Black-thigh Falconet on Telephone post

 

Birding at Tanjung Api, Tanjung Lumpur, Muara Sungai Kuantan

The fishermen's boat returned to Tanjung Api jetty, with Tanjung Tembeling in the background.

Tanjung Lumpur is a picturesque traditional fishing village situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River in Pahang, Malaysia. The name "Tanjung Lumpur," which translates to "Mud Cape" in English, signifies the village's origins on muddy terrain, established by Malays in Kuantan many decades ago. This charming village is well-known for its delicious grilled fish dishes and rich cultural heritage.

I had the wonderful opportunity to stay at the Swiss-Belhotel in Tanjung Lumpur, ideally located right on the mud flat. From the hotel balcony, I was able to photograph some stunning local birds, making my visit truly memorable. It's a destination not to be missed!

Changeable hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)

Black-thighed falconet (Microhierax fringillarius)

Black-thighed falconet (Microhierax fringillarius)

Black-thighed falconet (Microhierax fringillarius)

The area has mudflats, but no shorebirds, even at low tide.

In fact, there are afew shorebirds on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. (Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan).

Shorebirds, or waders, are not absent but generally less common along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia compared to other regions, such as the west coast. 

I consulted ChatGPT for insights, and here are the compelling reasons why this disparity exists:

1.** Lack of Suitable Habitat**

• Shorebirds typically prefer mudflats, sandflats, and estuarine environments that are extensive and rich in invertebrates. The east coast has sandy beaches and fewer intertidal mudflats compared to the west coast, where larger mudflat systems (e.g., Kuala Selangor) are found.

2. **Tidal and Coastal Characteristics**

• The tidal range along the east coast is smaller than on the west coast, and sandy shores dominate. These areas do not provide the nutrient-rich feeding grounds shorebird species require.

3. **Seasonal Monsoons**

• The northeast monsoon (November to March) brings heavy rains and rough seas, which may disrupt habitats and make the east coast less hospitable to shorebirds during this period.

4. **Migration Patterns**

• Many shorebirds migrating along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway follow routes that favor the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where larger and more accessible stopover sites are available.

5. **Human Activity**

• Coastal development, tourism, and pollution along the east coast may further reduce the availability of undisturbed habitats for shorebirds.

View from Swiss belHotel ground floor shows the lowtide mudflat

Low tide shows a mudflat in front of the Swiss belHotel Kuantan (pic from swiss belhotel website)

A beach fisherman examines his net at dawn during high tide.

white-bellied sea eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster)

Juvenile white-bellied sea eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster)

White-bellied Eagle over water by Chat GPT

Falconet in flight by Microsoft Chat 4o

Fisherman boat passing the Masjid Tanjung Api.

 Picture of gabion walls in front of Imperium Residence Kuantan.

White-bellied Sea Eagle harass by crow at Raub Lake

I was taking a photo of an egret at Taman Tasik Raub yesterday afternoon when I heard a loud commotion. 

A White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster) was being harassed by a Large-billed Crow.

This is my first time seeing a Sea Eagle in Raub. It's common habitat is in coastal areas, and inland (like Raub) waterbodies.

Sub-adult White-bellied Sea Eagle, still patches of brown at the neck.

Jungle crows are not common in this small town, unlike big cities like Kuala Lumpur where crows are a pest. Here, crows are usually seen in big trees and high telecommunication towers.

 The crow chased the eagle into the tree.

White-bellied Sea Eagle trying to defend attacked by Crow 

mid-air fight

 Apparently, this type of fight is common between eagles and crows. Maybe to protect their nest and territories.

Sea Eagle didn't want to waste time and energy; he just flew away.

A Large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos macrorhynchos) claims victory.

JPJ Officers save the Changeable Hawk-eagle

En. Shamsul, Pegawai JPJ (Road Transport Officer) in Raub found this bird in the middle of the Raub-Benta yesterday.

km 7/8 menghala ke Lipis...berdekatan dgn simpang masuk Sek Agama Lipis (dekat JPJ Benta)..

Masa sampai dia dalam keadaan termenung di  tengah jalanraya tu...Tak nampak kejadian sebelum..ada nampak macam sikit pendarahan dalam mata...mulut dia pun ternganga je..

