Borneo Bird Club: Borneo Bird Festival 2011 Photo Essay

The Happenings and The Success of

Borneo Bird Festival 2011!

The Borneo Bird Festival (BBF) 2011 held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) from 14^th to 16^th October was participated by more than 3,000 visitors, both local and international and was packed with challenging and educational activities and globally informative talks. The festival was jointly organized by the Sabah Tourism Board, Borneo Bird Club and Sabah Forestry Department with support from Nikon (Malaysia) and IJM. It was generally aimed to create public awareness of the various magnificent birds of Borneo and the importance of conservation and ecotourism activities. It was also meant to promote birdwatching in Sabah, which is relatively new and potentially essential in generating revenue for the state tourism sector.

Some 25 exhibitors from various government agencies, NGOs, private sector as well as individuals showcased their products and promoted their activities.

Booth activities

The General Manager of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Irene Charuruks toured the exhibiting booths in the late afternoon on 14^th October.

Datuk Irene Charuruks touring the booths.

A dinner reception was held at the Keruing Café, RDC. Among the dignitaries was YB Datuk Zakaria Idris, the State Assemblyman for Gum Gum.

Welcome Everyone!

During the reception, BBF 2011 also paid tribute to the late Choo Tse Tsen and Lee Teck Seng who have contributed significantly to the birding activities in Sabah. (We say,“They are happily birding in paradise with its finest forest and featherly delights”.)

The rest of the days were furnished with birding activities such as bird race, guided birdwalk, bird photography, photo exhibition, digiscoping workshop and various displays of birdwatching equipment.

Ppppiiiiiittttt...let the bird race begin! from Mr. Gary Albert

(left) Under this misty surrounding, these guys looks exactly the same. Spot the difference!
(right) Mr. Birder 2011?

RDC canopy walk is one of the best locations for bird watching. The VIP's and the rest of the bird enthusiasts are busy with their cameras. click..click..click.. hear that?

A children bird camp was also organized for students from various schools in Sandakan to expose them to the birding activities and to learn about the diversity of birds in Borneo.

"You are young, you should learn". Have you heard that from your elders? You know what kids, they are always right.... never been left..... behind from providing you the best lesson. Today, you learn about Bornean Birds. Let's fly!

Besides that, various other activities were arranged for kids, such as bird colouring and painting contests, creative bird drawing, stone painting, sand art, bird tattooing, face painting as well as batik painting.

Alone or with someone's guidance, kids love learning while playing at the same time.
(left) this two lovely girls are happily and seriously doing sand art. (right) kids being assissted in bird colouring.

This year, the talks held at the RDC’s Kabili Theatre were equally interesting and informative, with speakers from UK, USA, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Philippines and Malaysia.

(That’s what we mean by Globally Informative Talks. Amazing!)

Venues for the talks - The newly finished Kabili theatre, a world class hall

(left) Mr. Steve Shunk talks about Bird Tourism as a major sector in Nature Based Tourism in the World & on Borneo’s Woodpeckers: Anatomy & Adaptation. (right) Mr. Samson Ho talks about IBAs in Hong Kong, an Experience on Conservation, Education and Management.

Mr. Quentin Philipps, UK, talks on Successful Swiftlet Farming by Understanding Swiftlet Ecology. The 2nd edition of his book featuring the spectacled Flowerpecker was published this year and sells it at this BBF.

(left) Mr. Alex Tiongco, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines talks about Philippine Endemic birds Species. (right) Mr. Wong Tsu Shi, Borneo Bird Club talks about Waders Migration to Sabah.

(left) Datuk Irene Charuruks presents a memento, a book "Birds of Borneo" to Mr. Cede Prudente of Borneo Bird Club, who talks about Birding and Wildlife Photography in Sabah.

The most awaited time was the awarding ceremony not because of the material prize, but the enjoyment and fulfillment it brought.

BIG THANKS to the untiring support rendered by everyone in making BBF 2011 a resounding SUCCESS!