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.

Botanic Gardens 14Feb26

From KH

The 3rd SG record of Fairy Pitta was first reported on 31 Jan 2026 at SBG Rainforest, but all of us have seen the previous ones before, so of all days, we chose V Day to pay it a visit.

When I arrived, Con was already on-site. Soon the bird showed nicely in front of the horde.

The Lau family arrived later and got the bird as well.

Collared Scops-Owl couple roosting at Raffles Building carpark.

Red-whiskered Bulbuls also paired up.

Spotted Dove feeding on Crepe Ginger seed.

Many dragons and damsels at the cascading falls.

Crimson Dropwing. Spine-tufted Skimmer.

Previously Blue Sprite (Pseudagrion microcephalum), now Pseudagrion siamese.

Hindhede, Bukit Timah 08Jun24

From KH

Danny, JS and I went to Hindhede Nature Park today. Nice to see a Collared Scops-Owl devouring a Double-spotted Gecko.

Time for health check, i.e. scale Bukit Timah Hill. Nice to get a male Asian Fairy-Bluebird.

Wagler's Pit Viper hanging out on Bandicoot Berry.

Bedok, Pasir Ris Park 06Apr24

From KH

Danny and I went to Bedok to see the released/escaped Oriental/Eurasian Magpie, and it was there at the carpark, hanging out with Javan Mynas.

After filling it's stomach, it went to a tree in the Temple compound to rest.

Then, out of nowhere, a female Oriental Pied-Hornbill flew overhead. Perhaps signaling us to go Pasir Ris Park.

Crested Goshawk apparently completed nesting in this Rain Tree at Pasir Ris Park, but still hanging around.

Large-billed Crow harassing nesting Buffy Fish-Owl near pavilion.

Buffy Fish-Owl (indiv. 1) nesting in Bird's Nest Fern. Indiv. 2 on alert in response to the crow's harassment.

Indiv. 3 and indiv. 4 & 5 (juvenile on right) near Carpark D.

Collared Scops-Owl roosting at its usual spot.

Male Common Tailorbird caught a caterpillar and fed it to the juvenile (above).

Adult Black-naped Oriole also caught and devoured a caterpillar after removing the green gooey stuff.

Male (left) and female Ashy Minivet.

Hindhede 10Jul22

From KH

Danny and I went to Hindhede Nature Park today. Besides this sleepy Collared Scops-Owl, there wasn't much going on.

Pasir Ris Park 19Dec21

From KH

An afternoon nature walk at Pasir Ris Park turned up a whole host of animals, from birds to bees (wasp actually)!

It was nesting session for the Crested Goshawks. Besides the obvious chick on the left, that fluff on the right was a second chick!

Sentry duty can be boring, let me rest one of my legs and stretch my wing.

This Grey Heron was also in breeding mood, spotting breeding colours.

Other residents include this male Oriental Pied-Hornbill taking flight.

Collared Scops-Owl at its usual spot.

Collared Kingfisher and Stork-billed Kingfisher.

Male Pied Triller and male Common Iora.

Male Ornate Sunbird. Why so many males??

Brown-throated Sunbird, male left, female right. At last, a female!

Migrant-wise, there was this Common Sandpiper.

And these passerines, Asian Brown Flycatcher and Arctic Warbler.

Spotted this Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat under some palm leaf.

Oriental Whip Snake: can you see me?

Yummy rat for this Common Water Monitor.

Here are some crabs. Epixanthus dentatus: see my orange spots and my bigger right arm.

 

Parasesarma sp.

 

What's this snail?

Some grasshoppers: Oxya japonica and Oxya sp.

 

Here are some butterflies: Chocolate Grass Yellow feeding on African Coromandel, and Short-banded Sailor.

Last but not least, such a pretty wasp.