The 14th Fraser's Hill International Bird Race held on 9-10 June 2001at Fraser's Hill, Malaysia, was very keenly contested. This year saw a record-breaking 53 teams signing up, with participants from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Denmark, Holland, New Zealand, Canada and Belgium.
      The following 10 teams emerged the top scorers after a friendly (nearly!) 24 hours of bird-watching:

1. Real Babblers (Singapore) 83 species (also first report of nesting of Black-and-Crimson Oriole for Peninsular Malaysia)
2. Sunbirds (Singapore) 76 species
3. Juicy Lucy and the Jambu Fruit Doves (United Kingdom) 75 species
4. Minlas (Singapore) 74 species
5. Willy Wagtails (Singapore) 73 species
6. Sparrows 1 (Thailand) 72 species
7. Cutia 2001 (Malaysia) 71 species
7. Oriole Express (Malaysia) 71 species
9. Blue Nuthatch II (Malaysia) 70 species
9. Hawk Eye (Malaysia) 70 species

      The winners received trophies and prizes donated by the Fraser's Hill Development Corporation, Jebsen & Jessen (agents for Leica) and others.
      The side events also went well. The exhibition included the Malaysian Nature Society table which highlighted the Society's efforts in bird conservation activities such as protection of wetlands, raptor flyways and IBA site listing. There were also interesting slide shows on the birds of Fraser's Hill and Thailand. Participants also had the opportunity to test their bird ID skills trying to win prizes donated by the Nature Society of Singapore, Birdlife Club of Thailand and bird artist Choo Beng Teong. To foster local awareness and appreciation of Fraser's Hill as a sanctuary for birds, the organisers arranged for 15 school children to be taken out for birdwatching in the area.
      On behalf of the organisers, I would like to thank everyone who was involved, in one way or another, in the Bird Race, especially those who came from afar. Your fantastic show of support and enthusiasm contributed to the huge success of this year's event. This resulted in the State Minister announcing, in her closing ceremony speech that, contrary to an earlier decision, the State will organise and sponsor next year's bird race. The Honourable Minister also reiterated the State's wish to protect Fraser's Hill from over-development for the good of birds and nature.
Report by Lim Kim Chye
(Malaysian Nature Society representative on the Organising Committee)