Today has been rather productive for me. I was at the Malaysian Nature Society headquarters earlier to help out with the preparation for Raptor Watch 2007. If you have not known yet, Raptor Watch is one of the largest birdwatching events in Malaysia. According to BirdLife International (formerly International Council for Bird Preservation), it is the only large scale nature-related public event in Malaysia.
Around early March every year when winter starts to give way to spring in the north, large scale bird migrations occur. Tanjung Tuan, Malaysia is one of several places in the region where one could observe the migration. The birds are birds of prey; they are called raptors. Hence, the name, Raptor Watch.
I will coming down to Tanjung Tuan, Malacca from March 9 till 11 with the good folks at MNS. And that is next week! You should come too! This is a once a year event.
Tanjung Tuan is an important stopover for migratory birds. In fact, it has been listed by BirdLife International, a worldwide conservation organization as such. Despite that, the area is under threat. From BirdLife International:
Despite being an IBA, Tanjung Tuan faces very real threats from development. The sea front of Tanjung Tuan is expensive real estate, and as Tanjung Tuan is an extension of the Port Dickson holiday coasts, its value for tourism is high. For many years local authorities have been drawing up plans to develop the area, with the Malaysian Nature Society in turn working hard to keep Tanjung Tuan intact.
IBA is Important Bird Area.
Regardless, this is where the Raptor Watch is important. It informs the public of the importance of Tanjung Tuan in term of conservation:
One of the main objectives of Raptor Watch is to ensure the continued conservation of Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve by promoting Raptor Watch as a national eco-tourism event.
There will also be recording activities, I would presume, for scientific purpose.
In the previous years, veterans told me that more than a thousand people attended the event. This year, nearly 4,000 people are expected to join MNS in celebrating the migration. Further, the 2007 edition will be the eight Raptor Watch.
And if you are coming down for the Raptor Watch, watch out for the guy that will be solicitating people to join the MNS. That would be me!
Finally, the TV spot for Raptor Watch:
Cool, ain’t it?
