Lower Peirce, Springleaf, Singapore Quarry, Pulau Punggol 23Jan10

From KH

Danny and I went to Lower Peirce hoping to see the Blue-eared Kingfisher, but ended up spotting a Black-backed Kingfisher feeding instead. Of course not forgetting the Short-tailed Babblers, which were heard singing their song during dawn, and the other birds, like the flamebacks and racket-tailed drongos.

After prata at Casuarina, we headed to Springleaf. 4 species of raptors we sighted here: 1 Crested Serpent-eagle, 1 adult Grey-headed Fish-eagle, 1 Black Baza and at least 2 WBSEs.

Crested Serpent-eagle ©Tan KH

Black Baza ©Tan KH

There were >20 Duarian Starlings mixed with large flocks of AG Starlings, >5 Thick-billed Green-pigeons mixed with PNGPs, a Tiger Shrike, a pair of large-billed crows, a coppersmith barbet, dollarbirds, bee-eaters, lesser coucals, yb prinias, a common sandpiper and a purple heron.

Female Thick-billed Green-pigeon ©Danny Lau

Tiger Shrike ©Danny Lau

As it was too early for lunch, we went to Singapore Quarry. After parking, immediately an Asian Palm-swift caught our attention. When we reached the quarry itself, guess who was already there since the morning? Martii! There were 2 CHEs calling and the only raptor we saw here was an adult Grey-headed Fish-eagle. The Little Grebes (at least 6) seemed to be more accustomed to humans now and came a little closer.

Little Grebe ©Tan KH

Also present were 2 Straw-headed Bulbuls - 1 heard and 1 seen. An interesting phenomenon here were that the forest reptiles were out having a siesta along the trail. We saw an adult Paradise Tree Snake on a railing and 2 Clouded Monitors.

Paradise Tree Snake ©Tan KH

After lunch, we were off to Pulau Punggol. Without fail, a pale morph Booted Eagle was present. Danny finally managed to get a relatively good shot of this species perched! If you look closely at the gizzard of the raptor in flight, it's actually full. It must be resting after a sumptuous meal.

Booted Eagle in flight ©Tan KH

Booted Eagle perched ©Danny Lau

The other raptors here were 1 japonensis Peregrine Falcon, 1 dark morph CHE, at least 4 WBSEs and at least 4 Brahminy Kites.

Peregrine Falcon ©Tan KH

Adult White-bellied Sea-eagle ©Tan KH

Finally, there were many (>30) House Swifts around.

House Swift ©Tan KH