Official Magazine of Nature Society (Singapore) Volume 28 No 1 Jan-Mar 2020 S$5.00

My Big Bird Year Fly Free, Subaraj

The International and Domestic Parrot Trade

MCI (P) 064/04/2019 Message from the Editors

NATURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE) his issue has serendipitously turned into a year-end celebration of the many generations that make up the nature loving community and TNature Society (Singapore) (NSS) members in our tiny island country, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and the continuity of commitment. Our cover photo shows a young team competing in NSS’ 35th Singapore Patron Professor Tommy Koh Bird Race. This event attracted the largest number of teams and participants President ever, thanks not only to the many keen young primary and secondary Dr Shawn Lum school participants, but also the slightly older groups of photographers and Vice-President Dr Ho Hua Chew birdwatchers who took part. And the few even older ones. And the youngsters Immediate Past President needed a solid core of “middling-age” types, teachers and NSS volunteers, to Dr Geh Min keep them safe as they roamed around the southern ridges. Honorary Secretary Mr Morten Strange At the core of the Bird Race organisation was Lim Kim Chuah, now Honorary Treasurer Chair of the NSS Bird Group, and one of those who had competed in the first Mr Bhagyesh Chaubey Bird Race in 1984 – a two team event. He was one of the young generation of Honorary Assistant Secretary Ms Evelyn Ng Singaporeans who gave the Society, then the Singapore Branch of the Malayan Honorary Assistant Treasurer Nature Society, a power surge in the 1980s. A photo of him at that time, - Executive Committee Members along with four others of that influential generation, appears in this issue. Very Mr Goh Si Guim, Mr Albert Liu tragically one of them, Subaraj Rajathurai, is no longer with us. Morten Strange Finance Advisory Group Members Mr Peter Connell, Ms Trixie Tan, pays tribute to Subaraj’s life which was dedicated to nature and its conservation Mr Yip Yew Chong in Singapore – a life cut short too soon, but with a solid legacy passed on to his Co-opted Council Members Assoc Prof P.N. Avadhani, Ms Margie Hall, sons and to the wider community of Singapore. Mr Ben Szeto, Dr Liew Kai Khiun, Dr Ngo Kang Min Nature races rely on skills of identification and knowledge of species’ Advisory Council Members Mr Warren Khoo, Prof Koh Kheng Lian, behaviour and preferred habitats – Big Years likewise, with the addition of Mr Lim Jim Koon, Mr Liu Thai Ker, Prof Ng Soon Chye, Mr Sim Wong Hoo, reliance on community. Geoff Lim’s account of his Big Year is much longer Mr Mason Tan than the articles we usually publish, but it contains such an appreciation of BirdLife International Coordinator Mr Lim Kim Keang the birdwatching and bird photography community, as well as the problems of IUCN Coordinator fitting hobbies with family life, that we did not wish to cut it too short. Ms Ng Bee Choo On the conservation front, recent graduate Sung Mei Yee reports on Green Corridor Coordinator Dr Liew Kai Khiun her first attendance at an international conference, whilst some of our other COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS youngish science-trained members Anuj Jain and Yong Ding Li, together Conservation Committee Mr Leong Kwok Peng with recent graduate Aloysius Scott and with Jessica Lee of Wildlife Reserves Education Committee Singapore, initiate a preliminary consideration of the connectedness of the Mr Goh Ter Yang international and local parrot trades. More work needs to be done to find the Membership & Fundraising Committee Mr Albert Liu connections, and we look forward to future updates and articles. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CHAIRPERSONS Readers may notice that various of the contributions mentioned above Bird Group Mr Lim Kim Chuah appear in a new section, NSS Kaleidoscope. This section specifically features Butterfly & Insect Group Society news and updates. It is intended to incorporate items that would have - appeared in the previous format of the Society’s newsletter Nature News. In this Jalan Hijau Group Mr Tan Hang Chong way Nature Watch will now cover a wider range of materials. Marine Conservation Group As ever, we thank all our contributors, welcome articles from both new Mr Stephen Beng and regular contributors, and wish all our readers, young, old and anywhere in Plant Group Mr Bian Tan between, the very best for New Year 2020. Nature Ramblers Group Mr Pandian Parthasarathy Margie Hall & Gemma Koh Vertebrate Study Group Mr Tony O’Dempsey December 2019 NSS Secretariat Mr Joseph Lim We welcome your stories, articles, surveys, observations and photographs. Please (Accounts & Membership Officer) Mr Kerry Pereira discuss your story ideas with us by emailing a proposal to [email protected]. Do (Member Programme & Outreach Officer) include samples of your photographs (maximum 20 images per submission). We Ms Sung Mei Yee require good quality, high resolution JPEG images (ideally uncropped) in the largest (Project Officer for the Every Singaporean size available, labelled with a descriptive file name. A Naturalist (ESN) Programme)

