Raptor Watch - Malaysia

Every March the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) holds "Raptor Watch" to welcome the raptors (birds of prey) as they migrate north. The weekend event has three major activities - visiting booths, taking walks, and looking skyward for raptors.

Bird Group Booth: Go to site for information, t-shirts,
and note cards

The MNS Selangor Bird Group, friendly, knowledgeable bird watchers staff an active booth - they make you want to be a bird watcher. When we approach they asked us  "Do you think that you are too advance for our beginners' bird watching class?" Too advanced! The question should have been "are you advanced enough?" We signed up for the 2014 class (away when 2013 class is offered).

A critical mass of serious bird watchers show up for the event - if not to see the birds, to eye the manufacturers' display of sophisticated cameras and binoculars.  They also sponsor lectures on birds, day and weekend bird watching trips, and workshops, e.g., photographing birds. We left the booth with 2 t-shirts and note cards.

We met an American retiree who was travelling with a Malaysian friends to bird watching sites throughout the country and region. His card identified him as "a bird watcher" and "grandfather." Birding groups from the Philippines, Thailand, China, and Taiwan were also there. China has a flier describing 5 possible birding trips with enticing names like "16 Day Easy Winter Birding." A review of costs suggests the trips aren't for casual birders. Even if you will never go bird watching in China, check their website to see why people go crazy over birds. I went to a discussion on Asian bird festivals and left convinced that bird watchers are important to international conservation efforts.

Among games and activities for children was a face painting booth. Some adults got into the spirit of the day and had a bird face painted on their face.

A not-to-be missed activity is to take a walk with a MNS member. We took the mangrove walk and a forest walk. I was interested in the mangrove walk, because mangroves are important to maintaining the coastline ecology. Our guide gave us a well-informed, mini-lecture (worthy of note taking). Two highlights were that a mangrove tree breathes through its exposed roots and it redirects the salt in the water to surface of its leaves.

The edge of a mangrove forest

As we walked we saw legions of soldier crabs heading out to sea. We immediately saw the aptness of its name. One of children spotted a puffer fish (a seriously poisonious fish) stranded in a shallow puddle. She "rescued" it put it in deeper water. Of course, the fish headed back to where it came from (the shallow puddle).

Close ups of soldier crabs

The puffer fish

We heard that birds start appearing as early as 10:00 a.m. and the last arrivals might come in at 1:00. We had expected that they would fly in later, but its their show. We hiked up to the lighthouse and stood on a ledge to wait. As you can see were among birders with serious camera equipment. There were also bird counters stationed at the lighthouse. The birds fly in from Sumatra and the lighthouse is located on the nearest point on the Asian continent (10 nautical miles). We walked down to the resort (to check out) before the first bird appeared. By the time we reached the resort we could spot the raptors.

Waiting for the raptors to appear

Raptors captured on an every day camera

Raptor Watch showed MNS at its best - diverse members, interesting activities, and informative guides. What was most impressive was the number of children and adolescents. Apparently the schools have nature clubs and their members were all over the places - usually being herded in by a teacher. MNS effectively meets many needs and interests. We don't take advantage of all it offers, but we know our membership money is going to preserve the country's environment and educate the next generation about nature.

Wearing the t-shirt of the day

Logistics: Raptor Watch was held on the grounds to the PNB Ilham Resort, Batu 10, Tanjung Biru, Port Dickson, Malaysia. We booked for two nights - it was pleasant and relaxing, but probably better to suited to families. We took a train from KL Sentral Station. We took the express train (RM13) that goes to Singapore; we could have taken the KT Commuter which is cheaper and a little slower. At Seremban we walked to the bus station and to the bus to Port Dickson (RM 4) - a seriously long trip (at least 40 minutes) and then a taxi to the resort (RM 20). Next time we will hire a taxi from KL for the day. Start by going to the light house, view the exhibits, possibly take a MNS walk and head for home. Faster with a lot less wasted time.