Birds in my garden

Terrain - Raised bund around pond	Size of Birdable area -walk along bund	Distance to walk or trek -1.5 kilometers
Birding distance - Binocular & scope	Special attire- normal	Other special mention- nil
Bird's life:-	Bird species:-	For budding birder :-
The place is in the midst of ex-mining land in Malim Nawar. It is an Island within a pond. The pond is 700 meters in diameters and 5 meters below road level. This pond is bordered on 4 sides - by forested bank of the Kampar River, a duck farm, a thoroughfare track and a forested bund. The Heronry is on a small island about 50 meters long and same distance from the edge of the pond. This island and the whole circumference of the pond is well wooded.

There is a branch off from the thoroughfare track towards the bank of the Kampar River. After, the trail head to the Heronry had partially collapsed. Hence only motorcycle and hikers trod along this part of the bund. It runs parallel to the river.

This heavily wooded segment attracted all lowland birds, Fantails, Magpie, Cuckoos, Barbets and the usual open park birds. It was lively and ideal birding spot.

Single track in a heavily wooded area. Canopy and large birds above

Almost at the end of this segment and before it makes a right turn to reach the duck farm, the nesting island is located at this corner. Most Herons, Grey and Purple had perched themselves among the tall trees lining up this bund. Even with utmost silence, the huge birds up in the trees could detect unusual movements. They will systematically takes off. So, we still had to reach "down" the bund, out of the woods to reach the edge of the pond.

Birders among the scrub on the bank

This picture and the one below shows the scenes on the island.

Below -Those birds perching on the trees along the bund had taken flight. Left -Those on the nests on the island remains.

Nesting Herons on the Island

Grey Heron made up the largest number with Purple Heron mingling among them.

The other bird that each Heronry would not miss are the Black crowned Night Heron. Egret were present but not that noticeable.

Sky filled with large birds

Night Herons gathered in large community at the lower level of the jungle. They were extremely sensitive to human presence. A sign that the Heronry is very frequently disturbed.

Black crowned Night Heron took to the lowest level of trees on the Island.

This colony on the canopy felt less threaten. They stay behind. Comparing birds from the 2 other Heronries, the birds here are sensitive.

Be extremely careful on your approach. It would be a waste of time to walk that far and ending up with only empty nests.

Also be very sensitive to the forest floor on your left when approaching the Heronry. That is an alluvial plan of the river bank. The Herons were feeding on the ground with other ground birds. So watch for the Quails, Rails and Crakes.

On the tallest canopies the larger Purple and Grey Herons