As a non-birder until the beginner’s course, I would constantly notice the variety of birds outside my window and it would gladden my heart to see the beautiful birds chirping happily and the young in the nest being fed. When it rained, I would wish the babies would not fall off the nest and soon the many birds grew on me as time went by. That was how my interest in birds began.
Thus my journey into the world of birding began one weekend at Fraser’s Hill. It is useful to learn about the basics and good etiquette of birding from the start. What better way to learn these than from experienced and knowledgeable birders, the dedicated committee members of the MNS Selangor Bird Group. The trainers presented well-researched and informative topics on birding equipment, attire, bird topography, ethics, field craft, the environment and conservation efforts. The benefits gained from learning about these subjects directly from the trainers, who had imparted their knowledge with the human touch are immeasurable. It had deepened my appreciation of the birds in a way that no amount of reading on my own could have achieved. Every trainer, who presented a talk on their respective topic, spoke with such passion that the world of birding gradually began to unfold before me. To the trainers’ credit, the statement that had made the most lasting imprint on my mind was “birds come first”. It was not merely that the statement was worn on their T-shirts that had produced this impact on me, but it was the deep sense of commitment to the welfare of the birds that I had observed that had awakened me to the realization that, central to the activity of birding, is to place the welfare of the birds as top priority. Now that we have our priority right, the birders-to-be were ready to embark on the practical aspects of birding.
Out in the field, my lifers’ list expanded very quickly. On my first outing, I spotted a Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Garrulax mitratus, Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides and Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus percussus(female). It was exciting for every few minutes, a lifer would appear…the Little Cuckoo Dove Macropygia ruficeps (male), Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni (male and female) and Streaked Spiderhunter. I was thrilled to spot these lifers and with the help of the trainers pointing us to the correct families and prompting us to note certain features, we were able to make positive identification. During the course of the next two days, I had spotted many more lifers, including a rather stunning but elusive Large Niltava Niltava grandis (male), Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina, Black-and-Crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus(male) and the Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis. By the end of the course, I had managed to add Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti, Fire-tufted Barbet Psilopogon pyrrolophus, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus and Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus (male) to my list of lifers.
It was rather creative of the trainers to design a game of bird identification in a classroom environment. Slides of birds were shown at short intervals simulating actual birding conditions where we had to learn to make a quick sketch and note distinctive features. The game was stressful yet fun. However, my skills in identifying the families were not adequate to score decent points but somehow I had felt slightly more advanced in the field after the game. Perhaps it was the “experience” of noting so many birds in a short time.
I came away from the Beginner’s Course with invaluable lessons that would equip me for birding properly and responsibly. A dilemma I now face is to reconcile birding with my other hobby, photography. I understand the importance of taking notes and practising “birds come first” and will continue doing so. However I am not yet prepared to trade my existing SLR for a digiscoping system.
It had been a truly rewarding and enriching course. I am very grateful to the trainers for their genuine dedication and effort to show us the way into the world of birding.
text by Pauline Lee (MNS member)
photos by David Lai
Showing posts with label Courses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courses. Show all posts
Monday, 12 May 2008
Friday, 15 June 2007
Of Beginners, Bins and Birds - by Lillian Danielle Khoo
It was Friday evening and the excitement of finally going for the much-anticipated Bird-watching Introductory Course clearly over-shadowed the sheer exhaustion of braving Friday city traffic after a hectic week.
Fraser’s Hill was still as quaint and as inviting as I remembered. We arrived at Jelai Resthouse just in time to crash in on Mr. Woo’s talk on binoculars. We were offered Minox and Leica binoculars (‘bins’ in birding lingo) to use and were told not to part with them for the entire course – a very generous offer by Schmidt Marketing since each could cost over RM6,000. Over the next 3 days, each of us had a foreign object permanently attached to us – our borrowed bins.
After a sumptuous al fresco dinner, we assembled back indoors for our first theory session. Little did I know that the anatomy of a bird could be segmented with such detail and precision. A keen interest in ornithology requires much patience and an eye for details. For a great number of species, 2 species might only be told apart by a slight variation in the marking on its plumage, therefore it is a basic building-block of bird-watching skills to know how to note the different physical characteristics of a bird.
All the bird biology left us a little exhausted, and we were ushered back to our rooms for an early slumber.
(Studying hard during the classroom sessions)
6:30am - an insane hour to be waking up on a Saturday morning, but the fresh crisp air and the sound of the melodious birds was a good enough reason to wake up. Armed with my bins and notebook, I was ready for my first practical session at…. the Jelai Resthouse driveway? We were told that the birds at Fraser’s Hill were friendly and co-operative but this lot gave it a new meaning. Within the surrounding greenery of the driveway we were able to spot many feathered friends big and small, colourful and bland - perched close and long enough for us birder-wannabes to note their intricate physical markings.
