The Salaryman Birder

Blog

  • 23 May 26 – Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore

    In search of resident birds.

    With the migration season winding down, there are not many rarities to chase so I usually work on finding rarer resident birds. I decided to try another shot at finding the Barred Buttonquail at Jurong Lake Gardens (last spotted in Jan 2026 based on eBird).

    Ruddy-breasted Crake @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Ruddy-breasted Crake

    The key is to arrive very early in the morning when the birds are more likely to come out from the tall grass to forage in the open. Reaching the grassland area around 7AM, there were some Slaty-breasted Rail and Ruddy-breasted Crake foraging in the open but no Quail. This Rail was so pre-occupied with foraging it did not notice my presence.

    Slaty-breasted Rail @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Slaty-breasted Rail

    As I wandered around the area, I spotted a flock of Javan Munia. This pair was preening each other – an activity where the birds help each other to clean the feathers around hard-to-reach areas of the face and head.

    Javan Munia @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Javan Munia

    As the day drew on, I decided to give up on the Quail and move on to other parts of the park. There is a patch of greenery near the allotment garden area which I have consistently spotted the Large-tailed Nightjar. Today did not disappoint as there were two in the area.

    Large-tailed Nightjar @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Large-tailed Nightjar

    Sunbirds are always fun to photograph as they fly from flower to flower feeding on nectar in the late morning. Usually, they’re usually quite tolerant of human proximity when feeding.

    Brown-throated Sunbird @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Brown-throated Sunbird
    Brown-throated Sunbird @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Brown-throated Sunbird
    Brown-throated Sunbird @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Brown-throated Sunbird

    Then the weather turned and it started to rain. It looked like a passing shower, so I decided to wait it out at a sheltered area. No such luck for this Lineated Barbet though that got drenched in the rain.

    Lineated Barbet @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Lineated Barbet

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S344400542

  • 16-17 May 26 – Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia

    The big 300 and beyond.

    I was back in my hometown for the weekend so it was a chance to do some birding at Kledang Saiong again.

    Day 1 was relatively unremarkable. The weather was cloudy and the forest was quiet. There was a family of Red Junglefowl (Domesticated) roaming near the park entrance. I later realized they were waiting for the park staff to come in and feed them.

    Red Junglefowl @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Red Junglefowl (Domesticated)
    Red Junglefowl chick @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Red Junglefowl (Domesticated)

    Anyway, onto the highlights: First was a Buff-necked Woodpecker (lifer)that I spotted up a tall tree. Unfortunately, I could not get a better photo before it climbed higher and was obstructed from view. Regardless, this woodpecker will have the honor of making the 300th species on my lifelist.

    Buff-rumped Woodpecker @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Buff-necked Woodpecker

    A pair of Sooty Barbets were seen entering and leaving a hole on the tree. Unsure if they were foraging or preparing for the breeding season. My guess is the latter.

    Sooty Barbet @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Sooty Barbet

    As I waited around, a pair of foraging Hairy-backed Bulbuls (lifer) came my way. They left as fast as they appeared but I’m happy I managed to get a decent shot.

    Hairy-backed Bulbul @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Hairy-backed Bulbul

    Day 2 was much more exciting. The weather was bright and clear. As soon as I entered the park, I could hear a pair of Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers (lifer) calling. It didn’t take too long to locate them zipping around some trees. One even obliged for a photo by flying down to eye level.

    Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher

    As I watched the flycatchers, there was a bird wave incoming where mixed species of birds flock and forage together. There were some Plain Sunbirds (lifer) in the mix.

    Plain Sunbird @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Plain Sunbird

    Some Crimson-breasted Flowerpeckers were also in the mix but my camera would not focus so I did not get a good photo. Amidst the chaos, I spotted a Green Iora (lifer) high up one of the trees.

    Green Iora @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Green Iora

    After the wave passed by, I spotted a lone Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker (lifer) foraging in some shrubs. This one was rather relaxed and allowed me to take some photos as long as I kept my distance.

    Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Yellow-vented Flowerpecker

    Things were starting to slow down when I heard another unfamiliar call. This time it was the Verditer Flycatcher (lifer). As I was searching for it with my binoculars, it flew directly to a small tree right in front of me. I wish I had this kind of dumb luck every time I went birding.

    Verditer Flycatcher @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Verditer Flycatcher

    On the way out of the park, I spotted a pair of Black-and-yellow Broadbills, last seen in January this year. This bird is affectionately dubbed the “Cartoon Bird” in some birding circles due to it’s appearance.

