Telok Blangah 21Oct24

From KH

When news of Singapore's second Brown-breasted Flycatcher broke, everyone rushed to Telok Blangah Green to tick this rarity, that was first seen yesterday afternoon. Those who went early got the bird and could pack up for work, but I could only arrive on site after lunch appointment.

First, I was fooled by a low-perching Brown-chested Jungle-Flycatcher.

Then, a high-up Dark-sided Flycatcher came.

Even a Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher, which is not even an Old World flycatcher, came.

When there were no birds, we looked at other animals, like this Orange Awlet. Didn't realize there was a snail behind it until I reviewed the photos.

Many cicida molts on the tree trunks. Didn't realize there was a spider behind it until I reviewed the photos.

Finally, at about 4:30pm, the Brown-breasted Flycatcher reappeared at a low perch. Time to pack up.

Punggol Promenade 20Oct24

From KH

Question of the day at Punggol: Why is this fly doing push-ups??

Mt Faber 19Oct24

From KH

I went with Danny to Mount Faber for raptor watch today. I looked just like any other raptor watching days, some Oriental Honey-Buzzards, some Japanese Sparrowhawks, and some unid accipitrine hawks.

Then a female Chinese Sparrowhawk.

And some Pacific Swifts.

Then came the mega. A Bat Hawk in broad daylight! What a redemption, having missed it "by a whisker" more than 15 years ago at MacRitchie!

Telok Blangah 18Oct24

From KH

Raptor watching at Telok Blangah Hill again.

1 of 2 Oriental Honey-Buzzards.

1 of 3 Japanese Sparrowhawks, all juveniles.

Only 1 Chinese Sparrowhawk, an adult.

Resident raptors included this adult Grey-headed Fish-Eagle.

Telok Blangah 16Oct24

From KH

I went raptor watching at Telok Blangah Hill today.

1 of 4 Oriental Honey-Buzzards, an adult male.

Just 1 Chinese Sparrowhawk, a juvenile.

1 of 7 Japanese Sparrowhawks, a juvenile.

1 of 2 White-bellied Sea-Eagle, this one an immature.

When there is no raptor, what does one do? Entertain oneself with other birds.

Common Hill Myna couple showing loving side, when others (juvenile Asian Glossy Starling) are looking.

When no one's looking, they ignore each other.

Adult Asian Glossy Starlings joining to see show.

Lineated Barbet just gorging itself with fruits.

Sungei Buloh 14Oct24

From KH

4 Lesser Adjutants feeding on the mudflat. After having their fill, they flew to the trees.

Mycteria storks hybridize in Singapore. From left to right: closer to Painted Stork, intermediate, closer to Milky Stork.

Faraway Little Egret and Great Egrets for size comparison.

Here are closer Little Egret and Great Egret.

Left to right: Common Sandpiper, Eurasian Whimbrel, Pacific Golden-Plover.

2 PGPs and 2 Whimbrels.

Some of the 73 Whimbrels.

Happy counting some of the 90 Common Redshanks.

Asian Glossy Starling fly by.

Mt Faber 13Oct24

From KH

Danny and I joined the raptor watchers at Mount Faber today.

The first migrant raptor was a Chinese Sparrowhawk, 1 of 3 in total. Here are 2 of them later in the morning.

Next was a Japanese Sparrowhawk. Here are 2 of 16 that came in singles or pairs throughout the morning.

Then came the Oriental Honey-Buzzards. Here's 1 of 11 throughout the morning.

Finally, the star bird, a Besra, made an appearance at 1050hrs. No shutter count from me, but others got photos.

There was also the supporting cast of migrating Pacific Swift, Blue-tailed Bee-eaters and Barn Swallows.