Paul Sharp ( Mount Kinabalu, 21 March 2007, Paul Sharp

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1 Sabah Borneo 4 th to 26 th March 2007 Paul Sharp ( pauljsharp@yahoo.co.uk) Trip Summary and Daily Highlight Mount Kinabalu, 21 March 2007, Paul Sharp This was such a long and fantastic trip that a list of all the highlights would make a report itself. So I have tried to reduce it to one bird each day, alongside a breakdown of the trip. Some days were better than others so you ll have to read further to find out the fourth species of Pitta and the other Whitehead s I managed to see 4 th March: Kota Kinabalu, Likas Lagoons & Wetland Centre Pied Triller 5 th March: Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) Blue-headed Pitta 6 th March: BRL Garnet Pitta 7 th March: BRL Bornean Bristlehead 8 th March: BRL Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler 9 th March: BRL Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker 10 th March: BRL Green Broadbill 11 th March: BRL Blue-banded Pitta 12 th March: BRL Bornean Blue Flycatcher 13 th March: BRL Gomantang Sukau White-fronted Falconet 14 th March: Sukau Bornean Ground Cuckoo 15 th March: Sukau Banded Broadbill 16 th March: Sukau White-crowned Hornbill 17 th March: Sukau Mount Kinabalu (MK) Black-sided Flowerpecker 18 th March: MK Bornean Stubtail

2 19 th March: MK Orange-headed Thrush 20 th March: MK Black-breasted Fruit-Hunter 21 st March: MK Whitehead s Trogon 22 nd March: MK Kinabalu Friendly Warbler 23 rd March: MK Rafflesia Centre Kota Kinabalu Bornean Barbet 24 th March: Kota Kinabalu Palau Tiga (PT) Tabon Scrubfowl 25 th March: PT Malaysian Plover 26 th March: PT Kota Kinabalu Striated Grassbird Daily Log 4 th March: Arrival and afternoon at Likas Lagoons & Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre Around mid-day I arrived at Kota Kinabalu from the UK tired, jetlagged and unaccustomed to the heat. Like any mad English birder I immediately took a taxi to bird Likas Lagoons and the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (KKWC). Most of the pools at Likas were overgrown with invasive water hyacinth, however on the remaining open area there were a few waders including Marsh and Wood Sandpipers, Long-toed Stint and Black-winged Stilt, and to my surprise a single Wandering Whistling-duck. After signing in at KKWC I walked anti-clockwise around the board-walk, and initially birds proved hard to find in the early afternoon heat. It was clearly low tide and I suspect this is a good time to visit, as a started to pick out a few waders and herons feeding amongst the mangroves; Striated Heron and Pacific Golden Plover posed well. Pacific Golden Plover, 4 March 2007, Paul Sharp

3 Striated Heron, 4 March 2007, Paul Sharp Continuing around the loop a pack of aggressive stray dogs dissuaded me from venturing along the boardwalk to view the Purple Heron colony, but good numbers were seen in flight. I spent some time enjoying the light breeze atop the viewing tower which also afforded nice views of Collared Kingfisher and my only Pied Trillers of the trip. Returning to the visitor centre I was able to enjoy watching Pink-necked Green and Green Imperial Pigeons catching the last of the day s sun in the bare tree tops. 5 th March: Transfer to Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) I was met off of my early flight to Lahad Datu as planned and spent a while birding around Borneo Rainforest Lodge s town office as vehicle, driver and supplies were readied for the 2 ½ hour drive into Danum Valley. I saw nothing unusual en-route, and was pleased to arrive at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) by 11.30am. I enjoyed lunch and a light bird watch around the resort whilst waiting to meet my guide Rafel. During this time I was delighted to see Great-billed Heron fishing in the river in front of the restaurant and identified a large fruiting tree that I decided to watch through my scope. This produced Asian Fairy Bluebird and Red-crowned Barbet, enough to encourage me to spend some time each early afternoon between walks studying the same tree. At 3.00pm Rafel took me along the Nature Trail where highlights included a male Crested Fireback which flushed a Brown Wood-Owl. Walking a short distance out along the entrance road we cut through to the staff quarters. Blue-headed Pittas were very vocal in this area, and as we sat and waited one soon showed very well. Around the staff quarters I was delighted to spot a Red-bearded Bee-eater and then stunned as Rafel pointed out a huge male Orang-utan feeding in low trees. Returning to the chalets we paused to rest a moment and were amazed to watch a second Blue-headed Pitta emerge from beneath the furthest of these, sadly my pictures don t do this bird justice. Before dinner (and darkness) I just had time to watch two Rhinoceros Hornbills fly in to roost. After dinner I went on a short night-

4 walk, again along the Nature Trail, seeing Black-backed Kingfisher and Flying Lemur (Colugo). 6 th March: BRL Blue-headed Pitta, 5 March 2007, Paul Sharp Rafel suggested a am pre-breakfast walk along road to Canopy Walkway, to start the day, watching in misty-dawn light as I drank a wake-up cup of tea I was again pleased to see Rhinoceros Hornbill and Boat-billed Heron from the restaurant. Although low cloud and mist meant that light was poor the walk along the road produced good views of the soon to be familiar Indian & Plaintive Cuckoos, Redbilled & Chestnut-breasted Malkoha and Maroon Woodpecker. Work to extend the Canopy Walkway disturbed the surrounding area during my stay, and we saw little of note on this visit. Returning to the lodge excellent views of two helmeted Hornbills lifted my spirits, and a male Maroon-breasted Philentoma did his best to glow in the gloom. Breakfast came second to birdwatching as I picked up my first Dusky Munia, Spectacled Spiderhunter and soaring overhead, Oriental Darter of the trip. At 9.30am Rafel guided me along the Danum Trail, then up the nearer half of Hornbill Trail, returning via the Sapa-Babandil Trail (short-cut) to the road and lodge for midday. The Danum Trail revealed female Scarlet-rumped Trogon and the first of two common birds I never tired of seeing, white phase Asian Paradise Flycatcher and White-browed Shama. Less showy but scarcer were single Dusky Broadbill and Bushy-crested Hornbill watched along the Sapa-Babandil Trail and roadway. Exhausted I birded little during the lunch break, but was happy to head out again at 3.15pm along the Tekala Trail, which we followed along the river until the short-cut up to road at the Canopy Walkway, returning to the lodge for 6pm. After poor views of a Black & Yellow Broadbill and a soaring Wallace s Hawk-Eagle near the lodge the section along the river proved quiet. Birds picked up as we walked towards the road. A stunning male Diard s Trogon showed well but was completely eclipsed moments later, when as predicted by Rafel a stunning Garnet Pitta hoped along a fallen tree and called from the rotting buttress. 24 hours at BRL and excellent views of two species of pitta already! I smiled and

