Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) "Pekaka-Emas Biasa" - Malay.

Seen on 13 Dec'18 at Kuching waterfront area (Astana-side)

 Malays call the bird 'Pekaka Mas'.  I was lucky on 13 December,2018.  While enjoying the scenery at the Kuching waterfront (on the Astana side) my attention was caught by a Stork-billed Kingfisher that was intent on catching fish in the river below.  It was perching patiently on the branch of the mangrove tree called "Pedada' in Sarawak.  This is the first time that I come very close to a Stork-billed Kingfisher, approximately 20 meters distance away.  So here's some evidences for the file.

View of 'floating ' mosque with partial view of the leaves and branches of the 'Pedada' tree at right
View from the Astana-side of the Kuching waterfront.

Blue-eared kingfisher

Female Blue-eared Kingfisher

On the 15th of August'15, I had a chanced encounter with the Blue -eared Kingfisher, a female of the species.  Follow the story here...>>>http://kambatikpark.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-female-blue-eared-kingfisher.html

Birding at Pantai Temasya Drive

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

 Pantai Temasya is one very good location for viewing the Bintulu sunset.  The beaches along the Pantai Temasya Drive ( Persiaran Pantai Temasya) are popular picnic spots.  We spent about two and a half hours of birdwatching along the long drive today starting at 3.00 pm.  The birds we encountered were the Common Kingfisher, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret and the White-bellied Sea Eagle.  One of the memorable moments of this trip was the spectacular show by the White-bellied Sea Eagle, caught in camera catching a fish.  The full story and images of the eagle will be shared in the next posting.  The  eagle made our day.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Two species of egrets on the mudflats - Little Egret and Intermediate Egret

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Egrets in flight

Fishing boats on mudflats

White-bellied Sea Eagle with catch of the day

Two blue kingfishers

Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

 Around 4 pm this afternoon while paying a visit to Bintulu town, I dropped by at the Pantai Temasya beach, some 4 km from Bintulu town center.  I was kind of lucky to see two beautiful blue  Collared Kingfishers perching on a tall dead tree.  It is very common to see this type of kingfisher at this beach and are often seen perching on  tall casuarina trees that are a feature of the coastal vegetation here.  To see two of them was somehow delightful for me.  All these while I could only capture it solitary.  As a side attraction I noticed a single Common Sandpiper among the rocks.  It dawned upon me the reason why it prefer the rocky landscape.  Its light brown body easily camouflaged itself among the rocks.

Camouflaged among the rocks - Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Two blue kingfishers

View of development near the Pantai Temasya beach, Tg. Batu, Bintulu.

Collared Kingfisher at Pandan beach

Collared Kingfisher - Pekaka Sungai
Todiramphus chloris

Pandan beach at Lundu

 On a recent visit to Lundu (5/8/14) we stopped by at the Pandan beach.  The Pandan beaches are one of the best in Sarawak.  There are plenty of tropical scenery to entice visitors chiefly the rocky formations,long wide beaches, swaying coconut trees and peaceful atmosphere.  Occasionally the peace is broken by the loud calls of the Collared Kingfisher.  I was pleased to record the presence of this beautiful kingfisher while it was busy holding on to a fruit between its bill.

Birds at Pustaka

Collared Kingfisher at the compounds of Pustaka

Stork-billed Kingfisher

 I spent just a mere one hour for a quick tour of the Pustaka Sarawak grounds on the 16th of August.  There is  large landscape compound around the Pustaka (Sarawak State Library).  On many of my earlier trips I frequently bump into the Stork-billed Kingfisher and on this trip it was there as usual. Two other birds that interest me on this trip was the Pied Fantail and the Striated Heron.  The tiny Brown-throated Sunbird was of no surprise and so was the Common Iora.  By the pond I noticed the Common Sandpiper and nearby the rockery the little Oriental Tree Sparrow.  The Red- Headed Tailorbird was also seen among the leaves and branches of the Bungor tree.  For a brief one hour visit to the park, I dare say the visit was very fruitful.  The Pustaka can generally be reached in about 20 - 30 minutes by car from the Kuching City centre.

Brown-throated Sunbird - Kelicap Mayang Kelapa (Malay)
Anthreptes malacensis

Common Iora - Kunyit Kacat (Malay)
Aegithina tiphia

Common Iora - Kunyit Kacat (Malay)
Aegithina tiphia

Common Myna

Common Sandpiper - Kedidi Pasir (Malay)
Actitis hypoleucos

Pied Fantail - Sambar Murai Gila (Malay)
Rhipidura javanica

Oriental Tree Sparrow

Red-headed Tailorbird - Perenjak Kelapu
Orthotomus ruficeps

Striated Heron - Pucung Keladi (Malay)
Butorides striata