Masa dipegang dia tak meronta atau berbunyi...

Rujuk Vet...ingat nak tiggalkan terus disitu tapi diaorang minatk hantar ke Perhililitan...

Dapatla merasa macamane cengkaman dia...rupanya semakin kita bergerak...dia akan cengkam lagi kuat...

Kena masa di Vet...dalam bilik dia mengelepar...terlepas...so..kaki dia sebelah cengkam tangan saya..sebelah lagi tapak kaki saya...😅😅😅

En. Shamsul and Changeable  Eagle-Hawk

He sent it to Veterinary Doctor for a check-up

En. Shamsul in front of PERHILITAN (The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia) Kuala Lipis 

Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), in a car while being transfer to The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia 

 

Burung Hantu Bukan Haiwan Peliharaan

Owls are Not Pets
Burung Hantu Bukan Haiwan Peliharaan, Tetapi Pemain Utama Ekosistem

Rujuk Majalah Sains - oleh: Dr. Puan Chong Leon,Pensyarah Kanan, Fakulti Perhutanan, Universiti Putra Malaysia -; HERE
Common Barn Owl
Jampuk Putih
Tyto alba javanica, -Johann Friedrich Gmelin, 1788

Ainur menjumpai anak burung ini terjatuh selepas hujan. lebat.
Dibela selama sebulan dan menjadi sangat jinak, dengan pangilan "OWLLY"

Harry Potter fans

Saya anggarkan jampuk ini berumur 60hari berdasarkan gambar di bawah.
Sepatutnya sudah keluar dari sarang, terbang-labuh dan diajar memburu oleh emaknya.
Tapi sekarang emaknya adalah manusia.
Usia burung hantu ini boleh menceah sehingga 20 tahun, jadi Ainur perlu bersedia untuk menbela dalam jangka panjang.

Burung Hantu ini makan di tangan. Ainur memberi  daging ayam mentah. Hati ayam, burung pipit dan cicak..  Berubah cara hidup semula-jadi, tidur waktu malam dan jaga siang hari.
Jika dibiarkan dihutan/luar dia akan mati kebuluran.

Barn Owl ini dikategorikan dalam "Least Concern"  oleh - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm).
Terdapat hidup di merata negara, kecuali di kutub utara/selatan dan di gurun.
Walau bagaimanapun, species ini adalah diperlindungi sepenuhnya di Malaysia di bawah Akta 76 mahupun Akta 716 :

Apa patut kita buat kita jumpa anak burung yang jatuh dari sarang?
Kalau jumpa sarangnya, masukkan semula di dalam sarang. Kalau tidak cuma tinggalkan saja di situ..
Dari beberapa kajian, kadar kematian anak burung sebelum umur satu tahun adalah sekitar 70%
Alam semulajadi akan menentukan nasibnya.

Black Kite from Japan by Abd Jamal Abd Hadi

The black kite (Milvus migrans) in flight in Kyoto Japan

NIKON D5200, 8/4/16, ISO 1000, f5.0, 180mm

Cyclists and Falcon

BMC Racing Team’s Taylor Phinney of US winning the first stage on the inaugural Dubai Tour

The Falcon was used for hunting by Bedouin, but now falconry is practiced only for sport

I got the image of a Mountain Biker attacked by a Peregrine Falcon from HERE

Shameful Act by Post Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia

"My photo was stolen and used in a Malaysian stamp?" -  Romy Ocon
Read the full story at DPREVIEW -  Here
The same story at MSN News
Also coverage by StarOnline and Yahoo News

"Serious ignorance, as the White-fronted Falconet looks very different from a Long-tailed Shrike" - Romy Ocon.
My picture of Falconet (Black-thighed) - below

 Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) - very different from Long-tailed Shrike

new stamps - from Post Malaysi

This images - taken from Pos Malaysia FB are already taken out, and that Philately Unit is no longer accessible

New Year Eagle

Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

Changeable Hawk Eagle - Helang Hindek

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Helang Hindek - Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)

A dark morph adult in flight

This is the place where I got that Hawk Eagle, Raub Golf Course. Perched on top of the dead tree.