photo(5)photo(6)

As I sit on my terrace every morning sipping my tea, I am  gently roused to my surroundings by the melodious sounds of the birds and other jungle creatures that permeate the air..A majestic tree that  stands tall on eye level to my terrace is buzzing with life..Birds are hopping across the branches flitting in and out of the tree enchanting me with their delightful sometimes soothing or even comical vocalizations..Magpie Robins, Mountain Bulbuls, Silver-eared Mesias, Barbets, White throated Fantails to name just a few species that visit my tree in the mornings …BIRDS..After living in Camerons for such along time and being a nature lover, one can’t help but notice these shy and beautiful creatures. They could be seen flying in abundance in the old days..Sadly with all the illegal and mindless land clearing, the destruction of our forests and their habitat shrinking the birds have become fewer as well. Infact one of my favourite walks to Jalan Tengkolok and around Gunung Jassa was a popular international birding destination before it was destroyed completely..  AFTER I was infected by the bird virus by a keen birder and naturalist Carrol Lawrence, I am truly sold to birding ..

IN view of the current situation in Camerons, the launch of the Montane Birds  of Cameron Highlands by REACH recently was very timely ..This book launch brings the FOCUS back to our forests and our TREES, home to our precious  birds ..The BOOK is beautifully illustrated with some extremely high quality pictures of a vast variety of Montane bird species, some of which are very rare, shy and endangered ..It has been authored and edited by Carrol ..She is not new to Camerons, an avid nature lover, her connection with Camerons started in 2001 while working for WWF and afterwards  as an active REACH volunteer from 2003 .Currently besides doing environmental work and birding workshops with REACH she is deeply involved in the running of educational programmes with underprivileged children .. Her work with schools creating environmental awareness among our youth in Camerons and from lowlands is noteworthy .. With a brilliant collection of photographs from the public and interesting write ups as well, priced at RM 75, THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE  FOR ALL NATURE LOVERS..Part of the money from the book sales goes towards BIRDING activities organised by REACH for the community ..All of us should support this endeavor by REACH and Carrol Lawrence!!!!!!