I am again Lucky today I found this congregating Egrets thousand of them.
This is in Sibuti, I am still keeping it a secret.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Congregating Egrets in Sibuti, Bekeu
I am again Lucky today I found this congregating Egrets thousand of them.
This is in Sibuti, I am still keeping it a secret.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Bird watching at Off Marudi Road Jakat-Empaling, lambir.
Time and Date: 6:30am - 9am 20th December 2009
Place : Off Marudi Junction to about 5km along Jakat-Empaling road, Lambir
Weather : fine
Participants: Steve, Musa, Sara and Rosie
Friends of mine invited to come and join a night camping at Empaling an area to the left of Marudi road distributary’s. We went out there late evening and set up camp at eight at night. They set up camp with small wood as floor plank and plastic roofing. Mine was easily setup. I place the chicken on a gas burner with an aluminium foil, which I prepare at home.
The three kids that came with us are their children were running around. While waiting the food to cook, I scanned the area with my night scopes. There are plenty of moths flying around. Occasionally a lone huge firefly flew from tree to tree. At a distance tree I saw two sets of bright eyes of possibly a civet cat.
When the foods are ready all of us sat around a cut tree trunk as our dinner table. We enjoyed the food, though it only chicken but the surrounding situation makes all taste nice.
On the previous night Steve called to join him for a bird watching. I have invited him to come and join us. He is not keen to change his plan.
The night was cold and there is no wind blowing. They started fire to deter mosquitoes. The children are playing badminton, while we are discussing of what they are going to do the next day. I told them that my friends are coming to join us tomorrow.
I was already tired and enter my camp about 10. It was warm inside. I could not get into sleep because the children are playing around all night. I could not remember when they got to sleep. But, not until I get into a deep sleep I heard someone was coming to ask for help. He needed a transport to send him to a long house near by. One of my friends sends him there.
I do not remember when my friend came back. It was the sound of the woodpeckers that woke me up. The woodpeckers were scanning the tree above me for insects. When I came out of the camp the two birds flew off.
I boiled some water to prepare an instant mee. The only item for breakfast was not available as we forgotten to buy them yesterday.
My three friends are all sleeping on the wooden plank, while the children in the camp below. I wake up all the kids and the rest. Then we scanned the area for birds. I managed to see a black hornbill some 6 km away with my scope.
Few green hanging parrot call and a few flew by. A pair of Hill Mynas passed by. Steve called if I am in the camping area, and passed his hp to Sara so as to let her know where about we are. They are at this time still waiting for Rosie.
Not within half an hour my friend saw a white Dmax truck some two kilometres down the road. My friend told me that it could be Steve group. I pointed my scope to the truck; indeed it was Steve and the gang. They are stopping looking at a hornbill. According to Sara one of the hornbills had a white stripe down the eye to the nape on both sides, making a V-shape at the back of the nape
They arrived at our camp minutes later. Sara was shouting if there is any breakfast ready. I told her we have forgotten to buy our breakfast.
My friends have been burning the cut area, which they clear to plant Ginger. The land is belonging to his father for generation and has been planted with few Jackfruits and wild mangoes. The smokes from the burning are really suffocating me. Steve is not very happy about the burning.
We saw a Provost Squirrel still sleeping on a branch at a distance tree. Later we see two black hornbills too. Then we saw five long tailed parakeets perching high on a bare tree branches. Hill Mynas flew by.
Steve was not keen to enter a timber track in front of the farm. He suggested we go to Jakat junction road. I brought over my camera and binocular and follow Steve group to do bird watching along the road.
Rosie spotted a black birds like a crow just to the left of our car. Then we stop to find out what they were. We could hear bell like calls and other odd noises. I thought it was an Asian Koel at the first sight. We stop the car and slowly move toward them. We observe them for about 5 - 10 minutes, 3 of them were flitting from tree to tree across the road back and forth, one was somewhere down the ridge in the forest. The birds are totally black, displaying the crest. The birds came out into the open and were identified as Black magpies. Steve was surprised to see the birds here as the forest has been cut down several years ago and is only secondary with large areas already cut down for oil palm and fruit farming. They kept crossing the road into a small clump of bare trees and green bushes, had a good views of the red eye that are very obvious and having a small crest. The birds bowed when calling but no bell calls heard. We heard the low trrrrr. . . sound made by one of the birds. Then came another pair from lower down a wooded slope. This reminded Steve the birds of paradise. A rare encounter indeed
There are also few Little Green Pigeons feeding some fruits between two trees.
Then we went to look for Jakat junction. I thought I knew the area well, but miss the junction. We back track and found the junction. The entrance of the Jakat Junction is of very narrow steep clay road. The road look unpassable but Steve was keen to enter. We saw a flat area on the right some 500 meters from the junction. Not until a kilometre inside we encounter an area that is not passable. We turn the car and stop at the side of the road overseeing the tall tree below.
Then Steve dropped me back to my camping area and they went home.
Bird list
Dusky Munia
Jungle crows at nest
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Asian Black Hornbills
Eurasian Tree Sparrows
Long-tailed Parakeets
Black Magpies
Brown Barbets
Blue-throated Bee-eater
Little Green Pigeons
Dollarbirds
Barn swallows
Pacific Swallows
Red Eyed Brown Bulbul
Prinia
Unidentified small falcon flying away
Spotted Doves
Yellow Vented Bulbul
Wood Swallow
Hanging parrot
Rufous woodpecker
Mammal – Provost Squirrel
Place : Off Marudi Junction to about 5km along Jakat-Empaling road, Lambir
Weather : fine
Participants: Steve, Musa, Sara and Rosie
Friends of mine invited to come and join a night camping at Empaling an area to the left of Marudi road distributary’s. We went out there late evening and set up camp at eight at night. They set up camp with small wood as floor plank and plastic roofing. Mine was easily setup. I place the chicken on a gas burner with an aluminium foil, which I prepare at home.
The three kids that came with us are their children were running around. While waiting the food to cook, I scanned the area with my night scopes. There are plenty of moths flying around. Occasionally a lone huge firefly flew from tree to tree. At a distance tree I saw two sets of bright eyes of possibly a civet cat.
When the foods are ready all of us sat around a cut tree trunk as our dinner table. We enjoyed the food, though it only chicken but the surrounding situation makes all taste nice.
On the previous night Steve called to join him for a bird watching. I have invited him to come and join us. He is not keen to change his plan.
The night was cold and there is no wind blowing. They started fire to deter mosquitoes. The children are playing badminton, while we are discussing of what they are going to do the next day. I told them that my friends are coming to join us tomorrow.
I was already tired and enter my camp about 10. It was warm inside. I could not get into sleep because the children are playing around all night. I could not remember when they got to sleep. But, not until I get into a deep sleep I heard someone was coming to ask for help. He needed a transport to send him to a long house near by. One of my friends sends him there.
I do not remember when my friend came back. It was the sound of the woodpeckers that woke me up. The woodpeckers were scanning the tree above me for insects. When I came out of the camp the two birds flew off.
I boiled some water to prepare an instant mee. The only item for breakfast was not available as we forgotten to buy them yesterday.
My three friends are all sleeping on the wooden plank, while the children in the camp below. I wake up all the kids and the rest. Then we scanned the area for birds. I managed to see a black hornbill some 6 km away with my scope.
Few green hanging parrot call and a few flew by. A pair of Hill Mynas passed by. Steve called if I am in the camping area, and passed his hp to Sara so as to let her know where about we are. They are at this time still waiting for Rosie.
