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Birdwatching in Malaysia
Malaysia has two distinct parts, separated from each other by South China Sea. It features coastal shoreline rising to forested highlands. Birding experience is superb here as Malaysia is one of the safest and most comfortable places to bird the tropics. There are many good bird watching spots, which are within easy reach of Kuala Lumpur. Most sites offer range of accommodations and other facilities including well marked and easy-to-follow jungle trails. There are over 700 species recorded in Malaysia. Thus, Malaysia
is an exciting birding holiday destination for everyone. The itinerary covers various habitats such as shoreline, estuary, mangrove, rice field, open wetland, limestone cave, sub-montane forest, lowland forest, and a constructed wetland. This tour will require birders to walk although we will also be watching birds from the vehicle depending on destination. The walks will be slowly paced to increase opportunity for spotting birds.
"Rice field"
We will be staying in simple but comfortable accommodations adjacent to or within birding spots to keep the driving hours to minimum and maximize birding time. These accommodations include chalet in nature park and star rated hotels. Each day, we will start it off with simple breakfast prior to birding session while sometimes breakfast in the field. In addition to birding which is the prime focus of this itinerary, there will be opportunity to see & enjoy other forms of natural history such as butterflies, reptiles and primates.
"Trip map"
Electronic map of Malaysia
Tour I
Two-weeks of birding in Peninsular Malaysia
Itinerary
Expect between 200 to 300 species of birds
Day 1 - Arrival/Kuala Selangor.
I will be meeting you in airport and from there, we will be moving to our first destination in Kuala Selangor. It depends much on your time of arrival in the airport. If time permits, we shall be birding in a paddy field for a introduction of bird life in the country. After dinner, we should be taking a good rest for tomorrow session.
Day 2 - Kuala Selangor/Batu Gajah.
We begin the session very early in the morning at 6.30am. You are advised to wear long sleeves and pants for this session. The walk starts at the trailhead near the car park. At times, a slow walk in the secondary forest can be really rewarding with a sighting of
a Barred Eagle Owl. Upon reaching the bridge over the canal, this opened area features the White-throated Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, and Little Heron. The next stop is the top of the concrete tower overlooking the brackish lake. The Yellow-vented Bulbul,
Pink-necked Pigeon, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, White-throated Kingfisher, and Yellow-bellied Prinia can be a common sighting from here. Descending the tower and along the bund trail, walk slowly and stop for calls of the Koel, Red
Junglefowl, Ashy Tailorbird, Olive-backed Sunbird and Great Tit. On the boardwalk, the birds we get to see include Golden-bellied Gerygone, Crested Serpent Eagle, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Flameback and Ashy Drongo. After checking out from the nature park, we will be making a short stop at an estuary for a look at the flock of House Crow, Brahminy kite, Egrets and Herons. In some occasions, the Milky Storks, Lesser Adjutant and White-bellied Sea Eagle will be coming over to this estuary to feed. Our
destination after Kuala Selangor is Batu Gajah. This area is a former tin mine. A glance over the many lakes, you will get to see
the wetland birds such as Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron, Little Grebe, Lesser Whistling Duck, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, and Stork-billed Kingfisher.
"Inside the forest"
Day 3 - Ipoh/Batu Gajah.
The session begins in the car park near the steps leading up to the cave, which is always a hive of activity with fast flying House Swifts zooming in and around the cave entrance. Aiming our scope and binocular at the rock face we will soon be able to pick out the very pretty Java Sparrows. Moving over to the nearby garden we can spot the Blue Rock Thrush and Common Myna. Several more familiar garden species also recorded in this area include the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, the highly vocal songster - Oriental Magpie Robin and the attractive peaceful dove. The Blue Whistling Thrush is frequently seen in the grounds of Kek Lok Tong, often within the cave area itself. Upon reaching the further exit and you will see the attractive gardens and lotus ponds spread out below. The Falconet is also a familiar feature in this garden. Moving out to a nearby open land, we get a chance to put the
Plaintive Cuckoo and Scaly-breasted Munia in our birding logbook. For another session in the area of Batu Gajah, we are going to pay
a visit to a nearby nature park guarded by the department of wildlife. This is a heronry where we get to see a few species of egrets and herons. A surprise inclusion would be the Blue-eared Kingfisher.
