SBWR 23Sep09

From GC

The single Asian Dowitcher was still at SBWR on 230909 afternoon from 2pm - 5.30pm. High tide was 3.1m at 2pm at Tuas (anyone knows where to get tide tables for SBWR?)

All the ponds were largely flooded and the bird was first seen from Screen 1.5, roosting on an island together with a flock of shorebirds which included Whimbrels, Common Greenshanks, Common Redshanks, Marsh Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpipers, Lesser Sand Plovers, Common Sandpipers and Little Egrets. Viewing distance was about 60+ metres. I managed to capture the bird as it "yawned", showing how flexible its bill tip is! When probing the mud, all it needs is to open the tip of its bill to secure the prey, quite neat!

Close to 5pm, the bird went closer to Hide 1C where the viewing distance was nearer. I left at 5.30pm while the tide was still quite high and the bird was still there.

The bird kept to the water's edge. It did not venture to the higher ground which were mainly occupied by the larger Whimbrels. Most of the time it had Redshanks and Greenshanks for company. It was chased by a Whimbrel once and by a Redshank once.