MARCH 11 is the official launching of Tanjung Tuan Raptor Watch. Tanjung Tuan, previously known as Cape Ricardo, is on the border of Negri Sembilan and Malacca.
The land protrusion is in Malacca. It is a sharp cape supporting a low hill of 274m high.
It is the only hill on the coast for many kilometres.
The hill is forested and retains what is left of a tiny marine park.
It is a spot that creates turbulence, updraft and is a forest for resting.
During migration, with the long journey, raptors do not waste their energy flying.
Instead they rise to the optimum altitude and, with the help of thermal and prevailing winds, they glide to their next destination.
In this crossing of the Straits of Malacca, the birds will wait for the morning sun to heat up the land that surrounds Pulau Rupat and then ride the thermal wind to ascend to the ideal height before gliding across.
This is a long sea journey and the sea does not create updrafts.
Often, the winds carrying the raptors across may subside and the raptors then drop in height and are forced to use their wings to take them across to complete their flight.
This ideal weather condition occurs within a short period and during this time, large numbers gather each morning to wait for that moment, where there is the right amount of thermal wind to lift them to heights over 2,000m.
They then depend on the strong westerly or southwesterly winds to take them across the straits.
These conditions occur each year within a couple of weeks in March like clockwork.
This is the best time for bird enthusiasts and holiday makers to gather and enjoy this phenomenon.
The only problem is Port Dickson’s local council and the Negri Sembilan tourism board are not doing enough to highlight it.
I hope this year, more buntings and banners will be put on display so that more people are aware of the event.
LIONEL PEREIRA,
Kampung Gelam, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan