Singapore Raptor Report – December 2023

Pied Harrier, male, Tuas South, 31 Dec 2023, by Chen Boon Chong

Summary for migrant species:

A rare Himalayan Vulture Gyps Himalayensis showed up briefly at Bukit Timah hilltop on the 24th and was seen by a few lucky birders. A total of 11 migrant raptor species were recorded in December 2023 (2 more species compared to December 2022).

At Tuas South, wintering raptors attracted a following. A male Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos pulled in a steady stream of birders to this ‘far’ corner of Singapore as the handsome male is not often seen; there was also a female but surprisingly no juvenile which is more commonly encountered. In addition, there were three Eastern Marsh Harriers Circus spilonotus, a female and two juveniles; plus a Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus.

Seven Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni were recorded, with four of them wintering at Coney Island – Lorong Halus – Pasir Ris Farmway area, and one each at Marina East (6th), Botanic Gardens (7th), and Pulau Ubin (19th).

Only two Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis were recorded, one at Punggol Promenade (7th) and one at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (13th). On the other hand, there were 20 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis, singles at various locations.

There were six Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, 22 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes, 67 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus, and up to nine Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus.

Black-thighed Falconet, Punggol 17th Avenue, 29 Dec 2023, by Tan Gim Cheong

Highlights for sedentary species:

The rare Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius, a non-breeding visitor, put up daily appearances from the 28th to 31st at Punggol 17th Avenue, perching near the tops of bare branches or man-made structures, feeding on swiftlets.

Breeding-related activities were noted for three species. The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster pair at SBWR and the Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus pair at Mount Faber were rebuilding their nests. The Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus, pairs at West Coast Park and Pasir Ris Park were also nesting.

Five records for the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela in a month is not bad: two at the Botanic Gardens, and one each at Pulau Ubin on the 10th and Pasir Ris Park on the 13th, plus a juvenile at Woodlands Waterfront on the 2nd.

The sedentary torquatus subspecies of the Oriental Honey Buzzard was recorded at Kismis Road on the 14th, while the ernesti subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon was recorded at Springleaf Park Connector on the 19th.

The other resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus, and the common Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus.

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

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Chen Boon Chong for the use of his photo.