Sunday. Back in the forest, Singapore June 2012

Never one to heed my own advice, I returned to the forest and Jetaling Tower on Sunday morning. Having visited only the day before, I knew that the forest would likely be full of joggers and it would be difficult to stop and watch anything without causing gridlock, but I wanted to return to confirm a couple of stringy sightings from the previous day. My plan was to get into the forest and pass quickly along the track to the tower for the early morning birds. The 6-level tower gives the perfect opportunity to get on level terms with Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots, various Sunbirds and on this occasion, a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.

It was a perfect plan to beat the joggers. What could go wrong? Well the MRT doesn’t start until 06.30 for a start, then, I just missed a bus at Toa Payoh and had to wait another 20 minutes for the less frequent Sunday service. The result was that I arrived later than I had on the previous morning and the runners were already thumping through the forest.

Anyhow, I pressed on and reached the tower shortly after 08.00 and was able to confirm the Van Hasselt’s Sunbird from yesterday with an unmistakeable male. Then the true value of a lens filter made itself apparent as I dropped my camera and shattered the protective glass. It really did seem like a disaster as the rim of the filter had buckled and jammed in place.

After much jiggling, I managed to remove most of the glass, but didn’t dare to wipe the front of the lens for fear of scratching it with the glass fragments. At least it was useable to an extent. Renato wrote a piece recently about how his photographs appeared crisper when he removed the filter. Now was the perfect opportunity to find out if he was right.

I tried a shot of the Wagler’s Pit Viper which had, considerately, remained immobile overnight and do you know, there might be something to this filterless thing. Mind you, it is most likely that a cheap filter is not going to have the perfect clarity of an expensive lens, which leaves me with the option of buying an expensive filter, or leaving the lens unprotected. Having seen what a clumsy clot can achieve, the filter is surely a good idea.

Pin-striped Tit-babblers were building a nest close to the boardwalk. There seemed to be some cooperation or competition by at least three birds. At least two individuals (males/non-breeding relatives?) were collecting nesting material and passing it to the nest-builder (female?) who added it to the messy ball about 4 feet above the ground. Perhaps two males were vying for the female’s affections by providing the best materials, or maybe a breeding pair had enlisted the help of one of last year’s brood to help out. I cannot find any information about cooperation in Tit-babblers, so all thoughts are welcome.

Out on the golf course, the Collared Kingfisher couple which had made a nest in a hole in a tree close to the path were still attentively relaying food to their offspring. A parent would visit and either enter the nest and stop for a while, or feed through the hole. Look closely and you may see a small kingfisher bill just inside the hole.

Dragonflies were well represented again, but a couple of them escaped me. This one is a Vestalis spp. Any thoughts welcome.

Rhyothemis Phyllis was very common along the causeway by the golf course.

Birds seen; 20

White-breasted Waterhen 1, Pink-necked Pigeon 20, Blue-rumped Parrot 2, Long-tailed Parakeet 6, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot2, German’s Swiftlet 15, Collared Kingfisher 2, Common Flameback 1, Common Iora 2, Black-naped Oriole 2, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 4, Large-billed Crow 3, Pacific Swallow 4, Yellow-vented Bulbul 6, Pin-striped Tit-babbler 15, Asian Glossy Starling 80, Javan Myna 40, Plain-throated Sunbird 2, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird 2, Olive-backed Sunbird 1.

Orthetrum Chrysis?

For previous posts from Macritchie Reservoir and the Central Catchment Area, follow the links below;

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/singapore-site-guide.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.com/2009/05/bring-more-water-next-time.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.com/2010/07/singapore-botanical-gardens-paser-ris.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/saturday-in-forest-singapore-june-2012.html

Visit the dedicated Asia Page for more posts from Singapore, including Paser Ris, Singapore Botanical Gardens and Sungei Buloh.

Saturday in the Forest, Singapore, June 2012

It was barely light as I stepped from the bus opposite the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC). There seemed to be plenty of time to stop on the footbridge and enjoy the silhouetted birds flying over towards the forested area of the Central Catchment Area. As the light began to increase it was possible to make out Common Ioras and Pink-necked Pigeons at an unaccustomed angle from my vantage point. The noise of the traffic passing beneath me rather took the edge off, so I ventured into the gloom of the forest at Google Earth ref; 1°20'12.49"N 103°49'7.67"E.

