The Hulu Langat district of Selangor contains some of the best birding hotspots near Klang Valley. The ever-popular Sungai Congkak and Gunung Nuang are both located within this region. Those two are pretty good already, but birders have yet another spot to explore in Hulu Langat: Perdik Recreational Forest (Hutan Lipur Perdik)

Birding at Perdik Recreational Forest

Perdik Recreational Forest isn’t a new location per se. However, birding-wise it has never been as popular as its next-door neighbor Sg Congkak, and thus is hardly visited by birders.

Perdik is mainly patronized by visitors wishing to do the hike to the Perdik Waterfall or enjoy a refreshing splash in the stream. Generally speaking, the place is sparsely visited, even on weekends. This is good news for birders and nature lovers looking to escape the city’s bustle, and makes Perdik a perfect alternative to Congkak or Nuang.

Where is Perdik Recreational Forest?

Perdik Recreational Forest (RF) is located in the Hulu Langat District of Selangor, roughly 35 km from Kuala Lumpur city centre. The forest straddles the foothills of the Titiwangsa Range, and sited amongst hilly terrain at an altitude of ~ 150m above sea level.

Birds that can be seen at Perdik:

Broadly speaking, the birds that frequent Perdik are similar to those found at Sg Congkak RF or Gunung Nuang RF. Expect to encounter birds that live in lowland rainforests, as well as species that love forested waterways. Additionally, due to the hilly terrain nearby, some foothill birds may also be seen in the area.

The lists below are just a small sample of the birds that may be seen here, and are thus not exhaustive.

Top target species:

1. Umber Flycatcher (Muscicapa williamsoni umbrosa). This is a mysterious and rarely seen subspecies of the Brown-streaked Flycatcher. High chance of being split-off into its own species in the future. Perdik seems to be a regular haunt for this little-known bird. Keep an eye out for any odd-looking brownish flycatchers, especially outside the migratory season (when migrant flycatchers are absent).
2. Rufous-chested Flycatcher (Ficedula dumetoria). An uncommon resident flycatcher that prefers forested streams/rivers.
3. Diard’s Trogon (Harpactes diardii) and Scarlet-rumped Trogon (Harpactes duvaucelii). These gleaming jewels of the forest are a feast for the eyes, if you can spot them that is! Additionally, the uncommon Red-naped Trogon (Harpactes kasumba) has also been reported here.
4. Rufous-collared Kingfisher (Actenoides concretus) and Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa). Both are stunningly beautiful forest specialists, and well worth looking out for at Perdik.
5. Chestnut-naped Forktail (Enicurus ruficapillus). Beautiful robin-like bird that inhabits the stony forest river. Listen out for their high-pitched call. If you’re patient (and stealthy), you may be able to observe them moving on the river rocks as they search for aquatic insects.

Other birds:

1. Rhinoceros and Wreathed Hornbills.
2. Woodpeckers, such as the Checker-throated, Banded, Crimson-winged and even the Great Slaty Woodpecker.
3. Broadbills, including the Banded, Black-and-Yellow and Dusky Broadbills.
4. A variety of bulbuls, including the Black-headed, Grey-bellied, Scaly-breasted and Streaked Bulbuls. Multiple species may forage together on a single fruiting tree.
5. Babblers such as the Rufous-fronted, Horsfield’s, Malayan Black-capped and Short-tailed Babblers
6. Pale Blue and Verditer Flycatchers
7. Several sunbird and spiderhunter species. Pretty much all of the lowland spiderhunters of peninsular Malaysia may be seen here. Also, look out for the uncommon Red-throated Sunbird.

How is the birding experience at Perdik?

The first part of Perdik is easygoing, as the path is flat, wide and well-maintained. Simply follow the gravel path and look/listen for birds. 

Roughly 1 km in, the trail becomes narrower but still well-marked. Eventually, you will reach a stream crossing. Crossing this stream is necessary to reach the Perdik Waterfall. The stream depth will vary depending on whether it recently rained or not.

For birding purposes, the first ~1 km from the entrance is usually sufficient. However, birding is possible all the way to the waterfall. Keep in mind that the hike to the waterfall will take you through narrow jungle trails, and takes about 1-1.5 hours.

Safety note:

• Avoid going alone if you plan to hike all the way to the waterfall.
• Be especially careful in rainy weather. In rare cases, a sudden surge of water may happen without warning. Avoid visiting Perdik during the rainy season.

Best birding time?

Early morning (7am) until noon is the best. Afternoons often bring rain, so are less suitable.

Resident birds are present year-round. Migratory birds such as warblers and flycatchers visit during the northern winter, September until early May.

Please note that Perdik FR will be closed during the rainy season, November until February (for public safety reasons). Refer to the Selangor Forestry website for more information.

Getting to Perdik

Self-drive:

Simply use a navigation app. Use ‘Perdik Fall’ or ‘Lilla Rainforest Retreat’ as your destination. The entrance road to Perdik is narrow and bumpy, so drive slowly. Drive time from the city is about 1 hour. Getting back to the city may take longer, as the traffic can be atrocious, especially on weekends.

E-hailing/taxi:

Taking an E-hailing or taxi is possible from Kuala Lumpur. However, make sure you discuss the return journey with the driver beforehand.

Public transport:

There is a public bus service (Rapid KL Bus T406) that serves the Hulu Langat area. However, this service has poor frequencies and thus is completely unsuitable for birders.

Public facilities at Perdik:

There are campsites and a gazebo but otherwise no toilets or shops on-site. However, there are plenty of eateries and convenience shops along the main road to/from the city.

Limited car parking available in front of the Lilla Resort (free of charge). 

Admission fees and opening times:

Admission requires a permit.

• The permit can be applied online at the Selangor Forestry website (registration required, but free of charge).
• Price is MYR 5 per person.
• Permit can be applied up to a minimum of 48 hours before your intended visit.

There are no opening/closing times, but visiting outside daylight hours is not recommended. 

While there are no gates or guards monitoring the entrance, please refrain from entering the forest without a permit. You will be fined a substantial amount if caught. Besides, the permit is easy to apply for and quite cheap.

Alternative birding spots nearby?

As mentioned previously, there are several birding hotspots located near Perdik:

1. Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest, located in the adjacent valley north of Perdik. 
2. Gunung Nuang Recreational Forest, which is about 8 km away.

Conclusion

Despite not being as famous as its neighbour, Perdik Recreational Forest is definitely a worthy birding destination. A variety of lowland birds may be seen here, including rarely-seen ones such as the Umber Flycatcher. Best of all, Perdik is still relatively pristine and sparsely visited even on weekends, so birders can truly escape city life and enjoy the sights and sounds that nature has on offer.