"Yellow-nape Woodpecker"
Day 4 - Bidor/Fraser’s Hill.
In the morning, we will be spending time in another known wetland for bird watching where we get species such as Blue-throated Bee-eater, Shrikes, Red-wattled Lapwing, Yellow-headed Lapwing, Plovers, and Pheasant-tailed Jacana.
After lunch, we head towards the highland for montane birds. Fraser? Hill is a place where no birders should miss when on a tour in Malaysia. This is an absolute haven for birds and birders like us. Since I started my bird watching in this hill station, I never seem to get tired of the birds here. Some of the notable ones for the logbook are Silver-eared Mesia, Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrush, Red-headed Trogon, Green Magpie, Red-bearded Bee-eater and Blyth Hawk Eagle.
Day 5 and 6 - Fraser’s Hill.
The hill station is famous for all sort of sub-montane species, so without much time to waste, we drive and walk along the road and trails in the forest to record more species such as the Blue-winged Minla, Black-throated Sunbird, Barbets and many more.
Day 7 - Bukit Rengit.
Bukit Rengit comprises of lowland forest vegetation with a small stream. It may already cross your mind when I mentioned stream,
yes, there is a small jewel which can be spotted in this area called Rufous-backed Kingfisher.
Day 8, 9 and 10 - Taman Negara.
This national park need little introduction. Taman Negara is another well-known haven for birders to seek out their "lifer" species of birds in Malaysia. We will depending on our feet to get us going to fill up our logbook with more bird species. Trails difficulty may be moderate but it is the only way to get the birds such as Pheasants, Broadbills, Hornbills, Bulbuls, Babblers, etc.
"Blue Nuthatch"
Day 11 - Bukit Tinggi.
A less known highland birding spot, we get some beautiful and interesting species which includes the Trogon, Leafbirds, and most of all, the Silver-breasted Broadbill.
Day 12 - Genting Highlands/Putrajaya.
The birding spot in this highland provides a mixture of interesting birds of lowland and montane forest. The highlights in the area are Hornbills, Leafbirds, Barbets, Woodpeckers and many more. A short stop in a forest outskirt of the city of Kuala Lumpur should reward us with a couple of more sightings of other bird species that may include a Blue-banded Kingfisher. Along the highway towards the forest, we should be able to record the sighting of Painted Storks perching on lamp post. We will spend a late afternoon session in a constructed wetland of Putrajaya for some wetland and garden birds.
"Silver-eared Mesia"
Day 13 - Parit Jawa/Melaka.
Parit Jawa is famous for the Lesser Adjutant and there is extremely high chance to get close to this big bird wading in the mudflat. Small waders are also abundant depending on the tide. Albino Kingfisher have been recorded here in the past. So, you may probably
get to see one of them.
Day 14 - KLIA.
Generally, we are going to take a short break from 13 days of spotting birds. Though we maybe searching for them, but we are doing
it in a more relaxing manner. To conclude the 2-weeks period, I will take you to a book store to get some souvenir books to bring home and visiting the historical city of Melaka (depending on your flight time).
Two weeks(14 Days) is: 2 pax US$2650 per person. 4 pax US$2625 per person.
A single supplement is US$450.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
Lodging, food and beverage (breakfast, lunch, tea break & dinner), transportation, birdingpal-cum-driver.
Excluded:
Alcoholic beverages on own expenses. However, no such beverage is allowed inside nature parks while engaging in bird watching activities. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased in Chinese restaurant and 24-hours convenient store throughout the country. All items of a personal nature.
Tour II
One-week of birding in Peninsular Malaysia
Itinerary
Expect between 100 to 200 species of birds
Day 1 - Arrival/Kuala Selangor.
I will be meeting you at the airport and from there, we depart to our first destination – Kuala Selangor. We will explore the paddy field for a little introduction of bird life in the country. After dinner, we will get a good rest and prepare for tomorrow.<
Accommodation: De Palma Hotel
Day 2 - Kuala Selangor.
