Monthly Roundups

Monthly Roundup: Apr 2023

/ by raghavnarayanswamy | Leave a comment

Monthly Roundup: Apr 2023

Birders were glued to Chek Jawa this April, and with its selection of rarities it’s not hard to see why!

Highlights

  • Singapore’s first ever wild White-crowned Hornbill, at Chek Jawa
  • A different Black-and-red Broadbill to the one encountered last year – this time a ringed bird, also at Chek Jawa
  • Korean-flagged Chinese Egret returning for a second year, again at Chek Jawa
  • Whiskered Tern on Singapore Straits, the first outside of Aug–Feb in 15 years – this species is very scarce here in the spring

All records for Apr 2023 (Show all records)

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Changi Business Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 2 (1)

Ulu Pandan Linear Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 28 (1)

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 01 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 12 (1)
Apr 13 (1)

Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides (species writeup) Show 2 records

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 8 (1)

Singapore Botanic Gardens Eco Lake

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 29 (1)

Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor (species writeup) Show 1 record

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 12 (1)

Jambu Fruit Dove Ptilinopus jambu (species writeup) Show 1 record

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 22 (1)

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 5 individuals

First recorded 17 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Chen Boon Chong

eBird
Apr 9 (2)

Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 26 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Tan Bing Yang

eBird
Apr 14 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 26 (1)
Apr 29 (1)

Watercock Gallicrex cinerea (species writeup) Show 2 records

Marina East (Gardens by the Bay: Bay East / Marina Barrage)

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 27 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 4 (2)
Apr 23 (1)
Apr 28 (1)

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 15 (1)
Apr 15 (1)
Apr 23 (1)

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator (species writeup) Show 2 records

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 13 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 7 (1)
Apr 8 (2)
Apr 9 (1)
Apr 15 (1)
Apr 20 (1)
Apr 21 (1)
Apr 24 (2)
(not a complete list)

Changi Bay Point

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 19 (1)

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (species writeup) Show 1 record

Loyang Rock

Highest count: 10 individuals

Earlier record on 19 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 9 (10)
Apr 10 (4)
Apr 11 (4)
Apr 22 (6)
Apr 24 (1)
Apr 25 (3)
(not a complete list)

Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Strait

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (2)

Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana (species writeup) Show 2 records

Pulau Ubin/Pasir Ris/Changi

Highest count: 20 individuals

eBird
Apr 1 (6)
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 6 (10)
Apr 27 (2)
Apr 29 (2)
Apr 30 (1)
(not a complete list)

Singapore Strait

Highest count: 10 individuals

eBird
Apr 29 (10)
Apr 29 (5)

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Strait

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (2)

Whiskered Tern on Singapore Straits on 29 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Yip Jen Wei

Whiskered Tern on Singapore Straits on 29 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Yip Jen Wei
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Strait

Highest count: 40 individuals

eBird
Apr 29 (40)

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 01 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 6 (2)
Apr 12 (2)
Apr 24 (2)

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (species writeup) Show 3 records

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 6 individuals

Earlier record on 28 Jan 2023

eBird
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 10 (1)
Apr 20 (6)
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 23 (1)
Apr 24 (1)
Apr 25 (2)
(not a complete list)

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 9 (1)

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 30 (1)

Von Schrenck’s Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 7 (1)

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 27 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 1 (1)
Apr 4 (1)
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 6 (1)
Apr 7 (1)
Apr 9 (1)
(not a complete list)

Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus (species writeup) Show 1 record

National University Singapore

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 23 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 7 (1)
Apr 9 (1)

Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii (species writeup) Show 4 records

Holland Plain

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 22 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 1 (1)
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 11 (2)

Dover Road (former Transview Golf Course)

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 31 Mar 2023

eBird
Apr 1 (1)
Apr 7 (1)
Apr 9 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 17 (1)
Apr 30 (1)
(not a complete list)

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 8 (1)
Apr 11 (1)

Lorong Halus

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 19 Apr 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Jeffrey Ong

Indian Pond Heron at Lorong Halus on 19 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Jeffrey Ong

Indian Pond Heron at Lorong Halus on 19 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Jeffrey Ong
Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes (species writeup) Show 1 record

Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

First recorded 01 Apr 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Weekend Birder

eBird
Apr 1 (2)
Apr 5 (2)
Apr 5 (2)
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
(not a complete list)

Chinese Egret at Chek Jawa Wetlands on 01 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Adrian Silas Tay

Chinese Egret at Chek Jawa Wetlands on 01 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Adrian Silas Tay
Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni (species writeup) Show 1 record

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Previous late date was on 30 Mar 2022

eBird
Apr 2 (1)

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela (species writeup) Show 2 records

Admiralty Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 12 (1)

