Birds in my garden

Located in a very remote northern boundary of Perak state, this place is a forest Reserve. It is a catchment area to feed Tasek Merah Lake with water. A lowland wet forest right at the western foot of Bintang Range. A main trunk road running from Kemunting to Selama cuts through this forest. This is over a distance of 6 kilometers. Overall the terrain is that lowland forest, well drained by many tributaries and with pockets of swamps. It was filled with mixed diverse vegetation with trees reaching up to 20 meters high.

This place is remote and well protected. There were few navigable track as seen from the approach road. Birding can done by walking along narrow obscure paths under very dark shadow of canopy. There are a couple of track with hard surfaces. Otherwise most path were on top of soggy vegetations and very close to stream.

On a recce trip, here is scene from one of the more navigable track that cuts deep into the reserve. This one area, where the forest around the track was cleared. Rarely, an open area within an otherwise impenetrable forest.

Bad news, a track cutting into the forest for development work at its fringe.

One of channels collecting and draining ground water. Note the clarity f the water and the unpolluted environment. For those frequenting tropical forest will find such scene are inspiring. A sign that wildlife is plentiful.

Flowing water and thriving reeds- sign of little interference from the local polpuation.

The constant presence of Pig-tailed Monkey along the entire stretch of road tells that this species usually found in forested area, confirms that the Reserve is very well protected.

Inevitably, Long-tailed Macaques were not missed. They appeared in much smaller numbers and occassionally.

One road sign that is seldom seen.

Finally, a true jungle path where we do our birding.

There were sounds of bird presence. We would even rate this place as "filled with activities". This was our first visit. One that included searching and evaluating time, the number and type of birds sighted was insufficient for us to make meaningful comments on the quality of bird life present. We are looking forward to make an update.

A jungle trail littered with Leeches and swarmed by an army of Mosquitoes.