Singapore Raptor Report, January – March 2024

Peregrine Falcon, Kranji Loop, 3 Mar 2024, by Angie Cheong

Summary for migrant species:

The number of migrant raptor species recorded during this period was as follows: 11 species in January 2024, 9 in February 2024, and 8 in March 2024. Total migrant raptors during this period was 115 in January, 114 in February, and 153 in March. The Jan-Feb numbers probably represented wintering birds, while the March number was slightly boosted by passage migrants on northward spring migration.

Two species were recorded only in January. Two rare Himalayan Vultures Gyps Himalayensis on 14 Jan 2024 at Henderson Waves, followed by 1 each at Sungei Ulu Pandan and Pulau Tekong the next day. They must have left Singapore after failing to find carcasses to sustain them. The other species was the Common Kestrel Falcon tinnunculus – singles at Tuas South (2 & 27 Jan), Changi Airport (5 & 16 Jan), and Seletar Airport vicinity (21 & 27 Jan).

For the harriers, 2 Eastern Marsh Harriers Circus spilonotus and 2 Pied Harriers Circus melanoleucos were present at Tuas South in January and February.

For the bazas, there were 9 Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni in January (7 at Lorong Halus – Coney Island area, 1 at Marina East, 1 at Kent Ridge Park, 5 in February (Coney Island), and 6 in March (5 at Coney Island, 1 at Mt Faber). And, 15 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes in January, 14 in February, and 48 in March (boosted by observations at Mt Faber).

Only 3 Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis were recorded in January, 3 in February, and 5 in March. For the Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis, there were 18 in January, 13 in February, and 42 in March (boosted by observations at Mt Faber).

The Osprey Pandion haliaetus occurred in small numbers: 5 in January, 4 in February, and 4 in March. They were mostly along the northern coast, with the exception of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in January, Jurong Lake Garden in February, and Upper Seletar Reservoir Park in March.

There were 5, 10, and 7 Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus in January, February, and March respectively, all singles. For the Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus, there were 47, 61, and 40 in January, February, and March respectively.

The only nocturnal migrant raptor was a Northern Boobook Ninox japonica photographed on 25 March 2024.

 

Oriental Honey Buzzard, female, NTU, 25 Feb 2024, by Art Toh

Highlights for sedentary species:

The rare Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius, detected in December 2023 continued to be present at Punggol 17th Avenue from Jan-Mar 2024.  

Breeding-related activities were noted for two species. The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster nests at Bedok (near PIE) and at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve contained two chicks each. The Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus nest at Pasir Ris Park contained two chicks on 10 January 2024, and they fledged by February, while the chicks at West Coast Park fledged by 10 March 2024.

5, 2, and 3 records for the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela in Jan, Feb, and Mar is good for this scarce resident.  

The numbers for the Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus seem quite stable at 18, 17, and 17 for Jan-Mar 2024. The same goes for the number of Grey-headed Fish Eagles Haliaeetus ichthyaetus at 14, 15, and 16 for the Jan-Mar period.

The only record of the sedentary torquatus subspecies of the Oriental Honey Buzzard was at the Botanic Gardens on 14 January 2024, while the ernesti subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon was recorded at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on 5 January 2024, and a pair exhibiting breeding behaviour (food exchange, copulation) was observed at the CBD area on 31 January 2024.

On 16 March 2024, a White-bellied Sea Eagle was photographed with a Pink-necked Green Pigeon in its talons as it flew. The other resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, and the common Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus.

For nocturnal raptors, a pair of Buffy Fish Owls Ketupa ketupu was photographed in the mating position at Windsor Nature Park in January, and at Pasir Ris Park, a chick landed on the ground on 25 March 2024.

Fora pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – Jan-Mar 2024

Thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Angie Cheong and Art Toh for the use of their photos.

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.

Singapore Raptor Report – November 2023

Short-toed Snake Eagle, at Mount Faber, 9 Nov 2023, by Vincent Yip

Summary for migrant species:

November is the peak for raptor migration in Singapore and the numbers show: 2,065 migrant raptors, almost three times the number seen in October. With the increase in the interest of watching raptors, the numbers recorded was also 35% more than last November.

Amazingly, five sightings of the rare Short-toed Snake Eagle, Circaetus gallicus were made at the Henderson Waves – Mt. Faber – Duxton area between the 4th and 13th. As per last November, there was only one record of the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus which was at Mt Faber on the 3rd. The only Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos was at NTU on the 2nd, and the only Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus was spotted on the 10th.

