LIM KIM CHYE introduces us to the common waterbirds found at Perak's Kuala Gula, from the common species to their habitats, and lays down the basics of Kuala Gula's waterbirds.

Written by Lim Kim Chye on 7 Jun 2004 with 0 comments. Be the first!

Kuala Gula, with its wetland habitats full of food resources, is a haven for many waterbirds, especially shorebirds. Shorebirds are a group of small to medium sized wading birds with a wide variety of bill shapes. They are usually gregarious and inhabit wetland areas where they feed and breed. Many shorebirds are migratory and undertake long migrations of up to 12,000 km from their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere to wintering areas in the south.

Kuala Gula lies on a major shorebird migration route, the East Asia-Australasian Flyway, and during the northern winter, from about September to May, many shorebirds overwinter here or stop-over to feed and rest while on passage to other areas. At low tide, hundreds of shorebirds can be seen feeding on the mudflats. When the tide rises and covers the mudflats, flocks of shorebirds fly off to roost in the mangroves and on higher ground.

About 28 species of shorebirds such as plovers, curlews, whimbrels, godwits, sandpipers and stints have been recorded in Kuala Gula. Shorebird species commonly seen here include Common Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Red-necked Stint and Bar-tailed Godwit. Occasionally, rare and globally threatened shorebirds such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher and Nordmann's Greenshank are sighted.

Kuala Gula is also a sanctuary for other migratory and resident waterbirds such as storks, egrets, herons, bitterns, rails, terns and gulls. About 37 species of these birds are found here. The globally-threatened Milky Stork and Lesser Adjutant can sometimes be seen feeding on the mudflats together with Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Chinese Pond-Heron and Little Heron. Other waterbirds such as Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-breasted Waterhen and occasionally, the shy Masked Finfoot, can be seen along the mangrove fringes. Several species of terns can be seen around the estuary, including the Whiskered Tern, White-winged Tern, Common Tern and Little Tern. The Brown-headed Gull is a regular winter visitor and sometimes many can be seen resting on mudflats.

Some birds, though not strictly considered waterbirds, are nonetheless closely associated with wetlands. In Kuala Gula, these wetland-dependent birds include raptors and kingfishers. Fish-eaters such as the White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Osprey and Brahminy Kite are a common sight around the waterways. Kingfishers are widespread in Kuala Gula, with 7 species recorded, the White-throated Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Collared Kingfisher are common residents while less often seen are winter visitors such as the Ruddy Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher and Black-capped Kingfisher.