Fraser's Hill Bird Race 2015 Winners

The recent Fraser's Hill Bird Race 2015 from the 22-24 March saw 44 teams participating in the three-day birding event, which has been around for the last 28 years.

This is also one of the pioneer bird watching events held in Malaysia and has some of the most participants and spectators in Peninsular Malaysia.

Winners of Fraser's Hill Bird Race

The weather was almost perfect this year, and teams were out and about the birding area gunning for the championship. Winners were categorized into three main categories which are;

• Advanced 

• Novice 

• IPTA/School 

Participants at the launching of the bird race here

The bird race also saw several international teams participating, namely 2 teams from Singapore and 2 teams from Myanmar/Cambodia.

Below is the complete list of winners and the list of prizes that the birders won at the Fraser's Hill International Bird Race 2015.

Advanced Category Winners

Team Piculets from Singapore, the Champion of the Fraser's Hill Bird Race 2015

Champion - Team Piculets (Singapore) - 75 Species

Team Blue Nuthatch H2 from Kuala Lumpur

2nd Place - Team Blue Nuthatch H2 (Kuala Lumpur) - 74 species

Team Triple AAA from Sabah (Alim, Andrew and Andy) 

3rd Place - Team Triple AAA (Sabah) - 73 Species

Consolation

Team Sitta Azurea - 69 Species

Team Penang Wings - 65 Species

Team Tahan Prinia - 62 Species

Team Taman Negara Flycatchers - 61 Species

Novice Category Winners

Team Twin Birds from Malaysia

Champion: Team Twin Birds (Malaysia) - 51 Species

Team Peacock from Malaysia

2nd Place: Team Peacock (Malaysia) - 39 species

Team Pororo from Malaysia

3rd Place: Team Pororo (Malaysia) - 38 Species

Consolation

Team Bowfly Birders - 22 Species

Team Wira Alam - 21 Species

Team Whiskered Tree Swift - 18 Species

Team Triple 'H' - 18 Species

IPTA/School Category

Champion - Team Iridescent Blue - 18 Species

2nd Place - Team Alumni UMP 1 - 18 Species

3rd Place - Team Alumni UMP 3 - 16  Species

VIP's officially launching the Fraser's Hill Bird Race 2015

This year's birding prizes were also attractive as there was a good mix of prizes consisting of books, hampers, binoculars, sleeping bags, dry bags, and many other items. Almost every winning team received the Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands book as part of the prizes too. 

A hummingbird in action

Fraser's Hill Bird Race 2015 Prizes

Advanced Category Prizes

7th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Sleeping Bag

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

6th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Sleeping Bag

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

5th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Sleeping Bag

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

4th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Sleeping Bag

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

3rd Place

- Pentax Binoculars

- Feel Free Bag

- Plaque 

2nd Place

- Backpack

- Manfrotto White Bag

- Plaque

1st Place - Advance Champion 

- Binoculars

- Backpack

- Cullman Protector Backpack

- Champion Plaque

The many booths during the bird race here

Novice Category Prizes

7th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Self Inflatable Pillow

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

6th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Self Inflatable Pillow

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

5th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Self Inflatable Pillow

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

4th Place

- Montane Birds of Cameron Highlands Book

- Self Inflatable Pillow

- Plaque 

- Hamper from BOH Tea

3rd Place

- Multipurpose Dry Bag

- Minox T-shirt and Cap

- Plaque

2nd Place

- Kovea Portable Gas Stove

- Minox T-shirt and Cap

- Plaque

1st Place - Novice Champion

- Nikon Binoculars

- Coleman

- Minox T-shirt and Cap

- Champion Plaque

Bird Watchers at Fraser's Hill

Overall, the bird race saw growing interest as many locals made their way up to find out more about this fun hobby.

As the bird race was held over the weekend, there were about 20 booths set up along the event area showcasing many related products. 

Driving up to Fraser's Hill from Kuala Lumpur takes about 2 hours, and there are several hotels available there.

Fraser's Hill was once a British highland retreat due to the cooling climate. Nowadays, many visitors come up here for the weekend or even day trips to enjoy the beautiful nature available here. 

Activities around here include bird watching, trekking, visiting the waterfalls, or simply taking a stroll around the hill area.

Many bird watchers also make their way here all year through for bird watching activities. 

Bird photographers at Fraser's Hill.

You can also read my other stories on Bird Watching in Malaysia, as there are huge plans to bring this niche hobby to the next level.

Currently, the Malaysia Ministry of Tourism works hand in hand with birders and bird watchers to achieve this.

There are many other great bird watching locations found all over Malaysia as well. One of the most popular places is in North Borneo, and I have covered a story on birdwatching in Sabah for those interested.

The next big birding event in Malaysia is the Borneo Bird Festival and the Borneo Bird Race, which occurs from the end of September to early October.

This is also the premier birding event in this region due to the three destinations birders will visit in the race.

Conclusion

The Fraser's Hill Bird Race event is sponsored by Tourism Pahang and the Malaysia Nature Society (MNS).

There are also other bird races throughout Malaysia, and you can get a little more information about the other birding events in Malaysia.

For interested birders, local and international, you are welcome to participate in next year's Fraser's Hill Bird Race as the dates are around the same weekend as this year.