30 years ago: 28 Jan-3 Feb 1982: Taman Negara (first week)

Thursday 28th January 1982:  Taman Negara (Bukit Teresek trail), Malaysia

Fruiting tree outside room excellent early morning with over 30 species visiting it.  An expensive breakfast then down the trail to Bumbung Tabing (about the only trail that seems to be open).  A very nice trail following close to Sungei Tembeling and crossing a number of streams where a superb male Chestnut-backed Forktail was seen.  Then steep climb up Bukit Teresek, worth it for Roulroul and some excellent views over extensive lowland forest.  Returned, arriving just on dark.  Evening meal of egg and chips.

Birds seen included:  *Roulroul 6, *Crested Fireback 1 male, *Great Argus Pheasant 1 female, Mountain Imperial Pigeon 2, *Red-billed Malkoha 1, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha 1, *Malaysian Eared Nightjar 1, Silver-rumped Swift 10, Grey-rumped Treeswift 20, Wreathed Hornbill 2, Black Hornbill 3, Southern Pied Hornbill 3, Gold-whiskered Barbet 2, Gaudy Barbet 1, Blue-eared Barbet 1, Brown Barbet 1, Great Slaty Woodpecker 3, Black-winged Flycatcher-Shrike 1, Lesser Green Leafbird 2, Greater Green Leafbird 1, *Puff-backed Bulbul 2, 12 other species of bulbul, Chestnut-naped Forktail 1 male, Arctic Warbler 1, Brown Flycatcher 2, *Rufous-chested Flycatcher 1 imm. male, Short-tailed Babbler 2, *Ferruginous Babbler 2, Red-throated Sunbird 1 male, *Scarlet Sunbird 1 male, *Thick-billed Spiderhunter 1, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker 5, Fairy Bluebird 15, Black-naped Oriole 1, Dark-throated Oriole 1, White-rumped Munia 1.

view from Bukit Teresek

Colin birding on the main trail at Taman Negara

me birding at Taman Negara

typical canopy view from forest trail at Taman Negara

Brown Flycatcher at Taman Negara, fortunately not in the canopy

Friday 29th January 1982:  Taman Negara (ravines), Malaysia

Spent most of day creeping about in stream beds and ravines.  Very frustrating at times, though lots of babblers of one sort or another.  Ended up seeing Hooded Pitta, Rail Babbler (briefly) with Colin and top of a Banded Pitta’s head.  We are regularly hearing what sound like large branches falling off trees in the forest, even on still days.  Some do so quite close - scary!

Birds seen included:  Crested Fireback 5, Little Green Pigeon 10, Raffle’s Malkoha 2, Malaysian Eared Nightjar 1, Scarlet-rumped Trogon 1, Bushy-crested Hornbill 5, Black Hornbill 3, Southern Pied Hornbill 2, Blue-eared Barbet 1, Rufous Piculet 1, Checker-throated Woodpecker 3, *Buff-rumped Woodpecker 4, Hooded Pitta 1, Banded Pitta 1 head only, Chestnut-naped Forktail 2, White-crowned Forktail 1, Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler 2, Chestnut-winged Flycatcher 6, Short-tailed Babbler 5, Ferruginous Babbler 1, Moustached Babbler 8, *Sooty-capped Babbler 1, *Chestnut-backed Scimitar-Babbler 1, *Striped Wren-Babbler 2, *Large-footed Wren Babbler 2, *White-necked Babbler 4, *Black-throated Babbler 4, *Black-capped Babbler 1, *Rail Babbler 1, Purple-naped Sunbird 1, Fairy Bluebird 10.

Saturday 30th January 1982:  Taman Negara (ravines), Malaysia

Up at 06:30 and into the ravine as getting light at 07:15.  Saw a Hooded Pitta by 07:30, the Banded by 07:32 and an Orange-headed Ground Thrush by 08:05.  An amazing start but got quieter.  Heart fell on seeing a page of notebook along the trail - Colin has seen Garnet Pitta but I couldn’t find it in 2.5 hours of looking, though did see Blue-winged Pitta towards dusk.  Steak for evening meal in celebration.  Rained 15:30-16:15.

Birds seen included:  Crested Fireback 1 male, Malaysian Eared Nightjar 1, *Blue-banded Kingfisher 1 male, Dollarbird 1, Black Hornbill 1, Rhinoceros Hornbill 2, *Helmeted Hornbill 2, Maroon Woodpecker 1, *Blue-winged Pitta 1, Hooded Pitta 1, *Banded Pitta 1 male, Siberian Blue Robin 2, Orange-headed Ground Thrush 1, Chestnut-naped Forktail 1, White-crowned Forktail 1, Short-tailed Babbler 1, *White-chested Babbler 1, Striped Wren-Babbler 3, Large-footed Wren Babbler 2, Black-capped Babbler 1, Scarlet Sunbird 1 male, Crested Jay 1 badly.

my favourite ravine - Hooded & Banded Pittas and OHGT seen here during the first hour of daylight!

