The MNS Bird Conservation Council invites YOU to share an experience.. 
And you don't have to be a birdwatcher to enjoy this one. Every year millions of birds make a dangerous journey to escape the cold of the northern winters. Some of these birds are called raptors: eagles and related families such as-for example--buzzards, sparrowhawks and a crazy-quilt black and white bird with feathers in his cap called a Black Baza. Some reach Indonesia. 

In January these birds start to fly back north, gradually building up in 
numbers until in early March there are sometimes thousands per day passing 
over the Melaka Straits from Indonesia to Malaysia. They won't stop long in 
the Peninsula: they have a long journey ahead, back to Siberia, perhaps, or 
Japan, or to the remote areas of eastern China, where they will mate, nest 
and raise their young. And we may have the privilege of seeing them arrive from Sumatra, flying low and tired after their long journey across water. (But don't expect to see them perched.) 

Don't miss the chance. Last year's raptor watch saw over 6,000 birds. 
Join us at Tanjung Tuan, Melaka, the second and third of March: Raptor Watch 2002. 

Can we guarantee birds? No, of course not . Nature is unpredictable.last 
year we had thousands of birds passing over the booth every day; not all 
raptors. It will happen again, but perhaps not on the particular day or the 
particular time you are there. So we suggest you bring the family, bring 
your friends, bring your colleagues, bring a picnic, bring your swim suit 
and spend a day with us at the beach anyway; the birds will be a marvellous 
bonus if they come, and you'll never forget the thrill of seeing them. And if they don't come? Well, we have a beach, we have a video of raptors arriving, we have an exhibition, things on sale, people to show you other 
birds, nature walks through the Tanjung Tuan forest reserve, people to 
explain all about raptors; the company's great and you'll learn a lot about 
the Malaysian Nature Society and make some new friends. You have nothing to lose and the chance to see something wonderful. And it's all free!! (Thanks to our sponsors, especially OCBC Bank, Melaka State and others, including MNS members.) 

WHEN IT'S HAPPENING

2nd and 3rd March 2002. From 9.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. or later (depending on the birds). The most likely time to see birds is in the late morning to early afternoon.while you are having your picnic lunch. But remember, birds are unpredictable, and the best thing is to come for the whole day, or better still the whole weekend, prepared to do other things if it is quiet, like take a walk in the forest or go for a swim. Be patient. 

WHERE IT'S HAPPENING

On the sea front at the Ilham Resort, Tanjung Tuan, Melaka, south of Port 
Dickson (see map). 

WHO CAN ATTEND

Anyone. The more the merrier. Suitable for grandpa and kids and the 
handicapped. Entry is free. 

AND IF YOU YOURSELF CAN'T COME

Why not follow it live at home? Why not watch it unfold on the world wide web, with continuous updates throughout the day,  at http://www.mns.org.my. That's right-you can see how many birds are arriving as the day wears on, simply by clicking on the web site. 

Want even more fun? 

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS PLEASE!!!

This may sound like work, but somehow people who came previous years come back again, so it must be fun. 
From Friday night till 5 p.m.on Sunday. Those who can't come on Friday night are expected to arrive by 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Accommodation is supplied for Saturday night. Transport can be arranged. 
This is a full 2-day commitment. Sorry, no part-timers. 
We need people who like good company, who like lots of fun, who love to meet people, and who love to work hard. 

• We need people to sell goods
• We need people to talk about MNS and sign up new members etc.
• We need people to explain to the public what Raptor Watch is all about (you will be briefed and will need to read the material given to you before hand so that you can answer questions). Chinese speakers, Bahasa Malaysia speakers, English speakers and just about any other language-we need you all.
• We need people with transport to generally run around from count site to site (expenses reimbursed)
• We need people to lead walks in Tg Tuan Forest Reserve (you will need to be able to talk about forest ecology in simple terms).
• We need marine people to lead beach walks
• And most of all we need people to count the raptors. Only experienced people please, or people who are attending the raptor watch course at the end of February.