Welcome to Birdquest

THE MALAY PENINSULA

Monday 9th August - Sunday 22nd August 2010
(14 days)

Leader: Simon Harrap

Group Size Limit: 8

Tour Category: Easy to Moderate

(Note: This is a summary of the tour. For more information please download the detailed itinerary. The button is at the top right of the page.)

The long, narrow Malay Peninsula, which encompasses both West Malaysia and southern Thailand, offers some of the most exciting birding in South-East Asia, possessing an enormously rich avifauna. For birdwatchers it is the awe-inspiring rainforests that still survive here that are the prime attraction. Rainforests are the richest habitat on earth and those of South-East Asia are thought to be the oldest of all. There are more tree species found here than in the forests of Amazonia and this floristic wealth is reflected in the remarkable diversity of the forest avifauna. Formerly the entire peninsula was covered with these lush forests but clearance for rubber and oil-palm plantations and other uses has taken its toll.

The Malay Peninsula is definitely a classic destination for anyone wanting to see tropical Asian birds: after India and the Himalayas, Thailand and Vietnam, the next obvious gap on the Asian mainland is here. Good accommodations and food, and pleasant travelling conditions, makes birding in the area a pleasure. This comprehensive tour concentrates on the finest areas for birds in West Malaysia.

First we shall visit the mangroves and coastal habitats at Kuala Selangor, where specialities include Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and, with luck, Buffy Fish Owl.

From the coast we will climb up into the highlands to Fraser’s Hill, an attractive hill-station. The excellent broadleaved evergreen forests surrounding the resort offer a sharply contrasting avifauna to that of the lowlands, including many species of Himalayan origin such as Pygmy Wren-Babbler and Long-tailed Sibia, as well as more localized specialities like Fire-tufted Barbet, Black-and-crimson Oriole, Javan Cuckooshrike, the endemic Malayan Whistling Thrush, Rufous-browed and Pygmy Blue Flycatchers, Blue Nuthatch, the handsome Black Laughingthrush and the endemic Malayan Laughingthrush (split from Chestnut-crowned). More difficult specialities include the endemic Malayan Partridge, Ferruginous Partridge, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Yellow-vented Green Pigeon, Rusty-naped Pitta and Marbled Wren-Babbler.

Finally, after travelling by boat into the interior of the peninsula, we shall come to the immense Taman Negara National Park. The reserve protects by far the largest remaining tract of virgin rain forest in the Malay Peninsula and is widely considered to be amongst the finest reserves in the world. A visit to Taman Negara is a profound experience for any naturalist. On entering the forest one is immediately overwhelmed by the awesome tranquillity and timelessness of this vast natural cathedral. Lofty evergreen trees with their huge buttress roots, luxuriant lower storey undergrowth, clambering lianas, spectacular butterflies and strange-looking insects are all integral features of this superbly-balanced and stable environment which is the end-product of millions of years of evolution.

The bewildering variety of birds, ranging from the stately Crested Fireback and magnificent Rhinoceros Hornbill to forest floor gems like Garnet Pitta and Striped Wren-Babbler, includes the full range of South-East Asia’s lowland forest families. Other specialities we have a good chance of observing include Black-thighed Falconet, the extraordinary Great Argus, Large Green Pigeon, Black-bellied Malkoha, Blue-rumped Parrot, Reddish Scops Owl, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Banded Woodpecker, Banded Pitta, Black Magpie, Black-throated and White-necked Babblers, Large Wren-Babbler, Long-billed Spiderhunter and Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker. We should also come across at least one of Taman Negara’s most difficult specialities, which include Crested Partridge, Malayan Peacock-Pheasant, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Malaysian Honeyguide, the strange Rail-Babbler and Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher.

Birdquest has operated tours to the Malay Peninsula since 1987.

Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels/lodges are of normal Birdquest standard throughout. Road transport is by small coach and roads are good.

Walking: The walking effort is easy to moderate.

Climate: At lower altitudes many days are hot, dry and sunny, but overcast and rainy weather is not infrequent. At higher altitudes at Fraser’s Hill conditions are similar but temperatures range from warm to cool. It is often very humid in the lowlands.

Bird Photography: Opportunities are worthwhile.

Tour Price: £2770, €3269, $4571 London/London (or £1980, €2336, $3267 Kuala Lumpur/Kuala Lumpur). Please note that the London/London price includes the peak season airfare that applies for travel in July/August. Price includes all transportation (including all flights), all accommodations, all meals, bottled water, some drinks, all excursions, all entrance fees, all tips for local drivers/guides and for accommodations/restaurants, leader services.

Single Room Supplement: £242, €286, $399.

Deposit: £300, €354, $495. If booking more than 12 months before departure, the initial deposit is only £150, €177, $248.

Linking Birdquests: This tour can be linked with Borneo in 2010. Please contact us for further information.