Saturday, February 11, 2012

AWC Loagan Bunut National Park 4-5th Feb 2012

This year our survey covered the entire width and breadth of the Loagan Bunut without traversing Sg Teru as per previous years. We covered the lakes twice, once in the late afternoon and another in the morning the next day. Map and tracks courtesy of Musa Musbah 2012.

As per last year's visit, our AWC party to Loagan Bunut National Park remained low keyed. We left in two cars, a 4WD Hilux and a rented Unser which not your typical vehicle to be found traversing the adventurous road to the park. Fortunately the weather was with us, we arrived our intended destination on time as planned after a brief stop-over at Beluru.

This year's AWC had the following people tagging along : Musa Musbah, Sara Wong, Grace Len, Sim Yuh Thin, Jane Doe, Amer Matridi, Nazeri Abghani, Edward Ong, Remli Adenan, Ali Nazeri and Aisya Nazeri.

We crammed two boatrides along the lake for $60/boat for 4 persons and $10/head for each additional persons per ride. Evenings are good due to cooling weather and dramatic clouds drifting over till sunset. Morning time is always best for glorious morning clouds and sunny rays of sunshine. We had rain on our morning boatride this year but it was well worth it.

Over the years the resident Oriental Darter has always been the highlight of the the lake. Following closely is the possibility of maybe a Great Heron (listed but we have yet to see it at our normal haunts), Storm's Stork (first recorded 1999 by MNS Miri Branch AWC crew) and Grey-headed Fish Eagle (recorded twice before during the early years but hasn't got onto the list over past 2-3 years).

With the lake habitat, Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Changeable Hawk Eagle are regularly seen coasting over the waters. Hornbills the likes of Asian Black Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbill are regulars. Bigger hornbill species are scarce in the area if any due to lack of any major presence of large fruiting trees. Other memorable species are Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Grey Imperial Pigeon and various egrets and herons.

This year Oriental Darter did not fail us : we saw close to 10 darters all around the lake. Several Osprey and Purple Heron also made the list.

Our complete birdlist at this year's AWC is as follows:

Loagan Bunut AWC Saturday 4th Feb 2012 (5.30 pm to 7 pm.)
1. White-bellied Sea Eagle = 1
2. Pacific Swallow = 3
3. Large-billed Crow = 9
4. Tree Swift sp. = 30
5. Olive-backed Sunbird = 2 (heard sound along the lake)
6. Hornbill sp. = 1 (heard sound along the lake)
7. Asian Black Hornbill = 7
8. Flowerpecker sp. = 2
9. Purple Heron = 1
10. Grey Imperial Pigeon = 5
11. Broadbill sp.= 1 (heard sound along the lake)
12. Blue crown Hanging Parrot = 4
13. Black and Red Broadbill = 1
14. Striped Tit Babbler = 1 (heard sound along the lake)
15. Osprey = 1
16. Tern sp. = 35
17. Little Heron = 3
18. Stork-billed Kingfisher = 1

Loagan Bunut AWC Sunday 5th Feb 2012 (7 am to 930 am.)
1. Swiftlet = 63
2. Osprey = 6
3. Large-billed Crow = 2
4. Rufous-backed Kingfisher = 1
5. Hill Myna = 5
6. Yellow-vented Bulbul = 1
7. Little Heron = 1
8. Flowerpecker sp. = 3
9. Pacific Swallow = 1
10. Olive-backed Sunbird = 2
11. Stork-billed Kingfisher = 5
12. Purple Heron = 10
13. Oriental Darter = 10
14. Olive-backed Sunbird = 5
15. Striped Tit Babler =1
16. Great Egret = 1
17. White-bellied Sea Eagle = 2
18. Asian Black Hornbill = 3
19. Tree Swift sp. = 17
20. Black-bellied Malkoha = 1
21. Long-tailed Parakeet = 5
22. Brahminy Kite = 1
23. Owl sp. = 1 (unidentified)

Going back to the lake year after year gives us more than just a list of birds for AWC. The lake exudes a kind of calmness and tranquility that you can take home with you. It's beautiful surroundings despite the oil palm and logging momentarily puts you in a place as close as possible to a hidden eden, not many places these days which can do that. Best part is it's only 3 hours away from Miri on a bumpity dusty road, and 90 percent of the time there's no one else there but you.

Tired out from the bumpity bum ride on the famed Beluru-Lapok gravel highway, members taking a fitful well deserved rest in the spacious living room of our NP dormitory ... best accomodation at the lake. The whole 1st floor is the living room cum dining hall. Sleeping bunks are separated into 14 bunk beds in 4 rooms each with a bathroom equipped with 2 shower stalls and 3 toilets. Theoretically you can have quite a crowd on these two floors, however most of the time it's fairly quiet.


