Day Trip: Intro to Birdwatching, Lake Gardens

Ever wondered why people find birds fascinating? There are over 700 bird species in Malaysia. While you may already know the Sparrow, Myna and Crow, let us show you more -- from Sunbirds, to Kingfishers and Woodpeckers -- right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur!
 
All are welcome. Join us at 7am at the Bukit Aman carpark (opposite the police station). Wear comfortable walking shoes and earth-coloured clothing. Bring along your binoculars, a hat, drinking water, some snack; and an umbrella, just in case!
 
For more information or to register, call or sms Tang (012-306 1133); 6pm and 10pm. See you then! 

Talk: Little Grebe – Life-cycle and Behaviour

· 11 December (Thursday)
· MNS HQ Auditorium
· 8pm
· All are welcome

Come watch and learn about the Little Grebe, a small duck-like waterbird found in open bodies of water. Tan Sri Dr Mustaffa Babjee will share his observations and a video that shows the life-cycle and behavior of the Little Grebe observed for almost two years at two ponds at Janda Baik.

The 28-minute video will show the courting, mating, nest construction, incubation, parenting and the environment for breeding of these aquatic birds.

Dr Mustaffa is a retired veterinarian, whose hobby is nature study and photography.

Intermediate Birdwatching Course @ KSNP

· 21* - 23 November (Fri-Sun)
· 2 days / 2 nights
· RM 200 per person** (MNS members only)

Are you able to identify birds, but maybe have difficulty with
Bulbuls, Warblers and Egrets, which all look so similar? Aware of different bird calls, but need help learning them?

If so, the Intermediate Course is for you! Join us for two
 nights and two days of practical and classroom sessions at Kuala
Selangor Nature Park. We will also touch on monitoring techniques, and how you can contribute towards conservation.


Book your place early! For details, email, call or sms Swee Seng (013-386 3663) before 10pm. Participants need to have their own binoculars and field guide. This course is not suitable for Beginners. 



* Check-in time is 7pm sharp on Friday evening.
** Covers accommodation, meals, transportation and course materials.

Workshop: "T-shirts Have Nine Lives"

· 15 November (Saturday)
· MNS HQ Auditorium
· 2pm sharp – 6pm

Don't throw that T-shirt away, turn it into funky, goofy, snazzy, or just plain functional items! Make yourself or loved ones: 1) a travel pillow; 2) a sleep mask; 3) a pair of add-on sleeves to keep sun rays and thirsty insects away; or 4) a jacket for the passport.

Or, make chubby little stars for the Christmas tree! Handmade presents are gentle on the environment, and they've got character; closer to the heart than what money can buy.

Fabric + scissors + needle + thread + a big smile = Your recipe to great handmade presents! Just bring your own T-shirt fabric, and we'll prepare the rest.

For ages 7 and up. Your contribution of RM 6 will help to cushion costs. Please register in advance. Email your full name and membership number to threelittlepiks@gmail.com. See you there!

Long Trip: Birding Gems of Langkawi

· 7 - 10 November (Fri-Mon)
· 4 days / 3 nights
· RM 320 per person* ex-Langkawi (MNS members only)

Langkawi Island in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia is a place to seek out bird species that do not occur further south. Don't miss out on the chance to see the Brown-winged Kingfisher, Plain-backed Sparrow, Mountain Hawk-eagle, Black-hooded Oriole and Jerdon’s Baza. November is a good time to possibly spot some exotic migrant birds.

To register, call or sms Alan (016-3322 991) by 24 October. The pre-trip meeting is planned for Thursday, 30 October at 8pm at the MNS HQ Auditorium.


* This includes accommodation and transportation on the island. It will also cover the cost of a boat trip. Meals are on your own account. Participants are required to make their own way to Langkawi and to meet at a pre-determined place on 7 November. You will have an option to extend your stay in Langkawi on your own with 4 nights with accommodation free.

Talk: "Biological Conservation and Sustainable Management of Swiftlets" by Lord Cranbrook

· 4 November (Tuesday)
· Schmidt Marketing, 5th Floor, Wisma Domain, Petaling Jaya
· 8pm

Lord Cranbrook's first appointment was with the Sarawak Museum in 1956. After a post-doctoral fellowship in Indonesia, he was appointed to the Zoology Department of the University of Malaya (1961–1970).

