Panti Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia

When: July 2024 Weather: hot 27C

Nikon P900

In the beach resort area of Desaru, our hosts kindly arranged for a bird outing at the Panti Bird Sanctuary, a place well known to birders who come here to view the signature bird, the Malayan Rail Babbler…..I’d tried a few years ago to no avail…..so I was keen to try again…..

An hour out of Desaru, there is a small office at the sanctuary. Btw you need to apply for a permit before you come…
First bird of the morning was this rather nondescript spider hunter in the dim 7am morning light

We then set off on the red leech trail(!!) just behind the toilets where our guide tried to find us the Rail Babbler…alas to no avail….a few of us found out though that the red leech trail was aptly named. As we emerged from the forest trail to a dirt road and an open area, there was more activity…

secondary rain forest
blue throated bee eater…
we disturbed an olive winged bulbul
brief glimpse of the yellow breasted flowerpecker
cream vented bulbul
and then this large bird appeared..the green billed malkoha with its bright red facial skin around the eye, pale green bill…
also known for its very long tail, the green billed malkoha
and then at the top of a tree , the well camouflaged greater green leafbird
and then the second of the malkohas seen on this outing….the lovely Raffles Malkoha
raffles malkoha
racquet tailed drongo with raffles malkoha for company
a woodpecker briefly perched…possibly the checker throated WP
and then the final malkoha of the morning, the chestnut breasted malkoha who refused to show his chest
greater racquet tailed drongo
then another woodpecker appeared…the rufous woodpecker
rufous woodpecker
final bird of the morning…the banded broadbill
the endearing banded broadbill…likely male with the black line across his neck

Although it was quieter than expected and we dipped on the Malayan Rail Babbler, seeing three types of malkoha and the broadbill still made it a successful outing….recommended.

One thought on “Panti Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia

  1. Hi, I’m someone who wants to go to a panty bird sanctuary. Can I ask for advice, where and how can I apply for permission to get there? I couldn’t find the exact location of the office.
    And I don’t have a car, so I’m going to take a taxi and see a bird by myself, so would there be any problem with seeing a bird on foot?

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