Not within half an hour my friend saw a white Dmax truck some two kilometres down the road. My friend told me that it could be Steve group. I pointed my scope to the truck; indeed it was Steve and the gang. They are stopping looking at a hornbill. According to Sara one of the hornbills had a white stripe down the eye to the nape on both sides, making a V-shape at the back of the nape
They arrived at our camp minutes later. Sara was shouting if there is any breakfast ready. I told her we have forgotten to buy our breakfast.
My friends have been burning the cut area, which they clear to plant Ginger. The land is belonging to his father for generation and has been planted with few Jackfruits and wild mangoes. The smokes from the burning are really suffocating me. Steve is not very happy about the burning.
We saw a Provost Squirrel still sleeping on a branch at a distance tree. Later we see two black hornbills too. Then we saw five long tailed parakeets perching high on a bare tree branches. Hill Mynas flew by.
Steve was not keen to enter a timber track in front of the farm. He suggested we go to Jakat junction road. I brought over my camera and binocular and follow Steve group to do bird watching along the road.
Rosie spotted a black birds like a crow just to the left of our car. Then we stop to find out what they were. We could hear bell like calls and other odd noises. I thought it was an Asian Koel at the first sight. We stop the car and slowly move toward them. We observe them for about 5 - 10 minutes, 3 of them were flitting from tree to tree across the road back and forth, one was somewhere down the ridge in the forest. The birds are totally black, displaying the crest. The birds came out into the open and were identified as Black magpies. Steve was surprised to see the birds here as the forest has been cut down several years ago and is only secondary with large areas already cut down for oil palm and fruit farming. They kept crossing the road into a small clump of bare trees and green bushes, had a good views of the red eye that are very obvious and having a small crest. The birds bowed when calling but no bell calls heard. We heard the low trrrrr. . . sound made by one of the birds. Then came another pair from lower down a wooded slope. This reminded Steve the birds of paradise. A rare encounter indeed
There are also few Little Green Pigeons feeding some fruits between two trees.
Then we went to look for Jakat junction. I thought I knew the area well, but miss the junction. We back track and found the junction. The entrance of the Jakat Junction is of very narrow steep clay road. The road look unpassable but Steve was keen to enter. We saw a flat area on the right some 500 meters from the junction. Not until a kilometre inside we encounter an area that is not passable. We turn the car and stop at the side of the road overseeing the tall tree below.
Then Steve dropped me back to my camping area and they went home.
Bird list
Dusky Munia
Jungle crows at nest
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Asian Black Hornbills
Eurasian Tree Sparrows
Long-tailed Parakeets
Black Magpies
Brown Barbets
Blue-throated Bee-eater
Little Green Pigeons
Dollarbirds
Barn swallows
Pacific Swallows
Red Eyed Brown Bulbul
Prinia
Unidentified small falcon flying away
Spotted Doves
Yellow Vented Bulbul
Wood Swallow
Hanging parrot
Rufous woodpecker
Mammal – Provost Squirrel
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Birdwatching in Bakelalan
Bucolic view of Bakelalan from the one of the smaller hills across from Bakelalan airport.
Bakelalan wasn't meant to be a birdwatching trip, it was meant more as an introduction to Bakelalan, the place. It is more well-known for it's native community the Lun Bawangs, their buffaloes and apple (yes, apple) orchards.
We ended up doing limited birdwatching anyways. We took walks around the village, to the salt licks as well as the view point.
There seemed to be bubbling streams everywhere we look, looks an ideal habitat for forktails though we didn't see any on this visit. Another interesting observation this time around was that we did not spot a single raptor in the paddyfields nor surrounding hills.
Birding from the side of the hill, it was a big job hauling the tripod and scope up this slope, photographically it's an ideal spot providing eye level shots of the quarry.
Birds we saw:
A significant presence of Yellow-vented bulbul. A fair number of Oriental Magpie Robins and Orange-bellied Flowerpecker. These three species seemed to be everywhere we where.
There was also a high number of egrets, Cattle Egrets especially around the buffaloes, Little Egrets and in lower numbers Intermediate Egrets.
A family of Ashy Drongo was observed noisily hawking for insects at two separate locations. At one location by a gurgling stream a pair of Crimson-winged Woodpecker were also spotted quietly sharing the same tree as the Ashy Drongo.
A scattered number of White-breasted Waterhen was observed at the fringes of the paddyfields including a single Lesser Coucal.
Tricolor Munia were abundant in the paddyfields as well as in the village gardens. Less conspicious were the Dusky Munia, their sightings were limited to the edges of the paddyfields near the fruit farms.
A gregarious group of Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush were seen from eye-level vantage point hopping from tree to tree in a mid morning birdwave together with several smaller unidentified birds. Their calls were unmistakable.
Five Slender-billed Crow were sighted at the top of the hills returning to roost.
Other birds sighted were : Asian Koel (1), Wood Sandpiper (20), Yellow-bittern (2), White-breasted Woodswallow (2), Pacific Swallow (numerous), Red and black Broadbill (1 heard), Zebra Dove.
Summary birdlist from this visit:
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Oriental Magpie Robins
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
Cattle Egrets
Little Egrets
Intermediate Egret
Ashy Drongo
Crimson-winged Woodpecker
White-breasted Waterhen
Lesser Coucal
Tricolor Munia
Dusky Munia
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush
Slender-billed Crow
Asian Koel
Wood Sandpiper
Yellow-bittern
White-breasted Woodswallow
Pacific Swallow
Black and Red Broadbill
Spotted Dove
Paddyfield/Richard's Pipit
Eurasian Sparrow
Olive-backed Sunbird
Pied Fantail
Yellow-bellied Prinia
Ashy Tailorbird
Ashy Drongo taking a rest from hawking for insects.
Slender-billed Crow way yonder from a separate vantage point.
An Olive-backed Sunbird and his unidentified friend, whose markings is unfamiliar.
The lush vegetation alongside the rivers and the winding gurgling streams of Bakelalan seem to hold much more as far as bird life is concerned. The same potential holds for the forests surrounding Bakelalan highlands. Perhaps another visit is called for, perhaps during the harvest or paddy planting season.
Facilities in Bakelalan are better then some (Apple Lodge comes highly recommended) , there is ample accomodation options in the area which offers full board package for visitors. A few coffee shops are scattered in the center of the village, these are stocked with the usual grocery store items.
Till then ...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Hornbill at Jakat
We went to Jakat, near Lambir Hills NP yesterday. We sighted 4 black hornbills. We werent able to get any decent photographs because of the distance.
Today we went again and this time I was lucky to be able capture the hornbills, as well as a pair of hornbill in love making. They too were far away, so I only managed to capture these images.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Sibuti Wildflife Sanctuary for AWC 2010
Site office of the Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary, presently the sanctuary is not open to the public. Access is limited to specialists for research purposes only if any. The sanctuary is under the management of Sarawak Forestry Corporation Northern Region, Miri Office.
The dark green patches are two blocks of protected riverine mangrove ecosystem under the purview of Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is bounded by Sibuti River on the south and east, Bungai farmlands on the north and coastal cash crop seasonal farms on the west, which also the coast.
We stumbled upon Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary from Google Earth, and publications on the web by SFC and others about this mangrove nature reserve. It reported has a healthy estuarine crocodile population. Being a riverine mangrove ecosystem, it also seemed to be choice habitat for waterbirds and others.
