Seng, Lim Kim

English

KUKILA

176 Shorts Communications KUKILA 9 (Received 20 February 1997) On 1 October 1996,1 travelled to Tanjong Sebung in north Bintan on the ferry with Robert Teo, Ng Bee Choo and Wang Luan Keng. As we crossed international waters and into Indonesian waters offBatam, at 09.25 hrs, we observed a significant passage of storm petrels off the starboard bow. Most were about 200 300 m distant and heading east. They appeared to be all Swinhoe's Storm petrels Oceanodroma monorhis. However, small groups of these were also noticed at much closer range (some as close as 30 50 m), migrating west at a faster pace. As we were watching these closer groups, I noticed a tight flock of five white bellied petrels also heading west. I watched these closely until they were out of sight. Although not all the features could be seen during the short time the birds were in view (five to seven seconds, in good sunny conditions with 8 x 30 Swarovski binoculars), the following notes were taken: Size: about that of Swinhoe's Storm petrel, but more bulky in appearance; flight appeared slightly slower and more direct. Underparts and face white; no markings noted though these could have been overlooked. Crown dark, upper wings dark, mantle a distinct fawn brown colour, rump pale but not white. The tail did not appear forked though no projection was noted. On consulting Harrison (1983), only one species fitted this description, mainly on the colouration of the face and mantle, the White faced Storm petrel Pelagodroma marina. The breeding birds of south westernAustralia are stated to migrate through the Indian Ocean to theArabian Sea, with a return movement beginning in August. These birds, somewhat north of their presumed normal route through the Indian Ocean, would appear to be on late passage. [This is the second record from Sumatran waters, the first being a specimen taken off the northern tip ofAceh on 6 June 1930 see Marle & Voous 1988 Ed.] References Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds, an identification guide. Revised edition. Croom Helm, London & Sydney. Marle, J.G. van & K.H. Voous. 1988. The birds of Sumatra: an annotated check list. Brit. Orn. Union Check list No. 10. Tring, UK. Address: Bik 127, Tampines St 11 #09 444, Singapore 521127. NOTES ON A BOOTED EAGLE SIGHTING ON BINTAN ISLAND, RIAU ARCHIPELAGO by Lim Kim Seng (Received 30 January 1997) While conducting a bird survey of the northern coast of Bintan Island, RiauArchipelago, on 17 April 1993, Ho Hua Chew, Lim Kim Keang, Sutari Supari, Sunny Yeo and the author observed a pale morph Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus perched on a coconut tree at about 75 m distance. The site was a disused coconut plantation on sloping ground with dense scrub and lallang grass. An approach 177 1997 Shorts Communications was made on foot whereby viewing distance was shortened to 30 m before the bird flew off, circling for a few minutes before disappearing about 30 minutes after first discovery. The time was 17.30 hours, and the weather was partly cloudy, offering good viewing conditions.All observers had either 10x40 or 10x42 binoculars. The author has seen this species before in Singapore and Malaysia. A description of the bird based on the author's notes is as follows: medium sized raptor, taken to be slightly smaller than Crested Serpent eagle Spilornis cheela; at rest, appears to have large, rounded head and moderate build with moderately long thighs and tail; head pale buff, streaked brown, with darkish eye mask; throat whitish; upperparts dark brown; wings mainly brown but heavily scaled buff and white; tail (from below) uniform grey; entire underparts, under tail coverts and thighs whitish; feet and cere yellow. In flight, showed long broad wings and moderately long broad tail. From below, white under wing coverts contrast with blackish flight feathers; tail grey; from above, dark upper wings contrast with bufly brown back and wing coverts and buff head; forewings showed prominent white spots or 'headlights' at joint with body; prominent narrow white band on upper tail coverts; flies with wings at horizontal. [The known records in Indonesia are as follows: single birds in Bali on 14, 21 and 25 Oct 1982 (Ash 1984), the present record, and one on Batam island, also in the Riau Archipelago, on 24 Oct 1993 (Rajathurai 1996). The present record equals the latest known spring date in the Malay Peninsula, which was 17 April, at Thaleban, Satui, Thailand (Round 1993), while all the October records predate the previously earliest known date for the region, a bird at its wintering site at Kuala Selangor, Malaysia, on 28 October (Wells 1986) ed.]. Acknowledgement The editor wishes to acknowledge the assistance of D.R. Wells in checking the dates of previous records in the region. References Ash, J.S. 1984. Bird observations on Bali. Bull. Brit. Om. Cl. 104(1):24 35. Rajathurai, S. 1996. The birds of Batam and Bintan Islands, RiauArchipelago. Kukila 8: 86 113. Round, P.D. (ed.) 1993. Recent Reports. Bird Conservation Society of Thailand Bull. 10(6):11. Wells, D.R. (ed.) 1986. Bird Report 1980 and 1981. Malay Nat. J. 39:279 298. Address: Block 14 Eunos Crescent, #02 2809, Singapore 400014.A 

Notes on a Booted Eagle sighting on Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago

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Notes on a Booted Eagle sighting on Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago

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