We begin the session very early in the morning at 6.30am. You are advised to wear long sleeves and pants for this session. The walk starts at the trailhead near the car park. At times, a slow walk in the secondary forest can be really rewarding with a sighting of a Barred Eagle Owl. Upon reaching the bridge over the canal, this opened area features the White-throated
Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, and Little Heron. The next stop is the top of the concrete tower overlooking the brackish lake. The
Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pink-necked Pigeon, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, White-throated Kingfisher, and Yellow-bellied Prinia can be a common sighting from here. Descending the tower and along the bund trail, walk slowly and stop
for calls of the Koel, Red Junglefowl, Ashy Tailorbird, Olive-backed Sunbird and Great Tit. On the boardwalk, the birds we get
to see include Golden-bellied Gerygone, Crested Serpent Eagle, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Flameback and Ashy Drongo. After checking out from the nature park, we will be making a short stop at an estuary for a look at the flock of House Crow, Brahminy kite, Egrets and Herons. In some occasions, the Milky Storks, Lesser Adjutant and White-bellied Sea Eagle will be coming over to this estuary to feed. Along the exposed mudflat, we should be checking out the waders – Redshank, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Curlew, Godwit, Plover, etc. In the evening, we will explore the site for Buffy Fish Owl.
Accommodation: De Palma Hotel
"Blue-tailed Bee-eater"
Day 3 - Fraser’s Hill.
Our destination after Kuala Selangor is Fraser’s Hill. Fraser’s Hill is a place where no birders should miss when on a tour in Malaysia. This is an absolute haven for birds and birders like us. Since I started my bird watching in this hill station, I
never seem to get tired of the birds here. Some of the notable ones are Silver-eared Mesia, Chestnut-capped Laughing Thrush, Red-headed Trogon, Green Magpie, Red-bearded Bee-eater and Blyth’s Hawk Eagle. We should arrive at the Gap and begin our
highland birding from there. In the evening, we will search for nightjar and owl.
Accommodation: Shahzan Inn
"Oriental Pied Hornbill"
Day 4 - Fraser’s Hill.
The hill station is famous for all sort of sub-montane species, so without much time to waste, we drive and walk along the road and trails in the forest to record more species such as the Blue-winged Minla, Black-throated Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Little Cuckoo Dove, and many more. Later in the evening, we will be expecting White-hooded Babbler and Black Laughingthrush. Soon after, we continue our journey to Kuala Lumpur and stay
for a night.
Accommodation: Midah Hotel
Day 5 - Genting Highlands/Bukit Tinggi.
Today, we head to the highlands for more montane exploration. Our targets here will be the Chestnut-tailed Minla and Silver-breasted Broadbill. Other species recorded here includes Orange-breasted Trogon and Banded Kingfisher.
Accommodation: Bukit Tinggi.
Day 6 - Bukit Rengit.
Early in the morning, we depart to Bukit Rengit (Krau Wildlife Reserve) which comprises of lowland forest vegetation with a
small stream and agriculture land. This is the place to look out for the broadbills and woodpeckers. Some of the other species recorded here includes Black-thighed Falconet, Purple-backed Starling, Red-eyed Bulbul, Striped-throated Babbler, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Little Green Pigeon, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Olive-backed Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker, Rufous-breasted Philentoma, Black-naped Monarch, Indian Cuckoo and Blue-winged Leafbird. Also, this site is known for Pitta (Banded and Hooded) and Scarlet –rumped Trogon. We will spend time in this location until evening before staying a night in Kuala Lumpur.
Accommodation: Midah Hotel.
Day 7 - Putrajaya/Departure.
Today, we bird at the forest of FRIM in the morning for Straw-headed Bulbul, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Banded Bay Cuckoo, White-headed Munia, and many more. Later, we continue to Putrajaya for Painted Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron, Lesser Tree
Duck and other bird species before departing to the airport to catch the flight.
One week(7 Days) is: 2 pax US$1475 per person. 4 pax US$1195 per person.
Please note: This price is based on today’s currency value and maybe adjusted, when final payment is due.
A single supplement is US$400.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
Lodging, food and beverage (breakfast, lunch, tea break & dinner), transportation, birdingpal-cum-driver.
Excluded:
Alcoholic beverages on own expenses. However, no such beverage is allowed inside nature parks while engaging in bird watching activities. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased in Chinese restaurant and 24-hours convenient store throughout the country. All items of a personal nature.
