SARAWAK EXPEDITION SEPTEMBER 2016

Transcription

1 Dulit Frogmouth at Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) SARAWAK EXPEDITION SEPTEMBER 2016 LEADER: CHRIS KEHOE The primary purpose of this expedition was to seek out several species that are either very difficult or impossible to find during our long established tour to the neighbouring state of Sabah where the majority of Borneo s endemics can be found. In this regard it was a great success, indeed we managed to add five new species to the burgeoning Birdquest life list: The localised Grey-breasted Babbler was found in the lowlands near the Sarawak border while Dulit Frogmouth, the stunning Hose s Broadbill, Bornean Frogmouth and Black Oriole were found in Sarawak s Kelabit highlands where we spent a total of seven nights at two key sites. Further highlights included fine views Whitehead s Spiderhunters, numerous Pygmy White-eye, displaying Mountain Serpent Eagles, Orange-breasted Trogons, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Malaysian Eared Nightjar, Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker, Giant Swiftlet, Dark Hawk Cuckoo and Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher. Having departed from Kota Kinabalu well before dawn we reached Klias peatswamp near the Sarawak border at first light. After a box breakfast we quickly made our way onto the impressive boardwalk loop that took us deep into the forest interior. Once at the core area, almost the first birds we saw were a pair of unexpectedly cooperative Grey-breasted Babblers. Over the course of the next few hours we managed to find the very localised Red-crowned Barbet and a few stunning Scarlet-breasted Flowerpeckers, plus several commoner and more widespread species, but Hook-billed Bulbul evaded us. After lunch in a nearby restaurant we crossed the border into Sarawak and were soon checking in to a hotel in Lawas for an 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

2 overnight stay, later in the evening we purchased some provisions to sustain us during the coming seven nights in the remote Kelabit Highlands. After a leisurely breakfast we boarded two 4x4 s and began the journey south towards Ba kelalan along a well maintained logging track. A couple of stops during the morning provided us with Yellow-crowned Barbets, Red-bearded Bee-eaters and a Dark Hawk Cuckoo and we arrived at our comfortable homestay accommodation by early-afternoon. After a bite to eat we visited a nearby wooded gully where a Hose s Broadbill called for a while but refused to show itself, though Plain Flowerpeckers, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Bornean Barbet and Black-bellied Malkoha were seen. A little before dusk we took up positions along another stretch of road where several noisy Malaysian Eared Nightjars showed well overhead as dusk descended. When it was almost completely dark a shape appeared overhead and disappeared into the trees opposite, after about 15 minutes of searching we had a Dulit Frogmouth in the spotlight and enjoyed excellent close views of this still little known species for several minutes. Our comfortable homestay accommodation in Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) A little after first light we were back at the Hose s Broadbill spot. A couple of Green Broadbills were a nice diversion here but not really what we were hoping for. Eventually a Hose s Broadbill began calling so we crept towards it, eventually getting a series of frustratingly brief views of two birds as they moved rapidly through the trees. However, we then found a singing male that was nicely settled and which gave superb scope views for over 30 minutes, even allowing handheld phone-scoping efforts. Well pleased with this we drove a little higher where a noisy and showy pair of Mountain Serpent Eagles were the obvious highlight but a fly-by Rhinoceros Hornbill, Banded Woodpecker, Blyth s Hawk Eagle, two furtive Black-throated Wrenbabblers and superb views of an Orange-breasted Trogon were also enjoyed. We rounded off the morning with fine scope views of a Black-thighed Falconet. After lunch we drove higher still and had a series of great scope views of several Whitehead s Spiderhunters plus both Mountain and Bornean Barbets, though a calling Whitehead s Broadbill frustratingly failed to show itself. At dusk a Bornean Frogmouth called repeatedly for a while but never emerged into view. The next morning we did a little birding near Ba kelalan village while waiting for one of our vehicles to be repaired, the highlight being good scope views of a calling Philippine Cuckoo Dove. Once mobile again we concentrated on the lower sections of the road above Ba kelalan where a fruiting tree attracted a Thick-billed Green Pigeon and a Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler moved through the trees above. We then drove to the top of the road where Whitehead s Spiderhunters put on a fine show again but their namesake Broadbill remained elusive, though a Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle was seen and a Dark Hawk Cuckoo performed a slow-motion fly by at close range. Lower down a Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher was a surprise find and we enjoyed repeat views of the likes of Bornean Leafbird and Bornean Spiderhunter. After lunch and a rest we returned to the top of the road where an Olive-backed Woodpecker and a Black-and-crimson Oriole showed 2 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

