Recording Location: Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo)
Habitat: Lowland tropical rainforest
Duration: 49 minutes (5 tracks)
Audio Formats: CD, mp3 & FLAC (44.1kHZ/24bit)
Price: $12.95 (Download), $19.95 (CD). Prices are in Australian dollars (AUD)
Protecting an important corridor of Borneo’s lowland tropical rainforest, the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is without doubt one of the best places for viewing wildlife in South-east Asia. With 10 primate species including orangutan and proboscis monkey, as well as elephants, clouded leopard, flat-headed cat, crocodiles, and over 200 species of bird (including all 8 of Borneo’s hornbill species!) the Kinabatangan is incredibly rich in biodiversity.
“Kinabatangan Dawn” was recorded over a period of several days in tropical rainforest on the banks of this great river.
In the gloomy light before dawn, nocturnal insects tinkle as dew drops fall to the forest floor. A Barred eagle-owl hoots ing in the distance and Rufous-crowned Babblers whistle descending phrases as the light brightens.
From the thick tangled undergrowth the booms of a Greater Coucal penetrate the forest and a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills make their honking calls as they fly high over the canopy. In the treetops above, a troop of Long-tailed Macaque’s move out from the safety of the riverside trees where they spent the night, into the deeper forest in search of food, squabbling amongst themselves as they jump and crash in the foliage. Later in the track a woodpecker drums on a nearby tree.
Towering above the forest, a giant fig tree is fruiting and attracts a wide variety of hungry birds, mammals and insects. The shy White-crowned Shama sings beautiful melodies from the undergrowth and the cackling laughter of a Stork-billed Kingfisher can be heard coming from the direction of the river. Bushy-crested Hornbills feed alongside barbets, bulbuls and rainforest pigeons and later the unmistakable whoosh of two huge Rhinoceros Hornbills can be heard as they fly to join the feast. If you listen carefully, you can hear the distant booms of a male Orangutan.
As the day heats up, the forest quietens and a more peaceful ambience sets in. After calling for much of the morning and with their bellies now full, most of the creatures seem content to rest quietly in the shade. Only the insects increase their intensity and provide a relaxing rhythm to the now gentle sounds of the rainforest.
Hornbills occasionally fly from one branch to another in the trees overhead, while a Crested Serpent Eagle whistles as it soars above the river. Puff-backed Bulbuls cheerfully sing as they discover the giant fig tree, and a Black-crowned Pitta calls softly in the distance. At 7:00 the far-carrying call of a Great Argus can be heard resonating through the forest.
Great Argus, Crested Serpent Eagle, Barred Eagle-Owl, Green Imperial Pigeon, Common Emerald Dove, Greater Coucal, Plaintive Cuckoo, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Black-crowned Pitta, Puff-backed Bulbul, White-crowned Shama, Black-capped Babbler, Bold-striped Tit-babbler, Chestnut-rumped babbler, Black Magpie, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and Little Spiderhunter.
