Raptor Watch 2016 – the event that monitors raptor migration activity – flies back to the shores of Tanjung Tuan on 12 March 2016 at the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve!
Tanjung Tuan is 20 kilometres away from Kuala Linggi.
BirdLife International, National Geographic Society and Hawkmountain have listed Kuala Linggi as an important raptor site.
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Every year, migratory raptors that land on Tanjung Tuan originate from North Asia, Northeastern Asia, Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka, Northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan where they breed.
As the autumn season approaches in September, they will make the perilous journey south to continental South East Asia and its associated archipelago through the East Asian Flyway (migratory routes taken by raptors).
From late January till March or April, they will once again make the same journey to their breeding grounds.
Realising the importance of raptors and the uniqueness of the migration phenomenon, this event aims at highlighting the importance of conserving Tanjung Tuan as a raptor migration site and a key eco-tourism site.
The event is also an opportunity for birdwatchers to gather scientific information about the raptors that are vital to their survival in the future.
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Raptor Watch was first held in 2000.
Now in its 17th year, Raptor Watch is the biggest and most important event for Malaysia’s Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and eco-tourism.
Its main objective is to conserve birds and their habitats, besides educating the public on the importance of the spectacular migratory phenomena that hit the shores of Peninsula Malaysia, which is the stopover of thousands of eagles, hawks and buzzards that land here on their journey back home to Siberia, China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, India and Indochina as winter draws to an end.
Five main species of migratory raptors fly over from the Straits of Malacca and the Indonesian islands, resting at Tanjung Tuan before continuing their 12,000km journey back to their northern breeding grounds.
The most numerous and regularly sighted species are Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Black Baza, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Chinese Goshawk and Grey-faced Buzzard.
What can travellers find in Tanjung Tuan and Kuala Linggi?
In conjunction with this highly anticipated event, Tourism Malaysia Melaka organises a media trip to visit the eco-tourism attractions around Kuala Linggi, which is a treat for nature lovers. Read about them in the following and take note of them when you are in the area:
Sungai Linggi River Cruise
Escape the ordinary by taking a river cruise along the 13-kilometre Sungai (River) Linggi. River cruising may be less well-known than ocean cruising but it’s becoming more popular every year.
The pristine state of the water is home to various types of fish, shrimp and lobsters.
The banks of the river are breeding grounds for molluscs, crabs and mudskippers.
Monitor lizards, otters and monkeys make this their playground.
Travellers can experience the art of lokan-hunting in a nook carved on the river bank to breed lokan (freshwater clam) and many kinds of molluscs naturally created by the war veteran Pak Zainal, besides walking on a trail made from lokan shells and cement done single-handedly by him.
The one-hour adventure feels risky to me at first as I knew that there are around 3,000 crocodiles that call Sungai Linggi their home. However, Sungai Linggi is safe as long as visitors obey the set rules.
During the day, travellers can enjoy the area’s breathtaking natural beauty, while at night, they can feast their eyes on the flickering lights of the fireflies that grace the trees along the banks of Sungai Linggi.
Other than crocodiles, fireflies, egrets and natural beauty, Sungai Linggi also possesses several historical sites that might interest visitors. Sungai Linggi was once an important trade route and the testimony to this is the presence of forts and fortifications by the river, especially along Sungai Linggi’s tributaries namely Sungai Rembau and Sungai Pedas.
Travellers can still visit the building site where traders pay their tax in the old days when transporting their goods to Pengkalan Kempas.
There are also the ruins of an old Dutch fort at Pengkalan Kempas – a pit stop along the river cruise – that travellers can explore.
D’Qnut Chalet
W: dqnutchalet.blogspot.my
T: +6012 2447408
A: 603, Batu 31, Bukit Darat, Pantai Kuala Linggi, 78200 Kuala Sungai Baru,Melaka
Located 10 kilometres away from Pengkalan Balak and 45 minutes from Tol Pedas, D’Qnut Chalet & Restaurant is perfect for those who seek nature.
It is a great place to wake up early in the morning and enjoy the warm sunrise kissing on the cheek.
D’Qnut Chalet offers 20 cabin rooms with sea views, assuring that all guests get to enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunset.
D’Qnut Chalet has just opened in November 2015 and everything is impeccable. The staff is more than friendly and will help you out with everything you need. They will ensure everyone would get a pleasant getaway at D’Qnut Chalet.
Desa Balqis
W: desabalqis.com
T: +6 03 4022 7728
A: KM50, Kampung Bukit Darat, Kuala Linggi, 78200 Kuala Sungai Baru, Melaka
Desa Balqis is ideal if you are curious about the kampung experience, or if you simply want a break from the usual hectic city life. Kampung means ‘village’ in Malay. In a traditional sense, a ‘village’ is a common reference to a community of traditional wooden houses.
Desa Balqis homes 20 wooden houses that embrace unique contemporary designs that are different from the traditional Malay houses.
There is no Wi-Fi provided but guests will instead connect better with the people around them.
Staying at Desa Balqis is a great idea for family vacations since it allows family members to bond more closely, enjoying each other’s presence and doing fun things together without distractions.
Restoran Ikan Bakar, Kuala Sungai Baru
GPS: 2.353887, 102.033762
Looking for a place to feed your tummy? Then head to Restoran Ikan Bakar Kuala Sungai Baru which serves seafood dishes straight from the sea, sourced fresh from the wet market just next to it!
Kopitiam Balak, Pengkalan Balak
A: 3373 Jalan Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah, 78300 Alor Gajah, Melaka
W: Kopitiam Balak
T: +6019 2588969
Before returning to your accommodation at Kuala Linggi after exploring the place, have a sip of old classic coffee at Kopitiam Balak, considered an institution and housed in a refurbished 100-year-old building.
Prior to becoming a cafe, it was a home for a Chinese family before turning into a warehouse at one point in time. The place has now spruced up and sports the timber and bicycle concept, making a mark serving good pick-me-up coffee in Kuala Linggi.
Filed in: Malacca
