Singapore Raptor Report – December 2022

Western Osprey, Rower’s Bay Park, 8 Dec 2022, by Rovena Chow

Summary for migrant species:

Nine migrant raptor species were recorded in December 2022. Three Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus in a month is pretty good, one at Pasir Panjang on the 5th, one at Marina East on the 12th and 13th, and one at Tuas on the 25th. Six Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni were recorded, with four of them wintering at Coney Island through the month, one at Changi Business Park on the 5th, and another at the Botanic Gardens on the 12th.

For the five Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis, the site faithful at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West was recorded on the 22nd, one at Jurong Lake Garden on the 16th, one at Neo Tiew Lane 2 on the 21st, and two wintering at Coney Island. Some of the 13 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were in moult, showing four or six ‘fingers’ instead of the usual five.

Black Baza, Pasir Ris Park, 24 Dec 2022, by Wong Sangmen

There were ten Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, including site faithfuls at Anchorvale and Sembawang. There were also 22 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes, 62 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus, and four Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus.

For nocturnal raptors, there was a single record of an Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia that was rescued from crows and released safely.

Jerdon’s Baza, Coney Island, 12 Dec 2022, by Tan Gim Cheong

Highlights for sedentary species:

The most amazing sighting was that of a Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus photographed in flight at Lim Chu Kang on the 3rd, this being the third verifiable record for Singapore, some 13 years after the second one in 2009.

Breeding-related activities were noted only for the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela, for which a pair at Neo Tiew Road mated on the 9th, this being only the second breeding-related record. The other resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus, Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus, Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus, and the common Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus and White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster.

For nocturnal raptors, a Barred Eagle Owl Bubo sumatranus was recorded near Singapore Quarry on the 26th, and the pair of Buffy Fish Owl Ketuoa ketupu at Hampstead Wetlands had a chick on their nest on the 31st.

Escapee

The Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus reported in November 2022, a bird with falconry anklets on both tarsi, was still around Mountbatten area on the 26th of December.

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

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – December 2022

Singapore Raptor Report – November 2022

Short-toed Snake Eagle, at Gardens by the Bay, 11 Nov 2022, by Danny Khoo

Summary for migrant species:

It’s yet another amazing November, with 21 migrant raptor species recorded (compared with last year’s already awesome list of 20). The rarities included a juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, at Mount Faber on the 8th, and four sightings of the Short-toed Snake Eagle, Circaetus gallicus at Henderson Waves on the 2nd, Sungei Tengah and Telok Blangah Hill Park on the 7th, and Gardens by the Bay on the 11th. The only record of the Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus was at Henderson Waves on the 4th, and that of the Black Kite Milvus migrans at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the 6th.

Unfortunately, the only Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus was a dead one found at Pasir Panjang on the 10th. The Besra Accipiter virgatus was recorded at the Southern Ridges on the 4th, 9th, and 16th, all juveniles. There was a juvenile Accipiter, at the southern ridges on the 6th, which was thought to be a Besra initially, but the structure seemed closer to Shikra; it seemed to have mixed characteristics, and it is probably wise not to be hasty to tag an ID to it.

Other scarce raptors included the Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus for which there were four sightings, at Henderson Waves on the 6th, Tuas South on the 7th & 8th, and Lazarus Island on the 18th; and the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, for which there were three records all at Mount Faber, on the 4th, 5th and 9th.

The Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus was represented by six individuals in four sightings: three adults at Tuas South on the 2nd, one each at Tuas South & Mount Faber on the 7th, and one at Henderson Waves on the 20th. 

Grey-faced Buzzard, adult, at Tuas South, 2 Nov 2022, by Tan Gim Cheong

For the five Eastern Marsh Harriers Circus spilonotus, two were frequenting the open spaces at Tuas South, and three were likely on passage, at Kranji Marsh and Henderson Waves on the 6th, and Mount Faber on the 21st. As for the Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos, the eight individuals were recorded at Tuas South, Mount Faber and Lim Chu Kang area, with the only adult male at Tuas, and the only adult female at Neo Tiew Harvest Lane.

The seven Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga, all probably on passage, were recorded at Dairy Farm Nature Park, Jelutong Tower, Mountbatten, and the southern ridges. The only Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii was recorded at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the9th.

