Marina South, Punggol 19Mar06

From Danny

Went to Marina City Park around noon, found one of the pond (the only one with an island) drained for weeding maintenance. As NPark contractors were resting during their lunch break, the whole pond was bustling with many species of birds feeding on the moist, soggy grounds - little egrets, little herons, spotted doves, waterhens & even a male koel (anyone seen such behaviour?). The big surprise was a Common Moorhen feeding vigoriously. When flushed by a family passing by, it hid in the reeds field but return when all clear. The contractors had taken the trouble not to disturb the reeds cluster. Picture taken not very sharp but those who wish to take better picture should try when the workers are taking their break.

From JS

We went birding at Punggol to avoid the afternoon rain. Luckily, it stopped a few kilometers from our destination. The common snipes (a total of 4) were present together with several yellow wagtails. Standing alongside one particular common sandpiper was a bigger sandpiper but smaller than the ever present WBW. In order to id it, we flush it away to discover that it had no wing bar and the underside of the wing was dark brown in colour. On first thought, it appeared that the sandpiper was none other than the green sandpiper. However, the bird did not have green legs despite its call sounded similar as what is written in the Craig Robson birdbk, Chiu-uweet-weet-weet, differentiated from the common sandpiper's call by its first note.

01) Scaly-breasted munia
02) Baya weaver
03) Yellow wagtail
04) Common sandpiper
05) White-breasted waterhen
06) Common snipe
07) Black-shouldered kite
08) White-bellied sea eagle
09) Blue-throated bee-eater
10) Brown shrike
11) Long-tailed shrike
12) Spotted dove
13) Zebra dove
14) Grey heron
15) Collared kingfisher
16) Yellow-vented bulbul
17) Barn swallow
18) Pacific swallow
19) Asian koel

Wood Sandpiper