5 accepted my trip simply could not get better. My spirits were un-dampened by being unable to see distant calling Bornean Bristlehead. There was a little more activity from the Canopy Walkway, two Brown Barbets confusing me for a while, before as dusk fell a Bat Hawk flew by. This was not to be the best flight observation from here a fantastic Red Giant Flying Squirrel cleared 60m plus from the crown of one tall tree to the trunk of another. With yesterday s Orang-utan and Gibbons seen during lunch mammals appeared to be giving birds a run for their money, and I m a pretty keen birdwatcher! After dinner I joined the pm night-drive, which was somewhat disrupted by a puncture, the only bird seen was Large-tailed Nightjar, the animal highlight being a Malay Civet. 7 th March: BRL Following a slightly different pattern I had an early breakfast at the lodge, picking up my first Black & Red Broadbill of the trip, after which Rafel arranged for us to be driven to old barrier gate at 7am. After an unsuccessful search for Giant Pitta in this area we walked back along the road to the Tekala Trail. This section of the forest is quite open and we enjoyed good views of Black Eagle, Wrinkled Hornbill (2), and Fiery Minivet. At lower levels a pair of Yellow-breasted Flowerpeckers and a male Dark-necked Tailorbird vied for attention. Taking the Tekala Trail down to the river over the Policemens Bridge and then cutting up to the Canopy Walkway paid off with excellent views of displaying male Great Argus, plus Lesser Fish-Eagles and Asian Black Hornbills from the lower suspension bridge over the Segama. Returning to the lodge for lunch along the Hornbill Trail and then Nature Trail was quiet by comparison, a Buff-necked Woodpecker being the sole highlight. Great Argus, 7 March 2007, Paul Sharp The afternoon walk served to remind me really how quiet rainforest biding can be. From 3pm to 6pm we walked the East Trail and returned along the Segama Trail; I

6 saw ten birds (not ten species, ten actual individual birds). Thankfully quality made up for quantity, the first bird was a Black-backed Kingfisher seen in the lodge clearing. Four were Bornean Bristlehead stunning quirky things that induced terrible neck-ache from perching in the very tops of the tallest tree to be seen, and only to be seen from directly below. Single Boat-billed Heron, Short-tailed Babbler, Rufoustailed Shama, Dark-sided and Asian Brown Flycatchers completed the list. The less said about the pm night-drive the better; I got off halfway in the (unsuccessful) hope of frogmouth, and missed seeing Clouded Leopard. 8 th March: BRL After an even earlier breakfast I met with Rafel at 6am to walk out along the road picking up the first Velvet-fronted Nuthatch of my trip before heading up to the Hornbill Trail on the Sapa Babandil shortcut. Walking up the short cut I had good views of a nice male Orange-bellied Woodpecker, and as we reached the junction with the Hornbill Trail a Giant Pitta called clearly ahead. Annoyingly a noisy group of non-birders came the other way along the trail, and inevitably the bird left unseen. A Rufous-tailed Shama brightened up the walk along the Hornbill Trail towards the Canopy Walkway, from which we watched two Dusky Broadbills feeding in the midlevel canopy below. Back at BRL during the lunch break patient searching of the fruiting tree revealed Blue-eared, Red-throated and Brown Barbets. After lunch I met Rafel at 3pm for a walk up the Sapa Telisoi trail to Jacuzzi Pool, and return along Coffin Cliff Trail. Amongst a small feeding flock near the pool a Chestnut-backed Scimitar-Babbler stood out. Returning to the lodge area a quick check of the staff quarters area revealed Whiskered Treeswifts perched on low power lines. The pm night-drive produced a single Brown Wood-Owl and an oddlooking Long-tailed Porcupine. 9 th March: BRL A relatively leisurely 7am start saw us following up on a seemingly unlikely report of Blue-Banded Pitta from the Coffin Cliff Trail the previous day. Although the views from the top of the Coffin Cliff Trail were good we saw little on our ascent a single Black & Yellow Broadbill being the only highlight. Descending via the Jacuzzi Pool added very little apart from a White-bellied Yuhina and Rufous Piculet near the river. After lunch I met Anja and Sjef Ollers who were happy for me to join them and their excellent their guide Wang Kong (with whom I then birded for the rest of my stay at BRL). At 3pm we set off along the Hornbill Trail picking up a male Crested Fireback before heavy rain set in. Although we were to hear Giant and Garnet Pitta as we continued along to the Sapa Babandil short cut trail and down to the road the rain kept activity down. The only other highlight proved to be a male Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker as we returned along the road near the lodge. 10 th March: BRL