Bird ogling did wonders for our appetite. After feasting on a hearty breakfast, we were guided by the dedicated and seasoned birders in identifying the birds we had just seen. It was an amazing first session with over 12 species sighted in 2 hours! We knew we were in for an exciting time over the next few practical sessions. We were introduced to various bird-watching spots, which included… the rubbish dumpsite? The coming sessions over the 2 days brought us more ‘lifers’ – a birding term denoting the first time that the bird species is sighted by the birder. Being a newbie, almost every bird I saw was a lifer.
(Identifying birds from the field notes taken during the morning's birding)
Unbeknown to me then, I had actually embarked on a beautiful journey of recording every lifer in my field guide – like a treasure hunter seeking jewels and gems in the wilderness. My life has changed in many subtle ways. Armed with the imparted know-how, I am now inclined to search for winged beings in the trees and in the skies as I go about my daily chores.
The dedicated volunteers of the Bird Group have done an amazing job in educating us in the basics and in sharing their passion and enthusiasm with us. They were also always quick to emphasise the importance of bird and habitat conservation. With over 700 species of birds found in Malaysia (including migratory species), we should take pride and play a more pro-active role in their conservation.
Fraser’s Hill was still as quaint and as inviting as I remembered. We arrived at Jelai Resthouse just in time to crash in on Mr. Woo’s talk on binoculars. We were offered Minox and Leica binoculars (‘bins’ in birding lingo) to use and were told not to part with them for the entire course – a very generous offer by Schmidt Marketing since each could cost over RM6,000. Over the next 3 days, each of us had a foreign object permanently attached to us – our borrowed bins.
After a sumptuous al fresco dinner, we assembled back indoors for our first theory session. Little did I know that the anatomy of a bird could be segmented with such detail and precision. A keen interest in ornithology requires much patience and an eye for details. For a great number of species, 2 species might only be told apart by a slight variation in the marking on its plumage, therefore it is a basic building-block of bird-watching skills to know how to note the different physical characteristics of a bird.
All the bird biology left us a little exhausted, and we were ushered back to our rooms for an early slumber.
(Studying hard during the classroom sessions)6:30am - an insane hour to be waking up on a Saturday morning, but the fresh crisp air and the sound of the melodious birds was a good enough reason to wake up. Armed with my bins and notebook, I was ready for my first practical session at…. the Jelai Resthouse driveway? We were told that the birds at Fraser’s Hill were friendly and co-operative but this lot gave it a new meaning. Within the surrounding greenery of the driveway we were able to spot many feathered friends big and small, colourful and bland - perched close and long enough for us birder-wannabes to note their intricate physical markings.
Practical sessions also meant that we were able to put theory into practice: “on the tall and skinny tree – 2 o’clock” and “chestnut crown and vent, short yellow bill, white orbital skin…” were some of the phrases commonly heard amongst the crowd as we practised our birding lingo. Of course, after years of emceeing for Raptor Watch, it was second nature to shout out “Raptor overhead!” when a majestic Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) came soaring above us during breakfast.
(John's Field Lesson #1: How NOT to point at the bird)
Bird ogling did wonders for our appetite. After feasting on a hearty breakfast, we were guided by the dedicated and seasoned birders in identifying the birds we had just seen. It was an amazing first session with over 12 species sighted in 2 hours! We knew we were in for an exciting time over the next few practical sessions. We were introduced to various bird-watching spots, which included… the rubbish dumpsite? The coming sessions over the 2 days brought us more ‘lifers’ – a birding term denoting the first time that the bird species is sighted by the birder. Being a newbie, almost every bird I saw was a lifer.
(Identifying birds from the field notes taken during the morning's birding)Unbeknown to me then, I had actually embarked on a beautiful journey of recording every lifer in my field guide – like a treasure hunter seeking jewels and gems in the wilderness. My life has changed in many subtle ways. Armed with the imparted know-how, I am now inclined to search for winged beings in the trees and in the skies as I go about my daily chores.
The dedicated volunteers of the Bird Group have done an amazing job in educating us in the basics and in sharing their passion and enthusiasm with us. They were also always quick to emphasise the importance of bird and habitat conservation. With over 700 species of birds found in Malaysia (including migratory species), we should take pride and play a more pro-active role in their conservation.
