Singapore Birding Trip Report - (28th July 2017 & 26th August 2017) - Species List and Locations

Day 1 – Singapore Botanic Gardens – 28^th July 2017

Olive-backed Sunbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tanglin Gate) First seen at small creek near Tanglin Gate. 4+ seen including several males. Abundant in Queensland, Australia where numerous were seen.

White-breasted Waterhen – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tanglin Gate creek). First seen wading along the edge of the small creek at Tanglin Gate. 5 individuals seen in total.

Javan Myna – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tanglin Gate) Seen feeding on the paths. Extremely common in Singapore.

Crimson Sunbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Marsh Garden) Male and female seen feeding on flowers at the Marsh Garden. Only birds of the trip.

Common Tailorbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Marsh Garden) A small handful seen in the shrubs and trees, first seen in the trees opposite the Marsh Garden.

House Swift – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) 1 seen flying low over Swan Lake. White rump clear. Only bird of the trip.

Germain's Swiftlet – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Extremely abundant. First seen flying over Swan Lake in small groups.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake). Seen sat in trees above Swan Lake and later seen in flight. Only bird of the trip.

Grey-rumped Treeswift – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Seen flying high over Swan Lake. Only bird of the trip.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Males seen sat in trees around Swan Lake. Females also seen at Pasir Ris Park.

Olive-winged Bulbul – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Feeding on the ground under small bridge at Swan Lake. Only bird of the trip.

Oriental Magpie-Robin – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Sat in trees on south side of Swan Lake. 4 seen in total. Also seen again at Pasir Ris Park.

Yellow-vented Bulbul – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) First seen in the trees near Swan Lake. A good number seen in total and quite abundant.

Blue-throated Bee-eater – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) First seen in the trees on the south side of Swan Lake, then again  near the Evolution/Healing Garden. 3 seen in total.

White-bellied Sea Eagle – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Ginger Garden) 1 seen flying overhead. Several more seen in Queensland, Australia.

Asian Glossy Starling – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Orchid Plaza) A good number seen in small flocks. Also seen again at Pasir Ris Park.

Spotted Dove – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Palm Valley) A pair seen feeding on the grass at Palm Valley. A good handful seen, also abundant in Queensland, Australia.

Pacific Swallow – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Palm Valley) Pair first seen flying low over the grass at Palm Valley. Several seen throughout including over Symphony Lake.

Red Junglefowl – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area). First seen in the Rainforest Area underneath the shrubs. A good handful seen throughout, including several on the open grassy areas.

Black-naped Oriole – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) First seen in the trees on the west side of the Rainforest Area. A small number seen throughout. Males.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Symphony Lake). First seen by the lake flying from tree to tree. A small number seen throughout. Males.

Common Iora – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Corner House) Male first seen in high trees at Corner House. Abundant at Pasir Ris Park.

Common Hill Myna – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Corner House) 2 seen in total. First seen in the trees at Corner House.

Oriental White-eye – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Evolution Garden) One seen in the trees. Only bird of the trip.

Brown-throated Sunbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Evolution Garden) One seen perched low down in the trees at Evolution Garden. More seen at Pasir Ris Park in good numbers.

Common Flameback – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Evolution/Healing Garden) Two seen feeding on the trees in the Evolution Garden/Healing Garden. Only birds of the trip.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) 3 males seen very well on the east side of the Rainforest Area. The only birds of the trip.

Ruddy-breasted Crake – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) One seen in the Rainforest Area on the east side. Elusive and walking through trees. Dull brown and red colour with white and black dull stripes on back end only. Only bird of the trip.

Laced Woodpecker – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) Seen feeding on the ground near the Rainforest boardwalk. Another 3 birds seen well feeding at Pasir Ris Park.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Day 2 – Pasir Ris Park – 27^th August 2017

Ashy Tailorbird - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Car Park C) A handful seen throughout. First seen near Car Park C and the Native Lawn.

House Crow - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Tribal Council) A small handful seen. First seen in the trees near the Tribal Council.

Asian Koel - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Viewing Plaza) One seen. Perched in the trees near the viewing plaza. Only bird of the trip.

Collared Kingfisher - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api River) Three seen. First seen from bridge crossing the Sungei Api Api, then Two seen in the trees near the viewing plaza.

Pied Triller - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api) One seen in the trees near the path along the Sungei Api Api. The only bird of the trip. Male.

Malaysian Pied Fantail - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api) Two seen in the trees near the path at Sungei Api Api.

Oriental Pied Hornbill - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api) One seen well in the trees opposite Sungei Api Api. Calling. The only bird of the trip.

Rufous Woodpecker - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Native Lawn) One seen in the trees near the Native Lawn. Only bird of the trip.

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Native Lawn) One seen feeding in the trees near the Native Lawn – nest nearby. Only bird of the trip.

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Additional Species:

Brahminy Kite
Little Bronze Cuckoo
Striated Heron
Common Myna
Grey Heron
Tree Sparrow
Feral Pigeon


45 Trip Total
38 Trip Lifers

Reptile List

Malayan Water Monitor - Singapore Botanic Gardens
Red-eared Terrapin - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Malayan Water Monitor

Butterfly List

Plain Plushblue - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Plain Plushblue

Cyprus Birding Trip Report - (3rd April - 7th April 2018) - Species List and Locations

Day 1 – Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Cyprus Warbler – 3rd April 2018 - A6 scrubland, between Paphos and Ancient Kourion. Showing well in scrubby bushes at the side of the road. A good number of birds seen during the trip, including at Kourion Stadium and Cape Greco, the majority full breeding plumage males. First bird of the trip found at the side of the road showed best.

