Tag: JLG

In search of the Brown-streaked Flycatcher

I’ve been putting off a trip to Jurong Lake Gardens to find the Brown-streaked Flycatcher which would make my 307th species sighted. Finally, I decided to try my luck last weekend.

Arriving early in the morning, I stumbled upon a group of photographers with cameras and tripods pointed at a tree cavity. They told me it was a Rufous Woodpecker nest. I stayed for awhile and saw the parent come back to feed the chick.

The chick was still very young though and could not be seen but could be heard calling from inside the cavity.

After awhile, I walked off to the viewing platform where I had seen the Watercock earlier this year. It didn’t take long to spot a small bird darting around the trees opposite the platform. Bam, target bird acquired.

There were multiple flycatchers darting around the same tree. I managed to track another one which turned out to be a female Yellow-rumped Flycatcher.

Later in the day, I also spotted a male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher nearby. How fortunate to spot both genders on the same day! These beautiful little birds migrate annually from Siberia, Korea and China to spend winter in this part of the world.

Next, I decided to check out the usual Large-tailed Nightjar spot next to the Garden House. Sure enough, there was one resting there.

A passing shower then sent me scrambling for shelter. Nevertheless, it was nice to relax and just listen to the sound of the falling rain.

After the rain had eased, I checked the bamboo area near the Therapeutic Garden where I had spotted various flycatchers in the past. Surprisingly, there was a lone Tiger Shrike there.

I went back to watch the Rufous Woodpecker nest but there wasn’t much happening. The chick did not seem too interested to eat. Hopefully it grows well and I can return a few weeks later to see it.

eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S392013404

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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