Singapore Strait 14May11

From Con

Here's my shots of the Short-tailed Shearwater, what a nice to watch in it's behavior!! Not great photos, but I think enough to confirm ID.

I have read elsewhere regarding if I recall correctly migration of New World Warblers that spring migration is noticeably quicker and more purposeful as the hypothesis is that there is a competitive advantage for the birds to arrive on their breeding range early and establish territories before other birds do.  That plus the local squalls may explain the rapid pace of these birds today compared with the slower pace of birds in October.

From Colin

We were out again today for our monthly survey on the Singapore Straits in the NParks supported boat and it was a good day. The highlights were 8 Short-tailed Shearwaters and c.25 Swinhoe's Petrels.

The day started quietly and by early afternoon we had only recorded 8 Swinhoe's Petrels, all along the north coast of Batam, and all heading very quickly and purposefully east apart from two we flushed off the sea. However, on the way back across the shipping lanes just south of Kusu Island we hit a major movement of birds heading fast east in front of a squall, first there were 15-20 Swinhoe's Petrels and then they were quickly followed by 8 Short-tailed Shearwaters that came very close to the boat. All of the above were well documented by our on board photographers and Con Foley has posted a few shearwater shots.

I believe the these could be the first documented Short-tailed Shearwaters for either Singapore or Indonesia, but for once these birds were clearly in Singapore waters! In view of what has been recorded by Dave Bakewell and others to the north off Kedah in recent weeks it perhaps isn't surprising addition though. Apart from the above we recorded 4 Bridled Terns, 18 Black-naped Terns and 15 Lesser Crested Terns (all but one in non-breeding plumage). For a change there were no jaegers this time!

I have posted the route and interesting locations here

From JS

Short-tailed Shearwater

Swinhoe's Storm Petrel

Bridled Tern