24th August - 4th September 2022
As the continuation for my Sabah Big Year 2022, I led a group of bird photographers from Russia for 12 days trip around Sabah and my current list at 440 birds out of 500 species so far. During the trip, we got some of the key species seen and photographed such as;
- Blue-banded Pitta
- Blue-headed Pitta
- Mt. Wren-Babbler
- Striped Wren-Babbler
- Black-throated Wren-Babbler
- Whitehead's Broadbill
- Whitehead's Spiderhunter
- Mt. Blackeye
- Fruithunter
- Bulwer's Pheasant
- Crested Partridge and
- Bornean Peacock-Pheasant
Heard the Bulwer's Pheasant and Rail-Babbler but still no luck for these elusive birds. Quite surprising, did not get to see the Whitehead's Trogon and Mountain Serpent Eagle during the fine weather at Mt. Kinabalu and Mt. Alab...
I will be off for another 15 days birding in Sabah with clients from Spain. Hope I will be able to get around 460 birds before October...
Images taken with Swarovski Optik. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Gary scans the mudflat with Swarovski STX95 spotting scope
Taman Harmoni mudflat for migratory birds
At Gomantong Caves
Birding from the canopy walkway
With fellow tour guide Lily and Chloe at Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok
Red-naped Trogon
Buff-necked Woodpecker
Shooting the Rhinoceros Hornbill during the 10km dusk drive
Night drive at Tabin considered one of the best in Sabah!
The shy Brown Wood Owl
Walkway connecting the rooms at Tabin to the Otter Deck, Suspension Bridge and to the restaurant
Tomanggong Road, one of the best place for birding in Tabin
Bornean Pygmy Squirrel, the smallest in the world found in the lowland rainforest
Striped Wren-Babbler, so photogenic!
Tabin Wildlife Reserve has the biggest mud volcano in Sabah and act as an important source of mineral for wildlife such as Sambar Deer, Large Green Pigeon, Wild Boar and also Civets
The rare endemic Black-throated Wren-Babbler
Wild mushroom grows on the death log
Short briefing before the walk to the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide in Telupid
Another endemic the Pale-faced Bulbul were split from the Flavesent Bulbul
Golden-naped Barbet, one of the endemic birds found in Borneo
Snowy-browed Flycatcher, one of my favourite from the mountains in Sabah
Hide for the Partridges
End road for Mt. Alab, best place for Orange-headed Thrush and Crimson-headed Partridge
With Sergey on the roadside of Tambunan Rafflesia Centre
Watching the Golden-bellied Gerygone
Dark Hawk-Cuckoo near the gate at Mt. Trusmadi
Mahua River where I normally see the Bornean Forktail and Dayak Blue Flycatcher
Upgrading work in progress now for the Kaingaran-Trusmadi road
Happy birding!
