THE annual Raptor Watch at Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve in Malacca takes off on March 11. The spring migration of predatory birds can be observed from the cape which is about 10 miles from Port Dickson.
Tanjong Tuan or Cape Ricardo has a tiny marine park and supports a heavily forested 274m high hill. It is the only hill on this stretch of the coast. This spot has turbulence and updraft for the birds of prey to take off. The forest is an ideal spot for the birds to roost.
During migration, raptors hardly waste their energy flying, instead they rise to the optimum altitude with the help of a thermal and the prevailing winds help them to glide to their next destination.
In this crossing of the Malacca Strait the birds wait for the morning sun to heat up Rupat Island and then ride the thermal to ascend to the ideal height and glide across.
Often the winds carrying the raptors subside and the raptors are then forced to use their wings to bring them across to complete their epic flight. This ideal weather condition occurs within a short time and during this window large numbers gather each morning to wait for the thermal to lift them to heights over 2,000m and the strong westerly/southwesterly winds blowing consistently for a long while to bring them across the Malacca Strait.
This set of conditions occurs each year within the couple of weeks around March.
The Port Dickson Municipal Council and the Negri Sembilan state tourism board are not doing enough to highlight this natural phenomenon.
I urge the authorities to put up more buntings and banners this year so that more people are aware of this natural phenomenon.
Lionel Perera
Port Dickson
Tanjong Tuan or Cape Ricardo has a tiny marine park and supports a heavily forested 274m high hill. It is the only hill on this stretch of the coast. This spot has turbulence and updraft for the birds of prey to take off. The forest is an ideal spot for the birds to roost.
During migration, raptors hardly waste their energy flying, instead they rise to the optimum altitude with the help of a thermal and the prevailing winds help them to glide to their next destination.
In this crossing of the Malacca Strait the birds wait for the morning sun to heat up Rupat Island and then ride the thermal to ascend to the ideal height and glide across.
Often the winds carrying the raptors subside and the raptors are then forced to use their wings to bring them across to complete their epic flight. This ideal weather condition occurs within a short time and during this window large numbers gather each morning to wait for the thermal to lift them to heights over 2,000m and the strong westerly/southwesterly winds blowing consistently for a long while to bring them across the Malacca Strait.
This set of conditions occurs each year within the couple of weeks around March.
The Port Dickson Municipal Council and the Negri Sembilan state tourism board are not doing enough to highlight this natural phenomenon.
I urge the authorities to put up more buntings and banners this year so that more people are aware of this natural phenomenon.
Lionel Perera
Port Dickson