2 Nature Watch Jul - Dec 2014 Singapore’s domestic and international parrot markets

Contents Vol 28 No 1 January – March 2020

Editor 2 Gemma Koh Assistant Editor Margie Hall

Designer S.T. Leng

Contributors Geoff Lim, Keita Sin, Liz How, Morten Strange, Tan Gim Cheong, Lim Kim Chuah, Francis Chia, Con Foley, Sung May Yee, Anuj Jain, Scott Aloysius, Yong Ding Li, Jessica Lee, Bjorn Olesen, Brice Li, Sean Yeat, Yann Muzika & Norman Lim

MCI (P) 064/04/2019 ISSN: 0218-6853

Printing by Mainland Press Pte Ltd

My Big Bird Year Copyright belongs to the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or any means without prior permission in writing from Nature Society (Singapore). The views and opinions expressed or implied in this publication are those of the authors and 18 contributors only and do not necessarily reflect the official views of Nature Society (Singapore) or its members.

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Nature Society (Singapore) office at: 510 Geylang Road The Sunflower #02-05 Singapore 389466 13 Tel: (65) 6741 2036 Fax: (65) 6741 0871 Singapore’s International and Subaraj Rajathurai E-mail: [email protected] Domestic Parrot Markets 16 April 1963 - 22 October 19 Website: www.nss.org.sg

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Nature Watch is printed on LumiArt paper from Stora Enso Europe with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification. Mainly recycled paper is used, the rest is pulp from sustainable and controlled sources in Finland, Brazil and other ON THE COVER European countries. Young participants of the 35th Singapore Bird Race. Photo: Francis Chia BirdLife

As part of his rehabilitative regime following a traffic accident in April 2015, Geoff Lim returned to walking in Singapore parks to look at birds. The former participant in bird races could no longer compete as he could not walk and ride in cars for prolonged periods. What emerged in 2016 was a 365- day marathon of endurance birding known as a Big Year, with the goal of seeing as many species as possible. Here are highlights.

Photos by Con Foley, Geoff Lim, Keita Sin & Liz How

2 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 Pittas are magical balls of exquisitely coloured feathers that have the power to subvert the minds of grown men and cause them to abandon sense and sensibility, driving many to dive into the deepest and dankest forests to search for them. Mangrove Pitta. Photo: Geoff Lim Facing page: Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (left), Red-crowned Barbet. Photos: Con Foley (left), Geoff Lim

