In mid-December of 2021, I finally managed to do some bird watching at Batang Tiga paddy fields, which is quite near the Melaka city area.
Those birding in Melaka for the first time should consider this place as it is convenient and easy to access from the city area and, you can easily spend a few hours in the morning here.
Melaka Bird Watching at Batang Tiga Paddy Fields
Batang Tiga is quite a large area divided into rice paddy fields and the local kampung. This allows a healthy balance of nature and civilization combined into one location.
How this place got its name is also a mystery as there is no general information, but I suspect that the name Batang Tiga comes from the tri-junction of Klebang and this place.
Recently, there has been some interest in birding in this part of Melaka as one of the birding clubs made a trip here to spot some of the paddy field birds. Since then, several birding enthusiasts have also made their way here individually.
What Birds Can Be Seen At Batang Tiga Paddy Fields?
As for birds to be spotted here, ranging from the common water birds to the general small to medium-sized birds, and of course, the birds of prey like kites, eagles and hawks.
For this birding session, I went there at around 7.00 AM and spent about three hours exploring just one main area of the paddy fields here and saw a decent number of birds, as I have listed below.
My Bird List at Batang Tiga Paddy Fields, Melaka
- Pink-necked Green Pigeon
- Blue-tailed Bee Eaters
- White-throated Kingfisher
- White-headed Munia
- Scaly-breasted Munia
- Chestnut Munia
- Brown Shrike
- House Crow
- Javan Myna
- Common Myna
- Black-winged Kite
- Spotted Dove
- Asian Glossy Starling
- Black-naped Oriole
- Yellow-vented Bulbul
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow
- Pied Harrier
- Oriental Magpie Robin
- Pond Heron
- Little Egret
- Oriental Darter
- Great Egret
- Red-wattled Lapwing
- Common Sandpiper
Birds at Batang Tiga Melaka
Where is Batang Tiga in Melaka?
Batang Tiga is a local village area which is in Bukit Rambai district, closer to Tanjung Kling and by the main Jalan Klebang Besar/Kecil coastal road.
The paddy fields here are shared with the Bukit Rambai area and are surrounded by many local kampungs. There are several local homestays available all over this place too.
The easiest access and landmark is via the Jalan Klebang Besar/Klebang Kecil main coastal road and then turning in at the junction where the Batang Tiga Police Station is located.
Once you head into that road named Jalan Batang Tiga, drive for about one kilometre and keep your eyes on the left side, and you will see the various rice paddy fields. There are small roads that lead into the paddy fields there.
Best Time to Visit Batang Tiga for Birdwatching
Well, anytime is a great time, but mornings and evenings are some of the best times to visit this place. I prefer early mornings at about 7.00 AM. Try not to come after 11.00 AM because it can get scorching here.
When I visited in January 2022, the paddy was green, towards the end, where it will soon turn golden in February for harvesting. I guess from December to March is a good time, but I will need to go once again and see how it is.
Conclusion
You can do this solo or as a small group for anyone who plans to do some bird watching at Batang Tiga paddy fields in Melaka. The place is overall very safe, and the locals here are amiable.
You will often bump into the paddy field caretakers who frequently move around the area on their motorbikes. There have been birders coming here recently, and the locals are used to seeing people with cameras and binoculars.
