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.

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.

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.

Another successful hunt........

Well after collecting wood and unloading and stacking it in the woodshed I thought it was time for me to bag my deer. I left the saw at  the house, took the quad back to my grandmothers favorite stand, put out some feed, and climbed in the blind. Situated in the blind I felt the wind hitting me in the face. I thought to myself.......perfect, they will approach me from behind the blind. I no sooner got that thought out of my head.............and there he was right beside me..........25 feet.....wait for him to look the other way.......the rest is history. Nice little six point!

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!"

Human Right six