---

Calendar For May-Jun 2001

MNS 60th Anniversary Dinner (Saturday 12th May 2001)
Meeting place & Time: Call to confirm
Coordinator: Cheaw Hon Ming/Alex Kuan
As this is organised only once in 10 years the committee hopes that as many people as possible would buy a ticket for this dinner and meet fellow members from other states (the Branch Getogether will be held earlier on the same day). To encourage more members to attend this event the Branch committee has on a majority vote approved that the branch will subsidise the purchase price of the tickets to a maximum of 5 tables (50 tickets) on a first-come/pay-first-serve basis. So hurry and call up to confirm through payment by 7 May 2001. Please contact the coordinators to arrange car-pooling and transport for those who need it (minimum charges to be determined later). The programme for the day and the next (May 13) is on the Announcements page.

Recce Trip to Temenggor &Lower Belum Waterfall (19-20 May 2001)
Meeting place & Time: 5.00 pm sharp Friday 18 May 2001 at IGB Plaza
Coordinator: Cheaw Hon Ming/Ong Boon Kuan
Only those with a 4WD vehicle or those who are able to arrange transport in one can participate in this trip as the terrain is steep and very slippery when it rains. We will leave at 5.00 pm sharp on Friday 18 May to stay overnight in Gerik before departing early to  explore the Temenggor Lake area via Bersia. A flock of White-crowned Hornbills and other interesting birds were seen by the Branch Chairman in this area during his last trip. We hope to meet up with Penang birders (Kanda Kumar and others) by mid-day for another bird survey. If weather permits we will trek to a waterfall (3-4 hours) reputed to have a 70 meter drop (possibly the highest in peninsular Malaysia). Otherwise we will explore the surounding area, camp for the night and trek to the waterfall the next morning.

Children’s Nature Camp – Papan (Saturday- Sunday 26-27 May 2001)
Time & Meeting Place: 7.30 am in front of Wan Wah (1) Primary School, Menglembu
Coordinator: Lee Yuat Wah (3210641-H)
Children of members and non-members are welcome to participate in this fun-with-nature camp (only RM55.00 per child inclusive of food, all learning materials and a quality MNS tee-shirt). Volunteers who have signed up please meet at the same place for instructions and help with registration.

Turtle Watch at Pantai Kerachut, Pantai Acheh F. R. Penang (2-4 June 2001)
Time & Meeting Place: 3.00 pm Saturday 2 June, End of the World Restaurant, Teluk Bahang fishing village
Trip Leader: Hooi Peng Kwan (Penang Branch) 04-8270910
      After the Raptor Watch comes the Turtle Watch. This is a two-day camping trip to Pantai Kerachut and Penang Hill, followed by a visit to Penang Branch’s new NEC. As it is the turtle nesting season, especially along the beaches of Penang Island's backyard, it would be great fun trying our luck to see if we can encounter any turtle landing or nesting on Penang’s beaches.
      All are welcome for this trip which will be regarded as a promotion for Seatru's STOP programme. From End of the World Restaurant, Teluk Bahang it is an hour's jungle trek to Pantai Kerachut.and we can camp there.
      On 3rd June Sunday, participants will hike back to Teluk Bahang and have breakfast and then proceed to Penang Hill via Moongate near Botanical Gardens.We will camp at an open space near the Convalescent bangalow. What to bring? Stove, camping equipment, tent, bino, small torchlight, 3-in-one drinks, insect repellants, food, canvas for lying on the beach, sleeping bag. What to expect? Turtle landings and nestings, birding, trekking, beautiful sunset, pitcher plants (hanging gardens), photography and waterfalls. What to avoid?  As turtles are very sensitive to light and movement, use of torchlights or starting camp-fires along the beach would definitely frighten away the turtles. Try not to use any torchlight along the beach at night
 Facilities:  Toilets, fresh water for cooking sourced from the upper streams and a big pavilion big enough for those who do not have any tents at all. Those who are interested please contact trip leader directly [e-mail: [email protected]] Perak members may contact the secretary for car-pooling purposes and other arrangements..

Bird Race in Fraser’s Hill (Saturday-Sunday 9 June 2001)
Meeting place & Time: Call to confirm
Trip leader: Molly Chew
A number of foreign teams have expressed eagerness in participating (Thailand and Singapore) so Perak birders should give serious competition. For further information please refer to the Announcements page.

Birding in Kuala Gula and Burmese Pool, Taiping (16th - 17th June 2001)
Meeting place & Time: 2.30 pm (IGB Plaza)
Trip leader: Lim Kim Chye/ Molly Chew
On 16th morning we will do a spot of birding in Kuala Gula/Taiping, followed with an overnight stay at the Taiping Rest House and birding in the Burmese pool area on the 17th morning. Those interested please confirm with Molly (05-3211301). As accomodation has to be booked, please confirm early before 30th May.

Further Down the Road
Branch Annual General Meeting (Saturday 14 July 2001)
Preliminary notice is given that the Branch AGM will be held on 14 July 2001. Tentatively it will be held in the Ipoh Swimming Club with a buffet dinner (RM20.00 per pax) after that. A slide show will also be arranged. Rose Abdullah or other HQ officers will be here to advise on the preparations on the National AGM. The National AGM will be held on 8-9 September 2001 in the Bako National Park with tours starting on 6th September and ending 12th September to coincide with school holidays. However it may be changed pending further information on flights, tour packages and feedback from branches. Please keep these dates free as your participation is most welcomed. More information later.