Singapore Strait 14Oct17

From KH

Con, Danny, JS and I joined this pelagic organized by Seetoh and Francis.

A couple of Cattle Egrets accompanied us as we cleared customs off Sisters' Island.

The bird of the day - Arctic Skua.

It was terns galore. Here're some of them.

Aleutian Tern

Lesser and Great Crested Terns for comparison

Little Tern

The pelagic won't be complete at this time of the year without Swinhoe's Storm-petrels.

A panting Oriental Honey-buzzard crossing the Strait to go further south.

Glad to end the day with a mixed pod of dolphins - Indo-Pacific Bottlenose and Indo-Pacific Humpback.

1. Swinhoe's Storm-petrel 8
2. Grey Heron 1
3. Cattle Egret 2
4. Oriental Honey-buzzard 1
5. Japanese Sparrowhawk 2
6. Brahminy Kite 3
7. Oriental Pratincole 48
8. Parasitic Jaeger 1
9. Bridled Tern 15
10. Aleutian Tern 2
11. Little Tern 8
12. Black-naped Tern 5
13. Great Crested Tern 40
14. Lesser Crested Tern 20
15. Pacific Swift 8
16. Barn Swallow 25
17. swiftlet spp. 25

Singapore Strait 29Apr17

From JS

On 29 April 2017, we joined the pelagic trip (2x boats) organised by See Toh and Francis. Straits of Singapore is probably one of the last few frontiers for birdwatching in Singapore. There are still a lot of knowledge to discover concerning the movement of seabirds through this part of the world. With a bit of fortuity, a vagrant may appear - which is the case in other waters of the world. For birdwatchers seeking an additional tick for their Singapore list, the Straits of Singapore is the place to explore.

Setting off at 7am from Sister's islands where we had just cleared customs, we headed eastwards towards Horsburgh Lighthouse, our key destination for the day. For the first one and a half hour, we saw nothing. The weather was not favorable with dark clouds before us. Our first bird was a pair of Little Terns. Following which, we encountered an Arctic Skua in the distant. Thereafter, it was just Bridled Terns and Short-Tailed Shearwaters capturing our attention. To think that a couple of years ago, the latter was not even recorded and our count has exceeded 10 by the time we had reached Horsburgh Lighthouse!!!

Bridled Terns

Short-tailed Shearwaters

At Horsburgh Lighthouse, I was honored to finally record the Black-Nest Swiftlet for my Singapore list. To do so, I had to spot the birds on the black nest built below the window ledge of the buildings on the outcrop. Tough work!

Another interesting sighting at the lighthouse was a pod of three Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphins including one calf. To demonstrate our delight for the sighting, we actually spent additionally time circling the outcrop two times in search of them. Alas, they did not show again...

Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphin

Heading back, we stayed close to the Indonesian side of the International waters. This rewarded us with further sightings of Short-Tailed Shearwaters, Bridled Terns, three White-Winged Terns (including one individual moulting to breeding plumage) and an Aleutian Tern in breeding plumage. Great sightings, especially the birds in breeding plumages.

White-winged Tern

Aleutian Tern

Hoping to find something different, we checked the yellow buoys off the coastline of Indonesia and found resting Lesser Crested Terns, a new bird for the trip.

Just as we were leaving the last buoy to head back to Singapore, we saw an all-dark bird gliding at the surface of the waters. The flight of the bird resembled that of the Shearwaters. Thus, I was too quick to identify it as just another "Short-Tailed Shearwater". Thankfully, See Toh was quick to point out something unusual about the bird - it had pale upperwing coverts. This was no shearwater, it was a passing Bulwer's Petrel!!! Out of our excitement, we actually made a U-turn and attempted to look for the bird. The bird was probably long gone by then but we just wanted so much to re-find it. The significance of the sighting was simply the bird has yet to be recorded in our Singapore checklist. Any sighting of the species could mean a step closer to its inclusion...

