Changi 05Nov06

From KH

Attendees: Peck Chan, Dr Yap, Dr Hsu, Ali, Indi and I
Location: Changi Cove and Tanah Merah.

By the time we reached Changi Cove, it was 0800. We all loaded into Indi's landrover and started our roller coaster ride. :) The first interesting bird we encountered was a Common Buzzard.

After chasing it for a distance, we moved on and got really closed to a White-throated Kingfisher which Dr Yap could literally whack it with a long stick while standing right in front of it!

 
Meanwhile a Black Drongo perched high on a nearby tree.

 
Also present were Black-winged Kites and Paddyfield Pipits.

By this time, it was 0900. Indi suggested going to Tanah Merah. However, besides many abandoned weaver nests, there were pretty much nothing else to be had. Nevertheless, it was interesting to know that there are actually tracks in here. By 1000, Indi had to leave and we went back to Changi to carry on birding. Black-winged Kites were attempting to mate. However, they were probably too shy to continue with 5 pairs of eye staring at them!



Red collared Doves were everywhere.

While trying to get close to them for better shots, Ali spotted a Black-headed Munia amongst a flock of Scaly-breasted Munias. Heading for the sandy coast, a Purple Heron was flushed by our approaching car. However, as it was high tide, we could not locate any waders. Moreover, there were many fishermen along the coast. Finally, at the sandy canal, we had an Eastern Marsh-harrier, a flock of 11 Indian Silverbills and another Black Drongo. We could have gone to the rocky shore where the waders should be resting during high tide if not for the on going construction.

Indian Silverbills, escapees

It was a new and exciting birding experience with Indi's landrover, but Peck Chan seemed to enjoy it! In her words:
"Indiana has his share of fun and excitement in learning something about the birds and we got our experience of `raft' birding, concentrating in hanging onto our dear lives at the back of his landrover. Dr Hsu got his hand cut while holding on both ends of the back carriage and Ali was afraid that his head get smashed by the rock and roll."

1 House crow
2 Javan myna
3 Common myna
4 Barn swallow
5 Black-naped oriole
6 Paddyfield pipit
7 Zitting cisticola
8 White-throated kingfisher
9 Blue-tailed bee-eater
10 Dollarbird 1
11 Long-tailed parakeet 1
12 Indian silverbill 11
13 Purple heron 1
14 Scaly-breasted munia
15 Black-headed munia 1
16 Black drongo 2
17 Long-tailed shrike 1
18 Brown shrike 3
19 Red collared dove
20 Spotted dove
21 Black-winged kite
22 Common buzzard 2
23 Oriental honey-buzzard 1
24 Eastern marsh-harrier 1

More bird photos:

Barn Swallows

Oriental Honey-buzzard