Only three Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus were recorded: one on the 1st, and two on the 5th, all at Henderson Waves – Mount Faber area.  Similarly, only three Common Buzzard Buteo buteo were recorded: one each on the 4th (Henderson Waves & Sentosa), 11th (Mount Faber) and 17th (Mount Faber). 

The six Black Kites Milvus migrans were recorded between the 3rd to the 16th, mainly at the Southern Ridges. There were also six Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, and eight Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, including a peregrinator at Hampstead Wetlands on the 2nd – this is probably the same individual photographed at Pulau Ubin in mid-October 2023.

Jerdon’s Baza, at Mount Faber, 17 Nov 2023, by Herman Phua

There were 11 Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga, recorded between the 1st to the 12th, including a fulvescens morph on the 10th at Mount Faber, localities included NTU, Tuas South, Hort Park, Mount Faber and Outram.  

There were also 11 Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni, recorded throughout the month, including two that are likely to winter at Coney Island. The others were mainly recorded at the Southern Ridges, plus NTU, Singapore Quarry and Goldhill Avenue.  

Sixty-five Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis were recorded. For the Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes, 331 were recorded from the 1st to the 23rd, with 30-40 birds per day at the southern ridges in early November. The 390 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded at various localities throughout the month, though many of these were through dedicated raptor watching at the southern ridges. For the 1,220 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus, a day high of 203 birds was recorded at Mount Faber on the 12th; and there was a record of 100 at NTU on the 7th.

For the nocturnal migrants, an Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia was photographed at Jurong Island on the 11th, and an injured Northern Boobook Ninox japonica was found at Tuas South on the 27th.

Changeable Hawk-Eagle, the mixed morph pair at Mount Faber, Nov 2023, by David CH Tan

Highlights for sedentary species:

There were eight Crested Serpent Eagles Spilornis cheela, double that of October 2023, the additional sightings were at Malcolm Road, Pulau Ubin, NTU, and Sungei Buloh – Kranji area.

One male torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard was recorded at the Botanic Gardens on the 10th and 18th; while one adult ernesti Peregrine Falcon was recorded at Outram (4th) – Hort Park (19th) area.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster pair at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was seen on the 5th rebuilding their nest, while the pair at Singapore General Hospital vicinity already had two eaglets on the nest on the 16th. The mixed morph Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus pair at Mount Faber was rebuilding their nest on the 8th. On the 2nd, an owlet was detected in the Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu nest at Hampstead Wetlands. The other diurnal resident raptors recorded included the Black-winged Kite, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Goshawk and the common Brahminy Kite.

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

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, whether through Facebook, eBird, direct messaging, etc, and especially to Vincent Yip, Herman Phua and David CH Tan for the use of their photos.

16th Singapore Raptor Watch Report (2023)

Autumn 2023 Migration – 18 Nov 2023
compiled by TAN Gim Cheong

The Oriental Honey Buzzard was the most numerous migrant raptor during the 16th Raptor Watch, photo by Tan Gim Cheong

The 16th Singapore raptor watch was held on 18 Nov 2023, and involved 53 raptor lovers counting across nine sites. There was rain at a few sites in the afternoon, but the weather was kind to us mostly.

A total of 593 raptors were recorded, including 370 raptors representing 6 migrant species, and 128 raptors of 7 resident species (the numbers for resident raptors for some sites have been moderated in an attempt to account for possible repeated visits by the birds). A further 95 raptors could not be identified to species level.

Summary:    
Number of raptors – 593
          – 370 migrant raptors.
          – 128 resident raptors.
          – 95 un-identified raptors.

Number of species – 13
          – 6 migrant species.
          – 7 resident species.

Watching Raptors at St John’s Island, 18 Nov 2023, photo by Veronica Foo.

The raptor watch sites were Tuas South, Jurong Lake Garden, Kent Ridge Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Lorong Halus Wetlands, Puaka Hill (Pulau Ubin), St John’s Island, Mount Faber and Little Guilin – thanks to all the site leaders for their faithful support!

Figure 1 : 2023 Raptor Watch Sites. (source of basemap – google.com/maps)

The highest number of raptors recorded was at Tuas South (141 birds), Jurong Lake Garden (107 birds), followed by Puaka Hill, Ubin (101 birds) and Halus Wetlands (81 birds).

The figure below provides a snapshot of the number of raptors according to the three categories – migrant, un-identified & resident raptors, at the sites. Tuas South had the most number of migrant raptors (124), followed by Jurong Lake Garden (96), Halus Wetlands (37) and Puaka Hill, Ubin (36).

