NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018 NEWSLETTER OF THE NATURE SOCIETY () Mar-Apr 2018

MCI (P) 052/08/2017 ISSN: 2010-4308 ACTIVITY CALENDAR CONTENTS Pg Talk: Trekking the Yunnan Three Rivers Gorge 9 Mar Activities 2 Birdwatching at Lorong Halus Wetland 10 Mar 64th Annual General Meeting of NSS – 1st Notice 5 NSS Kids’ Fun with Raptors at Park 17 Mar Guard Our Environmental Exploring Butterflies at Eco-Garden 18 Mar Reserves like Fiscal Reserves 6 33rd Annual Bird Census 18 Mar Piloting the ‘Every Singaporean a Naturalist’ Initiative in Six 7 Birdwatching at Marshes 24 Mar Schools Mangroves cum Coastal Clean-up at Ubin 24 Mar 14th Fall Migration Bird Census 8 Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Programme 25 Mar NSS Kids’ Fun with Frogs at Eco-Green 10 Volunteers Needed for Asia Dive Expo 2018 6 to 8 Apr Announcements 11 Spotting Forest Butterflies at Upper Reservoir 7 Apr NSS Directory 11 Palm Walk at TreeTop Walk 14 Apr All Purpose Form 12 Birdwatching at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 15 Apr Coastal Clean-up at Mudflats 15 Apr Art in the Park at Little Guilin 21 Apr th Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Programme 22 Apr 64 Annual Mangroves cum Coastal Clean-up at Ubin 6 May General Trips Led by Members Meeting of NSS st 9D/8N Natural History & Living Heritage of the – 1 Notice Three Parallel Rivers in Yunnan 31 May to 8 Jun Pg 5 4D/3N Lombok & Bali Shark Conservation Trip 23 to 26 Sep

Piloting the ‘Every Singaporean a Naturalist’ Initiative in Six Schools Pg 7 1 NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018

Activities MARCH Friday 9 Mar good morning, many species can be seen including Talk: Trekking the Yunnan Three Rivers Gorge the Common Birdwing, Tailed Jay, Leopard, Blue Pansy, Grey Pansy, Great Eggfly and Orange The Yunnan area in China has one of the most Emigrant. In the secondary and hill forests, rarer biologically-diverse forests in the world, ranging species such as the Banded Swallowtail, Dark Tit, from subtropical to montane and alpine forests. Fourline Blue and Ambon Onyx have been spotted. Offering a unique topography, Yunnan sits on the Meet Simon Chan (HP: 9748-5465) at 9.30 am at eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Join William JEG’s Butterfly Garden, next to the signage with Boehm as he shares his recent exploration of the butterfly pictures. Hat, walking shoes and water area with photos and a video. He will also cover are advisable. Please google ‘Jurong Eco-Garden’ the natural history of the Yunnan three rivers for the area’s map. Accessible by Bus 199. There gorge and showcase its hill tribe culture. Time: 7.30 is an open-air car park at the second entrance to pm to 8.30 pm. Venue: NSS Office. Open to the JEG and another at Clean Tech One. Open to the public. public. Saturday 10 Mar Sunday 18 Mar Birdwatching at Lorong Halus Wetland 33rd Annual Bird Census To celebrate Singapore World Water Day 2018, we At the first Annual Bird Census (ABC) in 1986, we will collaborate with PUB for a birdwatching trip at recorded nearly 6,000 birds from 129 species. In Lorong Halus Wetland. PUB created this wetland 2017, we had 5,682 birds from 138 species at 23 in 2011 to purify the water flowing through sites, lower than the 28-year mean of 8,471 birds the former rubbish dump. For years, the Little from 149 species. Indeed, trends for abundance Grebe and grassland birds such as the Yellow- and diversity have shown declines. Such data bellied Prinia, Baya Weaver, Long-tailed Shrike and have helped NSS in our conservation proposals, various munias have made their home here. Join in assessing the state of our natural habitats and us to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Time: in mapping out population trends. Building on 7.30 am to 10.30 am. From MRT station, this legacy, the 33rd ABC will take place at many transfer to the LRT and alight at Riviera station. important bird areas. We invite volunteers with Meet Jimmy Lee ([email protected]) beside birdwatching experience to join us in counting Popeye Restaurant at Tebing Lane. Please register birds. Help a site leader near your home or by emailing Lee Ee Ling ([email protected]) by anywhere else. Time: 7.30 am to 10.30 am. Please 7 March. Registration is subject to confirmation. register with Lim Kim Seng ([email protected]) Max: 30 pax. Open to the public. or Lee Ee Ling ([email protected]) before 9 March to secure your preferred site. Late Saturday 17 Mar registrants will not be assigned to a site. Open to NSS Kids’ Fun with Raptors at the public. Migrant raptors such as eagles, honey buzzards, bazas and sparrowhawks pass through Singapore Saturday 24 Mar on the way back to their breeding grounds in the Birdwatching at north. We stand a good chance of seeing them This walk is offered in collaboration with NParks. at Kent Ridge Park, a site regularly monitored by Join Yap Wee Jin in exploring Kranji Marshes’ the Bird Group in its annual Raptor Watch. Join boardwalks, paths and hides for excellent views Auntie Ee Ling as she points out these birds of across the freshwater marshes. Birding highlights prey to us. Time: 9 am to 11 am. A fee of $2 per here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Yellow Bittern, will be collected on the spot. Parents, caregivers White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle and and older siblings are encouraged to join in at Grey-headed Fish Eagle. Time: 7.30 am to 10.30 am. no charge. Please register your children (4 to 12 Please register with Lee Ee Ling (ellee1584@gmail. years old) at http://tinyurl.com/nsskidsevent by 11 com/HP: 9693-5870) by 15 March. Max: 25 pax. March. Confirmation details will be emailed after Registrations are subject to email confirmation. the closing date. For enquiries, contact Gloria at The walk is free but participants need to cover [email protected]. Open to the public. transport cost at $10 per person ($12 per person if payment is via PayPal). A hired bus will ferry us Sunday 18 Mar from the meeting point at Sungei Buloh Wetland Exploring Butterflies at Jurong Eco-Garden Reserve Visitor Centre (60 Kranji Way) to the The 5-ha Jurong Eco-Garden (JEG) is the green starting point at Turut Track. Please send your lungs of Clean Tech Park, comprising a hill forest, cheque addressed to ‘Nature Society (Singapore)’ an earth trail through secondary forest, freshwater to the NSS Office or fund transfer to DBS a/c: swamp vegetation and a rocky stream. It also has a 0339023574. Payment should be made only after butterfly garden with nectar and host plants. On a confirmation. Open to the public.

