Singapore Raptor Report – October 2022

Shikra, at Mt Faber, 27 Oct 2022, by Ramesh T.

post updated with Besra record

Summary for migrant species:

Raptor migration got off to a good start in October 2022, with 856 migrant raptors of 14 species recorded (in contrast, only 7 migrant raptors species were recorded in October last year).

The rarest migrant raptor to show up was a Shikra Accipiter badius, the third record for Singapore, photographed at Mt Faber on the 27th. On the same day, a Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus was recorded at Nanyang Technological Uiversity, and probably the same individual, at the Botanic Gardens. Also on the same day, a Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga was spotted at Tuas, followed by one each day for the next three days – at NTU on the 28th, Lorong Halus on the 29th, and the southern ridges on the 30th.

The 27th also marked the arrival of the first Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes, with a flock of 70 birds over Mount Faber. Recorded everyday subsequently, at NTU, Lorong Halus, and the southern ridges, the month’s total was 156 bazas.  The most numerous migrant raptor was the Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus, with 365 birds, recorded throughout the month. The highest number recorded in a day was 72 at NTU on the 14th. At number two was the Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis, with 222 birds, recorded throughout the month. At the other end of the scale, there was one Besra Accipiter virgatus at Telok Blangah Hill Park on the 17th.

For the Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii, there was an adult at the Rail Mall on the 24th, and an immature ranging from Bukit Timah to the southern ridges through the month. The Grey-faced Buzzards Butastur indicus started to arrive on the 22nd, passing through at Neo Tiew Road, NTU, Bukit Timah, and the southern ridges, with a total of eight birds.

Black Bazas over Mt Faber, 27 Oct 2022, by Tan Gim Cheong

Pied Harriers Circus melanoleucos started to show up on the 13th, and we had 6 of them in total. Five were passing through at Bukit Timah, Jelutong Tower, Mount Faber and NTU, while the one at Tuas could be staying on at the reclaimed land for a while. Not to be outdone, the Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus came in bigger numbers – ten birds, passing through at Kranji Marsh, Bukit Timah, southern ridges and Lorong Halus. Apart from a male, most of them were juveniles, with one spending some time at Tuas.

Lastly, there were 60 Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis, recorded throughout the month; 12 Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, and six Western Ospreys Pandion haliatus.

Highlights for sedentary species:

There were two Crested Serpent Eagles Spilornis cheela, one at Pulau Ubin on the 7th, and there other at the Southern Ridges throughout the month. A torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard was at Marina East on the 9th, and another at Mount Faber on the 27th.

Breeding-related activities were recorded for four resident species. A pair of Black-winged Kites was nesting at Gardens by the Bay and aerial transfer of food was observed. At West Coast Park, a pair of Brahminy Kites and a pair of Crested Goshawks were nesting. At Hillview Link, a pair of Changeable Hawk-Eagles was active around a nest.

For the nocturnal Buffy Fish Owl, mating was observed twice at Hampstead Wetlands on the 13th, and at SBWR, a chick fledged successfully.

Buffy Fish Owl feeding fish to its chick, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, 17 Oct 2022, by Tan Gim Cheong

 

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – October 2022, revised with Besra

Many thanks to everyone for their records, and to Ramesh T. for the use of his photo.