I have always enjoyed joining the MNS birding trips as there are always something new to learn, old birding friends to meet up with, and making new ones. Joining these trips also introduces me to new interesting localities for birding and of course, lifers.
This time the destination is Hutan Rekreasi Ulu Bendul, Negeri Sembilan, located about 1 to 1 ½ hour drive from Kuala Lumpur or 20 minutes from Seremban depending where you are from. The place is popular with the locals having picnics by the relatively clean river, pool for swimming, camping sites with training obstacle courses, jungle treks, and a Taman Ular with a modest collection of snakes. It is located amidst pristine forest with tall canopies at hilly levels making it an interesting site for birdwatching.
We met at 7.30am at the car park beside the highway R&R before departing to the main recreation park at about 8am. The weather was cool and very windy with no signs of rain.
Our first sighting was a pair of rhinoceros hornbills giving good views and calling very loudly. Everybody was certainly delighted the appearance of the birds suggesting a good omen for our trip. The bamboo tree and canopy at the carpark were frequented by the Banded Woodpecker, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, a male Asian Fairy Blue Bird, a pair of Greater Green Leafbird, White-rumped Munias and a feeding Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot. A Gray Wagtail decided to say hello landing on the road wagging its tail and skittering off. With this many sightings we were reluctant to move from our comfortable site but moved on anyway towards Taman Ular.
The usual path was unfortunately closed for repairs so we took a different path towards the river. On the way we had good views of the Gray-bellied Bulbul and Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher. The local Oriental Magpie Robin was active and singing cheerfully along the way.
As we explored the nearby river and later a bit deeper into the trails, birds were lacking and ones that were calling were difficult to see and identify. It was mostly quiet with no barbets calling. Perhaps it was the windy weather discouraging birds from flying out?
A spiderhunter perched on top of the canopy initiated a slight debate as to what species it was. Part of the fun of birdwatching is indeed arguing the bird’s identification. After reviewing the photo, some discussions and going through texts, it was determined that it was most likely a juvenile Gray-breasted Spiderhunter.
Eventually we made it back to the carpark where we managed to spot a Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, a lifer for me, and a very mobile warbler that again initiated a debate as to whether it was an Arctic or an Eastern-crowned Warbler. After some coffee, did our regular bird counts. Not satisfied, all of us did not immediately go back. Our persistence paid off. We sort of split into 2 groups. The group I was with managed to spot a feeding Banded Woodpecker, Spectacled Bulbul, and a single female Scarlet Minivet near the entrance of the Taman Ular. The other group, staying put at the carpark managed to spot the Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike and one manage to get a bonus Sultan Tit!
Despite the no shows of malkohas, barbets, and the red-bearded bee-eater which were seen during a previous MNS trip, we managed a decent haul with the highlights including the Rhinoceros Hornbill, ending with a sultan tit. Definitely worth a revisit.
