Striking early in morning light

Long-tailed Shrike with an earthworm as its early morning catch

Kambatik Garden, Kuching

 It was still early in the morning with the sun shining its soft light on the garden floor.  The shadows are soft and and the air somewhat still.  Nothing seemed to be amiss except for a peculiar shrieking call and a little movement at the garden perimeter fence.  The Long-tailed Shrike has landed with its prey intact between its strong beak.  Upon close-up I was extremely amazed to see an earthworm was its morning target prey.  The Long-tailed Shrike and the Pied Triller has been my favourite birds that I would normally look out first whenever I am at our home garden in Kuching.  Surely today the shrike did not disappoint me at all.  Today's picture was exceptional in that I was able to capture it in the early morning light with its prey, an interesting observation for the record.

The Long-tailed Shrike

 On this 52nd trip to Kuching, I have another opportunity to see the Long-tailed Shrike.  This bird has been seen flying about the Kuching garden, but hardly resting on the trees.  Preferring to perch on the electric cables near the neighbourhood.  However, for the record it is good to have seen them again.  It is noted that the bird is common in areas around Kuching Division, but not so in other parts of Sarawak especially the central and northern regions of the state.
I hope in the short days left of this visit, I'll able to capture it resting on the trees in the Kambatik garden here.  Hopefully.

Long-tailed Shrike ( Tirjup Ekor Panjang - Malay)
Lanius schach bentet

Birding around the Poui tree

Kambatik garden looking good with flowering Poui tree at side garden.

Long-tailed Shrike

 Since the Poui tree (Tabebuia rosea) was flowering into its second day, I thought why not make the morning good by observing birds that might visit the tree?  The sunbirds seemed to be particularly attracted to the trumpet-shaped pink flowers.  I saw many were there for the insects and the nectar.  In many instances I noticed the sunbirds piercing the base of the flowers to reach at the nectar.  The list of sunbirds that visited the Poui tree are documented in pictures below.  The biggest surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Long-tailed Shrike that perched by the electrical line nearby the garden.  This shrike was my first lifer.  I am indeed elated by just two hours of birding around the garden this morning (8.30 am - 10.30 am) . It made my day with renewed feelings of hope and prospect of what a Kambatik garden can attract. Come what come may, the Kambatik garden is here to stay!

Tirjup Ekor Panjang (Malay)
Lanius schach bentet

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

Kelicap Bukit (Malay) - Olive -backed Sunbird (Female)
Cinnyris jugularis

Kelicap Bukit (Malay) - Olive -backed Sunbird (Male)
Cinnyris jugularis

Kelicap Sepah Raja (Malay) - Eastern Crimson Sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja

Tirjup Ekor Panjang (Malay) -  Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach bentet