It will be 1 year now on 8th July 2010

My swiftlet sanctuary will be 1 year old on 8th July 2010. Initially progress had been very slow. Maybe , due to the shape of the entrance and covered roving area which had scared away the swiftlets. The situation had improved now and swiftlets can be seen above the sanctuary chasing one another in the late evening and nests population had increased to 9 Nos. Also a lot of swiftlets were seen returning home at around 7.00 pm to 7.30 pm. The sanctuary also had some bad luck. It had been broken in thrice. The first time nothing was taken. the 2nd time 2 water pumps were taken away and the 3rd time which happened about 3 weeks ago, the burglers took away one amplifier and a few nests. Had also being spraying the sanctuary with EM and it seems to have attract more swiftlets staying in the sanctuary. While in the sanctuary last Friday, 2 swiftlets came flying in to play at around 1.30 pm. I have also have been testing my own homemade aroma which I called Ecstasy on certain parts of the sanctuary and will be monitoring the response. I sprayed this aroma directly on the nesting planks.

Ecstasy

Nest marking

Nest at corner and above tweeter

Nest marking at corner

Nest above tweeter

Nest marking

Nest forming above tweeter at corner

Nest already well formed

Nest at corner

Padlock dismantled by bugler

Padlock cover slightly ripped by bugler.

Nests starting to appear

After 8 months and 10 days nests had started to appear, 1 almost fully developed. anotehr almost a half nest and 2 more just markings forming the nest base. . Birdshits!!. Well there a alot already. Hopefully more will be coming though a bit slow to our liking. There's a Malay saying, "Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jadi bukit". Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Amost a full nest

Almost a half nest

Nest base

Another nest base

7 months on, Slowly but Surely

Today, 07.02.2010, is exactly 7 months since I started switching on the sound to my swiftlet sanctuary. When I entered the sanctuary this morning, to my surprise there is a nest base at the corner of the nesting planks on the 3rd. Floor. In my earlier post, I had reported that I discovered a nest base but that was a false alarm as the base did not show any progress but this time it is for real. The past 3 months had been the month of slow growth everywhere where very few swiftlets were seen in the sky and even in the birdhouses. I just visited a birdhouse in Hulu Besut and the owners had been complaining about the slow progress for the past months but to their surprise when they visited the birdhouse yesterday after 2 weeks being away, there were 5 new nest bases. This shows that the breeding season is on and more nests and babies are on the way. In my sanctuary, I discovered a lot of bird shits on the 2nd and 3rd Floor, mostly below the tweeters, but so far only 1 nest base above the bird shit. I am positive that more nests will come with the breeding season already started. Most of the bird shits are on the 3rd Floor which is the brightest of the the 3 Floors. This would just dispel the myth that swiftlets like to stay in dark places.

1st. nest base at corner and besides tweeter

Bird shits above tweeter

Bird shits above tweeter

Bird shits above tweeter

Bird shits above tweeter

Bird shits above tweeter

1st. nest base

After more than 3 weeks not going into the sanctuary, I went in yesterday and to my surprise there is already a nest base on the 3rd. floor and quite a number of bird shit spots on the 3rd floor and 2nd. Floor. 1 bird was on the the 2nd Floor when I went in at about 11.25 a.m. However, it flew out. It has been about 5 months since the sound was played in this sanctuary. Earlier on, it seems as if the birds are scared to come in due to the cave-like shape of the entrance and roving room which the birds are not familiar with. However with some modifications to the tweeters and opening of another entrance hole, it seems to be performing better now. At least the birds had started to make nest with one nest base observed on the 3rd . floor.

New entrance opening

1st, nest base on the 3rd. Floor

Bird shits

Bird shits

Bird shits

Bird shits

Bird shits

Bird shits

Bird shits

Unique project got a boost and showing encouraging progress.

Due to the unpredictable temperature in the birdhouse which goes up to 36 Celcius during hot days, the owner had decided to install 2 nos of ultrasonic humidifier about a month ago. With this addition, the birdhouse seems to be showing very encouraging results. More birds were seen circling and entering the birdhouse during morning and late evening and inside the birdhouse more shit spots were observed and nest markings increase to 3 from 2. 2 of the markings are on styrofoam placed on the nesting planks.

