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Topic: Birding in Malaysia (Read 770 times) |
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BLee
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Birding in Malaysia
« on: Dec 12th, 2003, 8:40pm » |
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Dear all,
I will be birdwatching at Taman Negara National Park during Christmas time. What equipment would you all expertises suggest? I now have 10x42 bino, canon camera with lens 100-400. Actually, I want to buy 1.4x or 2x convertor. What else? Film? ISO400 I expect using in the rainforest. What is missing? Oh yeah! Local birding guide.
Many thanks to all
Hinson
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BLee
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felixcat
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #1 on: Dec 13th, 2003, 12:30am » |
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Hinson,
With just little experience in Nepal, I try to suggest having a good local guide (naturalist) and a field guide (book) beforehand. You can take some ISO400 films for some applicaitons. And depending on the situation, you should consider a good tripod for taking sharp photos. For zoom lens, I think 1.4x is already the limit. Patience and concentration is more important than a teleconverter. I am still learning and hope the above helpful.
felixcat
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BLee
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #2 on: Dec 13th, 2003, 10:12pm » |
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Felixcat,
Thank you. I agree with you. However, I will be trekking on the way. So, bringiing tripod will be harsh to myself. I am ready for handheld. Do you agree?
Hinson
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BLee
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Lo
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Dear Hinson,
You are probably right to keep your equipment light in a lowland rainforest like Taman Negara to enjoy birding. It would be very hot and humid on the trails. Heavy rain is always a possibility. The trails may also be full of other visitors during holidays. It was hard work for me but you may see some wonderful birds there.
Lo
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Daniel CK Chan
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #4 on: Dec 16th, 2003, 2:18pm » |
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Hi Hinson,
If you are serious on photo quality, tripod is a must. However, it would reduce your portability and flexibility in bird watching. So, it will depend on your objective – quality photo taking or bird watching.
Since you will bring your 100-400, you may try a day for bird watching with easy equipment as a pre-trip (no tripod) if you have enough time. After bird watching and identifying the birds/location for serious photo taking, next day you could be well-equipped (with tripod) for birds photography. Though you have IS and ISO400 film, you may probably get blurred photo with your equipment handheld in rainforest.
I would suggest you to buy EF1.4 because (1) AF still works for only 1V and 3 (2) photo quality is still acceptable.
Yes, ISO400 is a must for photo taking in forest.
Hope this help.
Regards
Daniel
  
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| « Last Edit: Dec 16th, 2003, 2:19pm by Daniel CK Chan » |
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Daniel CK Chan
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BLee
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #5 on: Dec 16th, 2003, 2:25pm » |
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Hi Daniel,
Since this will be the first time I went to this place, I prefer enjoying birdwatching first. Taking photos is just for documentarily record. Basic quality of photos is just enough for me this time.
Thanks all.
HL
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BLee
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felixcat
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #6 on: Dec 17th, 2003, 11:24am » |
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Daniel's suggestion is absolutely true. Think what you want and then take what you can afford.
But I had an experience in Nepal that I think I can share with you. Many people come to Koshi Tappu for watching Swamp Francolins, which are globally threatened and quite unique in Koshi. We were very lucky and we saw 12 on day 2 morning inside a jeep and they were only around 5m from the jeep. I did not get my equipment prepared for taking photo and I missed such wonderful moment. On subsequent days, we saw only 2 and they were so far away and I could not even take an acceptable picture. We met a British birdwatching there and he even didn't see one there in 4 days.
So take whatever you are willing to take and get your equipment ready all the time.
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BLee
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #7 on: Jan 2nd, 2004, 12:03pm » |
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Dear all,
I have finished my trip at taman negara in malaysia. It is really facsinating place and worths visiting. Though it is rainy season, still many wildlifes are observed.
