What’s your favourite chook species?
I’ve no favourite chook species. To me, each chook species is price finding out and conserving.
Straw-headed Bulbul
What’s your title, and the place do you reside?
My title is Lim Kim Seng however you may name me Kim. I dwell in Woodlands, within the north of Singapore.
What are the principle areas or places you cowl as a chook information?
I do chook excursions throughout Singapore together with its offshore islands.
How lengthy have you ever been a chook information?
About 30 years.
How did you get into chook guiding?
I grew up on a household farm within the countryside of Singapore. I’ve all the time been inquisitive about nature. I suppose the “second” birding acquired me hooked was once I noticed a kingfisher I couldn’t establish. That turned out to be Stork-billed Kingfisher. I acquired into chook guiding as I wished to indicate people who Singapore is not only a metropolis however a spot the place nature is an integral a part of the nation and the place yow will discover some thrilling birds.
What are the elements of being a chook information that you just like finest? Which elements do you dislike most?
Like: Assembly like-minded folks and sharing my love for birds.
Dislike: Waking up at 4 am!
What are the highest 5-10 birds in your area that you just assume are probably the most attention-grabbing for visiting birders?
I suppose the highest 6 from Singapore would be the critically endangered Straw-headed Bulbul, Jambu Fruit Dove, Larger Racket-tailed Drongo, Buffy Fish Owl, Oriental Pied Hornbill and Stork-billed Kingfisher. They’re all both uncommon, quaint, stunning, or all the above!
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Are you able to define at the very least one typical birdwatching journey in your space? Please briefly describe the places, the important thing birds, and the approximate length of such a visit
For a first-timer to Singapore, Singapore Botanic Gardens is extremely beneficial. It’s centrally positioned with quick access and has a wide range of habitats starting from forest and parkland to lakes and scrub. It gives an incredible introduction to the birds of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Sunbirds, pigeons, and parakeets are simple to seek out. Often, you could discover a uncommon customer or migrant, e.g. Nice Slaty Woodpecker and White’s Thrush. Enable your self 2-3 hours within the early morning or late night. You gained’t remorse it!
When you’ve got an entire day, you could possibly begin with a visit to Dairy Farm Nature Park for 1-2 hours to see a choice of rainforest birds. It’s principally secondary forest abutting main hill forest on the positioning of an previous dairy farm. Highlights would come with Banded Woodpecker, Crimson-crowned Barbet, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Larger Racket-tailed Drongo, and the critically endangered Straw-headed Bulbul. Subsequent, a visit to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve within the north. This was a former prawn pond however is now a protected reserve. You’ll be able to search for a wide range of mangrove and wetland species reminiscent of Lesser Adjutant, Milky Stork, Nice-billed Heron, a number of shorebird species, and mangrove residents reminiscent of Ashy Tailorbird and Copper-throated Sunbird. After lunch, you may head for close by Kranji Marshes. That is located on the western boundary of Kranji Reservoir, previously a river that has been dammed to supply ingesting water. The marshes are accessed by a number of trails, hides, and an statement tower. Highlights right here embody Gray-headed Fish Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crimson-wattled Lapwing, Ruddy-breasted Crake, and Gray-headed Swamphen. Lastly, a visit to Jurong Lake Gardens, a big regional park with landscaped water our bodies and enormous figs bordering Japanese and Chinese language Gardens. This park is a magnet for migrants reminiscent of Tufted Duck, Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Black Bittern, and Black Paradise Flycatcher. Your complete journey ought to take about 6-8 hours.
What different ideas are you able to give to birders concerned with your space?
Singapore is heat and humid all year long. Put on breathable clothes, a cap, and naturally your binoculars, digital camera, and recognizing scope. Convey some water as nicely.
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is concerned with birding with you, how can they finest contact you?
You’ll be able to contact me at my web site, https://www.birdingsg.com, or my electronic mail, [email protected]