Birds of special interest in the sanctuary:
Bat Hawk Machaeramphus alcinus
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus
Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda
Hook-billed Bulbul Setornis criniger
Locals have also reported regular annual presence of small numbers of “ducks” at a brackish lake (Danau Tambak) between Sg. Niah and Sg. Sibuti. (unable to locate on current map)
Other cool birds that can be found at the sanctuary:
Japanese Sparrowhawk
Watercock (one record so far of a female in Kuala Baram from AWC 2009)
Black-winged Stilt
Oriental Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
Black-bellied Malkoha
Buffy Fish-Owl
Rufous-backed Kingfisher
Common Goldenback
White-bellied Woodpecker
Orange-backed Woodpecker
Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
White-chested Babbler
Short-tailed Babbler
Striped Tit-Babbler
Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher
Mangrove Whistler
Red-throated Sunbird
Purple-throated Sunbird
Dusky Munia
How about an birdwatching in Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary for AWC 2010? We are presently considering the practicalities of a census at this part of the Sibuti River.
This could in fact yield quite handsome finds as far as waterbirds (Black-winged Stilts, Ducks??) are concerned as well as provide continued systematic monitoring to the site via AWC.
Birdwatching at Sundar, Lawas to coincide with AWC
We have heard so much enticing news about Brunei Bay. The bay itself covers a huge area, we plan to pay our first visit there during AWC 2010 to check out the place.
We plan to be in Sundar 5-7th February via Lawas, an extended weekend visit involving a flight to Lawas from Miri, van/car to Kpg Awat-Awat or Kpg Punang, boat rides along the mangroves to checkout wildlife and birds, homestay either at Kpg Punang or Kpg Awat-Awat, more rounds of boatrides the following day. We expect to fly back from Lawas to Miri on Sunday.
Travel details, participants are expected to book the following flights to Lawas and back.
Flights Inbound:
MH3510 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 07:50 08:35 MYR 75.00 (recommended)
MH3512 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 11:25 12:10 MYR 75.00
MH3516 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 14:45 15:30 MYR 75.00
MH3518 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 16:50 17:35 MYR 75.00
Flights Outbound:
MH3511 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 08:50 09:35 MYR 75.00
MH3513 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 13:45 14:30 MYR 75.00
MH3517 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 15:45 16:30 MYR 75.00
MH3519 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 17:50 18:35 MYR 75.00 (recommended)
We'll arrrange transport, local homestay and boat requirements for the census with our contact in in Lawas. Birdwatchers and volunteer census takers are encouraged to participate, please email mnsmiri@yahoo.com for more details.
Visits by other parties recently reported "many plovers", "so many Kentish Plovers", "heronries" and "you'll definitely be bowled over by this place". The following is an excerpt on the area near Sundar which has been slowly peaking up our expectations.
"Site description
The mangroves are orientated in a west-east direction, about 20 km in length, and stretches from Kuala Trusan to Tanjung Perepat. Localised erosion is evident east of the mangrove headland i.e. north-west of Kampung Awat-Awat. Accreting mangrove fringe accompanied by extensive intertidal mudflats occur prominently at the mouth of Sungai Trusan (the area's main river), Kuala Bangau, Kuala Kenaljam and Tanjung Perepat.
At Kuala Trusan, the flats extend up to 3 km offshore at low tide and consist of a complicated series of deep water channels with areas of exposed sediment forming 'islands'. The deposits at the rivermouth consist of pure, fine-grained muds and gradually replaced by course sand particles as it extend seaward. Some of the most seaward deposts consist primarily of pure course grained sands. The estuary is sheltered by Pulau Labuan and peninsular to the north-east (Howes and NPWO, 1986).
The birds
The Trusan-Sundar mudflats and sandflats are important wintering and staging sites for globally threatened waterbirds especially shorebirds and egrets especially at Kuala Trusan and Kampung Awat-Tanjung Perepat stretch.
The Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii resides along some beach stretches in the estuary (Howes and NPWO, 1986). Four pairs in breeding plumage were seen in November 1995 on the sandy beaches at the mouth of Sg. Kabab (Sebastian, 1995).
Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus was recorded from Sg. Trusan-Sundar and Sg. Kabab (Sebastian, 1995).
Three Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana were observed in Nov 1995 along Sg. Trusan-Sundar and Sg. Kabab (Sebastian, 1995), the only record of this species for Sarawak.
Protection Status
The majority of the Trusan-Sundar mangroves are contained within the Kenalian, Bumbun and Terentang Forest Reserves, where logging has been extremely intensive. Areas up to 1 ha or more have been virtually clear-felled. Only the area between Sungai Sepatai and Sungai Awat-Awat is relatively untouched with a more or less intact canopy.
Howes and NPWO (1986) proposed the creation of a Wildlife Sanctuary and management of the mangrove production forest. Under the proposal, the site forms a link with areas in Brunei Darussalam as an International Coastal Resource Conservation Area.
Salter and MacKenzie (1981) proposed the undisturbed mangroves between Kuala Bangau and Kuala Trusan to be made a Wildlife Sanctuary for the protection of Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis larvatus).
Conservation issues
Landuse within the Trusan-Sundar mangrove area includes;Large scale production forest (mangrove) for producing cord wood for export to Taiwan.
Other threats:
Local fish smoking industry and small scale fishing for domestic consumption.
Small scale hunting of Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor) and Wild Pig (Sus scrofa).
Fishing, opening up of land for cultivation and settlements.
The continuation of large scale clear-felling of mangrove areas without proper management and sustainability is one of the most prominent threat to the site. Illegal logging have also been reported.
The occurrence of these two activities have impacted the soils here as they are highly susceptible to the acid sulphate condition after clearance. The damming of Sungai Trusan would likely to affect the silt load and continued accretion of intertidal zone. "
Excerpts from :
BirdLife International (2009) Important Bird Area factsheet: Brunei Bay, Malaysia. Downloaded from the Data Zone at http://www.birdlife.org on 28/7/2009
If Sundar proves to be a superb place for waterbirds, we may incorporate the area as part of our AWC sites for the years to come.
We plan to be in Sundar 5-7th February via Lawas, an extended weekend visit involving a flight to Lawas from Miri, van/car to Kpg Awat-Awat or Kpg Punang, boat rides along the mangroves to checkout wildlife and birds, homestay either at Kpg Punang or Kpg Awat-Awat, more rounds of boatrides the following day. We expect to fly back from Lawas to Miri on Sunday.
Travel details, participants are expected to book the following flights to Lawas and back.
Flights Inbound:
MH3510 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 07:50 08:35 MYR 75.00 (recommended)
MH3512 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 11:25 12:10 MYR 75.00
MH3516 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 14:45 15:30 MYR 75.00
MH3518 Miri-Lawas Fri, 05 Feb 16:50 17:35 MYR 75.00
Flights Outbound:
MH3511 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 08:50 09:35 MYR 75.00
MH3513 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 13:45 14:30 MYR 75.00
MH3517 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 15:45 16:30 MYR 75.00
MH3519 Lawas-Miri Sun, 07 Feb 17:50 18:35 MYR 75.00 (recommended)
We'll arrrange transport, local homestay and boat requirements for the census with our contact in in Lawas. Birdwatchers and volunteer census takers are encouraged to participate, please email mnsmiri@yahoo.com for more details.
Visits by other parties recently reported "many plovers", "so many Kentish Plovers", "heronries" and "you'll definitely be bowled over by this place". The following is an excerpt on the area near Sundar which has been slowly peaking up our expectations.
"Site description
The mangroves are orientated in a west-east direction, about 20 km in length, and stretches from Kuala Trusan to Tanjung Perepat. Localised erosion is evident east of the mangrove headland i.e. north-west of Kampung Awat-Awat. Accreting mangrove fringe accompanied by extensive intertidal mudflats occur prominently at the mouth of Sungai Trusan (the area's main river), Kuala Bangau, Kuala Kenaljam and Tanjung Perepat.
