Nearly 30 members turned up for this trip to this beautiful campsite along the new downhill road. The Chairman, his wife Kuan Yaow, Dr. Chan Kai Soon and his son started early at 8.00 am to bird along the Fraser Hill road. They stayed on for another two days to enjoy the joys of nature and birding. He noted some of the highlights of the trip. "Liew Chee Weng and Low Sean Hooi were the first to arrive at about 4.30 pm with their respective families and friends. Before that we had observed 2 Asian Fairy Bluebird resting in the trees while eating at the eating shop (the food is expensive and wishy-washy compared to the Rest House). As the sky was gloomy the whole day with a light shower earlier we decided to check into the Gap Rest house upon discovery that bookings for all the rooms had been cancelled.
I took Liew and Low up to the campsite, an open tarred area, most probably intended for a rest area. By 5.25 pm the rest have not arrived. Liew was getting worried that he and Low may have to camp alone if the rest did not turn up. Anyway we drove up to the landslide point and hiked down. We then met Ng Chang Chai and family, Pamela Phang and the rest of the gang. Along the way we saw a Blyth's Hawk-Eagle. By the time we reached the campsite most of them had pitched their tents and food were being prepared - no more with the old-fashioned wood fires - what with all the takeaways and modern camping gear! There were also ample "low benches" along the road-side for a relaxing time. Those who did not want to be stressed by the cooking enjoyed themselves with the Gap Rest House offerings. It was really fun the whole night for the gang. The Perak members must have been good all this while because the dark clouds faded away and not a drop fell.
It was bright and sunny the next morning and the birds came out to be seen around the back of the rest house. Other than the Drongos, Verditer Flycatchers, Black-crested Bulbuls and Minivets, a pair of Buff-rumped Woodpeckers were on top of the dead tree stumps. By the time we reached the campsite it was deserted. The trip leader had taken them up the road to Fraser's Hill. We turned back to the Gap Rest House for lunch before proceeding up the hill. While waiting we met James Koh from Selangor Branch who told us his family was meeting up with Menno Riegstra at 5.00 pm.
We had our lunch up the hills with some of the Perak members before disbanding to do a spot of birding at the High Pines and the rubbish dump. The Mugimaki Flycatcher as well as the usual submontane birds showed themselves at the High Pines. The rubbish dump was disappointing as the Drongos kept chasing all the other birds away to dominate the scene. We decided to have our tea before meeting Durai and Menno. At the FHNEC we met Tong from Selangor and Durai informed us that he was taking Menno and the rest of the group to see the Brown Wood-Owl along the Bishop Trail. When Menno came with his wife, Helen we were off to the spot. A short walk from the road in front of the Guthrie bungalow led us to the spot. There he was - sleepy-eyed and lifting a drowsy eye-lid to glimpse at us wondering what we were trying to do. Tong flashed his camera armed with a Tamron 200-400 LD lens while Dr. Chan tried his best to focus on the biggest owl in Malaysia which looked magnificent through my scope. Menno suggested that we meet at about 1.00 pm the next day to discuss possible sources of funding.
Monday was indeed eventful. We went up for an early breakfast at the FHNEC food court where we experienced a bird wave with the Minivets, Green Magpies and other birds at close range.
Around the Telecoms Loop a female Bay Woodpecker was spotted pecking into a hole to grab a grub. A large clump of jewel orchids (Ludisia sp.) which were about to flower were also spotted. Meeting with Menno for lunch we discussed the possibility of sourcing funds from overseas. He agreed to continue in the evening over steamboat dinner. Back to the High Pines it was siesta time for the birds while we chatted with some of the kids. The Mugimaki Flycatcher came close for Dr. Chan to video him. After tea at about 4.45 pm we cruised down the downhill road with Dr. Chan's son praying to see a hornbill on a tree - "not a flying one" (we've seen the Wreathed Hornbill flying above on 3 occasions). His prayers were answered not long after when we spotted first the female then the male Great Hornbill perched on a dead tree, removing its bark - probably looking for insects in preparation for breeding. Tong and his wife came just in time to have a few shots. Moving on till the landslide area we turned back. Suddenly we came across Tong who waved to us that something interesting was in sight. A family of Rhinocerous Hornbills were sighted resting on a tree below 200 metres away. It was like a dream as we studied the family. The juvenile bird did not have a pronounced horn yet. They flew off after a while so we made our way back. On the way we experienced a bird wave - a large group of more than 10 Long-tailed Broadbills were spotted.
Menno was waiting with Durai as promised. Durai asked whether we would like to see "a flying squirrel" near the Bishop trail. Off we went. As it was getting dark (7.10 pm) we positioned and switched on our headlights at the animal clinging on to the trunk of a small tree. It was a colugo - a mammal which, like the platypus, is the only species in the genus. We looked at this most unique animal for some time until it decided to move and unfold its skin and showed its little offspring. Pitying the poor mammal we adjourned to the Quest Resort for a well-earned dinner. What a day!
The last day was uneventful although we saw the Brown Wood-owl again when we tried to look for Trogons. We tried the Abu Suryadi trail but it was disappointing The new downhill road was also uneventful although 4 Wreathed Hornbills were seen. We decided to call it a day and proceeded down the hill back home. I had another reason to hurry home - my left window had jammed so I had to get it repaired else the rain would flood my car"