7 After an early breakfast Wang Kong led Anja, Sjeff and I along the road, picking out and then spotting two Crested Jay calling as the moved rapidly through the forest, and a White-crowned Forktail as it kept ahead of us. We turned down the Sapa Babandil Trail towards the river, Wang Kong s incredible hearing soon getting us great views of Striped Wren-babbler and Black-throated Wren-babbler. At a small stream crossing a Siberian Blue Robin vied for attention with Black-backed Kingfisher, before incredibly Wang Kong got us onto a pair of Bornean Wren-babblers near the Tekala Trail. We followed the Tekala Trail down river soon picking up male Great Argus at its dancing ground. However our attention was quickly switched to a calling Blue-headed Pitta which we soon picked out as it hoped around the forest floor. Crossing the Segama River we then continued further down stream along the Segama Trail. This relatively undisturbed area was very birdy and we had views of Raffles Malkoha, 4 Diard s Trogons, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Bushy-crested Hornbill and Rufous Piculet before returning to the lodge along the Segama Trail. A brief post lunch watch of the fruiting tree produced a couple of Little Green Pigeons, 2 Brown and a Yellow Crowned Barbet plus 2 Asian Fairy-bluebird. At 3pm we met Woody and David Kuehn with whom I birded until leaving BRL. Wang Kong took us out along the Tekala Trail then back along the road. Highlights along the Tekala Trail included 2 Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds as we left the lodge clearing, 2 more White-crowned Forktails, a Black & Yellow Broadbill and to my delight a male Green Broadbill. However 2-3 neck-challenging Bornean Bristleheads were clearly the top bird as far as the others were concerned! Moments later another Orang-utan had us all transfixed. 11 th March: BRL An early start saw our now fairly large group head up along to the Coffin Cliff Trail to the view point. The ascent was fairly quiet, though a Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher showed well near the Coffin Cliff. From the top we descended the steep and very overgrown Sapa Telisoi trail several large fallen trees made going tough and this was clearly a little visited route. However Wang Kong really knows the area and its birds and in short order stopped us all as his excellent hearing picked out another pitta. Sure enough a stunning male Blue-banded Pitta hopped up onto a low vine crossing the trail giving us all stunning views. Elated we continued down to the stunningly beautiful Fairy Falls, two birds shooting off as we approached. One, Kingfisher was not to be seen again and I failed to even glimpse the bird as it departed. The other was a super Chestnut-naped Forktail, and the brief initial views were followed by several good looks at this elusive bird and its partner. Resting here we were able to watch a Black & Yellow Broadbill and 2 Largebilled Blue-flycatchers as we cooled down and removed leaches! Predictably our return to the lodge via the Serpent Falls was quieter; Orange-backed Woodpecker, Ferruginous Babbler, Spotted Fantail and Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker comprising the highlights.

8 After lunch a check of the fruiting tree produced at least 4 Scaly-breasted Bulbuls a Red-throated Barbet and 3 Brown Barbets. At 3pm we met to walk the Hornbill Trail in rather indifferent light and occasional drizzle. Calling Blue-headed Pittas encouraged us though, and soon we were watching a pair of Blue-headed Pittas moving surreptitiously through the undergrowth the only female I was to see. A little further along a male Diard s Trogon fairly glowed in the gloom. Pausing at a fallen tree in a vain attempt to pick out calling Garnet Pittas produced fine views of a stunning male Great Argus, crossing the trail unconcerned at out presence. Returning along the road a large Bearded Pig surprised us (vice-versa), but bird highlights were relatively few single Whiskered Treeswift and female Plaintive Cuckoo. 12 th March: BRL Light rain and the news that Wang Kong was unwell and unable to lead us that morning did not auger well. Sjeff and Anja departed early for the Kinabantan, so David, Woody and I set off along the Tekala Trail, soon picking up a fine Blyth s Hawk Eagle, and then nice views of Green Broadbill. I then continued on alone up to the road seeing a (non-flying) Giant Squirrel but little else remarkable until reaching the Canopy Walkway. An extended wait and watch here produced good views of Banded Bay Cuckoo, 2 Spectacled Spiderhunters and Rhinoceros Hornbill. Returning along the road 4-5 Garnet Pitta were calling but I failed to pick any out. After lunch Wang Kong was feeling better and the weather improved slightly. At 3pm we set off along the road picking up Drongo Cuckoo and Lesser Fish-eagle before taking the trail down to the Policemens Bridge and returning to the road along the Sapa Babandil trail. This loop was very quiet, a Yellow-bellied Bulbul being the only highlight. Returning along the road things quickly picked up with excellent views of two Garnet Pitta calling to each other across the road, and as we neared the lodge a fine male Bornean Blue Flycatcher. The pm night drive produced single immature Buffy Fish Owl and Brown Wood Owl, plus Black Giant Flying Squirrel, Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Common Palm Civet, Short-toothed Palm Civet, Sambar Deer and Greater Mouse-deer. 13 th March: BRL Gomantang Caves Sukau (SRL) My final morning at BRL, I decided to concentrate on the area around the lodge until my 10.30am departure. Highlights included a pair of Crested Fireback, 2 Raffles Malkoha, a female Crimson-winged woodpecker, Dark-throated Oriole, 2 Short-tailed Babblers, a Grey-streaked Flycatcher, 2 Verditer Flycatchers and a single Blackwinged Flycatcher Shrike. Driving to Lahad Datu two Buffy Fish Owls perched on the road caused some excitement, and a Black & Red Broadbill posed nicely. After a half-hour wait we left Lahad Datu at 1pm for the dispiriting drive to Gomantang Caves. Super views of a White-fronted Falconet in a roadside tree were some compensation for 2 ½ hours of

9 tedious Oil-Palm plantations. As it was already getting late in the afternoon we drove straight to the park centre the forest along this entrance road is reputedly good for birds. After more tedium paying for entrance tickets and camera permits etc Hamid, my guide for the next few days, and I walked through quiet dry forest to the gaping lower entrance to the main caves. The stench inside and emanating from this was indescribable. This did not appear to discourage the dozens of Swiftlets flying in and out, and in we went along the slippery (and mercifully dark) boardwalk. Don t do this if you dislike creepy crawly things, and if you do plan to visit, wear a hat. Cave dwellers, 13 March 2007, Paul Sharp I initially found it difficult to work out what I was looking at whilst examining cave walls festooned with little nests, some with Swiftlets, others empty. After a while it became relatively easy to distinguish mossy-nest from black-nest, and hence determine their occupants. There were no Edible-nest Swiftlets breeding in this lower cave, and in truth only about 1 in 20 of the mossy-nests were occupied though 100s of Black-nest Swiftlet were still in residence. After a while I was keen to get back outside to healthier air, so we moved on.

