Steve Happ Photography Ramblings and dissertations

Rubber Plantation Birding

It rained a little bit this morning, so I left it a bit late to get going. I turned off at Kampung Wang Tok Rendong and finally ended up in an old rubber plantation that the jungle has partially reclaimed. I think there was a downturn in the rubber market so a lot of rubber plantations have gone under. “”At the moment, half of the rubber plantations in Malaysia are not being tapped, including the immature areas, which is only around 5%. This is such a disadvantage for the industry,” the industry insider told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR).”

Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus ) – female

“Typical green woodpecker, with a tea-green back, gray face, and solid black moustache stripe. Male has a bright red crown while female has a dull black one. Strikingly striped wings most readily seen in flight. Gives sharp, loud “kip” calls and more strident two-note calls during confrontations. ” (ebird.org)

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

Monkey skull

The flies and maggots are taking care of this carcase.

Langkawi bird list

Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus ) – female
Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
Spotted Dove (Geopelia chinensis)
Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Dollarbird

Research: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2019/10/14/more-than-half-of-rubber-plantations-are-abandoned/

mal200927

Langkawi International Shooting Range Malaysia

I found a track up the mountain to a shooting range yesterday afternoon, so this morning I took off on my bike after waiting for the rain to stop. I got some good photos but there was not a lot of birds around. They do not seem to like overcast weather.

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) – male

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) – male

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) – female

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler (Macronus gularis) or Mixornis gularis

I am not sure which is the correct scientific name. doh!

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)

Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)

Olive-backed Sunbird ( Cinnyris jugularis)

A male in eclipse plumage.

Langkawi bird list

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler (Macronus gularis) or Mixornis gularis
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
Olive-backed Sunbird ( Cinnyris jugularis)
Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)

Research: https://besgroup.org/2018/09/13/olive-backed-sunbird-male-eclipse/

mal200926

Taman Legenda – Kuah – Pulau Langkawi

I finally worked out how to get into Taman Legenda, but it was pretty lame, not many birds around and nothing really special. But I managed to get a few good shots despite the lack of birds. At least the sun was out.

Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)

This Brown-throated Sunbird has got a green feather out of place. I suspect it moved from the edge of his cheek.

Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Yesterday, I went out behind the Aluminium and glass factory and was there for a little while, when it started pouring rain. I had to race off on the bike and find a factory to shelter underneath. A frog started to make this unholy ruckus and when I looked for him, he was blowing up his throat like mad.

Frog prior to blow up

Puffing out the chest

“The banded bullfrog (Kaloula pulchra) is a type of frog in the microhylid (narrow-mouthed frog) family. It is also known as the Asian painted frog, rice frog, and bubble frog. In the pet trade, it is sometimes called the chubby frog.” (wiki) Thanks to Nathan Rusli for the identification.

Langkawi bird list

Malaysian Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (Treron vernans)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)

mal200925

Kilim Karsts

I found a track behind some old industrial estate that went along the base of a karst. So I followed it and found a few birds. There was a decent bit of jungle abutting the karst.

Amur Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei)

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

This one has the rackets fully extended.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

And this one has them drawn right up.

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis)

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)

Chomping on a grasshopper. yum yum.

Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) – juvenile

Spectacled Langur (Trachypithecus obscurus)

Aka dusky leaf monkey, or spectacled leaf monkey .

Langkawi bird list

Amur Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei)
Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)
Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Red-eyed Bulbul ( Pycnonotus brunneus)
Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis)
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Greater Coucal
Cattle Egret
Spotted Dove
Red-wattled Lapwing
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

Spectacled Langur, (Trachypithecus obscurus)

mal200923

Legenda Park, Langkawi Island

After nearly two weeks of vegetating in Georgetown, I have finally got out and done some birding. I am now at Langkawi Island in the state of Kedah. Still in Malaysia, but very close to Thailand. I got my bike this morning but just went up the road to Taman Legenda.

Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)

Thick-billed Green-pigeon (Treron curvirostra)

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)

Red-eyed Bulbul ( Pycnonotus brunneus)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

squirrel

Langkawi bird list

White-headed Munia
Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Red-eyed Bulbul ( Pycnonotus brunneus)
Thick-billed Green-pigeon (Treron curvirostra)
Brown-throated Sunbird ( Anthreptes malacensis )
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Spotted Pigeon
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
Common Sandpiper
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

mal200922

Taiping to Penang tourist photos

Here are my tourist photos that have been on my phone for more than a month. Let us start off at Taiping. Here is a beautiful photo of a flower that grows from the trunk of a tree. I have no idea what type it is. This is in Taiping Lake Park – Taman Tasik Taiping.

Trunk Flower

And this is the tree that the flowers grow on. I think they start off as flowers, then these balls grow from the trunk. There is a name for this but I do not know. I just looked it up. It is the Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis).

Tree with balls

“The Cannonball Tree is a deciduous tree in the family Lecythidaceae. It is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, and it is cultivated in many other tropical areas throughout the world because of its beautiful, fragrant flowers and large, interesting fruits.” (wiki)

Lake Park

Ancient Tree

I think this is a Rain Tree and it is over 130 years old. It has been propped up due to damaged roots.

Teluk Bahang fishing harbour

After Taiping I took the bus to Penang and went to stay at Teluk Bahang village for a while.

Nearly my car

I nearly bought this car that is being given a snow wash. It is a Proton Saga, made in Malaysia. They were modelled on the Mitsubishi Magna, so they are pretty solid cars. The sale fell through because the motor registry said I could not buy it because I had the wrong visa. Damn.

Air Hitam Dam

Whilst in Georgetown, I hired a bike and took a ride up to the Air Hitam Dam. Not many birds, but the scenery was nice.

Chinese Temple

This is Kek Lok Si temple, half way up the hill to Air Hitam dam. It looks incongruous against all the skyscrapers.

mal200920p

Air Hitam Dam – Penang

I had hired a motorbike for a couple of days. So this morning I took off to Air Hitam Dam, up in the hills above Georgetown in Penang. A very nice bit of bush but very few birds. 🙁

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris)

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

I had a few bonus photos left over from the backyard of my hostel at Teluk Bahang. And here they are, better late than never.

Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)

Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus)

Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense) – female

Penang bird list

Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris)
Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus)
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense)
Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)

mal200911

Penang National Park

Got on the bike, had breakfast at the Apom stall, then pedalled to the waterfront, where I found an Eastern Reef Egret and some Little Egrets. When it was open, I went in to the Taman Negara Pulau Pinang, and walked along the shores.

Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) – dark morph

aka Pacific Reef-Heron.

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) – breeding adult

“Small snow-white heron, with slender dark bill, blackish legs, and yellowish feet. Breeding adult has 2 long wispy head plumes and spray of white plumes on lower back” (ebird)

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)

Where is my dinner!

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)

Here, have this grub.

Forest Wagtail ( Dendronanthus indicus )

Penang National Park bird list

Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) aka Pacific Reef-Heron
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Forest Wagtail ( Dendronanthus indicus )

mal20901

Penang Botanic Gardens

Up again at 7am, had my standard roti canai telur and kopi, then called a Grab. The bus there was a major hassle, so I did not bother. Not many birds around but heaps of people.

Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus)

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

butterfly

He is well comouflaged.

Penang Botanic Gardens bird list

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus)
Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
White-throated Kingfisher
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo pacifica)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)

mal200827

Penang Hill

I caught the 204 bus from Weld Jetty to the bottome of Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill. The funicular train came pretty quickly and up the hill I scooted. I walked around the top for hours and then I came down. The end.

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)

Thick-billed Green-pigeon (Treron curvirostra)

Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)

Giant Black Squirrel (Ratufa bicolour)

Penang Hill bird list

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
Olive-backed Sunbird
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Asian Fairy-bluebird
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)
Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
Dark-necked Tailorbird
Thick-billed Green-pigeon (Treron curvirostra)

mal200826