N   02° 17.152'
E 101° 38.645' (WGS84)
Heronry in Penang
As the Crows Flies
Direction -30° -17.64kms
 from my house
Terrain - Unsheltered residential site Size of Birdable area -Along boardwalk Distance to walk or trek -150 meters
Birding distance - Binocular Special attire- sunlight protective   Other special mention- nil
Bird's life:- Bird species:- For budding birder :-
This birding destination is a rare sight. A wild bird colony of fair size co-exist within an area of dense urban human population.

The place, an aged old Koay Clan settlement - a straight-lined marine settlement on the eastern shoreline of Georgetown. Access to the houses is a common board walk that passes in front  of each house. As time passed, more land were needed. The State government decided to land filled the sea besides and further out towards the channel. That left this settlement of wooden houses in a secluded pocket.

The sea floor below the houses is still below the sea level. Drains bringing the sewages out to sea also in reverse brings in the rising tides. Soon the tides carried with them, seedlings of the Avicenna trees. Just before the turn of the century, a small Avicenna forest becomes noticeable and since then blossom into a small belt of 150 meters by 30 wide. When the forest matured, the forest floor with conditions conducive to the breeding of Night Herons was noticed by the birds. They made their home and true enough, their presence and odors from their droppings were tolerated by its neighbors. You get to see the wild birds -real close.

 
 

The low cost flats built on reclaimed land.

This self generated forest sprung up in an urban area.

Waste land when seen in low tide.

Looking south, the narrow forest belt with low cost apartments as back drop.

 
     

Forest,

Birds

&

dense urban dwellings

Closer look -apartments and birds
   
  When the tide has gone the waste land was drained by a sewage way.

A sewage waterways at the fringe, running out to sea
 

A typical scene

Sewage with filths.

 
 

Picture showing density of bird colony

The density of nesting birds populations

 
 
 

Another one of the 2 inter tidal drains

Other tailing seen flowing out to sea at low tide period

 

  

 
 
 

The birds are just 50 feet away from the homes living along the boardwalk

For photographers, you do not need a Spotting Scope, juts a Tele-converter.

The birds and nests

 
 

Night Herons are very co-operative models. Just pick your choice.

From breeding adults to juveniles.

More pictures of birds

 

  
 
 

Both humans and birds were undisturbed by each other daily  activities.

Koay Clan settlement, boardwalk,, forest and Komtar Tower

 
 

A truly representative view of the Heronry in Penang.
Another VWander photographic guide

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