Birding in Mantanani Island

17-19th January 2026

A short trip for the potential birding market by Sutera Mantanani and we got the usual resident birds such as Mantanani Scops Owl, Grey Imperial Pigeon and Philippines Megapode. But luck was on our side with the rare Rose-colored Starling (migrant) and a pair of Metallic Pigeon!

eBird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/471606

Tempasuk Plain

A bit sad seeing the current cleanliness of the island

For itchiness 

Gulisan Island is one of the roosting sites for the Frigatebirds

Northern Boobok

Grey Imperial Pigeon

Paddyfield Pipit

Grey-faced Buzzard 

Happy birding!

Mantanani Island Workshops

 6-11th November 2025

The longest birding workshops series held at University Malaysia Sabah, Mantanani Island and Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort in conjunction with the arrival of migrants birds such as Blue-and-white Flycatcher and Red-throated Pipit. On our short stopped at Tempasuk Plain, Kota Belud, John spotted the Eurasian Spoonbill! What a great finding to start the day!

2 nights were spend with Sutera Mantanani and we got the female Black-headed Bunting, Philippine Megapode and a few migrants too. 

Bird list in eBird https://ebird.org/tripreport/431744

Forum with Fiona (GM), Dr. Balvinder and Dave Bakewell

With kids from SJK St. Philip, Tamparuli

Birding walk around the golf course and saw a pair of Oriental Pied Hornbill and Chinese Egret

Mt. Kinabalu from the golf course 

Morning talk in Rasa Ria Resort

Dave watching the Curlew Sandpiper with the Swarovski BTX95 scope at Tempasuk Plain

Swarovski Optik and Optisan scopes

Happy faces!

Got stuck hahaha

Downpour!

Drawing on the beach for the Lesser vs Christmas Frigatebirds

Adeline with the Swarovski Optik STX95 scope for the Owl

The resident Mantanani Scops Owl

Andy with the Swarovski BTX95 scope for the Hobby

Eurasian Hobby near JSK resort

Brown Shrike in the bag

Mt. Kinabalu

Getting ready to Mantanani Island

At last Eurasian Spoonbill seen with the Swarovski Optik BTX95 scope!

Many waterbirds 

Mt. Kinabalu

Searching for the vagrant Eurasian Spoonbill seen earlier by John Bakar

With Gary on our way to Tempasuk Plain, Kota Belud before Mantanani Island

Single Tufted Duck at Alam Mesra pond

Class session in UMS

Hodgsons' Hawk-Cuckoo ID by James Eaton

Crested Honey-buzzard

Christmas Frigatebird

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Lesser Frigatebird

Black-winged Kite

Female Black-headed Bunting

Blue-and-white Flycatcher female

White-throated Needletail

Eurasian Spoonbill, the first for Sabah and Malaysia!


Identifications by Swarovski Optik AX Visio 10x32 smart binocular

Happy birding!