Raptor Watch 2026 at Tanjung Tuan – Raptors, Marine Life and Fungi, one discovery weekend.

Received: 15 March 2026 / Accepted: 15 June 2025
@mnsselangorbranch.org

Introduction

The annual Raptor Watch festival at Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve in Port Dickson is back on 14th and 15th March 2026. It celebrates the arrival of migratory birds of prey, commonly referred to as raptors, as they make their way back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere, with aims to promote awareness about the conservation of raptors and their habitats.

It is exciting to share that the MNS Selangor Branch’s Mycology Group (Mycology SIG) has put together a fantastic lineup of activities aimed at helping everyone understand, appreciate, and conserve fungi, raptors, and marine life. This includes a mushroom exhibition, cultivation guidance, guided walks focused on fungi, and a marine night walk, all leading up to the highlight event of counting raptors at the Cape Rachado Lighthouse.

The event is being co-hosted by Loon Yit Hong, who co-founded Mycology SIG, Dr. Chan Pik Kuen, the founder of Nature Pick and Blooming Mushroom, and Kent Leong, the founder of The Beach School.

Event Highlights

MNSSB Mycology SIG Group committee members and volunteers of Raptor Watch 2026.

From the left, Yee Chun Wah, Allie Cheong Mei Yik, Doreen Owee, Cheah Lan Shy, Jacqueline Low, Loon Yit Hong, Azamuddeen Nasir, Max Bambang Loo, Lenny Wong, Wong Wei Fong and Dr.Chan Pik Kuen.

(Photo by Khor Hong Beng)

Safety briefing and fungi explanation by Azamuddeen Nasir and Loon Yit Hong prior to the fungi guided walk. 

(Photo by Wong Wei Fong)

Mushroom hunt and identification by Loon Yit Hong, co-founder of MNSSB Mycology SIG. 

(Photo by Wong Wei Fong).

Mushroom cultivation guidance by Dr.Chan Pik Kuen, founder of Nature Pick and Blooming Mushroom. 

(Photo by Wong Wei Fong)

Mushroom guided walk by Azamuddeen Nasir, committee member of MNSSB Mycology SIG.

(Photo by Loon Yit Hong)

Briefing at MNSSB Mycology booth prior to the fungi guided walk. (Photo by Wong Wei Fong).

Cordyceps spp. specimens at exhibition booth (Photo by Jacqueline Low).

Some cultivated yellow and pink oyster mushrooms at exhibition booth (Photos by Jacqueline Low).

A cultivated milky white cap mushrooms at exhibition booth (Photo by Loon Yit Hong).

A wild Pleurotus giganteus mushroom with and without florescent under UV light (Photos by Loon Yit Hong).

   

Wild Sanguinoderma rugosum mushrooms and photographing technique with cellphone. 

(Photo by Jacqueline Low).

A “wefie” of Loon Yit Hong (left) and Wong Shea Hong (right), MNSSB Bird Group Coordinator.

A “wefie” of Loon Yit Hong (left) and Lim Koon Hup (right), an experience botanist from MNS Selangor Branch.

Dragnet technique demonstration and marine specimens’ identification by Kent Leong, founder of The Beach School. 

(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)

    

A large salp specimen with and without florescent under UV lights 

(Photos by Loon Yit Hong)

Acknowledgement

Loon Yit Hong (Event Organizer and MNSSB Mycology Lead Coordinator)
Jacqueline Low (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Azamuddeen Nasir (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Lenny Wong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Dr.Chan Pik Kuen (Founder of Nature Pick and Blooming Mushroom)
Kent Leong (Founder of The Beach School)
¹Luca Pilia (Mycologist & MNSSB Committee Member)
²Joseph Pallante (Amateur Mycologist)
Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB)
Event volunteers: Wong Wei Fong, Yee Chun Wah, Doreen Owee, Cheah Lan Shy, Alyaa, Max Bambang Loo. Khor Hong Beng and Allie Cheong Mei Yik.
Event participants and families.

Sponsors

Malaysian Nature Society
Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Melaka
Jabatan Perhilitan Negeri Melaka
Tourism Melaka.