    Black-and-yellow Broadbill @ Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Malaysia
    Black-and-yellow Broadbill

    All in all, it was a productive weekend of birding at Kledang Saiong (total of 7 new species sighted). On my next visit, I’m considering to apply for the permit to enter the forest reserve area. But details are sketchy on the price or what to expect inside the area. Anyway, more on that later this year.

    eBird checklists:
    1. https://ebird.org/checklist/S339789700
    2. https://ebird.org/checklist/S340580107

  • 10 May 26 – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

    In search of the big 300.

    I was looking at my eBird stats and noticed I’m on 299 species sighted on my life list. What will help me hit the big 300? Based on sightings reported on social media, I had several options. I decided to head to SBWR to try my luck at seeing the Black-and-red Broadbill.

    Unfortunately, after waiting in the morning the bird was a no-show (not yet at least) but I had to leave. So, the 300th species remained abegging. The following weekend I will be in Malaysia so there’s still a good chance of finding something special to hit the big 300.

    It wasn’t a wasted day though. I saw the Blue-eared Kingfisher which is always a joy to see.

    Blue-eared Kingfisher

    Up in the sky, a Brahminy Kite was seen pursuing a Crested Serpent Eagle which intruded its airspace.

    Brahminy Kite (left) / Crested Serpent Eagle (right)

    As I was making my way out, I saw this huge Saltwater Crocodile basking on the riverbank. I took some photos and didn’t give it much thought.

    Saltwater Crocodile

    When I got home and processed the photos on the computer, I noticed there was a Green-crested Lizard resting on the head of the crocodile. How the heck did it get there?!

    Green-crested Lizard / Saltwater Crocodile

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S336114851

  • 03 May 26 – Hampstead Wetlands Park, Singapore

    Searching for the Cinnamon Bittern

    Today, I am birding at Hampstead Wetlands Park. This location was one of the first that I visited when I started birding in 2023. However, I have not been back since because it is a pain to travel here without a car. Nevertheless, I am here today to see the Cinnamon Bittern (CB).

    Pond @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Hampstead Wetlands Park

    Arriving at 6:50AM, I immediately set up my gear to wait for any signs of the CB on the other side of the pond. It didn’t take long before the CB suddenly sprung out from the tall grass and landed on some bushes. Thankfully, there was a small opening to get some photos.

    Cinnamon Bittern @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Cinnamon Bittern

    After a short while, the CB flew along the pond and disappeared once again into the tall grass from where it came. This time, I managed to get some flight shots of the CB which I’m really pleased with.

    Cinnamon Bittern @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Cinnamon Bittern

    I observed a pair of Oriental Pied Hornbills hawking for insects by launching themselves from a perched position to catch prey in the air. This is the usual feeding technique of Bee-eaters and Flycatchers, but it is the first time I’ve seen Hornbills do this.

    Oriental Pied Hornbill @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Oriental Pied Hornbill

    Even the Yellow-vented Bulbuls were having success catching insects for breakfast. Is there a high concentration of wasps or other insects in the area?

    Yellow-vented Bulbul @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Yellow-vented Bulbul

    Meanwhile, the resident Buffy Fish Owl was perched on its usual tree scanning for prey.

    Buffy Fish Owl @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Buffy Fish Owl

    The call of the Violet Turaco (VT) from a nearby tree attracted a group of birders to track it down. This individual had been spotted in the area since 2025. It is very likely an escapee from an aviary or pet trade because it is not naturally found in this part of the world (they are from Africa).

    Violet Turaco @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Violet Turaco

    Besides that, some raptors were also spotted. First was the Crested Goshawk which was seen soaring in the air as it startled a flock of Asian Glossy Starlings which took off to escape.

    Crested Goshawk @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Crested Goshawk / Asian Glossy Starlings

    Next raptor was the Crested Honey Buzzard. It circled in the sky slowly gaining elevation before disappearing into the distance.

    Crested Honey Buzzard @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Crested Honey Buzzard

    Lastly, I noticed a pair of Ornate Sunbirds that kept perching on a log in the middle of the pond. On closer inspection, there was a nest to the side of the log, but I could not see if there were any chicks inside.

    Ornate Sunbird @ Hampstead Wetlands Park
    Ornate Sunbird

    With that, I have finally seen all four species of Bitterns that occur in Singapore (Yellow, Cinnamon, Black and Von Shrenk’s).