3 well and we watched large numbers of Waterfall Swift scurrying downslope. After dark, Bornean Frogmouths teased us once again, being heard but remaining resolutely hidden. A pre-dawn try for Bornean Frogmouth left us empty-handed but once it was light we birded our way down the road for a while seeing Banded Kingfisher, Hill Blue Flycatcher and Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler. A Blue-banded Pitta began calling close to the roadside and we managed to entice it extremely close indeed though it never quite emerged into view before moving away. Going in pursuit eventually allowed one of us to see the bird briefly but it was overall a frustrating experience, especially as a Bornean Banded Pitta was also calling unseen from the same area of dense ground cover. In the afternoon we visited a trail through a well-wooded area below the village. It was rather quiet overall though some had glimpses of a furtive Redbreasted Partridge. Later in the evening we tried another site for Bornean Frogmouth but rain hampered our efforts and we neither saw nor heard anything. Rhinoceros Hornbill near Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) A final few hours at Ba kelalan before we departed were focussed on the lower sections of the road above the village where a Bornean Frogmouth gave a couple of very fleeting views just around first light. Birding along the road then produced a Black-headed Bulbul and several Bornean Bulbuls, Mountain Barbet plus an Orange-breasted Trogon and Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler. After saying our goodbyes at the homestay we began the journey towards Paya Maga, a short stop at a high pass gave us a close views of a Brownbacked Needletail. At the village below Paya Maga we ate lunch and collected porters and provisions before bumping along to the furthest driveable point of the Paya Maga track. it was raining heavily on arrival so we took shelter in one of the buildings there and watched Black-winged Flycatcher Shrikes, Scarlet Minivets and others going about their business in the downpour. As the rain eased we ventured out and soon found a fruiting tree that attracted several Yellow-eared Spiderhunters, Pygmy White-eyes, a few Everett s Whiteeyes and a Red-bearded Bee-eater while a Banded Bay Cuckoo sat nearby. We eventually climbed the short slope up to our overnight accommodation (indoor camping!). After dinner we tried unsuccessfully for Bornean Frogmouth. Those who tried for Bornean Frogmouth before dawn, our seventh attempt for this species, were finally rewarded with scope views in the spotlight for a couple of minutes with two further birds heard nearby. White-necked Babblers called from the inaccessible forest interior and couldn t be coaxed closer though a perched Rufous-bellied Eagle was much more obliging. The remainder of the morning was spent in a lengthy 3 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

4 search for Blue-banded Pittas at two sites which resulted in a series of fleeting views of two individuals but no killer looks at either. After lunch we hiked to the upper camp along a rather muddy trail and in steady rain, arriving there after a couple of hours. Once changed into dry clothes we watched Streaked Bulbuls, Mountain Barbets and others in the trees nearby. Rain returned at dusk and continued throughout the night preventing any attempts for nightbirds. The rain finally ceased around first light and our top target here, Black Oriole, soon appeared in the trees around camp and showed well. After so much overnight rain the trail above the camp was effectively a river and this, coupled with the noise from the nearby real river, led us to abandon the area mid-morning and return to the lower camp to continue our birding there, though with further views of Black Orioles before we left. An afternoon session in search of Blue-banded Pitta drew a blank but Scaly-breasted Bulbul and Redbilled Malkoha were found, along with several previously seen species. After dark a Bornean Frogmouth finally gave itself up to those who had missed it previously and our saga with this species was finally over. A final try for Blue-banded Pitta the next morning was unsuccessful but as we waited some saw a covey of Crested Partridges, nearby a dapper Scaly-breasted Bulbul and a couple of Grey-headed Babblers were found. By late morning we were on our way back to the nearby village where, after a bite to eat, we said goodbye to our porters and support staff and began the journey back to Lawas where we arrived in the early evening. A Copper-throated Sunbird was a nice find on flowering shrubs near the hotel while our first hot showers for over a week were most welcome. By first light we were waiting to cross the border into Sabah and not long afterwards arrived at Klias peatswamp. Despite an extended search we failed to find the hoped-for Hook-billed Bulbul but Black-bellied and Red-billed Malkohas showed well and Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker were seen again. The journey to Kota Kinabalu was punctuated by brief stops in the ricefields near Papar and at Lok Kawi beach with a good selection of wetland birds found, the highlights being a pair of Malaysian Plovers and a Chinese Egret at Lok Kawi. Our expedition ended at nearby Kota Kinabalu Airport in the mid-afternoon. The road above Ba kelalan at dawn (Chris Kehoe) 4 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

