Forest Wagtail 286th Lifer!

 17th September 

While leaving towards Sungei Buloh, I spotted this magnificent Hawk Eagle by the side of the road at Chua Chu Kang Park. The wooded area behind the community garden has been home to a family of these majestic raptors. This light morph adult gave very good views,

light morph Changeable Hawk Eagle

A juvenile Dark Morph Changeable Hawk Eagle was calling loudly from behind the light morph, I was shocked when they both landed in a nest. I was not sure if this was the juvenile from a few months ago or a new juvenile. 

Parent and Child Changeable Hawk Eagles

After being distracted by the eagles, we continued our journey to Sungei Buloh. The resident Buffy Fish Owl once again greeted us at the boardwalk going into the wetland centre. Nearby, in a fruiting tree next to the centre, a pair of Ashy Tailorbirds gave good views.

Buffy Fish Owl

Ashy Tailorbird

At the main hide, a flock of Pacific Golden Plovers were resting at the mudflats, upon closer inspection, two Sand Plovers were among the flock. However, their bills were not thick and long enough to be the Greater Sand Plover spotted recently. Their black legs and general size and shape pointed to Lesser Sand Plovers

Lesser Sand Plovers

Pacific Golden Plovers

At the sluice gate, a flock of redshanks foraged in the mudflats. More Pacific Golden Plovers few in as I spotted the Terek Sandpiper which was once again amongst the redshank flock. 

Common Redshank

Terek Sandpiper

 

Usually at hide 1E there are very little birds, however I noticed something moving in the tall grass. I almost overlooked it as a spotted dove but its plumage was distinctively different. Turns out it was a Red Turtle Dove. Despite the huge distance, I was elated to finally get a photo of the female.

Red Collared Dove

At the sluice gate, a Grey Heron was feasting on a fish. At platform 2, a pair of Lesser Adjutants were feeding at the river mouth as a Grey Headed Fish Eagle gave distant views. 

Grey Heron

Lesser Adjutant 

At hide 1C, the flock of Pacific Golden Plovers showed very well with them being only 10-15 meters away. There was at least 74 Pacific Golden Plovers and 2 Lesser Sand Plovers. A few of the golden plovers were moulting out of breeding plumage.

 

Pacific Golden Plover

Lesser Sand Plover

At the sluice gate, there was a flock of little egrets. There was a cattle egret within the flock. A sudden blue flash brought our attention to a Stork Billed Kingfisher which was gave amazing views. It dived numerous times but failed to catch any fish. While leaving, we spotted the owl once again at the same spot.

Egrets

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Buffy Fish Owl

18th September 

The previous day at Dairy Farm Nature Park, a Ferruginous Flycatcher was reported at the Wallace Trail platform. At car park B, I spotted a juvenile Little Spiderhunter being fed by its parent and we walked in towards Wallace Trail. At the platform, a juvenile Tiger Shrike and adult Little spiderhunter showed very well

Little Spiderhunter

Tiger Shrike

Little Spiderhunter

Afterwards, we went Yishun again, hoping to see if there were any rare wagtails within the flock. When we arrived at 6:05pm, the wagtails were already flying from block to block. They would first land on top of block 153,153, 151 and the red roof of 156. At 6:30pm, they flew down to the palm trees in between 154 and 153.

Grey Wagtail

It was 6:40pm, I slowly scanned each and every palm tree using my binoculars when I noticed one that did not have a yellow underside. I overlooked it as an Eastern Yellow Wagtail which, during that period would be ironically be completely grey. However, a closer look revealed its wing bars, brownish back, light underparts and black "bib". Hence, I could confidently identify it as a Forest Wagtail. A lifer and a year bird! A great way to end the weekend before exam period begins. 