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Saturday 24 Mar Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Mangroves cum Coastal Clean-up at Ubin Programme is designated as an Important Bird Horseshoe Crabs (HSC) are in decline globally and Biodiversity Area. In line with the Restore due to habitat loss, poaching and overfishing. Ubin Mangroves (RUM) initiative, join us as we NSS aims to continually monitor our local HSC remove abandoned drift nets and marine debris population to ensure that they stay around for that choke up Ubin’s coastline. This prepares the generations to come. If you want to be a part selected sites for scientific surveys and RUM of this important mission to rescue and study restoration works. It ensures that our wildlife have the HSC at Mandai Mudflats, please register at the proper environment to thrive. Time: 8.30 am https://tinyurl.com/nsshscreg (registration will to 11.30 am. Please register at http://tinyurl.com/ open one month before the programme date). ubinrum24mar2018. Due to bumboat capacity Time: 9 am to 12 pm. For queries, please contact limits, maximum 24 pax. Details will be emailed Lester at [email protected]. Do bring along upon successful registration. Meet at Point your cap, shoes/booties, sunblock, repellent, and Ferry Terminal. For enquiries, contact Lisa at [email protected]. Open to the public. plentiful drinking water. Washing facilities are not available. Details will be emailed one week before Sunday 25 Mar the programme date. Open to the public. Activities APRIL Friday to Sunday 6 to 8 Apr Sunday 15 Apr Volunteers Needed for Asia Dive Expo 2018 Birdwatching at Sungei Buloh Wetland ADEX (Asia Dive Expo) is the longest running Reserve and largest dive expo in Asia celebrating its Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is the best place 23rd year in 2018. Volunteers are needed by the to watch visiting waders during the migratory Marine Conservation Group to share various season, and a good site to observe a wide range of conservation issues and activities concerning our resident bird species. Time: 7.30 am to 10.30 am. marine life at the booth. Please register at https:// Meet the Bird Group guides at the visitor counter tinyurl.com/ADEXnss2018. Closing date: 3 April. of Sungei Buloh Wetland Centre at Neo Tiew For queries, please contact Lester at hscrr.nss@ Crescent. Members only. gmail.com. Time: 10 am to 7 pm (shifts available). Confirmation details will be emailed to all Sunday 15 Apr registrants. Open to the public. Coastal Clean-up at Mandai Mudflats Join us in cleaning up Mandai Mudflats to benefit Saturday 7 Apr the wildlife that thrives there. Designated an Spotting Forest Butterflies at Upper Seletar Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, this stretch Reservoir of coastline is a key habitat for horseshoe crabs On a sunny day, butterfly watching in the forested and an important feeding site for wading birds. parts of can be a Time: 3 pm to 6 pm. Please register at http:// rewarding experience. Usual butterfly encounters tinyurl.com/nsscoastalcleanup. For enquiries, include the Cruiser, Bluebottle, Branded Imperial, contact Bryan at [email protected]. Details will Tailed Jay, Purple Duke and Commander. From time be emailed to those who sign up. Open to the to time, uncommon and rare forest species have public. emerged such as the Common Tree Nymph, Banded Swallowtail, Jungle Blue Glory, Five Bar Swordtail, Saturday 21 Apr Dark Posy, Green Imperial and Bifid Plushblue. Meet Art in the Park at Little Guilin Amy Tsang (HP: 9817-5549) at 9 am at Carpark B Join artists Van Wangye and Alpana Ahuja for a of Mandai Track 7. Bring along hat, water, sunblock, fun and casual site drawing session at Little Guilin binoculars and camera. Members only. in . Meet fellow nature art lovers to observe and sketch the beautiful landscape, flora Saturday 14 Apr and fauna. Beginners are welcome. No drawing Palm Walk at TreeTop Walk experience is necessary. Time: 8.30 am to 10.30 Join the Plant Group for a palm walk led by palm am. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/artatguilin. expert Adrian Loo. The walk will pass through Details will be emailed one week before the activity the TreeTop Walk, and will start and end at date. Max: 25 pax. For enquiries, please contact Venus Drive car park. Please meet us at 8.30 am. Kerry at [email protected]. Open to the public. Members only. 3 NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018

