Jurong Lake 21Oct11

From GC

I took a walk around Jurong Lake on Friday afternoon, after the rain.

In Chinese Gardens, near the northern part, winged ants were taking flight from the ground next to a 3m tall screen of vegetation and there were swarms of swifts flying low, enjoying the feast. On the ground were some Yellow-vented Bulbuls and some Javan Mynas, also feasting on the winged ants. Out of the blue, a juvenile Japanese Sparrowhawk flew in at high speed along the vegetation screen and attacked the birds on the ground. The attacker ended in the vegetation screen and the cries of a hapless bird (likely a Yellow-vented Bulbul) could be heard. Then the attacker flew off. After 2 minutes or so, 2 Pied Fantails came to the feast and soon the YV Bulbuls and Javan Myna were back.

Just a I was going to leave, an adult Crested Goshawk was seen outside Japanese Gardens, perched quietly, preening its feathers.

My final stop was Old Jurong Lake Park where a female Japanese Sparrowhawk was encountered. Other migrants included 2 Asian Brown Flycatchers. A Pied Triller was seen high in the trees.