Forest Wagtail

September Holidays Wader watching

 1st September 

After many days of waiting impatiently to finally have time to go down to Sungei Buloh for the recently reported Black-tailed Godwit. I missed it the previous day because I had tuition therefore I was devastated  to hear that it did not appear this morning. However seeing as the tide would be high in the afternoon therefore forcing waders to feed in the mudflats of the reserve instead of elsewhere, I made my way down, determined to find the godwit. At the observation screen in front of the main hide, many waders were already there. Flocks of Little Egrets, feral Storks, Whimbrels, Redshanks and Golden Plovers

Little Egrets, Milky Storks, Painted Storks, Whimbrel

Next to the screen, a pair of Malayan Water Monitors were fighting 

At the main hide, a flock of Common Redshanks flew in to the left of the main hide. After scanning briefly, I spotted a Terek Sandpiper within the flock. It was distinctively different with yellowish legs instead of orange and red legs. Its upturned bill, small size and lightish plumage made it stand out from the group of Redshanks.

Common Redshank

Terek Sandpiper

The Redshanks then flew back to the other side of the mudflats joining the whimbrels. A black dog walked past causing all the waders to fly over to observation screen at the sluice gate to the left of the main hide.

Common Redshanks, Whimbrels and Little Egret

At the mangrove boardwalk before the start of the main bridge, Copper Throated Sunbirds were calling and prancing around the boardwalk. Fortunately, it stood still for a few seconds and showed off its beautiful copper throat. At the bridge, Pacific Swallows were perching on the railings providing great views.

Copper Throated Sunbird

Pacific Swallow

At the boardwalk from the wetland center returning back to the car park, the Buffy Fish Owl was in the open although the lighting was very poor. At the carpark, the flowering plants attracted a few Brown Throated Sunbirds which gave good views.

Buffy Fish Owl

Brown Throated Sunbird

2nd September

A trip down to Yishun Dam, proved a waste of time as I missed the Greater Sand Plover by a few minutes a few days ago. The only birds present were 3 Lesser Sand Plovers and a pair of Common Sandpipers. At Yishun Dam, the probability of seeing shorebirds is based mainly on the tide. If the tide is too low. For example below 1.1, they will be feeding at the mudflats at khatib bongsu which is way too far away. However at 1.3-1.5, the waders will arrive at the mudflats right next to the road. Allowing for close views. If the tide is above that, the mudflats will be too covered and no waders will come. Here are the tide-timings. There is also an app called mytidetimes which allows you to see more accurately at which areas would the tide be at that level. Once the tide went higher to 1.3, a flock of Lesser Sand Plovers flew in, however no Greater Sand Plovers were among the flock.

Common Sandpiper

Lesser sand Plovers

4th September 

Once again, another visit to Sungei Buloh. At the main hide, a flock of Common Greenshank were well camouflaged and despite sitting there for quite some time, none of the photographers in the hide noticed them until they started moving.

Common Greenshanks

At hide 1C, B5! The Terek Sandpiper showed well along with a flock of golden plovers, whimbrels and redshanks

B5 the Terek Sandpiper

Back at the main hide, a flock of storks and Eastern Cattle Egrets were foraging at the grass patch separating the mudflats. 

Eastern Cattle Egret- photobombed by a bee

At platform 1, the rare Lesser Adjutant showed slightly better than the other times I have seen it. This bird always feeds extremely far away at river mouths or flying high up in the sky. This time it was perched 200m away at a stone island easily viewed from platform 1. After perching for quite some time it flew off. At platform 2, a Great Billed Heron showed well wading through the water looking for fish.

Lesser Adjutant- King of the tower!

Great-Billed Heron

A notification from my phone alerted me, a Greater Sand Plover was reported at Yishun Dam. Seeing as the tide would be 1.5 by the time I reach. I figured I would still have a chance despite the intermittent weather. A 25 minute drive later, I carried a yellow raincoat as I ran from Rower's Bay Park and impatiently waited for the stop light to turn green before running to the dam. At first the plovers were quite far away. Luckily, a part of the flock flew nearer. Upon closer inspection, one of them was relatively larger. However the feature that stood out the most was its impressive thick bill and greenish-yellow legs! These features made it distinctively different from the flock. Finally another year bird! 

