Avian Naturescapes

Photo Eco-Safari (#KG-2/1FB) - The Mangroves Of Kuala Gula

Tuesday, 29 March 2011

DAY 1 - Village walkabout - economic activities

Depending on energy levels and fitness later that afternoon, we can then walk through the village center of Kuala Gula to experience the various economic activities such as a visit to a belacan (prawn paste) factory, seeing how dried shrimp is made, cockle processing (where the cockles are scalded and de-shelled) and fishing.

DAY 1 - Dinner

We will then break for a rest at the homestay and prepare for a seafood dinner in the village.

(dinner is included in this itinerary - kindly advice us in advance if you are adverse to seafood or require a special diet!)

DAY 1 - Firefly colony - night walk (fireflies are subject to season and weather and colonies may not be visible outside their breeding seasons)

After dinner, there will be a short 1 hour guided walk out to a firefly colony along the mangrove track where you will be treated to early Christmas lights! The guide will explain the life cycle of fireflies and the various firefly species found there and the different light each species emit.

DAY 1 - Owling

For those still having enough energy, there will be an owling session before bed. It will be done from a slow cruising car and up to 3 species of owls (the Spotted Wood, Barn and Buffy Fish Owls) can be observed fairly up close as they hawk for food above telephone poles by the mainroad.

DAY 2 - Boat ride - Nature Safari / Birdwatching

(Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

In the morning, there will be another 3 hour boat ride out to the mangrove waterways for more wildlife observation. It will start early at 7.30am when the birds are most active and before the sun gets too hot. You may expect to see 4 species of Egrets (Little, Intermediate, Great and Cattle Egrets), 3 or more species of Herons (Purple, Grey and Striated Herons), up to 5 species of Kingfishers (Collared, White Throated, Stork Billed, Common and Black Capped Kingfishers) and 2 species of Storks (Milky Stork and the Lesser Adjutant). There will also be migratory shorebirds such as Common Sandpipers, Common Redshanks, Greenshanks, Wood Sandpipers, Marsh Sandpipers, Terek Sandpipers, Whimbrels, Godwits, Lesser & Greater Sand Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers and Pacific Golden Plovers. Raptors are also common with resident Brahminy Kites, White Bellied Sea Eagles and Crested Serpent Eagles start coming out as the air gets warmer in the later morning. Occasionally migrating Black Bazas and Oriental Honey Buzzards can be seen circling in the late morning thermals.

We will check out from the homestead after the boat ride. If the weather is permits and spirits high, we can take a short walk on the trail leading into the mangroves.

DAY 2 - Charcoal factory

En route back, we will make a visit to a traditional charcoal making brick kiln, one of the last dying trades in Malaysia where mangrove wood is slowly turned to high quality charcoal over a period of a month. Charcoal making has all but died out in the rest of Malaysia as other (less polluting) fuels are preferred but this still is an important economic activity in this area.

We will aim to be back in Penang by about mid to late afternoon on DAY 2. There is flexibility in the schedule and the timings and exact itinerary will depend on the weather and preferences of the group.

Things to pack :

1. -a wide brimmed hat
   

2. -sunblock & mossie repellent
   

3. -a torchlight
   

4. -a camera (with your longest lens for wildlife)
   

5. -a pair of binoculars
   

6. -and rain gear just in case....
   

Prices :

(if you have a group of 5 or more persons up to a maximum of 10 persons, please contact me for group rates)

1. -Validity from immediate to 31st October 2011 only
   

2. -Prices are based on twin sharing of rooms
   

3. -Single supplement charges will apply if you wish for a single room.
   

4. -Prices are valid for a fixed validity period and subject to revision whenever possible to allow for savings from off-peak periods and new promotions by the hotel.
   

5. -Trip is subject to a minimum of only 1 confirmed place.
   

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Notes

This is only a sample itinerary, and the routes and timing may change according to local weather & environmental conditions, but the content of the trip will remain essentially the same as stated above.

The guiding for all my Guided Nature Photo Safaris are not outsourced. Be assured that I, myself will be personally leading each and every one of the tours offered on this website.

This is a Instructional Guided Photo Safari.

Have no concerns if you are a beginner bird photographer as there will be full on-hand instructions & tips on site on actual shooting techniques so that you can learn to take great pictures on the fly. I will be there to guide you on proper camera metering, WB and exposure settings, proper handling techniques for your setup and also advice on the compositional and creative aspects of bird photography. Tips on techniques & tools used in post capture image editing will also be available after hours.

The peak hours for bird activity in Kuala Gula is from 0700hrs to 1100hrs and again from 1530hrs to 1700hrs.

All trips are available all year round, but prices may be adjusted for peak periods (school & public holidays).

Advance booking is required for adequate forward planning. Kindly allow minimum of 5 days prior to tour date.

Personal Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase relevant & adequate travel insurance to cover your entire stay in Malaysia that includes this trip. Be assured that there is no high risk activity offered in this itinerary that is not covered by a standard travel insurance policy.

We can purchase travel insurance for you if you are not covered at an additional charge of MYR 70.00 per person.

Payment :

- Payment of 50% is required upon confirmation of booking (confirmation is subject to availability of rooms)

- The balance of the payment must be made 14 days prior to the date of commencement of trip.

- We reserve the right to cancel the booking should the payment not received by the deadline given.

A non refundable deposit of 50% is required to hold a spot in this photo safari. Payment can be made by fund transfer to any of the following bank accounts :

- Maybank (MBB) Account Number  : 107152135075

- CIMB Bank Account Number : 07140006886059

(note - all under account holder name ”CHOO TSE CHIEN”)

The balance can be paid on the actual outing date itself in cash.

Contact me at tsechien@me.com or by calling +60124748354 if you are interested in booking a place.