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 3 cat, determined to have my mouthful I succumbed to temptation and 17 JAN 2016 of feathers. I suddenly saw an odd stick took leave from work to visit the park. that stuck out perpendicular from a As I was packing to leave my office, made my way quickly towards branch. Uncle Fai, an engineering professor, the knoll. Ominous grey clouds When I applied my binoculars to sent me a text every birder dreads: swirled overhead. A photogra- my eyes, I was rewarded by the sight of “Bird flown”. According to friends pher laden with gear stumbled the Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka) and social media, the boobook had towards me. “It’s drizzing,” he looking at the world with half-opened previously flown off when it got weary Isaid, stating the obvious. “No bird.” I eyes. The bird, soaked by the drizzle, of the circus below, but would return nodded, but pressed ahead to my target. shifted its position momentarily for to another bough nearby. I believed it Several weeks ago, another wind- a stretch. After shaking off the water would do the same on the day of my borne migrant visited this same corner from its mottled mantle, Bird #60 outing. of Bidadari and saw the object of my turned back to sit parallel to the branch, After wandering around the quest. He was Noah Strycker (author disappearing from the naked eye. park with my companions and having and researcher from the United States), procured seven ticks, we returned to and for him, it was Bird #5,987 of his the platform to rest from the heat. I record-setting international Big Year 2 FEB 2016 then heard a di-syllabic hu-hu, hu-hu, 2015, in which he saw 6,042 of the hu-hu… from the tangle of mangrove world's estimated 10,400 species. When I started birding in 1990, 90% of branches behind me. The resident Several bare limbs reached out to us could not afford a camera and long Brown Hawk Owl tends to live in the heavens, as if imploring the clouds lens. Today, when a rarity appears, its the core and fringes of our Central to strike them with bolts of lightning. I image is instantly uploaded on social Catchment and makes a hoo-woot, examined the gnarled branches with my media and a hundred envious followers hoo-woot, hoo-woot, with an upward binoculars. Silas, a teacher, taught me can only drool from their offices while inflexion in the woot. to look for lumps that ran against the those lucky few in the drizzle savour A quick check on the Xeno- grain of the wood. No matter how hard every feather. Canto website of bird calls confirmed I tried, I could see no bird. The occurrence during the final my suspicions that it was the Northern Nearby, the haunting notes of days of January 2016 of the rarely Boobook. We redoubled our effort to a White-rumped Shama (Copsychus encountered Northern Boobook (Ninox locate the bird. However, the vegetation malabaricus) emanated from the dark japonica), a bird that resembles a cast was too dense and the boobook turned depths of a dense shrub. Better a bird in member from Star Wars, was one silent. hand, I told myself, and trotted over to such instance. Conventional wisdom As the evening approached, only the tangle of branches and leaves. indicates that they are very much I remained at the mangroves, hoping Originally a denizen of the indistinguishable from our resident against hope. As night fell, Tan Gim rainforest, the shama’s sleek black head Brown Hawk Owl (Ninox scutulata), Cheong, our local raptor expert, and upper parts help the bird melt into except by their DNA and calls. For appeared. Then, the unseen boobook shadows, while its chestnut underside reasons lost to me, someone had divined called again. G.C. cocked his head and resembles dead leaves stripped of their that the boobook in the park was an listened intently as he peered briefly chlorophyll. The bird called briefly, and intrepid northerner that had flown all into the dark branches before casually I saw the tell-tale sign of its splendid the way from Japan or Taiwan, thereby sauntering away. long tail bob in the effort. My Bird #59 sparking off a mad race to see it. As the The sun dipped beneath the was in the bag. bird had perched itself at an impossibly horizon and a distant Sunda Scops Owl I returned to the tree. acute angle in the mangroves, there (Otus lempiji) began to pooh!. Light Accomplishments are only achieved was only a small window from which it failed completely and the mangrove through patience and persistence. could be seen. Friends at ground zero trees became misshapen threatening Lesser mortals often give up just before informed me through text messages of ogres. As I left the woods, the family they arrive at the cusp of victory. I sharp verbal exchanges between jostling of Spotted Wood Owls (Strix seloputo) was determined to achieve greatness. I photographers refusing to move from living further away began to bark circled the base of a tree like a hungry their spots. and hoot.

4 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 Above: Northern Boobook. Photo: Keita Sin Below: White-rumped Shama. Photo: Geoff Lim Inset: Oriental Darter. Photo: Keita Sin

When I started birding in 1990, 90% of us could not afford a camera and long lens. Today, when a rarity appears, its image is instantly uploaded on social media and a hundred envious followers can only drool from their offices while those lucky few in the drizzle savour every feather.

