Largetail Nightjar

[mervin]

In the mornings, if you manage to avoid the crowds, and if you know where to go, you can often catch bird "waves" where you just stay in one place, and scores of birds (different species) just keep passing your area, back and forth, back and forth.

Can be my guide ?

[craftsman]

Can be my guide ?

Ha ha ha... Mervin, the last time I was in the central catchment area was probably 2 years ago with Kim Seng doing a bird census. Cannot remember exactly the spot leow. But going with Kim Seng is like having a bird dictionary next to you. You hear all the birds before you see them.

Trust me, you wouldn't want me as a guide.

[mervin]

Richard, NightJar can be shot very close one leh

No need TC bro.

Anyway U should have gone for this fella instead !
http://www.pbase.com/wkcheah/caprimu...grey_nightjar_

[trident]

mervin,
My friend spotted the grey that day, but by the time I finish and went looking for it, it was gone.
First time shooting nightjar, so excited everything also forget.

[mervin]

hahaha ! me also missed the Grey.

now for the Savanna NightJar, Caprimulgus affinis

[cannon_14595]

I haven't heard much of the nightjar, but it sounds to be an interesting bird.

Aren't these the birds that keep making sounds like 'choink choink' in open
fields, countries at night? I'm also looking forwad to finding one soon too.

Can you tell me where to find them in S'pore? Lim Chu Kang?

[trident]

Cannon,
Nightjar can be found in many places, water catchment area, nature reserve and parks.
You should be able to see some in Bishan Park at night hunting for insects. Usually perched on lampost.

[cannon_14595]

Cool...
What about West Coast Park?

I go there very often due to my CCA.
I'll try to find one and if I do, I'll try shooting it and I'll be sharing them with you.

[trident]

cannon,
Nightjars are nocturnal birds, they hunt at night and sleep in the day.
And usually they are well hidden and camouflaged against the background
when sleeping.
Not sure if west coast park has them, not been there yet.

[cannon_14595]

Yup I know that they are nocturnal...
I rarely get opportunities to go hunting at night
so I happen to miss a lot of creatures like these.
And one of my favourites are frogs.

Do visit West Coast Park one day.
It's a good park, where a variety of birds can be seen.
Brahminy Kites, Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos etc...

The park managers say that Equatorial Spitting Cobras
are very common in the Dog Run area and CarPark 1 area.
I've never seen an Equatorial Spitting Cobra there,
but have seen a 2-metre long Reticulated Python high up
on a tree near CarPark 1.

[trident]

Shawn,
Thanks for the info on West Coast Park, will find some time to visit it one day. Sure looks like lots of interesting creatures there.

[cannon_14595]

Yup but the place is like a normal open area...
But there is a Marsh on one side, and a pond far on the other side.
Look out for Cobras and Oriental Whips.

[deathmatch]

In the first pic, on top of the nightjar's head, there is a type of insect.
A praying mantis, perhaps?

[trident]

deathmatch,
That's a spider on the head

[deathmatch]

Oh...
Ok...

[cannon_14595]

Cool! I didn't notice that!

Deathmatch you got a very good eye for tiny creatures.

[deathmatch]

Thanks.