Botanic Gardens 21Mar26

From KH

Rainforest Trail at Singapore Botanic Gardens was open again after they cleared to fallen tree. Danny and I revisited the Fairy Pitta that we saw on 14 Feb. Now it was much more confiding, coming close to the boardwalk.

Crested Serpent-Eagle jiak zua (eating snake)? Go go go! By the time we saw it, breakfast was over.

Then, Danny spotted a male Pink-necked Green-Pigeon feeding a juvenile "milk".

Collared Scops-Owl couple snoozing at their usual roost.

At the visitor centre, a ringed Javan Myna was trying to feed its chick fruity breakfast, but was rejected! Didn't realize it was ringed until I reviewed the photos, but doesn't look like the usual ones used for bird ringing.

Also at the visitor centre, a female Ornate Sunbird was still building her nest.

Yellow-vented Bulbul, on the other hand, had fledged and looked at me like kua si mi (see what)!?

Good to know Grey-rumped Treeswifts can still be found here.

Punggol Park 20Mar26

From KH

Evening walk at Punggol Park. Besides the usual birds, got a few Asian Openbills.

Jurong Lake 15Mar26

From KH

Danny and I went to Jurong Lake today.

Male Pink-necked Green-Pigeon was busy feeding on Singapore Rhododendron fruits.

Yellow Bittern was also busy catching fish after fish.

Asian Openbill just hanging around, probably having stuffed itself with snails.

Hampstead Wetland 13Mar26

From KH

Male Oriental Pied-Hornbill proudly declaring his home at Baker Street's Hampstead Wetland.

Introduced Violet Turaco hanging out with local Asian Glossy Starlings.

Male Asian Koel enjoying fruity breakfast.

Yellow-vented Bulbul and juvenile Ornate Sunbird prefer Melaleuca cajuputi.

Seletar Park Connector 12Mar26

From KH

The usual gang of Grey Heron, Medium Egrets and Little Egrets were joined by Javan Myna today.

Asian Openbill feeling jaded.

But later, welcomed by the gang too.

Juvenile pale Changeable Hawk-Eagle harassed by a murder of House Crows.

Black-browed Reed-Warbler showed itself briefly in the reeds.

Smooth Otter spraint, i.e., poop, so stinko.

Dragon-Scale Fern with sori, the cluster of spores.

Lantana in bloom.

Burmese Fishtail-Palm bearing fruits.

Seletar Park Connector 10Mar26

From KH

So sad to witness the final moments of this Asian Openbill today. On the way in, it could still lift its head to look at me. On the way out, it was totally unresponsive. R.I.P.!

Dairy Farm, Hindhede 07Mar26

From KH

Danny and I started the day's birding at Dairy Farm Nature Park. Often heard only, so it's nice to see a pair of Straw-headed Bulbuls here.

Nice to see a Sunda Colugo too.

Even nicer to see my first Spiny Orb-weaver Spider (Gasteracantha diadesmia).

Next, Hindhede Nature Park. Oriental Darter preening in the quarry.

Not one, but two Sunda Colugos.

Hampstead Wetland 06Mar26

From KH

Usual suspects at Hampstead Wetland today.

Male Pink-necked Green-Pigeon: should I eat Singapore Rhododendrum or Sandpaper Vine?

Female Oriental Pied-Hornbill: honey, should we use this hole in the heritage Rain Tree?

Blue-throated Bee-eater on a clean perch.

Large-billed Crow perched high up.

Seletar Park Connector 05Mar26

From KH

The usual Grey Heron, Medium Egrets and Little Egrets were joined by an Asian Openbill for breakfast buffet at Seletar Park Connector.

Collared Kingfisher perched on railing.

Lineated Barbet perched on Sea Almond.

Yellow-vented Bulbul on a clean perch.

Malaysian Pied-Fantail, a very confiding bird.

Woodlands Height 28Feb26

From KH

Chestnut-cheeked Starling was reported on 24 Feb at Woodlands Height. This sent the entire birding community, including me and the Lau family, to this part of Singapore that birders rarely visit.

Firstly, at about 7pm, the first small flock of Daurian Starlings came circling the field. As more and more flocks joined in, at about 7:15pm, a spectacle was formed: a starling murmuration.

Flight shots were difficult in the fading light, but here's one of them. Any cheeky starling inside??

Some roosted on a tree, joined by Javan Mynas.

After the flight show, the search for the rarity began. Soon, just before 8pm, Frank spotted one in his scope by the ramp. Initially, it was mostly blocked by Daurian Starling.

Then, it moved and bingo! Bird behind, with chestnut on face, grey flank contrasting with white belly.

As the crowd gathered, security came to chase people away.

The search for cheeky continued on ground level. On a tree at the roundabout, Frank spotted another one at about 8:15pm. Bottom bird.

Finally, as the crowd dispersed, the few diehards stayed on and was rewarded with a different bird with a thin chestnut breastband.

With 3 birds in the bag, time to go.