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 24 (1)
Apr 25 (1)
Apr 27 (1)
(not a complete list)

Northern Boobook Ninox japonica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Airline Road

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 14 Apr 2023

RC decision: Accepted

White-crowned Hornbill Berenicornis comatus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 16 Apr 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Zhang Shubo (Kiri)

SBP (subrecords)
Apr 16 – Han Jinchi (1)

eBird
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
(not a complete list)

White-crowned Hornbill at Pulau Ubin on 22 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Adrian Silas Tay

White-crowned Hornbill at Pulau Ubin on 22 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Adrian Silas Tay
Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda (species writeup) Show 1 record

Admiralty Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 7 (1)
Apr 8 (1)
Apr 9 (1)
Apr 10 (1)
(not a complete list)

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting (species writeup) Show 7 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 01 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 12 (1)

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 09 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 4 (1)
Apr 20 (1)
Apr 24 (1)
Apr 30 (2)

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 16 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 3 (1)
Apr 8 (1)
Apr 16 (1)

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 13 Nov 2022

eBird
Apr 1 (1)
Apr 29 (2)
Apr 29 (1)

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 27 Jan 2023

eBird
Apr 25 (1)

Upper Seletar Reservoir Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 2 (1)

Kent Ridge Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 19 (1)

Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 01 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 13 (1)

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 05 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 9 (1)

Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 17 Apr 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Sandra Chia

SBP (subrecords)
Apr 21 – Mike Kane (1)
Apr 25 – Herman Phua (1)
Apr 25 – Jay Wong (1)
Apr 25 – Koh Wild (1)

eBird
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 23 (1)
Apr 24 (1)
Apr 25 (1)
Apr 26 (1)
Apr 29 (1)
(not a complete list)

Black-and-red Broadbill at Pulau Ubin on 25 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Herman Phua

Black-and-red Broadbill at Pulau Ubin on 25 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Herman Phua
Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida (species writeup) Show 1 record

Oriole

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 27 (1)

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 14 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Weekend Birder

eBird
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 16 (1)
Apr 30 (1)
Apr 30 (1)
Apr 30 (1)
(not a complete list)

Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea (species writeup) Show 1 record

Berlayer Creek Boardwalk

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 27 Feb 2023

eBird
Apr 6 (1)
Apr 6 (1)
Apr 11 (1)
Apr 15 (1)
Apr 16 (1)

Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectens (species writeup) Show 3 records

Singapore Botanic Gardens–Learning Forest and Swan Lake

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 13 Oct 2022

eBird
Apr 6 (1)

Tuas South (Tuas South Avenue 16 and surrounds)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 2 (1)

CBP Canal

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 16 (1)

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata (species writeup) Show 3 records

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird
Apr 1 (1)
Apr 8 (2)
Apr 16 (1)
(not a complete list)

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 8 (1)
Apr 8 (1)
Apr 8 (1)

Berlayer Creek Boardwalk

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 8 (1)

Cinereous Bulbul Hemixos cinereus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 8 individuals

eBird
Apr 19 (2)
Apr 22 (2)
Apr 23 (1)
Apr 26 (2)
Apr 29 (2)
Apr 30 (1)
(not a complete list)

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Thomson Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 4 (1)

Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae (species writeup) Show 1 record

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 23 Dec 2022

eBird
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 5 (1)
Apr 13 (1)

Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki (species writeup) Show 3 records

Tuas South (Tuas South Avenue 16 and surrounds)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 2 (1)

Jurong Lake Gardens (inc. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden)

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird
Apr 2 (2)
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 2 (1)
Apr 7 (1)
Apr 8 (1)
Apr 9 (1)

Labrador Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
Apr 11 (1)

Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 22 Apr 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Submitted by Lee Chien Nien

SBP (subrecords)
Apr 22 – Lim Qian Xun (1)

eBird
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 22 (1)
Apr 26 (1)
(not a complete list)

Lesser Green Leafbird at Pulau Ubin on 22 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

Lesser Green Leafbird at Pulau Ubin on 22 Apr 2023. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

Rarity records still under review

Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon Treron fulvicollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 22 Apr 2023

Record under review

Submitted by Lee Chien Nien

eBird
Apr 22 (1)

Cover photo: White-crowned Hornbill at Chek Jawa. Photo credit: Goh Cheng Teng

This report is made possible by analyzing the many hundreds of checklists uploaded to eBird every month, identifying and merging sightings, and compiling these records into the required format. This process is almost entirely automated, with light editing by our team as needed. We hope that we did not overlook any eBird records of species listed in this report, and that the report is factually correct. 

Before our official launch in August 2023 (and subsequent renaming to the Bird Society of Singapore), articles on this blog were published under our previous name, the Singapore Birds Project.
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