10 Lower Cave, Gomantang, 13 March 2007, Paul Sharp Hamid was keen to get to the upper cave entrance before 5.30 when he thought it likely many thousands of bats would start to leave. The walk up is not easy light rain made smooth limestone slippery, and wrestling with my tripod, telescope, camera etc didn t help. Arriving at the top I was astounded to see a pregnant female Orangutan feeding in a tree right above the trail, and then even more surprised a few yards further on to see where and how the cave-workers lived. Descending through the upper cave entrance was a trifle un-nerving, but a short way down I could clearly see many edible-nests in a cleft to the right. Sadly these were all

11 empty but it was remarkable to see such clean-white looking nests in such an otherwise unclean place! Returning to the entrance we climbed a short way to an even more precarious vantage point to watch as on cue a stream of fluttering bats started winging their way past. Soon these attracted more attention in the form of Peregrines, a party of 4 picking off the bats with practiced ease. I watched one bird, a large adult female catch five bats within 30 minutes! These falcons also I think caused the local Bat Hawk to keep its distance it was always a good 500m from the nearest Peregrine. A comparatively clumsy White-bellied Fish-Eagle, and even less agile Jerdon s Baza completed the feeding frenzy. A pair of stunning Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers briefly flitted through, before my attention was once again drawn to the mesmerising spirals of bats and their hungry attendants. As darkness threatened we tore ourselves away and completed the miserable road journey to Sukau. After a hearty dinner at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge I joined Sjef and Anja once more for that evening s night cruise at 8.30pm. This was fabulous great views of two Buffy Fish Owls, Common Kingfisher and Black-crowned Night-heron being eclipsed by repeated sightings of a Flat-headed Cat, and a huge Reticulated Python. 14 th March: SRL Reticulated Python, 13 March 2007, Paul Sharp At 5.30am we set off for the Tenigang Besar tributary, piloted by Raimie, Sjef and Anja s guide and accompanied by Hamid for a truly incredible morning s birdwatching. Cruising down the main river in pre-dawn half-light we were soon seeing Oriental Darters and a single Black-crowned Night Heron. Turning into the smaller tributary we switched to the almost silent electric motor and picked up the first Blue-eared and Stork-billed Kingfishers of the day.

12 About 500m up the tributary we heard the unmistakable call of Bornean Ground Cuckoos calling either side of the river. After a few anxious moments drifting silently along we picked up two birds on one side of the river, and then incredibly two more on the opposite bank. Although very shy these birds were clearly visible as they responded to each others calls and incredibly a further bird was seen on the same bank as the first pair. Wonderful. Bornean Ground Cuckoo, 14 March 2007, Sjef Ollers Continuing along the tributary we had great views of Green Imperial Pigeons dropping down to the muddy river banks to drink and perhaps pick up clay/salt, and my first sightings of Long-tailed Parakeets flying overhead. Reaching oil-palm plantations on one side we started seeing Collared Kingfisher, Dollarbirds and Oriental Pied Hornbills, before returning slowly down stream. Once beyond the plantations four Storm s Storks were watched as they lazily circled above us. This signalled the start of a spell through to about 10am during which we saw lots of raptors take advantage of what must have been good thermal conditions. Crested Serpent Eagles were practically common, but we also admired Japanese Sparrowhawk, Crested Goshawk, Jerdon s Baza, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied and Lesser Fish-eagle. Nearing the main river we paused at an area the guides thought would be good for Hooded Pitta, and sure enough after a while we could hear one calling. A brief play of the bird s call by Sjef and the bird appeared on cue, calling 3m up in a river-side tree. This prompted a second bird to start calling, and during the next few minutes we were able to admire our bird as it called and flew across the river and back.

13 Hooded Pitta, 14 March 2007, Sjef Ollers It was hard to imagine the day getting better, and it hadn t yet reached 9am! Back on the main river we stopped at a regular stake-out for prolonged but distant views of a White-fronted Falconet before returning to the Lodge. Here our morning s sightings were greeted by near disbelief from the other guides present fortunately Sjef had managed to get a few photos. The period of time through to the afternoon s cruise was occupied initially scanning from the Lodge s riverfront deck, which produced poor views of a further Storm s Stork and the only Lesser Adjutant I was to see in Borneo. Walking back to the lodge and board walk produced good views of a pair of Scarlet-rumped Trogons, but was otherwise very quiet. At 3.30 I met with Hamid to travel down river, Sjef, Anja and their guide Raimie were off already to visit Gomantong. A short distance downstream we took the boat alongside a river cliff that held good numbers of nesting Mossy-nest Swiftlet, after admiring these we had fantastic views as an adult White-bellied Fish-eagle fished in our wake. Scanning for other raptors revealed a nice Rufous-bellied Eagle passing overhead before settling in a distant tree-top nest. Soon we turned right into the Resang tributary and switched to the electric motor to glide silently along this narrow river. Macaques were particularly common, and clearly enjoying themselves jumping in and out of the river to cool down. Unfortunately this noise and activity meant there were few birds around Dollarbirds were very obvious and three Blue-throated Bee-eaters showed well.

14 Returning to the main river as dusk loomed we started to see hornbills mostly the common Oriental Pied Hornbill, but one tree held four Rhinoceros Hornbills and two Wrinkled Hornbill, here showing a distinctive pale yellow throat. Then as we neared the lodge a super Wreathed Hornbill flew over my seventh Hornbill species of the trip, and the only sighting I was to have. At 8.30pm Sjef and I went for a night-cruise along the main river, seeing essentially the same species as before, but with the notable addition of 6 Yellow Bittern roosting high up in bank-side reed beds. 15th March: SRL At 6am we set off for the Menangol river, arriving before the masses aboard larger boats from the neighbouring lodges. Many birds were actively feeding in the riverside vegetation including the locally common White-chested Babbler and several Malaysian Blue Flycatchers. Kingfishers were ever-present, mostly Blue-eared and Stork-billed, with at least six Black & Red Broadbill s and three Scarlet-rumped Trogons competing for gaudiness. These were all inevitably trumped when we picked out one of two calling Blueheaded Pittas. Returning downstream we once again admired four Storm s Stork soaring overhead. By 9.30am we were back at the lodge, and decided to walk the boardwalk loop. Although picking out birds proved to be tough we did eventually get good views of a Banded Broadbill, the only sighting of my trip and according to Raimie and Hamid the first sighting for the lodge. There was rather more activity in the trees near the river including Black-winged Flycatcher-shrikes, Grey-streaked Flycatcher and Common Iora. At 3.30pm we headed up river to a large ox-bow lake, sadly slowly being choked out of existence by invasive water hyacinth. This held a number of Purple Herons and Great Egrets but was otherwise disappointingly quiet. We had picked this area for a walk, and spent the next couple of hours getting comprehensively lost despite having two guides! I can t say I recommend the walk here, we saw very little, 2 Rufous Piculets struggling to be highlights. At 8.30pm Hamid led Sjef and me on a night-walk behind the lodge. An otherwise forgettable experience was unpleasantly enlivened by me and Hamid being bitten by a nocturnal bee. Apparently this nasty wasp like thing dislikes light I was stung on the hand holding my torch. Not recommended. 16 th March: SRL A 5.30am start saw Hamid pilot me once more along the Tengannon Besar tributary. It was not long before we heard and then saw two remarkable Bornean Ground Cuckoos again. Moving up stream we saw many Little Green Pigeons, along with a few Green Imperial Pigeons and Long-tailed Parakeet.