There were many sightings of the Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni throughout the month, but the numbers were conservatively put down as 11, with the assumption that some may have flown around Singapore before settling at Coney Island, while others may have continued on to Indonesia.  Of the 76 Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis recorded, the site faithful adult female at Ang Mo Kio was spotted from the 5th onwards. We had 143 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes this month, with small flocks of up to 22 birds over the southern ridges.

Pied Harrier, juvenile, at Tuas South, 1 Nov 2022, by Chen Boon Chong

Most of the 244 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded migrating over the southern ridges, with 53 birds being the highest in a day, on the 4th. Some adult females were in active moult of their flight feathers and one at Henderson Waves on the 11th had a “6-fingered” appearance due to moult of the inner primaries, and observers are advised to take note of moult to avoid mis-identification.

For the 980 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus, a day high of 135 birds was recorded at Henderson Waves on the 11th. In addition, seven Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus and fifteen Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus were recorded.

For the nocturnal Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia, there were two records on the 21st, one perched on potted plants along a HDB corridor, and another apparently concussed at Republic Poly.

Black-winged Kite, fledglings, at Gardens by the Bay, 12 Nov 2022, by Wong Sangmen

Highlights for sedentary species:

There were five Crested Serpent Eagles Spilornis cheela, one at the Lim Chu Kang Area, one on Pulau Ubin on the 23rd, one at the southern ridges, and two at the Botanic Gardens. Two torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard were recorded: one at the Botanic Gardens on the 18th, and one at Tampines Eco Green on the 24th; while one ernesti Peregrine Falcon was recorded at Henderson Waves on the 12th.

The Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus pair at Gardens by the Bay produced three chicks which had fledged by the 2nd. Unfortunately for the fledgling Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu at SBWR, it was attacked by Oriental Pied Hornbills which damaged its wing feathers. The other diurnal resident raptors recorded included the Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Goshawk and the common Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

Escapee

A Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus with falconry anklets on both tarsi was photographed at the Mountbatten area on many occasions in November.

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Danny Khoo, Chen Boon Chong and Wong Sangmen for the use of their photos.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – November 2022

15th Singapore Raptor Watch Report

Autumn 2022 Migration – 6 Nov 2022

Pied Harrier, at Tuas South Link 4, 6 Nov 2022, by Tan Gim Cheong

As the scheduled date for the 15th Singapore raptor watch was rained out, a count was organized the next day, albeit for a shorter 4-hour duration. The exception was Telok Blangah Hill Park which was counted on 10 Nov 2022, and the team at Tuas View Drive soldiered on in the rain on the original date.

The numbers counted at each site varied from a high of 181 to a low of 17 birds. A total of 450 raptors were counted, including 364 raptors representing 10 migrant species and 68 raptors of 7 resident species. A further 18 raptors could not be identified to species level.

Summary:    
Number of raptors – 450
– 364 migrant raptors.
– 68 resident raptors.
– 18 un-identified raptors.

Number of species – 17
– 10 migrant species.
– 7 resident species.

Our usual sites are Tuas South, Jurong Lake Garden, Kent Ridge Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Lorong Halus Wetlands, and Puaka Hill, Pulau Ubin – thanks to all the site leaders for their faithful support!

Alan OwYong and his team of raptor watchers at Kent Ridge Park, 6 Nov 2022.

The highest number of raptors recorded was at Jurong Lake Garden (181 birds), followed by Puaka Hill, Ubin (65 birds) and Telok Blangah Hill Park (54 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. Jurong Lake Garden had the most number of migrant raptors (171), followed by Telok Blangah Hill Park (47), and Puaka Hill, Ubin (41).

There was an average of four migrant species and three resident species across the sites.

The Oriental Honey Buzzard was the most numerous raptor with 269 birds counted. The largest number of OHB was at Jurong Lake Garden (126 birds). The Japanese Sparrowhawk was second with a total of 49 birds, and it was the only species that was present at all the sites.

A total of 34 Black Bazas were recorded at four sites, the bulk (25 birds) was at Jurong Lake Garden. There were three Chinese Sparrowhawks, three Eastern Marsh Harriers (all at Tuas), and two Peregrine falcons.  

The only Pied Harrier was recorded at Tuas South Link 4, the only Greater Spotted Eagle at Kent Ridge Park, the only Western Osprey at Lorong Halus Wetlands, and the only Jerdon’s Baza at Puaka Hill, Pulau Ubin.