Greater Sand vs Lesser Sand Plover

Greater Sand Plover- #year bird 236

In the evening, my mother was very excited to have a look at the juvenile Sunda Scops Owl at Pasir Ris Park. At Pasir Ris Park car park B, there was a small pond behind the toilets. At that pond a few large trees was a day roost for the Sunda Scops Owl. Both the adult and juvenile Scops Owls were luckily present and showed quite well.

Sunda Scops Owl

Nearby, at Lorong Halus Wetlands, a flock of Golden Backed Weavers with a few Baya Weavers were foraging next to the road on the seeds of a row of plants. Surprisingly no males were seen and all of them were females.

Female Golden Backed Weaver

5th September

A pair of Common Kingfishers had recently been reported at Singapore Botanical Gardens. Upon reaching Symphony Lake, the kingfishers were nowhere in sight. However, a huge Grey-Headed Fish Eagle was on an open perch of a humongous tree overlooking the lake. 

Grey Headed Fish Eagle

In the evening, a trip to Sungei Buloh was thwarted by an incoming heavy thunderstorm. The weather forecast is not very reliable at times. After checking the parts of Singapore which were not currently pouring, we decided to go south to Jurong Lake Gardens to look for early migrants. Due to the absence of people and the wet grass, the crakes and buttonquails were extremely active and obliging. Squatting down and waiting, the birds will eventually approach you. At one point, the buttonquails were right in front of my lens!

 

Ruddy-breasted Crake

female

Running in unison 

Barred Buttonquail-male

As the light started to fade, a Slaty Breasted Rail appeared but stayed hidden in vegetation most of the time. Ironically, this usually obliging bird was the most skittish bird today even though usually the quail and crakes are usually the skittish ones.

Slaty-breasted Rail

6th September 

A flock of Marsh Sandpipers were seen recently at Sungei Buloh. However the tide was too high at the sluice gate and main hide. So Hide 1D should be where the plovers were. While walking towards the hide, my dad spotted an Asian Emerald Dove on the path. This was the first time I have seen it at Sungei Buloh.

Asian Emerald Dove

As I predicted, all the waders were at hide 1D with an accurate count of 49 Whimbrels, 6 greenshanks, 1 Terek Sandpiper and many Redshanks. The birds were very obliging with the redshanks coming right next to the hide.

Common Redshank

Whimbrel

Terek Sandpiper

On the way out, the courtship display of the Great Billed Heron was witnessed by my father while I only managed to hear its dinosaur sounding calls. At the same observation screen near platform 1, a milky and painted stork hybrid appeared.

In the morning, I attempted to find any rare waders and terns at Marina East Drive. Parking along the road at Marina East Drive could be risky as you might get threatened with a fine. However it saved 20 minutes of walking from the Marina Barrage. We headed down to the breakwaters to find a male Malaysian Plover providing good views.

Malaysian Plover-male

A lone Pacific Golden Plover was a surprise and my first time encountering it at Marina East Drive. Its golden plumage makes it much more unique compared to the other waders.

Pacific Golden Plover

At the grasslands which had been drastically impacted by the cutting of vegetation, a few egrets foraged. An Intermediate Egret gave distant views before flying off. It can be differentiated from the Great Egret by its black-tipped bill and gape which does not pass the eye. 

A Purple Heron and Little Egret also made a distant appearance. Nearby, on a street lamp, A White-throated Kingfisher showed well.

7th September

Another trip to Sungei Buloh, another attempt for the Marsh Sandpiper. At the sluice gate. The island which was a popular spot for herons and egrets hosted a Purple Heron juvenile. Nearby, a Stork Billed Kingfisher showed very well and dived twice!

Purple Heron

Stork Billed Kingfisher

At hide 1.11, there was an airshow, as crows chased the White-Bellied Sea Eagles, which in turn, flushed the shorebirds. The sky was a canvas of colour, it was such a wonderful experience. However no Marsh Sandpipers were seen in the flock.