Ultrasonic humidifier

Nest above the styrofoam

Another nest above the styrofoam

STAR METRO

Friday October 30, 2009

Entrepreneurs want a one-stop centre

By OH ING YEEN

A one-stop centre for issuing licences and permits relating to the bird’s nest industry will benefit entrepreneurs if it is given the green light.

This was one of the resolutions discussed by the Asia Bird’s Nest Conference recently.

Currently, the farmers have to apply for a premises licence from the local council to build the bird house and then apply for a harvesting licence from the Wildlife Department.

More than 250 participants from various states took part in the two-day swiftlet workshop held at the Paya Indah Wetlands, Dengkil. It was the third and last in a series of workshops that began in 2008.

The objective of the workshop was to get feedback from participants who had ventured into the industry and to discuss the problems they face and come up with solutions.

Other resolutions that were discussed include:

URGING the government to prepare complete guidelines for the industry; Research collaboration bet-ween the government and industry players should be created or continued and government consultancy services provided, if needed; and recognising the industry as an expanding one to market the products through a standardised brand name.

Halim Kepol, 44, from Batu Pahat, got to know about the industry from friends and the Internet and has spent RM135,000 building a bird house.

“I’m interested in this industry as I feel it has the potential to succeed.

“The workshop provided us a platform to discuss swiftlet-related issues and I’ve learnt a lot from the workshops,” he said.

Another participant Abu Hussin, a retiree, said the swiftlet business was booming in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

“It’s a good opportunity as there is guidance and aid provided for swiftlet nest entrepreneurs.

“Moreover, there’s not much competition and the risk is low,” he said.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Rasid Samsudin said Perhilitan’s role was mainly in conservation.

When asked for his comments about Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s call to ban swiftlet farming, he said the industry should not be discouraged but should be controlled.

“It has to be done on agricultural land, away from the urban areas,” he said.

A total of 16 public awareness programmes have been carried out from 2008 till June this year.

Seeking Divine Intervention

Ever since I started the design on the swiftlet sanctuary I always have a Buddha statue in mind as part of the hardscape for the garden in front of the dog kennel roving room. I have built a concrete platform for that purpose. While sourcing for the statue I had put a jungle fern in its place. Yesterday, I managed to secure the statue from a friend at the Vihara. It was about 1 feet high though I would prefer a bigger one about 2 feet high. However, this is the best gift that I had ever received. Today, the statue is put at the predetermined place and I have moved the jungle fern to the corner of the pool in front of the dog kennel roving room.

Harry in one of his posts had talked of someone who used the Buddha Statue to lure the swiftlets to enter his birdhouse and it seems to work. Though this is not my main intention, I sincerely hope and pray to Lord Buddha to let my swiftlet sanctuary be a true home to all swiftlets and swiftlets will reciprocate by making lots of nest for me and my partner.



To the Lord Buddha, here's my prayers.

• Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato samma sambuddhasa
• Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato samma sambuddhasa
• Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato, samma sambuddhasa
• Buddham saranam gacchami,
• Dhammam saranam gacchami,
• Sangham saranam gacchami.
• Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami,
• Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami,
• Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami.
• Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami,
• Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami,
• Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami.

  Meaning:

  • Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The Supremely Enlightened One
  • Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The Supremely Enlightened One
  • Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The Supremely Enlightened One
  • I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
  • I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
  • I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
  • For the second time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
  • For the second time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
  • For the second time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
  • For the third time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
  • For the third time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
  • For the third time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.

Its Blog Action Day '09 Today

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 will be one of the largest-ever social change events on the web.

Bloggers and everyone else for that matter have to become responsible and global-minded citizens. While we still have leaders who want to do the right thing, Big Oil, Coal, Finance, Agriculture and even Big Politics (to cite a few examples) continue to pursue narrow short-term and self-serving agendas, and actively conceal and spin the truth.

So it’s up to us to live in a way that promotes values and practices which will perpetuate a balanced and healthy life for all of us, and the planet. The era of indulgence and self-interest is over. It’s now so evident that humans are all one living organism with each other and the planet in undeniable symbiosis, that hopefully this will propel cooperation, consideration and the sustainability of the future.