Bulwer's Petrel

After seeing 10 species of seabirds, including a potentially new species for the Singapore checklist, all the participants were in fine spirit. All of us would like the birds to come closer to our boats but as with any pelagic outings, nothing is certain. The potential of finding new birds or the risk of going home empty handed makes pelagic outings so interesting. With eagerness, we await our next pelagic adventure...

1. Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) 1
2. Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) 27
3. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 1
4. Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) 1
5. White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) 1
6. Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) 2
7. Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus) 2 - Species only seen by participants on another boat
8. Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) 26
9. Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus) 2
10. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) 2
11. White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) 3
12. Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana) 4
13. Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) 22
14. tern sp. (Sterninae sp.) 36
15. Black-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) 100
16. Pacific Swift (Apus pacificus) 4
17. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 3
18. Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) 10

Pacific Swift

New Zealand North Island 11-20Jun16

From KH

My wife and I spent 10 full days exploring North Island. Although not a birding trip per se, we did spent quite a bit of time in various forests, one day on the island paradise for endemic NZ birds (Tiritiri Matangi) and two days in the Hauraki Gulf looking for dolphins and seabirds.

Day 1

We spent 4.5 hours on the Auckland Whale And Dolphin Safari cruise looking for whales but could only see Common Dolphins. Fortunately, I was able to entertain myself with the seabirds, such as the Australasian Gannets and Fluttering Shearwaters (both abundant), and a few rarer ones like 4 Common Diving Petrels and 1 Grey-faced Petrel.

Common Dolphins - common in Hauraki Gulf

Australasian Gannets - abundant in Hauraki Gulf

Fluttering Shearwaters - also abundant here

Only 4 Common Diving Petrels found

The only Grey-faced Petrel on this trip!

Day 2

The only birding today was at Miranda Shorebird Centre and the surrounding coast. The best time to bird at the Main Hide is +/- 2 hours of high tide. Wader-wise, there were lots of Red Knots and Wrybills, and some Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-winged Stilts and oystercatchers (Variable and South Island Pied). Also present along the coast were 3 species of gulls (Black-billed, Red-billed and Kelp), Grey-faced Herons, Great Egret and Pied Cormorants. In the grassy areas, there were Swamp Harrier, Masked Lapwings, Sacred Kingfishers and Eurasian Skylarks.

Red Knots, Wrybills (endemic) and Black-billed Gulls (endemic)

South Island Pied Oystercatchers and Black-billed Gull

Bar-tailed Godwit. Black-winged Stilt

The larger Kelp Gull and the smaller Red-billed Gull

Caspian Tern. White-fronted Tern (endemic)

Pied Cormorants. White-faced Heron

Variable Oystercatchers and South Island Pied Oystercatcher - both endemics

Grey Teals and Black-winged Stilts

Introduced Eurasian Skylark

Day 3

Today we drove around Lake Rotorua, starting with the forest between Blue Lake and Green Lake. We found the endemic Tomtit, Grey Warbler and NZ Fantail, the native Silvereyes, and the introduced Chaffinches.

Endemic Tomtit (male). Introduced Chaffinch (male)

In the smaller lakes around Lake Rotorua, we found the endemic NZ Grebes, the native Great and Little Pied Cormorants, and the introduced Black Swans, Canada Geese and Mallards.

Great Cormorants (adult and juvenile). Immature Little Pied Cormorants

We added the endemics, NZ Pigeon and NZ Bellbird, of all place, by a roadside!

At Hamurana Springs, there were lots of endemic NZ Scaups, and introduced Greylag Geese and Mallards in the pond, and introduced Common Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in the woods.

Endemic New Zealand Scaups - female left, males right

Song Thrush and Common Blackbird (male) - both common introduced species

Finally, at Kuirau Park, a pair of introduced Eastern Rosellas were spotted.

Introduced Eastern Rosellas

Day 4

Today, we travelled from Rotorua to Turangi. First stop at Rainbow Mountain gave us more Tomtit, NZ Bellbird, NZ Fantails and Silvereyes.

