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Monthly Roundup: Jan 2023

The New Year started off with a group of four stilts at Marina East Drive – unfortunately, all turned out to be Black-winged in the end. Apart from that, the usual suspects kept us busy through the month, along with some rarities.

Highlights

  • Green Sandpiper reported again at Lim Chu Kang Lane 3, possibly the same one that was first seen in Jan 2020 and again in early 2021
  • A well-photographed Hooded Pitta at Jurong East Street 21
  • A Lanceolated Warbler provided surprisingly good views this month at Kent Ridge Park, the same place where one has been seen in past years
  • A successful breeding record of Common Moorhen

All records for Jan 2023 (Show all records)

Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka (species writeup) Show 2 records

Dempsey Hill

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 26 Dec 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

49 Richards Avenue, Singapore, SG (1.363, 103.881)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus (species writeup) Show 5 records

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 31 Dec 2022

eBird

CBP Canal

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Rifle Range Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 16 Jul 2022

eBird

Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides (species writeup) Show 3 records

Coney Island (Serangoon Island)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 23 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Jambu Fruit Dove Ptilinopus jambu (species writeup) Show 3 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Lornie PCN

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 26 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 06 Dec 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 5 individuals

First recorded 17 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Common Moorhen at Marina East Drive on 17 Dec 2022. Photo credit: Chen Boon Chong

Watercock Gallicrex cinerea (species writeup) Show 3 records

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 04 Dec 2022

eBird

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 18 Dec 2022

eBird

Pasir Ris Farmway 1

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pasir Ris Farmway 1

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator (species writeup) Show 1 record

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

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 09 Jul 2022

eBird

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 4 individuals

First recorded 01 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

White-faced Plover Charadrius dealbatus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 4 individuals

First recorded 30 Sep 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 8 individuals

Earlier record on 08 Nov 2022

eBird

Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 4 individuals

Earlier record on 23 Dec 2022

eBird

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 40 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Dec 2022

eBird

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Monsoon Drain at Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 04 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Green Sandpiper at Monsoon Drain at Lim Chu Kang Lane 3 on 04 Jan 2023. Photo credit: Vincent Ng

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 4 individuals

eBird

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 10 individuals

Earlier record on 14 Jul 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 18 individuals

Earlier record on 16 Jul 2022

eBird

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (species writeup) Show 4 records

Pasir Ris

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Dec 2022

eBird

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 30 Dec 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Quarry

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa (species writeup) Show 1 record

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 25 Nov 2022

eBird

Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni (species writeup) Show 2 records

Coney Island (Serangoon Island)

Highest count: 3 individuals

Earlier record on 12 Dec 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

Pasir Ris Farmway 1

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 26 Dec 2022

eBird

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela (species writeup) Show 4 records

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 12 Nov 2022

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata (species writeup) Show 2 records

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Pasir Ris Farmway 1

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Black-capped Kingfisher at Pasir Ris Farmway 1 on 13 Jan 2023. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting (species writeup) Show 3 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 01 Jul 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 08 Jul 2022

eBird

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca (species writeup) Show 2 records

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 09 Oct 2022

eBird

Ethnobotany Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 26 Dec 2022

eBird

Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 6 individuals

Earlier record on 03 Jul 2022

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 3 individuals

Earlier record on 15 Aug 2022

eBird

Upper Seletar Reservoir Park (USRP) inc. Mandai Road Track 7 / Nee Soon Swamp Forest

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 29 Dec 2022

eBird

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – East inc. Kranji Nature Trail

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

287A Jurong East Street 21, Singapore, SG (1.339, 103.744)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Hooded Pitta at Jurong East on 10 Jan 2023. Photo credit: Francis Yap

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

Pulau Ubin Chek Jawa

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 14 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea (species writeup) Show 1 record

Berlayer Creek Boardwalk

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 03 Dec 2022

eBird

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black-headed Bulbul Brachypodius melanocephalos (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sand Martin Riparia riparia (species writeup) Show 1 record

Neo Tiew Road

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 03 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (species writeup) Show 6 records

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Satay by the Bay

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Changi Beach Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

eBird

Pasir Ris Park

eBird

Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Kent Ridge Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Lanceolated Warbler at Kent Ridge Park on 18 Jan 2023. Photo credit: Jared Tan

Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus (species writeup) Show 1 record

75a Loewen Road, Singapore, SG (1.302, 103.812)

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 26 Dec 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Seletar Aerospace Crescent

Highest count: 8 individuals

Earlier record on 04 Dec 2022

eBird

Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 15 Oct 2022

eBird

Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Nov 2022

eBird

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica (species writeup) Show 3 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 31 Oct 2022

eBird

West Coast Park: east

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Brown-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa williamsoni (species writeup) Show 2 records

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Nanyang Technological University including National Institute of Education

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae (species writeup) Show 2 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 23 Dec 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki (species writeup) Show 2 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 06 Nov 2022

eBird

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (species writeup) Show 2 records

CapitaGreen

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 31 Jan 2023

RC decision: Accepted

SkyOasis @ Dawson

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 28 Dec 2022

eBird

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 4 individuals

Earlier record on 07 Jul 2022

eBird

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Yishun Street 11, Block 153

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Rarity records still under review

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Rower’s Bay Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 08 Jan 2023

Record under review

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Gan Eng Seng Primary School

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 20 Jan 2023

Record under review

Checklist Revision for February 2023

Prepared by the Singapore Bird Records Committee

The latest update of our checklist, version 2023-1, has been published. It can be accessed at our Downloads page.