Sunday 22 Apr HSC at Mandai Mudflats, please register at https:// Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research tinyurl.com/nsshscreg (registration will open one Programme month before the programme date). Time: 8 am to Horseshoe Crabs (HSC) are in decline globally 11 am. For queries, please contact Lester at hscrr. due to habitat loss, poaching and overfishing. [email protected]. Do bring along your cap, shoes/ NSS aims to continually monitor our local HSC booties, sunblock, repellent, and plentiful drinking population to ensure that they stay around for water. Washing facilities are not available. Details generations to come. If you want to be a part of will be emailed one week before the programme this important mission to rescue and study the date. Open to the public. Activities MAY Sunday 6 May have the proper environment to thrive. Time: Mangroves cum Coastal Clean-up at Ubin 8.30 am to 11.30 am. Please register at http:// tinyurl.com/ubinrum6may2018. Please note that Pulau Ubin is designated as an Important Bird registration will be opened one month prior to and Biodiversity Area. In line with the Restore the event date. Due to bumboat capacity limits, Ubin Mangroves (RUM) initiative, join us as we maximum 24 pax. Details will be emailed upon remove abandoned drift nets and marine debris successful registration. Meet at Changi Point that choke up Ubin’s coastline. This prepares the Ferry Terminal. For enquiries, contact Lisa at selected sites for scientific surveys and RUM [email protected]. Open to the public. restoration works. It ensures that our wildlife Trips Led by Members The private trips here are the initiative of members who wish to travel to nature locations with other members or like-minded people. Arrangements will be made through a travel agency. 9D/8N Natural History & Living Heritage of the Three Parallel Rivers in Yunnan Dates: 31 May to 8 June 2018 Cost : $4,300/$4,400 (NSS member/non- Closing Date: 13 April 2018 (Friday) member). Cost includes all meals, transfers, accommodation and Min: 4 pax Max: 10 pax transportation guide. Cost excludes flights to Lijiang, insurance and tips. oin William Boehm for an exciting adventure Hill tribe cultures and visit Tibetan monasteries. Jto discover the natural history and culture Yunnan offers tremendous biodiversity in terms of Yunnan, China. Its Three Parallel Rivers area of flora and fauna. This is due to its north-south encompasses the majestic land hemmed in by alignment of mountains and rivers, with influences the mighty Yangtze, the free-flowing Mekong and from Myanmarese and Thai tropical forests as the wild Salween rivers. Many of the 25 ethnic well as Chinese and Tibetan montane forests. minorities living in Yunnan can be found here. For registration, enquiries or more information, There are beautiful snow-capped peaks more please contact William at nwadventurer12@ than 6,000 m high, glaciated gorges and terraced yahoo.com. A deposit of $1,100 is needed to fields. Activities include exploring the natural reserve your slot. Full payment is to be made by history of remotely-accessible sites such as 19 April. Price is subject to further discounts with Baima Snow Mountain Reserve, Nanjiluo alpine a larger group. Cancellations: i) 6 weeks to 30 lakes and the Black Snub-nosed Monkey National days: 50% refund; ii) Less than 30 days: no refund. Park. We will encounter Naxi, Tibetan and Lisu Open to the public. 4D/3N Lombok & Bali Shark Conservation Trip Dates: 23 to 26 September 2018 Cost : $550/$650 per member/non-member Closing Date: 2 September 2018 Min: 4 pax oin Kathy Xu on a marine conservation breakfast, land transfers, full-day beach hopping Jresponsible holiday. Activities include and snorkelling boat trip with a visit to Pink snorkelling in pristine waters, beach hopping, Beach's pink sand and dramatic cliffs, full-day mini cliff trekking, as well as nature trail waterfall trek, snacks, drinks, packed lunch and and waterfall trekking. You will visit a shark snorkelling gear. Cost excludes flights, insurance sanctuary for an educational tour and have a and dinners. For registration or enquiries, email chance to snorkel with sharks. Your participation Kathy at [email protected]. Read Kathy's will aid in shark conservation by providing article 'Reality Bites – A View to Lessen the an alternative income to shark fishermen. Kill' in Nature Watch Jan-Mar 2014 for more Cost includes accommodation with WiFi and information. Open to the public. 4 NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018 64th Annual General Meeting of NSS – 1st Notice By Peter Connell, Honorary Secretary ature Society (Singapore) warmly invites all org.sg]. Proposed amendments to the Constitution Nmembers to the 64th Annual General Meeting need the signatures of not less than 30 members (AGM) on 19 May 2018 (Saturday) at 10 am. The eligible to vote at the AGM. venue, agenda and post-AGM programme will be All nominations, matters for discussion, proposed announced in the May/June issue of ‘Nature News’. resolutions or proposed amendments to the As in recent years, we are hoping for a relatively Constitution should reach the NSS Office by post short meeting. All reports will be available to [510 Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore members in advance on the NSS website. 389466] or fax [6741-0871] by 10 April 2018 Nominations for Office Bearers to stand for (Tuesday), 5 pm. If faxed, the original must reach the election at the AGM should be sent to the NSS NSS Office by 13 April 2018 (Friday), 5 pm. Office using the form below. Written notice of any Nominations for Members of the NSS proposed matters for discussion, any resolutions Executive Committee 2018/19: or any proposed changes to the NSS Constitution 1. The form below can be used to nominate one should be sent to the NSS Office addressed to the or more members of the Executive Committee. Honorary Secretary. Resolutions need a proposer and seconder, both of whom must be members 2. Completed nominations must reach the NSS Office eligible to vote at the AGM. There is a specific by post or fax by 10 April 2018 (Tuesday), 5 pm. format for proposing a resolution, obtainable from 3. If faxed, the original form should reach the NSS the NSS Office [please contact Joe Lim – joe@nss. Office by hand or by post no later than 13 April

