More Ducks!

4th December 2014

More ducks were seen arriving at the Lok Batik Wetland, Tuaran with latest count of 14 Northern Pintail, a pair of Northern Shoveler and 8 Garganey. No sign anymore of the Eurasian Wigeon. Plus suspected Pacific Black Duck (PBD) too but unfortunately the original files of the PBD were deleted for unknown reason by friend.

It was a new record for the Northern Pintail, as the previous sightings were only by single bird.

Images taken with Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1. All Rights ©

 

 Northern Pintail

White-browed Crake

 Northern Shoveler

Common Kingfisher

For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


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Duck Fiesta!

8 - 9th November 2014

As the other counterparts enjoying the presents of Garganey in Brunei, I went to my local patch in Tuaran where I saw the Pheasant-tailed Jacana late last year, and what a surprised there were a single female Eurasian Wigeon mixing together with Garganey, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler and the resident Wandering Whistling Duck!

Considered a vagrant for Sabah, recent record during the last migratory season by TS Wong in Tawau after more than 20 years.


Images taken with Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 and Nikon D300s + 300mm 2.8 VR II + TC1.4x. All Rights Reserved ©

Lake filled with Water Cabbage

Single female Eurasian Wigeon at the background

Wandering Whistling Duck

 Oriental Darter

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Kinabalu Avian Club

Happy birding everyone.



For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


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Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida muelleri)

25th September 2014

Been busy recently with bird surveys, documentary and then Borneo Bird Festival together with Swarovski Optik Singapore, I managed to get few shots of these Hooded Pitta while staying at Uncle Tan Base, about 1km away from Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok together with RTM crews.

It was seen hunting for earth worms at one of the tree few times before flying back to its nest. My 1st shot of Pitta in the open!

Digiscoped with Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 ~ 30x = 2430mm

One of the resident Pitta out of 10 species recorded in Borneo

Happy birding everyone!

For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/

 

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Bornean Bristlehead

One of the rarest endemic found only in Borneo. I have never missed these legendary bird with clients and on my recent tours with Paul at Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley, saw few of them right on top on some of the tallest rainforest trees in the world.

When I pointed my Swarovski STX 95 scope, Paul said why not we take some videos these time? Considering the distance around 100m ++, I did not expect the result would be great etc because it was on maximum zoom at 70x! Then once I viewed through my Mac, quite nice!

Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 at 70x = 5670mm ~ All Rights Reserved ©

Happy birding!



For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


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12 Days Of Fun Birding

7th - 18th August 2014

Together with Tim, Ellen, Bert and Carl, the journey started at Mt Kinabalu with the Whitehead's trio completion. Moved to Sepilok for few days, no sign of the Bornean Bristlehead but great view of the Black-headed Pitta. At Kinabatangan, we got 6 species of Hornbill with White-fronted Falconet and energetic looking Ruddy Kingfisher. The last few days were spent at the famous Bornean Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley and here, it never failed me to see the Bornean Bristlehead with Paul on the 1st day :D

I got my lifers, Pale Blue Flycatcher and Gould's Frogmouth making up my list to 478 in Borneo. 

Total species seen 220.

Images taken with Nikon D3s + 300mm 2.8 VR II + TC1.4x, Swarovski ATX/STX 95mm and 65mm + TLS APO + Nikon V1 and SJ4000 Action Camera on  Buffalo Monopod.

At Bukit Ular Trail waiting for the Everett's Thrush, Kinabalu Park

Kinabatangan River

In the morning for the Bornean Ground Cuckoo

On the way for the Blue-banded Pitta

Heading to the fruiting trees near the canopy walkway at Danum Valley

Got around 20 birds species on the fruiting tree.

Birding from the canopy walkway. Saw Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Wallace's Hawk Eagle, Greater Green Leafbird and Fiery Minivet etc

After the Blue-banded Pitta!

With Dean and Paul

Pale-faced Bulbul, one of the endemic found at Mt Kinabalu.

Scarlet-rumped Trogon with Praying Mantis at Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok

Orang-backed Woodpecker

Rhinoceros Hornbill at Kinabatangan River

The rare Wreathed Hornbill!

What a moment upon seeing these female Orang Utan with its juvenile (not in the picture) at Menanggul tributary

 

Endemic Proboscis Monkey

 

Endangered Storm's Stork after the rain

 

Jewel of the rainforest, elusive Blue-banded Pitta...

 

Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler

From left to right; Paul, Tim, myself, Carl and Bert

Good birding.

For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/ 

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Whitehead's Trogon

30th June - 2nd July

Spent few days at Mt. Kinabalu with friend from US, Jack Appleton and were treated with excellent view and photo opportunities of the uncommon endemic Whitehead's Trogon. There were 2 females and a male on its usual spot feeding before it flew to another trail at Mount Kinabalu. One of my best images so far considering the distance when I took the photo :D

Digiscoped with Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 at 30x = 2430mm

Male and female

Morning rainbow near Ranau town on the way to Tambunan Rafflesia Centre

Happy birding everyone!

For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


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Birding With Geilvoet Family

12th - 21st June 2014

Last minute request, drove to Lahad Datu town with John on the 11th and stayed at a newer My Inn Hotel located at Bandar Prima. Met them the next day then started birding along the access road at Gomantong Cave. Saw 3 species of Echo-Location Swiftlet inside the cave plus an Orang Utan with a juvenile were seen feeding on the Jackfruit too!

Stayed at Kinabatangan Nature Lodge for 2 nights and tried for the Bornean Ground Cuckoo, but no response. Hornbills were many as usual and in flight shots of the rare White-crowned Hornbill was a treat during the morning cruise.

Then moved to Sepilok Forest Reserve and the main target was Rufous-collared Kingfisher which showed well but no sign at all of the elusive Bornean Bristlehead. Partly due to the dried weather and also post breeding season. Got a lifer, Large-billed Crow along the Sandakan-Telupid road :D

At Kinabalu National Park and Crocker Range,  we got the Whitehead's Trio and other endemics except Bare-headed Laughingthrush and Everett's Thrush. Short stopped at Mahua Waterfall, a pair of rare Orange-breasted Trogon was another surprised!

Total species seen: 191 and few heard such as Great Argus, White-browed Shortwing and also Sunda Cuckoo

Images taken with Nikon D3s + 300mm 2.8 VR II + TC1.4x, SJ4000 Action Camera and Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 ~ All Rights Reserved ©

Juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle at Lahad Datu Fish Market

White-crowned Hornbill sending fruit to the nest

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Endangered Storm's Stork

One of the resident Rufous Woodpecker at the lodge with Grey-capped Woodpecker

 

Endemic Proboscis Monkey

At Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkway while waiting for the Bornean Bristlehead

Successful nesting of the Wallace's Hawk Eagle at Rainforest Discovery Centre

Female Verditer Flycatcher from the canopy walkway

Rufous-collared Kingfisher

Whitehead's Trogon

 Whitehead's Broadbill

White-browed Shrike Babbler

Golden-naped Barbet

My favorite Indigo Flycatcher

 Flying Lizard at Kipungit Waterfall

Orange-breasted Trogon

At Mahua Waterfall

Rajah Brooke Birdwing Butterfly

Whitehead's Pygmy Squirrel, endemic to the mountains in Borneo

On final morning at Mt. Kinabalu, saw a pair of Bornean Forktail including the Temminck's Babbler.


Great trip! Happy birding everyone.



For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/


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