Through a subsequent career as biologist and parliamentarian (in the UK House of Lords, 1978–1999) he has maintained close links with Malaysia and pursued research in zooarchaeology, wildlife conservation and the ecology of living vertebrates.

With over 50 years of research on the cave swiftlets of the Indo-Pacific region, he is also the author of many scientific papers concerning the field identification of these birds, their breeding biology and echolocation. He remains Honorary Curator of Mammals at the Sarawak Museum, and was awarded the honour PNBS (Honorary).

It is a privilege to have Lord Cranbrook (Lord Medway) give us a talk. For directions to the venue, call or email Swee Seng (013-386 3663) before 10pm.

Workshop: Identification of Asian Raptors

· Day One: 18 October (Sat)
Classroom work at MNS HQ Auditorium

· Day Two: 19 October (Sun, morning)
Field practice in Bagan Lalang, Sepang

Raptor Study Group of Bird Conservation Council will hold a workshop on raptor identification and counting. The aim is to build up a pool of proficient raptor watchers required during events such as Raptor Watch Week.

This one and half day programme consists of one-day classroom work and a half-day field practice at Bagan Lalang, Sepang. Classroom work and material is FOC but participants will need to share the cost of car-pooling to and from Sepang (approximately RM 45 per head).

To enrol, please email Aun Tiah or sms him (012-697 9075) by 14 Oct, providing name and mobile number. As space in the auditorium is limited, priority will be given to birders who have previously volunteered for RWW.

Long Trip: Watching Raptors in Chumphon, Thailand

· 10 - 15 October (Fri-Wed)
· 6 days / 5 nights
· RM 450 per person* (MNS members only)

Stand on top of a 200m hill, with binoculars focused on hundreds of Oriental Honey Buzzards, Grey-faced Buzzards, Chinese Goshawks, Japanese Sparrowhawks, Shikras, Peregrine Falcons, Greater Spotted Eagles. Not just raptors, but other migrant species such as Black Drongos and Bee-eaters as well!

Khao Radar is sited along the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand. It is well known to Thai birders as a choke-point, giving birders and photographers spectacular views and photo-taking opportunities.

Led by Lim Aun Tiah and Lee Oon Teik, the program begins with a night journey by express bus from Puduraya Station (KL) to Hatyai.

The following morning we take local vans to Chumphon. We spend two full days birding at Khao Radar, and one day in Chumphon for its culinary delights and local places of interest.

On the 4th night we board an air-conditioned Thai train (berths provided) from Chumphon, arriving Hatyai at 7am the next morning. After breakfast we take an express bus back to KL, arriving at around 7pm on 15 October (Wed).

Book now, before the seats get snapped up! For details, call or sms Oon Teik (017-889 7510) or Swee Seng (013-386 3663) before 10pm.

* Covers transport, hotel and local transfers. Food on individual account. Cost subject to change (should there be a drastic increase in fuel prices).

Day Trip: Old Pump House Road, Genting Highlands

Make a date with birds of the sub-montane forest -- Hornbills, Barbets, Wren-Babblers, Woodpeckers and a whole lot more!

We will meet at 7am sharp at the Indian restaurant next to Seri Malaysia hotel at Gohtong Jaya. Click here for a map to Genting Highlands (scroll down, to Map To Genting).

All MNS members are welcome (please note that the Old Pump House Road is on an incline for some of the way). Wear comfortable walking shoes and earth-coloured clothing. Don't forget to bring along your binoculars, a hat, a light-weight raincoat, drinking water and snack.

To register, call or sms your name and membership number to Tang (012-306 1133); 7pm to 10pm. Go green. Car-pool when you can!

Long Trip: Panti Forest Reserve & Kuala Sedili

· 12 - 15 September (Fri-Mon)
· 4 days / 3 nights
· RM 340 per person* (MNS members only)

Panti Forest Reserve is a lowland forest while Kuala Sedili, along the east coast of Johor, is one of a few places to see the Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii, our only resident species of shorebird.

One trip, two habitats, with plenty of birds to see! To register, call or sms Alan (016-3322 991) by 29 August. Please indicate if you would like to drive. Car-pooling arrangements will be made at the pre-trip meeting on 4 September (Thu) at 8pm at the MNS HQ Auditorium.

* Covers car-pooling expenses and twin-sharing accommodation. Food on individual account.