At Kuala Trusan, the flats extend up to 3 km offshore at low tide and consist of a complicated series of deep water channels with areas of exposed sediment forming 'islands'. The deposits at the rivermouth consist of pure, fine-grained muds and gradually replaced by course sand particles as it extend seaward. Some of the most seaward deposts consist primarily of pure course grained sands. The estuary is sheltered by Pulau Labuan and peninsular to the north-east (Howes and NPWO, 1986).
The birds
The Trusan-Sundar mudflats and sandflats are important wintering and staging sites for globally threatened waterbirds especially shorebirds and egrets especially at Kuala Trusan and Kampung Awat-Tanjung Perepat stretch.
The Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii resides along some beach stretches in the estuary (Howes and NPWO, 1986). Four pairs in breeding plumage were seen in November 1995 on the sandy beaches at the mouth of Sg. Kabab (Sebastian, 1995).
Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus was recorded from Sg. Trusan-Sundar and Sg. Kabab (Sebastian, 1995).
Three Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana were observed in Nov 1995 along Sg. Trusan-Sundar and Sg. Kabab (Sebastian, 1995), the only record of this species for Sarawak.
Protection Status
The majority of the Trusan-Sundar mangroves are contained within the Kenalian, Bumbun and Terentang Forest Reserves, where logging has been extremely intensive. Areas up to 1 ha or more have been virtually clear-felled. Only the area between Sungai Sepatai and Sungai Awat-Awat is relatively untouched with a more or less intact canopy.
Howes and NPWO (1986) proposed the creation of a Wildlife Sanctuary and management of the mangrove production forest. Under the proposal, the site forms a link with areas in Brunei Darussalam as an International Coastal Resource Conservation Area.
Salter and MacKenzie (1981) proposed the undisturbed mangroves between Kuala Bangau and Kuala Trusan to be made a Wildlife Sanctuary for the protection of Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis larvatus).
Conservation issues
Landuse within the Trusan-Sundar mangrove area includes;Large scale production forest (mangrove) for producing cord wood for export to Taiwan.
Other threats:
Local fish smoking industry and small scale fishing for domestic consumption.
Small scale hunting of Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor) and Wild Pig (Sus scrofa).
Fishing, opening up of land for cultivation and settlements.
The continuation of large scale clear-felling of mangrove areas without proper management and sustainability is one of the most prominent threat to the site. Illegal logging have also been reported.
The occurrence of these two activities have impacted the soils here as they are highly susceptible to the acid sulphate condition after clearance. The damming of Sungai Trusan would likely to affect the silt load and continued accretion of intertidal zone. "
Excerpts from :
BirdLife International (2009) Important Bird Area factsheet: Brunei Bay, Malaysia. Downloaded from the Data Zone at http://www.birdlife.org on 28/7/2009
If Sundar proves to be a superb place for waterbirds, we may incorporate the area as part of our AWC sites for the years to come.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS 2010 in Miri
The time for counting waterbirds, trudging into swamps and negotiating mudflats is upon us again, how quick time flies ...
Typical haunts for waterbirds.
Not the typical attire for AWC in Kuala Baram, may not be suitable for all sites. Photo (c) Liz King 2009
AWC is an annual waterbird census carried out by volunteers every January (sometimes spills over to February) at various sites thoughout Asia. Analysis of data collected during AWC help Wetlands International, the organizer, in long term planning for the conservation of waterbirds and their wetland habitats.
The census has 3 major objectives:
1) to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during non-breeding period of most species, as a basis for reviewing of sites and monitoring populations
2) to monitor on an anuual basis the status and condition of wetlands
3) to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst the public and thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.
The census is mainly undertaken by volunteers from various sources with the community. The sites covered include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, swamps, coastal areas, mangrove and mudflats, reefs or beaches.
Waterbirds counted during the census include all waterbirds and birds associated with the wetlands habitat.
The census is coordinated in each country by a volunteer national or regional organisation, in Malaysia it's the Malaysian Nature Society. The coordinator is responsible for building up the network of volunteers, sends out count forms, liase with participants, receives and collate forms after the census and compiles and disseminates national reports.
The official dates for AWC 2010 are 9-31st January, however counts from December and February area still accepted from poorly known areas.
MNS Miri Branch has a small band of birdwatchers who will be participating in AWC this year covering the following sites listed below, participation in the census is sought from all branch members and the public interested to know more about waterbirds and birds in general.
MNS Miri Branch AWC sites for 2010:
09-10th Jan Go-Kart/Senadin Lakes, Daytrip, FP Musa and Sara
16-17th Jan Curtin Lakes, Daytrip, FP Musa and Sara
23-24th Jan Kpg Masjid Prawn Farms, Daytrip, FP Nazeri
30-31th Jan Kuala Baram Lagoon, Daytrip/Overnite, FP Nazeri and Musa
05-07th Feb Sundar, Lawas, extended weekend, Overnite, FP Nazeri
13-14th Feb Bungai Swamps, Daytrip, FP Nazeri, Steve, Musa
20-21st Feb Loagan Bunut, Overnite at LBNP, FP Nazeri and Musa
27-28th Feb Pulau Bawai, Overnite, FP Nazeri and Musa
Most of these sites are revisits from past year's census (an important monitoring component of AWC) with two new sites (Sundar, Lawas and Bungai, Bekenu) added for 2010. Another new site, Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary is currently under discussion.
Some of MNS Miri past AWC highlights : Malaysian Plover, Grey Plover, Wandering Whistling Duck, Oriental Darter for 2009. Storm's Stork for 2001, Lesser Adjutant 2002. This year the branch is aiming for more duck sightings for Miri.
Members and the public who is interested to participate can email mnsmiri@yahoo.com for further details.
AWC sites on the map:
Panaga Natural History Society will also be running their AWC over the other side of the border over the same period, they too may also have interesting sites which are convenient for Mirians to take part.
Participation from Sarawak Forestry Conservation Unit is also anticipated in one or two of the above sites.
This one of the main events for birdwatching in Miri, come join the fu, absorb the AWC experience and share the excitement about waterbirds.
Link to MNS Miri's AWC 2009.
Typical haunts for waterbirds.
Not the typical attire for AWC in Kuala Baram, may not be suitable for all sites. Photo (c) Liz King 2009
AWC is an annual waterbird census carried out by volunteers every January (sometimes spills over to February) at various sites thoughout Asia. Analysis of data collected during AWC help Wetlands International, the organizer, in long term planning for the conservation of waterbirds and their wetland habitats.
The census has 3 major objectives:
1) to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during non-breeding period of most species, as a basis for reviewing of sites and monitoring populations
2) to monitor on an anuual basis the status and condition of wetlands
3) to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst the public and thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.
The census is mainly undertaken by volunteers from various sources with the community. The sites covered include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, swamps, coastal areas, mangrove and mudflats, reefs or beaches.
Waterbirds counted during the census include all waterbirds and birds associated with the wetlands habitat.
The census is coordinated in each country by a volunteer national or regional organisation, in Malaysia it's the Malaysian Nature Society. The coordinator is responsible for building up the network of volunteers, sends out count forms, liase with participants, receives and collate forms after the census and compiles and disseminates national reports.
The official dates for AWC 2010 are 9-31st January, however counts from December and February area still accepted from poorly known areas.
MNS Miri Branch has a small band of birdwatchers who will be participating in AWC this year covering the following sites listed below, participation in the census is sought from all branch members and the public interested to know more about waterbirds and birds in general.
