malaysian naturalist, march 2019
Text by Stephanie Bacon Images by Khoo Swee Seng, Lee Choew Lim & Stephanie Bacon CONCEIVED FROM two naturally occurring phenomena, raptor watching in Peninsular Malaysia has become a time-honoured annual occurrence. The migration of such birds is the first phenomenon and the location of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve stretching out into the Straits of Malacca is the second. The migratory raptors that fly over Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve breed in North Asia, Northeastern Asia, Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka, Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. |
As the spring season approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, they make their perilous journey north from continental Southeast Asia through the East Asian Flyway.
Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve was first gazetted on 23rd December 1921 with an area of 80.97 hectares, and later in 1953, gazetted by the Forestry Department as Melaka state’s first virgin jungle reserve.
It is currently one of three remaining virgin jungles in the state and the last patch of coastal rainforest on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Fortunately, it is the closest point in the peninsula to Sumatera and used as a target by thousands of raptors each year, which provides us with this opportunity to celebrate.
At the turn of the century, a group of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) members came together to search the skies for these remarkable birds, and what was to become the largest environmental event in Peninsular Malaysia was born.
It soon became clear the importance of raptors and the uniqueness of their migration phenomenon, so the event developed into an opportunity for birdwatchers to gather scientific information about the raptors which now covers the past 20 years.
Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve was first gazetted on 23rd December 1921 with an area of 80.97 hectares, and later in 1953, gazetted by the Forestry Department as Melaka state’s first virgin jungle reserve.
It is currently one of three remaining virgin jungles in the state and the last patch of coastal rainforest on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Fortunately, it is the closest point in the peninsula to Sumatera and used as a target by thousands of raptors each year, which provides us with this opportunity to celebrate.
At the turn of the century, a group of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) members came together to search the skies for these remarkable birds, and what was to become the largest environmental event in Peninsular Malaysia was born.
It soon became clear the importance of raptors and the uniqueness of their migration phenomenon, so the event developed into an opportunity for birdwatchers to gather scientific information about the raptors which now covers the past 20 years.
Personally, I first attended Raptor Watch in 2009 as a spectator and by then, it had matured fully with a festive atmosphere in multiple canopies in the grounds of PNB Ilham Resort, featuring the many aspects of MNS together with other “nature based” input from various organisations. By then, Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch members were fully involved with the event and took the opportunity to meet up and share the excitement with friends and MNS members from other parts of Malaysia. Over the following years, various changes took place, as good financial support from the Melaka State Government enabled its survival and development. As the secretary for the MNS Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch, I had the opportunity to work with MNS staff at the local level on the planning and support aspects. For the first time in 2010, the Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch promoted Raptor Watch in shopping malls in both Melaka and Seremban. The numerous pictures of raptors and other wildlife was a good way of drawing in the crowds. |
Initially, the branch designed and printed is own simple pamphlet for handing out to the public. Since 2013, we have better graphics designed into the pamphlet and printed professionally. In 2015, after many years of the same format, we broke with tradition and moved the focus of the event – all the tents and activities, into the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve.
Feedback on this is obviously mixed, with many people loving the more natural environment of the jungle while others preferred the festive spirit of the field.Now, although the Melaka State Government is still supporting the event in spirit, MNS has had to downgrade some of the features and has needed to rely on other sources of financial assistance. No longer do we have lavish opening ceremonies or loud music playing for most of the time. Nonetheless, it is a congenial way of meeting up with like- minded friends, old and new.
Due to the strength of MNS Environmental Education and the Schools Nature Clubs (Kelab Pencinta Alam), ever more students are experiencing camps, guided nature treks, marine walks, mangrove ecology, slideshows and talks under Raptor Watch.
Also, there are a number of environmental based activities for families to enjoy, such as face painting, wildlife talks, nature painting workshops and recycling.
On the more serious side, the monitoring of the migratory raptors and the protection of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve gain importance with each succeeding year, as the research obtained is channelled to MNS partners at the regional (Asian Raptor Research & Conservation Network) and international (BirdLife International) levels.
Raptor Watch also serves as a platform to create awareness on the need to protect rainforest and the adjacent mangrove areas as a valuable natural resource. Through Raptor Watch, MNS hopes to protect the incredible biodiversity supported by this rich environment.
Finally, Raptor Watch would not have survived without the volunteers that make it possible, mainly made up of MNS members. Apart from identifying and counting the raptors as they fly overhead and manning the booths during the event, the planning team consists of MNS members and staff coming together and working as one team. Many corporate staff and students, including international students, also helped to make the events successful.
MNS is pleased that Raptor Watch is highlighted as a key tourism event for Malaysia, with the involvement of the State Government. As in previous years, Raptor Watch is organised by MNS in conjunction with the Melaka State Government and supported by various agencies, such as the Port Dickson and Alor Gajah District Councils; the Wildlife, Forestry, Marine Parks and Marine departments; Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor Education Departments; and Teluk Kemang Police Station.
Feedback on this is obviously mixed, with many people loving the more natural environment of the jungle while others preferred the festive spirit of the field.Now, although the Melaka State Government is still supporting the event in spirit, MNS has had to downgrade some of the features and has needed to rely on other sources of financial assistance. No longer do we have lavish opening ceremonies or loud music playing for most of the time. Nonetheless, it is a congenial way of meeting up with like- minded friends, old and new.
Due to the strength of MNS Environmental Education and the Schools Nature Clubs (Kelab Pencinta Alam), ever more students are experiencing camps, guided nature treks, marine walks, mangrove ecology, slideshows and talks under Raptor Watch.
Also, there are a number of environmental based activities for families to enjoy, such as face painting, wildlife talks, nature painting workshops and recycling.
On the more serious side, the monitoring of the migratory raptors and the protection of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve gain importance with each succeeding year, as the research obtained is channelled to MNS partners at the regional (Asian Raptor Research & Conservation Network) and international (BirdLife International) levels.
Raptor Watch also serves as a platform to create awareness on the need to protect rainforest and the adjacent mangrove areas as a valuable natural resource. Through Raptor Watch, MNS hopes to protect the incredible biodiversity supported by this rich environment.
Finally, Raptor Watch would not have survived without the volunteers that make it possible, mainly made up of MNS members. Apart from identifying and counting the raptors as they fly overhead and manning the booths during the event, the planning team consists of MNS members and staff coming together and working as one team. Many corporate staff and students, including international students, also helped to make the events successful.
MNS is pleased that Raptor Watch is highlighted as a key tourism event for Malaysia, with the involvement of the State Government. As in previous years, Raptor Watch is organised by MNS in conjunction with the Melaka State Government and supported by various agencies, such as the Port Dickson and Alor Gajah District Councils; the Wildlife, Forestry, Marine Parks and Marine departments; Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor Education Departments; and Teluk Kemang Police Station.