Sepilok

After heavy overnight rain we set out to the canopy walkway in clearing skies and had an enjoyable couple of hours. First up was a pair of Banded Woodpeckers feeding nearby and either the same pair or another showed even closer at the end of the walkway. 

Banded Woodpecker

There was also Green Imperial-pigeon, a pair of Raffles’s Malkoha, numerous Whiskered Treeswifts and some Silver-rumped Needletails were flying around. We continued with Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Green Iora, Fiery Minivet, a brilliant Crested Jay spotted by David, Olive-winged Bulbul, Ashy Tailorbird, Greater Green Leafbird and Van Hasselt’s Sunbird.

Raffles's Malkoha

Leaving here we had cracking views of a Black-and-red Broadbill and scope views of Asian Glossy Starling in a bare tree. At a fruiting tree near the entrance there was Red-eyed Bulbul and several Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds. Breakfast back at the lodge was great and the close perched Stork-billed Kingfisher wasn’t too bad either.

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Returning to the Rainforest Discovery Centre we hit the trails rather than go up on the canopy walkway and began with tantalising glimpses of Rufous-backed and Blue-eared Kingfishers, but a Rufous Piculet was much more obliging. Then we found a Red-naped Trogon after quite some searching, followed by Blue-throated Bee-eater, Puff-backed and Red-eyed Bulbuls, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Chestnut-winged Babbler, and a close Little Spiderhunter.

By late morning we found ourselves way out on the trails in superb habitat when suddenly the heavens opened and it absolutely poured down. So there was nothing for it but to yomp back to the trailhead where we took shelter in the restaurant and tried to dry out a bit. Whilst enjoying some cold drinks a Blue-crowned Hanging-parrot whizzed right past us.

At lunch a flock of 10 Little Green-pigeons flew into the treetops opposite the restaurant and we had time for a short rest before heading out again. In the afternoon the rain stopped and we hit the trails once more, finding it quieter than this morning. 

Diard's Trogon

But we still saw a close Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, a fine Red-bearded Bee-eater, Diard’s Trogon, both Spectacled and Long-billed Spiderhunters, and the endemic Dusky Munia. 

Rufous-backed Kingfisher

Some commotion around a fruiting tree held Black-headed, Hairy-backed, Grey-bellied and Spectacled Bulbuls, Purple-naped Sunbird, Asian Fairy Bluebird and White-bellied Erpornis.