Here is a photo of a Striated Heron on Langkawi Island in the northwest of Malaysia. This photo was taken during a quick bird-watching trip to Darulaman Sanctuary, located in Langkawi’s centre.
The Striated Heron (Butorides striata) is not easily spotted. Still, during my birding trip to Darulaman Sanctuary, I managed to spot the bird at a small stream towards the end of my trek.
Striated Heron at Langkawi Malaysia
The striated heron is also known as mangrove heron, little heron or green-backed heron and is a small heron that is only about 44 cm tall.
While checking out some of the local butterflies near a stream at Lubuk Semilang, my bird guide, Fendi, noticed this Striated Heron perched on a rock by the stream.
We observed from a distance, and it looked like it was on a hunting spree, its eyes fixated on the water. Of course, I took many photos and eventually moved closer to get some close-up shots.
However, I had to move slowly to startle the striated heron. At around five meters, the bird noticed me coming and flew away to a nearby tree branch. You can also find the Striated Heron bird at various other locations around Langkawi, but again, as this is pure nature, it all depends on luck.
Where is Darulaman Sanctuary?
Darulaman Sanctuary is located at Lubuk Semilang and in the centre of Langkawi. To get here, you need to use the Jalan Ulu Melaka Road, and you will see a signboard that shows Lubuk Semilang or Langkawi Book Village.
There are a few ways to get here, and if you are self-driving and want to find your own way, you can either rent a car in Langkawi or rent a motorbike to move around.
It takes roughly 20 minutes to drive there from Kuah town or Kuah Jetty, and from Pantai Cenang or Chenang, it takes around the same time. In most cases, you would book your slot with the naturalist before heading here. Also, it is best to book in advance and plan your transportation.
How To Get In Touch With Darulaman Sanctuary?
You need to contact them directly, but this has to be done beforehand as I am unsure how they operate. One of my readers had contacted them a few months before going to Langkawi, but there was no response.
Darulaman Sanctuary (Lubuk Semilang)
Address: Lubuk Semilang Kampung Buku, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Conclusion
My trip here was made on 7 Jan 2020, as I stayed at the Tanjung Rhu Resort for some work and had some free time to check out this new bird-watching place in Langkawi. Overall, I have to say that the Darulaman Sanctuary in Langkawi is one of the lesser-visited natural destinations. It has only been three years since it opened for visitors.
I highly recommend visiting this place if you love nature walks, birds, and butterflies. You may even spot the beautiful striated heron in Langkawi if you are a birdwatcher.