15 We travelled a considerable distance further than previously, and this produced good sightings of several new birds, notably Black-shouldered Kite and several Grey-and- Buff Woodpeckers, a Blue-eared Barbet and a super Grey-headed Fish-eagle. More astonishing was an enormous Crocodile longer than our 5m boat, which made even the usually imperturbable Hamid nervous. Drifting back we watched another Rufous-bellied Eagle overhead and then paused by a flowering tree. This proved very productive with two Plain-throated Sunbirds and an Olive-backed Sunbird being trumped by a stunning male Crimson Sunbird. Other small birds in this area included a Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, several Pied Fantails and two glowingly Fiery Minivets. Another visit to the Oxbow lake again revealed little before we returned to the Lodge. At 3.30pm I set Hamid a single challenge, to find White-crowned Hornbill, the only species present in Borneo I had yet to see. Initially we headed along the ever popular Menangol river, and despite the number of boats puttering along for views of obliging Proboscis Monkeys, lots of birds were drinking and bathing by the river. Notably these include smart Black-headed and Yellow-bellied Bulbuls and lots of dapper Black-naped Monarchs. As dusk loomed we drifted back towards the main river, adding Black Hornbill and Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, but not inevitably my target bird. We headed up past the lodge to Hamid s final gamble and incredibly in near darkness watched a male bird fly across the broad river ahead. Fairly zipping over to the bank in pursuit we were then able to watch this and another male courting a female bird fabulous, Hamid was possibly even happier than I was to have finally found me these cracking birds. Returning to the lodge a Buffy Fish Owl lived up to its name, dipping into the river ahead of us, marking the end of another stunning day. 17 th March: SRL Kinabalu National Park (KNP) At 7.30am I left Sukau Rainforest Lodge for the long drive to Kinabalu National Park. Unfortunately I managed to injure my back picking up my rucksack which made the drive very uncomfortable and sadly removed any chance of summiting Mt Kinabalu. As we left Sukau two Storm s Storks put in a final appearance, thereafter Collared Kingfishers, Cattle Egrets and Asian Glossy Starlings proved to be common roadside birds. At 2.30, after 30 minutes checking in, and discovering that my guide was not due until 9.30am the next day (frustrating), I decided to bird the area around Hill Lodge I was in chalet 3. The weather was poor light rain and low fog, but the numbers of birds in this area compared with my previous stops was still high. A flowering tree beside Hill Lodge held several stunning Temminck s Sunbirds, Black-capped White-eyes, a pair of Little Pied Flycatchers and a couple of Mountain Leaf Warblers (initially misidentified as Eastern Crowned). Strolling down to the Liwagu Restaurant revealed Bornean Treepie, Sunda and Chestnut-capped Laughingthrushes, and a nice Black & Crimson Oriole. A large bare tree by the

16 entrance to the restaurant produced a confiding pair of Velvet-fronted Nuthatches, before I decided to shelter from the rain in the restaurant. Whilst enjoying a warming cup of tea I sat on the restaurant balcony checking for birds in the surrounding gardens. In now teeming rain there was still a surprising amount of activity Blue & White and Indigo Flycatchers, Bornean Whistlers, and best of all a stunning male Black-sided Flowerpecker kept me entertained. Before darkness finally fell I strolled a short distance up the mountain road, picking up a feeding flock of the common Chestnut-crested Yuhina, a Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Sunda Whistling Thrush, two Grey-throated Babblers and a pair of Grey-chinned Minivets. 18 th March: KNP At 6am I started to walk up the road, soon spotting noisy Short-tailed Magpie and then rather less obtrusive Eye-browed Jungle-flycatchers perched on roadside barriers. Reaching the upper end of the Kiau View Trail I followed the first 2-300m, spotting a Bornean Stubtail, Maroon Woodpecker and three Hair-crested Drongos before returning to the Liwagu Restaurant for breakfast, where I added Ashy Drongo to my list. At 9.30 I met Adrian, my guide for the rest of my trip, and we again walked up the road, to the 2.5km marker. In light rain White-throated Fantail, Yellow-breasted Warbler and Snowy-browed Flycatcher were added to the morning s earlier sightings. At we returned for lunch, Adrian advising me that we should meet at 3.30 for the afternoon session. Frustrated by inactivity, and energised by the cool mountain air I had no interest in resting, so set off up the Pandanus and then Kiau View Trails at 1.30pm. This was very quiet, though I did pick up another hoped for endemic in the form of Goldennaped Barbet. At 3.30pm we headed up to the top of the Silau-Silau Trail and birded this in ever heavier rain and low cloud. This was clearly a dead loss so we returned to the accommodation area where the light was better, picking up Plain Sunbird and another Little Pied Flycatcher near the fitness centre. 19 th March: KNP Adrian picked me up at 6am and we drove up to the Power Station, stopping first for an obliging White-browed Shortwing and then at the head of the Kiau View Trail for a super Orange-headed Thrush which showed incredibly well. The Power Station area was alive with birds, and in short order Sunda Bush-Warbler, Mountain Black-eye and Flavescent Bulbul were seen in addition to the now more familiar birds of Kinabalu. At 9am were returned for breakfast, then at 10.15am we drove back to the head of the Mempening Trail. Descending this produced two more Golden-naped Barbets, a few Crimson-winged Woodpeckers, good views of a Mountain Imperial Pigeon and a puffed-up for show displaying Ochraceous Bulbul. On reaching the Silau-Silau Trail we returned up hill to Adrian s 4x4, adding little new.

