On the way back from Australia I stopped over for 24 hours in Singapore - 25th August. These photos were taken at the amazing Sungei Buloh wetland reserve. I've been to Singapore a number of times but this was the first time I'd ventured out of the main tourist drags.
Although I only managed to see about 35 species in the morning I got a tantalising taster of how good birding in Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore must be. I used the eminently pocketable 'Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore' (Davison and Chen Yen Fook. New Holland Publishers, UK). This was a useful guide covering the commoner species and I didn't see anything that wasn't in this book. Recommended.
Photography here was difficult for me as the light seemed exceptionally contrasty and I seemed to be shooting in either deep shade or brilliant, steamy light. No excuses though, I've seen some wonderful photos come out of Singapore so it IS possible.
Below are the best of the crop. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get shots of Banded bay cuckoo being fed by a Common tailorbird, a superb pair of Black-naped orioles in the mangroves, Common iora and many others. . . .
Collared kingfisher (numerous but wary)
Common flameback (no time to wait for a better view - party of schoolkids were approaching and it flew off)
Common tailorbird
Copper-throated sunbird (female)
Crimson sunbird
Milky stork
Olive-backed sunbird
Paddyfield pipit
Pink-necked green pigeon
Redshank (ringed)
Striated (little) heron
White-breasted waterhen
White-vented myna
With thanks to the staff at Sungei Buloh (www.nparks.gov.sg).
