Turn Sarawak Bird Race into international event

KUCHING: The Malaysian Nature Sociey (MNS) has been challenged to turn its Sarawak Bird Race (SBR) into a full-fledged international event.

Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip made the call yesterday when launching this year’s race, held together with Borneo Highlands Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort.

“From being a humble mini bird race four years ago, this event now has drawn bigger participation and the involvement of those from outside the state and nation.

“So it is fair enough to challenge the organiser to turn this event into a well known international event,” he said.

He pointed out that the Rainforest World Music Festival, which only drew around 300 festival-goers in its first year, has now reached 20,000 festival-goers from around the world.

“We at the Tourism Ministry are sure to assist in all possible ways to lure more to come and I also promise to put SBR in the state tourism calender next year,” he added.

On the event, Talip said bird-watchers are important to the state as they assist in keeping records of all the species found in Sarawak.

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Sarawak Bird Race: Bird and nature lovers set for an enjoyable weekend

KUCHING: It is going to be a big weekend for birds when the 4th Sarawak Bird Race kicks-off this Saturday at the Permai Rainforest Resort, and then ‘migrates’ to the Borneo Highlands Resort the next day.

It also promises to be a big weekend for bird and nature lovers, with side activities being planned for everyone, including adults and children and curious members of the public who wish to know more on birds and biodiversity.

There will also be nature talks by local and international bird experts at Permai Rainforest Resort on Oct 29, to start at 9.30am.

Nils Müller, a biology graduate from Lund University, Germany, who specialises in bird migration and genetics, will share his knowledge and experience about bird migration: why, when and how far they migrate, and how they orientate themselves along their migration route.

As a young lad, he was enthralled by the eerie but fascinating raptors while travelling through the Pyrenees, and his love for ornithology was sealed forever.

Muller believes that bird races are a great way to draw attention to the diversity of birds that surrounds us.

“Birds have the largest range of species on earth and many of them are found in our own backyard! I like to think that learning about birds means learning to appreciate nature and its value to the society,” he said.

He believes that having a majestic bird like the hornbill on the Sarawak Flag showed the inspirational power birds could give.

“With their capability to fly and cover great distances, birds can serve as a great indicator of the state of nature for example, the effects of global warming and human impacts to the fragile environment.

“As we struggle to save endangered birds, we may find that they could possibly provide solutions to save humankind from ourselves,” he said in a press release.

The Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch’s Bird Group is jointly holding the 4th Sarawak Bird Race with Borneo Highlands Resort and Rainforest Permai Resort.

The race aims to promote bird conservation, the importance of birds in the ecosystems and bird-watching activity among members and the general public. It also aims to promote the Bako-Buntal Bay and Penrissen Range, and Sarawak in general, as ideal places for bird-watching.

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Countdown to Sarawak Bird Race 2011

WHAT is a bird race? Despite the name, a bird race is not a race (flying, walking, running or swimming) between two or more birds. It is a race between teams of birders out to spot and identify the greatest number of species of birds in a specific period of time. It is a fun way to get in touch with nature, increase awareness of birds and be a citizen scientist.

However, there is a serious side. The data collected provides wildlife researchers with background information on bird populations and an understanding of their dynamics, for example f luctuations in populations and species composition.

This is important because bird populations around the world are generally declining, reflecting the deterioration in the global environment. In Malaysia, the most well known is the Fraser’s Hill Bird Race, which started in 1999 and has found international recognition.

The Sarawak Bird Race, which began with a mini-race in 2008, has gradually been put on the bird-watching map. This year, the race, which is jointly organised by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Borneo Highlands Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort, will run from the sea to the mountain.

Next Saturday (Oct 29), the race will begin with talks, walks and workshops about birds and the natural world; all of which are open to those who wish to spend the day (from morning to evening) by the seaside at Permai Rainforest Resort.

Dr Pilai Poonswad, an international expert on hornbills will enlighten visitors on this key indicator and trophy family. There will also be talks on swiftlets and migratory birds.

John Arifin, a Singapore-based photographer who contributes to various regional magazines including Asian Geographic, will facilitate a workshop on photographing wildlife. In addition, members of the MNS Bird Group will introduce birding to beginners. A night walk will take you out of your comfort zone and into the sights and sounds of the deep dark jungle.

Next Sunday, the race heads off to the mountains where the half-day Sarawak Bird Race will begin from the Borneo Highlands Resort.

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Hornbill expert to speak at Sarawak Bird Race 2011

KUCHING: Dr Pilai Poonswad, one of the leading conservationists for hornbills in Thailand, will be the guest speaker of Sarawak Bird Race 2011, to be held from Oct 29 to 30 at Permai Rainforest Resort in Santubong here.

She will deliver two topics on hornbills, ‘Hornbills and their significance’ and ‘Seeking suitable nesting trees for hornbills’.

According to Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the co-organiser of the event, Pilai’s field of expertise is Avian Parasitology and Avian Biology and Ecology.

She was the representative of Thailand in the International Ornithological Committee, a founder and committee member of Hornbill Research Foundation and elected as Honorary Fellow of American Ornithologists’ Union.

She is currently Professor of Biology at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok.

Lately, she has received numerous honours and awards for her scientific work and contribution to conservation.

MNS said in a press statement yesterday that four out of eight species of hornbills had been recorded at Borneo Highlands Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort, the co-organisers of the event.

The species are the white-crowned hornbill, wreathed hornbill, black hornbill and rhinoceros hornbill.

The other four species of hornbills are the bushy-crested hornbill, wrinkled hornbill, oriental pied hornbill and helmeted hornbill.

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