MNS Miri Branch AWC sites for 2010:
09-10th Jan Go-Kart/Senadin Lakes, Daytrip, FP Musa and Sara
16-17th Jan Curtin Lakes, Daytrip, FP Musa and Sara
23-24th Jan Kpg Masjid Prawn Farms, Daytrip, FP Nazeri
30-31th Jan Kuala Baram Lagoon, Daytrip/Overnite, FP Nazeri and Musa
05-07th Feb Sundar, Lawas, extended weekend, Overnite, FP Nazeri
13-14th Feb Bungai Swamps, Daytrip, FP Nazeri, Steve, Musa
20-21st Feb Loagan Bunut, Overnite at LBNP, FP Nazeri and Musa
27-28th Feb Pulau Bawai, Overnite, FP Nazeri and Musa
Most of these sites are revisits from past year's census (an important monitoring component of AWC) with two new sites (Sundar, Lawas and Bungai, Bekenu) added for 2010. Another new site, Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary is currently under discussion.
Some of MNS Miri past AWC highlights : Malaysian Plover, Grey Plover, Wandering Whistling Duck, Oriental Darter for 2009. Storm's Stork for 2001, Lesser Adjutant 2002. This year the branch is aiming for more duck sightings for Miri.
Members and the public who is interested to participate can email mnsmiri@yahoo.com for further details.
AWC sites on the map:
Participation from Sarawak Forestry Conservation Unit is also anticipated in one or two of the above sites.
This one of the main events for birdwatching in Miri, come join the fu, absorb the AWC experience and share the excitement about waterbirds.
Link to MNS Miri's AWC 2009.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I am a Bird Watcher from Miri
I am a Bird Watcher from Miri. My name is Musa. I go birdwatching everyday all over Miri .... I go to Miri Go Kart, Kuala Baram, Curtin Lake, Pantu Buri, Bungai Beach, Brighton Beach . . . oh yeah I go all over Miri for Birdwatching.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Another successful hunt........
Stihl Chainsaws now have a Deer call Model......called the 034"D" for deer
Well this was one of those hunts that you hear about but don't always experience. We were out cutting firewood, I was running the saw dropping a standing dead Cherry. I turned around and noticed the two guys I was with...........they were standing on the trail about fifty feet away. I noticed one of them down removing his gun from his guncase on the back of the quad. I'm thinking what the heck are they doing, this is no time to sight in your gun. I keep cutting up firewood..............bang! Ok; I shut the saw off and say "What the hell are you guys shootin at?" Their answer......."A deer.....a buck in fact" This buck came trotting right down the trail towards them and wasn't even aware of them, and not at the least scared by the saw. What a marketing slogan............"Our saws attract deer!"Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Status Report - To Hunt Camps (Parry Sound District)
Feel free to click on the title, download the report.........take it all in .........and "Please" feel free to leave your comments. I for one have my own thoughts but lets see what we hear from the camps in Ontario Wildlife Management unit 49. I love statistics....you can put a bunch of numbers out there, present graphs and come to some way off conclusion based on your interpretation of the data you collected, Under "Black Bears " you are suggesting to all camps that there was a "Localized Overharvest" in part of Management Unit 49............ it' seems to me that it's pretty hard to shoot bears if you don't see them; you also don't state that what you have determined to be "Overharvest" doesn't mention the number of bears in that area of 49 that were passed up, missed, not shot at and photographed on trail cams............that my friend is cold hard numbers.........don't be so quick to jump to conclusions without accepting offers to observe the facts! Either present all the facts or don't present any........your conclusions on bear management in Unit 49 is very off the wall.........! And yes I know the area very well.......
The Following Is a comment Outdoors Ontario receieved regarding this posting to our blog........
November 1, 2009
An open letter, with personal comments and observations to Outdoors Ontario regarding the MNR 2009 Report To Hunt Camps.
I read with interest, the above noted report with respect to the bear harvest, that was published on the Outdoors Ontario Blog. Of special interest and concern to me were comments made about “indications of a localized over-harvest in a portion of WMU 49”. I do believe that, Mr. Black, the author of the report was referring to a group of bear hunters, of which I am a member. The report indicates that a guideline of 350 to 400 bears may be sustainably harvested from the WMU and that in fact 362 bears were harvested during the 2008 hunting season. This would appear to fall well within the guidelines as set out by the MNR. Our hunting group began to prepare for our bear hunt in mid July of 2008 by establishing baits and studying these baits on a regular basis of several times a week. Studying these baits and the bears attending them included viewing activity at the baits, noting the number of bears attending the bait each evening, photographing the bears and keeping records of what we observed. We noted on one evening in particular, that 16 bears were viewed at one bait site. While this seemed very uncommon at first, we found that viewing 8 to 10 bears an evening became the norm. Multiple bear sightings, on the same evening at other baits were also common. We continued to monitor and record the activity at our baits between mid July and late August. Given the success we were enjoying with our baits, I suggested that we share our photographs, movies, and journals with the Ministry biologist, and even went to the extent of offering an invitation to Ministry staff to attend our bait sites to assist them in the study of black bears. Our offer was not well received by Ministry staff. They implied that we were overstating the number of bears viewed and disputed the information we attempted to provide, without viewing photographs, movies and other details of our study. This was very insulting to our hunting group. We are a group of friends who take our hunting very seriously. We run a very organized hunt camp with very strict rules and regulations with regard to hunting safely and responsibly. I do believe that the Ministry officials disregarded very valuable information regarding the bear population in WMU 49 by ignoring our offer to provide assistance by way of sharing our research. As a group, we had spent several hundred man hours in the bush studying these bears. The way I view it, this was a win-win situation for the MNR, especially given the limited resources and funds they have available for the management of Wildlife Management Units and the species within those units. One of the rules of our hunt camp is that we insist that every one must send in the mandatory reporting letters to the MNR regarding the bear hunt. Our group consisted of 13 hunters, all of whom submitted the reporting letter. Seven members of our group received letters from the Ministry indicating that they had not received the reporting letters. This to me is absurd, and I would like to know how this could occur. It makes one feel that reports submitted by all hunters are not being taken seriously, so why do we bother to complete them. We complete them and send them in because it is part of the rules and regulations. We will continue to send in these reports because we are responsible hunters and hope that the reports will be received and taken seriously by Ministry officials. We will continue to study moose, deer and bears as a very important part of our hunting to further educate ourselves as responsible and successful hunters. We will continue to make sustainability and conservation primary areas of concern within our group. Were we successful during the 2008 bear hunt? Absolutely, we earned it through a lot of hard work including study of the bears long before the hunt. I truly believe that MNR staff has no concept of the actual number of bears within the area we hunt and possibly the whole 49 area. I cannot include the other areas of WMU 49 as I do not hunt the entire area, but I do know the immediate area that we hunt that consists of a five to ten mile radius. I have hunted this area for over 30 years and until 2004 had seen very few bears unless it was over a bait. In July of 2007, my wife and I saw four bears over the course of a weekend driving between our cabin and Town. I assume that the increase in non-hunting sightings as well as hunting sightings can be attributed to the cancellation of the spring bear hunt. This seems to be the general opinion of both hunters and non-hunting residents of the area. Hopefully in the future, someone within the MNR will start taking the sincere input of hunters seriously as we all have similar goals with respect to the sustainability of various species and increased conservation awareness so that our children may enjoy the same rights and privileges we as hunters enjoy today.
The Following Is a comment Outdoors Ontario receieved regarding this posting to our blog........
