Dreaming of the Ferruginous Partridge

 

At 3,500 feet this Japanese Gardens was reported as the first of its kind to be located on the highest elevation in the highlands of Malaysia at Bukit Tinggi in the district of Bentong, Pahang. I was observing black carpenter ants which were attracted to the sugar produced by the bright red flowers of a gingery-looking plant. Looks like some of the plants were facing aphids infestation.  

The Japanese tatami cottage below fascinated me and being in the midst of a forest, one starts to imagine anime characters from the likes of Totoro, the Catbus from My Neighbour Totoro. Studio Ghibli which created these fantastical anime cartoon series launched their theme park and their website can be viewed HERE. Their first website was launched on 1st February 2022. Totoro is a giant, friendly forest spirit in Japanese and looks like an owl when perched on a tree branch. 

via GIPHY

Previous trips have been made to Bukit Tinggi with friends to look for the Mountain Peacock Pheasant, which can be read HERE. The hills were alive with bird songs that afternoon and seeing some of these such as the blue-winged leafbirds, cinereous bulbuls, grey and buff woodpeckers, as well as hearing the calls of the gold-faced barbets still brings so much joy to me. Wish I could continue birdwatching regularly again once I complete my online distance learning program with the IUMW.

The convenience shop is still operational at the top of the hill nearby the Japanese gardens with working toilets (as pictured above). Despite having a rubbish bin near the shop, youngsters still litter the area with ice cream wrappers. Spare the rod, spoil the child? 

Looking at the valleys beyond the hills which form part of the Titiwangsa Range of Peninsular Malaysia. 

It was wonderful to spot four different species of monkeys that afternoon which were the Dusky Leaf (as above and below), Siamang, White-thighed Surili and Pig-tailed Macaque. The Dusky Leaf was quite a big group jumping from tree to tree, and munching on young shoots. Checklists from eBird Malaysia from that short afternoon trip are available at https://ebird.org/checklist/S141923283 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S141923829 - hoping to make more time to birdwatch with friends soon. 

Two Dusky Leaf Monkeys viewed from afar (as pictured below). It was lovely to see a flock of Grey-Rumped Treeswifts roosting in a tree as I was walking back to my car.  

I can only dream of seeing the Ferruginous Partridge again next time. I heard it calling in the valley beyond as I left the hills. The first Ferruginous Partridge that I saw was at Bukit Tinggi and that shy denizen of the forest floor can be viewed here via eBIRD Checklist below:-

https://ebird.org/checklist/S41790284