This blog records birding adventures of a not-so-secret group of Singapore birders. The main cast is Con Foley, Danny Lau, Lau Jia Sheng and Tan Kok Hui. We mainly bird in Singapore. We also occasionally bird around the world.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Hampstead Wetland 13Mar26
From KH
Male Oriental Pied-Hornbill proudly declaring his home at Baker Street's Hampstead Wetland.
Introduced Violet Turaco hanging out with local Asian Glossy Starlings.
Male Asian Koel enjoying fruity breakfast.
Yellow-vented Bulbul and juvenile Ornate Sunbird prefer this tree.
Seletar Park Connector 12Mar26
From KH
The usual gang of Grey Heron, Medium Egrets and Little Egrets were joined by Javan Mynatoday.
Asian Openbill feeling jaded.
But later, welcomed by the gang too.
Juvenile pale Changeable Hawk-Eagle harassed by a murder of House Crows.
Black-browed Reed-Warbler showed itself briefly in the reeds.
Smooth Otter spraint, i.e., poop, so stinko.
Dragon-Scale Fern with sori, the cluster of spores.
Lantana in bloom.
Burmese Fishtail-Palm bearing fruits.
Seletar Park Connector 10Mar26
From KH
So sad to witness the final moments of this Asian Openbilltoday. On the way in, it could still lift its head to look at me. On the way out, it was totally unresponsive. R.I.P.!
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Dairy Farm, Hindhede 07Mar26
From KH
Danny and I started the day's birding at Dairy Farm Nature Park. Often heard only, so it's nice to see a pair of Straw-headed Bulbuls here.
Nice to see a Sunda Colugo too.
Even nicer to see my first Spiny Orb-weaver Spider (Gasteracantha diadesmia).
Male Pink-necked Green-Pigeon: should I eat Singapore Rhododendrum or Sandpaper Vine?
Female Oriental Pied-Hornbill: honey, should we use this hole in the heritage Rain Tree?
Blue-throated Bee-eater on a clean perch.
Large-billed Crow perched high up.
Seletar Park Connector 05Mar26
From KH
The usual Grey Heron, Medium Egrets and Little Egrets were joined by an Asian Openbill for breakfast buffet at Seletar Park Connector.
Collared Kingfisher perched on railing.
Lineated Barbet perched on Sea Almond.
Yellow-vented Bulbul on a clean perch.
Malaysian Pied-Fantail, a very confiding bird.
Monday, July 6, 2026
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.