Bujang Valley - 19th September 2010

One day, my parents and I decided to make a quick visit to this place in the afternoon after one of our birdwatcher friends reported that there were fruiting trees around the area. Bujang Valley is a historical complex at the foothills of Gunung Jerai, just a 20-minute drive away from my university campus. Several ruins of Hindu-Buddhist origin can be found here, along with a small museum depicting their history. I remember visiting the place many years ago but there wasn't much wildlife at that time. So when my father received the tip-off of fruiting trees, we thought we could at least spend a pleasant evening there.

The place is not too big. Just beyond the entrance there is a carpark and a path leading up to the small museum which is open daily. At the side of the building, one path diverges to the historical ruins whereas another leads down to a small stream which is frequented by the locals especially in the evenings. Our friend told us that the fruiting trees were behind a ruin named 'Candi Pengkalan Dalam', so we set off in that direction.

After hanging around the described area for quite awhile, we were disappointed as it was quiet and there didn't seem to be any sign of feeding activity. We walked around the grounds, trying in vain to look for a fruiting tree but to no avail. Most trees, we noticed, were either flowering or just beginning to bear green fruits. As we headed back to our original target spot, suddenly an unmistakable bird flew into a small bush with pinkish-orange flowers (and fruits?).

It was a Spectacled Spiderhunter Arachnothera flavigaster. At last! Our patience and continuous searching was rewarded! The Spiderhunter was rather obliging and foraged for a sufficient while for us to get a few shots. It then left, and we observed that it would come back to the bush again after a certain period of time as it did its 'rounds' around the area.

Finally, a fruitful trip!

After that, we just casually strolled around the complex for the rest of the day. When we arrived, it was rather hot and humid, as the middle of the complex was an open field with a ruin at its centre. As evening progressed, a  cool breeze swept down from the hills and it was really pleasant. The forest edges, as always, prove to be the coolest spots. You could really notice the difference in atmosphere between the open field and the forest edge!

We saw quite a number of Bulbuls flying around, but none of them were obliging enough. Flowerpeckers were also common and their 'tiks' and 'zits' could be heard around the whole place. A male Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum stopped for awhile on a lower branch with a large fruit in its beak. Well, the fruit was comparatively large, seeing that the bird is less than 10cm in length!

Get stuffed!

A female of the same species was friendlier (and also less greedy!). It foraged in a small low bush, making it much easier to photograph.

As usual, the female looks rather drab compared to the opposite sex. Does this apply to humans?

The Flowerpeckers kept us entertained for some time, and then we continued just strolling around the grounds. Evening was approaching, and the sun had begun to dip behind the hills. Out of the blue, a large bulky green bird flew into one of the trees! All of us immediately chased after it as it was no doubt a Barbet. It hopped around in the crown of the tree for awhile, then there was no movement. We thought it had somehow slipped away!

I then rounded the tree to try to look for it. And sure enough, it was resting quietly on a branch, most probably too full to take off! This is very common behaviour, as birds which have fed heavily need to take a break and eventually will 'unload' before flying off. This was the best time to photograph them, if they were exposed enough!

I was even more excited when it turned out to be a male Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos. Even though it's listed as 'common' in the field guide, according to my amateur experience, it isn't often that I get to see it so easily! Luckily the tree in which it rested wasn't too high, and there was a convenient window amongst the leaves that made its view unobstructed.

Beautiful colours of the head region. Its namesake can clearly be seen.

I think we spent a good half an hour with the Barbet. Initially, we took loads of pictures, but after some time, we ceased as it just remained in the same position! But we still hung around the same spot to admire its beauty until it flew off.

Before it flew off, however, a small family of Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrikes Hemipus picatus came to forage around the same area. Their antics and flight pattern are rather cute and graceful, and it was delightful  to watch them too. There were at least three or four in the flock.

A male looking over his shoulder.

Light began to fade as it was nearly 7pm already. We then left the main complex and headed back to the carpark. We had just finished packing when a Green-billed Malkoha Rhopodytes tristis showed up. At first, we just watched it foraging, thinking that it wouldn't stay long and it would be unnecessary to unpack our gear again. But after around 5-10 minutes, it was still there! We decided to give it a go as long as there was still light.

As all Malkohas are, this one also kept inside the foliage most of the time and refused to expose itself long enough for a good shot. Finally, after it had caught a big juicy insect, it settled down (on an exposed perch!) to enjoy its meal and again, rest after a heavy meal.

That was a good meal!

Satisfied, we then headed back, all of us agreeing that we would definitely visit this place again soon!