Workshop : The ABC's of Birdwatching


Interested in birdwatching but do not know where to start?

This course by the Selangor Bird Group is for you if you are asking any of these questions: "What is that bird? Which binoculars should I buy? What are bins? How do I use my binoculars? By the time I find the spot where I thought the bird was, it had flown? Which field guide should I get?"

Conducted via classroom and outdoor practical sessions at Fraser's Hill, participants will be grounded on birding basics in class followed by field sessions, with the guidance of experienced birder-trainers.

There are limited spots. For more details and to book, contact Ng Bee Cheng at 016-2121754 or ngbeecheng@gmail.com. Closing date is 5 May 2010. There will be a pre-trip meeting for participants on Tue, 11 May at the MNS auditorium at Jalan Kelantan.


Talk : Birds and Mammals of South Africa


In Feb 2009, John Steed travelled to South Africa, spending time in Kruger National Park and Cape Town.

Join us to see his presentation, containing images and video footage of the amazing birds and mammals of Southern Africa.


Day Trip : Taman Pertanian, Shah Alam


The MNS Selangor Bird Group is organizing a half-day birdwatching trip to Taman Pertanian Shah Alam (formerly known as Bukit Ceraka). Taman Pertanian Shah Alam is a lowland rainforest reserve located in Shah Alam. It is about 40km from Kuala Lumpur. There is a RM1.00 entrance fee.

The group will be meeting at the car park just before the main entrance at 7am sharp.

Please bring along a pair of binoculars, a hat, water and insect repellent for the half day walk. Please wear comfortable and dull-coloured clothings.

Members interested in participating, please contact Tan Tuck Hong at +60123061133 or Mark Ng at +60123195189.


Birdwatching in Fraser's Hill


Fraser's Hill is an internationally renowned birding destination that has a wide variety of Montane birds including the Silver-eared Mesia, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Green Magpie and lots more. Birding is easy along the road and the cool climate makes it very pleasant for birding.

For more details and to book your place, get in touch with Alan at 016-3322 991. A pre-trip meeting to arrange car-pooling will be held at 8pm on 23 February (Tue) at the MNS HQ Auditorium.

* Cost includes transportation (car pooling) and accommodation. Food not included. Confirmed places will be on a first-come-first-served basis with payment in full. No refunds to participants who cancel.



Birdwatching at Kemensah, Ampang


Join us for a half-day trip to Kemensah, Ampang, near Zoo Negara. This lowland secondary forest has a stream running through it, making it a nice picnic spot as well.

We will be meeting at the entrance of Zoo Negara at 7am sharp, moving on into Kampung Kemensah where we will park some of the cars and car pool to go the rest of the way, as the road going in is fairly narrow.

We hope to spot the Stripe-throated Bulbul, Black & Red Broadbill, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Brown-throated Sunbird, Olive-winged Bulbul, among others.

Please bring along a pair of binoculars, a hat, drinking water and insect repellent. Do wear comfortable and dull-coloured clothing.

For more information or to register, call or sms Tang at 012-306 1133 or Mark at 012-319 5189 (call after 6pm ; SMS anytime).



Birding at Kerinchi-Seblat National Park, Sumatra


Three Malaysian birders and one well-travelled Aussie birder spent an exciting time birding in the two best-known birding spots of Kerinchi-Seblat National Park in Sumatra.

The two sites, Gunung Kerinchi Trail and Gunung Tujuh Valley delivered several Sumatran endemics as well as the more common species that can also be found in other Indonesian islands to the east.

In addition to talking about the birds they saw, Lim Aun Tiah will share some tips on how to get there and at the same time enhance your chances of seeing the more elusive birds in the event you are planning to make a trip to Kerinchi-Seblat.



Bird Photography Practical Session @ KSNP


Calling all budding shutterbugs! Are you tired of taking bad shots? Can't quite get the bird exposed correctly? Taking too many blurred photos and getting frustrated by it all?

We will be holding a practical session at Kuala Selangor Nature Park. Bring along your equipment and we can offer you some useful pointers on how to overcome the most common problems associated with bird photography. This session is limited to just 8 people, and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our pre-requisite is that you are a beginner requiring help getting started with bird photography.

After a morning out in the field, we will retreat to the classroom to conduct a short slideshow from each participant and review the results and discuss what went right, and more importantly, what went wrong.

Laptop and projector will be provided, so just bring your camera (no flash required), some sun-screen, plenty of water and a few snacks.

For more information or to register, send John an email.



Birding in North Sulawesi


Sulawesi is part of the general area known as Wallacea, a relatively impoverished (in terms of flora and fauna when compared to the rich Oriental region) group of islands in the Indonesia archipelago. It is separated from the island of Borneo by the Wallace's Line. Due to its location between the Oriental and Australasian regions, Wallacea holds a fascinating mix of bird species with a high percentage of endemic species.

In September this year, Khoo Swee Seng and friends birded the region of North Sulawesi, in particular, the national parks of Tangkoko and Bogani Nani Wartabone. Come along to listen to their experience.

Members and non-members welcome. For more information, get in touch with Wai Kong (012-393 5189).



Accipiters


Learn how to identify accipiters from each other and also distinguish them from other genus! The workshop cum discussion will be led by veteran bird-watcher and raptor enthusiast Lim Aun Tiah. The tentative programme is:

8.00 - 8.20 pm -- Review of main fieldmarks of accipiters and clues to distinguish them from other genus such as buzzards, oriental honey buzzards, etc. in flight. For those who have attended the 2008 raptor workshop, this section is a repeat.

8.20 - 9.20 pm -- Identifying Chinese goshawk, Japanese sparrowhawk and Shikra in flight. Photographs of accipiters will be shown and we will all attempt to identify raptors according to species, sex and age where applicable. Everyone is encouraged to participate. We will be making frequent reference to 3 raptor books, namely Raptors of the World (Ferguson-Lee), Birds of Prey of the Indian Sub-continent (Rishad Naroaji) and Raptors of Europe and Middle-east (D. Forsham). Please bring along your own copies if available.

9.20 - 9.45 pm -- Open session for participants. Identifying weaknesses in the present workshop. Suggestions on how to improve future workshops.

9.45 - 10.00 pm. Round up.

Members and non-members welcome. For more information, get in touch with Wai Kong (012-393 5189).



Birding in Parit Jawa, Johor


Experience the awesome sight of various species of waders in flocks of hundreds along the coastline of Parit Jawa in Johor; and, within the same day, go on to the paddy fields of Sungai Balang for raptors and inland waders.

We will also visit paddy fields in nearby Merlimau in Melaka, where uncommon winter migrants, the Black Bittern and Baillon's Crake, have been seen in recent years.

A pre-trip meeting to arrange car-pooling will be held at 8pm on 15 December (Tue) at the MNS HQ Auditorium.

For further details, cost, and to book your place, get in touch with Alan at 016-3322 991.



Introduction to Birdwatching @ Lake Gardens , Kuala Lumpur


Discover the joys of birdwatching at the Lake Gardens a.k.a. Taman Tasik Perdana Kuala Lumpur — bring along family and friends, even if they are not members of the society yet. Children welcome.

Bring along your binoculars, drinking water and light snacks. Wear dull-coloured clothes, hat and comfortable shoes. Mosquito repellent will also come in useful.

For more information or to register, call or sms Tang at 012-306 1133 or Mark at 012-319 5189 (call after 6pm ; SMS anytime).

See you at the car-park between Jalan Cenderawasih and Jalan Tanglin at 7am sharp.


View Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) in a larger map