Sarawak, Borneo

9th – 15th October 2017

Leader: Yeo Siew Teck

Participants: John Clark & Mary Ward-Jackson and Ron Hoff & Dollyann Myers.

Rail-babbler © John Clark

This was a clean-up trip to Sarawak, the lesser known-half of East Malaysia. In addition to several Sarawak specialities there were also some species missed on previous visits to Sabah which are quite possible in Sarawak. We hit most of the specialities including Black Oriole, both Bornean and Dulit Frogmouth, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Hose’s Broadbill, Blue-banded Pitta, a wonderful displaying Rail-babbler and even a couple of surprises like a wonderful displaying Rail-babbler and several Jambu Fruit Dove, before finishing off in the lowlands with and Hook-billed Bulbul, Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker and Red-crowned Barbet. After a late morning arrival into Kota Kinabalu, we headed straight towards the Sarawak border. An area of peat-swamp forest was our afternoon haunt, which started with a migrant Chestnut-winged Cuckoo flashing across the trail. With overcast conditions it was a humid afternoon but the usual bits-and-pieces present here appeared - a pair of Black-and-yellow Broadbill started to sing for us, a pair of Lesser Cicadabird, female Raffles's Malkoha, Greater Green Leafbird, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Green Iora were foraging on tree tops, Rufous Piculet, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker and Buff-necked Woodpecker were busy on pecking and calling, common birds like Blue-eared Barbet, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Orange-billed Flowerpecker, Ashy Tailorbird and Little Spiderhunter were seen but no sign for our target birds until we were just about to leave for our next destination when a pair of Hook-billed Bulbul flew across the trail and were

soon foraging next to the trail and giving us a fantastic view. Along the way out a Red-crowned Barbet gave us a nice view in scope – a nice ending to a long day. With a change in itinerary due to the almost unpassable condition of the road (thanks to our tour here the previous week, we were able to make this contingence plan), we had just a single day at Paya Maga, a site we usually camp at for a couple of nights. It was a pleasant walk up this old logging track, fine weather brought the birds out in force – our first endemic targets were soon under the belt - Bornean Leafbird, Bornean Bulbuls, Pygmy Heleia (White-eye), while more widespread species included Raffle's and Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Whiskered Treeswift, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Ochraceous Bulbul (split in two references now as an endemic species – Penan Bulbul), Maroon-breasted Philentoma, ‘Sunda’ Ashy Drongo, several Little Cuckoo Doves, Cinereous Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul and Asian Fairy Bluebird. After a couple hours hiking we were taking a break on one of the wooden bridge when suddenly 2 pairs of Crested Partridges emerged unexpectedly from forest floor, crossed a stream from one side to the other side and gave us a nice, unexpected view. We continued our journey and as soon as we arrived at the higher elevation 3 Black Orioles were active in the nearby canopy. After achieving our main targets, we decided to enter the forest for the Hose's Broadbill and pittas, a pair of Red-naped Trogon showed closely to welcome us and later a single Mountain Barbet was foraging above us. After an hour search none of the broadbills and pittas were active, but just as we exited the forest a male Hose's Broadbill was seen briefly, it appeared too close to us and flew away after we made some minor movement, with only Ron getting a view. It was raining after lunch so we decided to decend slowly in the rain, it stopped before the dusk so we decided to attempt to find Bornean Frogmouth, though with tired and wet legs the enthusiasm was not quite there, despite hearing one inside the forest without budging, when, just at the final moment it gave up the ghost, emerging on an open branch for everyone to have an excellent view – a fitting finale to a great day.