POSITION Name of Nominee Signature of Nominee* President

Vice President

Honorary Secretary

Honorary Treasurer

Assistant Honorary Secretary Assistant Honorary Treasurer Member

Member

Member

*To signify nominee’s consent for nomination; nominee’s NSS membership number must be provided

Proposed by: ______Signature: ______Membership No: ______

Seconded by: ______Signature: ______Membership No: ______

5 NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018 Guard Our Environmental Reserves like Fiscal Reserves By Dr Geh Min, Immediate Past President of NSS This article first appeared in The Straits Times on 30 environment. All human activity, including economic January 2018. It has been condensed below for ‘Nature ones, must occur in the natural environment which News’. supplies us with air, water, land, food and other Last year saw its share of natural disasters: resources. These resources were plentiful and self- hurricanes, earthquakes volcanic eruptions, floods, renewing in the past when human activity was a wildfires and so on. But how natural are “natural” small blip in the natural landscape. With exponential disasters? On closer examination, many "natural" growth in the human population, we can no disasters have a degree of human culpability. Some longer treat the environment as a self-sustaining are, in fact, wholly man-made. "externality". As our life-support system, the natural Take the haze from which we environment is now overstretched were grateful to be spared last and degraded by irresponsible year (Malaysia has even publicly and ignorant "business as usual" thanked the Indonesians). For assumptions. decades, it was believed that We have made the link the seasonal air pollution over between overfishing and rapidly Singapore and our neighbours depleting fisheries; and between was a result of "natural" forest deforestation resulting in flooding fires, despite scientists saying and landslides. But what about that tropical forests do not the links between deforestation naturally combust, unlike those depleting fisheries due to excessive in drier zones. This myth was runoff and erosion smothering a convenient smokescreen corals and mangroves, the for years. It was only after nurseries of much of our seafood? the huge forest fire of 1997, Or deforestation resulting in with estimated losses to degradation and depletion of Singapore of over $100 million drinking water? Or climate change in health, tourism and the which will exacerbate these airline sector, that people realised that the culprits problems? The list is so endless and interconnected were not Mother Nature or traditional slash-and- that most people rather not know, because burn farmers, but oil palm and paper companies recognising the problems means having to take clearing land for replanting. In fact, Mother Nature action. It is easier to think of floods, pollution, could provide the cure – a good shower was more fire and other environmental events as “natural” effective than any amount of firefighting or water- disasters. bombing in putting out the fires. Thinking more moves ahead gives competitive While we cannot stop earthquakes or volcanic advantage to both chess players and countries. eruptions, we can prevent them from becoming Singapore has been fortunate in having Mr Lee disasters with prediction and precautionary Kuan Yew as our founding prime minister. He was measures. Even though science and technology astute to take the long view. We can thank him and have given us a better understanding of natural the first generation of leaders for our clean air, phenomenon, we are hampered by the fact that adequate drinking water and much more. Mr Lee our global population has increased so much that also recognised that this millennium brings far more humans are contributing to the severity of disasters. global environmental challenges than the past. Climate change is a prime example. We have seen how misguided thinking, based on Several decades ago, I was travelling in East Africa insufficient knowledge and for short-term economic through semi-arid savannah when we came across gains, has had long-term socio-economic costs. Many a hotel built for several hundred guests, complete of these are almost impossible to reverse. Singapore with an Olympic-sized pool. It was an incongruous should continue the legacy of thinking ahead on sight in a region of single-storey mud huts and environmental issues to retain our competitive tented camps. The eerie thing was that the hotel was edge with informed environmental decisions. For totally deserted. It had been an ambitious project example, the proposed Cross Island (MRT) Line by the World Bank and the local government. through our Central Catchment Nature Reserve Unfortunately, the planners had been so fixated with may have serious repercussions on our water supply, the economic bottom line that they had neglected the sustainability of our forest, and the valuable the project's environmental sustainability. Such a big ecosystem services they provide. Do we want to hotel would have needed far more water than was risk all this for a few minutes less travelling time and available in the area. To pipe in water from a distant relatively minor cost savings? The decision should source would have required a doubling of the not be taken without very serious consideration millions already poured into the project. That was by not just the Land Transport Authority, but by how the whole place came to be abandoned. the whole of government, in extensive consultation with Singaporeans. To prevent future disasters, we This example illustrates what is often played out: should be guarding our environmental reserves as a failure to realise that the big picture is the carefully as we do our fiscal and social reserves. 6 NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018

