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RAFFLESIA FOREST RESERVE

BORNEO
LOCALE

Area (ha):356
Altitude (m):1350
# Species*:98
# Excl Vagrants*:98
# Endemics*:2
# Near Endemics*:31
Species/100 ha*:27.5
*Based on partial or incomplete data.
Habitat: Middle elevation oak, chestnut, & Dipterocarp forest

ABOUT THE BIRDING

Rafflesia Forest Reserve is a middle elevation site in the Crocker Range of northern Sabah, Borneo, situated en route to Mt Kinabalu National Park. The reserve is most famous for the Rafflesia plant, the world's largest carnivorous plant with a massive flower on the rare occasions when it is in bloom, normally between March and June. Birding is possible along the road or along a trail leading into the forest to the Rafflesia site. Small fruiting trees near the information center often attract birds such as Cinnamon-rumped Trogon, Mountain Barbet, Bornean Barbet, Whitehead's Broadbill, Sunda Laughingthrush, and Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush. On occasion the prized Whitehead's Spiderhunter puts in an appearance. Other birds of special interest not likely to be found higher up Mt. Kinabalu are Bornean Bulbul, Fruit-hunter, and Bornean Leafbird. Possible raptros of interest include Jerdon's Baza, Mountain Serpent-Eagle, and Blyth's Hawk-Eagle.

LOCATION OF SITE

Rafflesia Forest Reserve is located near the small town of Tambunan, about one hour's drive from Kota Kinabalu en route to Mt Kinabalu National Park.