Frasers Hill- trip report on Birding in Malaysia

Fraser's Hills - An update of my recent birding trip to the Highlands

Yes, my poor back had forced me to curtailed my traveling. After a layoff for about 8 months in 2003, now I am encouraged by better mobility. So I should be up and around.

These trip reports that I have started writing should inspire me to go forth. As to the names of places I mentioned in my trip report, I am sure they sound alien to many of you, especially those who had not being there. I hope that with some brief descriptions and pictures, you too would get some insight to these far away places.

Visit other terrains

Open Country -Bidor

4.Old Pump House Road

2.Genting Highlands

Gunong Brinchang

Sungei Buloh Forest

Other habitats

Wetlands

Forest

Parks

Frasers Hills - 16th December 2004.

This was a long procrastinated trip for Jan. He is itching to pick up birding while in Malaysia. To date, he was also looking forward to March next year. That's the time when he would be back to Malaysia to grab hold of his own pair of Binoculars. On another front, Yeoh got wind of our impending trip to Frasers and at the 11th hour, offered us the stay at the Telecom apartment. So that's was the members of the group that got together.

We set out from PJ, had brunch at Kuala Kubu Baharu. As usual, eating which is part of our outing itinerary. Yeoh recommended to us a new discovery, he had made in his previous trip. Well, it turned out that the 4 of us had brunch in the shack under the tree the usual- Curry, Yong Tau Foo and Veggie, all for only Rgt 13. The "Kwai Loh" joined in the fun. After lunch, we continued our trip. Just at the new Pertak Dam, we saw our first Raptor. When it comes to Raptor, it was joke on me. When we were out in earlier days, every Raptor that I see, I would ID and showed Jan that it should be a Honey Buzzard. I made a mistake once and that's it! A joke was stuck with me. But this time, I would show to him a Serpent Eagle. Through the scope, I proved to him, the yellow "Zorro" mask, black head and also at the tip of the tail. He loved seeing this bird. It brought back memory of the last occasion when we saw one snatching a Tree Snake right in front of us in Jalan Duta.

With a bit of fun in the car, soon we made it the Gap by 1.20 pm - still in time for the "uphill" opening time. The weather was superb -cloudy, and the condition of the road - OK. Despite of the fact that we were traveling in the midst of a rainy season, there was no blockage. We did passed through many spots with landslides. Bird life that morning was rather low. On the way, the only other bird we saw was a Grey Wagtail.

Once we reached Fraser's Hills proper, we couldn't wait but made an immediate start. Headed straight for the Telecom Loop. At 2.15 pm, siesta time for the birds! First sighting was an Imperial Mountain Pigeon. Next, a bird wave came. A small and quick passing-by. It disappeared in no time. Then the Fire-tufted Barbet put up quite a good show. We spent some trying to get a better glimpse of the Fire-tufted. In vain, we moved on. Further up on the "Loop" way, there was Loke Wan Tho's garage. No Swift was sighted that day. I was counting on getting a picture of the Edible Swift. But somehow, our luck changed. Around that area, another bird wave came. There were many anxious moments. When the activities finally subsided with the bird calls fading away, our attention were drawn by a single loud call. A frantic search and Yeoh spotted a Malaysian Cuckoo Shrike. Right at the high end of a tall barren tree. Too far for any decent pictures. So, recounting this whole causal late afternoon watch, the outing lasted 4 hours worth of birding. In the environment of a surprising dry afternoon.

The apartment for us at the Telecom Complex, was a suite of 2 rooms complete with a hall. As anticipated, it was clean and well kept. We had brought along our own beverages, biscuits, fruits and Cognac. We did not have our meals in the apartment. Instead, Dinner was equally good with delicious Satay at only 40 cents a stick. It came from a secret stall was a corner stall next to the old WWF office. A hidden spot away from the commercial center.

The next morning at 7.30 am, the weather was kind. Clear sky and cool breeze. Except for a single Dark throated Sunbird that was whirling around the flowering trees, the whole surrounding was quiet. Quietly perched among the thick foliage we could make out the images of the Imperial Pigeon. a Gold whiskered Barbet, and some Sibias, waiting for the sun.

Yeoh did not miss his walk, left the apartment very early for the town center. He was back by 8.30 am. By then the clear sky was disappearing fast and the mist started drifting in. We gave up the idea of hanging around the Apartments, which was a good birding spot.

To seek a better site, we left for another alternative summit. A short distance and on another face of the hill, the mist cleared marginally Before we could settle down at this new spot, a huge bird wave descended on us. Yeoh was able to show Jan, the Mesia, the icon of Frasers, another better look at the Black & crimson Oriole, the unique Nuthatches and the noisy Laughingthrushes. I was busy trying to concentrate getting a good shot at the Asian-brown Flycatcher. These couple of birds, I was staring at were not with the wave. They were the only bird that stayed for a while. So much for the bird wave, the erratic weather changed. By 8.30 am the weather almost reverted to that misty morning mood and getting worst, started raining as well. That was the morning and the end of the whole visit.

We had our breakfast and waited in the rain. A open air spot we had chosen to while away the time was the tower opposite the Ye Old Smokehouse. Birds came and went around the tower opposite the Smokehouse. There were Grey chinned Minivet and Mountain Fulvettas. More waiting that left us to decide on targeting to abandon this hill station prematurely. i.e. to leave by the noon gate opening time. Somehow unsatisfied, we lost track of time when we eagerly tried to salvage the sightings of some strayed passer-bys. That, we missed as well the noon dateline. Second round of "More waiting". It is in this waiting for the next "Going-Down" opening, we stumbled upon another bird wave, this time near the Resthouse. There were Barbets and Lesser Yellow napped Woodpecker Following their tracks, at another spot, a Rusty breasted Cuckoo drying up its feather. That sightings turned out to be the highlights of the day. The showing up of the Mountain Bulbuls and Long tailed Sibia completed the finale before we bade "Goodbye" to a very good trip in bad weather. It was soon time to go at 2.00 pm.

It was a trip with birds sighted. Our favorites were missed. We wanted to show our new birders trophies like the Niltavas, Trogon, Black browed Barbet and the Red bearded Bee-eater. Very low expectation, really! Frasers will always be there and it is only 2 hours car journey. We could come back as and when we fancy.