May be natural but not natural

Under different circumstances I would have welcomed these replanted trees but unfortunately these trees were dug up to make way for the construction of that dreadful building project that has started with the clearing of trees for a new entrance into the taman.

Nevertheless, these trees seemed to be new playground for the Common Flameback Woodpeckers.  It is earnestly hoped that these birds will keeping coming back to the taman when the dreaded and unimaginable happened.

Oriole by age

When I came across this juvenile Black-naped Oriole, it reminded me of how I wanted to sort out some images of the juvy at different growth stages.
This one is a recently fledged bird, and true enough, it kept very much to one part of the tree.

This one too, although it looks older with more developed eye mask and darker black bill.

This one is also a juvy, with an interesting look at its back feathers.  It is definitely easier to differentiate the age by looking at the bill, black nape and eye mask.

Going by the eye mask, this one is also a juvy.

I suppose this one should be a young adult, with a pretty developed eye mask.

 Here's an adult with a juvy.

A couple more images of an adult bird.  It is observed that the irises  of the Oriole will change from "grey-brown, to brown, then brown-red to blood-red".

Straggler migrant

It's truly the time when most migrant birds have flown back.  However, one could say there are still stragglers, especially these two, the Brown Shrike and the Asian Brown Flycatcher, which are still easily spotted.
There are certainly more than one ABF around but these are not easy to sight as they are almost tiny.

Despite being around for the last few months, this Shrike is still very wary of human presence.  Here's hoping that I could get it in its breeding plumage before it flies home.

Perhaps another Goshwak

I was drawn by the incessant familiar calls and was surprised that there was another nest in the taman.  I may be wrong but I hope this one is of another pair.  This female Crested Goshawk certainly does not look like the female that is of the old nest.

It is only hoped that the abominable construction that has already begun will not drive off this one.

Crested Goshawk Jan-Mar 2018

A final recollection of the first Crested Goshawk born, and sighted in the taman.

Naive, curious and playful, truly adorable, to the end.

A female Cuckoo

Another stopover for the Little Bronze Cuckoo, this time was glad to see that it's a female.  As usual this bird likes to perch up high, and if not for its slim and almost upright perch, very typical of the cuckoo, I would have dismissed it for other common birds in the taman like the oriole.  With both the male and female sighted, there must be a nest somewhere although cuckoos are known to be rather cunning as they can mislead other birds to nestle their egg and young.