Timah Tasoh Lake

Timah Tasoh was formed in the early 1990s by damming two rivers north of Kangar for water supply and flood control, and it covers about thirteen square kilometres of shallow water with the limestone hills of the Nakawan range behind it. Because it is shallow and was flooded over farmland and scrub, dead trees still stand out of the surface in stands, which gives it a distinctive look and provides perches for birds - and birds are the reason most people who come deliberately come at all: herons, egrets, terns, raptors, and migratory waterfowl through the northern winter, including species scarce elsewhere in the peninsula. There is a dam road, a few fishing spots and a park with a jetty. Sunset behind the hills is the other draw, and it is a local evening habit.

What you actually see

• Drowned trees standing in water - stands of dead trunks used as bird perches.
• A long bird list - herons, terns, raptors and winter migrants on the shallows.
• Limestone hills behind - the Nakawan range closing the northern shore.
• The dam and jetty - the fishing spots and evening viewpoints.

When to go

All year; migrants November to March; evenings for the light. Half a day.

Honest expectations

There is little infrastructure and no boat hire on a regular basis. Water levels change with the season and can leave mud. It is exposed and very hot in the middle of the day.

Nearby

Kangar is south; Gua Kelam and Perlis State Park are north.