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S331541563

  • 01 May 26 – Bukit Gombak Park / Dairy Farm Nature Park, Singapore

    Labor Day birding.

    It’s a public holiday today so there’s more birding to be done. I had a really unremarkable walk at Bukit Gombak Park in the morning that I wanted to pretend it did not happen. But anyway, here’s a photo of a White-crested Laughingthrush with an insect for breakfast.

    White-crested Laughingthrush @ Bukit Gombak Park
    White-crested Laughingthrush

    In the late afternoon, I decided to bird at Dairy Farm Nature Park (DFNP). Unfortunately, the weather was crap – overcast skies and intermittent showers of rain. Nevertheless, I soldiered on. 

    For some reason, the Rufous-tailed Tailorbird had eluded me all the times I’ve visited DFNP. Finally, today, I managed to get a record shot of the bird. That’s another tick to my life list.

    Rufous-tailed Tailorbird @ Dairy Farm Nature Park
    Rufous-tailed Tailorbird

    I spent the rest of the evening camped at the viewing platform. Another birder mentioned he saw a Chestnut-bellied Malkoha earlier but no such luck for me. I finally saw the White-rumped Shama in the open after hearing it’s call during the last few visits to the area.

    White-rumped Shama @ Dairy Farm Nature Park
    White-rumped Shama

    Last photo to showcase – the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. They are quite common in DFNP but always a joy to photograph.

    Greater Racket-tailed Drongo @ Dairy Farm Nature Park
    Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330442115

  • 26 Apr 26 – Park Street, Singapore

    Completing the Pond Heron trifecta

    Continuing from the earlier birding session at Marina Grove, I decided to swing by the nearby pond along Park Street before calling it a day.

    The pond had dried significantly due to the recent hot weather. However, this would prove to be a blessing-in-disguise as all the birds are gathered in a small area to pick out any remaining prey in the water. At the pond, I spotted an Indian Pond Heron…

    Indian Pond Heron @ Park Street, Singapore
    Indian Pond Heron

    … and several Chinese Pond Herons.

    Chinese Pond Heron @ Park Street, Singapore
    Chinese Pond Heron

    There wasn’t anything else of particular interest but I felt pretty satisfied to be able to spot the trifecta of Pond Herons in Singapore over the course of a single weekend.

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327563619

  • 26 Apr 26 – Marina Grove, Singapore

    Great Cormorants spotted in Singapore.

    On Sunday, I decided to go birding at the Marina Grove pond. My aim was to find the Javan Pond Heron which was the last remaining unchecked Pond Heron in my life list. I took my usual route via public transportation and alighted at the Gardens by the Bay MRT station.

    As I was setting up my camera and binocular at the station exit, I saw, from a distance, a flock of birds flying in a loose V-shaped formation… which was odd because I was not aware of birds in Singapore that exhibit this behavior. After taking some photos and examining them, I was surprised to see they were Great Cormorants!

    Great Cormorants @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Great Cormorant

    The Great Cormorant is not known to be found in this part of the world. Past sightings are believed to be escapees from the then Jurong Bird Park. Are these descendants of those escapees or are they vagrants that have ventured too far south? I have seen Great Cormorants before in Japan and South Korea but to see them in Singapore felt truly special.

    Great Cormorants @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Great Cormorant

    This whole experience had me thinking how I had to be at the right place and at the right time to cross paths with these birds. If I had made one decision differently like board an earlier train or set up my equipment later. I would have missed the entire encounter.

    Anyway, moving back to my original objective of finding the Javan Pond Heron. It didn’t take long to spot one foraging at the edge of the pond. This was another skittish bird though. It gradually retreated to the back of the pond after noticing my presence.

    Javan Pond Heron @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Javan Pond Heron
    Javan Pond Heron @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Javan Pond Heron

    The Little Grebe family that was previously seen here seemed to have moved on as I was only able to spot one adult that day.

    Little Grebe @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Little Grebe

    It was my first time spotting a pair of Ruddy-breasted Crakes there though. I was surprised at how they did not seem to mind my presence at all. They came so near while feeding that I had trouble getting the camera to focus.

    Ruddy-breasted Crake @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Ruddy-breasted Crake

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327552420

  • 19, 25 Apr 2026 – Jurong Lake Garden, Singapore

    Coppersmith Barbet nesting.

