It has been known since the middle of the last century at the latest that wintering populations of the Oriental Honey-buzzards (Pernis ptilorhyncus) and at least four other species of birds of prey migrate northeast from Sumatra each spring via the Strait of Malacca to the west coast of Malaysia. This migration is part of the East Asian flyway, with most birds likely returning to their breeding grounds from western China and southern Siberia east to Japan.
When you approach the bird of prey observation point at the lighthouse, the anticipation will be already high. The observation site, perched on a craggy cliff, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, a patchwork of trees and rocks on one side and the vast sea with container ships sailing far in the distance on the other. The lighthouse is surrounded by coastal evergreen rainforest in a small, protected forest reserve. On clear days it is possible to see Sumatra c.38 km across the Straits of Malacca to the south-west. Bird watchers armed with binoculars and cameras begin gathering normally around 9 a.m., scanning the horizon for signs of movement.
At first it will be quiet. In the morning the air will be still somewhat clear. But most days, there are hazy clouds in the sky. But the heat of the day made it more and more hazy. As the day progresses and the sun rise higher, the sky becomes the setting for nature’s very special aerial ballet. Suddenly a distant speck materializes, growing larger and clearer with each passing moment. It will soon turn out to be a Oriental Honey-buzzard, which rather laboriously heading towards Tanjung Tuan with wide flaps of its wings. This happens, if the thermal currents are not sufficient for effortless gliding. Behind them will normally follow a procession of other Oriental Honey-buzzards as these raptors like to migrate communally. Most Oriental Honey-buzzards and all individuals of the other four species can be observed migrating eastwards within 300 m of the watch site. The migrants observable will arrive from below eye-level to a maximum height of 30 m. Oriental Honey-buzzards are often first seen low in flapping flight over the sea as they attempt to gain altitude about half a kilometer in front of the shore.
After having reached malaysian grounds, the Oriental Honey-buzzards normally gather, circling in the thermals over the hill-tops to gain the necessary height to migrate effortless while gliding further on in north-eastern direction.
Weather conditions typically are hazy or cloudy with little wind in the morning. On many days a light sea breeze from the west or north-west will developed around noon. Occasionally, the wind direction and speed can change significantly in subsequent hours.
During a visit in mid March 2024, Oriental Honey-buzzards were significantly more likely to be seen during the time frame of 11:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. than at other times of day.
The watch site is situated near a lighthouse, south of Port Dickson. It is known locally as Tanjung Tuan. Port Dickson is a small town on the west coast of Malaysia on the Straits of Malacca. It is approx. 94 km south-west of Kuala Lumpur
Besides Oriental Honey-buzzards you can expect other migrant raptors as Japanese Sparrowhawks (Accipiter gularis), Black Bazas (Aviceda leuphotes), Chinese Goshawks (Accipiter soloensis) and Grey-faced Buzzards (Butastur indicus).
Oriental Honey-buzzard are the most common migrant, making up regulary more than 90% of migrating raptors, followed by Black Baza with Chinese Goshawk, Grey-faced Buzzard and Japanese Sparrowhawk comprising the remainder.
Raptors that might be resident are Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus) Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus), White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius).
In order to meet the growing demand for top images of the rarer species of Palaearctic Bird-lens.com has specifically made trips to remote places. Additionally every chance is used, if a rare bird is around the homeground. This to do everything to ensure excellent photos of the Birds of the Western Palearctic . The yield of pictures also of rare Western Palaearctic birds is very good. There are other nice images of birds, that you will find behind the tab “Picture Shop“. Just give a notice if you need a picture of a bird which is not online.