The resident species comprised 25 White-bellied Sea Eagles, 21 Brahminy Kites, 8 Changeable Hawk Eagles, 5 Black-winged Kites, 5 Crested Serpent Eagles, 2 Grey-headed Fish Eagles, and 2 Crested Goshawks.

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

Thanks to all the 31 people – site leaders, NParks staff, volunteers, for spending their time out in the open to count raptors:

Alan OwYong	John Spencer	Quen Fong Hsieh
Andy Bell	Kurade Bhagwant	Richard and Geoff Sanders
Bey Swee Hua	Lai Choo	Rupesh
Chee Yuhan and Family	Lee Ee Ling	Shalini
Chong Eng Keong	Lim Lee Lee	Steven Lee
Clarissa Kay.	Lioe	Susan Knight
Jacky Soh	Low Choon How	Tan Gim Cheong
Jeff Obbard	Martti Siponen	Tan Kok Hui
Jennifer Conceicao	Max Obbard	Wilson Wei-Hsien LAU

For a pdf version, please click 15th Singapore Raptor Watch – 2022

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.

Singapore Raptor Report, Early Autumn Migration, July-September 2022

Oriental Honey Buzzard, Potong Pasir, 23 September 2022, by Tan Gim Cheong

Summary:

Seven Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded in September, with the first arrival on 16 September. These are probably the only migrants from north Asia.

A total of 37 observations were made for the Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus during the July to September period: 11 in July, 10 in August and 26 in September. Where photographs were available, the honey buzzards could be aged as sub-adults (2nd calendar year), right up to end September, so these are over-summering birds. Moult of the primaries (feathers) was consistent with last two years’ observation. From the photographs, up to six non-migratory torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard were noted.

There were two records of the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus of the ernesti (non-migratory) subspecies – one adult photographed at Pulau Ubin on 21 July, and another far away at Toa Payoh Town Park on 3 August. Another record on 18 September at Sentosa was not identified to subspecies.

An immature Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii was recorded at the Upper Bukit Timah area through the 3-month period. There were only two reports of the Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus, one on 8 July and the other on 6 August, both on Pulau Ubin.  

The rare Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela was recorded thrice – an adult at Springleaf Nature Park on 13 July, an adult at Simpang Kiri PCN on 11 September, and an individual on Pulau Ubin on 22 September.  

There were nesting-related records for a number of species of diurnal raptors. At Gardens by the Bay, a pair of Black-winged Kites Elanus caeruleus was nest-building in late September and often harassed by crow. For the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leocogaster, there were two big eaglets in a nest at Fort Canning on 17 July.

A pair of mixed morph Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus was near a nest at Dover East forest on 12 July and 2 August, and another pair at a nest near Dairy farm Nature Park on 2 August also. Mating was observed for a pair of Crested Goshawks Accipiter trivirgatus in late September.

In July, an immature Grey-headed Fish Eagles Haliaeetus ichthyaetus  was seen fighting with a White-bellied sea Eagle at a stretch of river at Potong Pasir. The common Brahminy Kites Haliastur Indus were ever present during this period.

Brown Fish Owl, Hindhede Nature Park, 7 July 2022, by HP Tan

For nocturnal raptors, a Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis was photographed at Hindhede Nature Park on 7 July and 22 July. A Brown x Buffy Fish Owl hybrid offspring, probably a second of its kind, was also photographed at Hindhede on 17 July.

A fledgling Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji was seen in the vicinity of a nature reserve on 17 July, and another fledgling was photographed at Pasir Ris Park on 9 September. At Hindhede Nature Park, a family of three Brown Hawk-Owls Ninox scutulata, including 1 fledgling, was photographed on 8 July and 31 July.

For the Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu family at Ulu Pandan, the chick was first observed on 10 September, ended up on the ground on 2 days, “rescued”, and by 27 Sep was perched high up.

For the Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo, a family of 3, with one fledgling, was recorded at NTU on 8 July. Another chick at Changi Coast ended up on the ground on 27 July, was “rescued”, and fledged on 13 August.

Lastly, at Thomson Nature Park, a Barred Eagle Owl Bubo sumatranus was seen on 9 July feeding on a plantain squirrel.

