29th October - 2nd November 2022
Their first birding trip to Sabah since they started to enjoys birds in the Philippines late last year. We started at Mt. Kinabalu for a nite then drove to Sepilok for another 3 nites plus day trip to Kinabatangan River. It was around 137 birds recorded for Bom and Gabby and close up view of the Golden-naped Barbet and Orange-backed Woodpecker adds more excitement to their life list. For the river, we also got the Storm's Stork, Little Green Pigeon and Bat Hawk at its usual perch near Gomantong Cave.
While having lunch at Sim-Sim water village, saw around 8 Aleutian Tern (vagrant) and added to my Sabah Big Year 2022 to number 455 birds as of November. They were impressed with the bird life here including excellent facilities catered for tourists etc. They will be back!
Images and videos taken with Swarovski Optik. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Watching the endemic Whitehead's Trogon
Now joined by Ali and Nde
Lily's Cottage, my favourite place to stay at Mt. Kinabalu!
My lucky charm the miniature Whitehead's Trogon for attracting more birds in the wild :)
Gabby with the Swarovski STX95 spotting scope + iPhone for the endemic White-fronted Falconet found along the Ranau-Sandakan road
At Sepilok Giant tree
Great canopy walkway at Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok
Both got the Terek Sandpiper and Whimbrel including the rare Aleutian Tern!
Bat Hawk!
At Kinabatangan River
Final morning at RDC
Yellow-bellied Bulbul taken with the Swarovski Optik STX95 spotting scope + smartphone
With Gary and John for the Aleutian Tern at Taman Harmoni mudflat, Sandakan. Found around 13 Aleutian Tern and 2 Gull-billed Tern
I will be away for another waders survey from the 10-15th November in Tawau and Sandakan. Hope I will be able to get the Black-hooded Oriole, Abbot's Babbler and also Greater Flameback for my big year...
Happy birding!
