MNS Kuching Branch Birding Group

Overnight Birding Trip To Kubah National Park

DATE                                 : 19-20 June 2010;

CHECK IN TIME               : 2:00 PM (SATURDAY)

CHECK OUT TIME           : 11:00 AM (SUNDAY)

BACKGROUND

Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch Birding Group will be holding an overnight bird watching trip to Kubah National Park on 19-20 June 2010. This trip is an opportunity to enjoy the amazing biodiversity of the Park and to watch its diverse variety of birds.

Kubah National Park is one of Sarawak's most accessible national parks. The Park is well known for its extremely rich palm flora with around 95 species of palm being recorded within the park and its surrounding.  However, it has even greater variety of bird life that is starting to get notice by birders not only locally but also internationally.   More than 130 species of birds (more than that of palm species) had so far been recorded in the Park.  

Some of the sought after birds found in the park include Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum thoracicus, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nanus, Bornean Blue-flycatcher Cyornis superbus, Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria and Great Argus Argusianus argus Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa.   The prize species must go to the Blue-banded Pitta Pitta arquata where many International birders say it is the easiest place in the world to see this most elusive endemic bird.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Park is located about 20 kilometers from Kuching. Exit Kuching by Jalan Matang Baru and continue until you reach the Red Bridge. Turn left after that bridge and follow the road to Lundu. Turn left immediately after Matang Family Park and enter the National Park. There is ample parking facility within the park and we encourage car pooling.

FACILITIES

There is no canteen facility at Kubah National Park.

Participants are advised to bring their own food and drinks for the trip.

ACCOMMODATION

We have provisionally booked two Forest Lodge houses type 5 accommodating

up to 20 people. Families of bird watchers are welcome! All accommodation facilities are provided with cooking utensils and cutlery.

Forest Lodge Type 5 – RM150  per house / Non-air-conditioned - Fan only

Room 1 -5 single beds, Room 2 - 3 single beds and Room 3  -2 single beds 

AGENDA

Saturday

2:00 PM - onward: Check-in at Park Office. Move into accommodation.

7:30-9:00 PM: Night walk looking for frogs, owls, nightjars and frogmouths.

Sunday

7:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Early morning bird watching led by Mr Yeo Siew Teck.

Sunday before 11:00 AM: Checkout.

WHAT TO BRING

Please bring along your hat, sun block, raincoat, environmental friendly insect repellent, swimming suit or sarong if you plan to have a swim at the waterfall. Have torchlight ready for the night walk. Please remember to wear dull-coloured clothes. Only thin blankets are provided in the rooms, so participants should bring bed sheets or sleeping bags and towels.

FEES

MNS Members & students : RM30 (Entrance fee & accommodation)

Non-members                             : RM40 (Entrance fee & accommodation)

REGISTRATION / INFORMATION

Registration: Susan Teal Tel:  082-250021 / 012-855 1799 Email: sueteal2006@gmail.com or Anthony Wong 013-8333163 email:antwong@sareaga.com

(You will need to provide IC numbers or passport numbers and to indicate how many for the accommodation)

Registration will be on 1^st come 1^st served basis and members have priority over non members if the rooms is insufficient.