Blue-banded Pitta and Hook-billed Bulbul © Ron Hoff

Flying into the heart of the Kelabit Highlands the following morning, the view was spectacular, with a horizon of continuous forest but with sadly logging activities scarring most of it. After lunch at our lovely, homely guesthouse we set out for roadside birding; Blyth's Hawk Eagle, Black-thighed Falconet, Mountain Barbet, Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush, Bornean Treepie, Wreathed Hornbill, Black-and-crimson Oriole and Scarlet Minivet were all enjoyed, but it was one of the main targets - Whitehead's Spiderhunter sitting on an open branch, singing away, that got our hearts racing. Next up was hearing the quiet, monotone whistle of a Blue-banded Pitta emanating from the dark undergrowth. After a few minutes wait, it landed on an open branch in full view for us with its brightly red plumage and lovely bluish necklace glimmering through the darkness. After a successful afternoon we waited for the dusk to arrive and aim for another big target, Dulit Frogmouth, again we were lucky enough to have it showed off in open branch with a fantastic clear view. We then had two full days birding the same area, with four specific targets in mind - Mountain Serpent Eagle, Bornean Banded Pitta, Hose's Broadbill and Bornean Barbet. After just hearing the Bornean Banded Pitta in the early morning, as the sun heated things up, a Mountain Serpent Eagle circled closely above us and also Blyth's Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle and Black-thighed Falconet were seen again. Before ended the morning session we had the Bornean Barbet in the scope and also picked up Brown Fulvetta, Spotted Fantail, Verditer Warbling-flycatcher and Temminck's Sunbird. In the afternoon we decided to go for the Hose's Broadbill, luckily finding a fruiting tree by the road side, and after a short wait a pair of Hose's Broadbills appeared silently near to a fruiting tree but again they flew away and disappeared into the forest before everyone managed a clear view, though the disappointment was short-lived as we were rewarded by a few Jambu Fruit Dove visiting the fruiting tree, and a white morph male Blyth's Paradise-flycatcher.

Returning for the pitta and broadbill on our final day, we came back empty-handed. However, a real bonus was an unexpected Rail-babbler that was calling while we were waiting for the pitta, it emerged from the dense forest floor and walking back and forth on a big fallen log like it was doing a fashion show, stopping, leaning forward and flashing its blue balloons. The morning ended with a group of Black-throated Wren-babbler which were skulking in the bush but showed off few times for everyone. Afternoon we decided to go back the same site where we heard the Bornean Banded Pitta, lucky enough, for Mary anyway, the female finally emerged on the forest floor, hopping toward us slowly and later hopping away after we had a short view.

Dulit Frogmouth and Jambu Fruit Dove © John Clark

We still had a couple of hours birding available before our flight, so obviously we returned for the broadbill, finally finding an individual calling close-by and after a tense wait, it flew closely towards us before dashing away the moment we all moved to get a better view! Bornean Spiderhunter, Black Hornbill and Gold-whiskered Barbet concluded our enjoyable time in the Kelabit Highlands tour, and we flew back to the hot and humid coast. We returned to the peat-swamp forest for our remaining targets, those missed on the first afternoon. It was a great success as our heads turned to the canopy as the unmistakable calls of Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker distracted us, where a pair were located, eventually descending lower to feed in a fruiting tree. Before we ended the tour, a group of noisy Hook-billed Bulbuls were seen and while walking out from the forest we picked up the Red-bellied Malkoha, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Long-tailed Parakeet, Maroon Woodpecker, a group of Rufous Woodpecker and also one, final target bird - Chestnut-bellied Malkoha. Having a most successful tour we headed back to Kota Kinabalu for a nice farewell dinner.

Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter © Ron Hoff

Blyth’s Hawk Eagle and Cinnamon Bittern © Ron Hoff

Red-naped Trogon © John Clark and Rail-babbler © Ron Hoff

Rufous Woodpecker and White-breasted Woodswallow © Ron Hoff

Bornean Frogmouth and Black Oriole © Yeo Siew Teck Systematic List

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Great Argus Argusianus argus Heard only Red-breasted Partridge Arborophila hyperythra e Heard only Crested Partridge Rollulus rouloul

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Philippine/Ruddy Cuckoo Dove Macropygia tenuirostris borneensis Little Cuckoo Dove Macropygia ruficeps nana Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica indica Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Jambu Fruit Dove Ptilinopus jambu Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus Bock's/Dark Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx [sparverioides] bocki Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Heard only Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Heard only Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Heard only Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris brachyurus Heard only Raffles's Malkoha Rhinortha chlorophaeus Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi Chestnut-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus sumatranus Red-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus javanicus Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis bubutus Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis javanensis

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis harterti Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata comata

APODIFORMES: Apodidae Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta cyanoptila Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae Dulit Frogmouth Batrachostomus harterti e Bornean Frogmouth Batrachostomus mixtus e

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Malaysian Eared Nightjar Lyncornis temminckii Heard only

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eastern Great Egret Ardea modestus Little Egret Egretta garzetta Eastern Cattle Egret Ardea coromandus Striated Heron Butorides striata Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Mountain Serpent Eagle Spilornis kinabaluensis e Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Blyth's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus alboniger

