Lifer 2010

This two lifer is a gift from above, my morale on birding was a bit low because we are not getting our normal birding work (assignments, as a freelance guide) as compare to last year. Until I received an SMS text from a good friend Sifu CK on the Common Coot. I was at Sandakan that time handling the Taiwan group. I was revitalised instantly with that wonderful news. So can't wait to take my scope once I get back to Kota Kinabalu.

This vagrant (coot) look like its still a juvenile because the frontal shield is not fully develop yet. It could be a while before its going home. Which is good for local birders who have not seen it yet.

As for the Long-billed Plover (non breeding plumage), it was a coincidence that I found it. I was actually intended to do birding at another area but I was held with my personal chores and time was not on my side. I just took a car and drove to my usual place in Penampang rice field before the sun start to set and spotted a Little Ring Plover dipping it beck searching for food. I nearly wanted to leave and find another place until I spotted another plover standing next to it and more larger and longer tail. I tried identifying it but just could not put my finger into it. I have to ask some help, and help came from Sifu C.K.. I called him right away and he told me to stay put and wait for him. Not long later he arrived but he too was finding it hard to name it and decided to take some pictures with the birds standing together and decided to ask some help from a Mr Richard Chandler author of "Shorebirds of Northern Hemisphere". However I only managed to get a picture of the Little Ring Plover. Now there is a group of birder flocking to try their luck to get a picture of this bird (Sifu Karim, Jason, Andrew, Ben D.) Watch out Mr Long Billed Plover.

With this new additional I finally reach my 400's birds of Borneo. Very happy and thanks to the support and encouragement of my friends, Sifu C.K., Sifu Andrew, Sifu Jason and Sifu Karim.

Happy Birding.

Little Ring Plover

Common Coot