Whimbrels and Pacific Golden Plover

 

White Bellied Sea Eagle

At screen 1.11, a few egrets showed well. An intermediate egret came close to show its black-tipped bill and eyeline. The Little Egret's distinct yellow toes were also seen. At the wetland center, many fruiting and flowering plants attracted crimson sunbirds and this spectacular Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

Little Egret

Intermediate Egret

Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker

8th September

Today was a very exciting trip where I finally got a lifer I have been trying to get since last year. We started the day at the sluice game where a Collared Kingfisher showed well as a flock of greenshanks foraged alongside the usual Common Redshanks

Collared Kingfisher

Common Greenshank

At observation screen 1.12, the commonly heard Ashy Tailorbird made an appearance. At the mudflats, a group of redshanks were foraging. once again, B5 appeared! Up in the sky, a flock of Cattle Egrets drifted pass.

Ashy Tailorbird

Terek Sandpiper

Cattle Egret

At Platform 1, A Lesser Adjutant showed again, they seem to inhabit the stretch of river from platform 1 to Hide 1D. 

Lesser Adjutant 

Just as we were about to leave, I noticed a flock of Redshanks and Cattle Egrets at the sluice gate. Scanning through the flock, I noticed one that was smaller than the redshanks. At first, I was very confused but upon closer inspection of its sharp thin bill, white supercilium, yellowish legs and size, I confidently identified it as Marsh Sandpiper. Finally! After missing it by a few minutes multiple times, I finally got this increasingly uncommon lifer! Running from the sluice gate to observation screen 1.11 proved to be a good use of time as it was 10 times more closer!

 

Marsh Sandpiper and Cattle Egret

Marsh Sandpiper- year bird 237!

9th September

It was the long awaited day, me and my friend Joshua had been planning to find waders at Chek Jawa on this date. However the tide will only be low at 4:30pm. While on the bumboat ($4 per person), I spotted a Great Crested Tern. Another year bird. We then visited the Living Lab first, which is a reliable spot for the Cinnamon Headed Green Pigeon. The melodious songs of the White-rumped Shama, were everywhere. Tracking a close-by individual, we got a good view of one. Along Jalan Wat Siam, a Yellow-rumped Flycatcher hawked in the undergrowth as a Mangrove Pitta called deep within the mangroves  

White-Rumped Shama

Yellow Rumped Flycatcher

At Jalan Noordin, Joshua briefly saw the resident subspecies of the Ruddy Kingfisher and it called very faintly. Shortly afterwards, a Rufous woodpecker flew in and gave good views. My first sighting of a male! You can see the red patch beneath its eye to tell it apart from a female.

Rufous Woodpecker

After a good lunch at the Jetty, it started to rain heavily. After waiting for the rain to stop. We took the van taxi to Chek Jawa($15 for 4 people). At Pulua Seduku, a colony of nesting herons were seen. A whimbrel was also seen extremely far away. At Jejawi Tower, a Daurian Starling within a flock of hundreds of asian Glossy Starlings and an Oriental Pied Hornbill showed well. At the mudflats, grey plovers, whimbrels and Common Sandpipers were seen. A disappointing trip but still a high count of 76 common species and 2 year birds were more than enough the end the day.

Grey Heron

Daurian Starling

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Common Sandpiper

10th September

A post on the facebook group Bird Sightings stated that more than a hundred Grey Wagtails were recently seen at a wagtail roost. Hoping for a forest Wagtail, me and my mother went to Yishun Street 11 attempting to find one. At 6.10pm, we went up to block 154 and started to see a few Grey Wagtails flying onto the rooftops. They appeared on top of Block 156, 153, and 154 with most of them congregating on top of the red roof of 156. At 6.40pm, they started flying down to the palm trees next to block 153. Although we did not spot any Forest Wagtails, the wondrous sight of hundreds of wagtails was a great way to end the holidays.

 

Grey Wagtail