Venus Dr, Neo Tiew, SBWR 07Nov09

From KH

This morning, Danny, Con and I went to Venus Drive to 'hunt' for the elusive Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. We did not get the target bird, but it was nice to see a Red-legged Crake, at least two Black-capped Kingfishers, an Indian Cuckoo and some common birds.

This female Indian Cuckoo sat quietly on a tree beside the Ranger Station.

Amongst the creepy-crawlies were these tiny termites and a 5-cm-long millipede.

These Saddle Barbs were common in the streams.

While we were leaving, a stunning male Crimson Sunbird came close for a photoshoot.

In the afternoon, Danny and I went to Sungei Buloh hoping for rare waders. On the way, we detoured to Kranji Resort. Here, A male Olive-backed Sunbird and Common House Geckos stayed for some close-ups.

En-route to NSRCC, Danny spotted a Black Baza. As we entered NSRCC, a flock of about 50 Yellow Wagtails flew passed.

A pair of White-breasted Waterhen and their single chick came to play with us for some minutes.

At Sungei Buloh carpark, a Banded Bullfrog was hopping on the road. Fortunately it got onto the grass patch before any hit-and-run could occur.

As we walked towards the main bridge, a lady was observing an Oriental Whip Snake.

At Hide 1C, there were lots of waders. As there was a good number of stints, Danny and I decided to hunt for our much desired Little Stint. Here's a digiscope photo from Danny. Is the stint right in the middle a Little Stint??

Most of the birds were at hide 1C:
1) Red-necked Stint 25
2) Broad-billed Sandpiper 2
3) Curlew Sandpiper 150
4) Common Sandpiper 3
5) Marsh Sandpiper 50
6) Grey-tailed Tattler 1
7) Ruddy Turnstone 1
8) Common Redshank 110
9) Common Greenshank 100
10) Whimbrel 100
11) Lesser Sand Plover 250
12) Greater Sand Plover 2
13) Pacific Golden Plover 50

Here's the lonely Ruddy Turnstone with two Common Redshanks. The turnstone has the Sungei Buloh flag on its right leg.

There are three species of Vinegar Crabs in Singapore. Here are the Violet Vinegar Crab (left) and the Pink-and-white-fingered Vinegar Crab (right).