Singapore Raptor Report – March 2023

Osprey at SBWR, 16 Mar 2023, by Teo Chee Yong

Summary for migrant species:

Eight migrant raptor species were recorded in March 2023, which saw the start of the spring passage back to the north. Ten Grey-faced Buzzards Butastur indicus were thus recorded, with seven passing over Dairy Farm Nature Park and two over Neo Tiew Harvest Place on the 5th, and one over Singapore Quarry on the 8th.  

Four Jerdon’s Bazas Aviceda jerdoni were still wintering at Coney Island on the 11th. For the Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis, there were five records: one at Singapore Quarry on the 5th, and four over the southern ridges on their return journey north (two at Mount Faber on the 26th, and two at Telok Blangah Hill Park on the 31st).

Fifty four Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded. This was more than a seven-fold increase compared to the previous month as the birds embarked on their way to the breeding grounds, with a peak of 30 birds at Mount Faber on the 26th. The number for Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes more than doubled from last month, principally due to 42 birds over Mount Faber on the 26th. There were also three Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, nine Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, and 61 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus.

Peregrine Falcon, juvenile, Seletar Aerospace Crescent, 6 Mar 2023, by Pl Chong

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were noted for three species. There were four active nests for the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster: a nest at Yishun Avenue 8 with two chicks, a nest at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with 2 chicks, a nest at Bedok North with 1 chick and a nest at Pasir Ris with 2 chicks. For the Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus, there were three active nests: one at Dover forest with 1 pale-morph chick, one at DFNP vicinity with 1 chick (chick did not survive), and one along Woodlands Road with 1 pale-morph chick. At Pasir Ris Park on the 2nd, a juvenile Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus was apparently begging for food.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle locked talons with a White-bellied Sea Eagle, 7 Mar 2023, by SB Lim

At Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the 7th, a Crested Goshawk fitted with a transmitter was seen feeding on a bat. For the locally rare Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela, one was recorded at the Botanic Gardens on the 10th, and two at Goldhill Avenue on the 26th.

On the 7th, a Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus locked talons with a White-bellied Sea Eagle is an airborne tussle. And the other resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus and Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus.

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Teo Chee Yong, Pl Chong, and SB Lim for the use of their photos.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – March 2023