While working in Malaysia at the end of September, I had the opportunity to
spend another weekend at Bukit Fraser or Fraser's Hill. I had hoped to pick
up a few migrants at this time, but this was not to be. I spent only a
short time at The Gap because it was noisy - of this, more later. I spent
most of the time at Bukit Fraser going around the Telekom Loop, but saw
nothing of great interest. The best birds were the Slaty-backed Forktails
seen at the bottom of the pile of garbage at the Tip area, a beautiful bird
in inappropriate surroundings.
The Tip itself has been transformed into a construction zone for the
building of a new water treatment plant just down the road to the
waterfall. They have cleared the whole upper area which used to be good
for thrushes and flycatchers and put down huts and a concrete mixing
plant. The Tip itself has had a lot of soil dumped with the garbage and
because the garbage is now covered, has lost its reputation as the worst
smell you are ever likely to experience. The steep face of the Tip looks
quite unstable and looking over at the Forktails below could be your last
act. There is a lot of noise, 7 days per week.
Similarly, the workers are back on the "new" road and therefore this 1998
failed construction site, which used to have good birding near both the top
and bottom ends has to be wiped off the slate. The "new" road is
apparently going to open at the end of this year.
If you are planning a trip to Fraser's Hill, I suggest you delay until
later in 2001.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you require more detail
Regards,
Gil Langfield
Melbourne, Australia
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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