Kinabatangan Dawn

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.