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Grey-tailed Tattler at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

on 5th November 2009

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The Grey-tailed Tattler (Heteroscelus brevipes), an uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, was photographed at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in October 2009 with what looks like a crab in its bill.

“It was a fine weather and I decided to head down to Sungei Buloh to look for two rare winter visitors – the Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus) and the tattler. It’s either one but not possible to be both as both have never been sighted together.

”So I decided to take a risk and go in the direction of the Tattler last sighted by me a week ago in hide 2E to 2D. I guess luck was with me this time. I found the tattler feeding frenzily on the mudflat for tiny crabs and scrimps. It only lasted for less than an hour before it decided to keep a distance away, probably sensing my presence, and soon nowhere to be found. Other photographers then came but saw no bird. What a day to hunt for this elusive rare winter visitor and passage migrant in Sungei Buloh.”

Ben Lee
Singapore
27th October 2009

Note: Grey-tailed Tattler breeds in NE Siberia and winters in S China, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Borneo, Java, Bali and to the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. The birds migrate mainly along the coast, sometimes a little inland along wetlands. The main route passes through east of Singapore, through the Philippines. Most first year birds remain south during the northern summer.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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