Over 100 bird species recorded across Seberang Perai forests

More than 100 bird species have been recorded across two forest reserves in Seberang Perai, as part of a Think City-funded survey aimed at building a reference checklist for the district’s forest birdlife.

The Nature Sustainable Ecosystem Society (NEST) is carrying out the “Forest Bird Species Checklist Survey in Seberang Perai” project, with fieldwork coordinator Shaiful Azhar Abu Bakar overseeing the observation activities.

The bird-watching effort has so far recorded around 60 species at Air Hitam Dalam Forest Reserve and 40 species at Bukit Mertajam Forest Eco Park, with fieldwork continuing at Bukit Panchor State Park in Nibong Tebal next.

Think City grant funds forest bird checklist project

NEST received a grant from Think City, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, to prepare the forest bird species checklist report.

Shaiful Azhar said the report is intended to serve as a reference for research, development planning, policy-making, and eco-tourism initiatives across the district.

The project’s scope of updating bird species data reflects a broader aim of conserving biodiversity that plays an important role in supporting human life in the surrounding areas.

Species recorded during the survey include the Takau Rimba, or Java broadbill, among others documented across the two forest reserves so far.

Young Black Kites signal breeding activity in the area

Observations at Air Hitam Dalam Forest Reserve uncovered flocks of young Black Kites, indicating an increase in the species’ breeding activity in the area.

Shaiful Azhar said the finding suggests more bird species could be discovered as the survey continues across the remaining forest reserves.

The fieldwork has involved 10 bird activists and experts from local universities, alongside experienced birdwatchers and photographers collaborating to identify species and migratory patterns.

Photographers Zaidie Abdul Aziz and Apiq Sulaiman, bird expert Abdul Rahman Ahmad, and birdwatcher Ramlah Hamdan were among those who took part in the observation exercises.

Checklist to support future conservation and eco-tourism planning

Once complete, the checklist report is expected to give researchers, planners, and policymakers a clearer picture of the forest bird populations across Seberang Perai’s reserves.

The project’s eco-tourism angle points to potential future use of the data in developing birdwatching trails or nature tourism initiatives within the surveyed reserves.

With fieldwork moving next to Bukit Panchor State Park in Nibong Tebal, the survey’s final species count is expected to grow beyond the 100 species already recorded.

Residents and nature enthusiasts interested in Seberang Perai’s birdlife can expect the checklist to serve as a long-term reference once the survey concludes.