November 1, 2009
An open letter, with personal comments and observations to Outdoors Ontario regarding the MNR 2009 Report To Hunt Camps.
I read with interest, the above noted report with respect to the bear harvest, that was published on the Outdoors Ontario Blog. Of special interest and concern to me were comments made about “indications of a localized over-harvest in a portion of WMU 49”. I do believe that, Mr. Black, the author of the report was referring to a group of bear hunters, of which I am a member. The report indicates that a guideline of 350 to 400 bears may be sustainably harvested from the WMU and that in fact 362 bears were harvested during the 2008 hunting season. This would appear to fall well within the guidelines as set out by the MNR. Our hunting group began to prepare for our bear hunt in mid July of 2008 by establishing baits and studying these baits on a regular basis of several times a week. Studying these baits and the bears attending them included viewing activity at the baits, noting the number of bears attending the bait each evening, photographing the bears and keeping records of what we observed. We noted on one evening in particular, that 16 bears were viewed at one bait site. While this seemed very uncommon at first, we found that viewing 8 to 10 bears an evening became the norm. Multiple bear sightings, on the same evening at other baits were also common. We continued to monitor and record the activity at our baits between mid July and late August. Given the success we were enjoying with our baits, I suggested that we share our photographs, movies, and journals with the Ministry biologist, and even went to the extent of offering an invitation to Ministry staff to attend our bait sites to assist them in the study of black bears. Our offer was not well received by Ministry staff. They implied that we were overstating the number of bears viewed and disputed the information we attempted to provide, without viewing photographs, movies and other details of our study. This was very insulting to our hunting group. We are a group of friends who take our hunting very seriously. We run a very organized hunt camp with very strict rules and regulations with regard to hunting safely and responsibly. I do believe that the Ministry officials disregarded very valuable information regarding the bear population in WMU 49 by ignoring our offer to provide assistance by way of sharing our research. As a group, we had spent several hundred man hours in the bush studying these bears. The way I view it, this was a win-win situation for the MNR, especially given the limited resources and funds they have available for the management of Wildlife Management Units and the species within those units. One of the rules of our hunt camp is that we insist that every one must send in the mandatory reporting letters to the MNR regarding the bear hunt. Our group consisted of 13 hunters, all of whom submitted the reporting letter. Seven members of our group received letters from the Ministry indicating that they had not received the reporting letters. This to me is absurd, and I would like to know how this could occur. It makes one feel that reports submitted by all hunters are not being taken seriously, so why do we bother to complete them. We complete them and send them in because it is part of the rules and regulations. We will continue to send in these reports because we are responsible hunters and hope that the reports will be received and taken seriously by Ministry officials. We will continue to study moose, deer and bears as a very important part of our hunting to further educate ourselves as responsible and successful hunters. We will continue to make sustainability and conservation primary areas of concern within our group. Were we successful during the 2008 bear hunt? Absolutely, we earned it through a lot of hard work including study of the bears long before the hunt. I truly believe that MNR staff has no concept of the actual number of bears within the area we hunt and possibly the whole 49 area. I cannot include the other areas of WMU 49 as I do not hunt the entire area, but I do know the immediate area that we hunt that consists of a five to ten mile radius. I have hunted this area for over 30 years and until 2004 had seen very few bears unless it was over a bait. In July of 2007, my wife and I saw four bears over the course of a weekend driving between our cabin and Town. I assume that the increase in non-hunting sightings as well as hunting sightings can be attributed to the cancellation of the spring bear hunt. This seems to be the general opinion of both hunters and non-hunting residents of the area. Hopefully in the future, someone within the MNR will start taking the sincere input of hunters seriously as we all have similar goals with respect to the sustainability of various species and increased conservation awareness so that our children may enjoy the same rights and privileges we as hunters enjoy today.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Bear Attack.......for those who have previously accused me of being paranoid.........and gun happy
Emergency workers check the woods where a woman was mauled by a bear (Sept. 17, 2009)
Quebec woman dies after bear attack, car crash
A woman has died after being mauled by a bear, and then being involved in a car crash while her husband frantically rushed her to hospital in Quebec.
Forestry engineer Dragos Gavriloaia was accompanied on a trip to the woods by his wife Alexandrina, 46. They were in the forest near La Tuque, Que. Wednesday, when Dragos turned around to find the bear attacking his wife, police said.
He was able to chase the bear away and carry his seriously injured wife to his pickup truck. The nearest hospital was 90 minutes away.
Halfway to the hospital, Dragos lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch.
Bystanders who passed the couple took them to hospital, but Alexandrina was pronounced dead when she arrived.
Dragos is a forest engineer and Alexandrina wanted to keep him company while he worked.
The couple lived in an apartment in Saint-Laurent, near Montreal, with their two adult children.
Residents who knew Alexandrina, a Romanian immigrant, reacted with disbelief to news of her death on Thursday.
"It's shocking," said the couple's neighbour Alex Bejnaru. "I knew this lady for six years and what happened, it's pretty tragic."
Police said they will conduct an autopsy to determine whether it was the bear attack or the car accident caused her death.
Meanwhile, Quebec wildlife officials are reportedly on their way to La Tuque to try and capture the bear.
There have been an abnormally high number of bear sightings north of Montreal this summer. Wildlife officials have said that cool, rainy weather in recent months has produced a smaller berry crop this year. That's left the animals to search for other sources of food.
Quebec woman dies after bear attack, car crash
A woman has died after being mauled by a bear, and then being involved in a car crash while her husband frantically rushed her to hospital in Quebec.
Forestry engineer Dragos Gavriloaia was accompanied on a trip to the woods by his wife Alexandrina, 46. They were in the forest near La Tuque, Que. Wednesday, when Dragos turned around to find the bear attacking his wife, police said.
He was able to chase the bear away and carry his seriously injured wife to his pickup truck. The nearest hospital was 90 minutes away.
Halfway to the hospital, Dragos lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch.
Bystanders who passed the couple took them to hospital, but Alexandrina was pronounced dead when she arrived.
Dragos is a forest engineer and Alexandrina wanted to keep him company while he worked.
The couple lived in an apartment in Saint-Laurent, near Montreal, with their two adult children.
Residents who knew Alexandrina, a Romanian immigrant, reacted with disbelief to news of her death on Thursday.
"It's shocking," said the couple's neighbour Alex Bejnaru. "I knew this lady for six years and what happened, it's pretty tragic."
Police said they will conduct an autopsy to determine whether it was the bear attack or the car accident caused her death.
Meanwhile, Quebec wildlife officials are reportedly on their way to La Tuque to try and capture the bear.
There have been an abnormally high number of bear sightings north of Montreal this summer. Wildlife officials have said that cool, rainy weather in recent months has produced a smaller berry crop this year. That's left the animals to search for other sources of food.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Alaskan Chainsaw Mill
If you're looking for a fairly inexpensive way to cut your own lumber and end up with good quality dimensional lumber, look no further. It's by no means a quick process but with a little work, an ATV, an ATV logging arch and an Alaskan Mill you can cut logs like the ones in the photo and end up with lumber as shown in the photos.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Just a few more days until Bass Season opens.......yippeee
Well thousands of Ontario's avid bass Fisherman will be hitting their favorite lakes to try their luck at landing some fish. I know I can't wait to do some top water fishin........
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Where are all the Turkeys?
On my way to work on the opening day of the Turkey season, I observed one of the most comical moments. As I passed a local gas station, I observed a guy in full turkey regalia filling up his Chevy pick up. I then realized that it was opening day for Wild Turkey. Now this is when the comical side comes in; I turned the corner and drove about 3/4 of a kilometre, and there just inside the roadside fence was Old Mr' Tom strutten his stuff.........I'll never know if the two met, but it was almost like the wise old turkey was getting the upper hand.
