View of the sunset from Licuala Hill

Views of the sunset from Licuala Hill
Zone I

Highlights today at the park - 28 Nov'15

Great Mormon (Papilio memnon agenor)
Zone C

Ong Lumok (Bintulu Melanau) - Artocarpus
Zone B

Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)
Zone B

Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris)
Zone C

Black Magpie

Black Magpie ( Platysmurus leucopterus) - note the red iris and crest
Location : Licuala Hill

 For once I thought it was the Tiong bird because it sounded like one.  Climbing up the tall Licuala Hill I took a good look at the bird.  It was instead the Black Magpie and came by in a small party of three.  Unlike the Tiongs they do not seem to perch together, preferring to follow the leader in seconds interval  at the nearest branch.  Once perched on the branch the bird showed a peculiar behaviour of bowing and nodding.  It likes to lower its crest when perching.  Their calls could be heard clearly and unlike the normal jungle crow it could imitate the sounds of the Hill Myna, for which I was mistaken for the real thing.  That means if it wants it could sound out a whistle.

Perching on one of the very tall trees at Licuala Hill, in bowing and nodding movements.
27 Nov'15

The more we are together, the happier we will be

The more we are together, the happier we will be.

The two of us

 Playing hide and seek again today.  But worth it.  The Tiongs returned to their sanctuary just before sunset.  Earlier on I waited in the company of nasty and irritating mosquitoes.  Then I heard the flapping of strong wings and soon both settled on the tall tree.  They looked happy and cheering each other while remaining close.  It has been another fruitful day  to see both of the birds back and giving me the opportunity to take more close-up and personal shots of them.

Hill Myna
Location : Licuala Hill, Zone I
25 Nov'15

Hiding from the Tiongs

Perching at one of the tall trees at Licuala Hill area

Closer view of the Tiong

I have to hide among the bushes and ferns to get a closer view of the Tiongs (Hill Myna).  From a distance of about 50 meters from the tall dead tree situated at Licuala Hill, I waited for the birds to show up.  At around 6 pm as if by appointment they flew into frame.  In order not to scare them away I had to hide and remained quiet.  Unaware of my presence  they took time to roost, check out the 'nest' and made calls that rang loud and sharp over the neighbourhood.  After seeing them comfortable perching, I then started to shoot them with my camera. Here are today's shots....

The 'nest' is a hole in the tree.  A Tiong bird perching next to the nest.

View of the tall dead tree from my hideout.

Location : Licuala Hill

Flowers in the rain

Cassia alata

Heliconia latispatha

Bamboo Orchid - Arundina graminifolia

Shrubby dillenia

NOTE: All images taken on 24 Nov'15, during light rain at the park.

The Tiongs presence is nature alive and well

Note the white wing-patch at the primary wings.
Location : Zone I

Tiong (Malay) or Hill Myna
Gracula religiosa

 It's great to see the Hill Myna birds perching at the tallest dead tree at Licuala Hill this afternoon.  It seemed that the two birds are looking good as mature adults.  I'll be following their story again this November and December.  The park is now home to the Tiong birds primarily due to the presence of tall perches especially those with holes acting as 'nest'.  The Tiong is a resident of lowland forests like what we have here.  I notice they will leave their nest early in the morning and would return before sunset.  This has been their routine from my annual observation.  I very much welcome their presence here for the loud calls they reverberate throughout  the neighbourhood, a sure sign that nature is alive and well.

In the distant are seen the two Hill Myna birds perching on the tallest dead tree at Provinsi Licuala
Location : Licuala Hill

Highlights today at the park - 21 Nov'15

Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) - male of the species
Zone C

Olive-backed Sunbird - female
Zone C

Sensitive plant - Mimosa pudica
Zone A

Use of the tongue

Yellow -vented Bulbul

Brown-throated Sunbird, female of the species.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon, male.

The red juicy seeds of the Simpoh Air or Shrubby dillenia are attractive to many birds.  In the above pictures , I noticed that the tonque is vital as a balancing organ to hold the seed and position it between the beak and then flip the seed into the mouth of the bird.  This is important because only when it is held steady and central that the birds can easily gulped the seed.  Failing which the seed might fall and be wasted.

Up-close with the Yellow-vented Bulbul

Up-close with the Pink-necked Green Pigeon

Male

Female

Female

Male

A groovy kind of dillenia

Brown-throated Sunbird, female of the species at the Simpoh Air branch
Location : Wetlands between Zone G and Zone A

Female of the Pink-necked Pigeon

A groove of Shrubby Dillenia

Its a beautiful groove of broad leafy thicket.  A natural mass of deep green beauty amidst a jungle surrounding and open grassland where wildlife abound.  It is a groovy kind of landscape, soft green in the foreground and dark green washes at the back.  It's a place where the pigeons, sunbirds and bulbuls visit everyday for the tiny juicy seeds of the Shrubby Dillenia or 'Simpoh Air'. It is of vital importance to keep this groove for the many attractions it provides - fruits and seeds to many species of birds, flowers for insects and small animals.  The young flushes of the dillenia are edible as salad and during nights when the moon is high the Sambar Deer would occasion the pebbled-sized fruits of the dillenia as part of its regular diet.  There are many dillenia grooves at the park that are home for the buzzing wildlife.  And I never stop to learn and appreciate how a little sanctuary we build here has given us so much love for nature and a passion for simple living and happiness it brings. The falling leaves, November rain, the fresh winds and the walks in the park. Come what, come may.  It's a groovy kind of love.

Yellow-vented Bulbul against the clear blue sky of  November

A pair of Pink-necked Pigeon 

The female of the Brown-throated Sunbird having a mouthful of the red juicy seed of the Shrubby Dillenia.

The Simpoh Air in a mixed natural landscape scenery, interspersed with oil palm trees.
Zone G.

Highlights today at the park - 3 Nov'15

Belian seedling at Botanic Island One

 I have great respect for the 'Belian' timber.  It is the hardest timber species on Borneo island.  I have written a lot of articles about the uses of this timber species, just follow this link..>>>http://mykambatikworld.blogspot.my/search/label/Belian%20timber

Skink looking for insects etc at the Jackfruit
Zone C

View of Zone C, looking east

An orchid species that grow wild at the park, Zone G
For another wild orchid species that has recently shown itself up in the park, go here.

A lifer of a blue flycatcher

Eumyias indigo
Zone F

 What makes my day today is the capture of the blue flycatcher.  It's a lifer for me and for the Kambatik park.  Today is the first time I stumbled upon a blue flycatcher.  I first met it at Zone F and then followed its movement to Zone D about 100 meters away before it disappeared into the surrounding forest.  Is it a  female of the species?  Is it the Indigo Flycatcher ( Eumyias indigo) that is a native to the island of Borneo and therefore Bintulu?  The literature mentions that the Indigo Flycatcher is a resident of the highlands and less frequently seen below 3000 ft above sea level, that is in the lowland dipterocarp hill forest where the park is situated.  At first sight I saw it jumping and hopping on the leaves-covered ground for insects and was not particularly scared of my presence.  Whats striking about the upperside of the bird was the deep blue colour of its crown right down to its back.  In most descriptions the throat and breast is blue but in this specimen it is white.  Does this mean that it is a female of the species?  I have yet to determine this and it is my fervent hope that it will drop by again at the park soon with a mate. to confirm my observation.  Hopefully that day is near.

Indigo Flycatcher ( Eumyias indigo)
Zone D