Notes.
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
Availability: January to July
For booking allow minimum six(6) weeks prior to departure.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Fitness:
Moderate. Birders are required to walk along forest trails.
Weather:
Tropical climate with warm weather all year round and occasional rainfalls. Temperature ranges from 13C to 32C depending on the birding sites. Annual rainfall varies from 2000mm to 2500mm. Nights can be chilly while in Fraser’s Hill.
Clothing:
Casual and light wear. Bring along long sleeves shirt and long pants. Since it can be hot at times while in the field, you can wear shorts and t-shirts. Light/medium weight sweater is recommended for chilly nights. Ensure that you bring sufficient change of clothing for 2 weeks.
Equipment:
Bring along your most important tool for bird watching which includes binocular, spotting scope and tripod, as well as notebook. Field guides are provided for reference during the tour.
You can also request us to arrange for equipment.
Medicine:
Though, clinics and hospitals are located throughout the country, it is best to bring along your supply of personal medicine.
Food:
You will be enjoying local delicacies of Malay, Chinese and Indian food. If you have allergy or strictly on vegetarian diet, please inform us.
Customization:
This tour can be customized to cater for bird photographers and digiscopers.
Should you only need a guide for a day or two please contact us for details.
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Cheong Weng Chun, your local Birdingpal guide
Nature Guide (TG 8409)/Birdingpal. BSc. Forestry, majoring in Parks and Recreation Management (UPM). Weng Chun has traveled to almost every corner of Peninsular Malaysia visiting the jungles, waterfalls, islands, and wetlands. He started birdwatching in the 90’s with a resident bird guide in Fraser’s Hill after an introduction by a wildlife lecturer. He is also keen in nature photography and birds being his favorite photography subject, the traveling have indeed benefited his passion for nature photography and bird watching. He is currently affiliated to Malaysian Nature Society’s Selangor Bird Group and Oriental Bird Images. He is also a co-moderator for a Malaysian bird watching/photography forum. |
Testimonial.
Cheong is a great guy. Very friendly and knowledgeable in birds and jungle environment. To me - coming from cold Scandinavia - it was great to be shown so many birds and have such an entertaining day. Cheong is also witty and funny which did make the day even more fun. Highly recommended - will contact again next time I am in Asia.
Thomas Hagstrom thomas.hagstrom(AT)comdatsec.com
Just a quick note of thanks for arranging the tour to Frasers Hill. I enjoyed it very much. There were 8 lifers in that for me. Hope to bird with you again later this year. Richard Carden (Japan)
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful time that I had in Kuala Selangor and Fraser's Hill. I was impressed by your focus on customer service. It appeared that customer service comes naturally to you. Your attention for details was amazing. Within that short span of time, I could watch and photograph a number of species of birds and monkeys. Before coming to Malaysia, I had never photographed sunbirds. With you on my side, I felt that photographing such a fast species became easier. Thanks for all your help. Sabyasachi Patra (India)
Weng Chun provided a wonderful service. I have a slipped disc, so I could not lift anything. Without his excellent help and consideration, this trip would be impossible. He handled my luggage, showed me the birds, and even took photos for me. He is fun to be with. Dr. Robert Dix (USA), rdix2002(AT)yahoo.com
Some facts about Malaysia.
Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-east Asia. It's buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs. Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st Century, though, Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.
Malaysia is a federation of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of 329,847 km2. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The country is separated into 2 regions – the Malay peninsular and Borneo – by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. Located near the equator, the weather is characterized by tropical climate. Malaysia is headed by a king and politically led by a Prime Minister. The government is closely modeled after the Westminster (parliamentary system).
The population of Malaysia is estimated at approximately 27 million. The Malay language is the official language although English is widely spoken.
More facts about Malaysia.
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
A Field Guide to the Birds of South-east Asia by Craig Robson.
Find lowest prices here
Bird Recordings
Birds of Tropical Asia, Sounds and Sights v3.0 by Jelle Scharringa
www.wildsounds.com
Note: To ascertain tour/seat availability and best pricing, select a week for departure date. e.g. Sep 01 - 07
Need more information please email us.
Thank you for considering a local Birdingpal guide for your next trip.