Swallows Nest in April 2014

Pair of Swallows have almost completed the construction of their nest in Segamat, Johor

Mr and Mrs Swallow were equally involved throughout the construction process. They fly in and out on an alternate basis, carrying pieces of "building materials" consisting of dried grass and mud. All in their beak.

Mother Nature has conditioned this pair to become perfect housebuilders. No blueprint, no layout plan nothing. Pure natural ability to build and care for the arrival of their babies.

Relatively big nest consisting of dried mud and grass which was built on top of the electrical meter reader. 

Common Birds of Hong Kong Part 2

My sister's garden in Kowloon Tong came alive in the mornings and evenings with bulbuls, thrushes and magpies, the species of which are all lifers to me, except for the Red-Whiskered Bulbul. The bulbuls had very bubbly and melodious tones to their songs. Their lilting flight was mesmerizing. The laughingthrush flew and hopped about the understorey of the hillock behind the residential apartments. The blue magpie was a shy bird which kept hopping from branch to branch. I had glimpses of it especially its long blue tail interspersed with white linings, before it flew off.     

Chinese Bulbul

Blue Magpie

Masked Laughingthrush

Pictures courtesy of Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong on the Common Wild Birds Seen in Urban Parks. Red-Whiskered Bulbuls, I have seen before in Thailand. The plight of this bird which is much sought after as a caged pet was highlighted during the Asian Bird Fair 2012 that was held in Bangpu, Thailand.