Malaysia Eco Destination: Bird Watching At Fraser's Hill

By Mallika Naguran

Fraser's Hill in Malaysia is a bird watching paradise, but birding aside (we'll get to that later) and this eco-destination delights with its varied heritage trails into the forest, hilly lodges, waterfall and colonial-styled buildings that give Fraser’s Hill its pet name - Little England. 

The hills are named after a mysterious Scottish adventurer and tin ore trader, James Louis Fraser, who disappeared in the early 1900s. In 1917, the British turned this forest into a hill station, eager for respite from the hot south eastern tropics.

During the Second World War, Japanese occupied Malaya and used the 1km Hemnant forest trail to avoid exposed roads. Remains of a communications centre still stands in the site: covered in dense forest, this spot gave them radio coverage over a wide area of lowlands.

Trekking through this and other trails with an experienced guide is a great way of discovering this eco destination's heritage as well as biodiversity. 

K. Sanadurai, a local bird specialist, trusted guide and President of Fraser’s Hill Environmentally Sustainable Heritage (FRESH) reckons nature is God’s gift to man. "Trekking into the forest makes people younger and happier," he jokes, in between giving conservation tips and sharing forest facts.

There are, for instance, 17 species of plant climbers alone in Fraser’s, one of which holds water – great to know in case you are stranded in the middle of the forest. Wild ginger (Zingiberaceae) – and there are a number of species here – has many uses such as spices, dyes, medicines and even perfumes.

Trees are nearly 300 years old here; Durai points out one, nearly half that age, that’s slowly dying.  Termites have hollowed out the massive base of the tree and the zillions of insects draw woodpeckers. The pecked out holes on the smooth trunk show where the birds must have had their meals. “The woodpeckers also nest here and their eggs attract snakes and the magpie," says Sanadurai.

Such real life lessons on ecosystems are great for children, so parents and teachers, take your kids to Fraser’s Hill during the next school vacation. Explorations in the forest and walks in the crisp cool air will put a smile on your face, not just theirs.

Walking can make you pretty thirsty. A good place to stop and rest aching feet is at the Ye Olde Smokehouse for tea and hot scones, served with fresh cream and homemade strawberry jam. However, be armed with a camera; several bird species especially the long-tailed sibia love the crumbs that stray off the garden table.

Ah, the joys of an immaculate high tea in Little England of Malaysia in the company of little chirpers.

Bird Watching Paradise

If you are keen on bird watching, Fraser’s Hill (straddling the States of Pahang and Selangor, West Malaysia) is a great place to seek feathered fowl.

Birds in flight, some from as far as Siberia and islands north of Japan, are spotted in the lower montane forest that peaks at 1310 metres above sea level. Some 270 species are spotted at Fraser’s Hill, out of which 20 are migratory birds, seeking sunny yet cool climes here during treacherous winters of their originating countries.

Which is what draws discerning birders to escape to Fraser’s Hill to spy on these flighty creatures throughout the year. The Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race is an annual event help in June, which began in 1988. It now sees 8 foreign teams participating alongside 25 local ones under expert, novice and student categories.

Participants did not have to try too hard to spot as many bird species across 2,804 hectares of lush greens. Fraser’s Hill is to birds what honey is to bees, and as proof the air is filled with chirping and whistling – a joy to nature lovers and walkers alike. In the woods, cicadas compete with the call of birds. No, you don’t need your iPod here.

Even naturalists such as Dev Mahendra who conducts adventure tours based in Langkawi, Kedah is smitten. The Malaysian teamed up with his Dutch business partner Ann-Marie van Goudoever and British mate Chris Hocking, to join the competition forming the minimum requirement of three people in one participating group. 

This team of twitchers has chased many feathers in top bird watch spots around the world, and had heard about this spot’s reputation for sighting rare species including ones that are near threatened and vulnerable to extinction.

"It is a thrill to bird at Fraser's Hill because some of the birds are of the mountain species and you get the lowland species flying through," says Dev. "Fraser's is not that big, that means there is easy access to bird the whole area in a couple of days. And because of its pristine forest, most of the species of the main range can be found there," he adds.

Native to Fraser’s Hill are the silver-eared mesia (its unofficial mascot), fire tufted barbet, long tailed sibia, black throated sunbird, chestnut-crowned laughingthrush and Blyth’s hawk eagle, to mention a few. April to June is a great time to see local resident birds, sometimes nesting or feeding their young. 

Migrants such as the Siberian thrush, Eurasian woodcock and white-throated needletail are best spotted from October to March.

At the Fraser’s Hill Bird Race, participants have to note as many species spotted within 24 hours and submit the data to a panel of judges. The team that reports the most number of species wins prizes such as cameras, binoculars, bush gear and more.

Article Contributed By Gaia Discovery.