Malaysian Nature Society Miri

Birding at Loagan Bunut

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:56:00 +0000

As part of the Asian Waterbird Census 2012, we're organizing a trip to Loagan Bunut National Park.

Date : 4 - 5 February 2012
Time : Depart Miri mid morning on 4th Feb and back in Miri on 5th Feb in the evening.
Accomodation : Loagan Bunut National Park (dorm style)

Those interested or if you need more info, please contact Joyce (jvsivalingam@hotmail.com or mnsmiri@yahoo.com ) by 31 January 2012. Seats are subject to availability of volunteer drivers (4WD required). Needless to say, volunteer drivers are most welcomed.

Please note that all expenses will be on personal account. Common expenses such as food and boat rental will be split. Passengers are also expected to split fuel costs for the return trip from Miri to Loagan Bunut.

About Loagan Bunut:

Loagan Bunut, which centers around Sarawak’s largest natural lake, is one of the most unusual aquatic ecosystems in Malaysia. The lake normally covers an area of approximately 65 hectares. However when the water level in the adjacent Tinjar river is low, the shallow lake can drain completely, leaving a huge expanse of dried and cracked mud.

This unique cycle of flood and drought has created a remarkable food chain which supports a large variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals. As the lake dries up, many aquatic creatures escape into the Bunut river, which connects the lake to the Tinjar and Baram river. Nevertheless many remain behind and huge flocks of wading birds, primarily egrets, gorge themselves on the fish, frogs and shrimps that are trapped in shallow pools. When the lake is completely dry, grasses and herbs sprout from the mud, and are eaten by the larvae of insects that have laid their eggs in the mud. When the rains start again and the lake begins to fill up, returning fish feed on the larvae, breed in the lake, and the whole cycle begins again.

Source :
http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-loagan.html

About Asian Waterbird Census 2012 in Miri:
http://miribirding.blogspot.com/2011/12/first-call-volunteers-for-asian.html

Farewell 2011... Bring on 2012 !

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:14:00 +0000

As we bring 2011 to a close, here’s a snapshot of activities in the last 5 months:

August
- Similajau Beach Walk
- Visit to Niah Caves
- Bukit Pantu Hike
- Trek at Bukit Shahbandar National Park

September
- Trek at Dinding Trail, Lambir National Park
- Tusan Beach and Caves Walk
- Community Outreach at Ba’kelalan
- Star Trail and Astro Photography Session in Suai

October
- Bukit Pantu Nature Walk, Lambir National Park
- Community Education Program at SK Lepong Ajai with SFC Lambir
- Trekking at Gunung Irau, Cameron Highlands

November
- Road Trip and Trek at Kinabalu National Park
- Mesilau Loop Walk and Birdwatching in Sepilok
- Lunar Eclipse Viewing at Tusan
- Trekking at Lambir National Park

A big THANK YOU to all members who participated in these events and we certainly hope to see you rearing to go come next year. Here’s a head’s up on a couple of dates to watch out for:

1. Asian Waterbird Census
Asian Waterbird Census, AWC is an annual waterbird census carried out by volunteers at various sites thoughout Asia. MNS Miri Branch has a small band of birdwatchers who will be participating in AWC again this year. Participation in the census is sought from all branch members and the public interested to know more about waterbirds and birds in general. The following are confirmed dates and location:

07th January - South Kuala Baram Lagoon
08th January - North of Kuala Baram Lagoon
14th January - Curtin Lakes Area
21st January - Kpg Masjid Kuala Baram

For new updates and more details of the visits above and AWC in general, please refer to:

http://miribirding.blogspot.com/

2. Sarawak Waterbirds Survey Project Community Outreach at Similajau National Park in collaboration with Sarawak Forestry Corporation Bintulu, 11 – 12 February 2012.

Please visit this blog and our Facebook page for any new updates (especially the occasional weekend treks) and do contact us if you have queries or better yet if you’re keen to organize activities with us. Feel free to pass this along to like minded non-members as well. Lastly, please keep us posted on any change of e-mail addresses as we certainly would like to keep in touch.

Many thanks and wishing you Happy Holidays.
MNS Miri Branch 2011 / 2012 Committee
mnsmiri@yahoo.com

Sunday Morning Trek - Lambir

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:23:00 +0000

We're heading to Lambir National Park this Sunday for a trek (weather permitting). Details below:

Date : 11 December 2011
Time : 0740 hrs (meet at Marriot Hotel carpark) or 0815hrs (at Lambir National Park)

For those interested, please contact Joyce (jvsivalingam@hotmail.com).

Photograph by Sara Wong (http://friendsoflambir.blogspot.com/)

UNEP Press Release: UN Wildlife Meeting Pushes to Make Power Lines Safer for Birds

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:50:00 +0000

UN Wildlife Meeting Pushes to Make Power Lines Safer for BirdsInternational Reports Address Impact of Power Lines on Migratory Birds, Offering Solutions to Avoid Collisions and Electrocution

Mounting the bird diverter on high voltage power line.

Bergen, 24 November 2011 – Two new international reports on the conflict between migratory birds and power lines in the African-Eurasian region are being presented to delegates at a UN wildlife conference taking place 20-25 November 2011 in Bergen, Norway.

The two documents, The Review of the Conflict Between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids in the African-Eurasian Region and the Guidelines on How to Avoid or Mitigate the Impact of Electricity Power Grids on Migratory Birds in the African-Eurasian Region will be reviewed by representatives from close to 100 governments and several key wildlife conservation organizations attending the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an international wildlife treaty administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Power lines constitute one of the major causes of unnatural death for birds both through electrocution and fatal collisions. At end of 2010 there were 70.5 million kilometers of power lines throughout the world, constructed with minimal consideration for their environmental impact. This is expected to increase to 76.2 million kilometers by the end of 2015.

The review shows that in the African-Eurasian region alone, hundreds of thousands of birds die annually from electrocution and tens of millions of birds from collision with power lines. In general, large birds seem to be more affected.

For some large, slow reproducing bird species which migrate across this region, such as pelicans, storks, flamingos, birds of prey, cranes, bustards and owls, the death toll could possibly lead to population declines and/or local or regional extinction.

In South Africa, for example, 12% of Blue Cranes, South Africa’s national bird, and 11-15% of Ludwig’s Bustards are dying annually in collisions with a growing number of power lines.

According to the review, hot spots for electrocution are especially found in open habitats lacking natural perches or nesting trees for the birds, such as steppes, deserts and wetlands.

Bird collisions, on the other hand, occur in every habitat type in the region, with hotspots, for example, located in areas where large numbers of birds congregate, such as near water bodies or in migration corridors.

The international review presents a current overview of the existing research and corrective measures undertaken by some countries and electricity power companies in the region to avoid bird mortality from collisions and electrocutions by power lines.

The guidelines, on the other hand, contain a set of concrete recommendations for governments, electric power companies and conservation organisations on how to avoid and reduce the impact of electricity power grids on birds.

“The international guidelines present a number of appropriate legislative and policy actions and some creative technical measures on how to mitigate and reduce the vast number of unnatural bird mortalities caused by electricity power grids,” said CMS Executive Secretary Elizabeth Maruma Mrema.

While the scope of the study was to review the situation across Europe, parts of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the measures highlighted in the guidelines can be applied globally.

In northern Europe, for example, all low and medium voltage distribution lines have been placed underground in the Netherlands and similar measures are also being carried out in parts of Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and Norway.

“Our experience from Norway is that there are various measures that can reduce the risks of collision and electrocution, such as the use of underground cables, removal of the top line and route selection, and that they are working,” said Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway.

Other less expensive measures include the installation of state-of-the-art technical solutions for existing structures such as insulation of dangerous electric parts of the lines, the installation of bird-friendly perching and nesting devices as well as the installation of markers or bird flight diverters in overhead wires.

"The relative lack of electrical infrastructure across the African continent to date provides an opportunity to avoid the mistakes made elsewhere when new infrastructure is constructed. In this respect, the guidelines are very timely and can make a significant conservation impact," said Jon Smallie from the Endangered Wildlife Trust of South-Africa, one of the authors of the guidelines report.

“National authorities, electricity companies and organizations involved in bird conservation and research should use these guidelines as a first step to address the serious problem of bird mortality caused by electrocution and collision and work together to also better plan the locations of future power lines and jointly identify critical locations where existing power lines should be made safer for birds,” said Marco Barbieri, Acting Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), a specialized treaty concluded under CMS.

“In the coming year, the Norwegian Government will spend 30 million kroner to reduce the overall threat on the highly endangered Eurasian Eagle Owl. Power lines pose a significant threat to the owl in Norway,” added Mr. Solheim.

According to the review, electrocution is considered to be the most important mortality factor for the Eagle Owl and possibly the main reason for the decline of the population.

“This may also help to avoid electrocution of other species. We have a high focus on this topic in Norway and our experience is that these measures work but still there is a lot more to do,” said Mr. Solheim.

“Electrocution of birds is not just a conservation issue. It also has economic and financial consequences, as power interruptions and the resulting need for reparations from outages are often caused by bird electrocutions,” said Ms. Mrema. “The Convention on Migratory Species along with its specialized treaties dedicated to the conservation of birds, such as AEWA and the Raptors’ agreement have an important role to play in bringing the different actors and perspectives together. As the international review and the guidelines show, there are already some lessons learned. But there is also a lot more we can do to address this growing conflict between power lines and birds,” added Ms. Mrema.

The review and guidelines were commissioned by the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat to an international research consortium consisting of Bureau Waardenburg, Boere Conservation Consultancy (both from the Netherlands), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (South-Africa) and STRIX from Portugal.

The international review and the guidelines were made possible through the support from AEWA’s cooperation partner RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice, a company of the German energy supplier RWE. The company has developed a method of fitting preventive “bird-diverters” to high-voltage powerlines in Germany and other European countries using a helicopter as a way to try to reduce the collision of large birds with power lines.

