Rifle Range 01-05Jul06

Late afternoon birding 1Jul Sat

Attendees: Danny, Con, PC, Kong, KH

Main highlights were a pair of Red-eyed Bulbuls at Jelutong tower, a Common Flameback that flew into its nest hole and a juvenile Drongo Cuckoo begging its foster parent for food. Others showed themselves briefly, like a Blue-winged Leafbird that flew across at the tower and a nightjar at the bulbul tree opening. A Changeable Hawk-eagle was heard. And an owl that was close but did not show itself. Other animals of note were Slender Squirrels which presented themselves in full view to us and the reddish snake at the tower.

Danny & JS went back 2Jul Sun

Both JS & myself went back to Jelutong Tower this evening not satisfied by the few species spotted the day earlier. Again very few species, other than two Short-tailed Babblers & a Drongo Cuckoo (adult, not juv.), one noteworthy sighting was an unknown babbler/thrush/robin hopping on the ground behind the 6-km sign along trail before reaching the PUB pipeline. According to JS, it had yellow belly, generally brown/rufous plumage highly camouflaged against the dried leaves undergowth. Early Migrant?

Danny & KH went back 4Jul Tue

Looks like we got another Short-tailed Babbler. It was spotted just after we turned right at the cross junction. There were also a pair of Asian Fairy-bluebirds at the junction. Other birds of note were a Rufous-tailed Tailorbird near the beginning of the trail, Greater Racket-tailed Drongos that came out in full display in the twilight and Banded Woodpeckers at various locations.

Con went on 5Jul Wed

I did see one Asian Fairy-bluebird fly past me at the junction. Half-way up the concrete stream was an Emerald Dove, and on the GHFE Tree I saw a Red-crowned Barbet. Not a very good picture, but enough to tell what it is ...

Red-crowned Barbet ©Con Foley

Grey-headed Fish-eagle at Upper Peirce Reservoir ©Con Foley