Since our last checklist update in August 2022, the Records Committee has considered and voted on over 180 records of rare and scarce birds in Singapore. We would like to thank all the observers who submitted their records, and these votes are published on our Recent Decisions page with our Live Checklist tracking additions and deletions to the checklist on a live basis.

Our “Rarities List” was renamed, as the term Review List more effectively encompasses the full list of species that we track records for; several species on our Review List might not fit the description of ‘rare’. For more information on the workings of the Records Committee, please refer to our simplified operating guidelines which have been published on our About page.

Over 500 historical records have also been compiled by our team and added since August, and nearly all species on our Review List now have records compiled in our database. 

This article includes the updates to our checklist since our last revision. Our checklist is based on the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) taxonomy, the latest version being IOC 13.1 – released this month. The checklist also contains national conservation statuses from the newly-released Red Data Book 3.

This edition of the checklist is version 2023-1, and can be downloaded at our Downloads page. Note that this downloadable checklist is a “snapshot” of the checklist as of February 2023, and may differ from our live checklists available on this site and our Records Committee site. For example, you may have noticed the below additions to the checklist already appearing on our live checklists by late last year – when they were finalised by our Records Committee – even though they are only reflected in our downloadable checklist in this official update.

There are now 428 species in the Singapore Bird Checklist with the changes in this revision.

Added to checklist

Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus [Record 10358]: One bird at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in early Nov 2022 placed this species in Category A. Our recent article discusses the committee’s rationale for unanimously accepting this record as a wild bird.

Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui [Record 10347]: A single record at Dairy Farm Nature Park on 30th October.

Removed from checklist

Buff-vented Bulbul Iole crypta is removed from the checklist as the last accepted record was in Oct 1992, exceeding the 30-year cutoff for native birds to be included in Category A. Subsequent records after 1992 have not been accepted.

Other minor changes

Barred Eagle Owl moves from Bubo to Ketupa, so its scientific name goes from Bubo sumatranus to Ketupa sumatrana.

A Student’s Big Year

By Kaeden Sim

Twitching and dipping, words I have never heard before. Now, during my Big Year (a personal challenge to see as many species of birds as possible in one calendar year), I would never be more familiar with those two words.

I remember seeing Jen Wei’s Facebook post summarising his epic 2021 Big Year, and being mesmerised by the sheer number of mega rarities all compiled in one photo and to think that they were all seen in a span of one year by one person! It was especially awe-inspiring to personally witness Jen Wei twitching the Yellow-vented Flowerpecker at Bukit Timah summit.

With major exams and other school commitments set to gradually build up over the next few years, I decided that Secondary 1 was a relatively free year to take on the monumental, time-consuming mission of a big year. Nonetheless, the life of a student is still crammed with school related activities, leaving me with much limited time for recreation. Birding only on weekends and holidays practically shortened my ‘big year’ to less than half a year. Every hour spent off the field was truly nerve-wracking – whenever I checked my phone after school, I would be distraught to see reports of rarities, praying that the bird would stay a week for me to twitch. That being said, even if it was challenging, that was what made it so fun.

In the course of the year, among all the lucky finds and successful twitches, two birding encounters made a particularly special impression on me.

It was 18th September and based on trends from data on eBird and SBP, Forest Wagtails would have started passing through Singapore en route to their wintering grounds. However, none were reported recently from the famous wagtail roost at Yishun. An encounter with this elusive bird on Rifle Range Link would otherwise necessitate an ankle-breaking hike at the crack of dawn. Taking a gamble of luck, I decided to head down to Yishun. The wagtails would usually fly in to roost at 6:15, leaving me with 45 minutes to search for the Forest Wagtail before nightfall. I climbed every block, checking each palm tree meticulously. Half an hour passed, and my determination was fading as I routinely scanned through hundreds of commoner Grey Wagtails. At that moment, just as my patience was wearing thin, I noticed a bird that was significantly different. An olive-green and white wagtail with a contrasting triangular black bib on its breast – a Forest Wagtail! Words cannot describe the satisfaction of finding the needle in a haystack, something special hidden within the common birds.

As the year drew to an end, it was naturally becoming increasingly hard to obtain new year birds. Since June, I had been trying sporadically to find the supposed resident pair of Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeons on the west end of Pulau Ubin. Pulau Ubin was one of the most rewarding sites for my year list, with many dispersants and visitors appearing on this small but significant island between Malaysia and main island of Singapore, but yet one of the least accessible and out of the way. Birding at Ubin was always an arduous and tiring task, not to mention the need to pay for a bumboat ride to and from the island, and a taxi to take us to opposite ends of the vast nature sanctuary that it is. With dreadful stories of many failed twitches of these nomadic, unpredictable pigeons, I decided not to give up on this beautiful bird yet, and returned to Ubin one last time in November before I went overseas. Thus, I arranged to bird with my friend Joshua and his brother for an entire day, in the hopes of giving my year list a final push. When we arrived at Changi Ferry Terminal, it was deserted save for two idle fishermen. Our sought-after pigeons were previously sighted in the early hours of the morning and time was of the essence. Out of desperation, my mother decided to pay an extra fee so we could fill the boat and leave early. As the boat set sail, we were off to a good start, having spotted an unexpected Lesser Crested Tern from the boat, trailing a flock of Greater Crested Terns along the coastline at the break of dawn. Stepping foot onto the sleepy island, rain clouds gathered ominously, and we reached Ubin Living Lab just before rain started to pelt down, forcing us to take shelter. We solemnly counted the passing swifts and swallows as we awaited the cessation of the rain. Little did we know, us being grounded by the passing thunderstorm would become a blessing in disguise. Out of the blue, Joshua spotted two Treron pigeons zooming past the shelter. Even before raising my binoculars, I could immediately see the distinct chestnut head and maroon wings of a male Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon. I was melting on the floor in sheer joy. Later on in the day, we would go on to see a Broad-billed Sandpiper at Chek Jawa, my landmark 300th Singapore lifer, but yet, this pigeon, number 299, stood out to me as special, by far the most memorable experience throughout my entire big year, and it was because of my mother’s support and my friend’s help.