Notes to Editors:CMS COP10 Media Page:http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/media.htm#4

LINKS TO THE DOCUMENTS:

THE GUIDELINES (Incl. Executive Summary)http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/docs_and_inf_docs/doc_30_electrocution_guidlines_e.pdf

THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/docs_and_inf_docs/inf_38_electrocution_review.pdf

LINK TO THE REVIEW & GUIDELINES PROJECT WEBSITE: http://www.buwa.nl/en/aewareviewproject.html

CMS
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) works for the conservation of a wide array of endangered migratory animals worldwide through the negotiation and implementation of agreements and action plans. CMS is a growing convention with special importance due to its expertise in the field of migratory species. At present, 116 countries are parties to the Convention. http://www.cms.int/

AEWA
The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty developed under the auspices of CMS dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds which use the African-Eurasian Flyways. The Agreement covers 255 species of waterbirds, which are ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. Of the 119 countries found in the AEWA region, so far 64 and the European Union have become Contracting Parties to the Agreement. http://www.unep-aewa.org/

BIRDS & POWER LINES (taken from the review)
• Most above ground power lines (both medium voltage distribution lines and medium to high voltage transmission lines) present potentially fatal risks for birds through risks of collision with overhead wires and the risk of electrocution.

COLLISION
• A bird collision occurs when a flying bird physically collides with an overhead cable. The bird is typically killed by the impact of the cable, the subsequent impact with the ground, or dies from the resulting injuries.

• Bird collisions occur in every habitat type in the African-Eurasian region, with hotspots amongst others located in areas where large numbers of birds congregate, such as near water bodies or in migration corridors.

• Birds that are disturbed and panicking in the surroundings of power lines have a higher risk of colliding, as are birds that are in pursuit of mates.

• Low visibility due to twilight or weather conditions, or because the wire is too thin to be seen by the birds, creates an even higher risk.

• Bird Migration regularly occurs at higher altitudes, way above the height of the power lines. Therefore, the risk of collision is lower for migrating birds as opposed to local birds. However, the collision risk of migrating birds increases when weather conditions forces them to fly at lower altitudes, for they are less familiar with the landscape and obstacles than local birds.

ELECTROCUTION
• Electrocution of a bird occurs when it bridges the gap between two energized components or an energized and an earthed (grounded) component of the pole structure. This results in a short circuit, with electric current flowing through the bird’s body, and electrocution, which is often accompanied by an outage of the electricity supply.

• Hot spots for electrocution are especially found in open habitats lacking natural perches or nesting trees, such as steppes, deserts and wetlands.

• Electrocution most often occurs with (poorly insulated) medium voltage power lines. The bird or nesting materials bridges the gap between wires of different voltages which creates a short-circuit. It is also known to happen while the bird is only touching one line.

• Electrocution of birds is not just a conservation issue; it also has economic and financial consequences. Power interruptions and the need for reparations are often the result of bird electrocution.

MEASURES
• It is relatively easy to minimize these negative impacts from power lines on birds. The CMS / AEWA guidelines report presents a broad suit of solutions and recommendations.

• The most effective measure to eliminate the possibility of both electrocution and collision is underground cabling. This has already been done in the Netherlands and in certain critical locations in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and Germany. This method is very costly and therefore not feasible for the whole African-Eurasian region.

• Another obvious way in which to prevent bird electrocutions and collisions is minimizing the construction of new power lines, through efficient network planning and dispersed power generators.

• Routing new power lines away from areas that are home to, or attract, bird species that are known to be susceptible to electrocution and collision, also taking into account landscape and vegetation features.

• Designing the location, route and direction of power lines on the basis of national zoning maps, avoiding, where possible, the construction in habitats of conservation importance, such as important bird areas, protected areas, Ramsar sites and other critical sites as identified by the Critical Site Network (CSN) Tool: http://csntool.wingsoverwetlands.org/csn/default.html

• The guidelines include many other technical measures for both electrocution and collision. These include insulation measures, line design or configuration, perch management techniques and a range of power line marking devices including spheres, swinging plates, bird flappers and others which make lines more visible to birds. The review also includes a summary assessment of the efficiency of such marking devices, sighting ongoing research in different countries, with some concluding that wire marking reduced bird mortality by 50-80%.

RELATED SIDE EVENT AT CMS COP10

A side event on the topic "Challenges in mitigating bird electrocution" (open to the press) will be taking place at the Venue of CMS COP10 at the Scandic Hotel Room Hødden on Thursday, 24 November 2011 between 1800-2000 hrs. The event will be chaired by Ms Heidi Sørense - State Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment and is being organised by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research/CEDREN in partnership with RWE Rhein Ruhr Netzservice GmbH and NABU (BirdLife Germany).

http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/media/side_events/side_event_powerlines_24nov2011.pdf

OPTIPOL ”Optimal design and routing of power lines; ecological, technical and economic perspectives”

www.nina.no/Publikasjoner/Publication.aspx?pubid=5428

Contact:
Florian Keil, Information Officer, UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, tel: +49 228 815 2451 or mobile: +49 (0)151 14701633, or +47 46 86 15 44 (while in Bergen), e-mail: florian.keil@unep.org

Veronika Lenarz, Public Information, UNEP/CMS Secretariat, tel: +47 46 86 15 44 (while in Bergen), e-mail: vlenarz@cms.int

Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson and Head of Media, tel: +41 795 965 737 or +254 733 632 755 or e-mail nick.nuttall@unep.org

Road Trip and Trek at Kinabalu National Park

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:37:00 +0000

We’re going on a Road Trip to Sabah! We’re planning to drive our way to Kinabalu National Park. So whether its photography, sight-seeing, trekking, scouting for good local food or having random chit-chats with like-minded road trippers … I’m sure there will be something (or more) that will tickle your fancy on route and back.

Tentative itinerary.
4 Nov. - Depart Miri (ETD: 4 pm) and stay the night at either Limbang or Bandar Seri Begawan.
5 Nov. - Drive to Ranau and stay the night. Watch Sandakan Death March Video.
6 Nov. - Half day hike at Kinabalu National Park. We plan to hike till Layang-Layang power station and down. Drive to Beaufort and stay the night.
7 Nov. - Depart for Miri. (ETA : 6 pm)

Volunteer drivers are most welcomed. Seats will be limited to the number of volunteer drivers.
Those interested, please contact Peter Pillai at seeborneo@gmail.com by 28 October 2011.

Crocodiles : To Cull or Not to Cull?

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:54:00 +0000

As appeared in The Star Column Midin Salad by Yuji

"The law says no, scientists call for better management, while for families of victims, there is no option to killing the reptiles wholesale.

IN JULY, controversy arose when state authorities allowed a culling operation along Sebelak River, some 280km from Kuching.

That mission, which lasted a week and with just one reptile killed, followed the death of croc attack victim Mankay Gohen, 42, earlier in May.

Last Saturday, tragedy struck again swiftly and in near total darkness in the same river.
At roughly 4.30am, lifelong fisherman Sulaiman Abdullah, 66, was finishing up a day’s work. He was pulling a protective canvas over some 3kgs of fish and shrimps in his small boat when he was attacked and pulled under.

The victim’s son, Endoi Sulaiman, was an eyewitness. He said his dad surfaced two minutes after the incident.

“He held onto the side of his boat for a few seconds. I don’t think he made a sound, then he was pulled under again. Just gone. Just like that,” recalled Endoi, 41.

The victim was the patriarch of a family of five children and seven grand kids. The Sulaiman family lives close to Saratok at Kampung Melayu Roban.

A kopitiam tauke described his friend Sulaiman as a quiet and honest man, who led a hard and simple life. “His catch was usually quite good. We bought a lot from him and his son over the years,” he said.

The victim’s family are urging authorities to restart culling operations. They say their loss was a reminder that crocodiles and humans could hardly co-exist. Under the present state laws, crocodiles are protected species. This is being reviewed.

To cull or not to cull? Opinions on this vary. More often than not, urban folk say they want crocodiles to remain fully protected, while rural folk want the reptile’s population controlled.
As for me, I’m without a clear opinion on the matter, especially after meeting Sulaiman’s family.
On one hand, I agree that the killing of any protected species must not be encouraged; yet, when you listen to families like Sulaiman’s relating their fears and being hapless against the predator, you find yourself taking their side.

Sulaiman’s wife, Fatimah Entigue, 57, explained, “Of course we all knew the risks, but when you can’t do much to earn money, you stick to whatever you’ve always known.”

Crocodiles are classified as “Appendix One” protected species under the globally recognised “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna”. Sarawak adheres to those international rules, more commonly known as the “Washington Convention”.
But next month, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) will present a landmark paper at the “International Crocodile Conference” here, urging the global community to reclassify crocodiles from “Appendix One” to “Appendix Two” protected species.

SFC views the proposal as enabling “better management” of crocodile population, its spokesperson told The Star.

He said the state-owned company was confident of winning over public sentiment.
“The number of crocodiles has been increasing over the years in Sarawak, although a lot of people don’t want to accept that fact,” he said.

“Now there are some rivers that are too dense with crocodiles. Our proposal already has several international experts’ support.”

In SFC’s latest survey, Bako River and Santubong River are believed to have the highest crocodile population in Sarawak, at an estimated 3.4 crocodiles per km. (Presently, SFC does not have a statewide estimate of the crocodile population.)

For Universiti Malaysia Sarawak social scientist Dr Andrew Aeria, culling cannot be the only long-term solution to croc attacks.

Dr Aeria points to a wider set of social-economic problems rural fishing communities face. It’s all to do with poverty, he said.

“Don’t just blame the crocodiles. Crocodiles will do what they do naturally. The government must look at poverty factors.

“At places where there is no water supply, people bathe in the river. When there is no jetty for fishermen, there are more risks,” Dr Aeria said.

“We should not think too badly of the crocodiles. Instead, see it this way: Every attack is partly testament to society’s neglect of the poor.”

So, to cull or not to cull? For people in the interior, for those who depend entirely on rivers as a food and income source, their sentiment on culling is clear.

It is now up to the authorities to make a clear and convincing case for their proposed reclassi-fication. No doubt, there will be objections.

But in stating whatever objections we have, as a society we must also act on the wider set of problems facing our poor.

