12 & 13 March, 2010 is raptor watch week at Tanjung Tuan and Ilham Resorts, Port Dickson. Raptor watch actually is a festival to celebrate the return of the migratory birds of prey or better known as raptors on their journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere. Raptor watch is a public event meant to raise awareness on the conservation of raptors and their habitats.

Best time to watch the raptors will be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. In the past there have been records of birds flying as late as 6 p.m. The reason why raptors choose to fly during the hottest period of the day is because they need thermals. Thermals are hot air columns produced by the land due to the heat from the sun. As raptors are very large creatures they require these thermals to help them glide on the sky without using energy to flap their wings. Thermals will assist the raptors in getting them back to their breeding grounds in far northern temperate Asia with minimal usage of energy.

Know about Raptor!
Raptors are birds of prey. Birds that hunt for their food using physical tools such as incredibly good eye sights, very sharp talons (sharp claws) and incredible agility in flight.

Number of Migratory Raptors species visiting Malaysia is about 25 species. Total number of raptors species in the world is 421 [288 diurnal (day raptors) and 133 nocturnal (night raptors)].

Number of Local Raptor Species 46 species (Resident & Migrants). Largest species of Migratory Raptor in Malaysia are the Greater Spotted Eagle while largest species of Local Raptor is White-Bellied Sea Eagle.

Smallest Species of Migratory Raptor is the Eurasian Kestrel (14 inches) and the smallest species of local raptor is Black-thighed Falconet.