Silvereye

Along the way we stop by a number of places, but only got two new birds - Yellowhammer from Kerosene Creek and Aratiatia Dam, and Little Black Cormorant at Aratiatia Dam.

Introduced Yellowhammer. Native Little Black Cormorant

At the final stop of the day, Opepe Walk, was added the endemic Tui and more NZ Pigeons, NZ Bellbirds, NZ Fantails and Silvereyes.

Day 5

The first target today was the endemic Blue Duck at Tongariro River and sure enough there was exactly one bird found. Other ducks found here were the endemic Paradise Shelducks and the native Pacific Black Ducks. There were also endemic Whiteheads and NZ Fantails, native Grey Warblers and Swamp Harrier, introduced California Quails and Common Redpolls.

Endemic Blue Duck

Pacific Black Ducks

Endemic Grey Warbler in the reeds

Swamp Harrier - the most common raptor around

Day 6

We started the day at Pureora Forest, which got us the endemic NZ Kaka and North Island Robin, and more Tuis and Whiteheads.

Endemic NZ Kaka

Endemic North Island Robin

Endemic Whitehead

On the way to Mapara South Road, we got a small group of Paradise Shelducks in the field.

Paradise Shelducks - female left, male right

Day 7

We spent Day 7 travelling up to Whangaparaoa, making stops at Ruakuri Bushwalk and Hakarimata Rail Trail.

Day 8

Day 8 was more exciting as we spent the day on Tiritiri Matangi Island - a safe haven for endemic birds, many of which have been translocated here.

NZ Fantail and Pigeon are not shy at all!

The endemic NZ Bellbird and Tui are abundant here.

The endemic Stitchbird - left female, right male - is common here.

The endemic Saddleback is not so common here.

The star bird of the island trip - a rare North Island Kokako

South Island Takahe vs Purple Swamphen

Actual size comparison

Not an endemic, but still a good bird - Morepork on a day roost!

After returning to the mainland, we spent some time in Shakespear Regional Park. People were feeding the introduced California Quails and House Sparrows. There were also many other introduced birds, such as Indian Peafowls, Common Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and lots of Common Mynas.

California Quails and House Sparrows - both introduced

Day 9

Today was spent travelling to Trounson Kauri Park, hoping to see the Northern Brown Kiwi. Unfortunately, we dip at it, only seeing one Common Brushtail Possum, two NZ Longfin Eels, three Wetas and six European Rabbits.

Weta

Day 10

The last day of this trip was spent on the complimentary cruise from Day 1's disappointing cruise. Alas, we still don't see any whale.