To cull or not to cull? Your thoughts?" By Yuji, Midin Salad Column, The Star.

The International Crocodile Conference organised by Sarawak Forestry Corporation in Kuching, Sarawak this week (19-21st October) aims to explore these very questions. Would it be a win-win solution for both man vs wild or yet again another triumph over nature by man, croc handbags and belts as trophies for the victor.

Which side of win-win are you on? Every year 6,500 human lives are lost in road accidents; in the past 50 years, 100 Sarawakian lives were taken by crocodiles ... the measure at which we are dealing with the lost seems hugely in imbalance, perhaps we should take cars off the roads instead. To me, it's clear that the smartest living reptile alive is being made scapegoat by those with less gray matter than it.

Camping at Suai Beach : Ritz Carlton

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:37:00 +0000

Nazeri, Zeana, Maye, Radhika, Mad Ali, Sara and Roslee about to cross the river from Hilton 2 heading out to Kpg Kuala Suai Dec 2008. Photo by Rabani HM Ayub taken on the 3rd day of our trek..

One of the reasons for making this trip was to observe dark skies in Suai, another was to recollect fond memories of camping in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of like minded friends back in 2008.

We first camped out at the location dubbed Hilton Camp2 during our Long Beachwalk back in December 2008. It was serendipity that we reached the site slightly later than expected and by then were not able to cross the river due to high tide, thus camped by the riverside instead. Tired, hungry, we ran out of food as well as water. A few minutes after setting camp, heavy storm clouds approached, it rained heavily and all we had was soaked. As night settled in, the skies glowed with brilliant stars. The glorious sunset and nightscenes that evening were perhaps the most memorable; not the blisters, not the oats and tuna sandwich dinner; not the rainwater tea or the lurking single crocodile we spotted in the river at dusk. After 3 days of walking, the smiles on everyone's face that night was priceless.

This 2011 trip had young pre-adults with us. Rabani, Sara and I were the only ones from the long beachwalk crew that could make it. Musa who was on the original recce crew prior to the Longwalk was also determined to come along with us for the 2 nites camping. Phillip, Adeline, Liza, Ben, Darren, Tiffany, Kenisha, Kendrick, Ali, Shamsul and Abdul were first timers to the area.

We drove to Kpg Kuala Suai through the oil palm plantation. The drive over was smooth and without much drama ... other than the depressing rows upon rows of palm oil; a dozen perplexed looking Indonesian plantation workers we passed along the road who was immediately engulfed in dust behind us.

What's more depressing was perhaps the newly opened up acreage of plantation : recently bulldozed zones, blackened tree stumps still standing while others with lingering amber. The area had been burnt all the way from the edge of the existing plantation to the coast. Another area of peatswamp undergoing conversion by fire.

With backpacks fully loaded we had everyone walking with their own rations for the 3days-2nites camping including 3.o L water. After 1.5 hrs of walking, we made camp at an inactive river, recently sanded up and choked with logs. There was plenty of room for our tents in the sand, plenty of wood to keep the fire going over the two nites. The new campsite was quickly dubbed, "Ritz Carlton". Hilton 2 was not 40 minutes away.

The area was quickly turned to a home away from home : 2 big fireplaces and working kitchens with an unlimited open space for everyone. RC would've made a perfect basecamp for longer stays except for the lack of flowing freshwater.

That first nite we were afforded magnificent views of the Milky Way; we found the Suai dark skies we were after. Scorpio was right in the middle of the display as the sun dipped below the horizon; Orion came later towards the start of the next day over a beautiful cloudless sky right over our campfire.

The next day we walked over to Hilton 2 along the beach: tide was low, the day bright and overcast, the air fresh from South China Sea.

For the short 40 minutes walk over, those who participated in the Long Beachwalk recollected the events from 3 years back : the magnificent beach scenery, quiet and deserted; the friendship we honed over the few days of hard slog and blistered feet as well as the motives each one of us had for undertaking the longwalk.

The glorious sand at Suai, at times a bit muddier depending on the season.

The crew of 2011 Ritz Carton camping weekend looking sprightly and refreshed after 3 days and 2 nites out in the middle of nowhere. (Rabani and Nazeri not in the picture).

Our home away from home, by the time we left on Sunday, the area was clear of logs ... it's an open spacious sandy place perfect for sunseekers.

All around the campfire just after dinner.

Going back was like both saying "hello" and "goodbye" at the same time. The quiet and deserted beach wouldn't be quiet and deserted for long. Big changes to the landscape already took place along much of the the coastlines. We were glad to have walked the place many years back experiencing it in the last few years of its pre-existing state. Hopefully there'd be a few more years of that which would remain, if only just.

There would always be Milky Way, Scorpio and Orion I guess in the dark of Suai nights, traversing the skies over similar stretches like Hilton 2,and Ritz Carlton. That is before something more sinister takes to the skies.

Scorpio and the Milky Way just after sunset from Ritz Carlton.

Read more on Scorpious here.

Write-up and pictures by Nazeri Abghani, MNS Miri, Oct 2011

Birdwatching in Bakelalan II

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Cikgu Sang Sigar encouraging birdwatching as a hobby amongst his students at SK Bakelalan.

It was almost a year ago that a bunch of us dropped in on Bakelalan to do a bit of birdwatching. Though there was a bunch of us, there were perhaps 3 birdwatchers among us intent on birding in the area. We were actually there to trek GunungMurud Oct 2010, the birders however were quickly roped into giving a crash course on birds and birdwatching to SK Bakelalan through Sang Sigar, assistant principal and proprietor at the guest house we stayed at.

It's always pleasant birdwatching in Bakelalan, by the time we left after scaling Gunung Murud, Yeo Siew Teck compiled a list of 123 birds but not all restricted to the kampong area. Ashy Drongo, Black-headed Munia, Orange-breasted Flowerpecker, Striated tit Babbler were ticked just around the village paths. The rest were ticked along our trek to the summit and back. It remains that at least more than half of the birds on our list were acquired in the easy places around the settlement.

The potential for birdwatching in the surrounding area has not been adequately explored, many past birders to the area has expressed exasperations over the lack of knowledgeable bird guides in the area. It's still a very recent hobby here as far as the locals are concerned. The question then arise : who are the best persons to bird the area other than the very persons living there 24/7. The proposal was simple : teach the local youngsters about birds, in time they will be our new resource for birdwatching and bird conservation locally in the area. After all Gunung Murud, Batu Lawi and Pulong Tau are all within walking distance from Bakelalan.

Thus started the ad-hoc preliminary initiative to teach the local children about birds and the wholesome hobby of birdwatching. Introducing the birds to these young people could very well increase their awareness of our feathered friends and ultimately their appreciation and conservation. Yeo, Nazeri, Sara, Chris and Faye initiated the first basic lessons back in Oct 2010; this year Peter, Nazeri, Amer and Ali embarked on exposing a second batch of students to birds and birdwatching.

In any rural setting, any available resource is quickly associated as food resource. The time is now if not 70 years ago to make the people of places of conservation value like Bakelalan, Bario and others more connected with the conservation work that are taking place elsewhere in bigger less bird diverse area. It might not be too late for the rural children to appreciate birds on a higher aesthetic level rather than quickly to associate it to a bowl of soup at the dinner table. Once these youngsters value birds more than just as a food resource, it will become clear to them that conservation is the only right path to follow.

Black-headed Munia, found in abundant numbers near grassy areas of Bakelalan.

Perched in the paddyfield.

Looks to be a perfect spot for early morning and last afternoon birdwatching, high up in the hills.

White-breasted Waterhen looking wary by the edge of the paddyfield.

With sufficient investment in time and effort from the school, its teachers and birdwatching fraternity, we hope that one day there'll be more birders in Bakelalan both in the form of a local as well as in the form of the paying tourist variety.

Bird list of Ba’Kelalan from 18^th till 21^st October 2010 (not limited to Bakelalan village) by Yeo Siew Teck

1 Cinnamon Bittern Flying over / In flight

2 Little Egret Feeding

3 Black Eagle Flying over / In flight

4 White-breasted Waterhen Heard and seen

5 Common Sandpiper Heard and seen

6 Spotted Dove Perched

7 Lesser Coucal Heard call only

8 Glossy Swiftlet Flying over / In flight

9 Gold-whiskered Barbet Feeding

10 Mountain Barbet Feeding Endemic

11Bornean Barbet Heard call only Endemic

12 Rufous Woodpecker Heard call only

13 Crimson-winged Woodpecker Pecking

14 Banded Broadbill Heard call only

15 Black-and-yellow Broadbill Heard call only

16 Golden-bellied Gerygone Heard and seen

17 White-breasted Woodswallow Perched

18 Ashy Drongo Perched

19 Pied Fantail Heard and seen

20 Pacific Swallow Flying over / In flight

21 Yellow-bellied Prinia Heard call only

22 Yellow-vented Bulbul Heard and seen

23 Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Heard and seen

24 Ashy Tailorbird Heard and seen

25 Black-throated Wren-babbler Heard and seen Endemic

26 Asian Fairy-bluebird Heard call only

27 Oriental Magpie-robin Heard and seen

28 Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Feeding

29 Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Heard and seen

30 Plain Flowerpecker Perched

31 Brown-throated Sunbird Heard and seen

32 Crimson Sunbird Feeding

33 Little Spiderhunter Heard and seen

34 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Feeding

35 Dusky Munia Heard and seen

36 Black-headed Munia Flying over / In flight

37 Grey Wagtail Heard and seen

38 Red-breasted Partridge Heard call only

39 Cattle Egret Feeding

40 Crested Serpent-eagle Flying over / In flight

41 Little Cuckoo-dove Perched

42 Thick-billed Green-pigeon Feeding

43 Banded Bay Cuckoo Heard call only

44 Greater Coucal Heard and seen

45 Bornean Frogmouth Heard and seen Endemic

46 Whiskered Treeswift Hawking for insects

47 Rufous-collared Kingfisher Heard call only

48 Stork-billed Kingfisher Heard and seen

49 Rhinoceros Hornbill Heard call only

50 Helmeted Hornbill Heard call only

51 Maroon Woodpecker Heard call only

52 Banded Broadbill Heard call only

53 Black-and-yellow Broadbill Heard and seen

54 Golden-bellied Gerygone Heard and seen

57 Scarlet Minivet Heard and seen

58 Bornean Whistler Foraging Endemic

59 Spangled Drongo Heard and seen

60 Spotted Fantail Heard call only

61 Black-headed Bulbul Heard and seen

62 Black-crested Bulbul Heard and seen

63 Red-eyed Bulbul Perched

64 Ochraceous Bulbul Heard and seen

65 Ashy Bulbul Heard and seen

66 Arctic Warbler Foraging

67 Yellow-bellied Warbler Heard and seen

68 Black-capped Babbler Heard call only

69 Chestnut-backed Scimitar-babbler Heard call only

70 Grey-throated Babbler Heard and seen

71 Striped Tit-babbler Heard call only

72 Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush Heard and seen Endemic

