Changi, Singapore Quarry, CCK Cemeteries, Pulau Punggol 20Feb10

From KH

Summary of yesterday's raptor-watch:

Danny, JS and I went to Changi hoping for a great airshow, but the sky was overcast (for the whole day!) and most raptors were reluctant to soar. Nevertheless, the male EMH had to feed and was doing his rounds at Tanah Merah grassland. So were some BWKs. Other notables were 10 RR Swallows, 2 of which were perching on the ground in the NEWater compound! This is our first time seeing this species perched.

At LP170, a pale morph Common Buzzard was on its usual perch, but no sign of its companion. Within our Changi playground itself, it was a tough morning searching for raptors, but we still managed 9 species.

An interesting incidence was the male EMH flying towards Changi Airport. All this while, we haven't seen it on this side of the area. Perhaps it was time for it to hitch a ride home.

Male Eastern Marsh-harrier ©Tan KH

Oriental Honey-buzzard ©Tan KH

After lunch, we headed for Martii's new playground - Sg Quarry. A GHFE increased our day's raptor (species) count to 10. Other interesting sightings here were the usual Little Grebes going on with their antics, a pair of Straw-headed Bulbuls at their usual location, a Black-capped Kingfisher also at its usual spot and a female Rufous Woodpecker.

At CCK Cemeteries, we encountered a male Japanese Sparrowhawk in action. It was chasing a swift when suddenly an oriole disrupted the hunt and chase the sparrowhawk away! The raptor was only very slightly larger than the oriole. Photos from JS.

Japanese Sparrowhawk chased by Black-naped Oriole ©Lau JS

Japanese Sparrowhawk ©Lau JS

Other interesting sightings here were a Cinnamon Bittern and a Coppersmith Barbet nest. By now, it was time to call it a day and I bid Danny and JS goodbye.

On the way home, not satisfies with the day's airshow, I decided to dropped by Pulau Punggol for the evening airshow. When I reached at 6:30 pm, the show had already started. The main group of raptors were on the coastal side of the area. Every so often, some Brahminy Kites would leave the main group and thermal up into the sky. Then they would glide all the way back to the coast again.

Brahminy Kites ©Tan KH

Sometimes, a few WBSEs would join them, always staying in a tight group with the kite. On one occasion, a Peregrine Falcon joined in the thermaling party, but kept its distance and circled below the kites and sea eagles.

On a few occasions, a dark morph Booted Eagle also joined in the thermaling party and like the falcon, it kept its distance and remain lower than the rest.

Booted Eagle ©Tan KH

The Osprey on the other hand did not join in the party once.

Soon it was 7 pm and time to go home. I did my last count - 34 raptors! Knowing that the falcon and osprey were long gone and there was at least 1 Booted Eagle and 5 WBSEs, the estimated number of Brahminy Kites is 28! As I drove away, the show was still going on. Glad that the weather did not affect the evening gathering and most of all, glad to end the day with 13 species of raptors!

Raptors sighted:

Changi
1) EMH 1 male
2) Common Buzzard 1 pale
3) OHB 1 pale immature
4) Black Baza 30 (1 flock of 5 and another of 25)
5) Japanese Sparrowhawk 1
6) CHE 1 dark adult, 1 pale juv
7) BWK >6
8) WBSE >2
9) Brahminy Kite >2

Sg Quarry
1) Black Baza 1
2) GHFE 1
3) CHE 2
4) WBSE 1 adult, 1 juv
5) Brahmny Kite 2

CCK Cemeteries
1) Japanese Sparrowhawk 1 male
2) Black Baza 1
3) Brahminy Kite 2

Pulau Punggol
1) Booted Eagle 1 dark
2) Osprey 1
3) Peregrine Falcon 1
4) WBSE 5
5) Brahminy Kite 28!