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 5 My Big Strategy As the weeks passed, I encountered various dips, a term used to describe missing a target bird. Big Year birders, like most birders, generally take flight in the mornings when birds are most hungry, vocal and visible. They scour the island’s birding hotspots and post their updates on Facebook. T hese are the top predators. I considered myself a bottom-feeding birder. Work and parenting responsibilities meant that I had only three hours on weekend afternoons to pursue my craft. I turned to my Bird Race experience to inform my Big Year strategy. There were 8 abundant species, 91 common, 146 uncommon and 147 rare birds that could be found in Singapore. Spectacular rarities make great ticks and bragging rights. However, the value of a rarity under race conditions is the same as a ubiquitous bird such as the Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus). As the game was to increase my species counts, I just had to ensure I checked off all the abundant and common tickables to put 99 species in my bag. T could be seen on my way to work, during lunch orhese on my way home. I only needed a hundred uncommon Indian Pond Heron. Photo: Liz How birds and one rare species to score two hundred birds. This meant that I had to curb my instincts to run for that one rare tick to focus on the dozen I could easily have.

Kim brothers, had commented that his last Indian Pond Heron sighting was in 1994, underscoring the rarity of this heron. Pond herons are hunch-backed egret-like birds that congregate around rain-filled fields during the year-end to feed on the hapless frogs, fish and water-dwelling insect larvae living in

Great Knot at Seletar Dam. Photo: Geoff Lim these temporary basins. During the non- breeding season, every pond heron looks exactly the same — a drab, brownish bird 9 APR 2016 and peel away into the sky. with white wings and underparts. Often Herons and egrets, even bitterns, it is hard to tell if it is a Chinese, Javan or Bidadari continued to surprise birders are able to perch in trees. I recall seeing Indian Pond Heron. As they acquire their even though the authorities had begun flocks of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) breeding plumage, the common Chinese to reclaim chunks of it to build a new festooning trees adjacent to the prawn Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)’s head and Housing and Development Board ponds of Senoko in the mid-1990s. I neck become a deep chocolate brown. (HDB) town. I paid the patch a visit remarked about my sighting to Andrew The rarer Javanese Pond Heron (Ardeola during the afternoon, wending my Chow, a digital artist who draws speciosa) sports a rich tea-coloured head way past the opening in the fence-line beautiful renditions of the birds, soon and neck; in local parlance, it is a “teh-c” to find myself wandering beneath the after. With a glistening eye, he confided coloured bird. The Indian Pond Heron is shade of several mature trees shaking off that he had just seen an Indian Pond rarer still. The tea on its head and neck is water droplets from the recent rain. As Heron (Ardeola grayii) in the trees near a whole lot milkier, and the mantle has a I looked up, I was surprised to see the the columbarium. maroon sheen. shape of a heron leap from the tree-top Kim Seng, the older of the Lim A cluster of trees formed a small

