BY 2024 - Herman and Kit's 7th (!what?!) year

[Kitsafari]

205. Spotted Dove, Eastwood

 

[Kitsafari]

206. Zebra Dove, Eastwood

 

[Kitsafari]

207. Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Eastwood

 

A flock of 3 came by twice, attracted by the flowering tree. Probably released birds (a not so healthy Buddhist practice). The Dutch Blue lovebird is said to be a mutation of the rosy-faced lovebird. 

 

 

[Kitsafari]

208. White-headed Munia, Eastwood

 

[Kitsafari]

209. Red-breasted Parakeet, Eastwood

 

[Kitsafari]

210. Ring-necked Parakeet, Eastwood

 

[Kitsafari]

211. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Eastwood

 

 

[Kitsafari]

212. Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Eastwood

 

After failing to see them much of last year, the sparrows have re-discovered our wild grasses this year. At one point in May, I counted as  many as 25 adults and juveniles in the garden feeding on the grass seeds. 

 

 

[Kitsafari]

213. Asian Glossy Starling, Eastwood

 

 

[Kitsafari]

214. Brown-throated Sunbird, Eastwood

 

male: 

 

female

[Kitsafari]

215. Swinhoe's White-eye, Eastwood

 

 

 

[Kitsafari]

216. Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Eastwood

 

This little woodpecker was actively making a hole in the tree next to our house, but apparently it was not satisfied as it started making a second hole next to the first one earlier this month. It seems to have abandoned both as we've not seen it since. 

 

 

 

[Kitsafari]

217. Japanese Sparrowhawk, Eastwood

 

We're not sure if this is the same sparrowhawk that had visited our neighbourhood in the past few years, but it was sitting rather quietly in the tree next to our house back in January. It looked tired and was probably settling in to roost as it was late evening but a passing and very noisy automobile roused it and it decided the surroundings were not quiet for a peaceful rest so it flew off. Still, thanks for the visit, accipiter!

 

 

 

[PeterHG]

Not a dip in quality at all, @Kitsafari! A very good batch of photos with even a male and female Koel in the same picture. Lovely shot as well of the Lovebirds with the flowers. I can’t imagine why it would be called Dutch blue unless it should remind us of the Delft Blue crockery which we try to sell in great quantities to unsuspecting tourists;)

[Kitsafari]

Thank you  @PeterHG for the encouragement! I believe you have just the best plausible reason for the naming of the bird! 

[xelas]

These are all lovely photos, Kit! I would be over the moon if such would be in my backyard (well, apart of the Tree Sparrow).

[Kitsafari]

I can't believe I haven't taken any shots of the most common birds in our garden - the Javan myna, the ornate sunbird and the yellow-vented bulbul! well, they'll be next. 

 

Thanks @xelas.  the grass is always greener on the other side. 

 

218. Common Tailorbird, Eastwood

 

 

[Kitsafari]

219. Common Waxbill, SIngapore

 

Eastwood - not native in Singapore but a pair comes into the garden once a year to collect nesting materials

 

not sure which Singapore's park it was taken at.  

[Kitsafari]

220. Common Flameback, Eastwood

 

 

[Kitsafari]

some bonuses: 

 

Just a few days ago, I checked on the nest that the spotted doves have had in our roof eaves for years as the doves had discarded some old hay and replaced them with greener ones. That was when I noticed some beady eyes staring at me anxiously at the corner of the roof eave. A family of six Lesser Dog-faced Fruit Bats have taken residence there! We've decided to let them be, but I'm hoping the family won't grow any bigger! The doves didn't seem to have a problem with them. 

Also called the Short-nosed or Common Fruit Bat, this species feeds only on fruits and help pollinate fruit trees - perhaps that was why our papaya trees had been so productive over the past year!

 

 

 

Edited July 1 by Kitsafari

[xelas]

2 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

Thanks @xelas.  the grass is always greener on the other side. 

 So let us switch gardens !

[PeterHG]

How special to have those Fruit Bats taking up residence with you!

[Peter Connan]

I know I say this every year, but man you have some pretty garden birds!

To put it into some perspective, I was very excited a couple of months ago when I discovered that we had Red-headed Finches nesting in our garden this year. Only the second time I have seen them in my area.

Edited July 2 by Peter Connan

[Zim Girl]

On 7/1/2024 at 9:51 AM, PeterHG said:

How special to have those Fruit Bats taking up residence with you!

I agree.  I would be really impressed if I had bats roosting in my garden!

[Kitsafari]

On 7/1/2024 at 3:56 PM, xelas said:

 So let us switch gardens !

 

@xelas

House swap! like those UK programme?

 

On 7/1/2024 at 4:51 PM, PeterHG said:

How special to have those Fruit Bats taking up residence with you!

 

@PeterHG

it was quite cool to see them - i think they relocated here after their former roosting place at the giant mango tree shared with the Blackcrowned night herons were unceremoniously chopped away. Herman and I raised a mighty stink separately with the park authority and they came to the house to explain why they did it (basically they feared the tree or its branches would topple on cars which are very precious possessions of many a Singaporean). 

 

21 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

I know I say this every year, but man you have some pretty garden birds!

To put it into some perspective, I was very excited a couple of months ago when I discovered that we had Red-headed Finches nesting in our garden this year. Only the second time I have seen them in my area.

 

@Peter Connan

Ooh that's exciting! any nesting in the garden is always a testament of how safe the birds and animals feel about your garden! and that red headed finch would have been a lifer for me too. 

 

19 hours ago, Zim Girl said:

I agree.  I would be really impressed if I had bats roosting in my garden!

 

Thanks @Zim Girl