Bird Watching in Kuala Lumpur

Taman Tasek Permaisuri is a pleasant urban park in the Bandar Tun Razak district of Kuala Lumpur, about 6 km from the city centre. It is managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

The park covers an area of 40 hectares with a scenic lake at its centre. The pond is enlivened by a number of fountains. Well, good! All seemed to be working during my trip there. I read on the internet that part of the lake would be covered with pink lotus flowers and lilies. But this time around, not really. There are shady picnic spots around the lake with concrete tables and stools provided. The park is attractively landscaped on naturally hilly terrain. Center piece is the feature of "park-within-a-park" section with a terraced amphitheatre planted with colorful Heliconias plants. There are four seating gazebos in this area at the edges offering a view over the lake. The rear gates to this section, in my last trip a tiny signboard. Got the name of the Park right this time. Someone was mentioning another name for this Park like "Taman Puteri Iskandar". Well, don't know what that means but keep reading.

 There are jogging/walking jungle trails in southern section of the park. The settings have been left in a raw, natural state.

The Park

I try giving a very brief introduction to this Park which many people including myself is not aware of its existence. So the Waze led me to this place without any problem. Right on the dot,

Hold on for a minute! This must be the main entrance? But where is the signboard to assure me that I am in the right place? This kind of oversight like not having a proper signboard has being a troubling point for me for a long time. For example - I couldn't tell my friend that name of the park I am gong to in Tun Dr Ismail.

Park pix No.1

For the first " langga tiang" I had to carry my camera and walk half the Park to reach the other end where the birds were. There I found was another car park. Then reece led me to this discovery. Here you are, I am showing you a picture of the "back door". Notice the small white sign on the left of the picture? That's the name of the Park.

Park pix No. 2

Back to my story line. Next picture below - This is the Car Park. Good size but not very big. Along the main road, Tasek Permaisuri 2, Outside the park area on the road side, full of cars including the space just beside the road dividers. Don't be intimidated by the "crowd" in the park. No! Not true. In this locality, there are uncountable numbers of blocks of flats. That explains! Flats residents and not Park users.

The Car Park pix No. 3

At this area of the main entrance like the foyers, this magnificent sculpture is centerpiece, I then realize I am standing on  elevated land. The main area of the Park is at the "Bottom". It took over the space which was once an open cast mine! Inside a "well" about 100 feet deep.  On the sloppy side of the Park, the slope was terraced into 4 steps.

Park pix No. 4

From the high ground at the entry area, first the uppermost terrace there are some amenities, seen on this picture. Then view of the terraces.

Park pix No. 5

Descend into the lower area of the park, we walked past the various level of terraces.

Then follow the Ring track to walk round to reach the far end of the Park. This area is next to the Velladrome. Found the Island that keeps the lone Rain tree that has doubled up as the Heronry.

Park pix No. 6

.

Not a bad walk at all, maybe about 600 meters one half way, round an odd shape lake. No! No Lotus at this time. Upon reaching the edge of the park where the loop turns back, we saw this second car park. It was only less than 50 meters from the track. If ever we were to be there again, we would use this back entrance.

Park pix No. 7

So, This is a short write-up of the park with pictures. I hope to pass on to you a small impression how the place is like!

Part 1 - Visitors and Photographers

We too, wanted some pictures as souvenirs. First, enlarge the picture and see the names of the Park in bold letters. Talking about "Flip Flop" society! Next, this place where the wifey seated is supposedly the stage for the Amphitheater. In the background, the terraces and the many flats in the area.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 1

Then more pictures of the background for the Park? The track, walking area and the far far away, faintly the Iconic 108 Building.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 2

We had reached the far end of the park and the tree with the Heronry. Suppose to see the many birds with nests as white dots. Suppose too faint to make out due to the distance.

Anyway, this picture is important to me! Hopefully I would be wrong. I think one day not too distant in the future, the foliages on this tree would be "Botakan" and the birds will find the tree no more useful. Heronry would also be history then.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 3

Just getting another view of this spot and other back ground scenery. Saw the reflection of the Grey Heron in the water?

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 4

As we approached the targeted area, photographers already set up equipments to fire away.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 5

There are the Guys and Gals! Equal numbers. Nice cool and clean place. Targets all within range.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 6

Now a close up of all the fellows.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 7

This is one shot I took of a lonely couple during the first visit.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 9

At last, you could see yours truly. Wifey was there, she made the shot for me.

Visitor & Photographer Pix No. 10

Part 2 - The Herony

Frst let's see what is happening around the Heronry. First picture, the tree dotted with nests. So far, I could make out almost all thenests were those belonging to Cattle Egrets. Except one Grey heron on the left side of the picture.

Heronry Pix No. 1

This is a picture of another clump of Bamboo on another small island next to this main Island where the Heronry was.

