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Malaysia Selangor

White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus ŠLaurence Poh http://www.laurencepoh.com/

Birding In Selangor

Selangor is the most developed state in Malaysia and has a large human population. Despite its rapid development there are still many wild places with natural ecosystems in the state that support a high diversity of birds. Below are four birding sites in Selangor; two rainforest sites, a freshwater wetland and one site of coastal mangroves.

About an hour`s journey from Kuala Lumpur is Hulu Langat Forest Reserve. The main entrance to this virgin forest reserve is at Hutan Lipur Congkak near Pangsun, Hulu Langat. The vast rainforest and many streams are home to many forest birds. You might spot the magnificent Rufous-backed Kingfisher along one of the streams, hear the melodious song of the White-rumped Shama or watch the Asian Paradise Flycatcher catching insects along one of the tracks. Nearly all rainforest families like broadbills, woodpeckers, flycatchers and babblers are well represented here.

Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) is another great birding spot and located 15 kilometres to the northeast of Kuala Lumpur at Kepong. Besides rainforest, there are also gardens around the institute which is a great place to see open country birds. The extensive walking trails which lead into the forest ecosystems is excellent for seeing bulbuls, leafbirds, drongos and other forest birds. A canopy walk is also available here but to use it you have to make prior arrangement.

The reserve no called Paya Indah Wetlands is only about 15 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This area is comprised of lakes and peat swamp forest. The natural ecosystem is rich in open country and water birds. Among the birds seen here are Purple Heron, Purple Moorhen, bee-eaters, pigeons and birds of prey. The walking trails and viewing jetties at the lakes are great for birding... however, they are no longer open to the public.

An alternative site is Putrajaya - see below...

One of the most famous birding spots in Malaysia is Kuala Selangor Nature Park. The park is formed by a large mangrove ecosystem along the coastline. It is the perfect place to see water birds like herons, egrets, curlew and godwits. Birds of prey such as Brahminy Kite, Black Baza and Japanese Sparrowhawk have also been recorded. The boardwalks and the mudflats provide excellent birdwatching. This is an amazing natural habitat not to be missed by birders.

top sites

Putrajaya Wetland

Putrajaya Wetland is the first constructed wetland in Malaysia - consisting of 24 wetland cells. A variety of bird life can be sighted in this wetland park which includes: purple heron, grey heron, little heron, common moorhen, purple swamphen, painted stork, and yellow bittern. The surrounding vegetation which has been preserved is made up of oil palm and rubber trees. Flowering and fruiting plants were also planted during the constuction of the park. These are good habitat for other birdlife and among those are barred eagle owl, barn owl, collar scops owl, large-tailed nightjar, savanna nightjar, and red-whiskered bulbul. During the migration season, raptors can be seen soaring above the wetland.

Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest

Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest is a lowland dipterocarp forest located adjacent to Semenyih Dam. This forest is easily accessible by road. There is a small stream running through the forest providing crystal clear water with gentle rapids. There is also a forest trail and along the trail there is a few exits. It is best to stay near clearings and along the stream. The road leading to the forest is also rewarding and keep observing along the way as you may catch a glimpse of hornbills, barbets, bulbuls, falconet, and many more.

contributor

Cheong Weng Chun
[Additional material]
http://wengchunbirding.blogspot.com

Jimmy A
Freelance Birding Guide
rainforestbirders@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/rainforestbirders/

useful reading

*Field Guides & Bird Song

For a comprehensive list of recommended titles covering Malaysia as a whole - please see the Malaysia page of Fatbirder

clubs

Malaysia Nature Society - Selangor Bird Group

http://www.mns.org.my/state.php?stid=12
Local branch news, trips, photos etc.

reserves

Kuala Selangor Nature Park

http://naturepark.freeservers.com/
Check out this very special Park at the estuary of Kuala Selangor! Along the shore lines of Peninsula Malaysia, the thin belt of Mangrove Forest in most districts are gradually depleted from uncontrolled harvesting for logs. Industrial Parks and housing estates move in to swallow up the lands from these dying forest. Stretches of coastlines, there is hardly any refuge for wildlife and birds to rest! The Malaysian Nature Society with assistance from the Selangor State Government jointly push through a project to salvage what is left. The Kuala Selangor Nature Park is thus created. It offers a wide variety of appropriate environments hopefully to serve as likely habitats for the birds and wildlife.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park

http://www.ecologyasia.com/html-loc/kuala-selangor.htm
The Kuala Selangor Nature Park is managed by the Malaysian Nature Society, under a co-operative arrangement with the Selangor State Government...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

2000 [March] - Susan Myers

http://users.wired.net.au/susan/penmal.htm
Black Baza, Little Bronze-cuckoo, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Lineated Barbet, almost tame Laced Woodpeckers and a couple of gorgeous Forest Wagtails...

local guides

Rainforest Birders

http://www.geocities.com/rainforestbirders/
My name is Jimmy and I am a Malaysian freelance birding guide with years of birdwatching experience in the rainforest. Birding in the rainforest is an amazing experience as there are many remarkable and exotic birds like hornbill, barbets, babblers, flycatchers, broadbills and many others to be seen. I feel that every birder should have the opportunity to see those fantastic birds in the tropical rainforest in Malaysia. I am willing to be a guide for anyone who is interested to go birding in the rainforest and make their birding trip to Malaysia a memorable journey...

places to stay

De Palma Hotel

http://depalmahotel.com/
If you get sick of the humdrum of city life and dream of a weekend escapade tucked in a quiet countryside location where noise from traffic gives way to bird chirps, look no further. De Palma Kuala Selangor is the answer...

Khong Tuck Khoon talks about - Backyard Birder of Petaling Jaya

http://malaysianbirds.myphotos.cc/
Birding in Malaysia - My write-ups, pictures of interesting places and glimpses of birds. Plus what ever I could lay my hands on, that is relating to watching birds. Hope you too will find something interesting...

Mikebirder - Birding in Malaysia

http://mikebirder.multiply.com
Birding to somebody out there is a disease, a waste of time, bloody madness.........but once hooked there is no turning back. Be warned!

Wengchun's Birding BLOG

http://wengchunbirding.blogspot.com/
...Started the trip quite late as the weather doesn't look so good early in the morning. So, I didn't expect much though. The road towards Sungai Tekala seems quite good and after passing by Sungai Tekala, there are more birds flying across the road. So, I stopped at some of these areas to enjoy the birds...

artists