73 White-browed Shrike-babbler Heard call only

74 Brown Fulvetta Heard and seen

75 Chestnut-crested Yuhina Feeding Endemic

76 White-bellied Yuhina Heard and seen

77 Pygmy White-eye Feeding Endemic

78 Rufous-winged Philentoma Heard call only

79 White-tailed Flycatcher Perched

80 Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Heard call only

81 Greater Green Leafbird Feeding

82 Bornean Leafbird/Kinabalu Leafbird Feeding Endemic

83 Olive-backed Sunbird Heard and seen

84 Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Heard and seen

85 Crested Serpent-eagle Flying over / In flight

86 Blue-crowned Hanging-parrot Flying over / In flight

87 Drongo Cuckoo Heard call only

88 White-crowned Hornbill Heard call only

89 Whitehead's Broadbill Perched Endemic

90 Bornean Treepie Heard and seen Endemic

91 Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hawking for insects

92 Black-and-crimson Oriole Foraging

93 Black-naped Monarch Heard call only

94 Crested Jay Heard call only

95 Scaly-breasted Bulbul Heard and seen

96 Temminck's Babbler Heard call only

97 Rufous-fronted Babbler Heard call only

98 Black-capped White-eye Feeding

99 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Foraging

100 Dark-sided Flycatcher Hawking for insects

101 Verditer Flycatcher Perched

102 Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Perched

103 Wreathed Hornbill Flying over / In flight

104 White-throated Fantail Heard and seen

105 Short-tailed Green Magpie Heard and seen

106 Sunda Bush-warbler Foraging

107 Mountain Blackeye Feeding Endemic

108 Flavescent Bulbul Perched Endemic

109 Yellow-breasted Warbler Foraging

110 Mountain Wren-babbler Heard call only Endemic

111 Eyebrowed Jungle-flycatcher Heard and seen Endemic

112 Barred Eagle-owl Heard call only

113 Brown-capped woodpecker Drumming/Pecking

114 Grey-chinned Minivet Heard and seen

115 Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hawking for insects

116 Blyth's Hawk-eagle Flying over / In flight

117 Pink-necked Green-pigeon Feeding

118 Indian Cuckoo Heard call only

119 Red-billed Malkoha Foraging

120 Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Feeding

121 Scarlet-rumped Trogon Heard call only

122 Orange-breasted Trogon Heard & Seen

123 Grey-cheeked Bulbul Heard call only

Last year we donated 2 Susan Myer's Birds of Borneo Fieldguide to Cikgu Sang and the community. This year we left another copy to the teachers who will be the torchbearers for this rural birdwatching effort.

It is hoped that by Jan 2012, we will have at least one AWC survey conducted in Bakelalan and by later by June a "MY Garden Birdwatch" event executed by the students and teachers with help from the birdwatching fraternity. Next trip : "How to enter Bakelalan bird sightings to BIW!"

Write-up and photo by

Nazeri Abghani, MNS Miri, Oct 2011

Sarawak Bird Race 2011 - Because Birds are Important

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:34:00 +0000

The Bird Race returns for the 4th time with more activities and plenty of fun. This year Bird Race is jointly organised by Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) together with Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)Kuching Branch and Permai Rainforest Resort (PRR) aiming to involve the surrounding communities, promote bird watching, and educate the communities on the importance of birds’ preservation to the environment. This year’s tagline is “Because Birds are Important”.

The Sarawak Bird Race 2011 will be held on the 28th October 2011 to 30th October 2011. The launching of the Bird Race will be on the 28th October followed by seminars/workshops on birding on the 29th both at Permai Rainforest Resort and end on the 30th with the race at Borneo Highlands Resort.

Interested members from Miri are encouraged to contact Peter Pillai (seeborneo@gmail.com) before 11 October 2011.

Bukit Pantu Nature Walk

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Mark your calendars for an upcoming nature walk to Bukit Pantu at Lambir National Park. Get your morning workout on this 2.9 km trail and you’ll be pleasantly rewarded with a scenic view at the peak. Don't be intimidated by the steep staircases as shown above... thats only the last portion of the trail.

Date : 1 October 2011
Time : 7.00 am – 12.00 pm
Meeting Point : Taman Awam at 7.00 am

Mail us at mnsmiri@yahoo.com or seeborneo@gmail.com to sign up by 12.00 pm, 27th September 2011. Do let us know if you're joining us so that we'll have your contact details should there be any last minute change of plans.

Photograph courtesy of Peter Pillai

Upcoming events - September and October 2011

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:03:00 +0000

MNS Miri invites you to the following events planned for September and October.

24 September 2011
Community Outreach at Ba’kelalan
Talk on Birds and Birdwatching with Students of SK Ba’kelalan
Participation is limited. Volunteer Birders required.

30 September – 2 October 2011
Star Trail and Astro Photography Session in Suai, facilitated by Mr. Rabani Ayub
Participation is limited to 12 people and participants who are willing to drive (4WD required) are most welcomed.
Take note, participants should be prepared to camp and trek approx 2 hours to Camp Hilton 2. Shared Cost basis.

8 October 2011
Community Education Program wih SFC Lambir
SK Lepong Ajai, near Lambir

15 October 2011
Trekking at Gunung Irau, Cameron Highlands

We certainly look forward to your participation.
Please e-mail mnsmiri@yahoo.com or seeborneo@gmail.com to sign up for any of the events above.

All travel and accommodation is on own cost unless otherwise stated.

Trek at Dinding Trail, Lambir National Park

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Time to shed the excess pounds from the holidays. Join us for a trek to Dinding Waterfalls at Lambir National Park.

Date : 10 September 2011
Time : 0700 hrs (Taman Awam - if you wish to car pool) or 0730 hrs at Lambir National Park car park.

The Dinding Trail is anticipated to take approximately 6 - 7 hours so please do come prepared i.e. sufficient water, proper shoes, insect repellant, energy boosters (dates, nuts, cookies etc.), raincoat and park fee.

Mail us at mnsmiri@yahoo.com if you're interested. Do let us know if you're joining us so that we'll have your contact details should there be any last minute change of plans.

Photograph sourced from The Star Online

Tusan Cliffs and 'Caves' Hike

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:56:00 +0000

Squeeze in a hike before indulging in delectable Hari Raya cookies and delicacies with a scenic evening trek at Tusan Cliffs.

DATE : 29 August 2011, Monday
TIME : 4.00 - 6.00 pm
Meeting Point : Taman Awam at 3.30 pm

For queries and to sign up, please contact by 28 August, 12.00 noon:

Peter Pillai
E-mail : seeborneo@gmail.com

Bukit Shahbandar Forest National Park

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:50:00 +0000

MNS Miri invites you for a visit to Bukit Shahbandar Forest Recreational Park in Brunei.
This is an ideal place for the family as it has a great playground for the kids. It also has a loop track with many shortcuts to returning to base (as indicated in the map) which allows you to shorten your trek should you wish to.

For those who prefer the challenge of serious hiking along the slopes, the slopes are similar to that of Canada Hill in Miri, but well developed and not as taxing to your ligaments and knees. A full loop walk can be completed in 4 hours.

Meeting Point: Bukit Shahbandar Park
Date : 27 August, 2011 (Saturday).
Time : 0700 hrs
(*this means those interested must plan for a night’s stay in Brunei on Friday, 26 August, on your expense)

For registration and queries, please contact:

Peter Pillai
E-mail: seeborneo@gmail.com

Registration closes on 25th August 2011.

Note:
• Members will be requested to submit a disclaimer form upon registration. Forms will be sent via e-mail.
• All costs incurred will be at own expense.

Photographs courtesy of Peter Pillai

Niah Caves Visit

noreply@blogger.com (jvsivalingam) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Join us for a visit to Niah Caves, where the oldest modern human remains was discovered.

DATE : 20 August 2011, Saturday
TIME : 0700 hrs (Depart Miri) - 1700 hrs (Arrive Miri)

For queries and to sign up, please contact:

Peter Pillai
E-mail : seeborneo@gmail.com

Registration closes on 18th August 2011, 4.00 pm

TIP :Old clothes, facial towel and hats are recommended in the cave as protection from bird droppings.It'll be a good idea to bring a torchlight.

Beachwalk at Similajau National Park

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:44:00 +0000

MNS Miri invites you to join us for a beach walk at Similajau National Park this weekend.

DATE : 13 August 2011 (Saturday)
TIME : 0700 hrs – 1500 hrs

Those interested have the option to stay a night at Similajau National Park on 12th August, Friday. We plan to leave Miri at 4.00 pm on Friday. Cost of accommodation at Similajau National Park will depend on the final number of people intending to stay and will be at cost basis.

For queries and to sign up, please contact:

Peter Pillai
E-mail : seeborneo@gmail.com
HP number : 012-8782889

“Similajau National Park, has one of the most beautiful coastal areas in Malaysia with miles of unspoiled white and golden sand and rocky beaches facing the South China Sea. Gazetted in 1978, it covers 7,064 hectares of virgin coastal forest, starting from Sungai Likau in the south to Similajau River in the north. Spanning 30km, it is abundant in flora and fauna and offers you a wonderful experience exploring miles and miles of empty beach.” – Tourism Malaysia Website

Read more here : http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-siminajau.html

MNS Miri Branch New Committee for 2011-2012

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:44:00 +0000

MNS Miri concluded their Branch AGM held at Baraya Laut Resort, Kpg Baraya, Miri, Sarawak 30th July 2011 with the election of fresh faces for branch Committee. The AGM went smoothly with twenty-two stalwart members attending the event.

