Cotton Pgymy Goose

17th January 2014

Ducks are generally rare or considered vagrant particularly in Sabah except for the resident Wandering Whistling Duck. While debating to visit Tempasuk for the Hen Harrier (Vagrant) seen by Gary and John last week, I decided to go for another round of Duckling at my favorite patch, Lok Batik in Tuaran about 35 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu to the North.

While scanning for the Northern Pintail etc, one particular bird struck me as being white and brown all over with the distinct yellow color on the lower mandible really excites me. Then I noticed my camera battery was out. Luckily my uncle was nearby and with his helped, we managed to record another vagrant Duck for Sabah, female Cotton Pygmy Goose and my 1st lifer for 2015!

Based on the records, last seen was around 50 years ago...

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

Everyone got the Goose

Record shot of the female Cotton Pygmy Goose

Happy birding everyone.

This post is Supported by Sandakan Foto

Birding With Nick & Family

21st December - 2nd January

The trip started around Kota Kinabalu for the locally Endangered Blue-naped Parrot at Tg. Aru Beach including Dollarbird and other garden birds. In the afternoon, went to my local patch for Wandering Whistling Duck, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Oriental Darter.

Despite the weather in the rainforest, we managed to get around 250 birds and 21 mammals with highlights such as Bornean Bristlehead, Storm's Stork and Mt. Serpent Eagle and Orange-breasted Trogon at the usual places, Tambunan Rafflesia Centre, Mt. Kinabalu, Sepilok Forest Reserve, Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley.

My lifer was the Oriental Bay Owl after hearing it for many years!

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

Orange-breasted Trogon quite low this time at Mahua Waterfall

Thanks to Jack for finding these Barred Eagle Owl on the busy road at Mesilau village

Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike

Oriental Honey Buzzard

Bearded Pig along the access road, Danum

Asian Paradise Flycatcher, a treat for few minutes outside the Canopy Walkway at Danum

Roosting Scarlet-rumped Trogon from the Hornbill Trail, Danum

Black-headed Pitta, endemic to Sabah on the New Year Day :D

Majestic Mt Kinabalu in the morning from Cottage Hotel

Outdoor Nursery at Orang Utan Sanctuary, Sepilok

Afternoon cruise to Tenegang tributary for more Hornbill and Monkey

Waiting for the Bornean Bristlehead at Danum

Brown Wood Owl at Menanggul tributary

Happy birding!

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

This post is Supported by Sandakan Foto