NTL2, Kranji 23May09

From Danny

1st pic was a juvenile CHE, notice the dangling foot reflecting its relaxed mood. Typical equal toes of Hawk unlike long middle toe of OHB. 2nd pic was a peek of it in the nest.

3rd pic was a raptor which had no desire to breed and prefer to hang around Neo Tiew Lane 2 - an Osprey. Poor record shot - anything beyond 30x the digital camera couldn't capture the details.

Though May is ending, there were birds like this pair of Red Collared Doves who look like going to do it but to Kok Hui's disappointment they somehow sensed our excitement and flew off together. Other than those features mentioned in Robson, there was an apparent dark bar at the undertail.

Alas found some hope the LT Parakeet still holding its ground despite widespread numbers of RB Parakeets. Refer to pic, notice the pale pink cheeks and green nape of the juvenile. Incidentally, found a nest high up in the canopy, twice visited by a pair of Large-billed Crows but no sign of any fledging. The frequent short visits by the pair of noisy LB Crow could be a sign of nesting failure??

It was a hot day, we stopped off nearby Kranji Dam car park on way to Lunch. I was hoping to track down some nests among the mature trees and was pleasantly surprised to see on the same tree, same branch and same nest with a female Pied Triller on it, the male was perched next to the nest and flew off when I set up the scope. Kok Hui had promptly suggested the pair could be starting second brood for the season! I am not sure but gradually convince it's possible.