Labrador Park, Earth Trail, KNT 20Feb11

From Danny

Location: Labrador coastal point
Time: 9.15 am to 10.30 am
Tide: rising

1) Common Sandpiper - 3
2) Little Heron - 1
3) Collared Kingfisher - 1 pair
4) Brahminy Kite - 2
5) WBSE - 1
6) Little Bronze Cuckoo - 1

Location: Kranji Nature Trail
Time: 4.45pm to 6.00 pm
Tide: receding

1) Great Egret - 11
2) Little Egret - 25
3) Grey Heron - 16
4) Oriental Pied Hornbill - 2
5) Osprey - 2 (one bird hunting along Johor Straits and feeding on fish atop Bakau stilt)
6) WBSE - 3
7) Collared Kingfisher - 3
8) AG Starling - 6 (pairing up on Bakau stilts)
9) Common Sandpiper - 1

Went to Earth Trail (Mt Faber) after Labrador Land Point count, to look for Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker nest. No luck. At around 11.40 am, heard commotions from the GRT Drongos and Mynas, saw two raptors, one larger than the other flew into the albizia woodlands. As the bigger raptor was nearer, went up to the walking canopy for closer look and found a sub-adult OHB. After ten minutes it flew off but no sign of the other raptor. On the way out, saw a raptor perched about 100 ft up and 80 ft away, from bins spotted spotted thick rufous streaks on breast. Went back to car to get my scope and raptor was still around.

The short crest and distinct breast and belly barrings confirmed a Crested Goshawk, grey face/headsides with long and unbroken mesial stripe - adult male.

Refer to 3rd pic, the fine barring on the thigh separates it from Besra (wish it was one) and the fan out tail looks like he has round tail not square.