The Salaryman Birder

Category: Singapore

  • 14 Mar 26 – Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore

    Backyard birding with unexpected results.

    Had a busy Saturday with other life commitments. But I managed to squeeze out a few hours of birding at my “backyard” Bukit Gombak Park in the evening. So here we go with the highlights.

    March is when the breeding season begins and you are likely to find birds building nests in Singapore. This male Common Iora is already in it’s breeding plumage (black cap, wings and tail).

    Common Iora at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore.
    Common Iora

    These Asian Glossy Starlings seem to have started earlier. The two birds on the left are juveniles while the one on the far right is an adult.

    Asian Glossy Starling at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore.
    Asian Glossy Starling

    I also spotted two Asian Brown Flycatchers again just like the week before. I suspect they might be the same birds since they behaved similarly though they were spotted at different locations in the park.

    Asian Brown Flycatcher at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore.
    Asian Brown Flycatcher
    Asian Brown Flycatcher at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore.
    Asian Brown Flycatcher

    Lastly, there was an unexpected sighting of three Black Bazas (uncommon migratory raptors) flying at low elevation toward the forest in the army camp. I had initially thought they were crows but decided to snap a photo anyway.

    Black Baza at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore.
    Black Baza

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S308972172

  • 07 Mar 26 – Singapore Quarry / Jalan Asas, Singapore

    Back to basics.

    I spent Saturday morning birding at Singapore Quarry and along the road leading up to the quarry (Jalan Asas). This was one of the first locations I visited when I began my birding journey in 2023.

    Olive-winged Bulbul at Singapore Quarry / Jalan Asas.
    Olive-winged Bulbul

    The early morning walk along Jalan Asas yielded many of the common resident birds. However, they were all perched high up on some very tall trees which did not make for good photography.

    Blue-throated Bee-eater at Singapore Quarry / Jalan Asas.
    Blue-throated Bee-eater

    At the quarry, there is a resident pair of Gray-headed Fish Eagles. I only saw one of them and it was perched quite a distance away. It did not attempt any dives in the 1.5 hours I was there.

    Gray-headed Fish Eagle at Singapore Quarry / Jalan Asas.
    Gray-headed FIsh Eagle

    An Asian Brown Flycatcher stops by the viewing platform for a look around before disappearing into the forest again.

    Asian Brown Flycatcher at Singapore Quarry / Jalan Asas.
    Asian Brown Flycatcher

    On the way out, I spotted this Tiger Shrike along Jalan Asas. Pleasantly surprised to see this uncommon migrant again as I have not spotted one for some time already.

    Tiger Shrike at Singapore Quarry / Jalan Asas.
    Tiger Shrike

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S306611837

  • 01 Mar 26 – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

    Routine birding.

    On Sunday, I went to SBWR for some early morning birding as I had to leave by late morning for an afternoon appointment. Arriving on the first bus at 7:00AM as usual, this time, I was ready with camera out for my encounter with the Blue-eared Kingfisher.

    Blue-eared Kingfisher at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), Singapore.
    Blue-eared Kingfisher

    Sure enough, it was perched near the pond diving into the water to catch breakfast. Unfortunately, it was too dark to capture any action shots but I’m pleased with these photos that I’ve shot. After a few successful dives, the bird disappeared into the forest behind the pond.

    Blue-eared Kingfisher at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), Singapore.
    Blue-eared Kingfisher

    There were more shorebirds this time around inside the wetlands but nothing out of the ordinary. So I turned my attention back up the sky to find a lone Red-collared Dove (lifer) perched high up on a tree adding another unexpected tick to my life list.

    Red-collared Dove at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), Singapore.
    Red-collared Dove

    Later, I decided to walk near the carpark as there were reports of a Forest Wagtail in the area on eBird. Alas, only common birds like the Red Junglefowl and Ashy Tailorbird were around to entertain me.

    Red Junglefowl at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), Singapore.
    Red Junglefowl
    Ashy Tailorbird at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), Singapore.
    Ashy Tailorbird

    Finally, I saw a pair of Lineated Barbets bring food back to this hole in a tree which I presume is a nest. I only saw the adult birds coming in and out to drop off food though. There was no sight of any chicks.

    Lineated Barbet at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), Singapore.
    Lineated Barbet

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S304815047

  • 28 Feb 26 – Jelutong Tower, Singapore

    In the mood for love.

    This week’s Saturday morning birding was at Jelutong Tower inside Singapore’s central catchment area. It was another early morning trek to the tower, just in time to witness the glorious colors of the morning sky.

    Morning sunrise at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Morning sunrise from atop Jelutong Tower

    The first sighting of interest was a mating pair of Red-crowned Barbets. Hoping for a successful breeding season as the species’ conservation status is classified as “Near Threatened” due to habitat loss.

    Red-crowned Barbet at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Red-crowned Barbet
    Red-crowned barbet at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Red-crowned Barbet

    Several Crested Honey Buzzards were also seen flying over the forest.

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

    This is today’s target bird – the Violet Cuckoo (lifer). The male has a beautiful coat of iridescent violet on it’s head and back. Unfortunately, this could not be photographed clearly due to the harsh backlighting.

    Violet Cuckoo at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Violet Cuckoo

    Nevertheless, it was a joy to observe the bird calling out from atop the forest to attract a mate. There will always be other opportunities in the future to get better photographs.