6 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 wood at the base of the field. I scanned The clatter of a camera shutter announced along the coasts of the the treetops and was rewarded with a suddenly broke the silence as a Yellow Sea, the outcome did not appear Chinese Pond Heron trying to dry itself; photographer spotted something optimistic for this species, and myriads the dark rich brown contrasting nicely moving along the grass 10m away. of other shorebirds, that are dependent against the bright green foliage. I could Everyone strained to see what the on these refuelling stops to survive their barely make out the shape of a paler bird sharp-eyed shooter had seen, cameras gruelling journey. I might not see the further away in the glaring afternoon activating as they spotted the drab, bird again if I did not go. sun that peeked out of the large rain brown bird making its way to feed on My wife and daughter watched clouds. As the bird turned sideways, the millet. me stew as I contemplated my chances I could see that it had a pale milk-tea Bird #150 had large yellow feet of getting the bird after completing my wash to its head and neck, and a deep and a white-streaked back, and pale duties. “Since it’s so rare, why don’t you maroon back. The rare Indian vagrant, belly. It also had an orange streak just go for it first?” my wife gently said. Bird #135, was now mine. above its boot-black button eyes as its Thus released, I raced to Yishun dark beak worked furiously to pick up Dam, where a sliver of exposed mud seeds on the wet ground. during the low tide attracted a good 12 JUN 2016 number of plovers, red and greenshanks and the knot. While driving, I was filled Punggol Barat, an island created by land 14 AUG 2016 with the usual dark thought every birder reclamation just off Seletar Airport, is regardless of age and nationality has when a haven for seed-eating escapees from “The Knot has landed.” Software racing for a terrific rarity: will I dip it? the caged bird trade. Waxbills and Red engineer and fellow birder K.C. To reach the spot where the Avadavats (Amandava amandava) are Ling’s terse post on Facebook set me mudflats could be surveyed required a commonly encountered, taking to the stewing. IUCN had just published walk of 5 to 6 minutes from where I skies with feeble peeps and trills, along that the Great Knot (Calidris ten- would park. A passing raptor could flush with native munias, pipits and cistico- uirostris) population had declined the feeding shorebirds during this brief las. Several Pin-tailed Whydahs (Vidua drastically by 77.8% over three period. I made the journey in 4 minutes macroura) in their resplendent long tail generations, with 98% of the entire and joined several photographers. One plumes are also frequently seen making global population restricted to the East or two friendlier ones pointed forward. hovering courtship flights to impress Asian-Australasian Flyway, of which No verbal communication was needed. drab-looking females. On one occasion, Singapore is a part. I scanned the mud dotted with a Jackson’s Widowbird (Euplectes jack- plovers, greenshank and redshank, soni) flew over my head. straining madly to see a different- The King Quail (Excalfactoria looking bird. And there it was, a pale chinensis) is a resident bird that is creature with a mottled back stood out reclusive and difficult to spot. Birders from the brilliantly coloured plovers and photographers assured me that with their bandit masks and rufous the island was the best place to see it. breast bands. It was probing into the However, these birds seem to be hobbits substrate with its almost-dagger like of the avian world, melting away unseen black beak. It stopped and strode a and unheard. My previous attempts to few steps forward before searching for see one failed miserably. invertebrates hidden in the gooey muck. It had just rained that afternoon, King Quail. Photo: Geoff Lim I spent a total of 11 minutes and leaving the mimosa and lallang wet 914 shots, on Bird #157. This would from the heavy deluge. Someone had The reason for such drastic easily be the Bird of the Year. left a quantity of millet on the ground, declines lies in habitat loss along the I posted photos of the bird on attracting a number of waxbills and coasts where shorebirds stop to refuel my Facebook page and five minutes avadavats. The small party of birders and along this gigantic flyway. Research into my drive home, I heard a ping on photographers told everyone in quiet showed that reclamation works just my phone. I pulled over and checked tones that the quail was likely to appear at Saemangeum in South Korea the message. It was Danny, a retired to feed after the rain. The tension was accounted for a decline of 25% of IT professional, enquiring if I had just palpable as we waited silently in the the entire population of Great Knot. seen the bird. I quickly provided him failing light. With more reclamation projects being with details.

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 7 Some time later, I learned that Danny grabbed his gear, jumped into his car and drove like mad to the dam. He was amply rewarded, and I was glad to have been of some help.

