Hiking / Birding Journal 11 Mar 2022, Friday (Part 3/3) Hindhede Nature Park (HNP)
Lunch was at Bukit Timah Hawker Centre. It was drizzling but stopped after our lunch. So we continued our trip to the place we originally planned to visit today - Hindhede Nature Park (at last !!!)
Both of us kept reminding each other that HNP is rather small. Lets do a short walk and we can head home from there. (It was already 3pm). Since we are not expecting much on birds for wildlife, WC started to spot creepy crawlies and we started to try taking pictures of it using our mobile phone.
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| As we head towards Waringin Hut, something flew in front of us. We were surprised to spot the Racket-tailed Drongo again today. The 1st time was at Chestnut Nature Park and now here. Commented if this bird is so common that we will definitely see them if we visit the Central Parks? WC laughed and said we were just very lucky to spot them today. Yes, we were indeed very lucky. It is best to shoot this bird by holding the camera vertically because of its long tail. Gave me a very good learning opportunity to steady me hands and shot this. I am so happy with this photos. Look at the 2 rackets. So beautiful hor.... |
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| After the Racket-tailed Drongo flew away, I heard the calls of the Straw-headed Bulbul ... emmm talking to itself. So we went towards the playground to look for it. Yes, indeed one was talking to itself at this branch. Quick quick .. nice pose...click click.... Straw-headed Bulbul is critically endangered and uncommon residence in Singapore. For some reason, I love hearing their calls, ever heard them sang beautifully at Singapore Botanic Gardens. In Bukit Batok Nature Park, I often get confused on their calls with White-crested Laughingthrush. |
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| We were walking towards the quarry when we notice the sounds of Malaysian Pied Fantail. While we were trying to spot for the fantail, this Racket-tailed Drongo appeared. After checking out the picture after the trip, I realised this bird has lost one of its tail. So there is a couple here. One spotted earlier with 2 tails and this with only one. As usual, it was flying here and there and while trying to capture this bird with my camera, I noticed the Pin-striped Tit-Babbler flew next to it and left and same thing happened with the Oriental fantail. Too bad, I cannot multi-task. |
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| A colourful bird hopped onto a branch on the right side while we were checking out the drongo. I quickly used my camera to zoom in to confirm that it is a Storked-billed Kingfisher. This is the first time I spotted such a clean Storked-billed Kingfisher. Not sure why this one is so clean compared to the one at Pasir Ris and Sungei Buloh. Could it be the clear water? |
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| At last, we reached the quarry. It was already 4pm. Only a handful of visitors around so I was able to crop away any human from this photograph. (LOL). So beautiful correct? |
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| We walked out of the Quarry and was met by this one-tailed drongo again. |
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| Both of us was watching a squirrel chewing the bark of a stick when we noticed a shadow opposite us. I used my camera to zoom in to check and realised the Laced Woodpecker was there. It looked so cute hiding there with its head pop up. So I took a picture of it. Tried to take a better picture but... |
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| It was already 4.20pm. WC spotted this and ask me to try taking a picture of it. After 2 clicks, we heard thunder. So we decided to leave the park. Upon reaching the car park, the lighting and thunder became louder. We quickly hopped into the car before it pour. |
It was pouring when we were at the expressway. WC drove with the steady hands, mind and eyes and we both safely reach AMK.
I enjoyed our trip today and appreciate what WC has impart to me on her knowledge towards wildlife. Gonna "jio" her again for another trip. Thank you WC.
Check out our two other trails.
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