People were in the forest! It is true that the wider purpose of writing Redgannet is to encourage more people into the outdoors and to provide them with the information on where to go and how to get there, but I hadn’t expected to be so successful! In all honesty, the joggers had probably not been coaxed out of their Saturday morning beds at sunrise as a result of Redgannet’s previous posts from Singapore’s forests, but they were making his current efforts more difficult. The narrow paths did not allow a birdwatcher to stand and stare without causing a snarling jam of joggers, running on the spot until they could get past. The boardwalk is just wide enough to allow one to stand as another passes, but trying to take photographs on a wooden walkway with people thumping by is not conducive to good pictures. I took refuge up Jetaling Tower (Google Earth ref; 1°21'4.74"N 103°48'22.89"E) and watched them pass beneath, less noisy than the traffic from earlier.

The moral of this story is to avoid weekends if you are hoping for quiet, contemplative forest birding.

I was surprised at the lack of biting insects on this morning in early June. I was tagged a couple of times, but wondered if there had been more mosquitoes, would there have been fewer joggers. A trade off would be considered for next time.

Long-tailed Macaque

But there were birds. Let’s not forget that this is primarily a birding website rather than a whinging forum. There were even 2 red-letter birds to add to my collection.

First up was Germa(i)n’s Swift. This is one of the very difficult Collocalia species and it only appears here after long deliberation and elimination of the other contenders. The second was Van Hasselt’s Sunbird.  A very confusing female sunbird was seen from the tower and I could find nothing in my field guide to match it with. Another birder there assured me that it was the Purple-throated (Van Hasselt’s) Sunbird, but I could not corroborate his assertions. An unmistakable male, seen the next day, eased my conscience, but I am still looking for a better match for the female. She had an orange patch beneath her chin that might potentially be explained away as staining, but the orange legs still stand out as an issue.

If anyone can throw some light on this, I would be very grateful.

Jetaling Tower (Google Earth ref; 1°21'4.74"N 103°48'22.89"E) has six levels and takes the observer high into the tress to look out over the forest. Sunbirds and Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots are commonly seen from here, but the crafty spotters get to the tower as early as possible for the show.

More red ink was needed for the snake, a beautiful Wagler’s Pit Viper seen from the third stage of the tower.

The day became even hotter and the joggers petered out to be replaced by walkers and families. They were slower, further between and more inclined to wait if I was stopped on the path, so I returned to ground level.

Pin-striped Babblers, acrobatic little birds of the shady forest, were more evident and quite approachable now that most of the tramping traffic had passed.

There were dragonflies too with a number of familiar species seen. Tyriobapta torrida sat well for a photo in the darkness of the forest on the concrete bridge at the tower end of the boardwalk.

A path borders the reservoir and the golf course. A Collared Kingfisher pair had laid claim to a hole in a tree within a few meters of the path. The parent bird would alight on a nearby branch until there was a gap in the passers-by before swooping down to deliver food through the entrance. One bird stopped inside for a short while allowing me the chance to set up an exit shot. It was so hot by now that I almost gave up waiting for it to re-emerge.

Despite being very busy, it is a beautiful forest and well worth a visit. Reaching as far as the tower is usually about as far as I wish to go without a Sherpa to carry water. If you have the opportunity to avoid the weekends, do so. I was able to refine my travel arrangements and avoid taxis by taking the MRT train to Toa Payoh Station and catching the 157 from there to the stop opposite Singapore Island Country Club (B02 Adam Road). Cross over the foot bridge and walk 150m back along Lornie Road past the entrance of the golf course. There is a path leading left into the forest at Google Earth ref; 1°20'12.49"N 103°49'7.67"E

Many-lined Sun Skink

Birds seen; 21

Grey-headed Fish Eagle 1, Pink-necked Pigeon 35, Long-tailed Parakeet 4, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot 4, German’s Swiftlet 25, Asian Palm-swift 2, Collared Kingfisher 3, Common Flameback 1, Common Iora 4, Black-naped Oriole 2, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 2, Large-billed Crow 3, Pacific Swallow 8, Yellow-vented Bulbul 4, Pin-striped Tit-babbler 15, Asian Glossy Starling 150, Common Hill Myna 8, Javan Myna 25, Brown-throated Sunbird 4, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird 2, Olive-backed Sunbird 2.

