The Salaryman Birder

Author: The Salaryman Birder

  • 17 Jan 2026 – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves (Eagle Point)

    No show.

    I’ve been seeing reports of a pair of Black-headed Gulls (a rare migratory bird to Singapore) over the week at Eagle Point in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves. So I thought I’d try my luck on Saturday to add another tick to my life list.

    I arrived at Eagle Point at 7:00AM and scanned my surroundings but the gulls were nowhere to be seen. The sunrise, though, is beautiful as always.

    Sunrise at Eagle Point @ Sungel Buloh Wetland Reserves

    The tide was high and would peak at late morning. There was hardly anywhere for shorebirds to perch. Nevertheless, I decided to wait, fueled by that all-too-familiar feeling of hopeless optimism.

    Common Sandpiper

    While waiting, a flock of foraging Ashy Minivets came by flying from tree to tree.

    Ashy Minivet

    Meanwhile, the resident White-bellied Sea Eagles were busy collecting materials for their home renovation project.

    White-bellied Sea Eagle
    White-bellied Sea Eagle

    After some morning chores, it was time for breakfast. The White-bellied Sea Eagle is an adept hunter diving mid-flight from high elevation to yank it’s prey out of the water.

    White-bellied Sea Eagle with Spotted Scat catch

    From afar, a flock of Asian Openbills were spotted hovering in the air.

    Asian Openbill

    Finally, the majestic Osprey made it’s appearance much to the delight of many bird photographers who had been waiting all morning at Eagle Point.

    Osprey

    As afternoon approached and still no sighting of the gulls, it was time to head home. Better luck next time.

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S294610901

  • 11 Jan 2026 – Dairy Farm Nature Park

    When the stars align.

    I decided to bird at Dairy Farm Nature Park on Sunday as my legs were still exhausted from the trek to Jelutong Tower the day before.

    I arrived to a huge flock of Asian Glossy Starlings and Pink-necked Green Pigeons roosting on the canopy of the forest. The Straw-headed Bulbul was also calling from somewhere nearby but unfortunately I could not find it.

    Asian Glossy Starlings and Pink-necked Green Pigeons

    I waited at the observation deck for a bit and walked the Wallace Trail but hardly saw any birds. I was beginning to wonder if this was going to be one of those dry, unproductive days of birding. At least, this Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo ensured that I will not return home empty-handed today.

    Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

    And then, the stars aligned. As I was turning to the path that loops back to the Wallace Education Centre, I spotted something foraging on the ground. It was an Orange-headed Thrush.

    Orange-headed Thrush

    The bird paid no heed to me. It went about it’s way foraging for bugs and worms on the forest floor. Occasionally, it would turn over a leaf to check what’s underneath. Sometimes it would hide in the bushes by the side when there were people passing by but it came out again when the coast was clear.

    Orange-headed Thrush
    Orange-headed Thrush

    After about an hour of observing the bird, it hopped off the path toward the forest and disappeared. I waited for an hour hoping to get better shots of the bird as the lighting improved but it never came out again.

    While waiting, I observed another small bird flying around the bushes. To my surprise, it was a Green-backed Flycatcher. I’ve mainly observed flycatchers darting around high on a tree (which is a nightmare to photograph). To find one that was quite chill and at eye level was truly a stroke of luck.

    Green-backed Flycatcher

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S293600986

  • 10 Jan 2026 – Jelutong Tower

    Hopelessly optimistic.

    The arrival of 4 Himalayan Vultures in Singapore had taken the local birding community by storm. Unfortunately, it was sighted on a Wednesday so it’s a no-go for me. I am, after all, a humble Salaryman on the weekdays.

    Fueled by wishful optimism, I decided to visit Jelutong Tower on Saturday hoping that the high vantage point will allow me to catch a glimpse of the vultures if they were to soar across the Singapore skies.

    Morning view from atop Jelutong Tower.
    Morning view from atop Jelutong Tower

    Birding at Jelutong Tower is best done in the early mornings when the birds are actively feeding. This, however, requires one to trek through the forest in pitch black conditions during pre-dawn hours. As I rely on public transport, my usual route is to go through Golf Link from Lornie Road, a 2.5km trek across relatively flat terrain which takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

    Pre-dawn trekking to Jelutong Tower along Golf Link,
    Trekking through the forest to Jelutong Tower

    On route to the tower, I came across 2 Savanna Nightjars and a Blue-winged Pitta. Unfortunately, it was just too dark to attempt to take any photos.

    Birding at the tower was a relatively quiet affair that morning. The Pink-necked Green Pigeon and Orange-bellied Flowerpecker were present in attendance as usual.

    Orange-bellied Flowerpecker at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
    Pink-necked Green Pigeon at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Pink-necked Green Pigeon

    A few Oriental Honey Buzzards flew by close to the tower which is always a great chance to get close-up photos of these amazing raptors.

    Crested Honey Buzzard at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Crested Honey Buzzard
    Crested Honey Buzzard at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Crested Honey Buzzard

    I decided to call it a day by late morning. On the way out, I spotted another pair of Orange-Bellied Flowerpeckers. I observed the female picking and gathering the fine hairs off this plant. Presumably for nest building?

    Orange-bellied Flowerpecker at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Orange-bellied Flowerpecker

    And nope, no luck on spotting the vultures.

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S293413433

  • 03 Jan 2026 – Bukit Gombak Park

    Casual backyard birding.

    It was a busy day of traveling between Malaysia and Singapore so I only had time for some casual birding at the nearby Bukit Gombak Park. Highlight of the day was spotting a lone Rufous Woodpecker foraging for insects which was a first for me at this park.

    Rufous Woodpecker at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore.
    Rufous Woodpecker

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S292148709

  • 01, 02 Jan 2026 – Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park

    New year, new blog, new birds.

    For two consecutive mornings, I visited the Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park (Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia) to kickstart my birding journey for 2026. Both sessions proved to be productive adding a respectable 11 new species to my life list.

    Entering the park at 8AM sharp, I went straight to walk the river before the crowds of swimmers and picnickers came in. I was hoping to spot some kingfishers alas no luck. What I did spot though was a Chestnut-naped Forktail. The bird came to the river’s edge for a short while before it disappeared into the forest again.

    Chestnut-naped Forktail at Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
    Chestnut-naped Forktail

    I spent most of the morning around the birdwatching tower (incredibly frustrating that the facility is not opened to the public). A fruiting tree attracted plenty of birds (various Bulbuls, Barbets and Flowerpeckers) to feast on the ripened fruits.

    Black-headed Bulbul at Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
    Black-headed Bulbul
    Sooty Barbet at at Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
    Sooty Barbet

    I called it a day by late morning on both visits. As I was making my way out, I continued to scan the trees along the service road to the park entrance. I was pleasantly surprised to spot the Black-and-yellow Broadbill and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch.

    Black-and-yellow Broadbill at Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
    Black-and-yellow Broadbill
    Velvet-fronted Nuthatch at Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
    Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

    e-Bird checklists:
    1. https://ebird.org/checklist/S291511294
    2. https://ebird.org/checklist/S291796455