The new committee,

Chairperson : Peter Pillai

Vice-Chairperson : Musa Musbah

Secretary : Joyce Sivalingam

Treasurer : Amer Matridi Mansor

Committee : Miriam Chacko, Marlene Lim (Co-opted)

Immediate-past Chairperson : Anura Dason

Those in attendance were later treated to an early dinner consisting of kelupis and satay ordered specially for the occasion. Dinner was then followed by a short firefly cruise along Sg Raan for members and their family.

Special mention goes to Committee members from 2010-2011 who made this event all possible.

Here's to another productive year for MNS Miri!

MNS Miri

MNS Miri Branch AGM at Baraya Laut Resort 30th July 2011

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 05:02:00 +0000

MNS Miri Branch members at last year's AGM at Baraya Laut Resort, 17th July 2010.

How to get to Baraya Laut Resort from Miri.

We have almost come around full circle, it's hard to believe that one year has gone by. We are now poised to hold our Annual General Meeting. This year we have again selected Baraya Laut Resort as the venue of choice.

Thank you to our current committee for a full year's program:

Acting Chairperson/ Vice-Chairperson : Anura Dason
Secretary : Puteri Shariza Megat Khalid
Treasurer : Ernyza Endot
Committee Members :
CFZ (Firefly Survey) : Musa Musbah
MNS Miri-Reefcheck (Coral Reef Survey) : Kumareson Paranthaman
Birdwatching (AWC and Birdwatching Outreach) : Nazeri Abghani
Auditor : Peter Pillai

This year our AGM program is as follows:

1430 hrs Registration
(only members with valid membership are eligible for nominations and to vote in the election)
1500 hrs AGM Processings and Reports
a) Chairman’s Reports
b) Treasurer’s Reports
c) Feedback on Reports
1600 hrs Election of 2011/2012 Committee
1700 hrs End of AGM Proceedings
1800 hrs Dinner (BBQ and Kelupis)

Post AGM Activities:
1930 hrs Sg Raan Fireflies Cruise (Members meet at Bakam Jetty)
2200 hrs Stargazing at Baraya for those overniting at Baraya Laut Resort.

Our CFZ team has booked two boats for a slow evening cruise along Sg Raan to view displaying fireflies, and if we are lucky crocodiles. Seating is limited, priority will be given to members who are attending the AGM.

Post firefly watching, members who choose to overnite at Baraya Laut may opt for stargazing.

Accomodations at Baraya Laut Resort comes in the form of shared rooms at the main bungalow and camping. Overniting members to specify their preference ($15/person for bungalow; $10/person for campsite).

For those overniting, we'll have the entire Sunday morning to frolic on Baraya Beach or indulge in a 2-3hr trek to Tusan Cliff, whichever rocks your boat.

This year's AGM is an important turning point for MNS Miri with most of our current crop of EXCOs leaving Miri for greener pastures and new endeavours.

We therefore urge members to take up the challenge to continue MNS work in Miri and beyond by volunteering to serve as committee members. This is an opportune time for an influx of new blood with new ideas and fresh new approach. Without new faces injecting enthusiasm to the branch, there maybe no MNS Miri.

We hope to see you at the AGM. Please email mnsmiri at yahoo dot com if you require further details.

MNS Miri

MNS Miri Branch AGM 30th July 2011

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:25:00 +0000

Students who recently participated in our Community Outreach and Awareness Program at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri Branch. Our presence in Miri will ensure similar programs will continue to be offered for young Sarawakians in Miri. Photo by Nazeri Abghani.

MNS Branches play an integral part in ensuring the success of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).

The success of a branch depends on how well the Branch EXCO execute their duties and responsibilities. During your term in office, you have an exciting opportunity to increase your leadership as well as depth of knowledge pertaining to the environmental issues in Malaysia and beyond.

The EXCO position is not only an opportunity, it is a challenge. As Branch EXCO, you must stimulate enthusiasm and accomplish goals by motivating MNS members as well as public. The Branch EXCO serves as a liaison between Council, MNS Secretariat and MNS members in your state.

The Council delegates certain responsibility to you. Some of these responsibilities will be overseeing the programming and administrative needs of members such as organizing talks and field trips, promoting environmental education outreach and organising social events.

Branch EXCO Objectives

Branch ensures MNS members get the service they need at the local level. The following objectives assist the Branch EXCO to clearly understand their roles so that they can better serve MNS members:

1. Advocate for conservation of key habitats and species at the branch level as well as in Malaysia. Your top priority is to ensure conservation issues at the local level is made known to MNS members.

2. Build a future generation of environmentally-conscious Malaysians by integrating public awareness-raising processes into all planning and development programmes and events at the branch level.

3. Motivate civil society participation in planning and decision-making processes at the branch level where everyone can learn, grow and appreciate the natural heritage of Malaysia.

4. Focus on membership growth and achieve a solid voice at the branch level.

Branch EXCO’s Commitment

Three main thrust of a Branch EXCO:

1. Growth

Ensure no loss in the finance of each branch. When a branch ceases operations, we have lost an invaluable opportunity to deliver the benefits of MNS membership. Enlist the assistance of Secretariat Office to do whatever it takes to make sure every branch has at least 50 members.

2. Improved Branch Communication

Hold at least 4 branch meetings and 1 Branch Annual General Meeting each year. Use these meetings strategically to ensure the success of the branch.

3. Active Branch Representation in Council

Branch is an important component of MNS Council. Attending and participating in Council Meeting, normally 4 times in a year ensures branch involvement in MNS policy decision making process. It also gives an opportunity to branch to share their development plans at the branch level.

Our 2011-2012 branch AGM

MNS Miri Branch will be voting for the following key positions for the branch at our upcoming Branch AGM 30th July 2011. The exact venue and agenda to be announced separately by Branch Secretary in due course:

Chairperson

This position is presently left vacant after Faye Osman's departure. The duties of Chairperson is presently being executed by our Vice Chairperson, Anura Dason as Acting Chairperson.

Roles:

Responsible to Council and undertakes responsibilities determined by Council.
Responsible for Branch supervision and operations.
Upholds and represent MNS Society at the branch level in promoting MNS to members as well as public.

Leads Branch Exco in developing annual strategy and programmes.

Chairs the Branch EXCO meetings as well as Branch AGM.

Vice Chairperson
Elected position, presently post held by Anura Dason.

Roles:

Upholds and represent MNS Society at the branch level in the absence of Branch Chairperson.

Assist in developing annual strategy and programmes.

Honorary Secretary

Elected position, presently post is held by Puteri Shariza Megat Khalid.

Roles:

Responsible for Branch records and correspondence.

Custodian of MNS Rules and Regulations and other official branch documents.

Submits annual return to Registrar of Society.

Records and read minutes of branch meetings and Branch AGM.

Honorary Treasurer

Elected position, presently post is held by Ernyza Endot.

Roles:

Responsible for development and execution of financial policies, procedures, audits and controls at branch level.

Receives and disburses funds in payment of all obligations.

Develop and recommend annual budget to Branch EXCO.

Ordinary Committee Members

Elected position, presently held by Musa Musbah.

Elected position, presently held by NorzianaAbdullah Sani. This position is left vacant after Zeana relocated to Putrajaya last year.

Roles:

Specific role to assist Branch EXCO in areas of membership, public relations, succession planning, establishing conservation and environmental education programmes and initiation of new project initiatives.

Co-opted Committee Members

Coopted by EXCO at the Branch AGM.

Presently position held by Peter Pillai as Branch Auditor;

Nazeri Abghani as Lead Focus Group Birdwatching and Congregating Fireflies Project;

Kumareson Paranthaman as Lead Focus Group MNS Miri-Reefcheck Project.

Roles:

To assist with the organising and running of specific activities of the branch.

The Branch AGM requires that the total number in attendance should be twice the total number of Branch EXCO members. Attendance of 10 or more members at the upcoming Branch AGM would ensure another succesfull AGM for Miri Branch.

Our branch AGM presents a great opportunity for members to meet and catch up especially on branch matters as well as our collective aspirations for the branch. Our 2008/2009 AGM was held at Lambir Hills National Park complete with barbeque dinner, late-nite jaunt into the rainforest and jungle trekking the morning after. 2009/2010 AGM was more sedate with a group sit-down dinner at Kelab Rekreasi Petroleum, Lutong. 2010/2011 AGM was held at Baraya Laut Resort with BBQ in the drizzling rain, slideshows of past activities and trekking the morning after.

Our tentative plans for 2011-2012 AGM:

1430 hrs Members' Registration
1500 hrs AGM Proceedings and Reports

a) Chairman's Report

b) Treasurer's Report

c) Feedback on Report

1600 hrs Election of New Committee

1700 hrs End of AGM Proceedings

1800 hrs Dinner (BBQ and Kelupis)

1900 hrs Sg Raan Fireflies Cruise (Members meet at Bakam Jetty)

2200 hrs Stargazing at Baraya Laut for overniting members.

Members who want to stay the night will be accomodated at Baraya Laut Resort (mixed bungalow and camping) at cost. Dinner will be provided.

In case members have more brilliant ideas for this year's AGM, please feel free to forward your suggestions to our EXCO.

This year is an important turning point for MNS Miri: most of our current crop of EXCOs are leaving Miri for greener pastures and new endeavours. We therefore require unflinching dedication from a new crop of committee members to continue MNS work in Miri and beyond. This is an opportune time for an influx of new blood with new ideas and fresh new approach. Without new faces injecting enthusiasm to the branch, there maybe no MNS Miri!

Your support to ensure the success of our AGM and smooth execution of future branch activities is crucial. Come join us and together help shape the direction of MNS Miri Branch. Only paid-up members up to 31-July 2011 onwards are eligible to vote and/or run for the upcoming 2011/2012 election.

Please email mnsmiri@yahoo.com if you'd like to be involved and serve on our new EXCO. Your contribution our Society will ensure we still have a vibrant group of people realising MNS mission and Vision in this community.

YOUR BRANCH NEEDS YOU MORE THAN EVER!

Trekking Lambir May and June

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:32:00 +0000

MNS Miri would like to announce on the upcoming hiking & trekking activities in May & June 2011:

Tengkorong Waterfall Hiking, Saturday, 7th May 2011
MNS Miri is planning a one way hike to Tengkorong waterfall (approximately 6km/3hours).

Closing Date For Registration: Thursday, 05th May 2011.

Requirements:
1) Participants should be moderately fit.
2) With intention to hike as a group.

Hike Date: Saturday, 07th May 2011
Time: 0800 hr - 1500 hr ( Total time expected: 7 hours inclusive of breakfast)
Gathering Venue: LHNP car park at 07:30am on Saturday, 07 May 2011.

Please note that this hike is subjected to the weather.

The hike will be cancelled or be shortened if it rains.

To interested participants, for coordination of hiking team, please make sure that Peter has your mobile phone numbers during the registration by e-mail.

Nitewalk II, Sunday, 5th June 2011
Nitewalk II Date: Sunday, 05th June 2011.
Time: 18:00-20:30.
Gathering Venue: Please meet at LHNP car park at 18:00, as usual.

Please note that this hike is subjected to the weather.

The hike will be cancelled or be shortened if it rains.

To interested participants, for coordination of hiking team, please make sure that Peter has your mobile phone numbers during the registration by e-mail. Please contact Peter a seeborneo@gmail.com

Come celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with MNS Miri Branch this May

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:21:00 +0000

Birdwatching in Loagan Bunut. Image by Nazeri Abghani.

Birdwatching on an unnamed sandbar in Kuala Lawas. Image by Nazeri Abghani.

Members of MNS Miri Branch surveying the coasts for waterbirds in January. Image by Sara Wong.

World Migratory Bird Day 2011 is coming up soon! So far for 2011, WMBD has 42 event registrations from 25 countries and are expecting many more in the coming weeks. However, this year we wish to break the record of 150 registered events set by the 2009 campaign! MNS Miri Branch has dedicated all May weekends to bird related events in conjunction with this celebration.

This year’s theme for World Migratory Bird Day is “Land use changes from a bird’s-eye view”. We want to raise awareness on the dramatic effects human land use has on migratory birds and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Many aspects of human land use are extremely damaging to the birds’ habitats.

For example, urbanization and intensive agriculture can fragment and replace complex networks of habitats needed by the birds. Deforestation and mineral extraction can damage entire regions used along the birds’ annual migration paths. In addition, land reclamation and biofuel production remove or degrade crucial wetlands and other habitats for many migratory bird species.

Please join MNS Miri Branch and others around the world and take part in World Migratory Bird Day on the weekend of 14 -15 May 2011 and the weekends throughout May.

Events in Miri in conjunction with WBMD 2011:

07th May : Community Outreach in Kpg Masjid, Kuala Baram
0900hrs-1700hrs. Presentations and games of Congregating Fireflies in Sarawak; Waterbirds and Wetland Habitats in Sarawak and Our Underwater Treasures at Bungai Lodge, Kampung Bungai, Bekenu.

14th May: WMBD : Birdwatching at Lambir Hills
Birdwatching in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day.
0700-0900 hrs to meet at Lambir Hills National Park 0700hrs to birdwatch in Lambir.
0900-1200 hrs Talk and slideshow "Birdwatching in Sarawak" at Lambir Hills Conference.

15th May : Community Outreach in Kampung Kuala Sibuti
0900hrs-1700hrs. Presentations and games of Congregating Fireflies in Sarawak; Waterbirds and Wetland Habitats in Sarawak and Our Underwater Treasures at Village Community Hall, Kampung Masjid, Kuala Baram.

21st May : WMBD : Community Outreach (Birdwatching) at Pustaka Miri
1300-1500 hrs Poster-making Contests, “Birds of Sarawak”
1500-1700 hrs Talk and Slidehow : WMBD : Birdwatching in Miri : Common Birds in Your Garden and Other Rare Birds Beyond”

25th May : WMBD and MY Garden Birdwatch with SMK Lutong Birdwatching Club
1500-1545 hrs “Birds in Sarawak : Common Birds in Sarawak and Rare Birds Beyond”
1545-1630 hrs MY Garden Birdwatch on Schoolgrounds

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)

World Migratory Bird Day is a global initiative devoted to celebrating migratory birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. It is organized by the Secretariats of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) – two international wildlife treaties administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – and a growing number of partners. This year’s campaign is being financially supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), which we acknowledge with gratitude.

People and dedicated organisations around the world will be using the event to draw attention to migratory birds that are threatened by extinction. Activities to mark WMBD include bird festivals and bird watching trips, public discussions, exhibitions, presentations, bird rallies and other educational and public events.

MNS Miri Branch has been celebrating WMBD since 2008 in our effort to increase awareness about birds and their habitat conservation within our immediate community.

Source : www.worldmigratorybirdday.org

Branch April Update

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:18:00 +0000

View of the night skies in Kampung Kuala Suai. Being away from the bright lights of the city afford infinite gaze into the heavens, more people need to experience close unimpeded views such as this more regularly.

APRIL UPDATES

Many of us have gotten the election bug and been following closely the election groupies that's been coming and going through Miri. Notwithstanding that fact life goes on for the rest of us. Here's a review of past event items as well several exciting in the community activities for our members. Come join us ang get hands on with literally delivering on out mission by particiapting in some of these events!

IMMEDIATE PAST EVENTS:

18th Mar : Nitewalk at Lambir Hills National Park
Led by Kamil, those that took part saw probably the biggest arboreal tarantula the ever did see. We also stumbled upon Luciola anceyi, a firefly larvae not before sighted. Checkout what it looks like here. Thank you to Peter for organising and Kamil for locating Lambir specialties!

19th Mar: CFZ of Sg Teru
We completed CFZ Sg Teru with some surprising results despite getting soaking wet getting it. We recorded synchronising fireflies with sizable numbers (>200 individuals) along Sg Teru which borders the Loagan Bunut NP. Had it not been for the heavy rain, our team would've gone further.
We also did some early morning birdwatching around the lake the morning after.

25th Mar : Launch of SMK Lutong Birdclub at SMK Lutong
Thirty young students from SMK Lutong are now full-fledge members of of the Birdwatching Club, first in Miri if not Sarawak.

26-27th March : CFZ Survey and Monitoring Workshop at Similajau National Park
We recorded the occurence of three species of Pteroptxy ie. P. bearni, P. tener and P. malaccae along Sg Similajau during the field survey component of the workshop. Twenty people participated with Sonny Wong, Dr Mahadi Menakbar Dawood facilitating.

02-03rd April: CFZ of Sg Suai
We recorded a sevral synchronising display trees and several crocodiles along the way to Kpg Kuala Suai. Our intention to camp on the beach was dashed when Pak Rahim and the Ketua Kampong insisted we stayed at their house, complete with proper rooms, bed with beddings and a proper bathroom. What luxury, that evening Sara and Joyce cooked up a storm with the veggies we picked up along the the way.

CANCELLED : Photography Workshop in Lambir with William Ting
This was unfortunately cancelled due to conflicting schedules of our resource, WIlliam Ting. We'll endeavour to organise a replacement photography workshop one of these days. Keep your eyes peeled!

09th April : "Sarawak's Sweetheart : Orang Utan Conservation Campaign" at Pustaka Miri.
SFC Miri Regional Office, MNS Miri and Pustaka Miri collaborated to bring Orang Utan closer to our young children. Preceded by a coloring contests, teh talk drew approximately 140 students and parents from all over Miri town. Three top prizes were awarded to the winning artwork. MNS Miri also welcomes 5 new members at the event.

13th April : Eco Diver Training
1930hrs-2130hrs. We ran our 1st Eco Diver training session covering that was attended by 3 qualified divers. The 3 trainees will progress with the training to qualify as Eco Divers to participate in Reef Check surveys.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

18th April : Eco Diver Training
1930hrs-2130hrs at PBC’s Ward Room. We’ll be running our 2nd Eco Diver training session. This training is open to all qualified divers with DAN (or equivalent diving insurance) who would like to volunteer to participate in Reef Check surveys on Miri’s coral reefs upon completion of the EcoDiver training. For those interested pls email reefcheck_miri@yahoo.com for more information.

16th and 22nd April : Net Clearing at Siwa 4A
A long fishing net snagged at the Siwa reefs but floating up in the water was reported by divers on the 9th of April. Unfortunately the divers reported quite a number of fish caught in the abandoned net as well as 2 juvenile reef sharks and 1 coral cat shark. We will be organizing net clearing dives over 2 weekends via the PBC. Non-PBC members but are qualified divers with DAN (or equivalent diving insurance) are welcome to join in for this net clearing dives. For those interested pls email reefcheck_miri@yahoo.com for more information.

23rd April : Community Outreach in Kpg Kuala Nyalau*
0900hrs-1700hrs. We'll be spending a day with the children and young people (and their parents) of Kpg Kuala Nyalau. Main themes would be river ecosystem conservation, fireflies, waterbirds, wetlands and our coral reefs. Other than our usual talks and slideshow, we are hoping to make the day interesting for everyone.

30th April : Community Outreach in Kpg Bungai*
0900hrs-1700hrs. We are looking for some very creative and some interesting ideas around activities for children other than talks by Musa, Nazeri and Kumar. These has to be related to theme at hand : Fireflies and River Conservations, Waterbirds and Wetlands, Reefs and Marine Ecosystems. We welcome all input.

07th May : Community Outreach in Kpg Masjid, Kuala Baram*
0900hrs-1700hrs. We are looking for some very creative and some interesting ideas around activities for children other than talks by Musa, Nazeri and Kumar. These has to be related to theme at hand : Fireflies and River Conservations, Waterbirds and Wetlands, Reefs and Marine Ecosystems. We welcome all input.

