MacRitchie, Chinese Garden, Halus 01Mar14

From KH

After getting news of Barred Eagle Owl at MacRitchie, Con, Danny and I headed there. Unfortunately, except for a faraway Brown Boobook call, there were no other owls heard or seen.

When day break, we were off to Halus. Just when we were a few km from Halus, Con suddenly turned off Jln Kayu and informed us of the "mega rare" Band-bellied Crake at Chinese Gardens. So we took Con's car and headed straight there. We spent the rest of the morning at the pond where the crake was sighted yesterday, but only got Blue-winged Pitta, Black-browed Reed Warbler and "swintail" snipes.

After lunch, we were off to pick up our cars. Con decided it was too hot for afternoon birding and so Danny and I continued at Halus. As is routine now, around noon, our first stop is Halus Bridge for raptor watch. Seeing nothing special, we moved on to Sunshine Bridge and confirmed an Asian Palmswift mixed with the swiftlets.

Soon after, Con got wind that the crake has been spotted! So off we went to Chinese Gardens again... Sure enough the bird was foraging in a manicured drain with the statues are. And boy where there many birders and photographers.

I really have to hit myself on the head for not bringing my camera. So here is a crappy shot from my smartphone...

Fortunately, Danny was there with his scope: