Bird lovers flocked to the Borneo Highlands Resort near here recently to take part in an inaugural bird watching competition.

Dubbed the “Mini Bird Race”, the event was organised by the resort and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) to promote bird watching and bird conservation in Sarawak.

Sixteen teams of two people each participated in the race, which took place on the jungle and mountain trails around the resort.

Located on the Penrissen Range some 1,000m above sea level on the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, the Borneo Highlands Resort is an important bird sanctuary where more than 150 species have been sighted so far.

These include endemic species such as the Bornean Barbet, Blue-banded Pitta, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Black-sided Flowerpecker, Pygmy White-eye and Mountain Black-eye.

Other striking birds include the Wreathed Hornbill - regularly seen on the Kalimantan border - Waterfall Swift, Great Argus and Asian Paradise Flycatcher.

During the event, the participants spotted six more species which had previously not been sighted at the resort - the Black Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Long-tailed Parakeet, White-breasted Waterhen, Spotted Fantail and Blue Rock Thrush.

The race required teams to identify and record the bird species they managed to spot over a six-hour period.

The Liver Bird team comprising Jason Hon and Lihon Singga emerged the winner as they spotted 31 bird species on the day.

You can read the full story and see more photos of birds and Malasian birders here.

What a great idea to get publicity and to get birders aware of your resort! And I don't know why, but the team name "The Liver Bird" just makes me smile.