Pulau Ubin 17May26

From KH

Having failed to connect with White-chested Babbler previous trip, Danny and I made another attempt today. But, still no SG tick..

But Ruddy Kingfisher was still around.

Mangrove Pitta heard only last trip, but showed today. It was mostly behind mangrove roots though.

White-rumped Shama also came to play. This time, it was an adult, with a somewhat worn tail.

Lastly, a big troop of Long-tailed Macaques came to kaypoh what these birders were doing here.

Pulau Ubin 09May26

From KH

A White-chested Babbler was spotted at the stream beside Kelichap Hut, so the Lau family and I made this trip there today. Alas, we did not connect with the bird.

Nice to see Ruddy Kingfisher though.

Another ruddy bird? Oh, just a juvenile White-rumped Shama.

Another ruddy animal? Oh, just an All-pink Fingered Vinegar Crab.

Bidadari 22Nov25

From KH

Danny, JS & family, and I went to Bidadari Park today.

Resident Large-tailed Nightjar roosting.

Migrant Ruddy Kingfisher continuing in a well hidden spot.

Also got a migratory Mugimaki Flycatcher.

Berlayer Creek, Henderson Waves 29Oct22

From KH

Berlayer Creek has been a hotspot this season, with Taiga Flycatcher, Mangrove Whistler and Ruddy Kingfisher all showing. Danny and I couldn't give it a miss. Here's ruddy through the small window.

It's still raptor watch season, so we went to Henderson Waves for a good bake. Got Black Bazas, Oriental Honey-Buzzards and the usual sparrowhawks. Here's a juvenile pale OHB.

SBWR 01Mar19

From Danny

Got Ruddy Kingfisher at SBWR, here since 8.30 am. Took 3 bath dives, finally perched for record shots.

Bidadari, Mt Faber, Jurong Lake 06Nov11

From KH

Danny and I met at Bidadari for the Ruddy Kingfisher craze ©Danny Lau

Danny then showed me where he saw the Crested Goshawk at Mt Faber, but the bird was a no-show. Finally, I went to Jurong Lake hoping to nail the Crested Goshawk, but to no avail.

Bidadari

1) Ruddy Kingfisher 1 immature
2) Indian Cuckoo 2
3) Drongo Cuckoo 2
4) Black Baza 10
5) Sparrowhawk sp. 1
6) Oriental Honey Buzzard 1
7) Crow-billed Drongo 1
8) Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher 3
and Tanimbar Corella, Dollarbird, White-throated Kingfisher, shrikes (Tiger, Brown), the other usual flycatchers (Yellow-rumped, Asian Brown), Asian Paradise Flycatchers, Arctic Warblers, Common Ioras, tailorbirds, sunbirds, flowerpeckers, etc

Mt Faber

1) Red-legged Crake 1
2) Brahminy Kite 1
3) Tiger Shrike 1
4) YR FC >2
5) Arctic Warbler 1

Jurong Lake

1) Japanese Sparrowhawk 1 thermalling
2) WBSE 2
3) Brahminy Kite 2

Chinese Garden 30Oct, 01Nov06

From JS on 30 Oct, Mon

As expected, finding the KF in the afternoon is like finding a needle in a haystack. The glaring sun sent all the birds into hiding.

Luckily for me, the black-backed KF alerted his ruddy cousin during lunch break that a 1.6m birder would be searching for him and the only way to let him find you is to go for a plunge at 5pm when the birder is very alert after walking aimlessly around the park for 30min. Very obediently, the ruddy KF listened and plunged into the water at 5pm to catch a meal. Though the motion was fast and sudden, his purplish wing/back, red head and reddish-orange throat to belly gave his ID away. As usual, I ran to alert any birders/photographers about the bird. Sadly, there was only the lost photographer and he still didn't see it because the bird had moved into the denser parts of the tree from its perch. Nevertheless, he at least have a lead to find the ruddy KF but gave it up. Could have waited for the bird to do another dive but he walked off in search of a rufous morph APFC (A common migrant, unlike the rare ruddy KF) !!!!!! What a weird fellow!

Other interesting sightings:
- 1 juvenile dark-sided flycatcher
- 1 osprey
- 1 black-capped Kingfisher (Saw two birds flying along the lake but could only confirm one bird. There is a chance that both are black-capped KF because they have an identical call and a white spot under each blue/black wing.)
- 1 juvenile common KF (the bird has an orange belly, reddish bill and lacks the white head patch.)
- 1 juvenile tiger shrike
- 2 yellow bitterns
- 1 great egret

Ruddy and his morsel of snail. The black marks on the branch are where the snails got hit. ©Con Foley

From Con on 1 Nov, Wed

Black Bittern having a meal ©Con Foley

Olive-backed Sunbird subsp. flammaxillaris ©Con Foley