Earth Trail 08-15Aug10

Danny on 8 Aug

This morning I went back to Earth Trail to look for Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker nest even though it is late in the season. I came across an unusually excited male flowerpecker - it kept hovering like a humming bird looking for food. Then great excitement when I came across two flowerpeckers harassing/chasing away a Dark-necked Tailorbird from a low tree. Bingo, my morning wish came through, there it was a live nest.

Park opposite Bali restaurant, head for Earth Trail. With elevated staircase 3 on your right, look for Singing Forest sign on the left. Stop at Singing Forest sign, turn back, on your right along path there is a row of 4 short trees. The 4th, the tallest (about 20 ft), look for nest about 3-4 ft below the crown. In the morning the best open view is about on the path facing the tree but lighting is harsh in the morning.

Personally I think its best suit for Con's wireless, remote controlled photography, sitting comfortably in the shade of low trees on the left side of the path. My pic was taken in the shadow of the trees as direct posture was too hot to handle.

The feeding interval after 9.30 am is 30 to 35 mins. The action was over within 2 sec and it took 2 hour to catch one of the bird entering the nest, missed 3 times! Ignore calls as there were many flowerpeckers around, timing was pretty accurate this morning. Bring comfort chair and plenty of water.

One of my video caught the female leaving the nest to catch a spider.

Con on 12 Aug

I stopped by for just about 15 minutes around noon today. Within 5 minutes of my arrival, the female flew out of the nest. And about 5 minutes later she returned and entered the nest without food. So I think she is still incubating, and just went out to place some bets on 4D.

Danny on 15 Aug

A dramatic end to what looked like a good finale to this year's breeding season! Refer to pic, possibly chick dead on birth but body was left at entrance to nest. The ants shown in the pic provide some reference to the size of the newborn.