After this, my year list started to plateau, partly due to my travels and the shortage of rarities appearing in December. On 28th December, I found the adult male Blue Rock Thrush at the urban rooftops of The Pinnacle@Duxton – my 284th year bird and the final one of my Big Year. Including ‘plastic birds’, my year count was 300, meaning I managed to see 82.2% of all the species seen over the course of 2022.

As a student, over the course of the year, I learnt how to balance my studies with my hobby effectively. I also realised how connected the birding community is in Singapore, whenever a “star bird” is discovered, the news is always generously shared allowing all to enjoy the presence of it. I have learned so much from the community and have improved my skills significantly, not only in the field, but out of the field, with regards to identifying birds.

Another main difficulty I faced during my Big Year was deciding where to go to maximise my chances of ticking a year bird. Tools that proved to be extremely useful for my Big Year was eBird’s target species function and Singapore Birds Project’s data. eBird allows a simple and easy view of all the year birds I had yet to tick and shows the spots where they have been spotted before, by month. eBird was also very useful in being able to compile my year list and be able to track my progress easily without needing to painstakingly keep my list manually. (eBird is a community science initiative, meaning that this function only works because of the many diligent eBird users submitting their checklists and sightings so I encourage more birders to start using eBird!) Singapore Birds Project’s Singapore Bird Database and Migrant Bar Charts are phenomenal, providing up-to-date information on rarities, allowing better predictions on when and where to go to find certain target species.

I would like to thank all my birding friends especially Jamie, Qian Xun, Pluem, Samuel, Gideon and Joshua for being great company. Secondly, I want to thank Francis, Oliver, Vincent Ng, Keita, Jen Wei, Jared, Raghav and many others for the guidance in the field and amazing finds throughout the year.  Lastly I also would like to thank CN and Benjamin Lee for the advice and tips and congratulate them on their impressive Big Year counts!

However, without the support of my parents, my Big Year count would have been a far cry from what it turned out to be. As the year progressed, my appreciation for my parents grew deeper and deeper. At a moment’s notice, my parents were always ready to rush me down whenever a rarity was spotted. Accompanying me on my birding endeavours, they drove me across the entire Singapore no matter how near or how far. Whenever I was disheartened from an unsuccessful twitch or when I was bursting with pride after a great find, my parents were always there supporting me. My Big Year would not be possible without them and I am forever grateful to be able to have such a thrilling and enriching Big Year with memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

 

 

 

Monthly Roundup: Dec 2022

A rather quiet December, but the first widely-twitched Red-billed Starling kept us busy this month.

Highlights

  • An electrifying record of Bat Hawk – just the third confirmed sighting in Singapore – was unfortunately not refound after the initial report
  • Singapore’s 5th record of Red-billed Starling

All records for Dec 2022 (Show all records)

King Quail Synoicus chinensis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Seletar End / Piccadilly

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 26 Nov 2022

eBird

Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka (species writeup) Show 6 records

Upper Seletar Reservoir Park (USRP) inc. Mandai Road Track 7 / Nee Soon Swamp Forest

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Changi Business Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Old Upper Thomson Road

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Bukit Brown Cemetery

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Dempsey Hill

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus (species writeup) Show 5 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 11 Nov 2022

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 13 Nov 2022

eBird

100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore, SG (1.419, 103.716)

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 19 Nov 2022

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus (species writeup) Show 4 records

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 01 Jun 2022

eBird

Rifle Range Link

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 06 Aug 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 04 Sep 2022

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 25 Nov 2022

eBird

Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides (species writeup) Show 1 record

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Malaysian Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax (species writeup) Show 1 record

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Nov 2022

eBird

Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor (species writeup) Show 2 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Nov 2022

eBird

Coney Island (Serangoon Island)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Jambu Fruit Dove Ptilinopus jambu (species writeup) Show 2 records

Auto selected 1.34819, 103.77675

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 25 Nov 2022

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 5 individuals

First recorded 17 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Lorong Halus Wetland (Reeds Area)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides (species writeup) Show 1 record

Rochor River

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 18 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Turut Track

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 24 Jul 2022

eBird

Watercock Gallicrex cinerea (species writeup) Show 3 records

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

26 Jln Membina

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Jurong Island

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator (species writeup) Show 1 record

