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.

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.

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.

Tampines Eco Green 12May25

From KH

It's been awhile since we visited Tampines Eco Green, so Danny, JS & family and I went there today to see the very confiding released/escaped Common Nightingale.

Introduced Asian Golden Weavers were still surviving in the grassland. Here a couple of adult males are bickering. Luckily, they don't compete with the local Baya Weavers for nesting site, as they seem to prefer the Neptunia plena grass patch.

Baya Weavers at their nest in the Acacia auriculiformis tree, with White Leadtree below.

Another Baya Weaver just chilling on a stalk.

Sooty-headed Bulbuls, Javan Mynas and Feral Pigeons feeding on bread.

As I walked on the trail, a Large-tailed Nightjar suddenly flushed and started chonking, at 10am!

Asian Openbill using saliva to cool off?

Seletar Park Connector 12Mar25

From KH

Another day at Seletar Park Connector, but only the usual birds.

Daily clearing of hydrilla attracted opportunistic birds all around.

Little Egrets: Food does drop from the sky!

Medium Egret: the big fish is mine!

Javan Myna: I also want a piece of this.

Asian Openbills: We'll just catch my own snails.

Seletar Dam, Rower's Bay 19Feb25

From KH

At Seletar Dam, a pair of Great-billed Herons were courting, but photobombed by a Javan Myna.

Pacific Swallow showing how it can independently control the nictitating membrane of each eye.

Jellyfish swimming in the strait.

At Rower's Bay Park, 5 Masked Lapwings were chilling out on the rocks.

Asian Brown Flycatcher chilling out on a tree.

Asian Openbills eating snails along Seletar Club Road.

Sengkang Riverside Park 02Dec24

From KH

I went to Sengkang Riverside Park in the afternoon today and surprisingly there were still quite a good amount of activities.

Many chickens, male and female.

Male Pink-necked Green-Pigeon, so handsome.

Zebra dove, so called for the black-and-white sides.

White-breasted Waterhen, too close!

I was shooting this Purple Heron and did not know there was a Yellow Bittern in the foreground until reviewing the photos!

Continuing Common Kingfisher at the same pond.

Rose-ringed Parakeet, long tail or short tail? Depends on angle.

Javan Myna: honey, will I grow fat with all these African Oil Palm?

Painted Jezebel caterpillar hanging out with a tiny springtail?