malaysian naturalist, march 2015
EVERY YEAR come autumn, migratory raptors fly south from their breeding grounds in North Asia, Northeastern Asia, Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka, Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Making the perilous journey into continental Southeast Asia and its associated archipelago through the East Asian Flyway, the raptors return on this path from late January to March/April once winter is over.
Realising the importance of raptors and the uniqueness of the migration phenomenon, Raptor Watch aims to highlight the importance of conserving Tanjung Tuan as a raptor migration site and wildlife sanctuary as well as a key ecotourism site. The event is also an opportunity for birdwatchers to gather scientific information about the raptors, which is vital to their future survival.
First held in 2000, Raptor Watch is the biggest and the most important event for the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and ecotourism in Malaysia. Its main objective is to conserve birds and their habitats and to educate the public on the importance of the most spectacular migratory phenomena to hit the shores of Peninsular Malaysia – the stopover of thousands of eagles, hawks and buzzards on their 12,000km migration.
The five most numerous and regularly sighted species are the Oriental honey-buzzard, (Pernis ptilorhynchus), black baza (Aviceda leuphotes), Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipter gularis), Chinese goshawk (Accipiter solensis) and grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus).
Raptor Watch also serves as a platform to create awareness on the need to protect Tanjung Tuan as a coastal rainforest – and its adjacent mangrove areas as a valuable natural resource.
Through Raptor Watch, MNS hopes to protect this incredible biodiversity and ensure the continued annual arrival of these mighty creatures. Seeing that climate change is growing into a formidable issue, this event aims to educate the public on the effects of climate change on raptor migration as well as the habitats that host them.
Every year, MNS engages with government agencies, local hotel operators, schools as well as corporates to be a part of this very significant event.
For more information on the programme, do visit mnsraptorwatch.wordpress.com
Realising the importance of raptors and the uniqueness of the migration phenomenon, Raptor Watch aims to highlight the importance of conserving Tanjung Tuan as a raptor migration site and wildlife sanctuary as well as a key ecotourism site. The event is also an opportunity for birdwatchers to gather scientific information about the raptors, which is vital to their future survival.
First held in 2000, Raptor Watch is the biggest and the most important event for the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and ecotourism in Malaysia. Its main objective is to conserve birds and their habitats and to educate the public on the importance of the most spectacular migratory phenomena to hit the shores of Peninsular Malaysia – the stopover of thousands of eagles, hawks and buzzards on their 12,000km migration.
The five most numerous and regularly sighted species are the Oriental honey-buzzard, (Pernis ptilorhynchus), black baza (Aviceda leuphotes), Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipter gularis), Chinese goshawk (Accipiter solensis) and grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus).
Raptor Watch also serves as a platform to create awareness on the need to protect Tanjung Tuan as a coastal rainforest – and its adjacent mangrove areas as a valuable natural resource.
Through Raptor Watch, MNS hopes to protect this incredible biodiversity and ensure the continued annual arrival of these mighty creatures. Seeing that climate change is growing into a formidable issue, this event aims to educate the public on the effects of climate change on raptor migration as well as the habitats that host them.
Every year, MNS engages with government agencies, local hotel operators, schools as well as corporates to be a part of this very significant event.
For more information on the programme, do visit mnsraptorwatch.wordpress.com
The beautiful coast of Tanjung Tuan. Credit: Wendy Heah
