Purple Swamphens

28th December 2011, Bidor , Perak

Local name: Pangling Scientific Name: Porphyrio porphyrio The last time I was there only one swamphen was sighted and it got me  kinda worried. Some parts of the swamphen’s  regular feeding area had been fenced up and the pond looked dry. The reason being the stream had been diverted  into a commercial pond and as a result  the liilies and water hyacinth , the swamphen’s main diet were gone. On this visit the ponds looked green a lush with the water hyacinth in full bloom, the water  was flowing again into the pond, and the swamphens?……….they are back and .thriving!.     Perfectly adapted for life on the floating vegetation, their long toes and large bill make short work of the soft water hyacinth  shoots  .   A juvenile bird  startled by an unwelcomed  visitor. The adult bird wasted no time in getting away from the imminent danger.

Cotton Pygmy Geese

28th December 2011, Bidor , Perak

Local Name: Itik Kapas Scientific Name: Nettapus coromandelianus Stopped over in Bidor on my way back from Ipoh just to check out the ponds. There were not many birds around when I first arrived with the usual species providing some action for a tired birder after a along drive. The rain put a halt to any hope of walking around the ponds. After a short nap it was one last look  before  starting the engine to head home. To my surprise I could see some splashes in the miidle of the  pond and upon closer scrutiny using the bins revealed a group of about 10 Cotton Pygmy geese feeding and playing in  between the water lilies. They were mostly juveniles, one adult female and no adult male (which otherwise would have made it more interesting).         Swimming on a bed of diamonds!

Pink-Necked Pigeons

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

There were plenty of them around but I only managed  a  poor shot of these two.

Paddyfield Pipit

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

Bumped into this little guy, scurrying along the dirt track before she paused momentarily on a grassy patch. I always make an  extra effort to shoot the Pipits because you never know that could be your Richard’s.

Little Egret

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

An adult non breeding Little Egret

Wood Sandpiper

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

A single bird, just making her way along the water’s edge .   PLease correct me if I’m wrong with the ID.

Marsh Sandpiper?

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

A noisy bird, making her presence known as she circled the pond several times before continuing her journey  to her next waypoint.   Please do correct me if I’m wrong with the ID.

Cattle Egret’s Buffalocade

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

Cattle King: Is the ferry service ready Mr Buffalo?… That’s probably what the egret was enquiring. Mr Buffalo: At your service  Cattle King Mr Buffalo: Hop on…. a few extra  bodyguards just to be sure.       Cattle King: Oh oh….What’s up  Special Agent Myna? Agent Myna:  Looks like we have some security issues, better not leave this Buffalocade. There’s a funny looking guy eyeing us through a scope! Cattle King: Oh… come on, this is Bidor. They don’t shoot Egrets  out here… do they? Agent Myna: ‘One can’t be too sure Cattle King. From what I hear things are quite bad in Kuala Selangor, they are not locals and egrets are their delicacy!'

Little Ringed Plover

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

A lone Little-ringed Plover  looking bit lost. Maybe she strayed off course and ended up in Bidor .

Lesser Whistling Ducks

14th October 2011, Bidor, Perak

5 Lesser Whistling Ducks  were resting on the opposite side of the pond. Took some shot and attempted to move closer but these ducks just would not tolerate anybody approaching them on foot. They  took flight once I  entered their comfort zone.

Hens of Bidor

21st April 2010, Bidor, Perak.

It was very late in the afternoon and it was drizzling. Not many Black Backed Swamphens were out feeding in the open.  This one was the closest to the car –the obvious choice to shoot. The Ruak-Ruak , White Breasted Waterhen were very active Saw two Common Moorhens scooting away .

Zebra Dove

21st April 2010, Bidor, Perak.

A common bird but I just like the setting.

Yellow Bittern

21st April 2010, Bidor, Perak.

Went looking for the Cinnamon Bittern but  no luck.  Only the Yellow Bitterns were there- they gave  me  opportunity to obtain some improvement shots. It  was drizzling and these were shot  handheld from the car.

Blue Throated Bee-eater

21st April 2010, Bidor, Perak.

A  male Blue Throated Bee-Eater  scanning the area before  beginning his  hunting sweeps.

Yellow Bittern – Not Shy

12 August 2009, Bidor, Perak   It was fascinating to watch this Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) local name : Puchong Merah, hunting near the waters edge. Full concentration and all senses locked on target before striking.