What happened this day :-We met on the usual Thursday Morning and did not have any planning as to the destination. Then Stephen popped up the name "Bidor". So we left Petaling Jaya at 7.00 am. It doesn't matter whether there among us that are rated as accidental or causal birders, we love the fellowship and the outing activities. Of course without fail, trying out what each localities can offer in terms of food. That morning We made no pretense of avoiding the touristy coffee shop and search for the restaurant opposite the Old Bus Station. The "real McCoy" as Stephen put it. It was opened and the food was really good. Bringing back memories of the old Cantonese style preparation. The price? Touristy too? We are unlikely to go back to the place.

Then we moved on the main agenda for the day. Upon turning into the approach road, a Gold -whiskered Barbet was there. Hiding behind a dead Coconut trunk and busy boring a nest for the couple. Both male and female continued with their task for about 30 minutes. Only to be disturbed by a couple of very enthusiastic photographers who needed a much closer view. They finally decided to do their nest building some other day.

Moving, our way was transverse by a few White-breasted Waterhens. Moments later the first clearing, and there in the shallow waterways, 3 Grey-headed Lapwings were waiting. We decided that this would be a good spot to start. We spend about a couple of hours just walking around the area. There was never a moment, that we have to search for signs of birds. The place was really full of activities.

I have to remind the group that we had covered only a third of my usual birding areas. It was coming quite near to noon. I suggested that we should do a quick run-through the rest of the potential spots and adjourn somewhere cooler.

The next stop after lunch in Bidor was the Wild Life Research Center in Sungkai. It was almost 2.00 pm then. The last stretch of road to the center was being straightened and paved. Upon arrival, the whole place gave the feelings that it was deserted. We drove past the office and found the display cages. There were signs that the place was being up kept. But, the fine mesh nettings were coated with layer of moss, which made looking behind them near impossible. The weather at that time was hot and little signs of activities from the occupants. Anyway, we saw Hornbills - Great, Black, Rhinoceros, Oriental Pied, White-crowned and Indian Pied. Learnt or rather sighted a real life Crested and Crestless Firebacks, Malaysian Peacock Pheasants, Great and Crested Angus.