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

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 02 Jun 2022

eBird

White-faced Plover Charadrius dealbatus (species writeup) Show 1 record

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

Highest count: 4 individuals

Earlier record on 30 Sep 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 16 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 08 Nov 2022

eBird

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 11 individuals

Earlier record on 08 Nov 2022

eBird

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 7 individuals

Earlier record on 08 Nov 2022

eBird

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 5 individuals

Earlier record on 08 Nov 2022

eBird

Sanderling Calidris alba (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 08 Nov 2022

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 23 Nov 2022

eBird

Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum (species writeup) Show 2 records

Seletar End / Piccadilly

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Changi Beach Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 18 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (species writeup) Show 1 record

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 8 individuals

Earlier record on 03 Jun 2022

eBird

Straits of Johor – Raffles Marina to Mandai Mudflats

Highest count: 15 individuals

eBird

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (species writeup) Show 4 records

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 19 Nov 2022

eBird

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

pasir ris farmway 1

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sembawang Road (Simpang Kiri vicinity)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 25 Nov 2022

eBird

Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni (species writeup) Show 5 records

Punggol Promenade Nature Walk

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 04 Nov 2022

eBird

Changi Business Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 24 Nov 2022

eBird

Southern Ridges

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Coney Island

Highest count: 4 individuals

eBird

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

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 12 Nov 2022

eBird

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Neo Tiew Rd

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 03 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Bat Hawk at Neo Tiew Rd on 03 Dec 2022. Photo credit: Hou Boon

Barred Eagle-Owl Bubo sumatranus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Near Singapore Quarry

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 12 Nov 2022

eBird

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting (species writeup) Show 2 records

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 02 Jun 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 05 Jun 2022

eBird

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca (species writeup) Show 2 records

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 14 Nov 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 12 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus (species writeup) Show 5 records

Rifle Range Link

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 02 Jun 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 07 Jun 2022

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 16 Jul 2022

eBird

Bukit Brown Cemetery

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 15 Aug 2022

eBird

Upper Seletar Reservoir Park (USRP) inc. Mandai Road Track 7 / Nee Soon Swamp Forest

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 27 Nov 2022

eBird

Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea (species writeup) Show 1 record

Berlayer creek

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata (species writeup) Show 1 record

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 25 Oct 2022

eBird

Sand Martin Riparia riparia (species writeup) Show 1 record

Neo Tiew Road

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 03 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

SBP (subrecords)

eBird
(not a complete list)

Sand Martin at Neo Tiew on 25 Dec 2022. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sentosa Island

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sakhalin Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus borealoides (species writeup) Show 1 record

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 28 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Lorong Halus Wetland (inc. Serangoon Reservoir and former ‘Serangoon’)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Rower’s Bay Park / Seletar Club Road

Highest count: 5 individuals

eBird

Rosy Starling Pastor roseus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Laguna National Golf and Country Club

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 04 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica (species writeup) Show 2 records

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 10 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 25 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus (species writeup) Show 4 records

Bukit Timah Summit

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 20 Nov 2022

eBird

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 5 individuals

Earlier record on 21 Nov 2022

eBird

Rifle Range Link

Highest count: 6 individuals

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica (species writeup) Show 3 records

St John’s Island

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea (species writeup) Show 2 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae (species writeup) Show 2 records

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 20 Nov 2022

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 27 Nov 2022

eBird

Green-backed Flycatcher at Dairy Farm Nature Park on 28 Dec 2022. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki (species writeup) Show 7 records

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 20 Nov 2022

eBird
(not a complete list)

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 23 Nov 2022

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 2 individuals

Earlier record on 27 Nov 2022

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 28 Nov 2022

eBird

Singapore Quarry at Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (species writeup) Show 1 record

Strathmore Avenue

Highest count: 2 individuals

First recorded 28 Dec 2022

RC decision: Accepted

SBP (subrecords)

eBird

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus (species writeup) Show 1 record

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Rarity records still under review

Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia (species writeup) Show 1 record

People’s Park Centre

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 08 Dec 2022

Record under review

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Tuas South

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 25 Dec 2022

Record under review

eBird

Sakhalin Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus borealoides (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pasir Ris Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 10 Dec 2022

Record under review

eBird

Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dempsey Hill

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 26 Dec 2022

Record under review

SBP (subrecords)

eBird
(not a complete list)

Red-billed Starling at Dempsey Hill. Photo credit: Raymond Siew

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (species writeup) Show 1 record

Tanjong Pagar

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 29 Dec 2022

Record under review

eBird

Blue Rock Thrush at Tanjong Pagar on 29 Dec 2022. Photo credit: Herman Phua

Year in Review – 2022!

2022 was perhaps an improved year from a Singapore birding perspective – we could enjoy our feathered friends with more comfort compared to the previous two years thanks to the still ongoing incredible efforts to combat the global pandemic. The was a year filled with excitement ranging from the many Himalayan Vultures spilling over from last year, irruption of rarities at Chek Jawa, and a raptor watching season with an abundance of Pied Harriers (including one long staying that offered great photo opportunities) and a more than average numbers of Short-toed Snake-eagles and Besra/Shikra sparrowhawks. Three new species were added to Singapore’s checklist: Black-backed Swamphen (that prompted a review of an older record), Black-headed Ibis and Brown-breasted Flycatcher.