Brown x Buffy Fish Owl hybrid offspring, Hindhede Nature Park, 17 July 2022, by Hubert Pak

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report, Early Autumn Migration, Jul-Sep 2022

Many thanks to everyone for their records, and to HP Tan and Hubert Pak for the use of their photos.

Singapore Raptor Report, Late Spring Migration, April-June 2022

Oriental Honey Buzzards, immature (left) and a surprise adult male (right), DFNP, 6 June 2022, by Siew Mun

Summary:

Eight migrant raptor species were recorded during this period, compared with four in most other years. An adult male Oriental Honey Buzzard (OHB) Pernis ptilorhyncus on 6 June was a surprise, as the over-summering OHBs are usually second year immature birds. There were 22 records of OHB in April, 17 in May and 13 in June.

The only record for the Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes was a flock of 14 at Bukit Panjang on 2nd April. In some years, there are no records of this species after the month of March. There was also just one record of the Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis – at Jurong Lake Gardens on 8th April.

Fourteen Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded between 2nd to 16th April, mostly singly. Five Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus were recorded, four between 2nd to 12th April, and one on 1st May. Small numbers of Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus were also recorded between April to June.

An immature Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii was recorded on 19th and 30th April, and 17th May at Upper Bukit Timah – Dairy Farm area. Lastly, a Northern Boobook Ninox japonica was measured, ringed and released by NParks at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 13 April.

Northern Boobook, SBWR, 13 April 2022, by Benjamin Lee

Sedentary Raptors

There were breeding records for two resident raptors. The Crested Goshawks Accipiter trivirgatus at Bukit Panjang Park were attending to two fledglings in April, and the pair at Pasir Ris Park was attending to one fledgling in May. At Kent Ridge Park in June, a pair was photographed as they mated. Prey items for the species noted during this period included junglefowl chick, rat and bat.

There were four nesting records for the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster between May to June. A nest at Admiralty Park held two chicks. The pair at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve bred again this season, producing two chicks. Unfortunately one chick became entangled with fishing line and hook, and died despite rescue efforts. In June, two chicks had already fledged from a nest at Ang Mo Kio, whereas the two chicks at Fort Canning have yet to fledge. Additionally, an adult was perched near a nest at Tanah Merah Coast Road (though it was not clear if the nest was active).

Peregrine Falcon, ernesti juvenile, showing rufous underparts which is not described in most books, SBWR, 26 June 2022, by Teo Chee Yong

A Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus of the resident ernesti race was recorded at SBWR on 26th June. The rufous underparts of the juvenile ernesti remains undescribed in most books. At Ulu Pandan, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus picked up a rat and a squirrel from the canal on 24th April.

The Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela was recorded at the Botanic Gardens, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Goldhill Avenue, Kent Ridge Park and Pulau Ubin. There were also records of the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus and Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus.

Brown Fish Owl, showing the fine horizontal markings on the underparts, Hindhede Nature Park, 26 May 2022, by Norhafiani A. Majid

Nocturnal Raptors

On 26th May, a few lucky birders spotted our one and only Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensisat Hindhede Nature Park during daylight hours. At NTU, a Barred Eagle-Owl Bubo sumatranus was seen during daylight hours on 12th and 23rd April.

Addendum

Additionally, there was a successful nesting of the Changeable Hawk-Eagle during this period at Dover East. The pair comprised a female pale morph and a male dark morph. Interestingly, the dark morph had pale morph type plumage on his left chest! The nest was discovered on 25th March and the pale morph eaglet fledged around 15th April, but was still dependent on the adults until early June.

For a pdf version with more photos and details, please click Singapore Raptor Report, Late Spring Migration, Apr-Jun 2022, with addendum 

Compiled by TAN Gim Cheong

Many thanks to everyone for posting / sending in / sharing their records, and to Siew Mun, Benjamin Lee, Teo Chee Yong, Norhafiani A. Majid and Chen Boon Chong for the use of their photos.

Singapore Raptor Report – March 2022

Northern Boobook, at Gardens by the Bay, 27 Mar 2022, by Lam SG

Summary for migrant species:

In March 2022, 146 raptors of eleven migrant species were recorded. A shy Northern Boobook Ninox japonica was photographed at Gardens by the Bay on the 27th, while an Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia was photographed at Thomson Nature Park on the 4th and 5th.