5 Hose s Broadbill, phone-scoped at Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR The species names and taxonomy used in the report mostly follows Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). IOC World Bird Names. This list is updated several times annually and is available at Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were only recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (LO). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL). Species marked with the diamond symbol ( ) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered special birds for some other reason (e.g. it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species). Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata A couple near Papar. Red-breasted Partridge Arborophila hyperythra One or two glimpsed at Ba kelalan. Ferruginous Partridge Caloperdix oculeus (H) Heard once at Ba kelalan. Crimson-headed Partridge Haematortyx sanguiniceps (H) Heard at Ba kelalan. Crested Partridge Rollulus rouloul (NL) Up to eight at Paya Maga. Great Argus Argusianus argus (H) Heard distantly at Paya Maga. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus One at Ba kelalan. Striated Heron (Little H) Butorides striata One at Lok Kawi beach. Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Small numbers around cattle at scattered locations. 5 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

6 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea One near Papar. Great Egret (Eastern G E) Ardea [alba] modesta Several near Papar and one near Klias. Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Several near Papar. Little Egret Egretta garzetta A few near Papar. Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes One at Lok Kawi Beach. Black-winged Kite (B-shouldered K) Elanus caeruleus One near Papar. Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental HB) Pernis ptilorhynchus One below Ba kelalan Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Singles above Ba kelalan and at Paya Maga. Mountain Serpent Eagle Spilornis kinabaluensis A noisy pair above Ba kelalan one morning, one perched. Blyth's Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus alboniger Noted at Ba kelalan on two dates. Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii Singles Above Ba kelalan and at Paya Maga. Rufous-bellied Eagle at Paya Maga and Mountain Serpent Eagle at Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus A couple near Klias. Lesser Fish Eagle Haliaeetus humilis One near Paya Maga. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus A few at Ba kelalan. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (H) Heard near Papar. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus A few near Papar. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva About six at Lok Kawi beach. Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii A pair at Lok Kawi beach. Lesser Sand Plover (Mongolian P) Charadrius mongolus Several at Lok Kawi beach. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii A few at Lok Kawi beach. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis One near Papar. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Many at Papar ricefields. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus A few at Lok Kawi beach. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos One at Lok Kawi beach. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Four at Lok Kawi beach. Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis One at Lok Kawi beach. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Several near Papar. Little Tern Sternula albifrons A few at Lok Kawi beach. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida A handful near Papar. White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Numerous near Papar. Rock Dove (introduced) (introduced) Columba livia Present near Kota Kinabalu. Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis Small numbers at scattered sites. 6 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

7 Philippine Cuckoo-Dove (Ruddy C D) Macropygia [tenuirostris] borneensis Good scope views at Ba kelalan. Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps Numerous at higher elevations. Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica A couple at Paya Maga. Zebra Dove (introduced) (introduced) Geopelia striata Four near Klias. Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Numerous at Klias, a handful elsewhere. Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Singles twice above Ba kelalan. Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia Regularly seen in the highlands. Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Several near Papar. Raffles's Malkoha Rhinortha chlorophaea Singles at Klias peatswamp and near Paya Maga. Red-billed Malkoha Zanclostomus javanicus Singles at Paya Maga and Klias peatswamp. Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi Singles at Ba kelalan and Klias peatswamp. Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii One or two at Paya Maga, several more heard. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus (H) Heard at several sites. Dark Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx bocki Good views near Ba kelalan, others heard. Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji (H) Heard near Ba kelalan. Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei (H) Heard distantly at Paya Maga. Brown Hawk-Owl (B Boobook) Ninox scutulata (H) Heard near Ba kelalan. Dulit Frogmouth Batrachostomus harterti Fabulous spotlight views near Ba kelalan. Bornean Frogmouth Batrachostomus mixtus Great views eventually at Paya Maga, glimpses near Ba kelalan. Malaysian Eared Nightjar Lyncornis temminckii Up to eight near Ba kelalan one evening. Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis A handful over Klias peatswamp and near Ba kelalan. Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata A few at Paya Maga. Giant Swiftlet (Waterfall S) Hydrochous gigas Well over 100 high above Ba kelalan. Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Widespread. Brown-backed Needletail (Brown N) Hirundapus giganteus One below Ba kelalan. Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis A few at Klias peatswamp. House Swift Apus nipalensis Many at Lawas. Diard's Trogon Harpactes diardii (H) Heard at Klias peatswamp. Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios Two or three above Ba kelalan. Orange-breasted Trogon and Giant Swiftlet above Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) Banded Kingfisher (Bornean B K) Lacedo [pulchella] melanops A male above Ba kelalan. Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting One at Ba kelalan. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Black-backed K) Ceyx erithaca (H) Heard at Klias peatswamp. 7 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

