A Prinia's nest

Prinia flaviventris - the only prinia on Borneo

Yellow-bellied Prinia

 Just the other day I was given a good pose by the Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris).  This bird loves to build nest close to the ground.  I did not realise the presence of the nest until I was overcome by curiosity.  Why did the pair hang out at that particular place?  On closer look I chanced upon a nest nearby where the two birds were seen.  The nest is erected on two stems, a grass stem and the stem of a small 'Senduduk' plant (Melastoma malabathricum).  The materials that comprise the nest are obtained from the immediate surrounding, chiefly dried grass blades.

The prinia's nest.  The entrance of the nest faces a north-south orientation.
Location : Zone C

Three purple flowers

Bignonia magnifica
26 Sept'15, Zone C

Dendrobium species orchid
26 Sept'15, Zone C

Melastoma malabathricum
26 Sept'15, Zone F

The wild and ever flowering pioneer species

A pioneering plant species that is seen everywhere at the park in newly opened areas.
Location : Zone I

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The 'Senduduk' (Malay) or Melastoma malabthricum is a wild plant that produces purple flowers. Here the plant is being helped out in its pioneering ways by the Yellow-vented Bulbul that love its ripe fruits.  Ants and many other insects are attracted to its sweet tasting fruits.

CU of the Senduduk flower

( Note: It took me 3 hours to upload this picture due to the extremely poor internet connection provided by Celcom company in Bintulu.  But what the heck, passion is more important, even though it means too tons of patience)

The many shades of purple...

Seribu bahasa (Centratherum punctatum)

Bamboo orchid (Arundina graminifolia)

Senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum)

Bignonia ( Bignonia magnifica)

Higlights today at the park - 9 Sept'14

Little Spiderhunter at the yellow Ixora coccinea shrub

Letup (Malay) - Passiflora foetida

Senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum)

Lime Butterfly at the Clerodendrum x speciosum flowers

Female of the Eastern Crimson Sunbird - in joyful mood

Dwarf Senduduk producing first flower

Purple flower of the Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum
This is a dwarf species.

Senduduk (Malay) - Melasoma malabathricum
Family : Melastomataceae - Melastoma family.
Location : Butterfly Garden, Zone C.

Today the Melastoma malabathricum hybrid that I planted a couple of weeks ago have produced its first flower. The flower has five petals in deep purple colours.  The leaves are typical of the Melastoma family with five veins running up the leaf from its base.  This is a dwarf variety and I was told by the vendor in Kuching that it was obtained from a nursery in Thailand.  I have planted it at the Butterfly Garden.