Upcoming CFZ Outings in the Miri area

MNS Miri Branch is going on after sunset rivercruise in September and October. More similar nature trips are being planned for the months of November and December.

Malaysia is one of the few South-East Asian countries with fireflies that congregate on “display trees” along both sides of mangrove-lined rivers. The insects can even be found congregating up to 100m inland from the riverbank where they breed.

As Malaysia is at the centre of the firefly region that stretches from India to Papua New Guinea, we are fortunate to have a relatively high diversity of the insect. Of the over 20 species of fireflies, Malaysia hosts seven.

Of these, the most familiar would be the Pteroptyx tener, also known as the congregating or synchronous firefly.These fireflies typically congregate in groups along riverbanks and synchronise their flashes, thereby creating the light display that so many people gather to witness. (Wong, Sonny:MNS, 2009)

There is every little information if any on fireflies in Sarawak, these outings are a part of a major branch effort to populate fireflies data in the greater Miri area and gain better understanding of firefy population in these rivers.

Outings planned for September and October months:
1) 4WD Nite-cruise in Kpg Bakam, 04th September
2) Rivercruise along Sungai Bakam 25th September (retimed)
3) 4WD Nite-cruise in Lambir area, 02nd October
4) Rivercruise along Sungai Nyalau 09-10th October, this is an overnite trip.
5) Rivercruise along Sungai Sibuti upper reaches 30-31st October, this is an overnight trip.

Join us for an after sunset cruise at these places to checkout fireflies (among other things).

There are limited seats available. Interested participants must bring life-jacket (rivercruise only), and since this is a working trip participants are expected to be able to conduct small assigned tasks while in the boat.

Please email mnsmiri@yahoo.com for details.