8 Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus A couple at Paya Maga. Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis About 100 at Klias peatswamp. White-crowned Hornbill Berenicornis comatus (H) Heard at Ba kelalan. Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros Good views at Ba kelalan, heard at Paya Maga. Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil (H) Heard at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus One at Klias peatswamp. Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus Several at Ba kelalan Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus A few at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Golden-whiskered Barbet Psilopogon [chrysopogon] chrysopsis A couple seen and several heard at Ba kelalan. Red-crowned Barbet Psilopogon rafflesii Good scope views at Klias peatswamp, several more heard there. Mountain Barbet Psilopogon monticola Several at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Yellow-crowned Barbet Psilopogon henricii One or two at Paya Maga, others heard there. Golden-naped Barbet Psilopogon pulcherrimus (H) Heard above Ba kelalan. Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon duvaucelii (H) Heard at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Bornean Barbet Psilopogon eximius Many heard and a few seen at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Brown Barbet (Bornean B B) Caloramphus fuliginosus Two at Paya Maga. Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus Good views at Klias peatswamp. Banded Woodpecker Chrysophlegma miniaceum One above Ba kelalan. Olive-backed Woodpecker Dinopium rafflesii One above Ba kelalan. Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus One at Paya Maga. Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtipicus validus One above Ba kelalan. Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis Singles at Paya Maga and Klias peatswamp. Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius One above Ba kelalan. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus One at Paya Maga. Blue-rumped Parrot Psittanus cyanurus Two in flight below Paya Maga Long-tailed Parakeet Psittacula longicauda (H) One seen and others heard at Klias peatswamp. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus Small numbers at all sites visited. Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis Two near Ba kelalan, others heard there and at Paya Maga. Hose's Broadbill Calyptomena hosii Superb scope views of a male near Ba kelalan, a female more briefly. Whitehead's Broadbill Calyptomena whiteheadi (H) Heard high above Ba kelalan one afternoon. Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus (H) Heard near Ba kelalan and at Paya Maga. Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus Several at Ba kelalan, a few at Paya Maga. Bornean Banded Pitta Hydrornis schwaneri (H) Heard near Ba kelalan. Blue-banded Pitta Erythropitta arquata A series of brief views at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Golden-bellied Gerygone (Flyeater) Gerygone sulphurea (H) Heard at Ba kelalan. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Three at the upper camp at Paya Maga. Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus A handful at Paya Maga. Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus Two at Ba kelalan. Maroon-breasted Philentoma (R-w Flycatcher) Philentoma velata Brief views at Paya Maga. White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus Several in the lowlands. Green Iora Aegithina viridissima Two at Paya Maga. Sunda Cuckooshrike (Black-faced C-S) Coracina larvata Two at Ba kelalan Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus A few a Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Black Oriole Oriolus hosii Two or three at the upper camp at Paya Maga. Black-and-crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus One high above Ba kelalan. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Several at higher elevations. Hair-crested Drongo (Spangled D) Dicrurus hottentottus A couple at Ba kelalan. Malaysian Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Small numbers at lower elevations. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea One at Paya Maga. Crested Jay Platylophus galericulatus Two at Ba kelalan, heard at Paya Maga. Bornean Treepie Dendrocitta cinerascens A handful above Ba kelalan. Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca Small numbers at mid-elevations. Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis A couple at Ba kelalan. Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps A couple above Ba kelalan. Bornean Bulbul Pycnonotus montis Several above Ba kelalan and a few at Paya Maga. 8 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

