Tanny
Well-known member
Wishing ONE AND ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Tue January 1, 2008
I thought I saw a Bird last night
when I looked up to the stars above,
Yes, “was it you God or the stars above
Who brought PEACE & JOY to the souls below”.
I thought I saw a Bird last night.
Last Night I was sitting on my lawn with my family and mom at midnight. I saw the year 2007 passing. Just to let you all know that the past year was full of joy and happiness with Birdforum.
MAY THIS YEAR BRING Peace, Happiness and JOY to ONE & ALL OF YOU. HAPPY 2008.
Flowers. Frangipani
We have just reached a milestone, this posting for the first of January is number two hundred of Manjeets stories in this thread. Well done Manjeet:t:.
To add to these stories I have discovered on the net some of the places Manjeet mentions in his wanderings after birds, and I thought it might be a good idea to post descriptions of them here. I do hope all of you reading this thread will enjoy reading about these places that so many of us will never get to see, places that we can only dream about. Thank you Manjeet for introducing us to your country and showing us all those wonderful pictures of birds in -- "YOUR PATCH"--.
KUALA SELANGOR
What seems to be a sleepy town, steamrollered by the more dynamic metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Selangor retains some memories of its glorious past and the charms of an old life that is still alive and well in certain pockets. 67km southeast of KL, Kuala Selangor began as a small settlement inhabited by the “Bugis” people who sailed from Indonesia and settled on the estuary. Before interference from Malay Sultans and rulers from other states, the settlement lived in peace and tranquillity under the guidance of a female leader called “Upu Chendera Burung”. Such adoration the villagers had for their leader They vowed to elect only leaders of Bugis origin to replace her in her time of death, believing that only a Bugis leader can lead them into a better life. For a time after Upu Chendera Burung's death, no suitable candidate came forth to take the seat as the village head. Ambitious individuals came from Perak, Kedah, Thai, Penang etc. to contest for the village head position. Failing to claim the seat, and already having travelled from afar and perhaps too proud and foolish to admit defeat, they decided instead to open up areas around the vicinity for themselves. Hence, evolved the names of nearby villages such as Kampung Kuantan, Kampung Kedah, and Kampung Siam. A strategic location, Kuala Selangor prospered during the early years of the 14th century. Brisk trading with seafarers and trade merchants made the town a household name and an important docking point. Trading route maps of the early Chinese merchants indicated the locations of the Klang River and the Selangor delta. It was believed that these were the maps used during the days when Admiral Cheng Ho (1405-1433) was sent to Melaka by the Ming Emperor to seal diplomatic relationships with the Malay rulers for a safer trading route. So, having established the strategic importance of the delta, as with all strategic locations comes with a jostle for power. Kuala Selangor went through a series of transitions. Great battles were fought, blood of foreigners and locals alike were spilt for the sake of economic and political standing. Today Kuala Selangor caters largely to tourists passing through on their way to Kelip-Kelip or Kampung Kuantan and the local travelers on the trail of seafood binging. Kuala Selangor town is not particularly big and one can easily walk around without a map or a guide. There are a number of cheap food outlets and a couple of fast food joints. It is also possible to walk to the Kuala Selangor Nature Park and Bukit Melawati for a visit. The Malaysian Nature Society and the Selangor State Government establish the Park as a cooperative effort. The intention is to study, conserve, and allow the residence to enjoy the Malaysian natural heritage. The whole area is equivalent to a giant showcase where visitor can enjoy an on-the-spot report of the happenings to their own habitat. It is a place to educate the younger generation on our natural heritage. Urban dwellers should feel the ambiance in the park and to reflect it with the quality of life that they are living. What else can they do? Their contribution to improving the overall living standard! Along the shore lines of the Peninsula, the Mangrove Forest is being gradually depleted from uncontrolled harvesting for logs. Industrial