Birding in Hazy Conditions - June 2013

This was the first time i go birding in a hazy condition. You can really smell the difference in air quality especially  in the jungle although the index i believe has not breach the critical 200 mark in Selangor. While the Nation and Singapore were engulfed by smoke from our neighbouring country for the past 30 years during this time of the year but  it did not really effect the birds presence.

Female Coutesan (Euripus nyctelius euploeoides)

Thinking that there will be few birds at this time (late afternoon) and in this condition so i decided to take this butterfly's photo. Thanks to the Butterfly Circle Group which assisted in the ID. Apparently this butterfly is rare in Singapore but it can also be found in Thailand.  

Red-Eyed Bulbul

Buff-Vented Bulbul

Also saw other bulbuls namely Grey-bellied and spectacle bulbuls but the above two were more obliging.

Common Flameback

A woodie which i have not seen for quite some time at this place.

Velvet-Fronted Nuthatch

I believe this was a female. Although reported to be common at forest edge and low elevations but the last time i have seen this bird here was back in  2010. It was foraging in a mini bird wave together with other birds namely blue-wing leafbirds, orange-bellied flowerpeckers, pin-stripped tit babblers, and a ruby-cheeked sunbird. 

Blue-winged Leafbird

I think this could be a sub-adult male blue-winged leafbird which was seen in the mini bird wave.

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker

This fellow was also seen in the mini bird wave.

Whiskered Treeswift

According to Yang Chong - the above photos (those in flight) were Grey-Rumped Treeswifts - their numbers are usually higher than Treeswifts and they fly higher.

You can see the effect of the hazy conditions on the above photos.

Although you may have come across most of the birds seen here today except for probably the Velvet-Fronted Nuthatch but overall i am satisfied because i was able to get rid of the birding bug which has been bothering me for the past few days. 

Note: also heard two Indian cuckoos calling.