9 Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus Two singles at Paya Maga. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Small numbers at scattered sites. Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus A couple at Klias peatswamp. Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex A handful at Paya Maga. Black Oriole at Paya Maga and Whitehead s Spiderhunter above Ba kelalan (Chris Kehoe) Asian Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus Several at Paya Maga. Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos Common at Paya Maga. Finsch's Bulbul Alophoixus finschii (H) Heard at Paya Maga. Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres (H) Heard at Ba kelalan. Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus Two singles at Paya Maga. Buff-vented Bulbul Iole olivacea A handful at Paya Maga. Streaked Bulbul Ixos malaccensis At least six at Paya Maga. Cinereous Bulbul Hemixos [cinereus] connectens Several at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Noted most days. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Noted most days. Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris A few near Papar. Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia [flaviventris] latrunculus (H) Heard near Papar. Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis A few at Paya Maga and Klias peatswamp. Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps A few encounters at widespread sites. Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus montanus Ones and twos above Ba kelalan and at Paya Maga. Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Two at Ba kelalan. Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala A couple of encounters at Paya Maga. Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata A couple at Klias peatswamp. White-necked Babbler Stachyris leucotis Seen by some, heard by all, at Paya Maga. Chestnut-winged Babbler Stachyris erythroptera (H) Heard at several sites. Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyridopsis rufifrons One near Ba kelalan. Bold-striped Tit-Babbler Macronus bornensis Seen at Paya Maga and heard elsewhere. Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler Macronus ptilosus A handful at Klias peatswamp. Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda Often heard and occasionally seen at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Black-throated Wren-Babbler Napothera atrigularis A few glimpses near Ba kelalan. Short-tailed Babbler Malacocincla malaccensis (H) Heard at Paya Maga. Grey-breasted Babbler Malacopteron albogulare A showy pair on our first visit to Klias peatswamp. Temminck's Babbler Pellorneum pyrrogenys (H) Heard near Ba kelalan and at Paya Maga. 9 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

10 Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum Two at Paya Maga. Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax treacheri Small numbers above Ba kelalan. Chestnut-crested Yuhina Yuhina everetti Several above Ba kelalan. Pygmy White-eye (P Ibon) Oculocincta squamifrons A few above Ba kelalan, numerous at Paya Maga. Everett's White-eye Zosterops everetti A handful at Paya Maga. Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella One at Ba kelalan and several at Paya Maga. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis Noted at Ba kelalan and at Klias peatswamp. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Numerous in the lowlands. Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa A handful at Klias peatswamp. Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis Widespread at lower elevations. White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus (H) Heard at Paya Maga. Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica A few in the highlands. Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Several at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga.. Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas Seen well above Ba kelalan, others heard there and at Paya Maga. Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher Cyornis ruficauda Good views of one above Ba kelalan, rare in Borneo. Indigo Flycatcher Eumyias indigo One at Ba kelalan. Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati A couple at Klias peatswamp. Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon A handful at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Bornean Leafbird Chloropsis kinabaluensis Quite common above Ba kelalan. Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Prionochilus xanthopygius A few at Klias peatswamp and Paya Maga.. Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus thoracicus Four or five at Klias peatswamp. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma A few around Ba kelalan and at Klias peatswamp. Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum minullum At least one near Ba kelalan Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis A couple at Klias peatswamp. Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex Common at Paya Maga. Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis A few at Ba kelalan. Red-throated Sunbird Anthreptes rhodolaemus One at Paya Maga. Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha A pair in Lawas. Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis A few at scattered sites. Temminck's Sunbird Aethopyga temminckii Several at Ba kelalan. Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Two at Ba kelalan. Yellow-eared Spiderhunter Arachnothera chrysogenys Up to six at a fruiting tree at Paya Maga. Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera modesta At least one near the lower camp at Paya Maga. Bornean Spiderhunter Arachnothera everetti Several above Ba kelalan. Whitehead's Spiderhunter Arachnothera juliae Great scope views of up to 10 high above Ba kelalan. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (introduced) Passer montanus Common at Ba kelalan in particular. Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans Small numbers throughout. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Noted at Ba kelalan and near Papar. Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla Quite numerous at Ba kelalan and near Papar. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea A handful above Ba kelalan. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus A handful at Ba kelalan. MAMMALS Slender Tree Shrew Tupaia gracilis One at Paya Maga. Lesser Tree Shrew (Pygmy T S) Tupaia minor Hose s Langur (Grey Leaf Monkey) Presbytis hosei (H) Heard at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Bornean Gibbon (Müller s G) Hylobates muelleri (H) Heard at Ba kelalan and Paya Maga. Banded Linsang Prionodon linsang One at Ba kelalan. Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus One at Ba kelalan. Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus A few at mid-elevations. Jentink s Squirrel Sundasciurus jentinki One at Ba kelalan. 10 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition

11 11 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sarawak Expedition Drying off at Paya Maga s upper camp (Chris Kehoe)