For previous posts from Macritchie Reservoir and the Central Catchment Area, follow the links below;

http://redgannet.blogspot.com/2009/05/singapore-site-guide.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/bring-more-water-next-time.html

http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/singapore-botanical-gardens-paser-ris.html

Visit the dedicated Oriental Page for more from the region, including Sungei Buloh, Singapore Botanical Gardens and Paser Ris.

Bring more water next time.

I have described the Central Catchment Area, Macritchie Reservoir in a section called Singapore Site Guide. This is where I found myself this morning. I was trying a new and exciting way of getting there, but realized that the tried and trusted route as described in the site guide is probably best.

Thick-billed Pigeon

The usual suspects were to be found in the trees separating the fairways on the golf course. From the Lornie Road end of Sime road, I could see into the Singapore Island Country Club ( Bukit )grounds. The line-up consisted of Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Oriole and Asian Koel. I didn’t linger long, I was keen to be in the forest.
The first part of the track has been much improved since my last visit, but the second section of the trail was still very rough. I consistently forget how frustrating birding in the forest can be. I go in with such high hopes only to find that either the forest is as quiet as the grave, or that it is full of birdsong without a single bird actually being visible. On this occasion a huge chorus was calling, but managing to flit, in silhouette, through the canopy without me getting a good look.
The morning was already hot and very sticky. Every time that I stopped, my glasses steamed up. I had to take them off and wave them about to clear them. Eventually, 2 Greater Racket-tailed Drongos came out of the tangles and showed that they were the main culprits of the chorus. I was surprised by how much noise they could make between them. A Chestnut-vented Malkoha kept to the shadows, but was distinctive with it’s large size and light greenish bill.
Out in the open of the golf course, 2 Collared Kingfishers sat together on a branch overlooking a water hazard. On my right the reservoir steamed gently. It was so sticky that I was unsure whether the reservoir was giving up water to the atmosphere or the moisture was being wrung from the air itself.
I stopped to try to get a picture of a Thick-billed Pigeon. Despite having ladled factor 15 sunscreen on to myself and although it was only 09.00, I was still being hurt by the intensity of the sun.

I moved on towards the shade of the boardwalk and the forest beyond. I was halted just before the boardwalk by another dragonfly. I will have to find a good field guide for these chaps. Does anyone know of a good one for Singapore?
The day was becoming increasingly, unpleasantly, hot. There were a few local Singaporeans braving the elements and the unmistakable bray of English ex-pat who was, insanely, jogging with her friend. A little early in the day for mad dogs, but the English do hate to pass up opportunities to show quite how ridiculous they can be. I felt foolish enough myself with my hankie draped from the back of my cap to protect the back of my neck.
Not surprisingly, the birding was quiet. Nothing unexpected had shown up until I moved into the damp section of boardwalk. I had stopped for yet more dragonflies when something fluttered up from the ground and alighted about 5 meters away, just visible. I could see it was a nightjar, but could not make out which one it might be in the gloom of the understorey. I tried a photo, but didn’t hold out much hope. I was surprised therefore to see quite a bit of detail in the picture when I got it home. There are a few candidates for nightjars in Singapore, so I had to check the mug shots. It was easy to narrow the suspect list down to 3; the Large-tailed, Grey and Savannah. From the evidence, I am tempted to suggest Large-tailed Nightjar, but would have preferred to see the broad white tips on the tail.
I would be pleased to hear any opinions.
Next, I met up with the Monkeys. Long-tailed Macaques are common in the forest and quite bold. I encountered them just as I was leaving the boardwalk and approaching the Jetulung Observation Tower. The tower raises you up through the mid-levels to the canopy 6 storeys above. There is no shade on the top level, so I set up my stake-out from the 5th. I unpacked some water and a snack and took off my cap and camera. The monkeys had joined me on the tower and were fascinated by all the gear lying around. They kept looking for opportunities to snatch something. Yawning and bearing of teeth with the white eye-lid display is a sign of aggression and or nervousness among the macaques. It was a little intimidating, but they were quickly moved on with a simple “Boo!”
At last I started to see a few birds. From the 5th storey I saw Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Scarlet Sunbird, Yellow-vented and Olive-winged Bulbul. The monkeys suddenly dived for cover as a large bird of prey flew by. It was White-breasted Sea-eagle. I don’t suppose the sea-eagle would mean any harm to the macaques and they were probably reacting instinctively to the silhouette of a raptor.
Beyond the tower, the jungle steamed uninvitingly. I was beginning to realize the importance of bringing enough water. I was already beginning to suspect that my meager supplies were going to be hopelessly inadequate. There is a drinking fountain at the ranger’s station. If I had chosen the right fork in the path beyond the tower, I might be halfway there by now. But I had elected to head for the Rifle Range Link and was now becoming quite distressed. The sweat was pouring off me and I had precious little to replace it with. It would be a further 5Kms before I was likely to find any water or transport.
I was becoming so distressed that on seeing a trogon-like silhouette on a branch above the path, I muttered, “Please don’t let it be a trogon.” In other circumstances, it would have been a dream photo, but I had no desire to stop lose any more liquids while taking pictures.
As it happens, I got lucky. After reaching the tarmac road, I only had to walk about a kilometer before reaching a radar array. Against all the odds, a taxi was dropping a passenger here and was surprised and pleased to find another fare.
Normally, I prefer to use public transport as much as possible, It’s not the principle, it’s the money. Today, rather than getting the cab to drop me at the nearest bus-stop, I gladly let him take me all the way home.
My colleagues are of the type who are very fastidious about their appearance. Practicality and necessity are no substitute for fashion and style. Imagine the amazement of two of them as I alighted from the taxi in front of them. Dripping, stinking and still with my hanky hanging sodden from the back of my cap, “Minging” I think was the word they used. Once in the cab and making our air conditioned way along Rifle Range Road, I could see that it possibly held some birding opportunities. There was forest on both sides of the road and it looked quite “birdy”. Perhaps next time I will ask to be dropped at the Radar array and walk the trail in reverse. But this time I will bring more water!

