15 Days Peninsula Malaysia Bird Photography Tour
15 days Bird Photography Expedition, Peninsular Malaysia
Background
Malaysia’s diverse tropical landscapes including natural and man-made environment starting from mangroves to cool mountain ranges are home to hundreds of resident bird species. The country’s location on a cross-migratory route also attracts approximately 120 species of migratory birds from October to April annually. It is no doubt that Malaysia is one of the finest birding haven in this region with over 650 species can be sighted in the peninsular while there are about 580 species in Malaysian Borneo. Each habitat provides excellent birding experience and you will be amazed by beautiful winged wonders found.
About the Expedition
Over the 15 days, we will be touring Peninsular Malaysia looking for subjects to photograph or simply list it down in your bird logbook. Among the habitats that we will be covering throughout the duration comprise of mangrove, paddy field, mudflat, lowland forest, and montane forest. These habitats attract abundant avian life whilst providing us the opportunity to capture the subjects on the memory cards. There are bound to be limitation in some of the locations. Lighting condition vary from one location to another. Objects such as branches, twigs, leaves and litters can sometimes get in the way between your lens and the subject.
The expedition requires us to walk on short forest trails and boardwalks. Nevertheless, some of the areas that we are covering are relaxing session which we can shoot straight from the vehicle.
Some of the birds that we will be shooting are blyth’s hawk-eagle, crested serpent eagle, white-bellied sea-eagle, stork-billed kingfisher, collared kingfisher, white-throated kingfisher, blue-banded kingfisher, banded kingfisher, purple-naped sunbird, brown-throated sunbird, olive-backed sunbird, dark-throated sunbird, crimson-breasted flowerpecker, orange-bellied flowerpecker, scarlet-backed flowerpecker, yellow-vented flowerpecker, chestnut-tailed minla, silver-eared mesia, mountain fulvetta, mountain tailorbird, streaked spiderhunter, little spiderhunter, sunda-pygmy woodpecker, laced woodpecker, common flameback, greater flamerback, barred eagle owl, spotted wood owl, buffy fish owl, red-bearded bee-eater, blue-throated bee-eater, blue-tailed bee-eater, cutia, long-tailed broadbill, silver-breasted broadbill, dusky broadbill, black-and-red broadbill, black-and-yellow broadbill, banded broadbill, fire-tufted barbet, black-browed barbet, and gold-whiskered barbet.
From time to time, even though booking is confirmed, the itinerary will be fine-tuned to provide a better tour for bird photography and bird watching. Since we will be travelling to various habitats, bird is not the only wildlife you’ll be seeing. The other wildlife that can be sighted throughout the tour includes primates, reptiles and other mammals. Our price is reasonable and due to this attractive rate, we believe it will be sold out within a short period of time. So, if you are serious in enjoying the feathered friends of Malaysia and capturing them with your camera, book today. A shorter duration for photography or bird watching at specific site can also be arranged. Please contact me at wengchun@endemicguides.com for more details and price.
Description of itinerary
From time to time, though booking is confirmed, the itinerary can be fine-tuned during discussions or upon request by individuals to increase opportunities to watch birds and photography. However, changes are subject to the availability of accommodation, accessibility, and any changes in local conditions. The various habitats which we are exploring also provide sightings of other wildlife including primates and reptiles.
Day 1-3: Kuala Selangor Nature Park & the surrounding birding spots
This park is home to unique and interesting species such as a variety of birds, insects, spiders, mollusks, crabs, fishes, reptiles and mammals. Birdwatchers find it a good place to observe the wetland birds with over 170 species of birds recorded over the years. The park also consist of a secondary forest; formerly a mangrove forest. After the land was reclaimed along the coast, the mangrove forest was unable to sustain itself. Thus the secondary forest is now mainly dominated by strangling figs and other coastal trees like the Cordia dichtama; along with the mangrove fern. Mangroves however still cover about 234 acres (95 hectares) of the park. These trees have been allowed to rejuvenate within the boundaries of the park. For the first day, we will be exploring the mangrove park.
On the second day, we will heading to a local fishing jetty for waders (depending on tide table). On the third day, we will check-out from the hotel and head to a nearby rice field for our morning session. After lunch, we continue our journey to Perak and stopping by along the peat swamps for some brief sessions.
Species include Common Flameback, Laced Woodpecker, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy & Common Tailorbird, Brahminy Kite, Grey and Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Tern, White-winged Tern, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Red Jungle Fowl, Collared Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Olive-backed Sunbird, Cinnamon &Yellow Bittern, Milky Stork, White-breasted Woodswollow etc.
Accommodation: Chalet for 2 nights (De Palma Inn)
Day 4: Kuala Sepetang Mangrove
Kuala Sepetang is known for it’s mangrove swamp reserve park. It has a boardwalk built over the swamp allowing birdwatchers and photographers to explore the habitat and the birdlife. Thus, for the whole day session, we will be exploring the mangrove on the boardwalks. Chalets are available for rental in the park.
Species include Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Common & Green Iora, Dark-neck Tailorbird, Pied Fantail, Mangrove Whistler, Oriental White-eye, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, etc.
