Langkawi experienced an unusual weather in September 2025. During this month when the South West Monsoon is peaked and high rainfall is usually expected, it was hot and humid instead. The temperature on some days in September was 35C. I was out at the reeds on the third week of September and a Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus) here was observed taking a rest in the shade.
And now came November 2025, when the beginning of the dry season is expected and instead, the island experienced higher rainfall than usual. One of the reasons was due to super typhoons happened in neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Philippines. And recently, from 23rd November the Northern Malaysia and Southern Thailand were hit with mini typhoon. Continuous torrential rainfall and super wind speed resulted in devastating floods and landslides in our Asean region.
Soon after Cyclone Senyar developed and hit North Sumatera before passing Peninsular Malaysia on 28th November via Straits of Malacca. Senyar has disappeared now and this is the first record in history for Malaysia to experience such tropical storm.
What will the next raining season be like for Langkawi next year?
As for this bird, Paddyfield Pipit is our resident bird species and commonly found in the open fields, reeds and paddyfields (hence the name). If any of you e-birders out there are guessing if a pipit you see is a Richard's or Bltyh's and you are unsure, it will be Paddyfield by default.
