Rewilding & Connectivity

My article published in the Malaysian Bird Report June 2024 issue @

https://malaysianbird.report/report/vol-2-2024/ 

https://malaysianbird.report/wp-content/uploads/2-Rewilding-Malaysian-Bird-Report-June-2024.pdf

 Connectivity and Rewilding: A Birder’s Personal Perspective
by Roselyn Chuah

Fragmented open green spaces whether natural or created by design cannot exist in isolation. Notwithstanding efforts to recreate enhanced habitats due to loss following ceaseless and widespread developments, a fragmented environment will inevitably affect the foraging grounds and natural activities of animals of the land, water and air such as mating and breeding.

Rantaian Urban Green Spaces (RUGS) is borne on a premise that existing fragmented green spaces could be reconnected and rehabilitated to create a network of physical and ecological pathways to restore these fractured portions of the natural habitats of animals. Named the Damansara-Pantai Arc this network comprises thirteen sites that include Bukit Lanjan, Bukit Sri Bintang, Bukit Kiara, Rimba Ilmu in Universiti Malaya, Bukit Gasing, Bukit Persekutuan, Taman Tugu and Kawasan Damansara. A floral and faunal survey was undertaken last year that endeavoured to assess the biodiversity and potential ecological linkages between these sites.

RUGS’s first flora and fauna survey of this three-year project under the aegis of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) was conducted over a period of approximately eight weeks in July to August last year, and included a birdlife diversity assessment. Forest reserves, secondary forests, community forests, recreational parks and gardens comprise the survey sites.

Whilst mindful of the geographical and terrain make-up, birds were identified by sight and diagnostic calls and songs, and of diurnal and nocturnal birds. As it was inopportune that the bird survey period could not be extended to fully include the local bird migratory season normally observed from late August to April, past observations were duly included in the findings to reflect a more comprehensive bird presence in those sites.

The aim of the bird survey was primarily bird diversity but inevitably bird population was observed too. The survey covered number of species and families, resident status and in

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 view that the survey period just about managed to dip into the early stage of the bird migrant season, the potential presence of migrant birds was not discounted, and indeed there were sightings of early arrivals of Barn Swallows, a Blue-Winged Pitta, a Common Sandpiper, and an Oriental Honey Buzzard, possibly a migrant over-stayer of the year before.

© Roselyn Chuah

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus

Volume 2/2024, June 2024

  © Roselyn Chuah

Buffy Fish-Owl Ketupa ketupu

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More than 110 bird species representing more than 45 families of local and migrant birds, of dry land bird species namely garden, park, open country, forest and forest edge, and water birds and wetland species were recorded. Nocturnal birds of six species representing two families were recorded, with owl numbers suggesting a healthy presence in sub-urban habitats. Records of past sightings and existing literature easily added another approximate 40 local and migrant species to the numbers recorded in this survey.

The composition of habitats was very similar for most sites namely secondary forest, overgrown rubber plantation (some flanked by orchards/dusuns), ferns, vines, palm undergrowth, interspersed open country of wild grass/lalang, sub-urban overgrown woodlands. Some of the sites were bordered by enhanced garden and park corridors of residential areas and villages/kampong. A combination of natural and man-made trails featured in some of the sites. An exception of a site was one that comprised comparatively more water bodies, marshy patches, and wet undergrowth.

Against the background of these habitats, common bird species were expected and indeed sighted. The presence and healthy numbers of Near Threatened birds like White-rumped Shamas was a pleasant observation although in view of the ecological proximity of these sites, these could be the same birds moving and foraging between sites. If so, then perhaps we can happily deduce that there already exists a connectivity between these sites, an optimistic outcome that RUGS is driving at.

Common bird species of urban areas like mynas, ioras, orioles, and open country and forest edge ones like Pin-striped Tit-Babblers, Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers, Olive-winged Bulbuls, woodpeckers, and munia species were observed across all sites, again suggesting existing connectivity by virtue of aerial proximity. However, there is always the sad possibility of depleting resources and the ability to continue to sustain these healthy populations with the current endless encroachment of concrete structures such as buildings and infrastructure into these existing open green spaces.

It was also observed that there was a healthy presence of frugivorous, granivorous, insectivorous, nectivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous birds. All seemed not lost then that these remaining green spaces and enhanced habitats, due to existing mindful initiatives to try to retain or improve what’s taken by infrastructure, commercial and residential developers, have already slowly regenerated to be able to sustain the diverse avian population.