Thursday, 30 November 2006
Intermediate Bird-watching Course @ KSNP
A DIFFERENT SORT OF WEEKEND!!!
Eighteen willing ‘victims’ descended upon Kuala Selangor Nature Park for what was to prove a weekend of a very different sort!
The first task was ‘FOOD’, so concentration would be at a premium. The classroom session began with Bird Topography. I found it quite a shock to have to discuss the Supercilium and Greater coverts instead of what I would previously have referred to as the ‘bit over the eye’ and the ‘wings’, but after a while it seemed quite normal.
More classroom sessions included Songs and Calls that are made by various birds and how to use different techniques to remember them. Once again, having thought this would never sink in, I was surprised to find that during a field practical I could remember some of them.
Up at six for breakfast, YES-SIX! I thought I would never get through the day...
A great morning and lots of help from all. During the fieldwork, Rafi kept up a running commentary on every bird along the way - I have never seen such an enthusiastic person.
I don’t know why, but it seemed as though there were more birds in the park than usual. Was this something to do with Andrew (Head of Parks), or were our eyes and ears more in tune because of the company we were keeping?
Classroom discussions followed and it soon became clear why we had to be so methodical in note-taking - what you thought you saw was easy to forget if all details had not been noted down.
Then followed lunch, more theory, and fieldwork with scopes. Then dinner and more classroom sessions where people who were not artists or mimics put their skills (?) to the test! This made everyone laugh and did actually teach us how field sketches and notes should be made. By this time the whole day had become an enjoyable blur and all went off to bed with myself dreaming of “Three cheers for one more bottle.”
Up again at the crack of dawn and off with different trainers. An unusual bird was observed by at least five people, but the bird was not in any guide, so what was it? David, who knows all birds, was perplexed.
We finally took our leave, except Margaret, who stayed behind in order to, I am sure, check out the mystery bird.
All in all, a truly fantastic experience and a great weekend that Helen (my wife) and I would not have missed for the world.
I think I speak for the whole group when I say we owe a great deal of thanks to the trainers –Bing, Nina, Julia, Veiven, David, Angela, Rafi and Andrew for all their time, effort and giving up their weekend. The help that I personally was given will be remembered and used to my advantage in future, and I hope the same applies for the rest of the group.
I cannot put into such a few words what I would like to say, except thanks to everyone and … THREE CHEERS FOR US!!!
Vincent Marsland 27th November 2006
Particpant
Eighteen willing ‘victims’ descended upon Kuala Selangor Nature Park for what was to prove a weekend of a very different sort!
The first task was ‘FOOD’, so concentration would be at a premium. The classroom session began with Bird Topography. I found it quite a shock to have to discuss the Supercilium and Greater coverts instead of what I would previously have referred to as the ‘bit over the eye’ and the ‘wings’, but after a while it seemed quite normal.
More classroom sessions included Songs and Calls that are made by various birds and how to use different techniques to remember them. Once again, having thought this would never sink in, I was surprised to find that during a field practical I could remember some of them.
Up at six for breakfast, YES-SIX! I thought I would never get through the day...
A great morning and lots of help from all. During the fieldwork, Rafi kept up a running commentary on every bird along the way - I have never seen such an enthusiastic person.
I don’t know why, but it seemed as though there were more birds in the park than usual. Was this something to do with Andrew (Head of Parks), or were our eyes and ears more in tune because of the company we were keeping?
Classroom discussions followed and it soon became clear why we had to be so methodical in note-taking - what you thought you saw was easy to forget if all details had not been noted down.
Then followed lunch, more theory, and fieldwork with scopes. Then dinner and more classroom sessions where people who were not artists or mimics put their skills (?) to the test! This made everyone laugh and did actually teach us how field sketches and notes should be made. By this time the whole day had become an enjoyable blur and all went off to bed with myself dreaming of “Three cheers for one more bottle.”
Up again at the crack of dawn and off with different trainers. An unusual bird was observed by at least five people, but the bird was not in any guide, so what was it? David, who knows all birds, was perplexed.
We finally took our leave, except Margaret, who stayed behind in order to, I am sure, check out the mystery bird.
All in all, a truly fantastic experience and a great weekend that Helen (my wife) and I would not have missed for the world.
I think I speak for the whole group when I say we owe a great deal of thanks to the trainers –Bing, Nina, Julia, Veiven, David, Angela, Rafi and Andrew for all their time, effort and giving up their weekend. The help that I personally was given will be remembered and used to my advantage in future, and I hope the same applies for the rest of the group.
