Birding is a hobby which is not necessarily expensive and is a stress-reliever during the weekends. All birds have their signature calls and these are music to the ears, soothing sounds that greet us early in the morning against the backdrop of incessant car honking and the revving sound of motor engines (Pic: Common Shrike).
The benefits of bird-watching:
1.Health – increase physical activities and relieve stress
2.Personal development – develop patience and love/empathy for life
3.Conservation – Educate and create awareness about biodiversity and birds to others
How and where to start birding?
Firstly, you need to know how and where to go about birding. You need not venture far as many beginners started bird-watching at their own backyard or at their own balconies at home. Try looking at places such as telephone and lamp posts (you may find an eagle perched on these structures), dead tree branches (good perching points for birds like common mynas, dollarbirds, falconets, kingfishers and bee-eaters) and telephone lines (swallows, bulbuls and crows) to gain ‘awareness’ of their existence. Simply looking up at the skies or just any trees and chances are you might spot starlings, pigeons, doves and sunbirds going about their business.
Best times for bird-watching are from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm where most birds come out to find food. Have an insect repellent ready at hand to ward off mosquitoes. If you are contemplating visiting forest reserves for bird-watching activities, do ensure that you bring sufficient amount of water to avoid dehydration and heat strokes. Wear appropriate attire (no bright-coloured clothing) and comfortable walking shoes. A pair of good binoculars and bird-identification book will also make birding easier. Try listing down the species of birds spotted at specific locations and start archiving from there. You can always add on and improve on this list when you go back for your next birding trip (Pic: Bittern).
Bird-watching essentials:
1. Bottled water
2. Sunscreen SPF 50 and above
3. Cap/hat
4. Comfortable attire (plus a pair of good walking shoes)
5. Granola bar or fruits/packed food (for energy sustenance)
6. A pair of binoculars (camera if you want to capture the birds on film)
7. Guide book on birds (for identification)
8. Notebook & pen (for bird-listing)
9. Insect repellent
Most people are not aware that there are many uncommon species of birds surrounding us, yes, even in the big city of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Amidst the dense industrial, commercial and residential areas, you will still find pockets of green lungs where animals (and birds included) call home. Most of the birds are resident birds but you can also find migratory birds on their passage either to the Southern or Northern hemisphere, using Malaysia as their pit stop to rest before making their way again.
These are my top 3 favourite birding sites in Klang Valley:
1. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong
Located in Kepong, FRIM is ideal and a must for families and nature lovers who are staying in Klang
Valley. Many people came here for nature sports such as biking, jogging and brisk-walking. FRIM is also a popular choice for many organizations to organise their company activities such as camping. Founded in 1929, this 600-hectare tropical forest serves as a research institute, tourist attraction (responsible eco-tourism) and also the habitat for more than 20,000 species of plants and animals.
Entrance fee: RM 5.00 for the driver and car; each passenger is charged an additional RM 1.00.
Walk-in visitors need to pay RM1.00 per person. The Canopy Walk is only open from 9am - 1.30pm and closed on Monday and Friday.
Operating hours:
Mondays - Thursdays 8.00 am - 1.00 and 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm
Fridays - 8.00 am - 12.15 pm and 2.45 pm - 4.30 pm
(Pic: Emerald Dove)
2. Taman Cahaya Alam (Taman Pertanian), Shah Alam
The Malaysia Agriculture Park was opened to the public in 1986 and located in Shah Alam, 
Selangor. The area, which is also known as Bukit Cherakah, covering 1,295 hectares of virgin jungle is the world's first agro-forestry park. There are many gardens in this park amongst which are the Spice Garden, Ornamental Garden, Orchid Garden, Cactus Garden and an animal park. Bicycles are available for rent at the park while free bus service is provided to ferry visitors to various spots within the park. If you like fishing, there are lakes within the park that you can fish for a fee of RM2 per fishing rod.
Entrance fee: RM 3.00 per adult, RM 1.00 per child/senior citizen (excludes bicycle rentals, sky-trex, four seasons temperature garden).
(Pic: Maroon woodpecker)
Operating hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed on Mondays except public or school holidays.
(Pics: Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and White-rumped Munia)
3. Paya Indah Wetlands, Dengkil
A sanctuary it is for the birds (water birds), this 3,100-hectare is located in Dengkil in the state of Selangor (an hour ride from the capital city, KL, and 20 minutes from KLIA). This wetland is a degraded ex-tin mining land and peat swamp forest. The authorities have intended for Paya Indah to be an eco-tourism attraction, showcasing Malaysia’s efforts towards achieving environmentally sound development in tourism, restoration of degraded areas and conservation of natural resources. Currently, only the recreational zone is open to public. Besides birding, one can try other activities such as fishing, cycling and hippo feeding. There’s also a crocodile pond.
Entrance: Free (there are also chalets and camping sites for rent)
Operating hours: 7:30am – 7:30pm
The love for birds and conservation can be inculcated in everyone, especially young children (rather than the focus on material things). This also moulds the future generation to be aware that we, the human beings are not to be considered as superior beings compared to other living beings on the face of the earth but should co-exist for a harmonious and sustainable existence.
(Pic: Black-backed Swamphen)
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