Malaysia celebrated World Migratory Bird Day 2017 in Terengganu

The University Malaysia Terengganu, in collaboration with both the University Sultan Zain Abidin and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS Terengganu), celebrated the World Migratory Bird Day for the third year in a row, at Lingai forest, Batu Rakit, Terengganu.

The event organized on 21 May 2017, in conjunction with similar events across the globe, aimed to raise awareness on the conservation of migratory bird species. The main theme of this year’s event was “our life is their life”, emphasizing the connectivity between our life practices to the status and life of many species of bird and the effect of our actions on them.

Over 80 students from the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at University Malaysia Terengganu attended the event. Two brief presentations on facts about the World Migratory Bird Day 2017 were given, about the birds of Teregganu and the crucial role this region plays as a migration hub for different species of birds.

Birding can be quite a challenge with large groups, but the event turned out very well. Students split into four smaller groups and explored the area on foot, following the trail in the Lingai Forest. The groups were assisted by volunteer graduate students. One of the groups had the opportunity to observe a juvenile Wood Owl Strix seloputo, which perched near the road. The students also saw a Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus on its nest at the side of the road, which they observed from a safe distance, using a spotting scope. In the same location, they also spotted a Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela. During the last hour of the morning programme, a pair of Great Hornbills Buceros bicornis sat quietly in an open section of a tree, allowing everyone to see and experience one of the avian treasures of the Lingai Forest.

The birding event ended with a short quiz aimed at the participants. The grand prize consisted of copies of the newly released book on Birds of Terengganu by Mr. Anuar McAfee, as well as other publications by MNS Terengganu. All the participants were awarded certificates of participation.