Just got back from Singapore this morning via KTMB train (depart Singapore @ 2215 [11/02/07] and arrival in Kajang @ 0615 [12/02/07]). It was more of a casual exploration with a Singapore-based birding friend, Tony. I was fortunate to have him showing me around the island. On Sunday trip, the most unfortunate thing that happen was the car that we travel had a puncture tyre. Most probably due to driving in Changi Cove’s dusty maze. Sorry for that , Tony. (
click here for bird photos)
During my first morning in Singapore, I took a bus to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. I walked along a trail and met another photographer. The spot where he was standing is where the orange-headed thrush, a crake and a hogdson’s hawk cuckoo were spotted earlier. He even showed me where a hooded pitta always hang around and the look-out point overseeing a quarry where various flycatchers were sighted and photographed. I waited at the spot where the thrush was spotted. Nothing in sight until I walked up to the photographer again. He showed me a photo of the laced woodpecker (which I also managed to see a minute ago). As we were chatting for a few minutes, a small figure appeared next to us. A CRAKE!!!! my first crake!!! lifer for me. I did not have the flash attach to my camera, so all my shots are just for ID. I walked up and down the trail again. After a few minutes, a bird just flew off from its hiding. It’s a pitta!!! I only managed to get a glimpse of it. another LIFER for me!!! my first pitta. I quickly retrace my steps and I met another photographer. We tried to wait for the pitta but the next bird that appeared at a distant was hopping on the ground. Initially, I thought it was the pitta. I pointed it to him. As the bird comes closer, we finally ID it the orange-headed thrush. another LIFER!!!!! I didn’t get a good shot though but was satisfy with the sighting. After a while, another photographer arrived at the scene. I think he managed to get some photos of the thrush. Congrats to him. Later that day, I met up with Tony. He drove me to look for birds and one of these places is the area which we covered during my first Singapore bird race back in 2004. The Indian Cuckoo we saw that evening is another LIFER for me.
On my last day (Sunday) in Singapore, I met up with Tony again. We got several good sightings at several spots. Some of the notable ones include zitting cisticola (really good look at a close distance), red collared dove, common snipe, pacific golden plover, and a pair of long-tailed shrike.
There will be another time for Singapore Exploration because I miss out the White-crested Laughing Thrush, owls and nightjars. So, here is my list for Singapore (casual) Bird Exploration 2007
Collared Kingfisher
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Laced Woodpecker
Red-legged Crake
Dark-necked Tailorbird
White-bellied Sea Eagle
Blue-tailed Bee Eater
Yellow-vented bulbul
Orange-headed Thrush
Javan Myna
Common Myna
Black-naped Oriole
Common Iora
Golden-bellied Gerygone (calls only)
House Crow
Sparrowhawk (ID not confirm)
Indian Cuckoo
Dollarbird
Coppersmith Barbet
Pink-necked Pigeon
White-throated Kingfisher
Corella
Red-collared Dove
Barn Swallow
Grey Wagtail
Paddyfield Pipit
Common Sandpiper
Zitting Cisticola
Great Egret
Little Egret
Cattle Egret
Long-tailed Shrike (1 pair)
Brown Shrike
White-breasted Waterhen
Brahminy Kite
Pacific Golden Plover
Common Redshank
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Pond Heron
Common Snipe
Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker
Lesser Coucal
Spotted Dove
Peaceful Dove
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Long-tailed Parakeet
Koel
Asian Glossy Starling
Straw-headed Bulbul (calls only)