Birdwatching made easy in Kuala Baram

It was supposed to be an early day out birdwatching but alas, surfed Cabelas into the wee hours of the morning the nite before, so early on this particular Saturday morning meant breakfast at 0730 hrs. Birdwatching didn't start till about 0900hrs. On the coast that's late ... very late!

It wasn't dissappointing to say the least :
Blue-throated Bee-eater, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, White-breated Woodswallow, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Iora, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black-headed Munia, Dusky Munia, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Lesser Coucal, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Spotted Dove, Pied Thriller, Ashy Tailorbird and A Brown Tree-snake that tried it's best to invade the nest of a woodswallow but was easily thwarted by three very determined birds.


Find yourself a big leafy, shady tree and plunk yourself on a comfy chair next to your scope and get your binoculars handy. The old junk and pesky birding buddy are optional.


Enjoy the view, ignore the occasional traffic and wait for the birds to come. The area is flanked by the peatswamp, Sungai Baram on the left; brackish marshland and South China Sea to the right. There are plenty of insects, caterpillars and prey for birds. The view isn't half bad.


A beautiful raptor sitting on a dead branch surveying his patch.


A nest the raptor was at initially. The many large, bare tall trees in Kuala Baram provides suitable nesting sites for several raptor species, from Falconets, Brahminy Kites, White-bellied Sea Eagles and others. It's proximity to human habitation and easy access however meant that a few of these nests have been vandalised for eggs by unscrupulous people in the past.


There were many bee-eaters in the area.


Oi! Where's my breakfast?


This little birdie walloped quite a few fat caterpillars before he noticed that he's being watched.


There were constantly a pair of Pied Thrillers chasing each other amongst the branches, these too were after caterpillars.


Another happy customer.


A pair of White-breasted Woodswallows intently watching over their nest on the same tree.


An unassuming place to raise up a brood.


An 'unwanted' visitor to the woodswallow's humble abode. He was quickly evicted by a pair of very aggressive and protective parents.


This beautifully patterned monitor lizard too would not hesitate climbing up a tree in search of food ... just look at his girth, one prosperous little opportunist.

For more birds forays in Kuala Baram checkout http://mnsmiri.blogspot.com


All photos were digiscoped.