Sultan Shoal, Bidadari, Pulau Punggol 4Dec10

From KH

Today, we were supposed to survey the sea west of Singapore. After leaving West Coast Pier, we reached Sultan Shoal pretty soon as this was a speedboat. On the way, we had a couple of Brahminy Kites, Great Crested Terns, swallows and swifts. On Sultan Shoal, there were 2 House Crows and 1 Spotted Dove. However, not long after Sultan Shoal, a storm hit us and we have to retreat. Here's the route by Colin Poole: route.

As it was still early, we headed to Bidadari for the Olive-backed Pipit that was sighted there recently. However, not even a Paddyfield Pipit was around! Despite the drizzle, we did see a Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo chased away by a Black Baza. There were at least 4 Black Bazas in total and they were hunting low among the trees. An interesting sighting was a Tanimbar Cockatoo stripping branches off a tree! Non-avian sighting wise, there was a Plantain Squirrel making a nest.

After lunch, it was time for Pulau Punggol. The first uncommon bird here was a Ruddy-breasted Crake that crossed out path. Further down the path were 1 Indian Cuckoo, 1 Asian Paradise FC and some woodpeckers (2 Rufous, 2 Goldenback and 2 Sunda).

A dark morph Booted Eagle was still around, so is a male Chinese Goshawk. It seems like the goshawk and the nearby Black Bazas and mynas were not bothered with each other. Today, the goshawk seemed to be feeding on a reptile. The Osprey, on the other hand, was living up to its alternate name, Fish Hawk, and carrying a fish.

Male Chinese Sparrowhawk with reptile prey.

Osprey with fish.

There was no construction work on the right side of the road, so we took a walk there. The red earth were there, but the pratincoles and Red-throated Pipits were not. Nevertheless, there were 4 Yellow Wagtails. The best bonus, however, was a King Quail that was flushed. Beside the usual WBSE and Brahminy Kites, there was also a BWK being harassed by a House Crow. No freshwater waders seen, but they left their footprint.

Which waders' footprints are these??