Club Trip : Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh

Written By Marlina Jamal

From limestone cliffs to the depths of ancient rainforest, our three-day birding trip took us through two very different landscapes in Pahang. Held from 15 to 17 August 2026, the trip brought together 20 members of the Wild Bird Club Malaysia for a weekend of birding, exploration and, as always, the pursuit of birds that have a habit of making us work for them. The three-day trip offered members an opportunity to experience two distinctly different birding environments — the limestone landscape of Gua Bama and the mature rainforest of Taman Negara Sungai Relau.

Date and Time 0900h 15th Aug until 1230h 17th Aug 2026
Locations Gua Bama Pahang, Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Pahang and Gua Musang, Kelantan
No. of Participants 20
No. of Species Observed 103
eBird Trip Report View Checklist

Day 1

Gua Bama, Kuala Lipis,Pahang

Location Map

 

Our first stop in the itinerary was Gua Bama, located near Kampung Relong in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, where the morning was spent birding around its distinctive limestone landscape. For birders, the exposed limestone cliffs and surrounding vegetation provide opportunities to observe species associated with rocky habitats and open skies.

The site is particularly interesting for observing swift-flying species around the limestone cliffs, with Rufous-bellied Swallow and Dusky Crag Martin among the target species for this visit. We observed a few other species here including Peregrine Falcon flying past, adult and juvenile Blue Rock Thrush and a few Sooty Barbets too.

The morning session also offered an opportunity for members to enjoy a relaxed start to the trip, with birding around the site and coffee from 333 Mobile Café before continuing towards Gua Musang.

Day 1 Location 2 : Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang

Location Map

 

Tree Top Walk

Waiting for the owl to make an appearance [Photo Credit: Ooi Say Woon]

Taman Negara Pahang, Sungai Relau, Merapoh provides a very different birding environment. It is the western entrance to Taman Negara and lies close to Merapoh, near the Pahang–Kelantan border. The park entrance is reached from Merapoh and provides access into one of Peninsular Malaysia's most important remaining rainforest landscapes.

Sungai Relau is particularly significant for birders because of its mature lowland rainforest, forest trails, riverine habitats and access towards Kuala Juram. The official PERHILITAN information specifically identifies birdwatching as one of the activities at Sungai Relau and lists species such as Rhinoceros Hornbill, Malayan Banded Pitta and White-rumped Shama among birds commonly encountered there.

That afternoon we decide to only do the Tree Top Walk only and are very fortunate that the rare and ever so cute Oriental bay Owl decide to perched right outside its nest, for quite a while, so we had the opportunity to photograph and observe it, rocking softly from left to right. Among others, notable birds that decide to make an appearance are Black-bellied Malkoha, Rhinocerous Hornbills, Bushy-crested Hornbills, Black-thighed Falconets.









Day 1 Location 3 Adhoc Night Birding @ Durian Hill Villa

As we were resting at the accomodation provided, that evening, Arhwin alerted the group that there might be a Savanna Nightjar around based on its clear calling. After searching for 15-20 minutes Arhwin managed to sight the bird but it was too shy for camera and flew away. We decide to search along the big drain along the houses and we found a couple of Large-tailed Nightjar instead!

Day 2

Bird Hides & Kuala Juram, Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang

We started Day 2 with a plan to head to Kuala Juram by 2 units of 4WDs. However, just 10 minutes into the drive, we had recieved news from an earlier party, that is ahead of us that the road is blocked by a fallen tree. A quick decision made by the trip leader, we will be doing the hides birding at Garnet Pitta and Great Argus sites instead.

We were unlucky at the pitta site but were double blessed to be able to see the Great Argus and Malayan Peacock Pheasant at the other hide.

While we were waiting for those 2, some of the participants decide to walk about and bird around the area which is a very productive sites. Even the Red-naped Trogon make an appearance for a short while right outside the path, before heading back into the forest.

The fun was then cut short due to heavy downpour that forces us to retreat out from the forest and to park entrance area where we had our lunch at the canteen. we resume our birding actitivies at 2pm after some rest time.

Great Argus [Photo Credit : Li Li Wong]

Malayan Peacock Pheasant [Photo Credit : MJ]

Interesting (for us human but unfortunate for the bird) during the rest time, the group found a weakened Green Broadbill on the floor of the Tree Top Walk and decide to care for it and let it rest until he/she is fit enough to fly away. Thankfully after a few minutes resting, we let it fly away as it has regained its strength.

We continue the afternoon birding with a plan to head to Kuala Juram. As we ride the 4wd, we encounter a Scarlet-rumped Trogon perching and managed to get clear photos. However, sadly, that afternoon, again, we were blocked by another, newer fallen trees, approximately 1-2km before reaching the Kuala Juram Camp. One group decide to continue on foot and birding along the way and the rest decide to doubleback and do some birding around and on top the Seraya Tower for a chance to meet any hornbills that frequented the area. On the way there they met a Helmeted Hornbill couple perching on the branch at the side of the route but didnt manage to get a clear photo as the bird flew away as they didnt stop in time. The group that went on foot towards Kuala Juram, found the target bird of the route, the Spotted Fantail.

Day 2

Night Birding , Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang

We started night birding at around 830pm after some short briefing by the guide. We managed to found a Large Frogmouth that decide to entertain us for quite some time. To minimize intrusion, only the light from the guide is allowed to be shine towards the bird. We continue the search around the parking lot for the resident Brown Wood Owl.

Day 3

Bird Hides Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang

The last day, the last chance to catch a glimpse of the resident celebrity bird. According to Ashwin, since it didnt rained the night before, there’s high probability of them making an appearance this morning. We were divided into two groups, one for pitta hide and another for Great Argus for those who missed the chance yesterday. The Garnet Pitta quietly peeked through the leaves and jumped onto the logs and posed at around 10am and stays for a while. The Great Argus grace us with his presence around the same time at the other hide. We continue to do some general birding along the route and concludes the program at around 12pm after some quick bird list.

Garnet Pitta [Photo Credit: MJ]

Marlina Jamal
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