Monday, May 4, 2009
ATV Logging Arch
I made a recent post regarding the logging arch made by Norwood Industries for ATV's and thought I would update that post with this recent video of my experience using it. This piece of equipment is easy to use, gets the job done and allows you to get into places that normally would require cutting trails for a tractor or a skidder. Check out my video clip, sorry for the shakes at the first of the video, it was taken with a small digital camera.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Species At Risk
I just realized that I have discovered a "Species At Risk" ...........It's called the "True Canadian Outdoorsman" ..........you know the one who knows the bush, doesn't get lost, knows how to use a compass, saves his own ass in a bad situation. Can shoot a "gun" (oh bad word around Toronto), catch a "Fish" well if he can find any.................since the Ministry has pretty much stopped any stocking programs....including private clubs who are trying their best to make up for what the Ministry of Natural Resources doesn't do. You know....the kind of person that pretty much discovered, mapped and navigated this country. Ah.......such a breed they were........it's truly too bad they are so close to extinction. I haven't read any new Policies that the Government has developed to ensure they don't become extinct. I wonder if the Government has any DNA samples ........you know so if they ever happen along one they're not sure of..........they could always get some hair samples from a hair snare and you know acknowledge that they do exist in Ontario. Oh yeh, I forgot then they would have to develop a Policy to "manage" us...............lmao. Doesn't it just make you laugh your ass off............."Species at Risk" Let's just put it all into perspective...........Reality..........Common Sense.........disappearing terms.......
Monday, April 27, 2009
Black Bears....Bears....Bear Management
Ok, people this is the way I see it; the Ministry of Natural Resources must be marching to the tune of tree huggers. I have worked in North Western BC with Black bears, and Grizzlies. The only person who would for one instant think that the current bear management policy for Ontario is a good one , has shit for brains. It will only be a matter of time; short time before some politicians son, wife, daughter, or other relative gets mauled, killed and possibly eatin before Bear Management Policy in this Province changes. There are more bears in the province of Ontario than the Ministry realizes, will acknowledge or really cares. We own 500 acres and have for over 30 years; in that time we have never seen a bear; well until the last ten...........now there presence is a common occurrence. In 5 square miles last year 13 bears were harvested during the bear hunt. This didn't include the bears that were passed up, or that were not counted as all tags had been filled. Now lets talk about Bears in southern Ontario.....deep south.........Oshawa, Pickering, Omemee (looking in the school windows during school) oh yeh.............perfect! Now onto the Ministry......lets' hire Bear Management Technicians for 5 month's a year to "educate" people how to "Live With" and "Accept" bears in their backyards. Give your flippin head a shake.............A friend of mine lived down a dead end road........his children were 5 & 10 , the school board decided to save money and required his children to walk down a road 1.5 kilometres to catch the school bus. All in the name of saving the school board money....$800,000 in total for making kids in the country walk to catch a bus that used to pick them up at the door. This decision was made with full knowledge that a bear had killed a steer the year before just down the road from his house (confirmed by the Ministry of Natural Resources) and after being informed that a sow and two cubs had been spotted on the road recently. The School Boards response was to send a Conservation Officer to explain to the children if they saw a bear to back away, and gave them a sticker to put on their lunch box........(I love it) their parents weren't home when the CO showed up. I volunteered to go to the School Board to speak as an expert witness, as I have witnessed both Grizzlies and Black Bears in bluff charges and follow through charges......its not something a child would understand............nor would they survive............even with pepper spray.............which unless under the perfect conditions and with a very calm spirit...........isn't "Worth a Shit!" The only way to defend yourself is with a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs or a 44 magnum (my preferred choice) and know how to defend yourself; know the signs of an aggressive bear and be prepared. We were certified to carry when I worked as a Forest Officer in North Western BC and had to pass a course yearly. When I returned to Ontario in 2002 I guided and baited 61 bear Baits a day in Temagami, so don't think that I have no experience.......believe me, I've seen it all. Bear Management in Ontario is way out of wack..........the Ministry is going down a road that will result in not only people getting hurt, killed or maimed, but is also contributing to increased killings of calf moose ............it needs serious study, by people who know what they're talking about, not knee jerk reactions to anti's or non hunters. Rant all you want it's fact..........if you don't like it..........I hope you never run into an aggressive bear......and if you do...you better be prepared........and cell phones don't necessarily work everywhere..............you may be on your own!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Need I say More?
Ministry:
Ministry of Natural Resources
Division:
Field Services Division, Bracebridge Area
Position Title:
Bear Technician
Duration:
1 Seasonal Recurring contract up to 5 months with possibility of extension
Location:
1350 High Falls Road, Bracebridge, P1L 1W9, Central Region
Compensation Group:
OPSEU
Salary:
$21.66 - $23.37 (MplusM) per hour*
Position Status:
Open
Job Code:
41104 - Resource Technician 3
Schedule:
4.7
Category:
Lands and Resources
Job ID:
17408
Challenge and variety can be yours when you join the Ministry of Natural Resources` Bear Wise program in the Bracebridge Area office. As a highly motivated and outgoing individual, you will implement, administer, monitor and audit the Bear Wise program. In addition, you will provide education regarding problem bear reporting, response, prevention and awareness.
Duties include: conducting operational field programs including activities such as carrying out site inspections and field surveys; ensuring client (e,g, Bear Wise contractors, and other stakeholders) compliance with specific natural resources management acts, regulations and related Ministry policies and guidelines; provide leadership to assigned students and staff on behalf of supervisor; gathering, assembling and compiling technical information for databases and reports to make recommendations.This position requires working in all types of weather conditions.
Qualifications:demonstrated experience, knowledge and understanding of resource management practices and understanding of legislation with emphasis on the Bear Wise program; Demonstrated experience in performing field technical activities and compiling technical information (e.g. Bear Hazard inspection/assessment, Bear trap and transfer) for data bases, preparing reports and making recommendations on related matters (e.g. effective solutions to human-bear conflicts / determining bear aversion tactics); demonstrated leadership, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills; good planning, coordinating analytical and problem-solving skills; computer skills in a variety of applications related to resource management; ability to do field work and operate and maintain equipment, working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act; valid drivers licence to conduct field work.
Posting Date:Thursday, April 23, 2009
Closing Date:Thursday, May 07, 2009
Applications must be received by the end of the closing date with the Job ID number quoted.
Apply onlineor send application to:
Applications are accepted online only. As an equal opportunity employer, the OPS will provide employment accommodation if required. Contact the Regional Recruitment Centre at1-866-260-0612, Ontario, CANADAFax: Faxes are not accepted at this time.
Ministry of Natural Resources
Division:
Field Services Division, Bracebridge Area
Position Title:
Bear Technician
Duration:
1 Seasonal Recurring contract up to 5 months with possibility of extension
Location:
1350 High Falls Road, Bracebridge, P1L 1W9, Central Region
Compensation Group:
OPSEU
Salary:
$21.66 - $23.37 (MplusM) per hour*
Position Status:
Open
Job Code:
41104 - Resource Technician 3
Schedule:
4.7
Category:
Lands and Resources
Job ID:
17408
Challenge and variety can be yours when you join the Ministry of Natural Resources` Bear Wise program in the Bracebridge Area office. As a highly motivated and outgoing individual, you will implement, administer, monitor and audit the Bear Wise program. In addition, you will provide education regarding problem bear reporting, response, prevention and awareness.
