Way Kanan 4

The next morning we drove to Way Kanan and took a boat a short way along the river just after daybreak and walked through the swamp forest, passing the first pool until we reached a large clearing and another pool. Waiting quietly for an hour, our reward arrived in the shape of 3 White-winged Wood-Ducks flying by right in front of us. Wow! 

White-winged Duck - mega..!!

After a light shower the sun came out and birds began appearing on the treetops, with Black-headed Bulbul, Lesser Cuckooshrike and a Dollarbird being seen. Some movement in a distant fruiting tree turned out to be a flock of Cinnamon-headed Green-pigeons, a much appreciated lifer for everyone! Close by a pair of cracking Chestnut-bellied Malkohas showed well, and shortly after a Black-bellied Malkoha appeared behind a very close Crimson-winged Woodpecker we were already watching. 

Black-bellied Malkoha

Crimson-winged Woodpecker

The same spot also had Red-throated and Crimson Sunbirds, Ashy Tailorbird and Green Iora. Once we had returned to Way Kanan we had stunning views of a male Malayan Banded Pitta and male Diard’s Trogon to round off a wonderful morning’s birding.

Large-tailed Nightjar

The afternoon was again slow but Ferruginous Babbler was new and a couple of Chestnut-winged Babblers showed well, but a Maroon Woodpecker only showed to some. At dusk we had a Malaysian Eared-Nightjar flyby and close views of Large-tailed Nightjar at Way Kanan. 

Large Frogmouth - one of my best birds of the year.

We followed this with really good views of Large Frogmouth which was a fine way to finish as we only heard a Sunda Frogmouth in the distance, as well as Brown Wood-owl and Barred Eagle-Owl tonight! So that brought us 13 species of night-birds from this one site alone..!