A sunny day when we were birding in Tahura R. Soeryo, Malang, East Java on 21 October 2017 with a family group from Jakarta. I Departed from Batu city around 08.30 am and arrived at the first location around Cangar hot spring 09.30 am.
We started walking around the cafeteria, we were greeted by Gray Wagtail flying down a small river in front of the canteen. Then scoped at the branches of the trees around. For 10 minutes only Sooty-headed Bulbul appeared.
Moved around the public toilet immediately greeted a Javan Kingfisher perched on the tree behind the toilet. We approached and looked for a clear view to enjoy its colorful feathers. These Java-Bali endemics are usually not easy to observe, it would fly away when seen by people approached.
Then the mix-flocks come with a noisy tweet at the top of the trees near the hot spring garden. The observed species such as Black-winged Flycatchershrike, Sunda Minivet, Sunda Cuckooshrike, Ashy Drongo, Blue Nuthatch and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch.
Next, we went into a jogging trek that led to the Japanese cave. Quite quiet along this path, just heard Rusty-breasted Cuckoo singing and a fast view of Oriental Cuckoo. Likewise when we arrived in front of the Japanese cave, hardly any birds appeared.
Wait a while and at least see the female White-flanked Sunbird and Javan Whistling Thrush which was the island’s endemic. Around 11.30 am I moved to the second spot, Watu Ondo ‘s parking area and park.
Upon arrival, an Indigo Flycatcher welcomed us. Indigo subspecies became full species spread only in montane and submontane primary and moss forests of Java. He perched on the bushes and occasionally grabbed the flying insects around it.
The raptor migration had begun, marked by the presence of Crested Honey Buzzard soaring high enough above us, then flew away from view.
We then walked in the opposite direction and found some Flame-fronted Barbet foraged at Ficus sp trees. This bird was very tame and did not care about us observing it close enough, about 10 meters.
Suddenly in the same tree from behind the leaves came a Pink-headed Fruit-dove to the center of a twig near the main stem. The red color in the head to his chest very firmly indicates that this was a male bird.
Same with the previous species, he did not feel disturbed by our presence. For approximately 45 minutes, we enjoyed this beautiful bird. Sometimes he ate the fruit of Ficus sp and then moved to perched and returned to eat the fruit. This live in the mountain forests of Sumatra and Java, became tour closing. Although it was only one day, at least we were lucky to see many species that were quite elusive and of course beautiful.
Systematic List:
1. Sooty-headed Bulbul | Pycnonotus aurigaster
2. Grey Wagtail | Motacilla cinerea
3. Lesser Forktail | Enicurus velatus | Heard Only
4. Javan Kingfisher | Halcyon cyanoventris
5. Black-winged Flycatchershrike | Hemipus hirundinaceus
6. Sunda Cuckooshrike | Coracina larvata
7. Sunda Minivet | Pericrocotus miniatus
8. Blue Nuthatch | Sitta azurea
9. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch | Sitta frontalis
10. Little Pied Flycatcher | Ficedula westermanni
11. Indigo Flycatcher | Eumyias indigo
12. Javan Hawk-Eagle | Nisaetus bartelsi
13. Oriental Cuckoo | Cuculus saturates
14. Rusty-breasted Cuckoo | Cacomantis sepulcralis
15. Ashy Drongo | Dicrurus leucophaeus
16. Sunda Whistling-thrush | Myophonus glaucinus
17. White-flanked Sunbird | Aethopyga eximia
18. Sunda Bush-warbler | Cettia vulcania | Heard Only
19. Lesser Shortwing | Brachypteryx leucophrys | Heard Only
20. White-browed Shrike-Babbler | Pteruthius flaviscapis
21. Crested Honey Buzzard | Pernis ptilorhynchus
22. Flame-fronted Barbet | Megalaima armillaris
23. Pink-headed Friut-dove | Ptilinopus porphyreus
Mammals:
1. Trachypithecus auratus | Javan Leaf Monkey