Parks and housing estates have move in to swallow up the lands from these dying forest. For a long stretches of coastlines, it is not surprising that there is hardly any refuge for wildlife and birds to rest! The Malaysian Nature Society with assistance from the Selangor State Government jointly push through a project to salvage what is left. The Kuala Selangor Nature Park is thus created. To say, it offers a wide variety of appropriate environments to serve as habitats for the birds and wildlife. There is the Secondary forest and a brackish water Lake system to complement the existing Mangrove Forest, Estuary of the Selangor River and mud flats. All these are important to support the living things assembled in this narrow strip of protected enclave. Counting the life forms, the Park recorded the sightings of about 156 species of birds [residence and migratory], a variety of insects, spiders, molluscs, crabs, fishes, reptiles and mammals. Kuala Selangor Nature Park is situated at the mouth of Selangor River, in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It covers approximately 800 acres of mangroves and mudflats and is the home to various wildlife such as otters, monkeys, birds, mudskippers and crabs. It has chalets for overnight visitors, hostel for study groups, and a visitor’s center to provide information and sell souvenirs. Birdwatching is perhaps the most exciting activity here. Over 140 species of birds have been sighted. Among the rare ones are the Nordman Greenshank and the Mangrove Pitta. The park is also involved in the Milky Stork reintroducing programme thanks to a contribution by Land and General. The park has a lake that provides roosting and feeding sites for various birds. From the bird hides and the towers around the lake one can view otters and birds feeding in the lake. It is the home to a large colony of Grey Herons. This park is under the management of the Malaysian Nature Society. The mudflats in front of the park are also rich with life. Various fishes and shellfishes can be seen on the flats confirming the importance of the mudflats and mangroves as a breeding and nursery ground for fishery. The mudflats are also important feeding grounds for the migratory birds on their stopover from Siberia to Australia. The sector, dominated by Mangrove trees covers an area of about 234 acres [95 hectares]. This area is the focal point of the eco-system for the Nature Park. This relatively "young" forested area has attracted 13 species of Mangrove trees. Here, you will get to see amphibious inhabitants from crabs to snakes. To give visitors a better opportunity to taste the ambiance deep inside the Mangrove Forest, raised boardwalks are built and permeate through to the crowded woods and over the mudflats. While on the boardwalk, inhabitants on the mudflats can be watched, you can see them moving around in their daily activities. Enjoy the scenic sight! Feel your own mood to be in the midst of the Avicenna forest. The 2 artificially created lakes get its fresh supply of brackish water from the Selangor River. The water level is controlled by sluice gates. To compliment the setting up of the lakes, few bird hides are built and strategically located. These watch towers are raised and one of them is at ground level. With these facilities visitors can wait and see the water birds and waders. The setting will put you in the mood to experience the joy of bird watching.
Tue January 1, 2008
I thought I saw a Bird last night
when I looked up to the stars above,
Yes, “was it you God or the stars above
Who brought PEACE & JOY to the souls below”.
I thought I saw a Bird last night.
Last Night I was sitting on my lawn with my family and mom at midnight. I saw the year 2007 passing. Just to let you all know that the past year was full of joy and happiness with Birdforum.
MAY THIS YEAR BRING Peace, Happiness and JOY to ONE & ALL OF YOU. HAPPY 2008.
Flowers. Frangipani
We have just reached a milestone, this posting for the first of January is number two hundred of Manjeets stories in this thread. Well done Manjeet:t:.
To add to these stories I have discovered on the net some of the places Manjeet mentions in his wanderings after birds, and I thought it might be a good idea to post descriptions of them here. I do hope all of you reading this thread will enjoy reading about these places that so many of us will never get to see, places that we can only dream about. Thank you Manjeet for introducing us to your country and showing us all those wonderful pictures of birds in -- "YOUR PATCH"--.