Sunday 31st January 1982:  Taman Negara (ravines), Malaysia

Frustrating day spent looking for, but not seeing, Garnet Pitta and Rufous-backed Kingfisher (although the others saw both).  Day very poor apart from the hour between 15:00-16:00 when a lot was seen.

Birds seen included:  Crested Fireback 1 male, Great Argus Pheasant 2 females, *Large Green Pigeon 10, White-whiskered Treeswift 1, *Cinnamon-rumped Trogon 1 male, Scarlet-rumped Trogon 1 male, Bushy-crested Hornbill 1, Southern Pied Hornbill 1, Rhinoceros Hornbill 8, Helmeted Hornbill 2, Checker-throated Woodpecker 3, Buff-rumped Woodpecker 1, Black and Red Broadbill 1, Blue-winged Pitta 1 (same), Hooded Pitta 1, *Bar-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike 2, Green Iora 2, Greater Green Leafbird 1, Siberian Blue Robin 1, Orange-headed Ground Thrush 1 (same), White-crowned Forktail 3, Asian Paradise Flycatcher 3, Short-tailed Babbler 1, Ferruginous Babbler 1, Sooty-capped Babbler 2, Chestnut-rumped Babbler 2, White-necked Babbler 3, Black-throated Babbler 1, Black-capped Babbler 1, Purple-naped Sunbird 1, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker 1 male, Dark-throated Oriole 2, Crow-billed Drongo 1, *Crested Jay 2, Slender-billed Crow 4 in flight.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher at Taman Negara

Monday 1st February 1982:  Taman Negara (ravines), Malaysia

Concentrated on the ravines again and another very frustrating day, the worse so far, until 10 seconds at 17.35 when a Garnet Pitta appeared in front of me in the ‘Rufous-backed Kingfisher-less’ ravine.  Despite brief views it was amazing to have seen Garnet after 15 hours of sweat/worry.  Getting a bit tired of ravines, the kingfisher will have to wait for another day.

Birds seen included:  Crested Fireback 7, Little Green Pigeon 35, Raffle’s Malkoha 1, *Short-toed Coucal 1, Southern Pied Hornbill 2, *Garnet Pitta 1, Bar-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike 2, *Finsch’s Bulbul 1, Chestnut-naped Forktail 3, White-crowned Forktail 2, White-chested Babbler 1, Striped Wren-Babbler 3, Chestnut-rumped Babbler 1, White-necked Babbler 1, Black-capped Babbler 1, Purple-naped Sunbird 1, Fairy Bluebird 10, Dark-throated Oriole 1, Crested Jay 3.

Tuesday 2nd February 1982:  Taman Negara (across the river), Malaysia

Needed a break from the ravines so crossed Sungei Tembeling and wandered about a bit in what appeared to be pretty poor forest.  A superb Black and Yellow Broadbill salvaged the day - something I'm sure we would have seen sooner had we known the call.

Birds seen included:  Wallace’s Hawk Eagle 1, Drongo Cuckoo 1, Raffle’s Malkoha 9, Grey-rumped Treeswift 4, Scarlet-rumped Trogon 1, Southern Pied Hornbill 2, Blue-eared Barbet 2, Brown Barbet 2, Crimson-winged Woodpecker 1, *Black and Yellow Broadbill 1, Green Broadbill 1, Ashy Minivet 3, *Fiery Minivet 4, Great Iora 1, 12 sp. of bulbul (including 1 Puff-backed), Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler 1, Arctic Warbler 3, Horsfield’s Babbler 1, Abbott’s Babbler 1, Moustached Babbler 1, Purple-naped Sunbird 2, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker 2, Fairy Bluebird 10, Dark-throated Oriole 1, Large-billed Crow 2.

Wednesday 3rd February 1982:  Taman Negara (ravines), Malaysia

Didn’t sleep too well due to bad stomach.  Very slow entry into the field but still saw two new birds by 10.00 hours.  Day then very quiet until I entered the Banded Pitta ravine and got good views of the bird after an hour.  Dave crept in just too late but having seen finfoot on the river.  On the way back to HQ had excellent views of a Garnet Pitta.  Felt much better after seeing the Banded Pitta and eating a tough steak produced no ill effects.

Birds seen included:  Little Green Pigeon 15, *Malay Hanging Parrot 3, Large-tailed Nightjar 1, Stork-billed Kingfisher 1, Blue-banded Kingfisher 1 female, Checker-throated Woodpecker 2, Buff-rumped Woodpecker 1, Grey and Buff Woodpecker 1 female, Black and Red Broadbill 2, Garnet Pitta 1, Banded Pitta 1 (same), Finsch’s Bulbul 2, Orange-headed Ground Thrush 1 (same), Chestnut-naped Forktail 1, White-crowned Forktail 2, *Rufous-tailed Tailorbird 2, Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler 2, Chestnut-winged Flycatcher 4, Short-tailed Babbler 1, Abbott’s Babbler 1, Moustached Babbler 1, Large-footed Wren-Babbler 1, White-necked Babbler 1, Brown Fulvetta 3, Dark-throated Oriole 2, Bronzed Drongo 4, Hill Myna 4.

back in my favourite ravine