Piloting the ‘Every Singaporean a Naturalist’ Initiative in Six Schools Text & Photos by Dr Anuj Jain & Kerry Pereira n ‘Nature settings such as their schools. For example, the ESN INews’ materials familiarise participants with 30 common Sep/Oct bird and butterfly species. Teachers can consult guide 2017 issue, books to identify wildlife outside the common species. we shared Teachers were also taught how to handle injured and NSS’s plans dead birds, a session designed and conducted by Huang to engage Ningxin who young citizen is a teacher at scientists Unity Secondary via the ‘Every Singaporean a Naturalist’(ESN) School and a initiative. To recap, ESN aims to equip students from NSS volunteer. primary, secondary and tertiary schools with skills Trained to identify, appreciate and monitor urban wildlife in teachers have and around their schools. This is a huge step towards in turn coached engaging Singapore students in a long-term study between 6 to and appreciation of nature, made possible with 40 student generous funding from HSBC and help from BirdLife volunteers to International. become young Since mid-2017, we have worked with six selected citizen scientists. schools These students are in most cases part of their school’s around the Green Club or in a related co-curricular activity. island to All participating schools have begun monitoring birds pilot the ESN once a week for 15 to 20 minutes each time. This is initiative. done in designated areas (transects) within or around They are their schools. Some schools have chosen to monitor Queenstown a combination of other wildlife such as butterflies, Primary plants (for flowering and fruiting activity), mammals, School, Chung and even amphibians and reptiles. In the first month Cheng High (Main), Unity Secondary School, National of the pilot phase, the six schools have recorded a Junior College (secondary school level), Nanyang combined total of 43 bird species, 14 butterfly species Technological University and National University of and one mammal species. Young citizen scientists are Singapore. After a series of teacher meetings and required to log their weekly sightings and findings on student talks, these schools have come onboard and the project’s online platform at https://www.inaturalist. are currently participating in the pilot stage from org/projects/every-singaporean-a-naturalist/. Check January to March 2018. out some of the wildlife monitoring photos on the Two sessions were held to train the teachers in project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ charge on the identification of common species of groups/295953187593799/. birds, butterflies, plants and mammals found in urban

Young citizen scientists are required to log their weekly sightings and findings online at iNaturalist.

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14th Fall Migration Bird Census By Lim Kim Chuah, Bird Group Chairperson