Volume 2/2024, June 2024

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However, as the sites surveyed were mainly overgrown rubber estates and secondary forest, there was a noticeable lack of lowland forest birds like barbets and broadbills. Perhaps replanting of native trees and shrubs into mature secondary forest could in future increase further bird diversity to attract forest birds like broadbills, trogons, and frogmouths. Could these species be attracted to forage and mate in enhanced habitats that will always be adjacent to areas filled with noise, fumes and dust? Could conscious and persistent initiatives of connectivity and rewilding revive damaged habitats to create more diversity to birdlife?

Could there be tolerance of some ‘disorder’ in enhanced environments such as leaving fallen leaves and litter alone to foster worms and insects, allowing dead trees to stand so that birds like woodpeckers and barbets could nest easily, not demand for trees fallen that are not in any way an obstruction to remain where they are – could we allow nature to rewild naturally? Perhaps then parts of the forests and jungles that have been appropriated so unconscionably in the name of development could be returned to these rightful avian inhabitants.

© Roselyn Chuah

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator

In addition, bird lovers could also be mindful of overzealousness when they destroy foliage in pursuing stunning bird images. Birds nest and roost in areas where they obviously feel safe and the proximity of foraging territories means that less energy and anxiety is expended especially when they leave their nests to hunt for their young. Thoughtlessness and over- zealousness could cause a bird to abandon a site within their original foraging or nesting

 Volume 2/2024, June 2024

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territory to move further away to one that would pose a threat to their nest and young as the

bird could be seen as entering already claimed territory.

Bird lovers may tend to underestimate their role in rewilding and connectivity in the larger scheme of helping to foster and maintain foraging, roosting and nesting territories of birds. No doubt birds naturally face predatory threats from other animals, but as the most intelligent beings, bird lovers can mindfully play a significant role to nurture the right environment for any avian activity. It might be a birding hobby for one, but it could be a do or die habitat for another.

© Roselyn Chuah

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Icthyophaga leucogaster

References and Resources

 1. Ahmad, A. (2023). Difficult green task. The Star. [online]

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/09/25/difficult-green- task#:~:text=Called%20Rangkaian%20Urban%20Green%20Spaces,has%20named%20Da mansara%2DPantai%20Arc Accessed on 15 May 2024.

2. Louis, D. A Network for Urban Wildlife. BirdLife Asia Newsletter April 2024 [online] https://www.rugs.my/a-network-for-urban-wildlife/ Accessed on 15 May 2024.

3. Rantaian Urban Green Spaces (RUGS) website https://www.rugs.my/

4. TwentyTwo. (2023). Green spaces in Klang Valley to get new ‘RUGS’. [online]

https://twentytwo13.my/news/green-spaces-in-klang-valley-to-get-new-rugs/ Accessed on 15 May 2024.

Citation: Chuah, R. (2024). Connectivity and Rewilding: A Birder’s Personal Perspective. Malaysian Bird Report. Volume 2/2024, June 2024: pg. 12-15.

      Volume 2/2024, June 2024

A handbook for Bukit Kiara

 Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) has released a great handbook entitled BUKIT KIARA A SANCTUARY IN THE PARK.

It's a gem of a booklet about BK for all who are new or even already familiar to the hill park.

Many who have been to BK will know of one or two great activities that they can enjoy up the hill, eg, if they hike or bike they rave about the trails, in addition hikers usually will pause too to admire the flora and mammals encountered; birders are amazed at the diversity of birdlife sighted at different times of the year.

But there is more, much more to BK and this booklet will pave the way to more discoveries, be it during the day or night.

And I was more than honoured to have been invited to contribute the article and accompanying images to the Birds section of this booklet.

A voice for the Birds of TRK

I had the opportunity and privilege to add one more voice to the on-going pressure to Save Taman Rimba Kiara when I was invited to BFM 89.9 radio station to talk about The Birds of Taman Rimba Kiara, at the following link:

The Birds of Taman Rimba Kiara
or
at https://www.bfm.my/podcast/the-bigger-picture/earth-matters/the-birds-of-taman-rimba-kiara

It cannot be stressed enough how strategically located the taman is for migratory birds, and local ones too.  The recent 3 rare sightings in the taman, namely the Chestnut-breasted Jungle Flycatcher, the Black-backed Kingfisher and the Tweedale morph Oriental Honey Buzzard convinced me that TRK indeed lies in the flight path of migratory birds.  In addition, we also have more than 20 species of migratory birds making repeat visits and stays in the taman each year, especially the not so Common Kingfisher and the Yellow-rumped Flycatchers.
Above all, we have our very own local and resident birds that have found either this taman its regular transit site or its home.
And it cannot be overlooked too that any urban park could be the initial and most relevant location to educate a child on the importance of urban green lungs, and the pursuit of birdwatching or birding could be a key to do so, and so out to parks instead of malls!