All these records of local rarities are properly documented and curated in our database, and we’re thankful to all of you who have submitted your records. By combining these with other citizen science efforts, this year we’ve also started preparing monthly roundups, accurate bar charts, and various tools to guide everyone’s birding journey. While keeping up with the busy birding scene we’re also glad to have started organising guided walks and booths. Three walks at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, as well as three weeks worth of raptor watching at the Henderson Waves bridge.

More people are showing an interest in biodiversity and many have joined our birding community this year, a trend we’re happy to see. We believe that this energy can be channelled into improving our knowledge on birds as well as into conservation. We hope that the Singapore Birds Project’s works have come in handy and thank all of you for the overwhelming support. See you in the field next year and happy birding!

Monthly Roundup: Nov 2022

Always among the busiest months of the migratory season, November this year didn’t disappoint, with records of several rare species through the month.

Highlights

Please note that several of these records remain under review by the Singapore Bird Records Committee:

  • Singapore’s first wild Black-headed Ibis, at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – the Records Committee’s rationale is summarized in our recent article
  • Not one, not two, but three sightings of Short-toed Snake Eagle within the month
  • Continuing sightings of harriers across the island, including an adult male Pied Harrier at Tuas – the first one since 2017
  • Singapore’s sixth record of Daurian Redstart, at the same canal where Singapore’s first Black Redstart appeared last year
  • Singapore’s third record of Common Swift at the now-famous redstart canal
  • Eastern Imperial Eagle at Mount Faber, the eighth record for Singapore
  • Three needletail species – White-throated Needletail, Silver-backed Needletail, Brown-backed Needletail – all recorded along the Southern Ridges

All records for Nov 2022 (Show all records)

King Quail Synoicus chinensis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Seletar End/Piccadilly

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka (species writeup) Show 2 records

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 04 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 12 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 5 individuals

First recorded 13 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis (species writeup) Show 3 records

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 04 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Mount Faber

Highest count: 3 individuals

First recorded 14 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 4 individuals

First recorded 13 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Silver-backed Needletail at Henderson Waves on 13 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Sin Yong Chee Keita

Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Mt Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 17 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Common Swift Apus apus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pasir Panjang Canal

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 10 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus (species writeup) Show 8 records

Hampstead Wetlands Park (formerly Baker St. pond)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Berlayer Creek Boardwalk

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Earlier record on 02 May 2022

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 12 May 2022

eBird

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Tuas South (Tuas South Avenue 16 and surrounds)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Changi Business Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Malaysian Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax (species writeup) Show 2 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor (species writeup) Show 5 records

Tuas South (Tuas South Avenue 16 and surrounds)

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

CBP Canal

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 2 individuals

First recorded 23 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

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

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Marina East Drive

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 16 Oct 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Tuas South

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 20 Oct 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Neo Tiew Crescent — Private Fish Farm Pond

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 24 Jul 2022

eBird

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator (species writeup) Show 1 record

1 Japanese Garden Road, Singapore, SG (1.335, 103.728)

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 01 May 2022

eBird

White-faced Plover Charadrius dealbatus (species writeup) Show 1 record

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

Highest count: 4 individuals

eBird

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 12 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 6 individuals

eBird

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 60 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Sanderling Calidris alba (species writeup) Show 2 records

Marina East

Highest count: 2 individuals

First recorded 07 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Chek Jawa

Highest count: 2 individuals

First recorded 10 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 4 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (species writeup) Show 2 records

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum (species writeup) Show 4 records

Tuas South (Tuas South Avenue 16 and surrounds)

Highest count: 6 individuals

eBird

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Changi Business Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Chek Jawa

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 09 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis (species writeup) Show 2 records

Pulau Ubin: Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Singapore Straits

Highest count: 35 individuals

eBird

Aleutian Tern Onychoprion aleuticus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Straits (including SG/Indo/M’sian waters)

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Straits (including SG/Indo/M’sian waters)

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida (species writeup) Show 1 record

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Marina East/Gardens by the Bay

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Straits

Highest count: 35 individuals

eBird

Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

Highest count: 3 individuals

Earlier record on 01 May 2022

eBird

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Quarry at Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 01 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis (species writeup) Show 1 record

Tampines Eco Green

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Jurong Lake Gardens (Neeram Stream)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela (species writeup) Show 6 records

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Westridge walk

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Keppel Harbour

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Sungei Tengeh

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 07 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Gardens by the Bay

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 11 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Telok Blangah

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 02 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Short-toed Snake Eagle at Telok Blangah on 02 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii (species writeup) Show 1 record

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga (species writeup) Show 5 records

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Mountbatten

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Telok Blangah

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 04 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

SBP (subrecords)

eBird

Booted Eagle at Telok Blangah on 04 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (species writeup) Show 1 record

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 08 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Eastern Imperial Eagle at Mount Faber on 08 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Besra Accipiter virgatus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Henderson waves

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 06 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 16 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Mapletree Business Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 10 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Tuas South

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos (species writeup) Show 8 records

Tuas South

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 31 Oct 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Lim Chu Kang Road

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 01 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 06 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 09 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 17 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Neo Tiew Harvest Lane

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 20 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Mount Faber

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 20 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Tuas South

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 02 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Pied Harrier at Tuas South on 02 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

130 Tuas South Avenue 3, Singapore, SG (1,288, 103,628)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (species writeup) Show 1 record

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Northern Boobook Ninox japonica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Punggol Way

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 11 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia (species writeup) Show 5 records

