8th May 2021
Joined the #globalbirding yesterday and started from home around 6 AM and saw around 10 birds such as Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Common Iora, Black-headed Munia before moving to Tempasuk, Kota Belud. At Tempasuk, there were a few migrants left; Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Sandpiper and Oriental Pratincole (passage breeder). Next destination was at Kuala Abai and it didn't disappoint me with a group of Red-necked Stint, Kentish Plover, Greater and Lesser Sand Plover with a single Whiskered Tern.
When I get back home, Grey Heron and Striated Heron added the tally to 68 species in total. Waited for the Large-tailed Nightjar and Sunda Scops Owl, but luck was not on my side. So Submission was done through eBird and Malaysia ranked 2nd after India with 386 species. Sabah sits at 3rd with 135 species after Selangor with 136 and Penang with 325 species of birds within 24 hours!
Link for the counts at eBird under Sabah: https://ebird.org/region/MY-12?yr=BIGDAY_2021a&m=&rank=lrec
Images taken with Swarovski Optik STX95 + TLS APO 30 + Nikon V1. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Small reclaimed patch with Spotted Dove, White-breasted Waterhen and Plum-toed Swiftlet
My favourite section on the road at Kelawat Hill with mist in the morning en-route to Kota Belud
One of the famous Instagram spots in Kota Belud with Mt. Kinabalu at the background
My trusted Toyota Land Cruiser 80 and the Swarovski Optik STX95 spotting scope was pointing on a pair of White-breasted Woodswallow
Lesser Coucal, quite common on the paddy fields especially after the rain
Buff-banded Rail, the first record for Sabah was in 2016 at Tempasuk
Male Watercock, a shy creature but usually calls in the open!
Close up shot of this Scaly-breasted Munia
My digiscoping setup by Swarovski Optik
Green paddyfields...
At Kuala Abai with the Swarovski Optik BTX95 looking at the group of waders on the small island right in the middle
My EL 10x32 Fieldpro binocular by Swarovski Optik
Happy birding and stay safe everyone!