Heronry Pix No. 2

Juvenile Night-Heron with an Egret, looks like non-breeding bird.

Heronry Pix No. 3

Again A Juvenile Night-heron with a breeding adult checking on an Egret

Heronry Pix No. 4

A full grown Purple Heron with an Egret

Heronry Pix No. 5

The Night-Heron chicks or juvenile remains largely on the ground. Perhaps they are too bulky to take to the air or fly somewhere else where food are more abundant.

Heronry Pix No. 6

I was right. The Night-Heron chicks are bulkier and are also clumsy flier. This one got short of its destination and landed in the water instead. Now swimming to lake side, sorry not a duck.

Heronry Pix No. 7

Part 3 The "big" Birds

This is large Purple heron! I didn't see any nest by them or their chicks around.

Heron Pix No. 1

The massive bird took flight right in front of me.

Heron Pix No. 2

Then, there was one other Heron - the Grey Heron. This one standing at the edge in front of me, preening!.

Heron Pix No. 3

All of a sudden, it chose a "Flash" position and kept that stance for about 20 minutes

Heron Pix No. 4

Not long later, it turned around and faced another direction

Heron Pix No. 5

This is also a Grey Heron standing right in the middle of the pond, was with a paler colored feathers and the beak darker at its upper mandible.

Heron Pix No. 6

There were quite a few of these Grey Herons on the ground. So it was not that difficult for me to pick up one bird for a close up look. The beak is that of a normal non breeding Heron, look at its dark upper mandible.

Heron Pix No. 7

Part 4 - Night Herons

talking about heronry. It is quite common to see the Black crowned Night-heron taming up with Egrets, mainly Little Egrets to have a joint Heronry. the so often these Heronry were located right beside a main road or another scene, saw a few next to houses with people living around.

Second scenario, the larger birds Chinese Egrets or Purple Herons, sometimes do join the Black crowned Night-Heron in sharing these road side nesting sites. Given a choice, Purple heron would rather have their own nearby but the location are normally with tall trees and far away from human settlement. So not surprising that the larger Herons though present here in the midst of the colony but have not seen the younger fledglings or juveniles.

Picture below shows 2 matured Night-Herons. Notice the colors of their legs and feet.

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 1

This picture shows that the junior having more bulky body than the slimmer adult.

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 2

Coming in for landing - Gangway Ho!

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 3

The Young Night-Heron with the young Egrets.

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 4

Nesting materials are so scare in the places around the Heronry. Yet, the bird choose to retrieve fallen twigs from the water

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 5

Then bringing back to supplement whatever was needed.

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 6

Two young Night-herons. Also, first time for me to catch a Night-Heron [right] in this colorization. Could be the morning sunrays that distorted the hue. Anyway, could be a good example of how the young Night-Heron was mottling to go into different stage.

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 7

The normal looks but this picture has the subject slightly out of focus

Black-crowned Night-Heron Pix No. 8

Part 5 - Little Egrets

Good example of breeding Little Egrets. The facial skin in red besides its feet and fluffy feathers

Little Egret Pix No. 1

This is the time when the birds look so different and outstanding in looks.

Little Egret Pix No. 2

The feet in yellow and facial skin in normal tone.

Little Egret Pix No. 3

Now - having the red feet bird flying.

Little Egret Pix No. 4

While the body and feet do not show the signs of breeding, the plume behind the head gives the clue.

Little Egret Pix No. 5

Here another picture of the normal looking bird but with the plume.

Little Egret Pix No. 6

The mother attending to the chicks.

Little Egret Pix No. 7

Just to compare the size of the Little Egret with the tall Heron

Little Egret Pix No. 8

Part 6 - Cattle Egrets

While the Little Egret may gets that name "Little", it is in fact 60cm long when compared to the Cattle Egret which is only 50 cm.

Cattle Egret Pix No. 1

Now the bird with its fluffy rufous [orange] plume and bright red beaks and legs. This is the looks when the bird is courting. Thereafter the colors of the legs change again.

Cattle Egret Pix No. 2

No! It is not a flying shot but the bird undergoing some form of ritual.

Cattle Egret Pix No. 3

This one is a flying shot

Cattle Egret Pix No. 4

And more! Good time to stock up my pictures.

Cattle Egret Pix No. 5

One last picture, showing a bird peeping under its wing. Note the orange color on its crown and nape are very prominent but those on the face and legs is of normal colors.

Cattle Egret Pix No. 6

The "Heronry" would not be here for too long. But longer than that usual nesting periods at other places. Somehow the hinterland and the host tree would soon be bereaved of the necessary materials to favor nesting. the colony soon be out seeking new venue.

this is the puzzle that has been bothering me for some time now. I would be returning here from time to time to monitor the health of this nesting colony.

         With  Will  Would  Wander