This is the migrating reason and we are seeing the arrivals of many shorebirds in Singapore. The following video clips were sent in by Lena Chow, documented during September 2012 feeding along Singapore’s shores.
The Sanderling (Calidris alba), an uncommon winter visitor, was sighted in Seletar busy feeding (above). It breeds in Siberia, Alaska, Canada and North Greenland and migrates as far south as Singapore, Java, Bali and Australia.
On the other hand the Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus), also seen in Seletar frantically feeding in the Lesser Sand Plover’s (Charadrius mongolus) territory (above), is a common winter visitor and passage migrant. Its breeding grounds are further south from those of the Sanderling.
The Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), another common winter visitor and passage migrant, arrives in early August, with the main flock coming in September. The bird is seen handling a crab in the video clip above.
The Malaysian Plover (Charadrius peronii) (above) is not a migrant but a rare resident, seen here having a bath in a puddle of water.
Lena Chow
Singapore
October 2012
2 Responses
There’s also an Oriental Plover there. First sighted on Oct 1 and last seen on Oct 19. All thanks to birders and photographers who spend much time there in sharing the sightings
Forgotten to mention that a pair of Sand Martins was sighted there on Oct 14. Beside the species documented by Lena, both Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers, Whimbrels, Common Redshank, Pacific Golden Plovers, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Pacific Reef Egret, White Wagtail, Daurian Starlings, Little and Cattle Egrets were also seen there in the current migration period.