Wintering migrant raptors that were still around included the juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus at Telok Blangah Hill Park on the 11th; two Rufous-bellied Eagles Lophotriorchis kienerii – a sub-adult and a juvenile at the Dairy Farm Nature Park / Singapore Quarry area; the female Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis at Ang Mo Kio on the 5th (another four Chinese Sparrowhawks were recorded, probably passing through); three Jerdon’s Bazas Aviceda jerdoni were still at Coney Island on the 12th (while another four – two at Sentosa on the 9th, and 2 at Ubin on the 30th were recorded).

There were also four Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, seven Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, 17 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis, 33 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes,and68 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Ulu Pandan, 2 Mar 2022, by Julian Wong.

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were observed for four resident raptor species. The two chicks of the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus nest at Turut Track had fledged and were seen grabbing prey from their parent’s talons in mid-air on the 26th. The chick of the Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus nest at East Coast Park had also fledged by the 11th. A chick of the Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus fledged at the Dairy Farm area on the 9th. And there were two nests of the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster – one at Lorong Halus had 1 chick, while the one at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve had 2 chicks.

March was a good month for the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela, with records from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the 5th (adult), Kent Ridge Park on the 15th (adult), Pasir Ris Park on the 16th, Telok Blangah on the 17th, Goldhill Avenue on the 20th, Changi Business Park on the 24th (immature), Botanic Gardens on the 25th (adult), and Choa Chu Kang park on the 28th. The other diurnal resident raptors recorded were the Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus, and Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus, both reported from various localities.

At Hampstead Wetlands on the 12th, an adult Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu was on the ground ‘sunning’ its feathers, and it was apparently a daily routine. In the leafy compounds at the zoo, two Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo were spotted in late March.

Buffy Fish Owl ‘sunning’ its feathers on the ground, Hampstead Wetlands, 31 Mar 2022, by Wong Sangmen.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – March 2022

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Lam SG, Julian Wong, and Wong Sangmen for the use of their photos.

Singapore Raptor Report – February 2022

Black Baza, at Nanyang Crescent, 6 Feb 2022, by Chen Boon Chong

Summary for migrant species:

In February 2022, 156 raptors of eleven migrant species were recorded. The highlight is the report of a Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus at Yishun Dam on the first weekend of the month. The juvenile Black Kite Milvus migrans at Neo Tiew area was still around until the 20th, and the juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus wintering at Telok Blangah Hill Park was still around on the 25th.

Two Rufous-bellied Eagles Lophotriorchis kienerii were recorded – the sub-adult from last month was recorded on the 2nd & 3rd at the Jalan Asas area, while a newly arrived juvenile was recorded at the same area throughout the month. Only three Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis were recorded – the wintering female at Ang Mo Kio, one at Lower Peirce on the 2nd, and another at Sentosa on the 21st. Of the four Jerdon’s Bazas Aviceda jerdoni, two were at Pulau Ubin on the 2nd, and another two at Coney Island on the 3rd.

There were also six Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, mostly along the northern coast, and ten Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis. Rounding up the migrant raptors were 12 Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus. 20 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes, and 94 Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus.

Western Osprey, Kranji Road, 2 Feb 2022, by Angie Cheong.

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were observed for five resident raptor species. At West Coast Park on the 4th, a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster were nest-building. At NTU on the 6th, the Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus was carrying nesting material. At Turut Track on the 18th, a nest of the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus contained two chicks. At East Coast Park, a nest of the Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus held one chick in white down on the 17th, and the chick appeared juvenile-like on the 28th.

For the Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus, there were three separate breeding-related activities. At West Coast Park on the 7th, an adult was tearing up prey to feed its chick on a nest, and on the next day, the chick was perched outside the nest; at Pasir Ris Park, the pair whose two chicks fledged in January, mated again on the 11th (after the male offered the female a junglefowl chick) and 21st; while at Bukit Panjang Park on the 23rd, an adult brought prey to a fledgling, with another fledgling perched at the nest.

Rufous-bellied Eagle juvenile, Jalan Asas, 5 Feb 2022, by Chen Boon Chong

Six Crested Serpent Eagles Spilornis cheela were recorded, two at Pulau Ubin on the 3rd, including an immature that had moulted a few primaries into adult type feathers; two adults at Holland Plains on the 9th; one at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the 11th; and one at Goldhill Avenue on the 20th.

