Ms Nabilah Binti Jamaludin
Community Research Assistant of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)

I had the opportunity to introduce bird watching activity to the  Kampung Sungai Serdang community. At the same, I got to learn from two bird experts about migratory waterbirds. This activity was held in conjunction with the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), which is part of the global waterbird monitoring program coordinated by Wetlands International.

The waterbird watching activity was held on 21st January 2018 at Kampung Sungai Serdang which is located next to the Kapar ash ponds, along the north central Selangor coast (an IBA). This is a suitable place for bird watching activity as it has wide mudflats and mangroves and the birds can be seen roaming for food when the tide is low. The aim of this activity is to increase interest amongst the villagers about the migratory waterbirds and the flyway and hopefully to involved the community in the AWC as part of the plan to increase counters and sites. In order to do this, further training will be provided for the villagers regarding waterbirds identification and techniques for the AWC.

There were three other colleagues (Mr Woo, Ms Anisah and Ms Alifah) with myself and two MNS Selangor Branch Bird Group members and fourteen villagers (including the head villager) participated in this activity. Mr. Tang Tuck Hong, a member of the Bird Group shared his knowledge and experience about the waterbirds which included the introduction to the migratory birds, how to identify the species and bird counting. Then the participants were taught how to use binoculars and scopes for bird identification and counting. Some of the bird species that can be observed were lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), great egret (Ardea alba), whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), and Sandpipers. Due to the low tide and the wide mudflats, many waterbirds are quite far away to be identified.

Participants practicing bird identification and counting activity

Mr. Tang showed the participants the characteristic of the bird that can be seen

Lesser Adjutant at the top of the tree

Group photo with the participants