Let's take action NOW on climate change, Go to www.blogactionday.org and get yourself registered

Sour Grapes

This is what Wikipedia says:

Sour grapes is an expression originating from the Aesop Fable The Fox and the Grapes. It always refers to an unattainable goal and human reaction to it. It can mean to deny desire for the unattainable item. More often, it refers to the nature of humans to rationalize why they wouldn't want it anyway. The phrase has come to be synonymous with bitterness in most modern contexts.

and this is what I found in Thesauraus.com.

Main Entry:	sour grapes
Part of Speech:	noun
Definition:	affected scorn
Synonyms:	bad-mouthing, derogation, disappointment, disparagement, ill-will, resentment

The sour grapes that I am referring to are my readers who had been making sarcastic comments and dare not reveal their identity. I am sure it also happened to my fellow bloggers like Harry and James. We are here blogging because of our interest and passion for swiftlet farming and we are not out to offend or mislead anybody. Readers who feel uneasy about any of the writings in this blog can just close the blog.

I would like to post a comment which I received on 18th September 2009 for all to judge whether this person who makes the comment is a sour grape. First of all he chose to remain anonymous. The 2nd thing is his English is lousy and the 3rd thing he is not so clever. I never write anything about either the external sound or the internal sound and he had the chick to say that I do not know how to fix the tweeter in a proper way and I am talking cock. I only show a photo of a tweeter with nest marking on it.

Here is Mr. Anonymous comment which I had rejected from publishing in my post 'Unique project after 6 months showing positive sign'.

'a person even dont know how to fix an tweeter in an proper way wanted to talk cock in web' - Anonymous

An tweeter?? An proper way??. First of all where did you learn your English and hope you polish up your English before making further comments and if you make comments the next time, please have the guts to put down your real name or known nick name.

Just would like to ask Mr. Anonymous where did you learn to fix tweeters. It can be in series or in parallel but for me it doesn't matter as long as the sound is audible and clear. If my sound is not good and wrongly fixed why then the swiftlet has started to make nest above the tweeter.

A word of advice to you Mr. Anonymous. There is a saying, Many Roads Lead to Rome. Having gone to one or two seiminars and having read a few swiftlet books doesn't mean that what you have learnt everything and all are correct and whatever that differ from what you know are all wrong. Swiftlet farming or whatever you want to call it, is both an art and a science. In science it is definite and systematic but in art it is skill, innovation and creativity. Nobody until now dare to say that they can make the swiftlets build a certain number of nests over a certain period of time and guarantee it. Not the money back guarantee. My dear Mr. Anonymous, 80% still failed in swiftlet framing and only 20% had succeeded so far. So, its better you shut up and don't ever visit my blog again if you have nothing good to say or to contribute. Ask yourself whether you have talked cock or I talk cock. You are really a chicken who hide under the name of ANONYMOUS. Hope the next time if you ever comment again, you will reveal your identity. Be Gentlemanlah.

CHEERS TO ALL MY READERS AND SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN TO ALL MY MUSLIM FRIENDS

My Roof Top Garden and My Swiftlet Sanctuary

Yesterday, my kids managed to collect some water lilies and fishes from a nearby swamp. These water lilies and fishes were put into my roof top pond to enhance my roof top garden which had started blooming with plants. My sanctuary is in the 2nd month running. There are many swiftlets swarming above and only after 7.00 pm did some swiftlets came down low to circle the roving area and enter the sanctuary through this garden enclosure. So far, there isn't much bird shit spots yet. . All the conditions seems to be right now. All the minor leakages and related problems had been repaired and overcomed and the pond had been waterproofed by the expert. The roving area had been made darker by a coat of black aroma paint. The sounds have been good. The temperature and humidity have been excellent. (see photo below). Let's be patient and wait for another month to see the progress.