Our team this year comprises MNS Miri Branch AWC regulars and newbies as well as representative from SFC Miri Regional Office, Remli Adenan of Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary. Remli has started to be our AWC guy in SFC for the past several of years.

The cloud formation over this lake has always been very dramatic at any time of day especially on those impending wet stormy weather days.

Living around the lake are the Berawan, original inhabitants in these parts. The Berawans around the lake retain their privilege to harvest fish within the NP boundary. Most are very protective of this special privilege.

Oriental Darter breeds at Loagan Bunut. In Sarawak this is probably the only location where one can view these magnificent snakebirds in abundance. The rookery requires 1 hrs through water logged terrain infested with crocodiles, an undertaking reserved only for the hardy birders.
Purple Heron is also regularly seen around the lake. The Great Heron was recorded here at one time but have not been lucky enough to sight one even after many years of annual visit to the lake. Perhaps it's hanging out at the rookery.


The most common hornbill in these parts has to be the Asian Black Hornbill. These can be seen around the lake at anytime of day during fruiting season, very often also heard.

Stork-billed Kingfisher, a shy species spotted only because of it's large size gaudy coloration. This year we completedly missed out on the ubiquitous Blue-eared Kingfisher but had a glimpse of the Rufous-backed Kingfisher seldom seen at the lake.


We sighted several Osprey this year at separate sectors of the lake. Very distinctive species very fond of the abundant fish at the lake.

The surrounding forest around the lake at the end of the day. Main threats at Loagan Bunut NP would be overfishing, illegal logging an drun-off from oil palm plantation surrounding the NP boundary. Licensed logging ventures are longtime staple activities in these parts.

"We are looking for volunteers to stay 48 hours in a fishing hut to keep an eye on the birds of the lake. Canoe for transport to and from the fishing hut to the canteen can be arranged. Must be able to handle extreme tranquility during the day and completely dark nights. Please enquire within."

Text and images by Nazeri Abghani/MNS Miri/Feb 2012 unless specified.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Birdwatching in Loagan Bunut


Our trip started in Miri, with a short stop in Beluru and passed by Lapok. The worst stretch of road is between Beluru to Lapok, after which the road continues to the LBNP HQ on surfaced tar road.


We took the rickety old boat to cruise around the lake for birds, the wooden boat proved comfortable for everyone.

We are at Loagan Bunut National Park almost without fail yearly for our Asian Waterbird Census. We started going there back in 1998 and continued doing so for several years. Activities picked up again when we revisited in 2009, and 2010.

This year, due to commitment to several projects on the coast, our visit to Loagan Bunut was delayed until mid March, way beyond the stipulated to be included for AWC. Our trip was riding on the CFZ Sg Teru that was to take place evening of the 19th March.

We left Miri in two 4WDs approximately 1030 hrs, reached Beluru for lunch around 1130 hrs. We continued our journey along the infamous Beluru-Lapok road and didn't get to the park proper until 1330 hrs, rattling bones and dusty.

Other than fleeting small birds the likes of Black-headed Munia, Dusky Munia, Common Ioras, the usual big birds are noticeablt absent other than the Oriental Pied Hornbill we saw perched on a dead branch on our way in. Since the original purpose of the trip was to conduct CFZ, we relegated out focus to preparing the tools and kits ready for the evening boatride. Birdwatching has to wait till the next day.


James accompanied us throughout the cruise around the lake. What a lucky young man, to be flung to "Walden Pond" to quietly live a life full of contemplation, wild thoughts and wild birds.

Birders assuming the pose, there was contention on what actually flew across at that juncture ... Oriental Darter, Black Hornbill or Purple Heron.


The advantage of the old wooden boat is clearly illustrated here, I wish all the boats we took out on the waters are like this very one with a built-in recliner; and the weather the same blue-skies.

Open air final resting place for the Berawan chieftains of years long gone.


A difficult customer, a very skittish Purple Heron. Image by Sara Wong/MNS Miri


A pair of nesting White-bellied Sea Eagle, heavily cropped. Image by Sara Wong/MNS Miri.

And birdwatching we did the next day after having fully recovered from being drenched the night before while executing CFZ of Sg Teru. Still slightly elated from the 30+ display trees the nite before, we all crawled in our waiting boat as Pak Jalin maneuvered it out into the lake.