Cyprus Wheatear – 3rd April 2018 - Kourion Stadium, Ancient Kourion. Perched singing on the walls and in the small trees. Abundant throughout the trip and seen at most sites. Males displaying and calling.

Ortolan Bunting – 3rd April 2018 - Temple of Apollo, Ancient Kourion. 3 male birds feeding in the short grass at the temple of Apollo. Only birds of the trip.

Black Francolin – 3rd April 2018 - Akrotiri marsh/gravel pits. Calling from a raised hill near to the road, although quite distant. Heard at several sites and seen on two occasions calling from a prominent perch. Distant both times unfortunately.

Chukar Partridge – 3rd April 2018 - Mavrokolympus Dam. Calling and moving around on the rocky hillside. Seen at several sites throughout the trip, on occasion showing well. Calling frequently in rocky locations.

Cyprus Scops Owl – 3rd April 2018 - Mavrokolympus Dam. Several birds heard calling in the valley and good views on two occasions - one seen perched on a cliff face at very close range, another showing well in torchlight on a telegraph pole. Only birds of the trip. 

Cyprus Warbler

Day 2 – Wednesday 4th April 2018 

Lesser Kestrel – 4th April 2018 - Anarita Park. Male showing well on telegraph wires at the side of the road. The only confirmed bird of the trip. 

Tawny Pipit – 4th April 2018 - Anarita Park. Single bird perched on a rock by the side of the road. The only bird of the trip.

Spur-winged Lapwing – 4th April 2018 - Paphos Sewage Works. A good number of birds seen in the fields surrounding the sewage works. Also a pair seen showing well at Oroklini Lake.

Spur-winged Lapwing

Day 3 – Thursday 5th April 2018 

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler – 5th April 2018 - Ayia Napa Sewage Works. A single bird seen foraging in the low down trees surrounding the pools. Only bird of the trip.

Ayia Napa Sewage Works

Day 5 – Saturday 7th April 2018 

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler – 7th April 2018 - Mountain road down from Troodos to Agios Nikolaos. Several birds on territory singing in the valley in the large bushes and trees. Showing well on occasion.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Notable Cyprus subspecies: 

Dorothy’s Treecreeper – 7th April 2018 – Troodos Mountains. Single bird showing well and calling in the pines near the post office car park.

Cyprus Jay (glazneri) – 7th April 2018 - Troodos Mountains. Two birds showing well in the trees near to the post office. 

Cyprus Coal Tit (cypriotes) – 7th April 2018 - Troodos Mountains. A pair of birds calling and showing well along the wooden boardwalk near the post office.

Cyprus Jay - glazneri

Notable species:

Greater Flamingo – Several birds seen distantly at Akrotiri Salt Lake

Griffon Vulture – One flying near the cliffs at Kourion Stadium

Laughing Dove – Seen near the houses around Mandria 

Great Spotted Cuckoo – Two seen at Kourion Stadium

Pallid Swift – Several seen flying overhead with Common Swifts

Alpine Swift – One seen flying over near Asprokremmos Dam

Hoopoe – One seen at Paphos Headland and Akrotiri Marsh

Bee-eater – A flock of birds seen flying in off the sea at Cape Greco

Roller – One bird seen along the Dhiarizos Valley

Crested Lark – Seen at Zakaki Marsh

Black-eared Wheatear – Seen at Akrotiri gravel pits

Sardinian Warbler – Widespread across the island

Spectacled Warbler – A pair seen at Cape Greco

Eastern Subalpine Warbler – One bird seen at Kourion Stadium

Masked Shrike – Adult birds seen at Cape Greco 

Spanish Sparrow – Seen at Paphos Headland

Cretzchmar’s Bunting – Individuals seen at Cape Greco and Troodos

Eastern Subalpine Warbler

Additional species:

Mallard

Pintail

Shoveler

Teal

Garganey

Red-crested Pochard

Ferruginous Duck

Little Grebe

Shag

Cormorant

Night Heron

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Glossy Ibis

Marsh Harrier

Common Buzzard (Steppe)

Kestrel

Coot

Black-winged Stilt

Green Sandpiper

Ruff

Yellow-legged Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baltic)

Feral Pigeon

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Little Owl

Common Swift

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Tree Pipit

White Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail (feldegg)

Nightingale

Redstart

Northern Wheatear

Whinchat

Blackbird

Blackcap

Lesser Whitethroat

Cetti’s Warbler

Chiffchaff

Great Tit

Red-backed Shrike

Magpie

Jackdaw

Hooded Crow

House Sparrow

Chaffinch

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Corn Bunting

Heard only:

Cuckoo

Serin

86 Trip Total

11 Trip lifers 

Orchid List:

Bug Orchid (Anacamptis coriophora) - Agios Georgios chapel
Eastern Ploughshare Tongue Orchids (Serapias bergonii) - Akrotiri Marsh

Bug Orchid

Butterfly List:

Paphos Blue - Anarita Park

Paphos Blue Butterfly

Reptile List:

Starred Agama

Starred Agama