Changi, Clementi 31Jan09

From KH

CC today was quite interesting with 12 species of waders (13 if White-faced Plover is a distinct species). Most of the species were at the sandbar. There were also 7 species of raptors and a few other birds. Surprisingly, there was not a single tern.

We were quite lucky today, as we were allowed into this last coastal wader haven in Singapore by a single wave of Danny's hand to an extremely friendly guard. Our luck were to persist when a defender drove passed us without taking down our names and Con's car plate no.!! And then there are the 88 Grey Plovers to round it all up. We really should go buy toto.

Waders

1) Ruddy Turnstone: 5
2) Sanderling: 4
3) Common Greenshank: 1
4) Common Sandpiper: 2
5) Grey Plover: 10 at the sandbar and a flock of 88 circling and landing on red earth
6) PGP: 1
7) Malaysian Plover: 4 at sandbar, 1 at rocky beach
8) Kentish Plover: >10
9) White-faced Plover: 1
10) LSP: >20
11) GSP: 2
12) RW Lapwing: 2
13) Oriental Pratincole: 4 at red earth

Raptors

1) Common Kestrel 1
2) EMH female 1
3) Osprey 1
4) CHE pale juv 1
5) WBSE 1
6) Brahminy Kite >4
7) BWK >5

Others

1) Savanna Nightjar 1
2) Black Drongo 1
3) Red-rumped Swallow >5

After CC, went to Clementi (Faber Crest Condo). These were the migrants seen:

1) Pintial Snipe 3
2) Black Baza 4
3) Great Egret 1
4) Chinese Pond-heron 1
5) Yellow Bittern 1
6) Ashy Minivet >5

88 Grey Plovers for CNY!

1 White-faced Plover and 1 LSP amongst Kentish Plovers.

It was really difficult to approach these Horned-eyed Ghost Crabs.

House Swift

Danny took this family photo of mixed species

From Con

Kentish Plover with Lesser Sand-plover. Note the smaller size and white nuchal collar of the Kentish Plover.

Ruddy Turnstone with 2 Lesser Sand-plovers.

Red-rumped Swallow in flight.