We were accompanied by James, a young SFC apprentice stationed at the Park. We made a slow cruise along the perimeter of the lake keeping a sharp eye on anything that might sport feathers.
Though it was rather quiet compared to last year saw three Oriental Darter (as opposed to eleven last year), 2 pairs of White-bellied Sea Eagle (both nesting), an Osprey and a curious looking Changeable Hawk Eagle.

We didn't see any Blue-eared Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher this time. The egrets were also noticeably absent. We had quite a hard time trying to make a quiet approach to photograph Purple Heron from close quarters, seemed like everytime we lifted a finger, it'll fly of it's perched.

A Changeable Hawk Eagle hanging out in the sun within the lake complex. Image by Sara Wong/MNS Miri

Here's the list of the birds we saw during our stay at Loagan Bunut:
1 Black-crowned Night-heron
2 Striated Heron/Little Heron
3 Purple Heron
4 Oriental Darter
5 Osprey
6 White-bellied Sea-eagle
7 Lesser Fish-eagle
8 Changeable Hawk-eagle
9 Spotted Dove
10 Zebra Dove
11 Green Imperial-pigeon
12 Long-tailed Parakeet
13 Indian Cuckoo
14 Greater Coucal
15 Stork-billed Kingfisher
16 Oriental Pied Hornbill
17 Black Hornbill
18 Pacific Swallow
19 Brown-throated Sunbird
20 Olive-backed Sunbird
21 Dusky Munia
22 Black-headed Munia

Words and images by Nazeri Abghani/MNS Miri unless specified.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Asian Waterbird Census 2010 in Loagan Bunut 20-21st February

AWC Loagan Bunut, 20-21st Feb 2010

From 10:00 am 20 Feb to 9:30 am 21 Feb.
Air temperature 27.0 ° Centigrade in the morning and 30.5 ° Centigrade in the mid morning.
A Short drizzling at night, with dim moonlight and
Cloudy morning
Participants:
Nazeri, Majelah, Clare, Sian, Ali, Aisha, Remli (SFC), Baiee (SFC) and Musa (writer).


14 Kilometers boat ride around the lake, Makes 4 KM square.


Getting there, some say the journey itself is half the fun ... the rest is without a doubt the Oriental Darter sightings.

We went to Loagan Bunut this time with two 4WD trucks. We started our journey in the wee hours of the morning, 0555 hrs to be exact after picking up Rembli, Sian and meeting up with Nazeri and family at Taman Awam. By 0630hrs we were already in Bakong, roaming the markets for grilled bishop's nose and pulut bakar for breakfast.

Our first bird of the morning was a noisy Rufous Woodpecker at Bakong market, silhouetted nicely against a tree branch. We quickly headed out to Loagan Bunut National Park after getting some favorite junk food aka comfort snacks near the market. Our second bird was the smallest raptor in the world in these parts, the Black-thighed Faolconette having it's breakfast.

Other than the extremely bumpy ride on the dirt road (it's been such since we first knew of Loagan Bunut since 1999) there weren't that much more along the way. By 0745hrs we were already at the LBNP scenic viewpoint on top of the highest hill in the area.

As we moved downhill towards LBNP HQ we spotted two Black Hornbills perching on dead branches very far from us. We also encountered ten Hill Myna flying to our left as we progressed further downhill. We reached park HQ at 0815hrs.

The water level was really low this year, we estimated some 5 feet diffrence towards the low side below the highest level mark on the belian post at the boat jetty. During our survey of the lake area the next day, most parts were only slightly deeper than 4-5feet. It's safe to assume that the lake would probably be completely dry by May sometime.


A comparation of water height of Pak Meran's Jetty from AWC 2009 and AWC 2010.

Noting this I remembered years ago of friends who used to enter this area to collect stranded fish during the dry season. The lake area is so huge and outside people do not understand that this area is being the native area to the Berawan ethnic group. When the lake dries up everyone, local Berawans and those from outside the area came collect the stranded fish with out asking permission from the Berawans living around the lake area. In some cases, outsiders who got caught collecting fish without authorisation were made to pay a heavy fine, in the form of pigs and sometimes sums of money by the headman. The headman usually isn't reluctant to share the bounty with outsiders if proper permission was sought.


High water mark on jetty's posts.

We sat on a high ground overseeing the lake. We scan the area and found a purple heron far in the swamp. It stayed there for minutes and finally flew off. We saw many terns in the distance circling just above the lake surface.

Our first day wasn't too productive. Not having secured a boat for the afternoon cruise around the lake were resorted to birdwatch from a high vantage point behind the VIP chalet. Fom here we we could make out Purple Heron, Common Sandpiper, Intermediate Egret, Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and a few smaller birds such us the Black-bellied Malkoha, Pied Fantail, Common Iora, Green Iora, Crimson Sunbird and Dusky Munia.

