Report: How to become a hornbill hero (WW01)
Text: HY Leong
Edited by: Aiden
As part of the Celebrating the Birds of TTDI programme organised by MNS Selangor Branch, we had the inaugural Wild Wonders workshop on December 29, 2024. Held in conjunction with Taman Tun Dr Ismail’s 50th Anniversary, the event provided a fun and educational experience for six children and their parents.
On the invitation of Majlis Perwakilan Penduduk Wilayah Persekutuan Sub Zone 2 Parlimen Segambut, and in collaboration with TTDI Edible Community Garden, MNS Selangor Branch organised and facilitated a workshop for pre-schoolers & parents during TTDI's Golden Jubilee.
Held on the grounds of Dewan MPP, TTDI, there were outdoor and indoor activities to get the pre-schoolers to learn about the iconic hornbills, of which, the Oriental Pied Hornbill has been sighted in TTDI previously.
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| Checking in at the MNS Selangor Branch counter for Wild Wonders. Photo: Choo Li Hsian |
Participants were encouraged to wear earth-toned clothing, bring mosquito repellent, and come prepared with snacks, water, and craft-friendly attire.
Highlights
Guided Birdwatching: Led by Ramon, participants engaged in a morning birdwatching session, aiming to spot the Hornbill. Birds were very active in the morning. The birds which stayed long enough to be admired included the Great Myna (Acridotheres grandis), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis), Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) and the House Swift (Apus nipalensis).
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| Photo: Choo Li Hsian |
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| Photo: Choo Li Hsian |
Creative Arts and Crafts: Led by Li Hsian, kids got to craft and colour a Rhinoceros Hornbill, with prizes awarded to the top two most creative designs. Later, together with their parents, they made and decorated pairs of binoculars, blending creativity with functionality.
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| Parents help their children to make the Rhinoceros Hornbill. Photo: Ramon Fadli |
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| Mentor Choo Li Hsian readies the paint. Photo: Ramon Fadli |
Interactive Bird Talk: Initially,
avid birder Mark Ng was to deliver the presentation, but at the last
minute withdrew with apology as he was unwell to attend. MNS Selangor Branch Bird Group’s secretary and avid birder Liu Lai Wah volunteered to step in and deliver an engaging talk titled "Bird ID 101" using Mark's slides with some modification, and this was followed by a Q&A session. Then a quiz - where the first kid who raised hands with the correct answer won a Glow-in-the-Dark silicone wristband. Five Glowbands were sponsored by MNS Selangor Branch's Climate Action Kids Engagement (CAKE) programme.
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| Bird ID talk presented by Liu Lai Wah. Photo: HY Leong |
Closing Ceremony: The event concluded with the newly minted Hornbill Heroes receiving exclusive hornbill stickers designed by the MNS Hornbill Conservation Project.
Judges Ramon and Li Hsian had a tough time choosing the two most creative hornbill crafts because all the kids put in so much effort.
In the end, Hana won second place and received a White-crowned Hornbill lapel pin, while Owen took first place, winning a Rhinoceros Hornbill t-shirt. The prizes were generously sponsored by the MNS Selangor Branch Bird Group.
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| Second prize winner. Photo: Liu Lai Wah | |
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| 1st prize winner. Photo: Liu Lai Wah |
Thank you to the mentors, kids and parents for making Wild Wonders debut a successful and fun workshop!
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| Wild Wonders mentors Choo Li Hsian (far left, kneeling) and Ramon Fadli (far right, kneeling) with participants showing off the binoculars they made. Photo: Chan Swee Peng |
Additional Details
Wild Wonders is a new nature education workshop/programme created for family members of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), conceived by MNS Selangor Branch committee member Leong Hon Yuen. Originally scheduled for launch in 2025, it has been brought forward to coincide with the TTDI Golden Jubilee celebration. While Wild Wonders is primarily for MNS members, it will occasionally be open to non-members for a higher programme fee.