I cannot put into such a few words what I would like to say, except thanks to everyone and … THREE CHEERS FOR US!!!
Vincent Marsland 27th November 2006
Particpant
Wednesday, 27 April 2005
Advanced Bird-watching Course, 2005: By Lu Ping Yan
The advanced bird-watching course was held in Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara between the 21st to the 25th of April, 2005.
A week earlier, a briefing was conducted at the MNS headquarters to prepare the participants for what was to be expected and what to bring along for the course. There were four instructors and 16 participants. The instructors were Khoo Swee Seng, Carol Ho, Nina Lai and Yang Chong. Telescopes and photography equipment were strictly prohibited as the emphasis of the course was on carefully observing birds, recognizing bird calls and keeping good field notes. These would help us appreciate the importance and utility of recording observations in a systematic manner, help develop keenness of observation and facilitate subsequent identification of the birds seen. At least, that was what the instructors had hoped.
We set out for Kuala Tahan at 6.30 am on the 21st of April, 2005. Our vehicles formed a loose convoy but we kept in close contact using walkie-talkies.
We reached Kuala Tahan at about 11.30 am. Accommodation was in the form of chalets rented from Rosnah, a quiet woman, who was obviously a strong proponent of the minimalist concept. This clearly showed through her lodgings. Four people to a chalet, two double-decker beds per chalet. Bathing and toilet facilities were communal.
The participants were divided into four groups. Each of us was given a "Bird-Sightings" notebook into which we were supposed to meticulously record:
The group leaders managed time strictly in order to maximize the time available for actual bird-watching. There was a short period of rest after arrival. We then registered with the park authorities and went on the first of our field trips into the trails from 2.00 pm until about 7.00 pm. On the 22nd and 23rd, we were bird-watching from 7.30 am till about 7.00 pm. On the last day, we started at 7.30 am and returned to camp at 1.00 pm.
Dinner was provided and the food was really good. After dinner, the participants assembled in their respective groups to discuss the jottings of their bird sightings for the day with the group leader. These discussions were lively and very enjoyable. Various bird guides were consulted and with the help of the group leaders, most if not all the birds sighted were identified. There were also very accurate imitations of bird calls by some of the group leaders. Not only were these imitations of bird calls amusing and entertaining, they were very educational as well. For many of us now, bird calls will no longer merely be an indication that birds are present, we will now know what types of birds they are. Some of us, though by no means experts in bird calls, find ourselves more attentive and sensitive to bird calls and feel particular joy in being able to recognize a particular call. The evening discussions usually ended by 10.00 pm following which we retired for the night.
Most of the trails were not physically demanding except that some participants found the Lubok Simpon - Jenut Muda trail rather tiring. Three cheers for the group leaders who were splendid. Rumour has it that the members of one particular group under an excellent and exacting leader have developed leg, arm and neck muscles like the Hulk's. Moreover, for these particular group of participants, Linnaeus' method of taxonomic classification with Latin generic and specific names have taken on an endearing and enduring significance!
The collective bird-sightings for this trip :
Babblers
Barbets
Broadbills
Bulbuls
Crows
Cuckoo
Dollarbird
Drongos
Eagles
Asian Fairy-Bluebird
Crested Fireback (M, F)
Flycatchers
Hornbills
Kingfishers
Malayan Rail-Babbler
Malkohas
Monarchs
Parrots
Pittas
Scimitar babbler
White-rumped Sharma
Trogons
Woodpeckers
The highlights of the trip and everyone's favorite sightings were the Hooded Pitta and the Blue-winged Pitta. For many of us, this was the first time we had ever seen pittas and what a gorgeous sight they were indeed!
At the end of the trip, some of us developed rashes and many of us had aching muscles. I personally found myself very tired and a little sore in the lower limbs and back yet strangely distinctly satisfied and already thinking of joining similar trips in the future. Surely, this must be testimony to how enjoyable and educational this field trip has been to many of us! "THANK YOU" once again to the organizers and group leaders of the "Advanced Bird-Watching Course, 2005"!
A week earlier, a briefing was conducted at the MNS headquarters to prepare the participants for what was to be expected and what to bring along for the course. There were four instructors and 16 participants. The instructors were Khoo Swee Seng, Carol Ho, Nina Lai and Yang Chong. Telescopes and photography equipment were strictly prohibited as the emphasis of the course was on carefully observing birds, recognizing bird calls and keeping good field notes. These would help us appreciate the importance and utility of recording observations in a systematic manner, help develop keenness of observation and facilitate subsequent identification of the birds seen. At least, that was what the instructors had hoped.
We set out for Kuala Tahan at 6.30 am on the 21st of April, 2005. Our vehicles formed a loose convoy but we kept in close contact using walkie-talkies.
We reached Kuala Tahan at about 11.30 am. Accommodation was in the form of chalets rented from Rosnah, a quiet woman, who was obviously a strong proponent of the minimalist concept. This clearly showed through her lodgings. Four people to a chalet, two double-decker beds per chalet. Bathing and toilet facilities were communal.
The participants were divided into four groups. Each of us was given a "Bird-Sightings" notebook into which we were supposed to meticulously record:
- the name of the trail
- weather conditions
- time of sighting
- a description of the site of the bird sighting (on the ground, in a bush, near or away from water, if in a tree ñ whether at low-level, mid-level or in the canopy)
- a description of the bird itself (colour of crown, lores, throat, beak, eye ring, iris, orbital skin, breast, belly, vent, mantle, wings, rump, tail, legs; approximate size; single, in pairs or in groups)
- identification where possible and,
- to note the call of the bird where possible
The group leaders managed time strictly in order to maximize the time available for actual bird-watching. There was a short period of rest after arrival. We then registered with the park authorities and went on the first of our field trips into the trails from 2.00 pm until about 7.00 pm. On the 22nd and 23rd, we were bird-watching from 7.30 am till about 7.00 pm. On the last day, we started at 7.30 am and returned to camp at 1.00 pm.
Dinner was provided and the food was really good. After dinner, the participants assembled in their respective groups to discuss the jottings of their bird sightings for the day with the group leader. These discussions were lively and very enjoyable. Various bird guides were consulted and with the help of the group leaders, most if not all the birds sighted were identified. There were also very accurate imitations of bird calls by some of the group leaders. Not only were these imitations of bird calls amusing and entertaining, they were very educational as well. For many of us now, bird calls will no longer merely be an indication that birds are present, we will now know what types of birds they are. Some of us, though by no means experts in bird calls, find ourselves more attentive and sensitive to bird calls and feel particular joy in being able to recognize a particular call. The evening discussions usually ended by 10.00 pm following which we retired for the night.
Most of the trails were not physically demanding except that some participants found the Lubok Simpon - Jenut Muda trail rather tiring. Three cheers for the group leaders who were splendid. Rumour has it that the members of one particular group under an excellent and exacting leader have developed leg, arm and neck muscles like the Hulk's. Moreover, for these particular group of participants, Linnaeus' method of taxonomic classification with Latin generic and specific names have taken on an endearing and enduring significance!
The collective bird-sightings for this trip :
Babblers
- Black-capped
- Horsefields
- Abbott's
- Scaly-crowned
Barbets
- Gold-whiskered
- Red-throated (Heard)
- Yellow-crowned (Heard)
Broadbills
- Black-and-red
- Black-and-yellow
- Green (M, F)
- Banded (M, F)
Bulbuls
- Olive-winged
- Black-headed
- Striped-throated
- Straw-headed
- Hairy-backed
Crows
- Slender-billed
Cuckoo
- Indian (Heard - incessantly)
- Plaintive (Heard)
Dollarbird
Drongos
- Greater Racket-tailed
Eagles
- Lesser Fish-Eagle
Asian Fairy-Bluebird
Crested Fireback (M, F)
Flycatchers
- Asian Paradise (Male dark morph, F)
Hornbills
- Black
- Helmeted (Heard)
Kingfishers
- White-throated
- Blue-banded
Malayan Rail-Babbler
Malkohas
- Black-bellied
- Raffles'
Monarchs
- Black-naped
- Rufous-winged (Male common morph, male blue morph, F)
Parrots
- Blue-rumped
Pittas
- Hooded
- Blue-winged
Scimitar babbler
- Chestnut-backed
White-rumped Sharma
Trogons
- Red-naped
- Diard's
Woodpeckers
- Great Slaty
- Rufous piculet
- Crimson-winged
- Banded
- Grey-and-buff
- White-bellied
The highlights of the trip and everyone's favorite sightings were the Hooded Pitta and the Blue-winged Pitta. For many of us, this was the first time we had ever seen pittas and what a gorgeous sight they were indeed!
At the end of the trip, some of us developed rashes and many of us had aching muscles. I personally found myself very tired and a little sore in the lower limbs and back yet strangely distinctly satisfied and already thinking of joining similar trips in the future. Surely, this must be testimony to how enjoyable and educational this field trip has been to many of us! "THANK YOU" once again to the organizers and group leaders of the "Advanced Bird-Watching Course, 2005"!
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