The number of migrant species varied from six (at Halus Wetlands) to zero, and that for resident species from six (at Kent Ridge Park) to two, across the sites.

The Oriental Honey Buzzard was the most numerous raptor with 286 birds counted. The largest number of OHB was at Tuas South (104 birds) followed by Jurong Lake Garden (86 birds). The Japanese Sparrowhawk was second with a total of 57 birds, including 20 at Tuas South and 15 at Puaka Hill.

A total of 15 Black Bazas were recorded at four sites. There were nine Chinese Sparrowhawks also at four sites,and two Peregrine falcons (Kent Ridge Park and Halus Wetlands), and the only Jerdon’s Baza was at Halus Wetlands. 

The resident species comprised 49 Brahminy Kites, 41 White-bellied Sea Eagles, 22 Changeable Hawk Eagles, 9 Grey-headed Fish Eagles, 3 Crested Goshawks, 2 Black-winged Kites (at Tuas South only), and 2 Crested Serpent Eagles (Kent Ridge Park & Puaka Hill, Pulau Ubin).

Note: numbers for resident raptors have been moderated in an attempt to account for possible repeated visits by the birds.

A complete breakdown of the species counted at each site is shown in the table below:

Thanks to all the 53 people – site leaders, NParks staff, volunteers, for spending their time out in the open to count raptors:

For a pdf version, please click 16th Singapore Raptor Watch – 2023

Singapore Raptor Report – October 2023

(updated with Common Kestrel record, and corrected location)

Peregrine Falcon (subspecies peregrinator), a first for Singapore, at Pulau Ubin, 14 Oct 2023, by Khoo Wunson.

Summary for migrant species:

The most notable record in October 2023 was that of a Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus of the pereginator subspecies, the first record of this subspecies in Singapore. (Thanks to Dr. Chaiyan and Terence Ang for their inputs.) This subspecies is sometimes called the Shaheen Falcon, and the raptor was photographed on Pulau Ubin on the evening of 14 October 2023, perched on the telecom tower near the jetty.

In total, 756 migrant raptors of 14 species were recorded in October 2023. The last few days of October was when diversity picked up. The only Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni showed up at the southern ridges on the 29th, while the only Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos came in on the 31st. A small Falco was photographed in flight at Mount Faber on the 30th, and could either be an Amur Falcon or Eurasian Hobby. The only Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus was recorded at Mount Faber on 28 Oct 2023.

The first of the three Common Buzzards Buteo buteo showed up on the 29th at the southern ridges, with another two the next day – one at Tuas and another at the southern ridges. The first of the three Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga also showed up on the 29th at the southern ridges, with single each on the next 2 days, again at the southern ridges.

The first of the seven Black Kites Milvus migrans was a juvenile recorded at Jurong Lake Gardens on the 13th.  This was followed by another six at Tuas, Green corridor near Holland Road, central catchment, southern ridges, and Pulau Ubin. For the Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus, the first of 19 was recorded at the southern ridges on the 24th, followed by small number on subsequent days at Jelutong Tower and the southern ridges, plus 11 on the 29th at the southern ridges.

The first Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes appeared on the 29th, followed by 28 birds on the 30th, and 49 birds on the 31st, all at the southern ridges. The 78 Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis and 169 Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis were recorded from the 1st onwards and throughout the month.

The most numerous migrant raptor was the Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus, with 380 birds, with 60 birds passing D’Leedon on the 3rd. There were also three Western Ospreys Pandion haliatus, and 12 Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, including the afore-mentioned peregrinator.

Crested Serpent Eagle, juvenile, Henderson Waves, 28 Oct 2023, by Angie Cheong.

Highlights for sedentary species:

A fresh juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela was recorded at the Botanic Gardens on the 2nd, together with an adult, possibly the second instance of breeding in Singapore. On the 28th, a lone juvenile was photographed at Henderson Waves, likely the same individual.

Mating was observed for a pair of Grey-headed Fish Eagles Haliaeetus ichthyaetus on the 3rd, and for a pair of Crested Goshawks Accipiter trivirgatus at Pasir Ris Park on the 13th. The other resident raptors recorded included the Black-winged Kite, Crested Goshawk, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and the common Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

For the nocturnal Buffy Fish Owl, a recently fledged juvenile was recorded at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in early October, while another juvenile was recorded at Changi Business Park on the 25th.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – October 2023_v3

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Khoo Wunson and Angie Cheong the use of their photos.

Singapore Raptor Report, July-September 2023

Peregrine Falcon, ernesti juvenile, Pulau Ubin, 18 September 2023, by Mithilesh Mishra

Summary:

Seventeen Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded in September, with the first arrival on 16 September, same as last year. These are probably the only early migrants from north Asia.

A total of 26 observations were made for the Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus during the July to September period: 4 in July, 10 in August and 12 in September. Where photographs were available, the honey buzzards could be aged as sub-adults (2nd calendar year), right up to end September. These are over-summering birds. Moult of the primaries (feathers) was consistent with last few years’ observation. From the photographs, up to four non-migratory torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard were noted.

There were records of the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus of the ernesti (non-migratory) subspecies from two locations – a juvenile photographed at the central business district on 10 August perched outside an office window, and another juvenile at Pulau Ubin from 14 August to 18 September. One record on Ubin was not identified to subspecies, but is likely to have been the ernesti juvenile.

The Osprey Pandion haliaetus was reported from three localities – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Gardens by the Bay, & Yishun Dam during this 3-month period. The rare Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela was recorded from two areas: the Neo Tiew–SBWR area, and the Botanic Gardens–Goldhill Avenue area.   

Black-winged Kite, Marina Grove, 9 July 2023, by Derrick Wong

There were nesting-related records for a number of species of diurnal raptors. At Marina Grove, a pair of Black-winged Kites Elanus caeruleus mated on 6 July. For the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leocogaster, an adult was on the nest at Marsiling on 5 July while the fledged juvenile was perched near by, another nest containing two chicks at Woodlands Road fell on 13 July after the branch supporting it broke.

On 13 July, nestbuilding activities were noted for a Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus. For the Crested Goshawks Accipiter trivirgatus, a nest with two chicks was found at Fu Shan Park on 18 September.

Juvenile Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji were recorded at two localities, one at the Southern Ridges on 6 July, and two at Jurong Lake Gardens on 28 July. For the Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu, the chick at Ulu Pandan fledged on 7 August, while the one at SBWR fledged on 20 August. The pair at Hampstead Wetlands Park mated in September 2023. There were also reports of Barred Eagle Owl Bubo sumatranus and Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report, Jul-Sep 2023

Many thanks to everyone for their records, and to Mithilesh Mishra and Derrick Wong for the use of their photos.

Singapore Raptor Report, Late Spring Migration, April-June 2023

Black-winged Kite carrying prey, GBTB, June 2023, by Andrew Hunt

Summary:

Seven migrant raptor species were recorded during this period, compared with four in most other years. The 30 Oriental Honey Buzzard (OHB) Pernis ptilorhyncus at Mount Faber on 10th April was a surprise, as daily numbers are usually much lesser in April. There were a total of 67 records of the OHB in April, 13 in May and 10 in June.

A Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni at Mount Faber on 2nd April set a new late day (by 5 days). For the Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes, there were two on 2nd April and four on 4th April, at Mount Faber and Telok Blangah Hill Park respectively. There were seven Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis in April: five at Mount Faber on 2nd April and two at Telok Blangah Hill Park on 4th April.

59 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded in April, thanks to observers at Mount Faber who counted 20 on both 2nd April and 10th April. This is a meaningful increase from last year’s 14 birds. Small numbers of Osprey Pandion haliaetus and Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus were also recorded between April to June.

Crested Serpent Eagles, Jalan Gemala 2, 7 May 2023, by Hong Yijun

Sedentary Raptors

There were breeding records for four resident raptors. The Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus pair at Gardens by the Bay successfully raised three chicks in May, all the while fending off the House Crows in the vicinity. A pair of Crested Goshawks Accipiter trivirgatus at Pasir Ris Park was raising a chick from April to May. The mixed morph pair of Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus at Choa Chu Kang Park raised a dark morph chick which fledged successfully in May.

There were seven active nests for the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster during this period.  The nests at Bedok and Chuan Park held one chick each, the nests at Yishun Avenue 8 and Pasir Ris held two large two chicks each, the nest at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve had two fledged young perched nearby, and the nests at Marsiling and Yishun Avenue 1 had the adult sitting on either very young chicks or eggs.

Amazingly, there were six Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela during this period. An immature at Admiralty Park in April; whule at Pulau Ubin, sn sdult in April, and an immature in April & May, one at Jurong Lake Gardens in April; and two adults at Neo Tiew Road / Jalan Gemala 2 area in May.