Tampines Street 91

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 20 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Pasir Ris Grove

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 21 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Woodlands

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 21 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Woodlands Street 81

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 26 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Toa Payoh

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 02 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

Oriental Scops Owl at Toa Payoh on 02 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Gerald

Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata (species writeup) Show 2 records

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Lim Chu Kang Lane 3

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca (species writeup) Show 4 records

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Pasir Ris Park–Carpark D Area

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Lazarus Island

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 18 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

130 Tuas South Avenue 3, Singapore, SG (1,288, 103,628)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus (species writeup) Show 4 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Earlier record on 02 May 2022

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

Earlier record on 12 May 2022

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 3 individuals

Earlier record on 19 May 2022

eBird

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida (species writeup) Show 2 records

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Dairy farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 02 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Sungei Tengah Road

Highest count: 2 individuals

First recorded 06 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Indian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi (species writeup) Show 1 record

Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 11 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Indian Paradise Flycatcher at Botanic Gardens on 11 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Chris Kenyon

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis (species writeup) Show 6 records

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Tuas South Ave 16

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Ang Mo Kio Garden West

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata (species writeup) Show 5 records

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

eBird

Singapore Chinese Cultural Center (SCCC) / Straits Boulevard

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird
(not a complete list)

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher at Singapore Botanic Gardens on 17 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Raghav Narayanswamy

Sand Martin Riparia riparia (species writeup) Show 1 record

Mount Faber Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus (species writeup) Show 2 records

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Kranji Marsh

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica (species writeup) Show 1 record

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 19 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus (species writeup) Show 3 records

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 7 individuals

eBird

Tuas South (Tuas South Avenue 16 and surrounds)

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Hindhede Nature Park

Highest count: 6 individuals

eBird

Brown-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa williamsoni (species writeup) Show 2 records

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Nanyang Technological University including National Institute of Education

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea (species writeup) Show 5 records

Small patch woods at Marina View

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Changi Business Park canal

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher Cyornis brunneatus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

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

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Zappey’s Flycatcher Cyanoptila cumatilis (species writeup) Show 3 records

Tampines Eco Green

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 22 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 25 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Singapore Botanical Gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 21 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Zappey's Flycatcher at Singapore Botanical Gardens on 21 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae (species writeup) Show 3 records

SBG–Healing Garden

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki (species writeup) Show 6 records

Dairy Farm Nature Park

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Highest count: 4 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird
(not a complete list)

Tampines Eco Green

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Windsor Nature Park including Venus Drive and Venus Loop

Highest count: 3 individuals

eBird

Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla (species writeup) Show 1 record

Jurong lake gardens

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 01 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird

Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Pasir Panjang

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 02 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Daurian Redstart at Pasir Panjang on 2 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri (species writeup) Show 1 record

Dover Area

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 21 Nov 2022

RC decision: Accepted

eBird
(not a complete list)

Amur Stonechat at Dover Area on 21 Nov 2022. Photo credit: Lee Chien Nien

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata (species writeup) Show 1 record

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Highest count: 4 individuals

Earlier record on 11 Jun 2022

eBird

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus (species writeup) Show 2 records

CCNR–Jelutong Tower

Highest count: 2 individuals

eBird

Pulau Ubin

Highest count: 1 individual

eBird

Rarity records still under review

Shikra Accipiter badius (species writeup) Show 1 record

Telok Blangah

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 04 Nov 2022

Record under review

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (species writeup) Show 1 record

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 11 Nov 2022

Record under review

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (species writeup) Show 2 records

Henderson Waves

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 06 Nov 2022

Record under review

eBird

Tuas South

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 07 Nov 2022

Record under review

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

Chek Jawa Wetlands

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 26 Nov 2022

Record under review

Sakhalin Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus borealoides (species writeup) Show 2 records

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 28 Nov 2022

Record under review

SBP (subrecords)

eBird

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Highest count: 1 individual

First recorded 30 Nov 2022

Record under review

Singapore’s first wild Black-headed Ibis

On 1 November 2022, excitement spread through our local birding community when Art Toh shared his sighting from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve of a white ibis donning a black head. Birders headed down to get a glimpse of the bird which thankfully stayed for several days, allowing many to observe it. The Singapore Bird Records Committee took some time to evaluate the record and we assessed that this individual is likely to be Singapore’s first documented individual of a wild Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus.

Sungei Buloh’s Black-headed Ibis busily feeding away! Photo credit: Art Toh

How was the bird identified?

There are several species similar to the Black-headed Ibis such as the African Sacred Ibis T. aethiopicus, Australian Ibis T. molucca and Malagasy Sacred Ibis T. bernieri. These four species were previously all thought to be one species, then called the Sacred Ibis, until works including the evaluation of their plumage differences established that they were distinct from one another (Lowe & Richards, 1991).

The range restricted Malagasy Sacred Ibis can be differentiated from the other three by its white iris among other features. However, the Australian Ibis and African Sacred Ibis look quite similar to the Black-headed Ibis. Differences between them include their bill size, which can sometimes be difficult to assess in the field. How should we identify the Sungei Buloh bird then?

The magic is in the small details: one of the key features to look out for is the primary pattern – the black markings are restricted to tips of the three outermost primaries in Black-headed Ibis, unlike that in the African and Australian Ibis that are more extensive. Additionally, the tertial feathers in Black-headed Ibis is grey, as opposed to black in African and Australian Ibis.

