This annual public event, organised by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), is aimed at raising awareness on the conservation of raptors and their habitats, which include the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

Raptors, also known as birds of prey, are medium or large birds that hunt and kill other animals like small birds, fish and mammals for food. They are also direct descendants of velociraptor dinosaurs.

“The weather was good this year, although we only spotted about 10,000 raptors; we expected to see more than 25,000,” MNS president Ahmad Ismail told FMT.

Some of the common species they observed were the oriental honey buzzard, black baza, Chinese goshawk, Japanese sparrowhawk, and grey-faced buzzard.

Every year during the spring migration from mid-February to mid-April, the raptors will make the journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere, where it is more temperate.

During this time, thousands of birds can be seen making their way across the Straits of Melaka to the stopover site in Tanjung Tuan, which is also the closest land mass to Sumatra.

Formerly known as Cape Rachado, the site – listed as one of the 55 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Malaysia – is paramount to the birds for food and shelter.

The best time to spot raptors is from 11am to 3pm. Thermals or hot-air columns produced by the heat from the sun allow the birds to glide across the sky without flapping their wings, using minimal energy.

Sadly, due to their long, continuous journey across a vast body of water, a number of birds succumb to exhaustion and starvation.

Numbers in decline

Besides bird watching, MNS held activities such as guided nature walks, beach cleanup, games, and exhibitions. The majority of participants were students.

“Unsurprisingly, there were fewer visitors this year due to the pandemic,” Ahmad said, explaining that they also conducted birdwatching events online.

Every year, a select group of bird counters monitor the raptors over 30 days. According to him, the number of raptors they have counted over the years has been on a decline.

“It could be due to many reasons, including population decline, weather factors, as well as the height and direction of the birds’ flight. We would likely need to observe raptor migration at different sites to get a more accurate picture on their current status.”

MNS hopes to recruit more volunteers and train them so they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to count and identify the different raptor species.

Ahmad also stressed the importance of collaborating and exchanging information on raptors with neighbouring countries, as well as those along the flyway, the flight path used during migration.

He further suggested that monthly birding activity at Tanjung Tuan could attract new volunteers and bird watchers.

“The programme could be supported by Tourism Malaysia, while activities could be supervised by MNS as well as the forestry and wildlife departments,” he said.

“Ultimately, the forest needs to be protected and well-managed to ensure the survival and wellbeing of these magnificent birds.”

Keen to join next year’s Raptor Watch? Keep up to date via the Malaysian Nature Society’s website, as well as its Facebook and Instagram accounts.