Hindhede Nature Park 28-29Dec19

From KH

When news broke of a pair of Himalayan Griffons perched at Hindhede Quarry in the late afternoon, there was only one option for me. Head straight for the quarry! By the time I reached, Con has left. Danny arrived shortly to get some shots in the fading light and JS had to wait till tomorrow. Fortunately, the birds did roost overnight and only flew off mid morning to the delight of the huge morning crowd.

Himalayan Griffons on 28 Dec 2019 ©Tan KH

With all eyes on the two star vultures, the Oriental Darter was relegated to second class citizen.

Oriental Darter on 28 Dec 2019 ©Tan KH

Short bird list on 28 Dec 2019

1. dark swiftlet sp. 20
2. Oriental Darter 1
3. Himalayan Griffon 2
4. Blue-eared Kingfisher 1
5. Stork-billed Kingfisher 1
6. bee-eater sp. 2
7. Banded Woodpecker 1 - Heard

Himalayan Griffon on 28 Dec 2019 ©Con Foley

Himalayan Griffon on 29 Dec 2019 ©Con Foley

Punggol Promenade, Coney Island 24Dec19

From KH

A short walk at Punggol Promenade (West End), got me a rather bluish Collared Kingfisher.

The rock it perched on was full of sessile barnacles.

This White-throated Kingfisher struck a pose on Coney Island.

Back at Punggol Beach, these are the fishes the fishermen caught, for dinner?

On the return league, this more greenish Collared Kingfisher showed up.

Punggol Promenade Nature Walk (West End)

1. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
2. Spotted Dove 2
3. Common Sandpiper 1
4. Striated Heron 1
5. Gray Heron 1
6. Collared Kingfisher 2
7. Yellow-vented Bulbul 2
8. Javan Myna 10

Coney Island (West End)

1. Spotted Dove 3
2. Zebra Dove 3
3. White-bellied Sea-Eagle 1
4. White-throated Kingfisher 1
5. Collared Kingfisher 1
6. Laced Woodpecker 1 - heard
7. Red-breasted Parakeet 3
8. Black-naped Oriole 2
9. Common Tailorbird 2
10. Yellow-vented Bulbul 2
11. Javan Myna 10
12. Asian Brown Flycatcher 1

Yishun, SBG 23Dec19

From KH

Following report of a Dusky Warbler yesterday, Con, Danny and I went to Yishun Pond to tick off this very rare migrant. JS had to wait till tomorrow morning to tick it off.

There were also 43 Asian Openbills here.

Other supporting cast included these herons, egrets and kingfisher.

Black-crowned Night-herons: sleepy adult and alert juvenile

Grey Heron and Purple Heron

Little Egret and Common Kingfisher

Finally, a released Green Iguana at the pond. Apparently, it has been here for years.

Yishun Pond

1. dark swiftlet sp. 10
2. White-breasted Waterhen 4 - 2 adults, 2 chicks
3. Asian Openbill 42
4. Yellow Bittern 1
5. Gray Heron 1
6. Purple Heron 2
7. Little Egret 1
8. Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 - 3 adults, 2 juveniles
9. Common Kingfisher 1
10. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2
11. Sunda Woodpecker 1 - heard
12. Black-naped Oriole 1
13. House Crow 5
14. Common Tailorbird 1 - heard
15. Yellow-vented Bulbul 4
16. Dusky Warbler 1
17. Swinhoe's White-eye 2 - heard
18. Asian Glossy Starling 5
19. Javan Myna 5
20. Asian Brown Flycatcher 1
21. Oriental Magpie-Robin 1 - heard
22. Brown-throated Sunbird 1
23. Olive-backed Sunbird 1
24. Eurasian Tree Sparrow 5

At SBG, there was a bit of drama as there was a lost Smooth Otter pup calling for its family. Fortunately, the presumed mother managed to locate the distressed pup after a while.

Bird-wise, only this Arctic Warbler wanted to play. Otherwise, it was really quite, since it was already late morning, and hot.

SBG

1. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
2. Asian Koel 1 - heard
3. Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 - juvenile
4. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2
5. Arctic Warbler 1
6. Asian Brown Flycatcher 1
7. Brown-throated Sunbird 1

Yishun 22Dec19

From Con

Dusky Warbler at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Cherry tree near the pond. There're a few workout bicycles near the tree. Like 30 people here already.

Sengkang Riverside Park 22Dec19

From KH

Took a walk around Sengkang Riverside Park and was glad to see this juvenile pale Oriental Honey-buzzard.

While this adult Yellow Bittern was trying to blend in with the reeds...