Here are some images showing these features on the African Sacred Ibis (extensive primary markings: example 1, example 2 and example 3; black tertials: example 1 and example 2) and Australian Ibis (extensive primary markings example 1 and example 2; black tertials: example 1 and example 2).

Comparing the “Sungei Buloh Ibis” with photographs of known Black-headed Ibises shows that the features fit this species perfectly instead.

Is the Sungei Buloh Black-headed Ibis a wild bird or an escapee?

Now that we’ve identified the bird, then comes the question of its provenance. Interestingly, the Sungei Buloh bird is actually not the first Black-headed Ibis seen in Singapore! This species used to be sighted locally back in the ~80s but were then thought to be escapees from the Jurong Bird Park (Wang & Hails, 2007). Today, the Mandai Wildlife Reserve makes an effort to ring all birds, and there are no free-flying Black-headed Ibises as far as we understand. Sungei Buloh’s Black-headed Ibis had no rings on its leg, making it unlikely that it originated from the Jurong Bird Park.

Where could the bird have come from, then? The Black-headed Ibis has a patchy range and inhabits wetlands from South Asia all the way to Indonesia. In Thailand, they are resident in the southern parts and disperse in the winter months (Treesucon & Limparungpatthanakij). Slightly closer in Peninsula Malaysia, there might have been wild breeding populations in the past, but if any were extirpated nearly a century ago (Wells, 1999; Puan et al., 2020). There are now only very occasional sightings along the landmass (such as this record). Meanwhile in Sumatra and Java, the populations used to be very robust but have declined dramatically in the past few decades (Iqbal & Hasudungan, 2012). The birds there are, however, thankfully still present (Muhammad Iqbal, personal communications).

It is still difficult for us to establish whether the bird came from the north or from the Indonesian population. Several waterbirds like the Pied Stilt and Javan Plover have made their way from the Indonesian Archipelago. At the same time, there was, interestingly, yet another sighting of a Black-headed Ibis near Malacca just 3.5 weeks after the Sungei Buloh bird. This sighting bolsters our decision that the Sungei Buloh bird was likely from a wild origin, and might provide hints to where it could have arrived from.

Wherever the bird flew over from, we hope that it’ll successfully find some friends and return to a colony to breed safely. And who knows, we might get more of them visiting us in the future!

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to Art for sharing the sighting very promptly, and also thank Adrian, Bao Shen and Cheng Teng for photo contributions.

References

Lowe, K. W., & Richards, G. C. (1991). Morphological Variation in the Sacred Ibis Threskironis aethiopicus Superspecies Complex. Emu, 91(1), 41-45.

Puan, C. L., Davison, G., & Lim, K. C. (2020). Birds of Malaysia: Covering Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo and Singapore. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Treesucon, U., & Limparungpatthanakij, W. (2018). Birds of Thailand. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Wang, L. K., & Hails, C. J. (2007). An annotated checklist of the birds of Singapore. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement, 15, 1–179. Link

The breeding season in Singapore

By Laura Berman

A recent publication in the Journal of Ornithology has some interesting new data on the breeding seasons of Singapore’s birds, and if you are an avid contributor to eBird, your observations might be a part of it.

Singapore has an incredibly dedicated birding community, and many birders share their observations of nests, baby birds, and fledglings. All those observations were taken together with half a decade of mist-netting data collected by the Avian Evolution Lab at NUS and the National Parks Board to outline the breeding season in Singapore.

If you look hard enough you can find birds building nests in Singapore just about any month of the year, but you’re much more likely to succeed if you go looking in March – that’s when most insectivores like Malaysian Pied Fantails and frugivores like Coppersmith Barbets and Black-naped Orioles are constructing nests. Granivores like Baya Weavers nest a bit later in the year, the best chance to catch them constructing their charismatic hanging nests is in June. You’re most likely to come across active nests with unhatched eggs if you go looking in April or May. June to July is the best time to see parents feeding their fledglings, and very young birds still chasing their parents begging for food. By the time August comes around the breeding season is over, but if your field ID is particularly good you might be able to recognise juvenile birds still in their first set of flight feathers.

It’s always exciting to see nests and baby birds but remember not to get too close. Its stressful enough being a parent.

Figure from Berman et al 2022 reproduced with author’s permission

References

Berman, L., Li, D., Yang, S., Kennewell, M., Rheindt, F. (2022) Breeding season linked to sunshine hours in a marginally seasonal equatorial climate. Journal of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-022-02009-9. Link

Singapore Bird Database is 1 year old

And so it’s been a year since we launched the Singapore Bird Database. Time really flies. This time a year ago, the Fairy Pitta at Hindhede Nature Park that we queued for was already gone, and many of us were busy chasing Singapore’s first proper documentation of the Grey-streaked Flycatcher.

Some cool birds seen in Singapore on 11 November over the past few years.

Nostalgia feels good, but for now, let me share some updates on our database.

Our database was launched to provide a platform where anybody can easily find relevant information regarding rare bird species in Singapore. Since then, we’ve received over 25,000 views on our database website, and we’re glad that many of you have found our work useful. For those who are keen to find out how our platform came to life, you can check out our blog post or detailed write-up.