In both April & May, the adult Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus at Potong Pasir was recorded fighting talon-to-talon with the adult White-bellied Sea Eagles over feeding territory at the canal.

Other resident raptors included a Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus of the resident ernesti race that was recorded at the southern ridges on 6th & 9th June, and the ubiquitous Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus.

Nocturnal Raptors

On 4th May, an injured Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanicus was rescued from Tanah Merah Coast Road and handed to NParks for rehabilitation.

For a more detailed pdf version, please click Singapore Raptor Report, Late Spring Migration, Apr-Jun 2023

Many thanks to everyone for posting / sending in / sharing their records, and to Andrew Hunt and Hong Yijun for the use of their photos.

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

Singapore Raptor Report – February 2023

Oriental Honey Buzzard, juvenile (yellow cere & brown eyes), at Pasir Ris Park, Feb 2023, by Wong Sangmen

Summary for migrant species:

Eight migrant raptor species were recorded in February 2023, same as the previous month. The two Jerdon’s Bazas Aviceda jerdoni recorded at Lorong Halus Wetlands on 12 Feb, and one at Punggol on 16 Feb were probably wintering birds venturing from Coney Island. For the Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis, there were only two records: the site-faithful female at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West on 24 Feb, and an individual at Marina East on 26 Feb.

There were two records of the Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia: one at Windsor Nature Park on 4 Feb found injured and rescued; and one at Mandai Track 15 on 26 Feb. There were also four Ospreys Pandion haliaetus; seven Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis; seven Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus; 20 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes; and 62 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (upperwing) at Singapore Quarry, Feb 2023, by Andy Chew

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were noted for four species. The pair of adult male and sub-adult female Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus at Singapore Quarry, which mated on 30 Jan 2023, was seen mating again on 6 Feb and 11 Feb. At Pasir Ris Park, the Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus pair, which mated on 9 Jan 2023, mated again on 18 Feb and 26 Feb, and added sticks to their nest on or around 25 Feb. At Toa Payoh on 23 Feb, a family of goshawks with one fledgling was seen.

For the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster, an adult was on the nest at Yishun on 23 Feb. And at Bukit Batok Nature Park, a Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus was on its nest on 18 Feb.

There were two records of the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela: one at Pulau Tekong on 2 Feb, and one at Jalan Gemala 2 on 25 Feb. The other resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus and Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus.

For nocturnal resident raptors, the Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo family of three was still at Pasir Ris Park on 28 Feb, while the family of three Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu was also still at Hampstead Wetlands on 8 Feb.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (underwing) at Singapore Quarry, 7 Feb 2023, by Angie Cheong

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Wong Sangmen, Andy Chew and Angie Cheong for the use of their photos.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – Feb 2023(v2)

Singapore Raptor Report – January 2023

Oriental Honey Buzzard, torquatus subspecies, at Singapore Botanic Gardens, 5 Jan 2023, by Siew Mun

Summary for migrant species:

Eight migrant raptor species were recorded in January 2023. A Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus was photographed at Gan Eng Seng Primary School on the 20th. For the Jerdon’s Bazas Aviceda jerdoni wintering at Coney Island, three were recorded in January, while two at Lorong Halus and one at Pasir Ris Farmway 1 were probably birds from Coney Island venturing out to forage.

Five Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis were recorded, same as in the previous month, with the one at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West, and the two at Coney Island seemingly happy with their chosen wintering area.

There were three Ospreys Pandion haliaetus along the northern areas; eight Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, many seen perched on buildings; 13 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis; 32 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes; and 53 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus.

White-bellied Sea Eagle bringing nesting materials for its nest at Labrador, 4 Jan 2023, by Art Toh

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were noted for four species. A Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus at Woodlands Waterfront (on 31st) and a White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster at Labrador (on 4th) were photographed in flight with nesting materials. On the 30th, a pair of Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus at Singapore Quarry was seen mating. At Pasir Ris Park, the Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus pair mated on the 9th, despite still caring for a fledgling.

There was only one record of the sedentary torquatus subspecies of the Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus, which was photographed at the Botanic Gardens on the 5th. There were four records of the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela: singles at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the 6th, at the Botanic Gardens and Telok Blangah Hill Park on the 12th, and at Pulau Ubin on the 21st. The other resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus and Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus.

For nocturnal resident raptors, the Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo pair at Pasir Ris Park produced a chick that fledged successfully, and the family stayed in the vicinity of the nest tree throughout the month. At Hampstead Wetlands, the pair of Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu also produced a chick that fledged successfully.

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Siew Mun and Art Toh for the use of their photos.

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