These Javan Mynas were feasting on the palm fruits.

While this male Olive-backed Sunbird was busy feeding on nectar.

This Plain Tiger was also seeping nectar on Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata).

1. Spotted Dove 5
2. Asian Koel 2
3. dark swiftlet sp. 10
4. Common Sandpiper 1 - heard
5. Yellow Bittern 2
6. Oriental Honey-buzzard 1
7. Brahminy Kite 1
8. Collared Kingfisher 2
9. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2
10. Dollarbird 2
11. Rose-ringed Parakeet 1
12. Red-breasted Parakeet 2
13. Black-naped Oriole 2
14. Common Iora 1 - heard
15. Malaysian Pied-Fantail 2
16. House Crow 2
17. Ashy Tailorbird 1 - heard
18. Black-browed Reed Warbler 5
19. Pallas's Grasshopper-Warbler 2 - heard
20. Barn Swallow 2
21. Yellow-vented Bulbul 2
22. Asian Glossy Starling 5
23. Common Myna 15
24. Javan Myna 100
25. Brown-throated Sunbird 1 - female
26. Olive-backed Sunbird 1 - male

Punggol Promenade 21Dec19

From KH

A short walk at Punggol Promenade turned up a family of a dozen or so Smooth Otters having sashimi.

This Common Sandpiper is still along the same stretch of coast. It'll probably spend the whole season here.

1. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 25
2. Spotted Dove 1
3. dark swiftlet sp. 10
4. Common Sandpiper 2
5. Great Crested Tern 3
6. Gray Heron 1
7. Brahminy Kite 2
8. White-bellied Sea-Eagle 1
9. Red-breasted Parakeet 1
10. Pacific Swallow 1
11. Javan Myna 10
12. Brown-throated Sunbird 1 - male

NTHL 21-22Dec19

From JS on 21 Dec

14 Asian Openbills at Neo Tiew Harvest Lane. They thermalled and flew off. Record shot from my hp.

From Con on 22 Dec

About 15 Asian Openbills and one Siberian Stonechat.

DFNP, HNP, NTHL 21Dec19

From KH

Con, Danny and I started the day's birding at Dairy Farm for the Thick-billed Flowerpeckers.

The Thick-billed Pigeons (female top, male bottom) were also around.

An Eastern Crowned Warbler joined in the fun, showing its yellow underpants.

While this Little Spiderhunter was hiding in the shade on a tree stump.

Wallace Education Centre

1. Pink-necked Green-Pigeon 10
2. Thick-billed Green-Pigeon 10
3. dark swiftlet sp. 20
4. Changeable Hawk-Eagle 1 - heard
5. Banded Woodpecker 1 - heard
6. Black-naped Oriole 1
7. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 1 - heard
8. Dark-necked Tailorbird 1 - heard
9. Straw-headed Bulbul 2
10. Olive-winged Bulbul 2
11. Eastern Crowned Warbler 1
12. Arctic Warbler 1
13. Pin-striped Tit-Babbler 2 - heard
14. Asian Glossy Starling 20
15. Javan Myna 10
16. Mugimaki Flycatcher 1
17. Thick-billed Flowerpecker 3
18. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker 2 - heard
19. Olive-backed Sunbird 1 - male
20. Crimson Sunbird 1 - male
21. Little Spiderhunter 1

Moving on to Hindhede Nature Park, it was nice to see the Oriental Darter still around.

There were not one, not two, but three Sunda Colugos!

I suspect this is a Plantain Squirrel nest, but Danny thinks otherwise.

This Oriental Whip Snake was really close!

Nest of these Milky-tipped Stingless Bee (Tetrigona apicalis).

Hindhede Nature Park

1. Plume-toed Swiftlet 3
2. dark swiftlet sp. 20
3. Oriental Darter 1
4. Straw-headed Bulbul 2
5. Common Hill Myna 2 - heard
6. Crimson Sunbird 2

After lunch, Danny and I went to Neo Tiew Harvest Lane, and saw about 10 Asian Openbills left.

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

1. Spotted Dove 2
2. Zebra Dove 1
3. White-breasted Waterhen 1
4. Asian Openbill 10
5. Yellow Bittern 1
6. Great Egret 1
7. Intermediate Egret 5
8. Little Egret 2
9. Striated Heron 1
10. Black Baza 1
11. Brahminy Kite 2
12. White-throated Kingfisher 2
13. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 1
14. Lineated Barbet 1
15. House Crow 5
16. Oriental Reed Warbler 1
17. Barn Swallow 20
18. Yellow-vented Bulbul 2
19. Asian Brown Flycatcher 1 - heard