Roof top garden with pool and fountain

Fish and water lilies

Water lilies

Water lily close up

Water lily close up

My kid ready to go fishing

One of my kids catching fish and collecting water lilies as well

Temperature and humidity on 3rd. Floor

Mega birdhouses in KT

This is a story about 'from rags to riches'. The persons who build these birdhouses started with a humble beginning. One is a backhoe driver and another a construction machinery and equipment mechanic and both teamed up to set up a mobile crane hiring company which later expanded into piling. For the past 20 odd years they had been busy doing jobs all over the country and due to their hard work and diligence, they had managed to amass a fortune which they invested in a property in BR in the outskirt of Kuala Terengganu. In this property they first started to build their workshops, office and precast concrete piling factory. When they started planning their workers quarters they had the birdhouse in mind and they finally constructed a massive 5 storey BH with the lower 2 floors as their staff living quarters. Not satisfied with one, they built another 5 storey birdhouse next door. And still not satisfied, they build another 6 storey birdhouse nearby. I am sure they know what is best for them. Rather than putting their fortune in FD or shares, they prefer the passive income from birdnest. Let us wish both of them the best of luck and may both of you be blessed with good fortune.

This is the 1st birhouse built in the property. The 1st 2 floors are living quarters for the staff.

This is the 2nd birdhouse built in the same property. All 5 floors are birdhouses

This is the 3rd and latest addition built in the same property. It is 6 storey building The ground floor is left vacant. Observe the sleek and stylish polycarbonate roof covering the dog kennel roving room. Also, there is another entrance on the 4th. Floor. This is neccessary as swiftlets might get lost or would not go to the lower floor as the number of floors exceed three and the LALs are not arranged as one air well.

2nd Anniversary of Tirok Swiftlet Farm

13th September 2009 marked the 2nd anniversary of Tirok Swiftlet Farm. It has been a long journey to come to this far. This was the first farm in Kg. Tirok and since then 12 farms have been in operation and a few more is coming up. Kg. Tirok is on the swiftlets path and also one of the feeding grounds but is not been popular choice for swiftlet farmers as growth has been slow compared to other areas such as Wakaf Tapai, Telemong and Kuala Berang. As on 12th September 2009, the nest counts stands at 138, of which 69 had been harvested. Whether this is a success or failure, lets keep an open mind. What I can tell the readers is that I was at the farm yesterday at around 6.30 p.m there are a lot of young swiftlets flying around and entering the farm. To tell the truth, to go this far is not an easy task. It is not just sitting down and relax. I have to do a lot of reading, books and articles and the blogs in the internet helps. I would like thank Harry for giving so much information in the net. However you have to take the information at face value and you have the right not to follow what he preaches. You have to use your own judgement and a lot of common sense. Low Yat Net is also a good forum. Many are unselfish to share their information especially West Wing but there are some who are 'rotten' and cannot take criticism.

The macros and micros are important besides the sound, both external and internal. Aromas do play a part but this is subjective. Other than that, the most important is observation. Keep on monitoring from outside and inside to see that everything is in order.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Unique project after 6 months showing positive sign

I had mentioned that I had commissioned a unique project in my 29th February 2009 post and in my 20th April 2009 post I mentioned I had to report to the management of this birdhouse monthly on the progress made and I created an inspection form for that purpose. I have been doing the inspection almost every month and reporting to them. It had been quite a long wait. For the last five (5) month, there were bird shit spots but no nest markings . However, on my last visit yesterday, I was happy to see one (1) new bird shit spot located at a brighter part of the birdhouse and two (2) newly-built nest markings. This to me is a great relieve because this bird house is in a roof with roof trusses all over and I had build the shelter in the center which is free of trusses. This shelter is in the central swiftlet district and the growth is supposed to be quite fast but I am experiencing a slightly slow growth partly due to the swiftlets adapting to the new surrounding which is different from the others around. I also have difficulty controlling the temperature and humidity especially during the hot days eventhough the roof had been insulated with double sided aluminium paper and woodwool. I had made improvements by sealing all the sides of roof making the roof darker and also making variation in temperature and humidity lesser between day time and night. I had been using water fountain and not the taiwan type humidifier previously because of the wetness which will damage the ceiling below. I will be recommending the ultrasonic humidifiers to the management so as to improve the temperature and humidity.