14th May: WMBD : Birdwatching at Lambir Hills
Birdwatching in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day.
0700-0900 hrs to meet at Lambir Hills National Park 0700hrs to birdwatch in Lambir.
0900-1200 hrs Talk and slideshow "Birdwatching in Sarawak" at Lambir Hills Conference.

15th May : Community Outreach in Kpg Kuala Sibuti, Sibuti*
0900hrs-1700hrs. We are looking for some very creative and some interesting ideas around activities for children other than talks by Musa, Nazeri and Kumar. These has to be related to theme at hand : Fireflies and River Conservations, Waterbirds and Wetlands, Reefs and Marine Ecosystems. We welcome all input.

21st May : WMBD : Community Outreach (Birdwatching) at Pustaka Miri
1300-1500 hrs Coloring and Drawing Contests, “Birds of Sarawak”
1500-1700 hrs Talk and Slidehow : WMBD : Birdwatching in Miri : Common Birds in Your Garden and Other Rare Birds Beyond”

28th May : MY Garden Birdwatch at KRP
0700-0900 hrs Birdwatching around KRP compound for common birds
0900-1100 hrs Talk and slideshow, "MY Common Garden Birds"
Brunch and refreshments will be served

Discussions initiated for a "Birdwatching on Campus" at Curtin University 1600-1900hrs. A slideshow "Birds in Sarawak" and a late afternoon birding around campus.

18th June : MY Garden Birdwatch with students in Bekenu++
We will be birdwatching with 45 students from 3 schools in Bekenu in conjunction with WMBD and MY Garden Birdwatch. There'll be a talk and slideshow, "Birdwatching in Miri : Common Garden Birds in Your Garden and Other Rare Birds Beyond".

*Tentative program for Community Outreach 23rd, 30th April; 07th and 15th May:
0900 hrs Arrival of Students
0900-0930 hrs Registration starts
(assign 10 groups, 2 teachers per group, 1 MNS or facilitator, for games)
0930-1000 hrs Ice-breaking Games
1000-1030 hrs Introduction Slideshow (MNS/Other)
1030-1115 hrs Congregating Firefly Zone Talk and Slideshow
1115-1200 hrs Firefly Games
1200-1300 hrs Buffet Lunch 1200-1300hrs
1300-1345 hrs Waterbirds and Wetlands Habitats Talk and Slideshow
1345-1415 hrs Bird-related Outdoor Activity or Micro bird-race)
1415-1500 hrs Our Coralreef Presentations)
1500-1545 hrs Reefcheck Games or Group Activity
1545-1600 hrs Tea-break
1600-1700 hrs Certificates and Prizes,
Closing

++Tentative program for Community Outreach 18th June in Bungai:
0700 hrs Start Program at SK Kpg Bungai
0700-0730 hrs Short Briefing and break into groups (10 students per group, with 1-2 MNS
birders per group, teachers)
Walk towards Peliau Beach (Group1) Peliau Cliff (Group2); Bungai (Group 3);
Gatas (Group 4)
0730-1000 hrs Birdwatch at Peliau Beach (Scope1) , Peliau Cliff (Scope 2), Bungai and
Gatas (Scope 3)
1000-1100 hrs Walk Back to SK Bungai for dinks and refreshments
1100-1200 hrs A few words from HM of from participating schools.
Slideshow on "Common Birds in MY Garden" by MNS Miri
Presentation of posters and fieldguide to participating schools, sponsored by
MNS. Award certificates and award of "Surprise Prize", sponsored by MNS.
1200 hrs Lunch
1300 hrs End Program

* Sarawak Waterbirds Survey related Community Outreach Program
++ MY Graden Birdwatch related program
World Migratory Bird Day related program

OTHERS:

Community Outreach April and May:
We are on gear for a series of Community Outreach planned throughout April and May, check-out our events for April. We need warm bodies who enjoy a day with rambunctious kids and inquisitive villagers, please contact us to volunteer.

MY Garden Birdwatch
Keep your ears peaked for My Garden Birdwatch that will be running on the 4-5th June, there will be training sessions in May in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day 2011. More details in the event listing.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER
MNS is an NGO solely driven by support and contribution from it’s members. Those who have submitted their dues a large thank you.

While we warmly welcome new members to the family:
Miriam Chacko
Satur Uttraphan
Kwan Toh Choong

We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind current members to renew their membership. Why not do it for the next 3 years? Your contribution helps us work together better towards achieving MNS vision.

Below are members whose membership has expired:
Alison Brown
Anne Malissa King
Anura Dason
Kamal Abdullah
Kong Lih Shan
Lee, Charlie
Rosie Anak Kasim
Sim Yuh Thin
SK. Kelapa Sawit No. 1
SK. Lepong Ajai
SK. Sg. Buri, Bakong
SK. Sg. Entulang
SK. Sg. Liam
Ting King King
Wouter Rensink

Members who have just recently renewed their membership, "We thank you for your support!":
Lee Bor Seng
Gianna Minton
Wong Ching Tai
Azeeza Bujang
Puteri Shariza Megat Khalid
Nurashikin Ikhwan
Ting Sze Ying, Claudia
Nooriza Mohd Noor

Members whose membership will expire end of April, we urge you to renew your membership now. Your continued membership ensures our sustained effort to achieve our Mission within our immediate community:
Ahmad Bin Samsuddin
Anis Azmani Bin Azman
Fatin Hamimi Binti Azhar
Johan Iskandar Mohd Nasir
Khairul Amer
Muhammad Jumasri b. Mohd Tanizzi
Nurazura Bte. Abd Hamid
SMK Merbau, Miri
Sofina Tan

Do read up on more of our activities’ through our blog and Facebook. Maybe even join us one of these days in our activities.

Please email us for comments, input, feedback : mnsmiri at yahoo dot com.

Kind Regards,
Anura Dason,
MNS Miri Branch

Links :
MNS Main: http://www.mns.my/
MNS Miri Branch: http://www.mns.my/state.php?sid=5
MNS Miri Blog: http://mnsmiri.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mnsmiri

Useful Acronyms:
MNS – Malaysian Nature Society
MNS BCC-WG – MNS Bird Conservation Council –Waterbird Group
AWC – Asian Waterbirds Census
SWS -Sarawak Waterbird Survey (short for Waterbirds and Wetland Habitats Survey for the Sarawak Coast Project)
CFZ – Congregating Fireflies Zone

Visit to Kampong Kuala Nyalau for a Dialogue on SCORE

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Anura and Nazeri attended the session held at Kampong Kuala Nyalau community hall. Written here are best recollection of what transpired 19th February at the dialogue session with villagers.

The session was organised by Chemsains; there were four presentations altogether : one presentation by AML, followed by one of Bintulu Port Authority. Chemsains then followed with two presentations introducing the two proposed ventures.

The session wasn't a DEIA or EIA session as purported by the original invite faxed to MNS. We were expecting a full blown discussion over EIA done for the projects, however as we found outs it was only a presentation on the proposed plans by Asia Minerals Limited on Asia Minerals Limited Manganese Smelting and Bintulu Port Authority on Samalaju Port.

Both are embarking on EIA to be conducted by Chemsains to be commenced shortly after. Chemsains consultants involved in the project had already distributed some forms with questionaires as part of their Social EIA, this was done before our arrival.

The forms were to be collected before everybody leaves after lunch. The form distribution was organised by one of the ladies from the village through one of the consultants.

Present:
AML representated by (2 Japanese top executive, 1 Chinese top executive)
Bintulu Port Authority represented by Datuk Meor, originally from Perak "now stranded in Bintulu for the past 24 years", his own words.
Bintulu Residence Office represented by his deputy, someone hailing from Belaga area.
One representative from AZAM was present.
Villagers by Ketua Kampong from Kpg Kuala Nyalau, Kampong Nyalau Tengah, Kampong Nyalau Ulu and Tuai Rumah Panjang nearby.

We were reminded by the the Deputy Resident at the start of the session that this session was for the kampong folks.

Most of the elderly in the villages were present in the community hall : Tuai from the Iban Longhouse, Penghulu Saibi from Kuala Nyalau, Penghulu Sabtu from Nyalau Ulu, and Penghulu from Nyalau Tengah.

A few young people from all villages with only two actually taking the opportunity to speak: Ariffin from Kuala Nyalau and Suhaili from Nyalau Ulu.

There were at least 10 Chemsains consultants. There were also several officers we didn't recognise.

Flow: Linda from Chemsains was MC throughout the entire session. Penghulu Saibi said a few words : "Whatever is good for the kampong is good for me. I want yang terbaik for everybody". All the other Ketua Kampong echoed the same.

Datuk Meor gave a short opening speech and he went over the new Samalaju port in general. Mostly stressed on the the job opportunities for young people of the kampong ; return of Sarawakians to work in Samalaju. Mostly he reiterated opportunies to work at the port for those from all levels.

AML (Chinese top executive) presented gave a short opening speech : "the safe operation of AML, proven technology in India and China. Expertise from India and China for technical training. 400-500 job openings at all levels. Initially employing experts from India and China, later utilizing trained locals. Locally run manganese smelting operation is an aspiration of AML." Their operation is : a zero effluent operation, all water generated from process will be re-used for the cooling process.

No other water by products to be released into to the sea or river. Emissions will be following government prescribed standards (among them sulfur diokside).

Daniel of Chemsains presented AML and it's operations. Standard text-book items which I doubt any of the villagers undertsood. "All safe. No concerns. Effluents - Zero. Emmission - following government standards. AML Operations proven in India and China; Malaysia is the only other operation planned" He did not belabor the spec or technical aspects of the operations or potential negative impacts - which is understood since they are pitching a sale. He spent quite some time on "the good stuff" : opportunities for technical training, technology transfer, community engagements activities, CSR efforts (mostly in China).

No exact monetary value of intended investments in these non-core aspects were given.

Anthony of Chemsains presented Samalaju Port. There will be 6 phases in total, phase 1 and 2 from year 1-3; phase 3-6 if deemed necessary based on future growth requirements. He presented a completely new design of the port ie. instead of a wharf to sea, a dredged up port on the beach.

