Flycatchers galore

 It has been a most interesting time at the bukit during this avian migratory season, with a few super uncommon sightings!

First, the flycatchers, the usual and the not so expected. 

The Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica) could practically be seen round each corner.

A couple were close by a couple preferred to stay distant.

Then it was a Green-backed Flycatcher (Ficedula elisae) which I thought was no longer around.  This time a female was way down foraging near the stream.

The juvenile Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica) came as a surprise because over the years, I've only sighted adult.  Anyway this one was truly the farthest away, and aiming incessantly after insects.

The Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula muginmaki) is not uncommon, appearing regularly over the years here, both male and female, but on this walk was only seen the male.

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And for the sighting of all sightings, yet the most frustrating, nevertheless a record sighting.

This was a male Amur Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei), brown morph, with its distinct long tail.  It came in a bird wave, and an opportunity for a better shot went with the wind as the bird was spooked by walkers babbling loudly as they past by.

Just 'traffic' as usual

 Another rather nondescript day for avian activities, partly due to the gloomy weather and the resumption of grating noise of earthworks downstream.

So I guessed it was just luck and timing as usual in birding, that as I stepped into the taman, I was first greeted by the Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, then this much welcomed Asian Paradise Flycatcher flew into sight, and as speedily left, a mini bird wave that I saw comprised only two birds!

It'll always a treat to sight this one.

And then further down by the river, a little scene was played out by a yellow-vented bulbul trying to scare off the female Yellow-rumped Flycatcher.  The interesting part was how the flycatcher held on whilst the bulbul postured and practically cawed, but the minute the bulbul gave up and flew off, so did the flycatcher!  Looked like a flycatcher provocateur!

Unfortunately for the rather dense foliage and the smaller bird keeping to the riverside, images were less than ideal.

The same fyc visitor?

 And so the visitors are dropping by slowly!  

Welcome back the Amur Paradise Flycatcher.  This area of the taman seems to be a favourite of similar flycatchers of yesteryears. 

05/2020

The gorgeous Amur

Another much awaited flycatcher arrived too, the Amur Paradise Flycatcher.  These birds are female and first winter or sub-adults, and could be from eastern China, Japan or even south-eastern Russia.  They would have migrated through Thailand to winter in Malaysia.  A couple may stay on in the bukit but most would move on to other parts of the country before they return home.
The unmistakable calls had me waiting patiently for it to appear and true enough it did, to allow some close-up shots.
Then as usual it moved on, flying to upper canopy and moving about up there with incessant speedy movements.
11/2019

It still allowed some shots but belly-poses were what I had to contend with.

There was another unexpected final encounter which unfortunately didn't allow more ideal shots despite the fact that there was more than one bird this time.

However, it did afford me a different pose.

My "Amore"

My latest encounter with the Amur Paradise Flycatcher in Bukit Kiara must be the most satisfying todate, simply because this one provided ample photo opportunities when it flew in, in a bird wave but decided to tarry to preen.
Nevertheless, as always a birder is never satisfied unless the bird is viewed from all angles!  Ahhh!!

Three species of Flycatcher so far

It has been only a month or so since I spotted the first migratory Flycatcher to the taman.  And now I'm reminded to recall the different species spotted to date.

Asian Brown Flycatcher - looks like it may stay the entire duration of migratory period here.

Another Asian Brown Flycatcher although the colouration is slightly different.

Also, first winter Asian Brown Flycatcher.

Short-tailed Asian Paradise Flycatcher - not seen since the first sighting.

Brown-streaked Flycatcher - an unexpected but delightful find.

Like seeing an old friend again!

TRK is truly a birder's playground.  There is always a great chance that you can come across a bird that you have missed at one time.
     I was terribly happy to come across this short-tailed Asian Paradise Flycatcher again after it was spotted by a birder's friend in the morning.  I had thought that it was on a stopover, but seeing it again in the afternoon on the very same day raised hope that it could stay in the taman for the duration of its migratory period.
     Perhaps the abundance of insects in the taman could entice it to stay longer and I hope to see it in action sometime!

A gorgeous bird, rufous-coloured and slim.