Tuas 7Nov13

From GC

Yesterday, there was rain and no raptor migration was detected over Tuas.

With good weather this morning, the birds seemed eager to continue on their migration.

The vigil started at 10:45am and the first OHBs were a flock of 5 which flew quite low at 11:05am, thermalling to rise up to make up for the height lost during the 8km sea crossing from Johor and then moving easterly.

The second flock of 18 OHBs came in at 11:28am, and moved south-southeast along the spit of reclaimed land.

Excitement came in at 11:40am, starting with a flock of 30+ OHBs which came in from the west and started to thermal over the grassland. More continued to pour in and thermal, the flock (or kettle) size ranged from 5 to 40 birds. At one point in time, around 100 was visibile in that patch of sky, thermalling - what a sight. This continued until 11:45am. By then 161 birds were counted in this stream of birds over a 5 minute period.

Total count for OHBs stood at 184 (including the earlier flocks of 5 & 18).

Attached is a photo of a flock which I managed to fit into a frame.

Plus photos of 2 individual OHBs which flew quite low.

And a photo of one of the Brahminy Kites which provided distraction during the lull period from 12-1pm.

Also attached is a map of the flight path over Tuas, where did they launch from in Johor - Tanjong Piai?