12th - 21st June 2014
Last minute request, drove to Lahad Datu town with John on the 11th and stayed at a newer My Inn Hotel located at Bandar Prima. Met them the next day then started birding along the access road at Gomantong Cave. Saw 3 species of Echo-Location Swiftlet inside the cave plus an Orang Utan with a juvenile were seen feeding on the Jackfruit too!
Stayed at Kinabatangan Nature Lodge for 2 nights and tried for the Bornean Ground Cuckoo, but no response. Hornbills were many as usual and in flight shots of the rare White-crowned Hornbill was a treat during the morning cruise.
Then moved to Sepilok Forest Reserve and the main target was Rufous-collared Kingfisher which showed well but no sign at all of the elusive Bornean Bristlehead. Partly due to the dried weather and also post breeding season. Got a lifer, Large-billed Crow along the Sandakan-Telupid road :D
At Kinabalu National Park and Crocker Range, we got the Whitehead's Trio and other endemics except Bare-headed Laughingthrush and Everett's Thrush. Short stopped at Mahua Waterfall, a pair of rare Orange-breasted Trogon was another surprised!
Total species seen: 191 and few heard such as Great Argus, White-browed Shortwing and also Sunda Cuckoo
Images taken with Nikon D3s + 300mm 2.8 VR II + TC1.4x, SJ4000 Action Camera and Swarovski STX 95 + TLS APO + Nikon V1 ~ All Rights Reserved ©
Juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle at Lahad Datu Fish Market
White-crowned Hornbill sending fruit to the nest
Rhinoceros Hornbill
Endangered Storm's Stork
One of the resident Rufous Woodpecker at the lodge with Grey-capped Woodpecker
Endemic Proboscis Monkey
At Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkway while waiting for the Bornean Bristlehead
Successful nesting of the Wallace's Hawk Eagle at Rainforest Discovery Centre
Female Verditer Flycatcher from the canopy walkway
Rufous-collared Kingfisher
Whitehead's Trogon
Whitehead's Broadbill
White-browed Shrike Babbler
Golden-naped Barbet
My favorite Indigo Flycatcher
Flying Lizard at Kipungit Waterfall
Orange-breasted Trogon
At Mahua Waterfall
Rajah Brooke Birdwing Butterfly
Whitehead's Pygmy Squirrel, endemic to the mountains in Borneo
On final morning at Mt. Kinabalu, saw a pair of Bornean Forktail including the Temminck's Babbler.
Great trip! Happy birding everyone.
For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/
This post is Supported by Sandakan Foto
