The Rufous-collared Kingfisher

13th March, 2010
Had a fruitful visit to the Blue-eared and this day's turn for the Rufous-collared Kingfisher.
This Saturday as with other mornings of the week started as a gloomy mood. I waited until 8.30 am for my electrical shop to open to get my missing link. Normally I would be in Perdik by 8.00 am but there was no need to rush this morning, I had specifically target the Kingfisher, I think they are not early birds.
While on the main road in Ulu Langat, the weather turned good and the sun was shinning. Made my turn into the tiny country road, I was greeted by a long line of trainees. They were heading for the waterfall. Somehow they would be out there plus support group loitering in the area. My dream of quiet birding session just vanished?
Wait! a bigger shock I got when I reached the T junction. The place where I used to park my car, the road with the broken bridge, where I do my walk-about for birding, completely filled with cars. And people! Oh! My birding ground turned into the stage for the film set. Quick thinking and no investigation, I took the left turn fork into the jungle park. Third surprise for the day. Right at the bend, there was a group of guys already in the midst of their business with their bazookas. Cornered with limited choice, I parked car next to where they were "perched".
I told them that I was there for Rufous-collared Kingfisher. Expressed surprise?
They went into action and a batteries of calls brought the whole forest awake. There were Rufous-collared, Dusky and Hill Mynas.
Within minutes -someone shouted "One on top". A few more hops within the next the 15 minutes, it came to the tree and a branch overhead. Here this is, I got my first proper picture of the bird, with their "help".

At last, I completed my assignment of getting that much needed picture. A start for me as I wish to get better pictures. But with crowd, the bird would not come to the lower storey. You can be sure that I will be back on a non working day with more hope. Right now, this period would be a week of school holiday and Perdik is one of the "No No" places.