he 14th Fall Migration Bird Census (FMBC) Figure 1: Number of Birds & Species Ttook place on the morning of 22 October Counted in FMBC from 2004 to 2017 2017, with 58 participants counting at 26 sites. The weather was variable at the sites surveyed, ranging from partly cloudy to overcast or sunny. It rained in some places towards the end of the count. Overall, we recorded 138 species totalling 5,306 birds. The total number of birds counted in this census was the lowest in the 14- year history of the FMBC. The reduced total was disturbing as it continued a trend which we have been seeing in recent past censuses. On a brighter note, the census showed that Top 20 Birds Singapore remained a very important stronghold The most numerous bird for 2017 was the Asian for the globally-endangered Straw-headed Bulbul Glossy Starling (663 recorded), followed closely with 49 birds counted, more than half from by the Javan Myna (645 counted). See Table 1 Pulau Ubin. More studies should be initiated to for the list of the top 20 birds in 2017 and 2016. ensure the survival of this species. Pulau Ubin The Whimbrel took the title of most numerous also proved to be an important site for the migrant. The Lesser Sand Plover was the top bird White-rumped Shama, a bird which has only for 2016 but was conspicuously absent from the recently been downgraded to the conservation top 20 list in 2017 with only three birds seen. status of ‘least concern’. Similarly, there was a notable decrease in Pacific Number of Birds & Species Counted Golden Plover numbers, falling from fourth The 138 species recorded was close to the 14- position (364 birds) in 2016 to eighteenth place year FMBC average of 135 species. Of these, (63 birds) in 2017. The Pacific Golden Plover 34 species were true migrants totalling 1,019 has typically ranked amongst the top 10 birds in birds. They represented 35% of total species most years, but there has been a decline in their counted and 19% of the bird total. Compared numbers since 2004. to the 14-year FMBC average of 7,226 total Table 1: Top 20 Birds in 2017 & 2016 number of birds counted, this year’s tally of POS SPECIES 2017 SPECIES 2016 5,306 birds was the lowest on record. The 1 Asian Glossy 663 Lesser Sand 829 numbers swelled to 5,810 birds if unidentified Starling Plover ones including swiftlets were added. In fact, the 2 Javan Myna 645 Javan Myna 612 results appeared to be in line with a disturbing 3 Whimbrel 299 Asian Glossy 472 trend of low bird totals in the last two editions Starling of the census, with 5,416 birds and 5,314 birds 4 Pink-necked 274 Pacific Golden 364 recorded in 2015 and 2016 respectively (see Green Pigeon Plover Figure 1). For 2017, the low numbers was largely 5 Spotted Dove 158 Whimbrel 215 due to a big reduction in the birds counted at the key wader site of Sungei Mandai. Only 316 6 Yellow-vented 156 Yellow-vented 177 birds were recorded this time, compared to the Bulbul Bulbul average of 1,138 birds in the past. One possible 7 Common 139 Black-naped 166 cause could be that most of Sungei Mandai’s Redshank Oriole mudflat was covered in algae during the census, 8 Black-naped 137 Common 163 limiting the extent of mudflat available for Oriole Redshank foraging waders. Sungei Mandai remains a watch 9 House Crow 128 Spotted Dove 155 point and will be closely monitored in future 10 Grey Heron 126 Pink-necked 121 censuses. Green Pigeon

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POS SPECIES 2017 SPECIES 2016 BSP Bishan Park 11 Rock Dove 106 Rock Dove 114 USR Upper Seletar Reservoir Park 12 Red-breasted 99 Long-tailed 88 LSD Dam Parakeet Parakeet SBP Park 13 Little Egret 91 Eurasian Tree 87 HAL Lor Halus Sparrow SER 14 Daurian 83 Pin-striped Tit- 86 UBW Ubin West Starling Babbler UBC Ubin Central 15 Olive-backed 83 House Crow 81 UBE Ubin East Sunbird 16 Long-tailed 80 Zebra Dove 75 Figure 2: Number of Birds Counted at Parakeet Survey Sites in 2017 17 Pacific Swallow 70 Olive-backed 68 Sunbird 18 Pacific Golden 63 Common Iora 63 Plover 19 Pin-striped Tit- 60 Pacific Swallow 61 Babbler 20 Collared 59 Common 50 Kingfisher Greenshank Site Counts We surveyed 26 sites this time, comparable Figure 3: Number of Bird Species Counted to the FMBC 14-year average of 25 sites. The at Survey Sites in 2017 top site with the greatest number of birds was Park (406 birds), followed closely by Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Route 1 (394 birds) and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Route 2 (389 birds). See Figure 2. The habitat diversity at Kranji Marsh, Kranji Dam and proved the most attractive to birds. Kranji Marsh took the top spot with a whopping 76 species recorded, followed by Kranji Dam (51 species) and Pasir Ris Park (48 species). See Figure 3.