    Violet Cuckoo at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Violet Cuckoo

    Lastly. a Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots was seen perched on a nearby palm tree.

    Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot at Jelutong Tower, Singapore.
    Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S304445929

  • 14 Feb 26 – Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore

    Third time’s the charm.

    Another Saturday morning, another attempt at spotting the rare Fairy Pitta (lifer) in the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG). After three tries, at long last, success.

    Fairy Pitta at Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
    Fairy Pitta

    The Fairy Pitta was actively foraging on the forest floor from uphill to downhill along the SBG Rainforest Trail. I was lucky enough for it stop right in between the gap of vegetation to get this relatively open shot.

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S300460883

  • 13 Feb 26 – Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore

    Pre-weekend birding.

    I went to Bukit Gombak Park (BGP) for some casual birding after work on Friday. Besides the usual resident birds, I spotted a pair of Coconut Lorikeets foraging on the trees which is an uncommon species in BGP.

    Coconut Lorikeet at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore
    Coconut Lorikeet

    I spent most of my time observing them forage, flying from one tree to another before they flew off the park grounds.

    Coconut Lorikeet at Bukit Gombak Park, Singapore
    Coconut Lorikeet

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S300458114

  • 09 Feb 26 – Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore

    After hours birding.

    I had a late afternoon work meeting near Jurong Lake Gardens on Monday. So I decided to swing over for a quick birding session after I was done. I was hoping to see the Watercock which had been spotted there the day before.

    Alas, it was a no-show. Some birders there told me that the Watercock was spotted earlier but had gone into hiding. After an hour of waiting, I decided to pack up and head for dinner.

    Yellow-vented Bulbul

    Birding on a weekday was a nice change though as the park was considerably more quiet. I had never seen a Medium Egret so brazenly cross the road before.

    Why did the Medium Egret cross the road?

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S299569350

  • 08 Feb 26 – Kranji Marsh, Singapore

    First guided walk.

    On Sunday, I joined the Nature Society of Singapore for a guided birdwatching walk in Kranji Marsh. This is a location which I’ve wanted to visit for a long time but I’ve been putting it off because of it’s difficulty to access via public transport.

    The day started at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves Visitor Centre carpark from where a chartered bus will ferry us to the starting point of the walk.

    Collared Kingfisher at Kranji Marsh, Singapore
    Collared Kingfisher

    Another perk of the walk was we were allowed access into the conservation area of Kranji Marsh which is normally out-of-limits to the public. I saw a lot of birds in there and was very impressed with how well the guides can identify the birds (especially from call alone).

    Red-wattled Lapwing at Kranji Marsh, Singapore
    Red-wattled Lapwing

    The highlight of the day for me was spotting the Wood Sandpiper (lifer), an uncommon migratory bird in Singapore.

    Wood Sandpiper at Kranji Marsh, Singapore
    Wood Sandpiper

    Here’s another photo with a fellow migrant, an Asian Openbill, in the same frame. The two went about their business foraging for food unwary of each other’s presence.

    Asian Openbill and Wood Sandpiper at Kranji Marsh, Singapore
    Left: Asian Openbill, Right: Wood Sandpiper

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S298807919

  • 07 Feb 26 – Singapore Botanic Gardens

    The definition of insanity

    I found myself at the Singapore Botanic Gardens again hoping to sight the Fairy Pitta. The rainforest trail where it was sighted had been closed till further notice due to a fallen tree.

    There was one sighting of the Fairy Pitta reported on eBird just 3 days ago at an accessible part of the trail. I waited there for about an hour with nothing to show for. Not wanting to waste the entire morning away, I decided to move on.

    I headed to the Learning Forest area where the Malayan Night Heron and Blue-winged Pitta were recently spotted. Unfortunately, I did not find the Heron or Pitta either. I did get to see this Oriental Pied Hornbill fly by.

    Oriental Pied Hornbill

    As for other wildlife, I spotted three Smooth-coated Otters in the lake near the Learning Forest. I spent some time observing them hunt for fish.

    Smooth-coated Otters

    This one looks like it’s about to take a large satisfying bite out of it’s catch.

    Smooth-coated Otter

    Looking back up in the sky, it was a good day to spot raptors. I counted the Changeable Hawk-eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, two Brahminy Kites and two Crested Honey Buzzards in rapid succession.

    Changeable Hawk-eagle (dark morph)

    The clear, sunny weather was optimal for thermaling – a phenomenon where raptors exploit the updraft created by temperature difference in the air to allow it to gain elevation with minimal effort.

    Crested Honey Buzzard

    Finally, on the way to the MRT station, I spotted this Asian Openbill looking for snails at the Eco-Lake.

    Asian Openbill

    It was thrashing this snail very hard from side to side, presumably to separate the flesh from the shell for consumption.

    Asian Openbill

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S298553360

  • 01 Feb 2026 – Singapore Botanic Gardens

    No fairy tale ending.

    I don’t usually go chasing for rarities especially a freshly reported one. But the sighting of a Fairy Pitta on Saturday evening in the Singapore Botanic Gardens piqued my interest. I was hoping that by arriving early in the morning, I could get a few record shots and move on before the crowd came in.

    Alas, things do not always go as planned. That day, there were so many birders onsite that I could not even see the bird before it disappeared for the morning. Though, I did get to see this Orange-headed Thrush in an open perch position. That will have to do for the day.

    Orange-headed Thrush
    Orange-headed Thrush

    eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S297442150