Accommodation: Chalet for 1 night (Park accommodation)
Day 5: Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary
The Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is located in the district of Kerian in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. The sanctuary has been established since 1970 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) and the state government of Perak. There are about 166 species of birds (118 residents and 48 migrants). The road leading to the sanctuary is a good place to start spotting and counting birds. Upon arrival, the day session continues with a walk in the mangrove and towards the exposed mudflat (depending on the tide table). At night, again, we will be traveling on the same road leading into the sanctuary to look for owls.
Species include Lesser Adjutant Stork, Brahminy Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Raffles’s Malkoha, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Spotted Wood Owl, Barn Owl, Pond Heron, Little, Cattle & Great Egret, etc.
Accommodation: Chalet for 1 night
Day 6: Ipoh
In Ipoh, there is one perfect location for a comfortable walk while doing birdwatching and photography. This is located around a limestone cave. Adjacent to the cave, are open ponds with aquatic vegetations. We will start the day with a stop before entering the car park area of the limestone cave. After a brief stop, we will be walking from the car park area through the limestone cave. There is a small garden on the other side of the garden and it is a home to the smallest raptor – Black-thighed Falconet.
Species include Black-thighed Falconet, Black Bittern, Little Grebe, Blue Rock Thrush, Javan Sparrow, Pond Heron, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher etc.
Accommodation: Hotel for 1 night
Day 7-9: Fraser’s Hill
At 1,524 meters above sea level, Fraser’s Hill is a haven for bird watchers and photographers. This naturalist’s paradise is home to numerous plants and bird species. For some reason, no birdwatchers will ever get tired of coming back to this birding haven. We starts our birding right after Kuala Kubu Baru town towards The Gap. The Gap prove to be one favourite location before ascending towards the hill station. We shall move slowly along the new road before checking into the hotel. On the second day in Fraser’s Hill, we will get up early in the morning and get ready in the car park for the early avian gems. After breakfast, we will be covering the dumpsite towards the waterfall. We will be spending the whole afternoon along Telekom Loop. On the next day, we will walking into at least 2 forest trails. After spending 3 nights, we will be heading to Taman Negara. The descend from the hill station will give us some opportunities for bird watching and photography.
Species include Blyth’s Hawk Eagle, Long-tailed broadbill, Silver-breasted broadbill, Silver-eared Mesia, Long-tailed Sibia, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowed Laughingthrush, Black Laughingthrush, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Red-headed Trogon, Fire-tufted Barbet, Streaked Spiderhunter, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Mountain Tailorbird, Mountain Fulvetta, Little Cuckoo Dove, Greater Yellow Nape, White-throated Fantail, Blue Nuthatch, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Ashy Minivet, etc.
Accommodation: Hotel for 3 nights (Jelai Resort)
Day 10-12: Taman Negara
Taman Negara (National Park) is the first and the oldest official Protected Area in the country, originally named King George V National Park. Declared in 1938 by the Sultans of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu (during King George’s Silver Jubilee), it was gazetted to preserve the land’s indigenous nature in perpetuity. The park was renamed Taman Negara after the nation gained independence in 1957. Observation hides are built to observe wildlife. Simple huts built high above the ground allow guests to stay overnight to catch opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat.
Species include Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreath Hornbill, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Crested Fireback, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Greater Argus, Verditer Flycatcher, Black & Red Broadbill, Green Broadbill, Racket-tailed Drongo, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Red-eye Bulbul, Spectacle Bulbul, Prinia Spp,Pacific Swollow, Babbler Spp, Barbet Spp, etc.
Accommodation: Hotel for 3 nights
Day 13: Genting Highland
This highland resort is the nearest highland birding spot to Kuala Lumpur. We will be spending a day and a night in his highland in the quest for more highland species.
Species include Black Eagle, Scarlet Minivet, Narcissus Flycatcher, Banded Kingfisher, Striped-throated Bulbul, Black Headed Bulbul, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Tiger Shrike, Mountain Leaf Warbler, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreath Hornbill, Everett’s White-eye, etc.
Accommodation: Hotel for 1 night
Day 14: Sungai Balang
During the migration period, Sungai Balang is filled with raptor actions. The session will be done inside the vehicle.
Species include Steppe Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Common Stonechat, Black Kite, White-breasted Waterhen, Cinnamon Bittern, Greater Painted Snipe, Black-capped Kingfisher, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Little Egret, Red-wattled Lapwing, Oriental Pranticole, etc.
Accommodation: Hotel for 1 night
Day 15: Heronry
The heronry is home to a few species of heron. At this location, birdwatchers and photographers will see all the stages of life in a black-crowned night Heron, purple Heron, and grey Heron.
Species include Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron, Little Heron, etc.
Accommodation: None
Prices includes: all ground transport, accommodation, and guiding.
Prices do not includes: insurance, airfares, tips, meals, drinks and items of a personal nature.
This is a personalized photography expedition which can be customized for bird watching as well. Please visit our website for more information.
** Endemic Guides Eco Tours DO NOT run big tour (like 10-20 pax tour), we only encourage small tour which usually not more that 6 person, most of the time just 2 pax, we want to minimise the disturb of the bird life.