Duties include: conducting operational field programs including activities such as carrying out site inspections and field surveys; ensuring client (e,g, Bear Wise contractors, and other stakeholders) compliance with specific natural resources management acts, regulations and related Ministry policies and guidelines; provide leadership to assigned students and staff on behalf of supervisor; gathering, assembling and compiling technical information for databases and reports to make recommendations.This position requires working in all types of weather conditions.
Qualifications:demonstrated experience, knowledge and understanding of resource management practices and understanding of legislation with emphasis on the Bear Wise program; Demonstrated experience in performing field technical activities and compiling technical information (e.g. Bear Hazard inspection/assessment, Bear trap and transfer) for data bases, preparing reports and making recommendations on related matters (e.g. effective solutions to human-bear conflicts / determining bear aversion tactics); demonstrated leadership, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills; good planning, coordinating analytical and problem-solving skills; computer skills in a variety of applications related to resource management; ability to do field work and operate and maintain equipment, working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act; valid drivers licence to conduct field work.
Posting Date:Thursday, April 23, 2009
Closing Date:Thursday, May 07, 2009
Applications must be received by the end of the closing date with the Job ID number quoted.
Apply onlineor send application to:
Applications are accepted online only. As an equal opportunity employer, the OPS will provide employment accommodation if required. Contact the Regional Recruitment Centre at1-866-260-0612, Ontario, CANADAFax: Faxes are not accepted at this time.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ministry Of Natural Resources (No Results)
So....whats your opinion on the Ministry of "No Results"? So far over the last 20 years our forests have been decimated due to mismanagement, our bear management is totally out to lunch, our lakes are no longer being stocked, (slot sizes) new fisheries management zones, no staff on the ground to collect the data to make sound decisions....policy......., new moose management policy...meetings..........public input.....give your head a shake boys....they haven't got a flipping clue about our natural resources. Now lets bring into the swing of things......Species at Risk.........I'm waiting for the Ministry to finally acknowledge that there are "Native" populations of cougars in Ontario. Look out..........now they will have to come up with a management policy to address this............because they are "A species at risk" . Ok, I could go on for pages and pages......I've been employed in the natural resource field for over 25 years and it all makes me sick.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Rainbows at Hampton
Took some photos of some rainbows trying to jump the barrier in Hampton. Lots of nice sized fish; I'm sure the local anglers are anxiously awaiting opening day. The size of the fish is truly amazing.
Firewood
This past weekend I spent up north at my parents property cutting firewood. Saturday wasn't the nicest day , however any day spent in the bush is better than a day spent behind a desk. It was a nice get away, lots of sign; moose, deer, and even happened upon a bear den.....with lots of steam coming from its depths. The winds in the fall and over the winter provided more than enough downed wood for a weekend of cutting. We didn't stress ourselves too hard, but still managed to cut a fair amount of wood.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
ATV Log Hauler
For anyone looking for a good log hauler for behind their ATV, check this out. I have provided a direct link to a video of the ATV log Hauler (arch) and if you watch the video (click on the title of this post)there are some other products you may find useful. I have purchsed one of these, and it works great.Its made by Norwood Industries.
Deer have faired well........
Easter weekend gave me the opportunity to observe some deer up at our farm. The antics of some of the does butting their fawns, raising their legs towards one another, it was hilarious. They truly are amazing animals to observe as they interact, and respond to even the most distant noises.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
ATV Trailer
If you're looking for a rough and tough practical ATV trailer look no further. This trailer can haul up to 1000 lbs, tilts/dumps, has high ground clearance and is a real brute when it comes to getting the job done. Mix concrete in it, haul stone, sand, firewood.........There is an extension/rail system also available that bolts onto the top; adding capacity and allowing for tie downs or straps. They are available in two sizes from Canadian Tire, if you watch the sales you can pick up the larger one for around $450.00
ATV, Motorcycle,Snowmobile parts & accessories supplier
Just in case you have been looking for a supplier of ATV, Motorcycle or Snowmobile parts and accessories and haven't heard about Royal Distributing, I thought I would bring it to your attention. They offer a wide selection of parts and accessories for ATV's, Snowmobiles and Motorcycles. Check out their online catalogue; you'll see what I mean, Happy Shopping! http://www.royaldistributing.com/main/
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Photo Contest Open To Amateur Photographers
I thought I would pass this photo contest on to Ontario residents who frequent their local Conservation Areas. There are some pretty nice cameras available to the winners. Good luck!
http://www.ontarioconservationareas.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=105
http://www.ontarioconservationareas.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=105
Its That Time Of Year.......
With the weather forecasting warmer temperatures over the next few days, mixed with rain; it's that time of year! When all the local, avid, if not overly eager anglers dawn their waders, dust off their rods and head down to their favorite stream. With the remaining snow melt and rain forecasted it only goes to say that the rainbows if not already; soon will be heading up our local watercourses. Last year around this same time and on into April, I witnessed numerous anglers with fish in the 5,6 - 12 lb range headed back to their cars. Even though a lot of the watercourses around Oshawa, Bowmanville, Whitby and in general the north shore of Lake Ontario find their way through large developed urban centres............the fish still thrive. I'll keep you posted when they start catching fish, and provide some photos.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Mountain Gear Outdoors Store
For a wide variety of quality outdoors apparel, supplies and more visit Mountain gear. Tey offer quality outdoor products at reasonable rates. Very good selection and have had no problems with delivery or performance of products I've ordered. Check them out at..........
Roots Clothing
Roots has established itself as a supplier of quality outdoor clothing. I've owned a couple of their sweatdshirts for years; in fact the older and more faded they get the more I like them. It's not easy these days finding a good quality hoody, thats thick, warm and durable. There's a reason they've been around as long as they have. Check them out ......
Thursday, February 12, 2009
the Asian Bridge's 2009 Fund Raiser
This year, instead of the silent auction that we have held the last couple of years, the Asian Bridge will be riding across Iowa to raise funds to help families adopt from Asia.
Members of the staff and friends of the Asian Bridge will be participating in RAGBRAI, a 472 mile ride from the western border of Iowa to the eastern border. We will be riding to raise money and awareness for Americans adopting children from Asian countries.
If you would like to help in this effort please email Geoff Shaw at geoffshaw@ameritech.net If you want to ride, if you want to sponsor a rider per mile, or if you would like to simply make a donation, please contact us. You may also make a donation directly by going to our Donations page.
Anything you can do to help will change the life of a little girl or a little boy.
Thank you,
Dave Basener
Members of the staff and friends of the Asian Bridge will be participating in RAGBRAI, a 472 mile ride from the western border of Iowa to the eastern border. We will be riding to raise money and awareness for Americans adopting children from Asian countries.
If you would like to help in this effort please email Geoff Shaw at geoffshaw@ameritech.net If you want to ride, if you want to sponsor a rider per mile, or if you would like to simply make a donation, please contact us. You may also make a donation directly by going to our Donations page.
Anything you can do to help will change the life of a little girl or a little boy.
Thank you,
Dave Basener
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Whitetail Designs
Whitetail Designs was one of the booths at the Kearney Dog Sled Races on February 6,7 & 8 , 2009. Rachell Huggins and her husband have established themselves a very unique and awesome little business. Check out some of the products they have made using deer hides and a "natural tanning" process. I was amazed at the quality of workmanship and the variety of products they had made from jackets, hats, purses, pants just to name a few. If you've been looking for a very well made and awesome looking buckskin handbag, or coat drop Rachel an e-mail at rachelsbuckskins@hotmail.com
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