Peregrine Falcon eating @ Pulau Ubin - April 2014

Was observing the peregrine falcon atop the communications tower near the Pulau Ubin police station. It seemed bothered by some buzzing bees and kept moving about the railing on the tower. It had been sitting for about 45 minutes before it flew off. I followed it as it flew almost straight about 50 meters before it grabbed another smaller bird in flight. The grab was quick and effective as it moved it's legs back holding the captured bird below. The falcon flew back towards the tower and settled on a platform. Unfortunately, there was no clear view and I had to move to get a better vantage point.

I moved towards the jetty near the shore and saw that a part of the falcon could be seen from that corner.  The falcon was plucking away at the feathers of the smaller bird which looked like a pigeon (or perhaps it was a mynah). Soon the air was filled with feathers. The breeze at the top of the tower carried away the feathers easily and many drifted down or away with the wind.

At about this time, a friend came by with some visitors to Ubin. They were thrilled to see the Falcon and the sight of it plucking away at the feathers of the preyed bird.

The group moved away to the basketball court near the NParks Volunteer hub to get a better viewpoint. Just a bit more of the Falcon could be seen but this was from a slightly longer distance and from an angle which was not much of an improvement. One could still make out the Falcon tearing apart the flesh and swallowing small chunks of meat.

Peregrine Falcon having breakfast @ Pulau Ubin - April 2014 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

Peregrine falcons are  probably the most widespread birds of prey on the planet. They are known to be more commonly seen in Singapore during the migratory season between the months of October to April. These birds like high perch points and are sometimes seen high up on tall buildings looking down to spot suitable prey. They have even been recorded in Singapore's Central Business District.

A peregrine falcon is usually seen atop this tower at Pulau Ubin during the months of October to April each year coinciding with the migratory season. This may be the same falcon which has been seen for quite a few years. It can sometimes be seen in the trees near the Pekan Quarry as well. As of 1st May 2014, it seems to have disappeared from the tower and may have flown back North.

Let's hope it returns later this year too!

Some links to peregrine falcon activity :

http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2012/12/peregrine-falcon-ubin-dec2012.html

http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2013/01/peregrine-falcon-labrador-park-05jan2013.html

http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2012/06/eagle-showtime-esplanade-june-2012.html

http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2012/06/eagle-v-kamikaze-high-street-june-2012.html

peregrine falcon @ labrador park = 05Jan2013

Was near the Labrador Park MRT station when I noticed a bird flapping its wings across the big field. This one looked somewhat differently from the ubiquitous pigeons and mynas. It made its way towards PSA building and flew past it a little before doing a U-turn and flying back in the direction of PSA building all the while gaining height. Nearing the building, it stopped flapping its wings and cruised a bit before sharply evading the side of the building in an abrupt u-turn narrowly missing crashing into the side of the building. It then flew off around the far side of PSA building and disappeared from view.

It was only after i got back home and adjusted the video settings (adjusting exposure and playback speed) before i could confirm that it was a peregrine falcon because of the characteristic Elvis Presley sideburns on its face. The sharp wing-tip pattern in flight are also characteristic of falcons.

peregrine falcon @ labrador park - 05Jan2013 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

Peregrine Falcons are more commonly seen in Singapore during the October to April months when visiting falcons from the further north migrate south to escape the cold Northern winter months. They favour tall trees or in a place like Singapore...tall buildings where a high vantage point makes it easy for them to spot prey (e.g smaller birds like pigeons, mynas etc.) flying below them.
There may however be resident peregrine falcons which stay on in Singapore throughout the year. Here are a couple of clips from June 2012 : LINK

Find out more about the fastest animal (when in a hunting dive) on the planet :

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/106003622/0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/id

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/index.aspx

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/peregrine-falcon/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_sFmeZ5XF0

http://www.besgroup.org/2009/02/04/peregrine-falcon-in-singapore%E2%80%99s-heartland/

http://besgroup.blogspot.sg/2006/12/peregrine-falcon-feasting-on-black.html
http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2012/06/eagle-v-kamikaze-high-street-june-2012.html
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/migration.htm

peregrine falcon @ ubin - Dec2012

Last year, the telecommunications tower at Ubin village had a falcon on it at the end of October. This year, it seems to have been only seen first in early December. It sat actively looking around high atop the telecommunications tower. It did not seem to be bothered when a circling white-bellied sea eagle and later also a brahminy kite passed close by.

peregrine falcon @ ubin - Dec2012 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

Singapore in within a long list of countries which is supposed to have resident peregrine falcons. However, it seems that the best time to see peregrine falcons is during the Oct to April period. This coincides with the migratory season for Northern hemisphere's winter.

It is thought that the telecommunications tower falcon is a migratory one as it is not seen for pretty much the rest of the year outside the Oct to April period.

Habitat loss due to human development continues to be a threat for seeing these falcons 'in the wild'. However, these falcons are frequently seen amongst high-rise buildings amongst a concrete jungle. They seem to thrive even in high-rise cities.

Find out more about the fastest animal (when in a hunting dive) on the planet :

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/106003622/0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/id

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/index.aspx

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/peregrine-falcon/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_sFmeZ5XF0

http://www.besgroup.org/2009/02/04/peregrine-falcon-in-singapore%E2%80%99s-heartland/

http://besgroup.blogspot.sg/2006/12/peregrine-falcon-feasting-on-black.html
http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2012/06/eagle-v-kamikaze-high-street-june-2012.html

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/migration.htm

the kamikaze? @ the Riverwalk - June 2012

The skies around the High Street were quiet this evening. No aerial acrobatics. This time, the lone eagle must have approached its favourite perch away from the eyes of the kamikaze as there were no sorties by the kamikaze. It was nowhere to be seen. 

A little guesswork extrapolating the appearance of the kamikaze from the left may have proved fruitful. Atop a nearby building to the left of the acrobatic arena was a dark form. It was stationary for a long time and I though it was part of the corner of the building.

 It was only much later that I realised that the dark form was no longer at the corner. 

Could this be the Peregrine Falcon's choice perch? Quite possible! It was the perfect spot to keep watch on the eagles returning with their catch and from which to launch itself. ... or maybe it was just a crow.

check out the action the day before :
http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.com/2012/06/eagle-v-kamikaze-high-street-june-2012.html