-nest Swiftlet

With Incut

Used gearbox to be swap with the current ones as it has a problem for accidentally slipping the 3rd gear into neutral

With a grab driver on my way back home from the workshop

Bornean Banded Pitta

Little Cuckoodove

Bornean Whistler

Sunda Scimitar-Babbler

Grey-hooded Babbler

Probably the migrant Orange-headed Thrush

Wreathed Hornbill

Stork-billed Kingfisher

The light colour plumage of Javan Myna (melanism thanks to Dr. Amar for the identification)

Grey Langur

Black-crowned Night Heron

Green Imperial Pigeon

Rhinoceros Hornbill female

Full moon

Rhinoceros Hornbill male

Black-and-red Broadbill

The rarest Straw-headed Bulbul on our final morning at Kinabatangan River!

Happy birding!