Japanese Garden Bukit Tinggi Part Two - Avian Friends

Black-Browed Barbet at the fruiting tree in front of the small parking area at entrance to Botanical Gardens.

Black-Browed Barbet giving me a quizzical look:)

White-rumped Shama and Ochraceous Bulbul were the first to appear at the trail. Buff-breasted Babbler was hopping all over that morning inside the trail before the Mountain Peacock-Pheasants appeared. Saturday morning birds checklist has been shared earlier through eBird portal, and this list has been shared through my Facebook page and in my earlier posting on Japanese Gardens in Malaysian Highlands. I missed the Ferruginous Partridge having left the trail after seeing this pair of Peacock-Pheasants to explore the Botanical Gardens of Bukit Tinggi:( Pair of Blue-winged Leafbirds were spotted on my way towards the Gardens. The Leafbirds' blue and green plumage really stood out. Somehow, seeing this pair of leafbirds lessened my disappointment of missing out on the Partridge. Second (and many more) trips to Bukit Tinggi are definitely a must for birdwatchers!   

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant (Male and Female)

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant (Male)

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant (Male)

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant (Female)

Japanese Gardens in Malaysian Highlands

Wood (or is it White?) Storks immortalized in Statue, within water fountain of entrance to Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. Quick stop at the resort to buy our RM15 entry fee per person to Japanese and Botanical Gardens.

Met Dennis Yong, one of the pioneers in the Malaysian birdwatching community - read about his Big Year list many years ago when I started birding, circa 2001. Japanese Gardens in the highlands of Malaysia, at 3,500 feet above sea level. Suitable for montane and sub-montane birds in the lower level of the hills. Chicken chop with potato wedges and coleslaw was lovely although pricey at RM28. Could be due to exclusive location of Colmar Tropicale within the hills of Pahang. Sugee cake of Mrs Ang (Lwee) was delicious, with generous sprinklings of peanuts - lovely nutty texture to her cakes! 

Considering to book a 1 night stay for my family at Colmar Tropicale, a French theme resort.

Early morning scenery below at the entrance to Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang.

Started to drizzle in the late afternoon as I walked up towards the Japanese tea garden. Ang and wife had already left for Malacca after the morning birdwatching session. Birds seen in Japanese Gardens, Bukit Tinggi will be up in Part Two of this website blog. Birds sighted and heard have been recorded through eBird portal for Sunday morning and for Sunday afternoon. Ferruginous Partridge eluded me which means a second trip is on the cards.
Dinner at Kampung Bukit Tinggi, District of Bentong, on my way back to Kuala Lumpur. Heard Pied Fantails as I sat by the vegetable garden of this restaurant. Homecooked simple dishes - seaweed soup, fluffy fried eggs with lettuce and onions. Definitely worth bringing my family here to experience the rustic simple life that has literally disappeared in the hustle and bustle of a city like Kuala Lumpur.
Ramadhan has begun in Malaysia (began last Saturday, 27th May 2017). Exited Kampung Bukit Tinggi by 7.30pm - smooth ride along the KL-Karak highway since Muslim travellers would have stopped to break their fast, by then. 

World Map of Birds Global Big Day 2017

Global Big Day 2017 is on 13th May 2017, Saturday. eBird Malaysia has a featured post about GBD which can be read here. Wild Bird Club Malaysia is organizing a Day Trip to Negeri Sembilan on 14th May 2017. My last trip to Telapa Buruk was way back in 2013. My blog from this trip with friends from NS and Malacca can be read here. Cornell Lab provided World Map of Birds in conjunction with GBD 2017 and a special hashtag #eBird_GBD to spread awareness via Social Media on events happening worldwide. Am very glad to see Malaysia is included this year 2017 as part of Global Big Day albeit in Social Media news, via Facebook. Praying for good sunny weather this weekend in Malaysia:)  

STARLING WARS Bird Parody by RSPB

Birds representing characters in STAR WARS movie poster (with an aptly named spaceship) - Very funny bird-based parody by Royal Society for Protection of Birds:)
Solo: the Star Wars movie was an independent spin-off from The Star Wars franchise and introduced a new female character named Qi'ra ((Han Solo's first love) and a new robot L3-37. Kea'ra would've have been a good bird-themed name for the first love of Han Sparrow. More about Kea being voted New Zealand's Bird of the Year can be read HERE.  More about Qi'ra can be read HERE.

Wings over Kuala Kubu Bahru and Selangor International Bird Race 2017

Wings over KKB and Selangor International Bird Race 2017 venue behind Mini Stadium of Kuala Kubu Bahru, Selangor from 21st to 23rd April 2017. This was my second time helping out at the Wild Bird Club Malaysia booth. Azlina Mokhtar, fellow member from WBCM and Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor (MDHS) had graciously invited WBCM to open booth on Saturday, 22nd April 2017. Birds seen just outside Shahzan Inn, Fraser Hill after 2pm and before closing ceremony of International  Bird Race 2017, were recorded into eBird portal.  

Male and female Orange-bellied Leafbird. Male Leafbird in picture at the top of this blog.

Black-throated Sunbird above..... 

Enjoying the nectar of the bottlebrush flower.

Black-throated Sunbird's back plumage - moving along this branch of bottlebrush tree just beside Fraser Hill post office. 

Long-tailed Sibia, looking quite menacing through undergrowth above and with its long tail feathers showing below:-

Volunteered as a bird guide on Sunday morning earlier for the team from Philippines (Willem, Christine and Ternel). Azlina had kindly arranged for driver who was driving Perodua Alza (Perodua was one of the sponsors for Race).