Site Abbreviations SBG Singapore Botanic Garden We would like to thank the many leaders and FAB volunteers in this census: Bey Swee Hua, Richard Carden, Alfred Chia, Sandra Chia, Andrew Chow, KRD Kranji dam Lena Chow, Fadzrun Adnan, Con Foley, Amuary TBH Hill Park Gassiot, Veronica Foo, Terry and Jane Heppell, KRP Kent Ridge Park Constance Huges-Treherne, Jian Wei, Atsuko POY Poyan Kawasaki, Kenneth Kee, Julienne Kee, Martin SB1 Sg Buloh Route 1 Kennerwell, Susan Knight, Nessie Khoo, Esther Sg Buloh Route 2 SB2 Kong, Eunice Kong, Danny Lau, Lee Chuin Ming, KRM Kranji Marsh Lee Ee Ling, Jimmy Lee, Geraldine Lee, Lee MCP Malcolm Park Whye Gwan, David Li, Lim Kim Chuah, Lim Kim MAN Sg Mandai Keang, Lim Kim Seng, Lim Yan Ting, Lin Chee Wei, BBW Bkt Batok West Patricia Lorenz, Melpa, Merrill, Alvin Seng, Steven BBP Bkt Batok Nature Park Shields, Sng Bee Bee, Keita Sin, John Spencer, BTR Bkt Timah Nature Reserve Tan Bee Lan, Tan Kok Hui, Teo Hui Min, George DFP Presanis, Twang Fang Qi, Wai Jack Sin, Wan Xuan,, SIM Sime Track Wee Sau Cheng, Wing Ching How, Wing Chong, PRP Pasir Ris Park Wong Chun Cheong, Woo Lai Choo, Yang Pah Liang, Yan Jiejun, Yong Yik Shih, and Yong Jun Zer. 9 NATURE NEWS MAR-APR 2018

NSS Kids’ Fun with Frogs at Tampines Eco-Green By Gloria Seow, Education Committee Vice Chairperson Photos by Lena Chow & Gloria Seow he year-end monsoon a 7.5-cm long Four-lined Tree Frog (Polypedates Tbrings out the croaky leucomystax), easily identified by four thin lines choir which was why running down its back (although certain individuals nightfall of 2 December have speckled, mottled or plain backs). As an 2017 saw us gathering at arboreal species, it has expanded flattened tips to Tampines Eco-Green. Here, its fingers and toes that help it cling onto trees. the combination of rain This frog constructs a foam nest on vegetation or and uneven ground creates rocks above a pool of water, inside which eggs and a multitude of temporary tadpoles develop in safety. As they grow larger, the water puddles ideal for tadpoles fall into the water below or are swept frog egg-laying and tadpole- down by rain. raising. With torches ablaze, Only one Asian Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) we set off on our frog hunt. was seen even though this The grassy verge between the park and the MRT species is widespread throughout track quickly produced several Dark-sided Chorus Singapore. It was covered in Frogs (Microhyla heymonsi). This 2 to 2.5 cm long warts, as is typical of toads, frog has a pair of thin blackish lines that run down and was sitting upright, quite the sides of its bronze body from snout to rear. unafraid of us. Females (11.5- Many were amazed that despite its smallness, it cm) are bigger than males (8.5- has a loud rattling call to attract mates. Another cm), as is the case with most tiny frog of the same size that we flushed was the other frog species. Another frog Painted Chorus Frog (Microhyla butleri) with its that crossed our path was the distinctive 'hour glass' patterning on its back. 5-cm to 6-cm long Field Frog Then we sighted our first Banded Bullfrog (Kaloula (Fejervarya limnocharis). Being pulchra) in the short grass. At 7 to 8 cm long, this skittish, it made a plop sound as frog stands out with its chubby appearance, narrow it jumped into a pond to escape mouth, and two thick orangey bands that stretch from us. If you are using a torch, down each side of the body. When threatened, it this frog can be noticed from inflates itself. The Banded Bullfrog feeds on ants, a distance as it has strong eye shine. Our second termites, earthworms, flies, crickets, moths and snake for the walk was a baby Black-spitting Cobra grasshoppers. It advertises its presence with a (Naja sumatrana), unfortunately a dead specimen. soothing bellow that can be commonly heard after We also had sporadic sightings of a rat climbing a showers. In our two-hour walk, our first sighting tree, fruit bats flying around, a Changeable Lizard ballooned to some 50 Banded Bull Frogs counted, (Calotes versicolor), and a Malayan Water Monitor showing how successful this introduced species is (Varanus salvator). Our final snake was a beautiful in Singapore. Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) found by Uncle Our island has around 10 commensal frogs with Ivan. The Sunbeam is so named because its smooth humans (ie. adaptable species able to survive scales are iridescent under strong sunlight or in man-made and disturbed habitats including camera flash. grassland, roadside puddles and storm drains). All On other nights, friends have witnessed a of Tampines Eco-Green’s frogs are commensals. Sunbeam Snake eating a Striped Kukri at Tampines In contrast, the majority of Singapore's native Eco-Green, and seen other cool snakes such as frog species can only live in relatively undisturbed the Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) and habitats such as primary and/or secondary forests. the introduced White-spotted Slug Snake (Pareas Hence, such frogs can be wiped out by habitat loss margaritophorus). Still, we were mightily pleased if forests are cleared for development. that our big group enjoyed this many sightings. With so many frogs at Tampines Eco-Green, there were bound to be predators. True enough, Auntie Gloria spotted our first snake – an attractive red-black-and-brown Striped Kukri (Oligodon octolineatus) – a 65-cm long adult that was moving silently on the ground amidst the bushes flanking the grassy path. The half-exposed non-venomous Kids were delighted to see the snake froze for a few seconds when we trained (clockwise from top) Dark-sided Chorus Frog, Painted Chorus Frog our beams on it. It then slithered elegantly into and Four-lined Tree Frog. the shrubs and vanished. Next, Auntie Lena found