Around 1700hrs we decided to take a ride behind the Dmax and cruise slowly for birds along the access road to the park. We saw several Purple throated Bee Eater, Black Hornbill, Changeable Hawk Eagle and a pair of Black-thighed Falconette.

After a scrumptious dinner at the canteen (fish, chicken and two veggies), we decided on a short nitewalk along the same access road and areas within the park HQ. Other then for the incessant crickets and the odd frogs, we didnot pick up anything significant. There were 3 lonely fireflies. We walked back to the hostel around 2000 hrs feeling a tad dejected.

The next morning we woke up by 0500hrs looking forward to the morning's boatcruise around the lake. We took a light breakfasts and quickly waited at the jetty for our boatman for the morning session.

We started our boat ride at 6:30 am. The boatman Mr Baiee of SFC is sure to be careful to go along the side the lake with a paddle on is right hand and also steer the boat engine. We tracked 14 kilometers by boat a around the lake. By calculating the inner area made by the GPS, we made good 4 square kilometres.


Our favorite time at the lake, early morning where the birds are a plenty. Loagan Bunut is one of Sarawak's most unique and a well guarded secret.

This year we saw many more Oriental Darter than the previous year (AWC 2009 yielded 0 Oriental Darter). This year as well we sighted more Stork-billed Kingfisher, last year's figure was 1 SBKF. Two Blue-eared Kingfisher was sighted this year in addition to an Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.

There were also more Purple Heron sighted this year.

On one occasion we witnessed an Oriental Darter in action, it flew low above the water, dived in, poked it's head out momentarily and dissappeared. We waited for the bird to come back out with a fish, but it never did.

We made a loop around the lake and reached our starting point at the jetty at 0930hrs. While manauevering into a small jetty to get to the jetty we spotted our 2nd Blue-eared Kingfisher and a Yellow Bittern. It was a very productive morning.

MNS Miri would like to thank Baie Hassan, Kamil Tahir, and Remli Adenan of Sarawak Forestry Corporation for arranging for a boat to take us birdwatching around Loagan Bunut for this year's AWC at the Park. Most rewarding was perhaps our opportunity to observe Oriental Darter back in good numbers for our AWC at loagan this year. We'll be back next year ... and maybe even several more visits in between.


Oriental Darter sunning itself, there were 10 other birds sighted along the shores of the loagan.


Changeable Hawk Eagle we spotted along the access road to the Park HQ.

Bird list:
Wood Sandpiper 5
Eurasian Sparrow 15
Black-thighed Falconet 3
Black Hornbill 3
Hill Myna 8
Dusky Munia 7
Purple-throated Sunbird 2
Tern (many) sp.
Purple Heron 7
Black-bellied Malkoha 2
Pied Fantail 3
Ashy Tailorbird 3
Crimson Sunbird 1
Osprey 2
Common Iora 4
Intermediate Egret 2
Cattle Egret 3
Changeable Hawk Eagle 3
Common Sandpiper 3
Yellow Bittern 2
Slender-billed Crow 5
Little Egret +50
Pacific swallow (many)
Oriental Darter 11
Striated Heron 2
Grey Heron 2
Stork-billed Kingfisher 6
Raptor sp. 1
Blue-eared Kingfisher 2
Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot 10
Long-tailed Parakeet 5
Green Imperial Pigeon 2
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher 1
Chestnut-bellied Malkoha 2
White-bellied Sea Eagle 2
Great-billed Heron unconfirmed

Musa Musbah, February 2010

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

MNS Miri and AWC at Loagan Bunut 20-21st February 2010

MNS Miri Branch will be making a trip again to Loagan Bunut National Park to conduct the annual Asian Waterbird Census this coming 20-21st February weekend. It'll be a short overnite trip but we hope to clock up more birds than we did back during AWC 2009.

The few times we carried out the census has always been eventful, the peak of which must have been the sighting of Storm's Stork during our first AWC there in 2001. Subsequent to that, our members have been dilligently making the arduous drive to the biggest freshwater lake during AWC season and off on a yearly basis, spending time with Pak Meran, himself an avid birder and sole owner of Mutiara Resorts perched on the highest hill around the lake.

We are hoping for many birds and little rain ... and good roads this coming 20-21st February 2010.

Members of the Branch and the public is invited to participate in this census. Transport, food and accomodation cost will be on a "shared cost" basis.

If you haven't been to Loagan Bunut, this is a good an opportunity to go. If you already have been, why not go back for a revisit? It'll be fun!

Please email mnsmiri@yahoo.com if you require further details.

