Mandai Hill 30Aug11

From Danny

Bird counts were pretty high though mostly common species. At the Grey-rumped Treeswift area, counted 3 adults and one juvenile perched on different trees. Refer pic of the juvenile with newly moulted primaries. Interesting to see the change in plumages from fledgling to juvenile. After 9.15 am all the Treeswifts left the area, presumably off to hunt. As I have seen them in the evening, think this is their roosting ground.

When Con msg me about Little Grebe chicks at Halus, I was trying to video a Violet Cuckoo fledgling being fed by host bird, Brown-throated Sunbird. The cuckoo perched high up near the crown of the tree and with backlit lighting, video quality is poor. Notice the young cuckoo has pale blue iris, orangey mandibles and practically no or short tail. Another observation, only the male sunbird was seen feeding the cuckoo?

One other interesting bird, a migrant, Grey Wagtail practically escorted me just after the Treeswift area till the main drive way leading to the entrance barrier. No signs of Whisky Treeswift though, maybe no moonshine in our forest.