An adult ernesti Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Shenton Way on the 22nd, and there were several records of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus, including a juvenile at Potong Pasir. Additionally, a Brahminy Kite was photographed hunting a bat successfully at Rower’s Bay in daylight hours.

For the nocturnal raptors, two Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji fledglings were seen with one parent owl at Bukit Batok Nature Park on the 15th; another year and another chick of the Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu fledged from their nest at Hampstead Wetlands on the 26th; the same goes for the Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo pair at Pasir Ris Park with two chicks fledging on the 17th. In addition, the Spotted Wood Owl was recorded at a few places where records are scarce – Bukit Batok Nature Park on the 15th, Berlayer Creek on the 19th, and St John’s Island on the 27th.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – February 2022

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

Singapore Raptor Report – January 2022

Common Kestrel, Marina East Drive, 12 Jan 2022, by Trevor Teo

Summary for migrant species:

A number of rare raptors were recorded in January 2022. A Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus showed up at Marina East on 11 Jan 2022 and was present on-and-off through the rest of the month. Another two were detected at Seletar Aerospace Crescent on 15 Jan 2022. The lone Black Kite Milvus migrans at Neo Tiew area was observed between 22 to 30 Jan 2022 (having been there since 12 Dec 2021). On 28 Jan 2022, a Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii was photographed at Dairy Farm Nature Park.

On 12 Jan 2022, two Himalayan Vultures Gyps himalayensis were found heading towards Pasir Ris from Punggol, and one was detected on 13 Dec 2022 at Pasir Ris Park. Five days later, on 18 Jan 2022, a flock of 7-8 were seen near Bayshore Park Condo, and two were recorded at Satay by the Bay. On the morning of 19 Jan 2022, seven of these huge vultures were found roosting on tall trees at Lorong Sesuai. They flew off towards noon time and were not recorded on subsequent days. (there were five of these in December 2021). The lone, weak Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus taken in for veterinary care in December 2021 was released successfully on 10 Jan 2022.

Grey-faced Buzzard, Telok Blangah Hill Park, 31 Jan 2022, by Julie Edgley

Three uncommon species of raptors were recorded in January 2022. These included the juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus wintering at Telok Blangah Hill Park; four Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni at Coney Island (15 Jan 2022) and one at Tampines Eco Green (3 – 27 Jan 2022); single Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis at Skyville at Dawson on 9 Jan 2022, NTU on 10 Jan 2022, the site faithful adult female at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West on 15 Jan 2022, and another at Lorong Halus Wetlands on 15 and 30 Jan 2022.

Black Kite, Neo Tiew Road, 30 Jan 2022, by Chen Boon Chong

Seventeen Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis, 45 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes and 67 migrant Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus were recorded at various locations. Three Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, and nine migrant Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus were also recorded.

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were noted for four resident species. A pair of Black-winged Kites Elanus caeruleus, was nesting at Turut Track. For the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster, the pair comprising an adult female and an immature male was in a mating position at Pasir Ris Park on 3 Jan 2022 (they were in a similar position on 25 Dec 2021). At Pasir Ris Park, the two chicks of the  Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus fledged on 4 Jan 2022, and the pair at Pepys Road nested again. One juvenile Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus fledged from its nest at Little Guilin in mid January and the nesting started in October 2021, with the chick first seen in early December 2021.

The rare Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela was recorded at Kranji Marsh only, on 23 and 30 Jan 2022. An adult ernesti Peregrine Falcon was photographed at the ‘supertrees’ at Gardens by the Bay on 9 Jan 2022. A male torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard was recorded at Sentosa on 30 Jan 2022. The other diurnal resident raptors recorded included the Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus, and Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus.

Eastern Barn Owl, Tampines Street 83, 18 Jan 2022, by Angie Cheong

For the nocturnal raptors, an Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica was recorded at Tampines Street 83 on 18 Jan 2022; the Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo pair at Pasir Ris were nesting again and two chicks were noted on 29 Jan 2022; and for the Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu a family with one recently fledged juvenile was observed at Jurong Lake Gardens south promenade on 5 Jan 2022, while another juvenile was recorded at NTU on 25 Jan 2022.

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Trevor Teo, Chen Boon Chong, and Angie Cheong for the use of their photos.

