Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia – a pleasant, trouble-free country with a modern infrastructure and a flourishing economy, and home to amazingly rich Dipterocarp forests, among the world's oldest, most fascinating and most diverse. Well over 700 bird species have been recorded in peninsular Malaysia, and of these about 660 are resident. We start our tour by visiting the bird-rich mangroves and coastal forest of Kuala Selangor Nature Park where with luck we’ll find Mangrove Pitta and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher.

We then transfer to the charming and relatively cool hill country at the attractive hill station of Fraser’s Hill where large areas of undisturbed montane forest still remain. From comfortable accommodations, we will walk roads and along gently graded forest trails, relax in cool montane surroundings, and be treated to a wealth of wildlife - stunning pheasants, pittas – aptly named “jewel-thrushes”, raptors, bee-eaters, malkohas, trogons, broadbills, barbets, hornbills and a plethora of woodpeckers, and challenging flycatchers, babblers and bulbuls. Siamangs, a species of gibbon, could delight us as they greet the dawn. And – there should be fabulous food, interesting cultures, friendly people, and a generally exotic atmosphere.

Highlights
• Wonderful rich and varied birding!
• Lots of very special and unique birds and wildlife.
• Two outstanding wildlife areas, the splendid Fraser’s Hill and the bird-rich Kuala Selangor Nature Park

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kuala Lumpur
Our tour begins with arrival in Kuala Lumpur with a welcome dinner. Night in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2: Kuala Selangor and Gomback Road
Today we visit the coastal lowlands of Kuala Selangor Nature Park situated on the west coast of West Malaysia at the mouth of the Selangor River, about 2 h drive north from Kuala Lumpur. This is an important remnant of mangrove and coastal forest with intertidal mudflats where herons, kingfishers, barbets, whistlers and pittas occur. Specialties among the mangroves include Mangrove Pitta and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher.

Among the many species we may encounter are Little, Intermediate and Great Egrets, Yellow Bittern, Purple Heron, Striated (Little) Heron, Black Baza, Black-thighed Falconet, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Watercock, White-breasted Waterhen, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Asian Koel, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Greater Coucal, Germain’s Swiftlet, Asian Palm-Swift, White-throated, Black-capped and Collared Kingfishers, Blue-throated and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Dollarbird, Coppersmith Barbet, Laced and Sunda Pygmy Woodpeckers, Striated Swallow, Ashy Drongo, Common Iora, Yellow-vented and Olive-winged Bulbuls, Black-naped Oriole, Large-billed Crow, Striped Tit-Warbler, Abbott’s Babbler, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Common and Ashy Tailorbirds, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Pied Fantail, Mangrove Whistler, Ashy Minivet, Javan Myna, Brown-throated, Ruby-cheeked and Olive-backed Sunbirds, Oriental White-eye, and White-rumped and Scaly-breasted Munias. Shorebirds that have arrived could include Terek Sandpiper and Rufous-necked Stint. Scarcer birds of the area include Lesser Adjutant, Red Junglefowl, Little Bronze Cuckoo and Chestnut-bellied Malkoha. Silvered Leaf Monkeys and Long-tailed Macaques are quite common here, Smooth Otters are a specialty, and Monitor Lizards are frequent. We then drive 100 km north to Fraser’s Hill. Night in Fraser’s Hill.