MNS Miri

Friday, October 30, 2009

Friends of Loagan Bunut

Friends of Loagan Bunut has a blog today!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS 2009 at Loagan Bunut NP

Going back to Loagan Bunut is like going back to visit an old friend for MNS Miri. Over the years we've clocked up numerous visit, all initiated by our first AWC in the area back in 1999/2000. We have been back many times in form or another since then.

Our most successful trip must have been that first small visit to the loagan: it yielded Grey-headed Fisheagle, Storm's Stork, Oriental Darter and several illegal loggers to boot. Following that, several more visits were organised by Saiful-Bahari, Lee Bor Seng and crew as evidenced by several entries in Pak Meran's visitor's logbook.

Our visit this year also coincided with AWC, we were hoping to see at the very least the fish eagle and darters.

Undeterred by weekend's forecast of dreary weather and rain, two 4WDs and an Iswara trudged through less than perfect road conditions from Beluru to Lapok. Other than slick gravel roads and muddy tracks as well as flooded sections, the team managed to check in at Meran's Mutiara Resort via a boat ride just after lunch.

We arrived just in time for a spectacular show of thick rain clouds crossing over the lake followed by a torrential downpour. We had a quiet, cool lunch sheltered under the newly renovated and much improved accomodation own and operated single handedly by Pak Meran.

Just behind the resort, we sighted several Hill Mynas, Imperial Pigeon and Long-tailed Parakeet on top of a fruiting three nearby.

A boat cruise around the lake started promptly just after the downpour navigated by Pak Meran himself. I must say the oldman didn't age a day since we saw him last. Living alone now after the passing of his wife, Pak Meran is as congenial and jovial as we remembered him. MNS Miri donated a new copy of Craig Robson's "Bird of South-East Asia" for his use, adding to his other bird book collection he's acquired over the years.

Perhaps due to the day's heavy rain we did not spot any large squirrels around the forest, but we did clocked up several Striated Herons, a Stork-billed Kingfisher, a Blue-eared Kingfisher, several Black Hornbill as well as Oriental Pied Hornbill. The return trip afforded a a rather muted sunset.

The resort is presently managed by Pak Meran alone with help from relatives now and again. Now named Mutiara Resort, it has a total of 6 double rooms and 2 triple rooms, it comes equipped with detached shower rooms and toilets. The linoleum covered livingroom is very spacious and ready with plastic tables, and chairs.

The whole house is decorated with native Berawan handicrafts sourced locally. The kitchen is equipped with gas-cookers and practical utensils sufficient for a small DIY kenduri. For heathens hooked on tv, Astro is available just in case you're concerned about missing you favorite soapie.

The view from and of Pak Meran's place is simply unequalled. Sitting on top of a knoll, the house overlooks almost the entire expanse of the freshwater lake. The view up from the bottom of the 50 wooden steps leading up to the house from the jetty is in itself truly unique.

If one seeks tranquility, quiet calm and serenity, we recommend a couple of days at Pak Meran's Mutiara Resort. Bring a few favorite books, unplug the tv and Astro with it and slowly soak up the loagan ambience, there's plenty of it to go around. The surrounding sceneries is practically out of an artist's favorite inspiration catalogue.

Back to birds:
Purple Heron (1), Malkoha sp. (1), Long-tailed Parakeet (6), Hill Myna (4), Imperial Pigeon (6),Black Hornbill (20), Oriental Pied Hornbill (4), Grey-headed Fish Eagle (2), Greater Coucal (1),Lesser Coucal (1), Stork-billed Kingfisher (1), Blue-eared Kingfisher (1), Little Heron (4), Osprey (2), Pacific Swallow (numerous), Barn Swallow (numerous), Common Sandpiper (3), Cream-vented Bulbul (4), Magpie-Robin (2, nesting pair), White-bellied Sea Eagle (2), Ashy Tailorbird (1), Red-bearded Bee-eater (heard only)
No Oriental Darters seen.

Participants:
Sara Wong, Musa Musbah, Nik Nazrin, Faye Osman, Nazeri, Clare, Ali, Aisya, Khairyl, Pak Meran.


The AWC track we covered in Loagan Bunut. Map by Musa Musbah.


View up towards Mutiara Resort.


Water laden clouds passing over the lake.


Members kitting up for a cruise around the lake.


Pak Meran at the back of the boat taking charge.


Stunning view across the lake at mid morning.


A local boat crossing.


Pacific Swallow, most numerous in numbers followed by Barn Swallow.

Please contact mnsmiri@yahoo.com
if you require contact details for Pak Meran's Mutiara Resort.

MNS Miri, Mar 2009