MELAKA
Melaka
Melaka and its state capital, Melaka City is widely dubbed as Malaysia’s historical city. This historical city centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008. With a total land area of only 1,664 square kilometres, this city is serviced by the Melaka International Airport is located in Batu Berendam with easy 2-hour driving access from Kuala Lumpur to its north.
Contact Info
- Melaka Forestry Department
- webjpnmelaka@forestry.gov.my
- http://forestry.melaka.gov.my
- PERHILITAN Tanjung Tuan Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Melaka
- melaka@wildlife.gov.my
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EVENT: Raptor Watch – March (Annual Event)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) - events@mns.org.my
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www.raptorwatch.org
www.mns.my
Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
No. of species: > 100
Tanjung Tuan houses Malaysia’s oldest lighthouse, built originally in the 1500s and is one of the few remaining primary coastal rainforest areas on the West Coast and on a clear day, enjoy the panoramic view of the coast, its coral reef’s and birds.
There are over 100 bird species have been spotted here, including forest birds and migrating raptors. From late February to March, some of the migratory raptors you might see here include the Black Baza, Eastern Honey-Buzzard, Grey-faced Buzzard, Greater Spotted Eagle as well as the Chinese Sparrowhawk and Japanese Sparrowhawk. Forest birds that may be seen here include the Changeable Hawk-eagle, Large Green pigeon, Oriental Dollarbird, Coppersmith Barbet, Greater Flameback, Black-naped Oriole, Blue-throated Bee-eater and the Asian Glossy Starling.
The lighthouse service road takes you up to the top of the 95 metres hill and much of the birding can be carried out along it. This is a pleasant walk with a good chance to spot some interesting birds such as Oriental Paradise-flycatcher (Blyth’s Paradise- Flycatcher), Crimson Sunbird and during winter migration season, Orange-headed Thrush is a possibility.
Tanjung Tuan is accessible by communal busses from the town of Port Dickson, which is a 45minute drive from the city of Seremban or by taxi and rented car if you are travelling from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It will take you about 1.5-hour to reach the site. This is truly an all-round ecotourism site for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, suitable for all levels of fitness and age groups.
Malacca Botanical Garden (Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest)
No. of species: 135
A beautiful forest complex, this site is one of easiest access sites in the country for visitors to get a glimpse of the megadiversity of Malaysia. Situated just off the North-South Highway, Malacca Botanical Garden or formerly known as Air Keroh Recreational Forest is about 15 kilometres from Melaka town and 2-hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur city.
Some of the over 135 bird species found here include lowland forest birds such as the Black-thighed Falconet, Jambu Fruit-dove, Oriental Paradise-flycatcher (Blyth’s Paradise-Flycatcher), Purple-naped Spiderhunter, Pink-necked Green-pigeon, Thick-billed Green-pigeon, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Sunda Pygmy, Buff-necked, Buff-rumped, Crimson-winged and Rufous Woodpecker, Coppersmith Barbet, Gold- whiskered Barbet, Red-crowned Barbet, Rusty- breasted Cuckoo (Brush Cuckoo), Changeable Hawk-eagle and Crested Serpent-eagle. There are also 3 owl species here, namely Barred Eagle-owl, Buffy Fish-owl and Brown Wood-owl.
There is also a lake and fringing locations within the site that will be interesting in terms of bird life and even interesting wildlife.