Common Dolphins

Red-billed Gulls and Fluttering Shearwaters

E - endemic, N - native, I - introduced

1. Northern Brown Kiwi - E - both males and females heard only at Trounson Kauri Park
2. Black Swan - I - Miranda Shorebird Centre (10), Rotorua (5), Aratiatia Dam (5), Shakespear Regional Park (5)
3. Canada Goose - I - Rotorua (10), Gulf Harbour (30)
4. Greylag Goose - Hamurana Springs (3)
5. Paradise Shelduck - E - Tongariro River (2), Mapara South Road (4)
6. NZ Scaup - E - Hobbiton Movie Set (20), Hamurana Springs (50), Aratiatia (20)
7. Pacific Black Duck - N - Tongariro River (5)
8. Mallard - I - common in lakes
9. Grey Teal - N - Miranda (30)
10. Blue Duck - E - Tongariro (1)
11. California Quail - I - Tongariro (1), Shakespear (10)
12. Indian Peafowl - I - Shakespear (5)
13. Common Pheasant - I - Mapara (1)
14. Wild Turkey - I - seen along highway
15. NZ Grebe - E - Lake Rotoiti (2)
16. Rock Dove - I - Auckland City, Gulf Harbour
17. NZ Pigeon - E - Rotorua, Opepe, Kaimanawa Forest Park, Tiritiri Matangi
18. Purple Swamphen - N - Hobitton, Rotorua, Hakarimata Rail Trail, Tiritiri, Shakespear
19. South Island Takahe - E - Tiritiri (4)
20. Common Coot - N - Hobbiton (5), Rotorua (5)
21. Little Penguin - N - Tiritiri (1)
22. Grey-faced Petrel - N - Haukari Gulf (1)
23. Fluttering Shearwater - N - Haukari (>100)
24. Common Diving Petrel - N - Haukari (4)
25. Great Egret - N - Miranda (1)
26. White-faced Heron - N - Miranda (5), Shakespear (3)
27. Pacific Reef Egret - N - Haukari (1)
28. Australasian Gannet - N - Haukari (>100)
29. Little Pied Cormorant - N - Rotorua, Aratiatia (3)
30. Great Cormorant - N - Rotorua (5), Aratiatia (5), Tongariro (5)
31. Little Black Cormorant - N - Aratiatia (1)
32. Pied Cormorant - N - Hauraki, Miranda, Tongariro, Gulf Harbour, Tiritiri
33. South Island Oystercatcher - E - Hauraki (2), Miranda (15)
34. Variable Oystercatcher - E - Miranda (4), Gulf Harbour (2), Tiritiri (2)
35. Black-winged Stilt - N - Miranda (15), Shakespear (20)
36. Masked Lapwing - N - Hobbiton (2), Aratiatia (5)
37. Wrybill - E - Miranda (>100)
38. Bar-tailed Godwit - N - Miranda (>15)
39. Red Knot - N - Miranda (>100)
40. Red-billed Gull - N - common at Hauraki, Miranda
41. Black-billed Gull - E - Miranda (15)
42. Kelp Gull - N - common at Hauraki, Miranda, Rotorua
43. Caspian Tern - N - Miranda (10)
44. White-fronted Tern - E - common at Hauraki, Miranda
45. Swamp Harrier - N - common in open areas
46. Morepork - N - Tiritiri (1)
47. Sacred Kingfisher - N - common
48. NZ Kaka - E - Pureora Forest Park (2)
49. Eastern Rosella - I - Kuirau Park (2), Tiritiri (1), Shakespear (3), Bushmen's Memorial (3)
50. Red-fronted Parakeet - E - Tiritiri (3)
51. Rifleman - E - Pureora (heard)
52. Tui - E - Opepe (1), Pureora (5), Ruakuri Bushwalk (1), Tiritiri (>20)
53. NZ Bellbird - E - Rotorua (2), Rainbow Mountain (1), Opepe (1), Tongariro (2), Mapara (1), Tiritiri (>50)
54. Grey Warbler - E - Hobbiton (1), Rotorua (1), Tongariro (1), Mapara (1), Hakarimata (2)
55. North Island Kokako - E - Tiritiri (3)
56. Saddleback - E - Tiritiri (8)
57. Stitchbird - E - Tiritiri (>20)
58. Whitehead - E - Tongariro (1), Pureora (5), Tiritiri (8)
59. Australian Magpie - N - common
60. NZ Fantail - E - common
61. Tomtit - E - Rotorua (5), Rainbow Mt (1), Kaimanawa (2), etc
62. North Island Robin - E- Pureora (2), Tiritiri (3)
63. House Sparrow - I - common in urban areas
64. Common Chaffinch - I - Rotorua, Waiotapu, etc
65. Common Redpoll - I - Tongariro (3)
66. European Goldfinch - I - Rotorua (3)
67. Yellowhammer - I - Kerosene Creek (1), Aratiatia (1), Mapara (1), Hakarimata (2)
68. Eurasian Skylark - I - Miranda (5), Tiritiri (1)
69. Welcome Swallow - N - common
70. Silvereye - N - common in woodlands
71. Common Starling - I - common in urban areas
72. Common Myna - I - abundant in urban areas
73. Song Thrush - I - common in parks
74. Common Blackbird - I - common in parks