Singapore Site Guide

Central Catchment Area Reserve, Macritchie Reservoir.

This is the largest expanse of forest on Singapore. It is contigious with Bukit Timah after a long walk. Easy to reach in a cab or MRT/cab. Facilities only at Ranger Station and at Main Entrance.
Birds; In the forest, look for Chestnut-bellied Malkoha,Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Orange-headed Thrush. On the golf course, Collared Kingfisher, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Asian Koel, Asian Glossy Starling and Black-naped Oriole are all common. From the tower bulbuls, sunbirds and flowerpeckers are frequently seen.
Also look for Plantain Squirrels and Long-tailed Macaques.

Cab from Swissotel, The Stamford, takes approx 15-20 mins $15.
Or, take the MRT to Braddell on the Northern Line. From Braddell take a cab, 5 mins $4.

Golf Link Trail

Ask for the Sime Rd entrance to Singapore Island Country Club off Lornie Rd.

The main entrance to Macritchie Reservoir is on Lornie Rd. There are facilities with toilets, parking and a visitor’s centre. Continue along Lornie Rd a further 2 Kms to Singapore Island Country Club at Sime Rd. The Golf Link Trail begins 100m back along Lornie Rd from here. There are no facilities for toilets or refreshments. Bring plenty of water. A ranger station at the far end one branch of the trail has a drinking fountain and toilets. Short sections of the trail are rough with rocks and mud and can be treacherous when wet. There are scant opportunities for sheltering from the rain.
It is possible to make a full circle around the reservoir, time permitting.

The first part of the trail to Jetulung Tower, is 2.7 Kms. There are distinct sections to this path. It starts with dense forest with a rich and varied understorey. Then it opens out with the banks of the reservoir on the right and the sculpted golf course on the left. Then a boardwalk passes through a damp area before re-entering the forest at the tower. Jetulung Tower has 6 storeys, but no shade on the top section. From here it is forest all the way.

Map detail showing Golf Link Trail entrance at bottom right.

Rifle Range Link leads off to the left.

Beyond the tower there is a fork in the path.
The right fork leads towards the Treetop Walk and the Ranger Station. Nearby, a road leads out of the park and back to Upper Thompson Rd where a cab or a bus might be found. Alternatively, one can continue around the reservoir ending at the main entrance on Lornie Rd.
The left fork, after approx 1.5 Kms leads onto Rifle Range Road. It is a long walk out along Rifle Range Rd, but the road is good and lined with forest. There is a lot of Singapore Army activity along this stretch so consider how they will react to someone in camouflage gear with binoculars and a long lens.

Re-tracing your steps to Lornie road is often the best guarantee of finding transport back home.

Consider walking the trail backwards, starting from the end of Rifle Range Road.