Balik Kampung: Sabak revisited

5th February 2011, Kampung Sabak , Kelantan

I was in Kota Bharu during the recent Chinese New Year  holidays,visiting  friends and families. It also provided the opportunity to check out Kampung Sabak’s birdlife. The water level had risen  considerably  since my last visit and the place looks  very different. Lush green grass covered  most of the exposed mudflats and tall reeds had grown along  most parts of the river bank. (shot with a Nokia N900) It is now rainy season  and most of  the mudflats were under water. Intermediate Egrets flying in only to land on the opposite bank, too far  any usable shots. Collared Kingfisher waiting patiently for an opportunity to dive in for fish. Resting after  the morning hunt. I’m not sure whether these are Greater or Lesser Sand Plovers. The one on the right seems bigger than the other two, could this be a Greater SP. A  lone  Pacific Golden Plover hanging around with the Sand Plovers A beautiful multi-coloured crab caught my attention while shooting the Plovers. A dead tree instead of the water for a change! A Yellow-Bittern hiding among the reed.   A White-Browed Crake  feeding cautiously, never  venturing too far from the safety of the reeds An Intermediate Egret Plenty of  Chinese Pond-Herons in the area A Black-Shouldered Kite came to perch on a dead tree by the river bank This female Asian Koel was in a real  hurry to get as far away from the Kite which was on the branch above her. Common Sandpipers I moved  to check out the nearby ponds during the later part of the morning, they used to be paddy fields  but  farming had stopped ever since they were flooded by seawater. (shot with a Nokia N900) I was able to drive around in my car.  As usual the birds were more tolerant to  motor vehicles and I was able to get very close. This White-Throated Kingfisher drying off after an intensive diving session. A  busy Paddy field Pipit  making its way along the sandy ground. White Browed Crake Time to get awa…y Another White Throated Kingfisher. A pair of Blue-Tailed Bee-Eaters My only shot of this beauty, the Common Kingfisher.