For a pdf version with more details, please click Singapore Raptor Report – January 2022 v2

Singapore Raptor Report – December 2021

Cinereous Vulture, SBG Learning Forest, 29 Dec 2021, by Vincent Yip

Summary for migrant species:

Five rarities were recorded in December, including a species new to Singapore. The Amur Falcon Falco amurensis that arrived in November was still around at Lorong Halus / Punggol until 14 Dec 2021. Amazing photos by Lai Yeu Huan show the falcon stealing katydids carried by flying Digger Wasps Sphex diabolicus, with the wasp letting go of the katydid at the last moment. The kleptoparasitic behaviour was repeated many times, allowing other photographers to also capture the theft on camera.

On 9 Dec 2021, a Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii was photographed at Kranji Marshes. A Black Kite Milvus migrans showed up at the Neo Tiew area on 12 Dec 2021 and was recorded sporadically through the month.

On 8 Dec 2021, a single Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis was seen at Dairy Farm Nature Park, and at the Botanic Gardens. Then on 27 Dec 2021, a flock of five vultures were seen flying over Tan Tock Seng Hospital towards Orchard Road area. Those following the vultures over the next few days eventually found them perched in the vicinity of the Botanic Gardens, and they were astonishingly in the company of a Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus, a first record!

Himalayan Vulture, SBG Learning Forest, 30 Dec 2021, by Wong Sangmen

Scarce migrant raptors included a juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus wintering at Telok Blangah Hill Park, a juvenile Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus at Neo Tiew area on 15 Dec 2021, a Common Buzzard Buteo buteo at Holland Road area on 29 Dec 2021

Six Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni were recorded, with four of them at Coney Island most of the time. Six Chinese Sparrowhawks Accipiter soloensis were recorded, including the site faithful female at Ang Mo Kio, and two birds at Coney Island.

Twenty one Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis were recorded throughout Singapore, whereas the 35 Black Bazas Aviceda leuphotes were mostly at Neo Tiew and Coney-Pasir Ris areas.

There were also 36 migrant Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhyncus, two Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, and twelve migrant Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, many perched on tall buildings.

Amur Falcon, about to catch a katydid as the digger wasp releases its prey, 4 Dec 2021, by Lai Yeu Huan.

Highlights for sedentary species:

Breeding-related activities were noted for four resident species. Mating was observed for a pair of Brahminy Kites Haliastur Indus at East Coast Park on 20 Dec 2021, and at West Coast Park on 24 Dec 2021. For the White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster, an adult pair mated at SBWR on 24 Dec 2021, while a pair comprising an adult female and an immature male was in a mating position at Pasir Ris Park on 25 Dec 2021. At Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, an adult Grey-headed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus was seen in flight carrying a stick, apparently for nest-building. At Pasir Ris Park, a nest of the Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus held two chicks, with the mother in attendance, catching a young monitor lizard on 21 Dec 2021.

White-bellied Sea Eagles in mating position, immature male on top, Pasir Ris Park, 25 Dec 2021, by Wong Sangmen

The rare Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela was only recorded at Goldhill Avenue (7 Dec 2021), and at Pulau Ubin. An adult ernesti Peregrine Falcon was photographed at Central Boulevard on 27 Dec 2021. A male torquatus Oriental Honey Buzzard was recorded at the Botanic Gardens on 4 Dec 2021 and at Gilman Barracks on 12 Dec 2021, while an immature was recorded at Jelutong Tower on 9 Dec 2021. The other diurnal resident raptors recorded were the Black-winged Kite and Changeable Hawk-Eagle.

For the nocturnal raptors, an Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica was recorded at Kusu Island on 4 Dec 2021, and a juvenile Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji at Sentosa on 12 Dec 2021. In addition to two Barred Eagle Owls Bubo sumatranus at Rifle Range Link on 9 Dec 2021, one was at NTU on 16 Dec 2021 and another at Labrador Park on 28 Dec 2021. And for the Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu, the pair at Hampstead Wetlands mated on 2 Dec 2021 and an individual was seen at Berlayer Creek on 19 Dec 2021.

Addendum to November 2021 Raptor Report

A juvenile Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos was photographed at Sungei Buloh on 26 Nov 2021 by Kin Hong Pun.

Many thanks to everyone who had reported their sightings in one way or another, and especially to Vincent Yip, Lai Yeu Huan and Wong Sangmen for the use of their photos.

For a pdf version with more details please click Singapore Raptor Report – Dec 2021