    I thought it’d be more interesting to group these series of photos into one post to see the progress of the Coppersmith Barbet nesting in Jurong Lake Gardens.

    Coppersmith Barbet nesting at Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore.
    Coppersmith Barbet (taken 25-Apr-2026)

    On the 19 Apr visit, as I was headed toward the MRT station through Chinese Garden, I noticed a group of photographers waiting near a tree. I recognized the tree as one with a Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker nest the year before.

    But it turned out a pair of Coppersmith Barbets had moved-in instead. I didn’t had to wait too long before the parents came back to feed the chicks.

    Coppersmith Barbet nesting at Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore.
    Coppersmith Barbet (taken 19-Apr-2026)
    Coppersmith Barbet nesting at Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore.
    Coppersmith Barbet (taken 19-Apr-2026)

    A week later on 25 Apr, I dropped by again to check on the progress of the nesting. The chick had grown well with feathers covering the neck and head now. According to other birders onsite, there were two chicks in the nest but I only saw one on both visits.

    Coppersmith Barbet nesting at Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore.
    Coppersmith Barbet (taken 25-Apr-2026)
    Coppersmith Barbet nesting at Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore.
    Coppersmith Barbet (taken 25-Apr-2026)

    Both chicks had successfully fledged the following week. Perhaps, the Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker can reclaim it’s nest now?

    eBird checklist:
    1. https://ebird.org/checklist/S323978095
    2. https://ebird.org/checklist/S327124345

  • 25 Apr 2026 – Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore

    The quest for the Indian Pond Heron

    For the second successive week, I headed to Jurong Lake Gardens for my weekend birding. I thought I’d try my luck at spotting the Barred Buttonquail. They are known to live in the grasslands area of the park but the last eBird reported sighting was back in January.

    After 2 hours of waiting, I gave up. But at least I’m not walking away empty handed as I got some decent photos of other common birds that frequent the grasslands.

    Brown Shrike @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Brown Shrike
    Scaly-breasted Munia @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Scaly-breasted Munia
    Zitting Cisticola @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Zitting Cisticola

    Next, I moved on to find another target, the Indian Pond Heron. There are three species of Pond Herons which migrate to Singapore namely the Chinese, Javan and Indian Pond Herons. What’s interesting is they can only be told apart after the birds develop their breeding plumage some time from March to June. Otherwise, they look the same during the non-breeding months.

    Pond Heron @ Marina Grove, Singapore
    Pond Heron in non-breeding plumage photographed in Marina Grove on 24-Jan-2026

    After much walking, I found the lone Indian Pond Heron (lifer) foraging on a grassy patch at the south end of the park. It was quite skittish so I kept my distance at all times and tried to hide behind trees or bushes to photograph the bird.

    Indian Pond Heron @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Indian Pond Heron
    Indian Pond Heron @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore
    Indian Pond Heron

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327124345

  • 19 Apr 2026 – Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore

    The quest for the Watercock

    I was still feeling quite tired from all the traveling so I took the previous weekend off from birding to chill. Now that I’m feeling better, I was off to Jurong Lake Gardens for another shot of sighting the Watercock which I previously missed. 

    White-breasted Waterhen @ Jurong Lake Gardens
    White-breasted Waterhen

    At 7AM, I arrived at the viewing platform overlooking Alstonia Island where the sighting was reported the day before on eBird. However, there was no sign of the bird. I made a brief detour to the grasslands area but there was nothing of interest (only the usual Ruddy-breasted Crakes) so I went back to wait at the platform.

    Ruddy-breasted Crake @ Jurong Lake Gardens
    Ruddy-breasted Crake

    I was chatting with another birder to kill some time when I noticed a bird foraging on the ground in the distance between two trees. Initially, I had dismissed it as a White-breasted Waterhen but decided to take a closer look with my binoculars anyway. 

    “It’s there, it’s there!” 

    Watercock @ Jurong Lake Gardens
    Watercock

    It was an awkward shot of the back from a distance, but it was good enough for identification. The bird continued to forage in the area sporadically appearing in the open but mostly hidden from view by the trees and bushes. 

    Watercock @ Jurong Lake Gardens
    Watercock

    Unfortunately, the noise from some nearby grass cutters may have spooked it to remain hidden. After waiting for awhile in vain, I decided to call it a day.

    Watercock @ Jurong Lake Gardens
    Watercock

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S323978095