Icon, mascot - the Hornbill

I was more than happy to contribute a photograph of the Oriental Pied Hornbill, our taman iconic bird, as a memento to YB Hannah Yeoh who was the Guest of Honour at the recent Earth Day 2019 celebration, organised by Friends of Bukit Kiara.
There is no bird more representative of our efforts to save our green lungs, namely Bukit Kiara and specifically Taman Rimba Kiara, as this Hornbill that has graced the taman and on a wider scale Bukit Kiara for so many years.

A Park for the Birds A New Malaysia for Us

Recalling Support from YB Nurul Izzah Anwar for A Home in the Park - A Family of Brahminy Kites, at the first sale of the books on 17.12.2017.

A Home in the Park- a video moment with YB.

When I reread AHP, I was struck by how significant this story is now.  Following the 14th Malaysian General Elections and the blessed formation of a new Government, a new Malaysia, I find that this story is also symbolic of how ordinary Malaysians, like the birds in the park, too have their stories to tell, having overcome overwhelming odds, now can renew their pride in this country we call ‘Home’.

Book review

I was reminded of my book, A Home in the Park - A Family of Brahminy Kites when someone drew attention to a review by Thots n Tots.

A Home in the Park: A Family of Brahminy Kites

https://thotsntots.com/a-home-in-the-park-a-family-of-brahminy-kites/

By admin -

March 22, 2018

What is it?

A picture book.

Who is it by?

Story by Roselyn Chuah, illustrations by Teh Yew Kiang and published by MPH.

What is it about?

The story unfolds in a park where a pair of Brahminy Kites are about to welcome a new chick. They find a casuarina tree to build a nest in as they await the arrival of their new baby. They diligently guard the egg until it hatches.

Many of the other birds in the park want to get to know Junior better and up close but Mama and Papa protect their baby from potential threats and dangers.

As Junior grows up, changes occur at the park with men filling the pond to build on it. Mama warns Papa to be careful about the food he brings home as some dead fishes were found floating in the water.

One day, Papa falls ill and dies. It is now up to Mama to single-handedly take care of Junior. Some of the other birds who see Papa fall to his death sympathise with Mama and Junior as they too have lost family members due to man’s evil ways.

One day, Junior is old enough to leave the nest and it is soon taken over by crested goshawks. Junior and Mama fly off in search of another tree to build their nest in.

What can children learn from it?

There are the different birds which can be found in a park. Among them are the jungle crow, white-throated kingfisher, spotted dove, brahminy kite and crested goshawk.

Kids will also learn about why it’s important not to cut down the trees and the effects of development on the animals.

There are teaching points about death, destruction, family and community.

What did I like about it?

The birds are illustrated beautifully, each one looking distinct and showing off outstanding features. There are two pages at the back of the book with pictures and names of each bird so that children (and parents) can identify them.

It is important that we don’t forget the names of birds. If we are able to identify them, we might be more prone to appreciating each one, their beauty and role in this world of ours. There was a time when more people were able to identify even the simple pigeons, crows, eagles, kites and doves. Today, more often than not, we refer to them all as just birds. This book reminds us to take time to appreciate each species.

Author Roselyn Chuah, an amateur birdwatcher by her own admission, and Teh Yew Kiang, a full-time wildlife artist, have done a highly-commendable job with this beautiful book. I highly recommend every family obtain a copy, not just for the kids, but the adults as well.

Where to get it?

Available at major bookstores.

Should you get it?

Yes.

And there was also another brief one by The Star newspaper.

Lesson from the Kites and a Book

Written as a tribute to a pair of Brahminy Kites that will always remind me of the gifts of nature that we easily take for granted - today it may be there, tomorrow it may not be.

Introducing the book for the first time at a Save Rimba Kiara event on 17 Dec 2017.

At the launch of the book organised by MPH.