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Announcements NSS DIRECTORY Patron NSS Welcomes Donations PROF TOMMY KOH If you believe in the importance of nature President appreciation and conservation in Singapore, help DR SHAWN LUM – Office: 6790-3835 Vice-President us keep our work going with a donation to NSS. MR LEONG KWOK PENG – Mobile: 9766-7047 As we are a registered Charity and an Institution Honorary Treasurer of Public Character, your donation will qualify for MR YIP YEW CHONG tax deduction, which will be automatically reflected Honorary Assistant Treasurer in your income tax assessment. Please make your MR BHAGYESH CHAUBEY Honorary Secretary cheques payable to ‘Nature Society (Singapore)’. MR PETER CONNELL For tax exemption purpose, please write your full Honorary Assistant Secretary name, contact number and NRIC/FIN number at MR MICHAEL LEE the back of your cheque. We look forward to your Executive Committee Members financial support. MR GOH SI GUIM, DR HO HUA CHEW, MR STEPHEN BENG Finance Advisory Group Members Wanted: Used Stamps for the NSS Stamp MR ALBERT SIN, MR T SELVARATNAM, MS TRIXIE TAN Fund Immediate Past President DR GEH MIN The Stamp Fund is boosted by members and Co-opted Council Members friends who collect and send us used postage PROF P N AVADHANI, MR BEN SZETO, MS MARGIE HALL, stamps. These are then sold to an overseas dealer MR LIEW KAI KHIUN Advisory Council Members once or twice a year. Simply cut out the stamps MR WARREN KHOO, PROF KOH KHENG LIAN, from the envelope without cutting into their edges. MR LIM JIM KOON, MR LIU THAI KER, PROF NG SOON CHYE, No need to soak the stamps off the envelope MR SIM WONG HOO, MR MASON TAN paper. Keep sending your stamps to the NSS office BirdLife International Coordinator in an envelope marked "Stamp Fund"! Our grateful MR LIM KIM KEANG thanks to all contributors. The NSS Stamp Fund now stands at $23,619.95. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS NSS Nature Forum Conservation Committee Acting Chairperson MR LEONG KWOK PENG The NSS Nature Forum, found at http://www. Vice Chairperson DR HO HUA CHEW nss.org.sg/forum/, is a virtual gathering place that Education Committee serves to facilitate discussions on a whole range Chairperson MR GOH TER YANG of nature-related topics. You can share photos and Vice Chairperson MS GLORIA SEOW ideas, ask questions and forge friendships with fellow nature lovers. The forum is open to both SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CHAIRPERSONS members and non-members. Register now for a Bird Group free account! Chairperson MR LIM KIM CHUAH Secretary MR WILLIE FOO New Members: Join us in our Special Butterfly & Insect Group Interest Group & Other Activities Chairperson - - - Jalan Hijau All members are welcome to participate in any of Chairperson MR TAN HANG CHONG our listed activities. Most events do not require Marine Conservation Group prior registration. Simply turn up at the appointed Chairperson MR STEPHEN BENG time and place, and you will be off to discover and Plant Group learn about Singapore’s natural offerings. Do not be Chairperson MR BIAN TAN The Nature Ramblers nervous about your lack of nature knowledge. Just Chairperson MR PARTHASARATHY PANDIAN let your trip leader(s) know that you are new and Vertebrate Study Group he/she/they will gladly guide you. Chairperson MS NG BEE CHOO Secretary DR LEONG TZI MING NSS Membership Benefits Show your NSS membership card to enjoy discounts! Please contact us if your business is interested in offering NSS Membership Benefits. Nature News Editorial Committee 1) Pharmaplus MS GLORIA SEOW – [email protected] MR TIMOTHY PWEE – Mobile: 9791-8300 Tel: 6887-3456. www.pharmaplus.com.sg MR GOH SI GUIM – Mobile: 9758-9125 * Up to 10% discount for online purchases. Contributions for Nature News Secretariat Please send in your contributions for the May/Jun MR JOSEPH LIM, Accounts & Membership Officer 2018 issue by 5 April 2018. Email them to gloria_ MR KERRY PEREIRA, Member Programme & Outreach Officer [email protected]. All original photos should be in JPEG format with a minimum size of 1 MB. The Secretariat Contact Details Editorial Committee reserves the right to select 510 Geylang Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore 389466 and edit appropriate contributions for use. Tel: 6741 2036 Fax: 6741 0871 Email: [email protected]

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