Langkawi Birdwatching Tour: Hornbills Galore

When asked for their target birds, they told me that they have seen a Orange-Breasted Green pigeon Treron bicinctus on their own and they were happy to see any birds that come by. 

When one does not have an expected list of target birds... Hornbills galore! 

This Swedish couple had a fascinating morning in viewing a strangling fig tree with matured figs next to the road of Gunung Raya. All three species of hornbills were present on this nice tree. There were the Great Hornbills Buceros bicornis (about ten of them spread out), the Wreathed Hornbills Rhyticeros undulatus (a pair and a juvenile, but were chased out by the Great Hornbills after awhile) and a Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris who stayed for couple of minutes.

An overview of this strangling fig tree. Can you see the figs surrounding this female Wreathed Hornbill?

A male Wreathed Hornbill tossing a fig

Can you spot another hornbill in the background?

A female Great Hornbill (left) and a male Great Hornbill (right) staring at each other.

The female descended to the male and they did this...hmmm

This pair looked contented now

I never get bored in looking at them.

This particular strangling fig tree is still available for these amazing Hornbills to feed on for the next few days. Hurry while stock lasts!

RM3 Charge To Access Langkawi's Recreational Parks

The only remaining nature and recreational areas for the residents of Langkawi would be the waterfalls like Temurun, Durian Perangin, Telaga Tujuh (Seven wells) and Lubok Semilang. Besides Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah, the best and less crowded public beach would be Pantai Pasir Tengorak. 

While the access to all of the above areas are now free until March 2016. As announced by the Director of the Kedah Foresty Department via Malaysiakini news , each visitor to some of the parks managed by this department will be charged RM3 from next month onwards.

Although the names of the parks were mentioned in this report, however, it is unclear to which park will impose such fee. 

Fridays and Saturdays are the weekends where locals would head out with their families and friends to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings that is considered as free for all. There are not many choices for recreational spots now as most of the public beaches are taken away. Such as the stretch of beautiful beach of Pantai Kok will be closed to public very soon.

RM3 is considered as peanuts for foreign tourist but for the locals with low and medium income, they will feel the pinch with such implementation.

The relevant authorities should consider improving and not charging for the use of the facilities such as toilets, shower rooms and car park (the one at Telaga Tujuh) before implementing such fees? Even better if Malaysians with MyKad are exempted from paying the fee!

Happy Chinese New Year 2016

Our precious Dusky Langurs Trachypithecus obscurus or Dusky Leaf Monkeys are herbivorous primate that can be found in the lowland rainforest, plantations or the edge of the forest of Langkawi. They are locally known as "Lutung". They are generally shy. If you wish to get close to watch or photograph them, do approach them gently. Please refrain from feeding any monkeys on this island. During this time of the year, you may have the opportunity to spot newborn Dusky Langurs which are bright orange in colour.