7. Back to Danau Kaco

Following our successful trip to Danau Kaco for Sumatran Ground Cuckoo we returned to try and see some of the birds we'd missed in our haste to get to the hide at 1st light. 

First up was Ruby-throated Bulbul. A stunning looking bulbul with a black head and a deep ruby read throat contrasting with its greenish yellow body. We heard them easily enough and eventually got good views but no photos. They were extremely flighty - probably as a result of being hunted for the cage bird trade. Another bird we hoped to see was Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher as we'd heard a signing bird on our last visit. 

A real birders bird this and a proper LBJ eventually spotted singing deep in a bamboo thicket! 

Another target species which proved to be surprisingly elusive was the endemic Sumatran Bulbul. On our previous visit we'd staked out several areas where they'd been seen regularly but despite hearing them we couldn't find one! Luck was with us today when Dan suddenly announced he'd got two deep in a tangle of branches. In contrast to the Ruby-throated Bulbul this one was positively dowdy.

Not the most inspiring bird of the trip but still good to catch up with another Sumatran endemic.

Walking slowly up the trail we came across several of these magnificent green lizards which I think are Chameleon Forest Agama's and Sumatran Forest Dragons.

Chameleon Forest Agama

Another bird we'd heard but not seen well was Banded Kingfisher. A species I'd 1st seen in Thailand earlier this year but not particularly well. We managed to track a calling bird down in Danau Kaco and it showed well before disappearing back into the jungle.

We decided to stop at the screen at Hide 2 for a brew as it was also a good spot for Green Pigeon and Sumatran Bulbul. Whilst sitting nursing our black sweet teas a Sumatran Ground Cuckoo called nearby and we eventually saw a pair silently enter the clearing. The male put on a good display but the female, obviously disappointed by the lack of crickets, maintained a low profile and never showed fully.

Me photographing yet another Sumatran Ground Cuckoo

Primates also featured again and this time we were treated to good views of the weirdly named Yellow-handed Mitred Langur. Formerly known as Black-crested Sumatra nLangur these are endemic to Sumatra. 

A great days birding and the guys laid on a fabulous lunch for us before we all posed for a photo against the trail entrance gate before heading for our hotel. Tomorrow would be our last mornings birding before heading on the long journey back to Padang where we'd spend the night before heading back to Malaysia.