Birding Field trip report

This Part 2 of a 3 parts series centered around the theme "Breeding plumages of the Pond-herons.

Page 2- "The Pond-Heron era?"

A wet "Green Lung". We named this place Cova Cove! Recalled the wonderful times, I am still having with Rimba Kiara. Moderate bird life, fair diversity with lots of casual visitors [uncommon birds] dropping by. This newly discovered Cova Cove, double the size of land area of Rimba, more remote and lesser human activities. I kept keeping an eye.

Not so encouraging. For forest environment, there is a huge forest - The Kota Damansara Recreational Forest Park, less than one kilometer away. This area around the lake is maintained but no effort was invested to plants "Bird friendly trees" The perimeter were decorated with ornamental Tabebuia. Opposite the lake edge, forest side, worse than a belukar.

Besides water birds and waterbird linked visitor, don't expect much forest linked birds come calling.

#1 Great Egret

Greta Egrets are known for their extremely long neck, which may appeared kinked. This day, the bird was also in its breeding plumage

#2 Great Egret

These white birds are difficult to photograph as the exposure would be set hay wired by the bright hue

#3 Great Egret

The bird preening. Bird in breeding plumage

# 4 Chinese Egret

This is also a medium size Egret with a kinked neck. How do I know that this is a Chinese Egret? Easy! So distinctive.

# 5 Chinese Egret

This time the Egret in flight

# 6 Chinese Egret

A Chinese Egret shoo-ing away a Little Egret!

# 7 Little Egret

Almost a same scene! This time a Great Egret with a Little Egret. See the differential in size.

# 8 Cattle Egret

Wow! Easter time, the Cattle Egret was also in breeding plumage

# 9 Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret in flight

# 10 Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret in flight 2

# 11 Cattle Egret

Here is a close-up, see the bird with a change of clothing

# 11 Cattle Egret

Cattle Egrets are usually found in swarm. Not surprising that there birds flying together

# 12 Cattle Egret

Then, another instance where they took off together as well.

#13 - Purple Heron

Why is this bird named as Purple when there is so little purplish hue found on the bird body

#14 - Purple Heron

Yes, this is full size adult

#15 - Grey Heron

A cousin of the Purple Heron. Here they are both seen roosting in the same enviroment

#16 - Grey Heron

Couldn't stop my fingers not clicking away all these nice scenes.

#17 - Chinese Pond-Heron

The theme of this page. Breeding plumage! Once a year we get to see that color. In Selangor, most of the Pond-Herons that we get to see are Chinese Pond-Heron. Only in this period we could get the bird ID-ed accurately. This one the feathers are still mottling.

#18 - Chinese Pond-Heron

This one better or almost fully mottled and another on the opposite bank for comparison.

#19 - Chinese Pond-Heron

Here is a close-up of the bird "in progress"

#20 - Chinese Pond-Heron

I thought would be a good picture with its reflection in the water

#21 - Chinese Pond-Heron in flight

The bird in flight. Normal characteristic of a Pond-Heron! Upon taking off, the full white under wing will confirm that this bird was indeed a Pond-Heron

#22 - Chinese Pond-Heron in flight

Here is a clearer shot of the bird in flight

#23 - Chinese Pond-Heron in flight

Another shot from afar

#24 - Chinese Pond-Heron

Back view of the bird

#25 - Chinese Pond-Heron in flight

and a parting picture of the Chinese Pond-Heron

#26 - Indian Pond-Heron

After over 20 years of watching bird, this would be my first year having seen and photographed this Indian Pond-Heron. The last few years, the bird was spotted in the compound of the Penang Airport. A restricted area and far way from the perimeter fencing. Could believed that I had wrongly ID the bird. Now with pictures it is confirmed.

#27 - Indian Pond-Heron

This one - half done.

#28 - Indian Pond-Heron

Hiding among the weeds

#29 - Indian Pond-Heron

Yes, a better looking one.

#30 - Indian Pond-Heron

From far far away, only popping its head up to check occasionally.

#31 - Indian Pond-Heron

Not a common scene - landing on a bush

#32 - Non-breeding Pond-Heron

Why this page and why the special mention on Pond-Heron? In normal circumstance or rather during the rest of the year, Pond-Heron would be seen as bird in this few pictures. With streaks, pastel and light brown. The silhouette and bird would be similar with 2 other birds, Little heron and juvenile Night-Heron. It is very difficult to tell them apart. Until and unless that bird takeoff. Immediately, it would look like an Egret All pure white.

In the world there are 4 species of Pond-Heron and in Malaysia, 3 types could be seen. Next problem - in non-breeding plumages, all birds are exactly looking alike. Then only when the bird is in breeding plumage and that is at this time, the birds could be told apart. That's makes it special for bird watchers.

#33 - Non-breeding Pond-Heron

Now a close up

#34 - Non-breeding Pond-Heron

More pictures

#35 - Non-breeding Pond-Heron

See it properly

#36 - Non-breeding Pond-Heron

And in flight, not easy to spot the non-white part of the bird

#37 - Javan Pond-Heron

Under identical circumstances I am not getting pictures from this Javan Pond-Heron. Their presence here may be low and the bird very skittish. Will continue to wait for the whole breeding to be over to evaluate