The Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu is home to a variety of wildlife, some of which are highly endangered. It is a great place to get in touch with nature and to encounter some of the most fascinating wildlife found in this part of the world. A 90-minute drive from central Lahad Datu, Tabin is home to the three largest mammals of Sabah—the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Tembadau. Other animals spotted here include the Bornean Clouded Leopard, Long-tailed Macaque, Flat-headed Cat and Orang Utan. However, many birding enthusiasts also flock to Tabin to catch rare glimpses of feathered beauties, most of which are endemic.
Birds in Tabin
Tabin is a bird-watcher's paradise as the forests attract an amazingly rich diversity of birds, including rare and endemic species, due to the abundance of food plants here. The relatively low canopy with sufficient natural light makes birding and photography a delightful experience.
About 42 indigenous families representing more than 260 species have been recorded here including all the 8 of Sabah's Hornbill species: Black Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Wrinkled Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill and Helmeted Hornbill. Other sought-after species, such as the Blue-headed Pitta, Black-and-crimson Pitta, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Temminck's Sunbird, Purple-throated Sunbird, Everett's White-eye and rarely seen species such as Storm's Stork, Large Green Pigeon, Great-billed Heron and Giant Pitta have been sighted in Tabin.
Good places for bird watching - Around the resort
Explore the vicinity of the resort and you will be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of bird life here. The Sunbird Cafe is wonderfully surrounded by greenery and flowering plants that attract a number of brightly coloured birds. Sipping your coffee, your eyes will be kept busy following active species such as the Black-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Red-throated Sunbird, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Large Green Pigeon, Dusky Broadbill and Black-and-Yellow Broadbill. Be entertained by the melodious calls of Black Magpie in the nearby vegetation.
A bird hide built facing the flowing Lipad River provides a wonderful site for bird-viewing. Huge boulders in the river are a favourite place for Oriental Darter, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Lesser Fish Eagle to perch especially after rain. Happy families of Otters (Small-clawed Otter and Smooth-coated Otter) have been seen up and down this part of the river and delight guests.
The White-bellied Munia and Dusky Munia can be commonly found in the bushes. A family of Lesser Coucal sometimes make their appearances here. Rare Storm's Storks have made Tabin their home and can sometimes be seen. You will probably be able to see one or more of the eight species of hornbills in Borneo either flying in groups across the sky, or in pairs perching on bare branches. Let the guide share with you the tales and origins of the Helmeted Hornbill's calls.
The Lipad mud volcano and Tomanggong road
The Lipad mud volcano is the one nearest to the main base. The endemic Black-and-Crimson Pitta and Blue-headed Pitta have been sighted along the trail leading to the mud volcano. After jungle-trekking for 20 minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. Why not take a dip in the volcanic mud, known for its wellness properties, or climb up the Observation Tower for a grand view of the reserve.
Finsch's Bulbul and Black-throated Wren-babblers, Dark-throated Oriole, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher are some species that can be seen around the area. A nearby fig-tree is a busy feasting place for hornbills and other birds and also primates during the fruiting season. Near the observation tower, bare branches of towering trees are a favourite perching place for the Green Imperial Pigeon, Large Green Pigeon and Jambu Fruit Dove with its wonderful coloured chest.
A stroll along the Tomanggong Road is likely to yield sightings of the Giant Pitta ,White-fronted Falconet, Long-tailed Parakeet, Orange-backed Woodpecker and Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker.
Road to the Core Area
Walking along the initial stretch of the road leading to the core area (literally in the heart of Tabin), you are likely to be entertained by wild bird songs and the calls of Borneon Gibbons. On bare tree trunks, the busy Dollarbird can be found along with Rufous Woodpecker, Bronzed Drongo, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Speckled Piculet, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Black Eagle, Black Magpie. The abundance of wild ginger plants attracts colourful varieties of birds, including the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Thick-billed Spiderhunter, Grey-and-Buff Woodpecker and many others. This road is also the best place to look for the very rare Bornean Bristlehead.
How to get there
Tabin is situated about 1.5 hour's drive from the Lahad Datu in eastern Sabah. You can either fly from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu (flight time of one hour with MasWings or AirAsia) then by road to Tabin, or travel overland from Sandakan (about 4 hours) to Tabin.
Source: Sabah Tourism Newsletter
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