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Barred Eagle Owl Bubo sumatranus Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata 'Sunda' Collared Owlet Glaucidium [brodiei] borneense Heard only

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Red-naped Trogon Harpactes kasumba impavidus Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii Heard only Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios dulitensis

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros borneoensis Heard only Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil Heard only Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae Gold-whiskered Barbet Psilopogon chrysopogon chrysopsis Red-throated Barbet Psilopogon mystacophanos

Mountain Barbet Psilopogon monticola e Golden-naped Barbet Psilopogon pulcherrima e Heard only Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon australis duvaucelii Bornean Barbet Psilopogon eximia e

PICIFORMES: Picidae Rufous Piculet Sasia abnormis Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus badiosus White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis javensis Banded Yellownape Chrysophlegma mineaceus malaccensis Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus observandus Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki tukki

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa motleyi Heard only

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus Heard only

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Long-tailed Parakeet Psittacula longicauda

PASSERIFORMES: Calyptomenidae Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis Hose's Broadbill Calyptomena hosii e

PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos Heard only Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Heard only Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Bornean Banded Pitta Hydrornis schwaneri e Blue-banded Pitta Erythropitta arquata e

PASSERIFORMES: Pardalotidae Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea sulphurea Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae Blyth's Shrike Babbler Pteruthius aeralatus robinsoni Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Black Oriole Oriolus hosii e Black-and-crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus vulneratus

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae Bornean Whistler Pachycephala hypoxantha e Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus Maroon-breasted Philentoma Philentoma velatum

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae Green Iora Aegithina viridissima

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Lesser Cicadabird Lalage fimbriata schierbrandii Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus insulanus

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Spotted Fantail Rhipidura perlata

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Sunda [Ashy] Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus stigmatops Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus [hottentottus] borneensis Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus brachyphorus

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea prophata Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis borneensis

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Crested Jay / Jay Shrike Platylophus galericulatus coronatus Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Bornean Treepie Dendrocitta cinerascens e

PASSERIFORMES: Eupetidae Rail-babbler Eupetes macrocerus

PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus Heard only Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps atriceps Bornean Bulbul Pycnonotus montis e Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus borneensis Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier gourdini Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus plumosus Heard only Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus brunneus Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos Ochraceous (Penan) Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus ruficrissus Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres gutturalis Heard only Cinereous Bulbul Hemixos cinereus connectens Hook-billed Bulbul Setornis criniger

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae Bold-striped Tit Babbler Mixornis (gularis) bornensis Heard only

Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler Macronous ptilosus reclusus Heard only Chestnut-winged Babbler Cyanoderma erythropterum bicolor Rufous-fronted Babbler Cyanoderma rufifrons sarawacensis Heard only Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus montanus bornensis Heard only Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps borneensis Heard only Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala Heard only Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata maculata

PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae

Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre cinereocapilla Heard only

Short-tailed Babbler Pellorneum malaccense poliogene Heard only Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum morrelli Heard only Pellorneum capistratum capistratoides Black-throated Wren Babbler Turdinus atrigularis e

PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax treacheri treacheri e

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Pygmy Heleia (White-eye) Heleia squamifrons e

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus sericeus Heard only Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps borneoensis Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris latrunculus

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis corallipes

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa religiosa

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis adamsi White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus suavis Heard only Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica Hill (Dayak) Blue Flycatcher Cyornis [banyumas] montanus Heard only Verditer Warbling-flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki

PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati zosterops Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon cyanopogon Bornean Leafbird Chloropsis kinabaluensis e

PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella crinigera

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus thoracicus Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum minullum borneanum Heard only Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma dayakanum Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum nigrimentum Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Heard only Temminck's Sunbird Aethopyga temminckii Purple-naped Spiderhunter Arachnothera hypogrammicum Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Bornean Spiderhunter Arachnothera everetti e Whitehead's Spiderhunter Arachnothera juliae e

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus malaccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans e Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata cabanisi Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricapilla jagori

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea cinerea Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus MAMMALS Moonrat Echinosorex gymnurus albus Hose's Leaf Monkey Presbytis hosei e Heard only Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus e Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque Macca nemestrina Bornean Gibbon Hylobates muelleri e 'Bornean' Giant Squirrel Ratufa affinis Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus Whitehead's Pygmy Squirrel Exilisciurus whiteheadi e

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