The port is to be located just north of Similajau NP. The Samalaju Port to be developed on the beach, with deepening and dredging activities, as well as construction of breakwater.

Shipping lane furrows 14m deep 3-5km to sea to be dug up and dredge up. The planned EIA will cover potential impacts the activities might have.

Q and A : At the start Residence's Office requested input from local people directly impacted by the project only.

Penghulu Saibi : Yang terbaik for the community. Education fund for kpg children Ariffin : Loss of fishing catch, job opportunity, training.

Suhaili : Infrastructure for the kampong ... roads, electricity, running water especially in view of 50 years independence. Jobs for all levels. Setting up of education funds.

Pa' Amit : Jobs for the older folks. To which Datuk Meor replied, "It will be limited. Opportunities for young folks however are boundless".

Suhaili : Enquired about potential contribution of Wang Ehsan for makan tahun. To which Datuk Meor replied, "BDA has many CSR activities involving large sums of money for many communities. No reason why some of that cannot be channelled to Kpg Kuala Nyalau."

Penghulu Kpg Tengah : Reiterated his desire for what's best for the kampong. There were no questions from anyone else. Datuk Meor : Job opportunities for all, the elder folks perhaps to reap benefits via their children. CSR activities from Samalaju Port for Nyalau folks.

The questions were standard questions from communities such as these ie. what they can potentially get instead of what they will definitely lose.

Session ended with lunch with the villagers.

We spoke to Anthony about why the change on port plans as opposed to originally proposed for Rio Tinto. Short answer : "Too expensive!"

Chemsains will conduct EIA on new plans as presented with mitigation measures, not sure whether this (mitigation measures, expensive) will go down well. We raised up destruction of beach area, disturbances over the 3 years contruction, potential permanent disturbance due to expected annual dredging that is required over the furrows for the shipping lanes to sea. Impact on turtles, water turbidity, as well as impact on corals and marine life nearby Sibuti Coral Reef NP. Hydrology study and current movements along the coast could increase frequency of dredging, prolong turbidity effects.

Biggest nearby river north of site is Sg Nyalau; biggest river south of site Sg Similajau. We also mentioned our Waterbirds Survey, MNS-Reefcheck Survey and Firefly Surveys in the Northern Region as potential baseline data.

Suhaili was prompted during a short exchange after the session to explore the setting up of Nyalau Education Trust with contributions from all industry players at the start of operation, immediately post EIA.

As it stands work has already started in the proposed area (land clearing started way back in 2009) where none of the EIAs have reached completion.

We left after lunch.

Senior management for AML, "We are top class producer of manganese in the region."

Senior management, this Japanese gentleman promised to teach local kids badminton and how to plant paddy for better yields.

Datuk Meor, "There will be plenty of opportunities for everyone at the new Port."

Deputy Resident from the Bintulu Resident's Office, "I know how you feel, I'm from Belaga, we didn't have roads and water either when I was growing up there. Look at Belaga now, with Bakun Dam and all that came with it, progress is knocking at our door. Progress has now arrived at Nyalau, open your arms and embrace progress."

Penghulu Saibi, "I only want what is best for the kampong and all anak buah of Nyalau."

Suhaili, "Will there be opportunities to create an education fund to cater for the coming generation of Nyalaus? With potential lost of traditional income from fishing, will there be opportunities given to the kampong people to help them jump onto the progress bandwagon? Funding for education and other skills enhancement opportunities."

A young Nyalau that will inherit the imminent change to the coastal landscape.

Boys listening to the presentations, recipients of all that progress has to offer.

Samalaju and the site of the new Samalaju Port to be developed by Bintulu Port Authority. The area has already been cleared, contructions in some parts have been ongoing since beginning of last year.

Samalaju on the plan, expected to accomodate jobs for 50,000 people.

The different planned phases of Samalaju Port. The design of the port differed significantly from the proposed plans originally put forward by Salco and Rio Tinto during their discussions for their aluminium smelting facilities at the same location.

The port at the beach and its breakwater.

The Samalaju Port. Groundwork has started and can be seen clearly from the air.

Words and images by Nazeri Abghani/Anura Dason

SMK Lutong Birdwatching Club : First in Miri, Sarawak

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:08:00 +0000

Anura Dason of MNS Miri Branch introducing the Malaysian Nature Society to our young club members at the school's library.

Nazeri Abghani of MNS Miri Branch explaining the objectives of the birdclub to club members atteding the session. Image by Anura Dason.

Club members and teachers listening intently to the planned programs in store for them for 2011 and beyond. The Club will draw it's activities from experienced birdwatching resource from the Branch with Branch Chairperson and SMK Lutong KPA teacher in advisory roles.

It's official : Today, Friday 25th March, MNS Miri launched the Shell We Care We Share funded SMK Lutong Birdwatching Club. Through the funding, MNS Miri Branch will be responsible to manage, plan and provide birdwatching awareness training and programs for local children enrolled in the club for the next three years with support from the school's co-curricular coordinator.

In conjunction with it's Centennial celebration last year, Sarawak Shell Berhad awarded funding to 36 community-based projects to be run by it's staff through it's long standing "We Care We Share" initiatives, the Club was one of the recipients though MNS Miri Branch.

Thirty students ages 13-17 years old stand to benefit from the setting of the Birdwatching Club at their school, membership to the club is expected to grow to 100 students at the end of the funding period. The Club will be managed by MNS Miri Branch with Branch Chairperson and SMK Lutong's Kelab Pencinta Alam teacher as advisors; Miri Branch birdwatchers as resource persons.

Among the activities planned are birdwatching training sessions in May to cover garden birds in conjunction with MY Garden Birdwatch every June; as well as training session in waterbirds in November before school holidays in preparation for Asian Waterbirds Census that takes place every January. There will also be two away trips nearby for the students to gain practical experience in birdwatching.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle location is only 45 minutes drive away for the students.

Visiting migrants is an annual occurence at Lutong Beach and Kuala Baram, literally at the schools doorstep including this Chinese Egret. Increased awareness about birds, their habitats and active involvement of club members in AWC activities are among several important premises to the setting up of the birdwatching club.

To this end, MNS Miri Branch birdwatching resource has acquired a number of Field Guides to the Birds of Borneo by Susan Myers as well as quality binoculars for them to conduct their club activities. These hardware will be handed over to the Club at the end of the three year term as stipulated by the project.

With excellent birding locations dotted within short distances from the school : Chinese Egret at Lutong Beach, a variety of migrant waders and raptors at Kuala Baram; not to mention four Important Bird Areas within two hours drive (Niah Caves National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, Loagan Bunut National Park and Similajau National Park), members of SMK Lutong Birdwatching Club are poised to learn much about birds and bird conservation.

Increased awareness about birds will help us inculcate greater love for our feathered friends as well as care for the habitats that these birds depend on.

Here's looking at our feathered friends and our young birdwatchers!

Words and images by Nazeri Abghani/MNS Miri

2nd MNS Congregating Firefly Zone Survey and Monitoring Workshop at Similajau National Park, 26-27th March 2011

noreply@blogger.com (nabghani) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Mr Sonny Wong, Senior Conservation Officer, Malaysian Nature Society Conservation Division showing the different Coleoptera (Beetles) Order; fireflies belong to the Lampyridae family.

Dr Mahadi Menakbar Dawood, Entomologist, ITBC University Sabah Malaysia compounding on Firefly SWOT analysis at the workshop.

MNS Conservation Division and MNS Miri Branch have successfully conducted the 2nd MNS CFZ Surveying and Monitoring Workshop, 26-27th March 2011 at Similajau National Park with the cooperation of Sarawak Forestry Corporation Bintulu and Miri Regional Offices. SFC have generously sponsored the use of the venue at Similajau National Park and associated facilities for the workshop.

Participants came from members of MNS Miri, MNS Kuching, MNS Sabah, Nature and Science Society of Bintulu, Sarawak Forestry Corporation Bintulu and Miri Regional Offices as well as Similajau National Park staff.

We secured the following main resources for the workshop:

Sonny Wong, Senior Conservation Officer, MNS Conservation Division, MNS HQ, KL

Dr Mahadi MEnakbar Dawood, Entomologist, Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

Musa Musbah and Nazeri Abghani, CFZNSS 2010 Team, MNS Miri Branch Miri

The objective of the workshop was for participants to learn the basics of fireflies, current methodologies and techniques for firefly survey and monitoring. The workshop took the opportunity to share collective experiences and enthusiasm to date on firefly work in Malaysia and abroad.

Participants conducted a CFZ field survey of Sg Similajau, the northern boundary of Similajau National Park.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants had good exposure to firefly conservation initiatives in Malaysia and overseas, gained better understanding of key firefly survey and monitoring techniques as well as spent considerable time exploring concreate ideas and steps to furthers improve the collective work in CFZ. More advocacy for firefly conservation work are expected.

It is our fervent hope that the even will spur more activities in firefly surveys and monitoring work in Sarawak and Sabah in general.

Participants in one of the two boats engaged to survey fireflies along Sg Similajau, the northern boundary of Similajau National Park. Another 6 parrticipants survey the right side of the river. Some participants remained at the park to hunt for firefly larvae. Image by Musa Musbah.

Checking out specimens during one of the workshop modules. Aided by a microscope attached to the laptop, participants see up close the bodily structure of the tiny firefly.

Participants getting excited about the occurence of P. bearni, P. malaccae and P. tener along Sg Similajau.

The workshop organisers would like to thank our resources Sonny Wong, Dr Mahadi Menakbar Dawood, Musa Musbah, Nazeri Abghani and our workshop participants for a well spent weekend. Special thanks go to Abang Arabi Imran and Mohd Jirin Anis, Regional Manager, SFC Regional Offices Miri and Bintulu respectively for their support for the workshop. Last but not least many thanks go to Anne Malissa, PIC, Similajau National Park and her helpful staff for assistance rendered to make the workshop run as smooth as it had.

Words and Images by Nazeri Abghani/MNS Miri unless specified otherwise.