17 At 2pm it started to rain heavily and this continued until dark. Undeterred (well maybe a little deterred) we headed out at 4pm, stopping at the top of the Silau-Silau Trail. It was too dark to see anything in the jungle so I walked back down the road to the Hill Lodges. I should have stayed at the Liwagu Restaurant watching from the balcony! When I returned I had good views of a female Mugimaki Flycatcher and Mountain Tailorbird. 20 th March: KNP Another early breakfast and 6.30am drive to the Power Station, once again pushing Sunda Whistling-thrushes along the road ahead of us. Nearing the top of the road a Grey Wagtail provided a splash of familiarity in otherwise unfamiliar surroundings. Parking up the area was clearly buzzing with birdlife Ashy Drongos, Short-tailed Magpies, Sunda and Chestnut-capped Laughing-thrushes all very showy, plus a couple of relatively unobtrusive Little Cuckoo-Doves. Following up on recent sightings by a French-Swiss couple we walked the first 250m of the Bukit Ular Trail, creeping up on the tree overhanging the far corner of the compound. Unsurprisingly the Fruit-Hunter they had seen had gone, but remarkably the same small (fruiting) tree held a stunning male Whitehead s Broadbill viewed feeding at incredibly close range. Elated we returned to the head of the Liwagu Trail which we then descended. This is a beautiful if sometimes precarious walk, and although birds were often thin on the ground I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highlights included good views of White-crowned Forktail, several Yellow-browed Warblers, three Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrikes, Snowy-browed Flycatcher and Grey-headed Flycatcher. Eventually we reached the lower end of the Silau-Silau Trail and followed this back up to the restaurant. Lunch produced good views of the usual garden suspects, and as was becoming the norm, rain. At 3.30pm we drove up to the Power Station, and despite the rain I decided to check the Bukit Ular fruiting tree again. Incredibly this now produced fine views of a pair of Black-breasted Fruit-Hunters living up to their name! Although we then tried the start of the Kiau View Trail, light was dreadful, rain incessant and I saw practically nothing. An afternoon of quality rather than quantity 21 st March: KNP At 6am Adrian picked me up and we drove to the Power Station, seeing a Whitecrowned Forktail on the way. Again this area was very lively and amongst the many birds I picked out a single Mountain Black-eye. We then took the Bukit Ular Trail, descending back down to the road in light rain. At first there was little activity, but calling Red-breasted Partridges encouraged us. Mountain Imperial Pigeons were also very vocal, and we had good views of three of these large birds. Suddenly we heard a Trogon calling, and soon we were watching a stunning male Whitehead s Trogon perched 30m away on a hanging vine. After our fill of this beautiful bird we continued down the trail to the 750m marker. Here I was dismayed to see three feral dogs, clearly hunting for food. Sadly this produced my only sighting of Red-breasted Partridge a bird flew up in front of the dogs.

18 By 9.30am we reached the road and returned to the Liwagu restaurant for breakfast. This did not delay me long, and at 10am I headed out, up the Silau-Silau Trail. This produced nice views of a further White-crowned Forktail, a male White-browed Shortwing, and female Whitehead s Trogon. Reaching the road I walked the first 500m of the Kiau View Trail, picking up a Sunda Bush Warbler before returning down the Silau-Silau Trail in increasingly heavy rain. After lunch I decided to walk the loop road down to the Reception Building and back. This was rather quiet but did produce good views of calling Large Hawk Cuckoo and a Mountain Tailorbird. At 3.30 I met up with Adrian again, driving up to the start of the Mempening Trail. Wind and rain rendered this bird-less, and we moved to the start of the Silau-Silau Trail, but this was no better. 22 nd March: KNP I had decided that I was fit enough to walk some of the way up the mountain, so the previous evening Adrian had arranged the necessary permits and insurance. As I intended to go no further than the Laban Rata huts a guide was not necessary. After a very early breakfast Adrian dropped me at the Timpon Gate, and I made my way up the fascinating summit trail. Aside from the birds the ever changing views and vegetation kept me interested. Pitcher Plant, Mt Kinabalu, 22 March 2007, Paul Sharp

19 As for the birds, it was often pretty quiet, with odd periods of activity. Grey-chinned Minivet and Mountain Black-eye proved to be the commonest birds once away from the gate. There were also small numbers of Golden-naped Barbets, Snowy-browed Flycatchers and Sunda Bush Warblers along the trail. Other highlights included a single Bornean Stubtail, and once I reached the 5km mark and beyond two Kinabalu Friendly Warblers and a nice Island Thrush. Returning down the slippery trail I concentrated on not injuring my self this is tough on the knees, even without slipping. Returning to the gate I was slightly disappointed that a soaring raptor proved to be an Osprey but it was nice to see another familiar bird. By mid-afternoon I was back at the Liwagu Restaurant enjoying tea on the balcony in the rain as ever, when I clearly heard a Whitehead s Broadbill calling. At first I ignored it thinking it was another birder playing a tape. Eventually I scanned the surrounding trees, and there 20m away was a stunning male Broadbill, calling in plain view! Other birds seen here included a large looking Sunda Cuckoo-Shrike and the two regular Velvet-fronted Nuthatches. 23 rd March: KNP Rafflesia Centre Kota Kinabalu At 6am we set off up the Power Station road for the final time, checking the first 100m of the Bukit Ular Trail, then the first 300m of the Mempening Trail and finally a similar length of the Silau-Silau Trail. The Mempening Trail eventually paid off for one of my remaining target birds, a Crimson-headed Partridge finally giving poor views as it walked away. After breakfast we set off on the 2 hour drive to the Rafflesia Centre near Tambunan, seeing relatively little en-route. At the Centre we had a short wait whilst the resident park officer returned from guiding two other tourists the hours walk to a blooming Rafflesia. During this time I picked out a couple of Blue-winged Leafbirds, and a pair of nesting Large Woodshrikes. On returning the park officer was happy to show me to the flower, but was keen to emphasise that there were not many birds about. He was right, in the 2 hours walk there and back I saw one Hair-crested Drongo. Mind you the flower itself was definitely worth the walk. Back at the Centre we spent an hour or so watching the comings and goings in the small garden area which proved surprisingly productive. The first highlight was a scruffy looking Mountain Barbet I was to see two more, soon trumped by two displaying Bornean Barbets! One of these birds was clearly investigating a potential nesting hole in one of the nearby dead trees.

