The Salaryman Birder

Author: The Salaryman Birder

  • 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

  • 03 Apr 26 – Daan Forest Park, Taipei, Taiwan

    Birding at Daan Forest Park

    We’re back in Taipei for the last leg of the Taiwan trip. This time, I’m going to be birding at Daan Forest Park.

    Daan Forest Park
    Daan Forest Park

    From the outside, the park looked like any other urban park. But the pond inside the park is truly a sight to behold.

    Ecological pond in Daan Forest Park

    There were hundreds of Black-crowned Night Herons and Eastern Cattle Egrets roosting or nesting on the trees around the pond.

    Black-crowned Night Heron at Daan Forest Park, Taiwan.
    Black-crowned Night Heron

    The Common Moorhen can also be seen at the pond. This one was gracefully gliding it’s way across the water.

    Common Moorhen at Daan Forest Park, Taiwan.
    Common Moorhen

    As for the rest of the park, common species typical to urban parks can be seen. For starters, a pair of Black-collared Starlings were spotted foraging on the grass. This one caught a yummy earthworm for brunch.

    Black-collared Starling at Daan Forest Park, Taiwan.
    Black-collared Starling

    And then of course there is the Taiwan Barbet which had been ubiquitous throughout the trip. This one was photographed excavating the tree trunk for nesting.

    Taiwan Barbet at Daan Forest Park, Taiwan.
    Taiwan Barbet

    Next, I saw a Grey Wagtail busy preening itself on the ground.

    Grey Wagtail at Daan Forest Park, Taiwan.
    Grey Wagtail

    I have seen eBird records of the Manchurian Bush Warbler (lifer) here so I made it a point to check the bamboo groves scattered around the park. With some luck, I managed to spot one on my first try.

    Manchurian Bush Warbler at Daan Forest Park
    Manchurian Bush Warbler

    Finally, the last tick added to my life list is the White-bellied Green Pigeon.

    White-bellied Green Pigeon at Daan Forest Park
    White-bellied Green Pigeon

    And that’s a wrap for my Taiwan vacation. A total of 61 species was sighted throughout the trip with 23 new species. Unfortunately I missed out on the Taiwan Blue Magpie which I really wanted to see. That will have to wait for another trip.

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S317698245

  • 31 Mar ~ 01 Apr 26 – Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

    Lakeside birding

    For Days 5 and 6 of the Taiwan trip, we move on to Sun Moon Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Taiwan located in Nantou county.

    Sun Moon Lake near Ita Thao.
    Sun Moon Lake

    Despite the large body of water, there aren’t many aquatic birds around. You will have more luck birding in the forests on the shore of the lake. Anyway, here are some interesting finds that I saw for the two days there.

    Sun Moon Lake near Ita Thao.
    Sun Moon Lake

    Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (lifer) – While waiting for the public bus, I heard a faint bird call and managed to track it to this beautiful woodpecker. Unfortunately, I only got a few usable shots before it took off so all I have is this back photo.

    Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker at Sun Moon Lake.
    Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

    White-rumped Sharma – Another bird that kept me entertained while waiting for the bus.

    White-rumped Sharma at Sun Moon Lake.
    White-rumped Sharma
    White-rumped Sharma at Sun Moon Lake.
    White-rumped Sharma

    Bronzed Drongo (lifer) – I spotted a pair of them actively flying between trees to catch insects.

    Bronzed Drongo at Sun Moon Lake.
    Bronze Drongo

    Black-naped Monarch (lifer) – I spotted a pair of male and female hunting for insects high up some bamboo. This one photographed is a female which has a duller plumage to the male’s all blue plumage.

    Black-naped Monarch at Sun Moon Lake.
    Black-naped Monarch

    Taiwan Scimitar Babbler (lifer) – Another bird that was heard first. It sounded like there was a small animal moving between dried twigs in some very thick vegetation. This was the best window that I had to photograph the bird after much searching.

    Taiwan Scimitar Babbler at Sun Moon Lake.
    Taiwan Scimitar Babbler

    eBird checklists:
    1. https://ebird.org/checklist/S317426575
    2. https://ebird.org/checklist/S317428245
    3.https://ebird.org/checklist/S317434603

  • 30 Mar 26 – Taichung Park, Taichung, Taiwan

    A hard fish to swallow.

    Taichung Park is the oldest and most iconic urban park in Taichung dating back to the Japanese occupation era. I dropped by the park in the late morning for some casual birding before lunch.

    There were a lot of Rock Pigeons at the park attracted by the parkgoers who feed them. These three Rock Pigeons of different coloration spaced out evenly on a branch looked like they were posing for a rock album cover.

    Rock Pigeon @ Taichung Park, Taiwan
    Rock Pigeons

    The highlight of the visit was this Black-crowned Night Heron who caught a fish too large for it to swallow.

    Black-crowned Night Heron @ Taichung Park, Taiwan
    Black-crowned Night Heron

    At one point, there was a small group of people gathered to watch the heron try to down it’s prized catch. “Oh oh, he’s got it” quipped the man next to me only for the fish to be regurgitated out again.

    Black-crowned Night Heron @ Taichung Park, Taiwan
    Black-crowned Night Heron

    I went ahead to explore the rest of the park and came back to check on the heron again after about an hour but it was still struggling to eat the fish.

    Black-crowned Night Heron @ Taichung Park, Taiwan
    Black-crowned Night Heron

    I left the park shortly after for lunch so I’m not sure if the heron did manage to finish it’s meal. I’d like to believe the persistent little bugger eventually got it down the hatch.

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S317416519