Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo. If you are visiting the island, there is a good chance that you will arrive by plane in Kota Kinabalu. So why not take some time to look for a few birds in this large city and its surroundings? Although it is clearly not the best place for birdwatching, there are still a few species that can be found here and are difficult to see elsewhere.
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Today, fewer than 1,500 adult Yellow-eyed Penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) remain worldwide. On the Otago Peninsula, near Dunedin in New Zealand, a private reserve covering more than 60 hectares has been working for over 40 years to protect this threatened species: The OPERA (Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance).
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Off we go for three weeks of van road-tripping across Tasmania. Traveling independently and without a guide, our main goal is to find the island’s 12 endemic bird species. We also have several other iconic birds in mind that we hope to observe along the way. Among them are the Pink Robin, a small pink-feathered gem, its close relative the Flame Robin with its striking plumage, the male Superb Fairywren in full breeding plumage (which can be seen year-round in this attire), and the Hooded Plover along the beaches. Tasmania is an Australian state renowned for its well-preserved natural environments and the abundance of its wildlife. Beyond birds, the island is home to several unique mammal species, starting with the very common Red-bellied Pademelon, Bennett’s Wallaby, the Common Wombat, the Tasmanian Devil, and the iconic Platypus.
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Are you planning a trip to Tasmania and wondering which bird species are endemic? You’re in the right place! In Tasmania, there are only 12 bird species that cannot be observed anywhere else in the world. That is a high number for a single region of Australia covering just under 70,000 km². With 45% of the island classified as national parks and nearly 20% protected and listed as UNESCO World Heritage, Tasmania boasts a remarkably rich biodiversity. In addition to iconic mammals such as the Tasmanian Devil, the Wombat, and the Pademelon, more than 380 bird species have been recorded in Tasmania, 12 of which are endemic.
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Kinabalu Park is extremely well known and heavily visited for its summit rising to 4,095 meters: Mount Kinabalu. This altitude makes it the highest peak in Malaysia. Among the many visitors to the park are hikers, guides, and porters climbing toward the summit. But alongside them are also a few birdwatchers in search of rare and Borneo-endemic species.
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Bukit Tinggi is a rather unusual birdwatching destination in Malaysia. This hill, located about 1.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur, is a replica of Colmar, a town in northeastern France. Within the botanical garden of this site, near the Japanese garden, a bird hide allows observers to see one of Malaysia’s rarest birds: the Mountain Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron inopinatum).
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Crocker Range National Park is one of the must-visit birding locations in the Sabah region. Beyond the park itself, Mount Trusmadi is also a very interesting place to observe many iconic species such as the Bulwer’s Pheasant (Lophura bulweri) and the Bornean Banded Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri). Two paid bird hides are located along the road leading up to the summit.
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Located southwest of Melbourne, this wetland covering more than 10,000 hectares is a true treasure for birdwatching. During my trip around Melbourne, I met several Australian birders who told me that the Western Treatment Plant is one of the best places (if not the best) for birdwatching in Victoria, and even in Australia. Also known locally as “Werribee”, it is in fact a wastewater treatment facility managed by Victoria’s water authority. The ponds are environmentally friendly lagoons, and this biological treatment method is internationally recognized.
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Fraser’s Hill is simply the best place for birding in Peninsular Malaysia. If you are doing a tour of the country specifically focused on ornithology, this is a must-visit stop. It’s no coincidence that many birdwatching events are organized here every year.
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Morakot Resort is a lodge located one kilometer from the Khao Nor Chu Chi Wildlife Sanctuary in Krabi Province, southern Thailand. It is the only lodge in the area, making it the go-to accommodation for birders visiting the sanctuary. The large restaurant on-site is a natural gathering spot where visitors exchange information about the species they have seen.
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