Tuas 12Oct13

From KH

Con, Danny and I went to Tuas to recce for wader and raptor access points. However, there were only 1 Malaysian Plover and a few Common Sandpipers at the sand bank. Raptor-wise we only got the residents.

After lunch, Danny and I went to Sungei Buloh, but there were only the usual waders.

Pasir Ris Park 7Oct13

From Con

I think I finally have got the Eastern Crowned Warbler.

I went to PRP to look for the Buffy Fish Owl and also try for Eastern Crowned Warbler, as I thought it should be a good habitat for him, and avoid the crowds at Bida and the very tall trees at Bida.

It was a very murky morning, I walked around the board walk and the Buffy was no where to be seen. Amazingly about 5 photographers had a woodpecker cornered in a hole, I thought everyone would be at Bida. I did see a warbler in a fairly low mangrove type tree, but some grannies came by talking loudly so no luck. I hung around there for awhile but couldn’t find any more warblers.

Then I walked around the tall trees where the Wood Owl often is, but no Woodie either, and amazingly no bird activity up in the tall trees that I could see. It was still rather overcast and perhaps the insects weren’t moving around much.

Then I went back to the boardwalk, and finally found a tree with some activity in it. There was a tailorbird calling away, and finally I located a warbler, and got pretty lucky when he caught an insect and then flew over to a small branch in the open to eat it. I got a lot of shots. Unfortunately the warbler didn’t turn his head to give me a clear view of the crown, but in the 3rd image there is a hint of a crown stripe.

Overall I think this is good for Eastern. Crowner darker than Arctic. All pale bill base. Yellowish under tail (see image 4).

Mt Faber 6Oct13

From Danny

Saw one OHB & one Jap Sparrowhawk at Mt Faber.

Halus 04Oct13

From Con

Immature Red-breasted Parakeet

Bidadari 1Oct13

From Con

http://confoley.com/photo-guide-hawk-cuckoos

Changi, Pasir Ris Park, Halus 21Sep13

From KH

It was not a birdy day, but a snaky day.

Danny and I started at Hendon Road before heading to Changi grassland. Sad news - most of the left side of the grassland is blocked off. :(

Not a single migrant raptor was seen, only the locals were around - 2 pale CHE, BWKs, WBSEs and Brahminy Kites. Our first snake of the day - an Equatorial Spitting Cobra seen slithering away.

Moving to SAF Yacht Club, we saw some Little Terns, but nothing else.

After a delicious lunch at Loyang Way Food Village, we went to shady Pasir Ris Park mangrove boardwalk.

First up, a Black Wood Spider.

Next, a Longfin Snake Eel was sighted hunting in the clear shallow water. Click here for a video from Danny.

A few pairs of mating Coastal Horseshoe Crabs were also seen.

After reading a signboard depicting 4 species of water snakes, we were on the look out. Sure enough, 2 foot-long Gerard's Water Snakes (aka Yellow-lipped Water Snakes) were found in the shallows. The yellow lips can just be seen from the photos.

Then, Danny spotted a Violet Vinegar Crab cannibalising its own species, almost its size!

Finally, a brightly-coloured Hermit Crab made a showing.

A quick check at Pasir Ris Farmway did not yield any pond heron, but only 2 Little Egrets and a Common Sandpiper.

Our last stop at Lorong Halus and the tidal gates yielded Little Terns and a Yellow Wagtail.

Danny almost stepped on a Painted Bronzeback!

Singapore Strait 15Sep13

From Con

http://confoley.com/pelagic-outing-september-2013

Adult male Japanese Sparrowhawk.