20 Rafflesia, 23 March 2007, Paul Sharp A walk along the road produced a few common birds but not the hoped for Spiderhunter, and as heavy rain set in, we set off for Kota Kinabalu. Near the city itself we stopped at a few rice paddies, picking up several Dusky Munia, a Wood Sandpiper, Purple Heron and egrets, before reaching my hotel. 24 th March: Kota Kinabalu Pulau Tiga Resort (PTR) After a night of heavy rain I waited at the hotel in Kota Kinabalu hoping for an improvement in the weather. At eight I was surprised to be picked up by Adrian once again he d volunteered to spend the next couple of days on Pulau Tiga with me, bringing his wife and young son along for a break too. The weather continued to be poor throughout the two hour drive to Kuala Penyu, and concerned that we might miss the 10.30am boat we did not stop. Waiting for the boat at the dock-side produced views of Striated Heron and six Little Swifts, but unfortunately the boat trip across to the island was too fast and bumpy to be able to bird watch the only sighting being an unidentified tern perched on a floating log. Birdwatching around the resort area itself soon produced a few interesting birds 8 Pied Imperial Pigeon s looking suitably regal outshone Plainthroated and Olive-backed Sunbirds. A prolonged watch from the covered pier mid-afternoon eventually paid off with views of four Greater Crested Terns drifting past on another floating log. Whitebellied Fish-eagles, Common Sandpiper and a few Pacific Reef Egrets kept me entertained and looking back towards the resort, Brown-backed Needletails. Eventually I paid attention to a white egret which I initially thought was a pale phase Reef Egret. Structurally it appeared a bit different, but the very dark green legs and yellow bill were no clearer match to anything in my guide book. Fortunately another Dutch birder, Peter pulled out his Robson guide to SE Asia, and confirmed the bird was clearly a Chinese Egret.

21 Towards dusk I met with Adrian and we took the trail through to the Forest Research Centre, and returning to the resort eventually picked out two Tabon Scrubfowl, my main target on the island. After admiring these for a while as the scratched around on the trail ahead of us (helpfully under a light), dinner beckoned. 25 th March: PTR Adrian arranged for Roger, his companion Mary, and me to be taken over to Snake Island (Kalampunian Damit Island) at 7am in the hope of spotting Nicobar Pigeon. Unfortunately Adrian himself was suffering from gout and unable to join us. Waiting for the boat I had good views of three Blue-naped Parrots. On our outwards journey we were delighted to get excellent views of a female Christmas Frigatebird, before wading ashore. We were left with a couple of park guides whilst the boat returned to pick up a couple of more conventional (late rising) tourists. The small and rather smelly island did not take long to investigate, though the few large trees could I am sure hide a myriad of green pigeons. Suffice it to say we saw none! We did have excellent views of a pair of nesting White-bellied Fish-eagles, the cause of the smell, and presumably the injury to an immature Hodgson s Hawk Cuckoo found amongst the rocks. Once the other tourists arrived our guides duly (or maybe dully) pulled a few sea-snakes out from under the rocks for us to admire these were a little stinky too (the snakes that is). As we waited on the island I had spotted a few distant waders on the large sand-bar between us and the main island, and on our return the others were happy to stop and explore. Given 15 minutes Peter and I birded the island at a gentle sprint! Thankfully this produced excellent views of Greater Sand-Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Sanderling, Turnstone, and best of all, a pair of Malaysian Plovers. Next we stopped at a couple of spots to snorkel, but much of the reef appeared bleached, nonetheless it was nice to be in the water and there were a few pretty fish to admire. Returning a little burnt to the main island we had views of 5 more frigatebirds, 2 of which were identifiable as Lesser Frigatebirds. After lunch I rather ambitiously set off to walk the Larai Larai Trail quite a fascinating if occasionally unnerving experience on my own. This proved excellent I saw several Tabon Scrubfowl, and on the rocks at the Western end of the island a surprise Grey-tailed Tattler. Along the Northern shore is a small marsh and pool that held a second Chinese Egret and a few Common Sandpipers. Returning over the centre of the island via the mud-volcano I saw little more until I reached the mangroves by the Forestry Research centre. Here I could hear but not see Mangrove Whistler, but did have nice views of a male Pink-necked Green Pigeon catching the evening sunshine. Beyond the tree occupied by the pigeon I then caught the amazing spectacle of 66 frigatebirds flying over 6 identifiable as Christmas and 16 as Lesser Frigatebirds. A nice end to the day.

22 26 th March: PTR Kota Kinabalu Dawn on my last day s birding in Borneo saw me heading off to the mangroves for a couple of hours searching for Mangrove Whistler sadly in vain. I did pick up a few waders on the exposed mud new birds for the trip including Whimbrel and Spotted Redshank, and had further nice views of Blue-naped Parrots, Christmas Frigatebirds and Chinese Egret before departure at 9am. Driving towards Kota Kinabalu we stopped a couple of times near Papar to check waders and herons in flooded paddy fields, Wood Sandpiper and Black-winged Stilt being relatively common. Highlight though was the total of six Striated Grassbirds my first. Around mid-day we reached the resort of Tanjung Aru, a regular stake-out for Java Sparrow but not in the heat of this day. After watching the local Blue-naped Parrots for a while we headed back to Kota Kinabalu. At 4pm Adrian kindly picked me up again and we drove out to check the Likas Lagoons. These produced good views of Purple Gallinule, Wandering Whistling- Duck, two more Striated Grassbirds and a repeat sighting of the only Grey Heron of my trip as seen on my first day at the same site. A dusk visit to the entrance of the Wetland Centre failed to produce Mangrove Whistler, but tired as I was, I had thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Paul Sharp (pauljsharp@yahoo.co.uk)

