Raptor Watch 2015 is organised by the Malaysian Nature Society who also turns 75 years old this year and the bird watching event on the 14th of March will be celebrated differently as promised by MNS.
This birding festival held at the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse in Melaka celebrates the return of the migratory birds of prey or better known as raptors from their journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere.
Raptor Watch Tanjung Tuan
This birding festival held at the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse in Melaka celebrates the return of the migratory birds of prey or better known as raptors from their journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere.
Raptor Watch Tanjung Tuan
The migratory raptors of Tanjung Tuan originate from North Asia, Northeastern Asia, Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Eastern Siberia, and Kamchatka where they breed.
As the autumn season approaches (September), they will make the perilous journey south from their original country into continental Southeast Asia and its associated archipelago through the East Asian Flyway (migratory routes taken by raptors).
From late January till March/April, they will once again make the same journey to their breeding grounds and March is one of the best times to spot these migratory birds.
As the autumn season approaches (September), they will make the perilous journey south from their original country into continental Southeast Asia and its associated archipelago through the East Asian Flyway (migratory routes taken by raptors).
From late January till March/April, they will once again make the same journey to their breeding grounds and March is one of the best times to spot these migratory birds.
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| Tanjung Tuan in Melaka for the Raptor Watch Event |
Among the Raptors that you can spot at Tanjung Tuan are;
• Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
• Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis)
• White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
• Chinese Goshawk (Accipiter soloensis)
• Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
• Grey-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus)
• Eastern Marsh-Harrier (Circus spilonotus)
• Oriental (Crested) Honey-Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)
• Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus)
• Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
• Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)
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| Crested Serpent-Eagle seen at Tanjung Tuan |
This years Raptor Watch 2015 will focus mainly on the Tanjung Tuan lighthouse and the forest reserve surrounding it. Among the many activities which will be held in the Tanjung Tuan forest, the organizers promise a whole new level of fun and interactive learning experience for young and old.
Tanjung Tuan or Cape Rachado History
Cape Rachado was actually named by the Portuguese which means Broken Cape and is an exclave of the state of Malacca, Malaysia, adjacent to the town of Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan.
The most prominent landmark here is of course the Cape Rachado Lighthouse which faces the Strait of Malacca and now serving as the main venue for Raptor Watch.
After the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511, the Portuguese built a lighthouse to guide its ships and Tanjung Tuan was chosen and the cape was named Cape Rachado by them.
Another historical fact is that the coastal area off the cape is the site of the naval Battle of Cape Rachado in 1606, between the Dutch VOC and Portuguese fleets.
Tanjung Tuan or Cape Rachado History
Cape Rachado was actually named by the Portuguese which means Broken Cape and is an exclave of the state of Malacca, Malaysia, adjacent to the town of Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan.
The most prominent landmark here is of course the Cape Rachado Lighthouse which faces the Strait of Malacca and now serving as the main venue for Raptor Watch.
After the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511, the Portuguese built a lighthouse to guide its ships and Tanjung Tuan was chosen and the cape was named Cape Rachado by them.
Another historical fact is that the coastal area off the cape is the site of the naval Battle of Cape Rachado in 1606, between the Dutch VOC and Portuguese fleets.
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| An Osprey at Tanjung Tuan |
Tanjung Tuan is also the only remaining patch of coastal forest on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has been gazetted as a Forest Reserve, Wildlife Reserve, Fishing Prohibited Area and also a Historical Site which is open to all tourist.
Raptor Watch 2015 Information
Date: 14th March, 2015
Venue: Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve, 10th Mile Port Dickson, Melaka
Time: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Entrance: Free
More Information: Raptor Watch 2015 Website
How to go to Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson
Tanjung Tuan is also known as Cape Rachado or the Blue Lagoon on the 10th mile from the Port Dickson town heading south.
Those driving here, you need to take the Port Dickson coastal road all the way pass Taman Anika and turn into Kampung Siginting towards Hutan Rekreasi Tanjung Tuan.
An easy landmark here is the PNG Ilham Resort just before the national park. For some state bordering reasons, the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve is located in Melaka while Kampung Siginting is in Negeri Sembilan.
Tanjung Tuan GPS Coordinates: 2.4000° N, 101.8667° E
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| A Japanese Sparrowhawk photographed at Raptor Watch |
There are quite a number of hotels around here so for anyone driving, it would be much easier. There are choices of budget hotels and also 3-5 star hotels available here depending on your style. I have provided a radius of 5 kilometers for the list of hotels nearest to the Raptor Watch event which is;
• PNB Ilham Resort
• Casa Rachado Beach Resort
• Permaisuri Resort Port Dickson
• Thistle Port Dickson
• Klana Beach Resort Port Dickson
• Akar Beach Resort
•Ancasa Resort Port Dickson
• Primaland Resort Port Dickson
• Eagle Ranch Resort
Tanjung Tuan Map
Other Bird Watching Events in Malaysia
If you are interested in finding out more about other similar events in Malaysia, I have done an article for Bird Watching in Malaysia for those who want to know more.
The article also covers all the places for birding in Malaysia and details out the locations and other general information.
And for birders heading to Borneo Malaysia, you can check out this article on Bird Watching in Borneo as it covers all the popular birding spots located around here.
The RW birding event is organized by Malaysian Nature Society in partnership with the Malacca State Government, Negeri Sembilan State Government and Tourism Malaysia for Raptor Watch.