Information available in our database has almost doubled over the past year, and it now contains over 2000 records from more than 180 species. While many were compiled from social media archives, publications, and past eBird records, nearly 300 were submitted by none other than all of you – birders in the field – to which we would like to express our huge thanks to. 300 submissions, only for rare birds! All of these submitted records were evaluated by our Singapore Bird Records Committee team, whose latest works are constantly updated in our Recent RC Decisions page. We’ve been very busy – a happy problem because it means that our community has been finding a lot of good birds! 

Coming soon, our decisions on the Black-headed Ibis. Stay tuned!!

Moving on to how the Singapore Bird Records Committee has evolved since then, first, we have developed an operational guideline that can be viewed in a Q&A format here. Second, we are renaming the term “Rarity” to “Review Species” in our checklist. It might sound like a matter of semantics, so allow us to explain. Our Records Committee makes a concerted effort to properly evaluate and document records of birds that one might not necessarily think is that rare. Say, Pied Harrier. This is an annually recorded raptor, but in numbers small enough that warrants celebration. This season, we seem to be witnessing a strange spike in their numbers for reasons unknown, and patterns like this will be missed if not for proper efforts. Another good example is the form of Barn Swallows with rufous underparts. we occasionally observe At present, we don’t even know which subspecies actually arrive here, but what we do know is that they are rare in Singapore, and that records keeping would be essential for future generations to have a point of reference when the ornithological community one day have a better understanding of these birds. In principle our workflow stays the same, and so we’d greatly appreciate it if you could submit your encounters. This terminology change will be reflected in our Species Pages as well in due time.

Our database has changed in more ways than one, and here is a comparison of how it looked 1 year ago versus today. Besides new features and useful tools, the layout now emphasises images and is more colourful and easy to use. An archived version of our website from Nov 2021 is available here.

Last, our database works have extended beyond collating records, and we’ve designed useful tools for everybody’s birding activity. Our Monthly Roundups provide accurate information on interesting species documented each month, and our bar charts can help you plan your birding itinerary to best target the species that you really want to see. If you’re hungry to find the next Mega in Singapore, you can also refer to our On This Day page to find gems from the past.

Want to find your own Hooded Pitta? You can start searching soon!

Moving forward, we aim to revisit all of our Species Pages for further improvements, and also plan to expand our database and website to include more species. If you have ideas for collaboration or are keen to help out with our work, don’t feel shy to get in touch with us!

I’d wrap up this update with the most important bit, the acknowledgements.

See all those Monthly Roundups and Bar Charts? They didn’t just fall out of the sky (though the birds did) – they were possible thanks to the tech-wizardry of Raghav, to whom we extend our utmost gratitude.

See those crazy numbers of historical records newly compiled in our database? They were collated and scrutinised by our amazing Singapore Bird Project teammates Clarice, Geraldine, Jenwei, Jing Ying, Hong Yao, Hui Zhen, Raghav, and Zachary. Massive, massive thank you for the hard work – checking through all those records is really not easy.

And lastly, to all the birders for your all-rounded support and for sharing and submitting your sightings – the Singapore Bird Records Committee thanks all of you.

See you all in the field and happy birding!

 

PS, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

We were invited by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum to give a talk about our database in March 2022. Check it out too if you couldn’t join us!

 

Singapore Birds Project Raptor Watch at Henderson Waves

Group photo of raptor buddies on 6 November. Photo: Adrian Silas Tay

The Singapore Birds Project held our first raptor watching booth across three Sundays: 23 October, 30 October and 6 November at Henderson Waves Bridge. We would like to thank all who dropped by and participated in our raptor count – we hope you picked up a tip or two on raptor identification or raptor spotting!

Across the three weekends, we spotted a total of 52 Crested Honey Buzzards, 60 Japanese Sparrowhawks, 29 Chinese Sparrowhawks and resident raptors like the Changeable Hawk-Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Brahminy Kite. We also snagged a few goodies like a Besra, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Grey-faced Buzzards and Jerdon’s Bazas. It’s already a great feeling seeing these rare birds, and sharing their directions to a bridge full of enthusiastic birdwatchers makes that even better!

Photo collage of bird, bee, balloon and plastic bag lists from each day. Photos: Keita Sin
Photo collage of some raptors seen (clockwise): Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Grey-faced Buzzard (photoshopped x99 for the memes, we don’t get these numbers in Singapore and actually only saw two :”) ), Jerdon’s Baza, Crested Honey Buzzard, Besra. Photos: Raghav Narayanswamy (GSE, GFB), Francis Yap (EMH, JB, Besra), Keita Sin (CHB)

Raptors will still continue to pass through Singapore (in lower numbers) across the migratory season, you can check out our raptoring e-resources on how to identify the birds you see: RAP101: How to Identify Common Raptors, RAP201: How to Identify Uncommon Raptors and RAP301: What is that raptor? You can also check out our bar charts to find out when your favourite raptor peaks or our On This Day function, featuring rarities seen in the day or week. Some raptors you haven’t seen yet might come over the next two weeks or so!

Lastly, we would like to thank Max Khoo for giving us permission to use his raptor identification poster as a resource, the National Parks Board for their support and logistical help, Hui Zhen and Jing Ying for designing the migratory movement poster and our booth guides, Adrian, Cheng Teng, Dillen, Francis, Geraldine, Jing Ying, Keita, Movin, Raghav, Sandra and Zachary for the tireless work across the three weekends. See you all at the next event!

Signing off,