Days 3- 5: Fraser’s Hill
Fraser’s Hill is a wonderful montane region set amidst mature forest, cool by comparison with Kuala Lumpur, and full of birds. During the colonial era the British escaped from the heat of the lowlands to Fraser’s Hill, and the atmosphere is still one of relaxation and slow pace of life. At 1,500 meters (5000 feet) in the central highlands, the avifauna differs markedly from that of the lowland rainforests, consisting largely of montane species. Several trails run into the forest but many species can be found close to the roads.
Mixed feeding flocks move quickly and noisily through the forests – often the central species is Chestnut-crowned (Malayan) Laughingthrush accompanied by Silver-eared Mesia, Chestnut-crowned and Mountain Leaf-Warblers, babblers including Gray-throated, Golden and Buff-breasted, Streaked and Pygmy Wren-babblers, White-browed and Black-eared Shrike-Babblers, Blue-winged Minla, Mountain Fulvetta, Long-tailed Sibia, and Bronzed Drongo with Black-and-crimson Oriole and Blue Nuthatch. Lesser Shortwings occupy deep gullies, and heavily wooded areas support Sultan Tit, Black Laughingthrush, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Green Magpie and Red-headed Trogon, and with great luck we may encounter the endemic Mountain Peacock-Pheasant and Malayan Whistling-Thrush. The list of possibilities seem endless: Yellow-vented Pigeon, Jambu Fruit-Dove, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Trogon, the curious Fire-tufted Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, the secretive Rusty-naped Pitta, White-headed Babbler, Javan Cuckooshrike, the endemic Malayan Partridge, Ferruginous Partridge Little Cuckoo-Dove, Green-billed Malkoha and Black-browed Barbet. Flycatchers are well represented at Fraser’s Hill. We could well encounter Verditer, Little Pied, Hill Blue, Rufous-browed, Pygmy Blue and Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers, as well as Large Niltava.

Blyth’s Hawk Eagle is quite widespread, and woodlands hold Speckled Piculet, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Grey-chinned Minivet, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Ochraceous and Mountain Bulbuls, Lesser Racket-tailed and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Large Scimitar Babbler, White-bellied Yuhina, Slaty-backed Forktail, Mountain Tailorbird, White-throated Fantail, Everett’s White-eye, Black-throated Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker.

Uncommon but widespread inhabitants include Rufous-bellied Eagle, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Oriental Cuckoo, Mountain Scops-Owl, Collared Owlet, Wreathed and Helmeted Hornbills, Bay Woodpecker, Ashy Bulbul and Himalayan Cutia. Mammals include lots of squirrels, Banded Leaf Monkeys and Siamangs, a species of gibbon whose amazing vocalizations echo through the hills in the early mornings. At the bottom of the hill up to Fraser’s Hill is an area known as “The Gap”, where Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, Marbled Wren-Babbler and Black-crested Bulbul occur. Nights at Fraser’s Hill.

Day 6: Transfer from Fraser’s Hill to Kuala Lumpur
We spend the morning looking for species not yet located, and then leave Fraser’s Hill and travel to Kuala Lumpur. Night in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 7: Departure home or to Kota Kinabalu for start of Borneo tour
After breakfast we depart for Kuala Lumpur International Airport for our flights home or to Kota Kinabalu where our Borneo Tour September 12 – 26, 2010 begins.
 

Featured Birds & Mammals:

• Blue Nuthatch
• Jambu Fruit-Dove
• Fire-tufted Barbet
• Helmeted Hornbill
• Marbled Wren-Babbler
• Mangrove Pitta
• Blue-tailed Bee-eater
• Silver-eared Mesia
• White-browed Shrike-Babbler
• Red-headed Trogon
• Siamang
 

Dates: September 3 - 9, 2013

Duration: 7 days

Price: TBA

Tour Starts & Ends:  Kuala Lumpur

*Combine with our Borneo Tour

What to Expect

Be prepared for hot, humid and sunny weather at low altitudes, with showers in the afternoon; we recommend bringing a light rain-jacket or poncho, although we try to avoid birding in any rain worse than a light drizzle. It will likely be cool in the morning at Fraser’s Hill. We usually have early breakfasts and some before-breakfast birding since it is best to begin birding at daybreak. Some lunches will be picnic style to maximize our time in the field.

Walking conditions will be generally easy to moderate; Trails anywhere may be muddy depending on how recently it has rained. Bring mosquito repellent and/or mosquito-proof clothing because bugs can be a problem, especially at low elevations in moist humid conditions. Leeches can be a nuisance, but can usually be deterred with insect repellant. You will need to bring a hat and sunblock. In the evenings we usually eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying and review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have encountered, as well as discuss the following day’s activities.

 
Trip Summary

• Good high-quality hotels and lodges
• 6 to 12 participants with two leaders
• All meals included
• At low altitudes, hot, humid and sunny, with frequent rain. Cool in the morning on Fraser’s Hill.
• Generally easy to moderate walking