KUALA SELANGOR
What seems to be a sleepy town, steamrollered by the more dynamic metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Selangor retains some memories of its glorious past and the charms of an old life that is still alive and well in certain pockets. 67km southeast of KL, Kuala Selangor began as a small settlement inhabited by the “Bugis” people who sailed from Indonesia and settled on the estuary. Before interference from Malay Sultans and rulers from other states, the settlement lived in peace and tranquillity under the guidance of a female leader called “Upu Chendera Burung”. Such adoration the villagers had for their leader They vowed to elect only leaders of Bugis origin to replace her in her time of death, believing that only a Bugis leader can lead them into a better life. For a time after Upu Chendera Burung's death, no suitable candidate came forth to take the seat as the village head. Ambitious individuals came from Perak, Kedah, Thai, Penang etc. to contest for the village head position. Failing to claim the seat, and already having travelled from afar and perhaps too proud and foolish to admit defeat, they decided instead to open up areas around the vicinity for themselves. Hence, evolved the names of nearby villages such as Kampung Kuantan, Kampung Kedah, and Kampung Siam. A strategic location, Kuala Selangor prospered during the early years of the 14th century. Brisk trading with seafarers and trade merchants made the town a household name and an important docking point. Trading route maps of the early Chinese merchants indicated the locations of the Klang River and the Selangor delta. It was believed that these were the maps used during the days when Admiral Cheng Ho (1405-1433) was sent to Melaka by the Ming Emperor to seal diplomatic relationships with the Malay rulers for a safer trading route. So, having established the strategic importance of the delta, as with all strategic locations comes with a jostle for power. Kuala Selangor went through a series of transitions. Great battles were fought, blood of foreigners and locals alike were spilt for the sake of economic and political standing. Today Kuala Selangor caters largely to tourists passing through on their way to Kelip-Kelip or Kampung Kuantan and the local travelers on the trail of seafood binging. Kuala Selangor town is not particularly big and one can easily walk around without a map or a guide. There are a number of cheap food outlets and a couple of fast food joints. It is also possible to walk to the Kuala Selangor Nature Park and Bukit Melawati for a visit. The Malaysian Nature Society and the Selangor State Government establish the Park as a cooperative effort. The intention is to study, conserve, and allow the residence to enjoy the Malaysian natural heritage. The whole area is equivalent to a giant showcase where visitor can enjoy an on-the-spot report of the happenings to their own habitat. It is a place to educate the younger generation on our natural heritage. Urban dwellers should feel the ambiance in the park and to reflect it with the quality of life that they are living. What else can they do? Their contribution to improving the overall living standard! Along the shore lines of the Peninsula, the Mangrove Forest is being gradually depleted from uncontrolled harvesting for logs. Industrial Parks and housing estates have move in to swallow up the lands from these dying forest. For a long stretches of coastlines, it is not surprising that there is hardly any refuge for wildlife and birds to rest! The Malaysian Nature Society with assistance from the Selangor State Government jointly push through a project to salvage what is left. The Kuala Selangor Nature Park is thus created. To say, it offers a wide variety of appropriate environments to serve as habitats for the birds and wildlife. There is the Secondary forest and a brackish water Lake system to complement the existing Mangrove Forest, Estuary of the Selangor River and mud flats. All these are important to support the living things assembled in this narrow strip of protected enclave. Counting the life forms, the Park recorded the sightings of about 156 species of birds [residence and migratory], a variety of insects, spiders, molluscs, crabs, fishes, reptiles and mammals. Kuala Selangor Nature Park is situated at the mouth of Selangor River, in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It covers approximately 800 acres of mangroves and mudflats and is the home to various wildlife such as otters, monkeys, birds, mudskippers and crabs. It has chalets for overnight visitors, hostel for study groups, and a visitor’s center to provide information and sell souvenirs. Birdwatching is perhaps the most exciting activity here. Over 140 species of birds have been sighted. Among the rare ones are the Nordman Greenshank and the Mangrove Pitta. The park is also involved in the Milky Stork reintroducing programme thanks to a contribution by Land and General. The park has a lake that provides roosting and feeding sites for various birds. From the bird hides and the towers around the lake one can view otters and birds feeding in the lake. It is the home to a large colony of Grey Herons. This park is under the management of the Malaysian Nature Society. The mudflats in front of the park are also rich with life. Various fishes and shellfishes can be seen on the flats confirming the importance of the mudflats and mangroves as a breeding and nursery ground for fishery. The mudflats are also important feeding grounds for the migratory birds on their stopover from Siberia to Australia. The sector, dominated by Mangrove trees covers an area of about 234 acres [95 hectares]. This area is the focal point of the eco-system for the Nature Park. This relatively "young" forested area has attracted 13 species of Mangrove trees. Here, you will get to see amphibious inhabitants from crabs to snakes. To give visitors a better opportunity to taste the ambiance deep inside the Mangrove Forest, raised boardwalks are built and permeate through to the crowded woods and over the mudflats. While on the boardwalk, inhabitants on the mudflats can be watched, you can see them moving around in their daily activities. Enjoy the scenic sight! Feel your own mood to be in the midst of the Avicenna forest. The 2 artificially created lakes get its fresh supply of brackish water from the Selangor River. The water level is controlled by sluice gates. To compliment the setting up of the lakes, few bird hides are built and strategically located. These watch towers are raised and one of them is at ground level. With these facilities visitors can wait and see the water birds and waders. The setting will put you in the mood to experience the joy of bird watching.