Woodlands Height 28Feb26

From KH

Chestnut-cheeked Starling was reported on 24 Feb at Woodlands Height. This sent the entire birding community, including me and the Lau family, to this part of Singapore that birders rarely visit.

Firstly, at about 7pm, the first small flock of Daurian Starlings came circling the field. As more and more flocks joined in, at about 7:15pm, a spectacle was formed: a starling murmuration.

Flight shots were difficult in the fading light, but here's one of them. Any cheeky starling inside??

Some roosted on a tree, joined by Javan Mynas.

After the flight show, the search for the rarity began. Soon, just before 8pm, Frank spotted one in his scope by the ramp. Initially, it was mostly blocked by Daurian Starling.

Then, it moved and bingo! Bird behind, with chestnut on face, grey flank contrasting with white belly.

As the crowd gathered, security came to chase people away.

The search for cheeky continued on ground level. On a tree at the roundabout, Frank spotted another one at about 8:15pm. Bottom bird.

Finally, as the crowd dispersed, the few diehards stayed on and was rewarded with a different bird with a thin chestnut breastband.

With 3 birds in the bag, time to go.

Pasir Ris Park 28Feb26

From KH

Danny and I went to Pasir Ris Park today.

A Himalayan Cuckoo was first reported here on 19 Feb. Glad that it was still around after more than a week.

Here, eating an Asian Weaver Ant queen.

Poor cuckoo was shouted at not only by the locals, like these Swinhoe's White-eyes, and sunbirds.

But also migrants like this Yellow-browed Warbler, and also Asian Brown Flycatcher!

Also around was an adult Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo. Similarly, it was shouted at by white-eyes and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

All these happening in the vicinity of the Crested Goshawk nest in a Rain Tree.

OHB also seen in the vicinity.

Another cuckoo, a Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, was having a more peaceful time.

Female Brown-throated Sunbird was too busy sipping nectar from these pink flowers.

Female Ornate Sunbird was also busy sipping nectar from these light pink flowers.

The Oriental Pied-Hornbill couple was also too busy preening themselves.

Sungei Serangoon 23Feb26

From KH

Morning walk at Sungei Serangoon reveal a shy Chestnut-winged Cuckoo. So shy that it's almost impossible to take a clear shot with my phone.

Asian Openbill was more cooperative.

Seletar West 16Feb26

From KH

Usual birds at Seletar Park Connector.

At Rower's Bay Park a very tired/sick Asian Openbill didn't flinch even when I moved near for a handphone shot.

Then a juvenile pale CHE decided to perch nicely in front of me.

Botanic Gardens 14Feb26

From KH

The 3rd SG record of Fairy Pitta was first reported on 31 Jan 2026 at SBG Rainforest, but all of us have seen the previous ones before, so of all days, we chose V Day to pay it a visit.

When I arrived, Con was already on-site. Soon the bird showed nicely in front of the horde.

The Lau family arrived later and got the bird as well.

Collared Scops-Owl couple roosting at Raffles Building carpark.

Red-whiskered Bulbuls also paired up.

Spotted Dove feeding on Crepe Ginger seed.

Many dragons and damsels at the cascading falls.

Crimson Dropwing. Spine-tufted Skimmer.

Previously Blue Sprite (Pseudagrion microcephalum), now Pseudagrion siamese.

Seletar Park Connector 12Feb26

From KH

Lots of activities at Seletar Park Connector today.

First, Pink-necked Green-Pigeons gorging on figs.

Male. Female.

Then, Rose-ringed Parakeets feeding on Creeping Cucumbers on a White Leadtree. Skunk Vine growing on the same leadtree.

Lots of Asian Openbills, including this one showing off its deshelled snail.

Shy OHB.

Not-so-shy Sunda Woodpecker.

Not-at-all-shy Large-tailed Nightjar, showing itself in broad daylight on a railing!

In a tree just beside the toilet, a pair of Little Bronze-Cuckoos were harassed by sunbirds, both Ornate and Brown-throated.

Male Little Bronze-Cuckoo. Female harassed by immature male Brown-throated Sunbird.

Male (left) and female Ornate Sunbirds.

Tree in which all the commotion happened.

Asian Brown Flycatcher just came to see what the whole commotion was about.

Arctic Warbler in the tree.

And Oriental Reed-Warbler in the reeds.

Male Ashy Tailorbird hanging out in the reeds too.

Swinhoe's White-eye foraging on Sea Almond.

Other animals included this butterfly, Common Mormon .

This rhino beetle.

Other trees here included this Earpod Wattle Acacia auriculiformis.