23 Borneo Trip List 4 th to 26 th March Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster: 6 th March 1 BRL; 13 th March 1 Gomantong; 14 th March 20+ Tenigang Besar tributary, 44 Resang tributary; 15 th March 15+ Menangol river; 16 th March 12+ Tenigang Besar tributary, 10+ Menangol river 2. Christmas Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi: 25 th March 1 KDI, 6 Pulau Tiga; 26 th March 3 PTR. 3. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel: 25 th March Palau Tiga 4. Great-billed Heron Ardea cinerea: 5 th March 1 BRL; 6 th March 1 BRL; 7 th March 1 BRL-TT; 16 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 5. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: 4 th March 1 Likas Lagoons; 26 th March 1 Likas Lagoons. 6. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea: 4 th March 6 KKWC; 13 th March 1 between Gomantong and Sukau; 14 th March 6 Tenigang Besar tributary, 4 Resang tributary; 15 th March 2 Menangol river, 6 Kelanap (oxbow) lake; 16 th March 8+ Tenigang Besar tributary, 1 Kinabatangan river; 23 rd March 1 between RC and KK; 26 th March 1 between KP and KK, 5 Likas Lagoons, 2 KKWC. 7. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: 4 th March 8+ KK Airport; 5 th March 5+ KK Airport, 12+ Lahad Airport; 13 th March 1 noted between Lahad Datu and Gomantong; 17 th March 20+ between Sukau and KNP; 23 rd March 12+ between RC and KK; 24 th March 30+ between KK and KP; 26 th March 20+ between KP and KK. 8. Great Egret Egretta alba:4 th March 2+ Likas Lagoons, 2 KKWC; 14 th March 4+ Tenigang Besar tributary, 4+ Resang tributary; 15 th March 4+ Menangol river, 4 Kelanap (oxbow) lake; 16 th March 12+ Tenigang Besar tributary; 23 rd March 4 between KNP and RC, 8 between RC and KK; 24 th March 2-3 between KK and KP; 26 th March 12 Likas Lagoons. 9. Pacific Reef-Egret Egretta sacra: 24 th March 4 PTR; 25 th March 2 KDI; 26 th March 1 Tanjung Aru Resort. 10. Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes: 24 th March 1 PTR; 25 th March 1 North side of Palau Tiga; 26 th March 1 PTR. 11. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia: 4 th March 2-3 KKWC; 24 th March 5+ between KK and KP; 26 th March 2-3 between KP and KK 12. Little Egret Egretta garzetta: 4 th March 10+ Likas Lagoons, 10+ KKWC; 13 th March 3-4 between Lahad Datu and Gomantong, 1 between Gomantong and Sukau; 23 rd March 1 between RC and KK; 24 th March 1 between KK and KP; 26 th March 1 Tanjung Aru Resort, 5 Likas Lagoons 13. Striated Heron Butorides striatus: 4 th March 5-6 KKWC; 8 th March 1 BRL; 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary, 1 Resang tributary; 15 th March 1 Menangol river; 16 th March 2 Tenigang Besar tributary, 2 Kinabatangan river; 24 th March 1 KP; 26 th March 1 mangrove area Pulau Tiga. 14. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax: 13 th March 1 nightcruise along Menangol river: 14 th March 1 Kinabatangan river; 16 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 15. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis: 14 th March 6 night cruise along Kinabatangan river

24 16. Storm s Stork Ciconia stormi: 14 th March 4 Tenigang Besar tributary, 1 from SRL; 15 th March 4 Menangol river, 1 Kelanap (oxbow) lake; 16 th March 3 Tenigang Besar tributary; 17 th March 2 as we left Sukau. 17. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus: 14 th March 1 SRL. 18. Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata: 4 th March 1 Likas Lagoons; 26 th March 9 Likas Lagoons. 19. Osprey Pandion haliaetus: 22 nd March 1 KNP PSN 20. Jerdon s Baza Aviceda jerdoni: 13 th March 1 Gomantong; 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 21. Bat Hawk Machaeramphus alcinus: 6 th March 1 BRL-CW; 10 th March 1 BRL-CW; 13 th March 1-2 Gomantong 22. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus: 16 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 23. Brahminy Kite Heliastur Indus: 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary, 1 SRL, 1 Kinabatangan river; 15 th March 2 SRL, 1 Menangol river 24. White-bellied Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster: 13 th March 1 Gomantong; 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary, 2 Kinabatangan river; 16 th March 5 Tenigang Besar tributary; 24 th March 2 PTR; 25 th March 2 KDI 25. Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis: 7 th March 2 BRL-TT; 12 th March 2 BRL road; 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 26. Grey-headed Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus: 15 th March 1 Menangol river; 16 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 27. Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipter gularis: 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 28. Crested Goshawk Accipter trivirgatus: 14 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 29. Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela: 5 th March 1 BRL; 13 th March 1 between Lahad Datu and Gomantong; 14 th March 8+ Tenigang Besar tributary; 15 th March 1 Kelanap (oxbow) lake; 16 th March 4 Tenigang Besar tributary, 1 Menangol river; 17 th March 2 between Sukau and KNP 30. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis: 7 th March 1 BRL road 31. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii: 14 th March 1 Kinabatangan river; 16 th March 1 Tenigang Besar tributary 32. Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus: 5 th March 1 BRL; 6 th March 2 BRL; 33. Blyth s Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus alboniger: 12 th March 1 BRL-TT 34. Wallace s Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus nanus: 6 th March 1 BRL; 7 th March 2-3 BRL road 35. White-fronted Falconet Microhierax latifrons: 13 th March 1 between Lahad Datu and Gomantong; 14 th March 1 Kinabatangan river 36. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus: 13 th March 3-4 Gomantong. 37. Tabon Scrubfowl Megapodius cumingii: 24 th March 2 PTR; 25 th March 6-7 Larai-Larai Trail on Palau Tiga 38. Red-breasted Partridge Arborophila hyperythra: 21 st March 1 (+3 heard) KNP BUT. 39. Crimson-headed Partridge Haematortyx sanguiniceps: 23 rd March 1 KNP- MT 40. Crested Fireback Lophura ignita nobilis: 5 th March 1 BRL-NT; 6 th March 3 BRL; 9 th March 3 BRL, 1 BRL-TT; 10 th March 1 BRL-TT; 13 th March 2 BRL