Birds
Plaintive Cuckoo
Koel
Greater Coucal
House Swift
Kingfisher (Common, Stork-billed, Black-capped, White-breasted)
Woodpecker (heard only)
Magpie Robin
Tailorbird
Asiatic Paradise Flycatcher
Spiderhunter
Tree Sparrow
Common Myna
Black-naped Oriole
Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo
Crow (House, Large-billed)
Stork
Mammals
Wild Pig
Squirrel
Macaque (heard)
Monkey
Bat
Reptiles & mphibians
Water Monitor Lizard
Toad
Micro Fauna
Spiders
Mantis
Ant (2cm long)
Termite
Leech (I was sucked by it 2 times)
Gaint Millipede
Centipede
It was humid and hot. Still, I enjoy my time in the forest very much.
Happy new birdwatching year!
Barry 
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BLee
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Tunpin
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #8 on: Jan 2nd, 2004, 8:43pm » |
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Dear Barry,
Sorry that I should have written to you earlier but I was away to Christmas Island that period also.
I assume that your list are those you saw in Taman Negara. Interested to that you put down 'stork'. There is only one likely species of stork there - Storm's Stork (Ciconia stormi) which is an endangered species.
Your 'Oriole', if seen in the primary rain forest, could be Dark-throated Oriole, which is Sunda endemic and threatened. Same case your Coucal could be Short-toed Coucal but this is even harder to tell apart.
Taman Negara is only place in Penisular Malaysia where one can likely see almost all the Pittas and Pheasants in the country. Don't worry, I too miss all Pittas and got only one pheasant in my last trip.
Guidebook is essential to help you pick up many active small birds such as bulbuls and babblers. I hope you will come to visit Malaysia again. I always enjoy birdwatching in Malaysia's rain forest.
Regards,
Tun Pin
KL
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felixcat
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #9 on: Jan 3rd, 2004, 9:56am » |
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Hi, Barry & Tun Pin
I may go to Malaysia this November for hiking to Mt. Kinabalu. Do you have any suggestion where I can go for birdwatching?
BTW, I have visited the website (http://www.laurencepoh.com/) of a Malaysian bird photographer and he suggests the guidebook A Field Guide to the Birds of West Malaysia and Singapore (http://www.laurencepoh.com/static/fieldguide.shtml). Do you think this book is also for birding in East Malaysia or do you have any other suggestion?
Felix
PS : Looking forward to Barry's bird photos in Malaysia
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| « Last Edit: Jan 3rd, 2004, 9:58am by felixcat » |
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Tunpin
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #10 on: Jan 9th, 2004, 1:11pm » |
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Hi Felix,
I guess you are hiking cum birding at Mt Kinabalu of Sabah, East Malaysia. If you will spend most of your time around Mt Kinabalu, the best book is 'Birds of Mt Kinabalu' by Geoffrey Davidson/John Gale. The price varies from RM30(at Park restaurent, maybe out-of-stock) to nearly RM100 at Airport. It is hardcover and bigger than A4 size. It covers all the most-wanted endemics and very beautifully drawn - framable illustrations!!
'A Field Guide to the Birds of West Malaysia and Singapore' would not cover the endemics of Borneo and many birds looks differently between Penisular and Borneo. The other choice is 'A Field Guide to Birds of Sumatra, Borneo, Javan and Bali' by Mac Kinnon.
Few birds are confined to higher altitude and are usually seen by fit hiker rather than birdwatcher, such as Mountain Blackbird, Mountan Black-eye and Kinabalu Friendly Warbler.
Feel free to join Malaysian Birders' egroup birders@yahoogroups.com at www.egroups.com where you will get more help.
Good Luck!
Tun Pin
KL
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felixcat
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Re: Birding in Malaysia
« Reply #11 on: Jan 10th, 2004, 12:19am » |
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Thanks Tun Pin for your introducation.
Yes, I will trek in Mt. Kinabalu if I go as I am now more a hiker than a birder. I wish I am the fit hiker you referred to and will watch those high-land birds.
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