28 SEP 2016 In any winning Big Year, the strategy must include at least one pelagic trip. Mine was an add-on, after my classmate Alvin invited me to join him on a boat to the waters off Singapore. A fellow companion was David Tan, the young scientist who collects dead birds all over Singapore for analysis. We were led by the late R. Subaraj, wildlife consultant extraordinaire and one of my mentors when I started Lesser Crested Tern. Photo: Geoff Lim birding. Along with other local birding legends like Lim Kim Keang, the Lim Kim brothers (Kim Seng and Kim any winning Big Year, the strategy must Chuah) and the intrepid Dr Yong Ding In Li, Subaraj was a walking encyclopaedia include at least one pelagic trip. of birding knowledge. (Subaraj was also a national icon, his likeness adorning banners along Orchard Road, as an their summer breeding programme. 24 OCT 2016 ambassador marketing Singapore as a “Caspian Tern!” someone tourist destination.) whooped. The large tern (Hydroprogne When word came of a Grey-headed The boat chugged out into the caspia) with a massive beak nonchalantly Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus) appearing at calm sea. But we were soon pelted by glided away towards Sentosa as we Kranji Marsh on a Sunday morning, I rain. The wind, sea spray and raindrops pushed on towards the South China Sea. took the unprecedented risk of heading turned an otherwise mild journey into a The terns were joined by out as soon as I finished my duties to mini roller coaster ride. Swinhoe’s Storm Petrels (Oceanodroma pursue this rarity. I had previously tried When the rain became a gentle monorhis) — dark, pigeon-sized birds to avoid taking to the field to chase just drizzle, everyone turned out in force — that drifted low over the tossing one single rarity. However, by now, I along the boat’s gunwale to peer into sea. I read about Bird #174 as a boy. had swept up most of the common and the sky. There were terns everywhere Scientists like Gibson Hill and F.N. not-so-common species. I was left with – ordinary-looking Bridled Terns Chasen mentioned these sea-hugging the difficult ones. The Grey-headed (Onychoprion anaethetus), Swift Terns birds in their reports. As I leafed Lapwing is considered an accidental (Thalasseus bergii) with their orange through the yellowed pages in the old occurrence. The bird breeds in northeast beaks and roguish crests and Lesser National Library at Bras Basah Road in China and Japan, and winters in north- Crested Terns (Thalasseus bengalensis) the 1980s, I would imagine the birds eastern India and northern Southeast with their dagger-like yellow bills. appearing as if they were walking on the Asia. The southernmost limit of this I was greatly surprised to hear water with outstretched wings; for this bird is China. This bird could have been someone call out “Aleutian Tern!” I had was how the birds were described. blown off-course as it made its way out always thought these terns (Onychoprion September is the best time to look from its summer grounds. aleutica) could only be seen off the for these birds as they traverse the oceans When I arrived at the marshes coasts of Alaska. However, recent and make their way northwards from at about the same time as NSS Bird research has shown that these birds fly the southern oceans. Someone counted Group stalwart Alan Owyong, we through our waters after completing till he saw 99 birds and stopped. were told that we were five minutes

8 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 late. I have known Alan since I was the grounds of the Singapore Zoological “Are you sure this is an Asian Paradise an undergraduate. He had pursued Gardens, the zoo’s coffers became Flycatcher? It has an inverted U band… this bird since the 1990s. I could enriched as photographers and bird- why don’t you ask for opinions?” Such a commiserate with his angst. We ers paid their dues – some paying for message from Francis cannot be ignored. trundled along the path next to the year-long membership fees for photos After all, my ex-classmate has evolved drain where the bird was last seen. of the uncommon beauty at the Douc into one of the top birders of Singapore, Everyone we met told us we missed the Langur’s enclosure. if not the region. I did as Francis had bird. Then, someone suggested taking It was about a week after the bird suggested and went to bed. a look at the fields along Harvest Lane was no longer seen that I found time to The next day, I saw a string of and Turut Track. We followed this piece visit the Zoo. Armed with a corporate comments by expert birders from of advice, sloshing our way across the pass from my office, I trooped to the around the region. Each had affirmed rain-sodden field without any real hope. enclosure with three other birding that my dark and drab Paradise Suddenly, a medium sized bird friends without much hope. Flycatcher was a female Japanese. I took to the air, screaming and hurling We saw the resident Blue-eared was elated. As a birder on a Big Year, abuse. It had a grey body and longish Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting), and had a it didn’t matter whether I had seen wings that had a white trailing edge and good view of a Rufous-tailed Tailorbird the resplendent male or the drab and black primaries. Alan could not contain (Orthotomus sericeus) that spent an obscure female. All that mattered was his excitement. Like fumbling guards uncharacteristically long time in the open that I secured my tick and Bird #192. trying to apprehend an escaped prisoner, for us to take sufficient photographs we raised our cameras and fired away before we lazily walked to the Douc desperately, hoping that the settings Langur enclosure. Several Asian Paradise 3 DEC 2016 were correct as the Lapwing flew away. Flycatchers (Terpsiphone paradise) were Alan laughed. The look on his face lounging around in the vegetation and The day I crossed the 200th mark. was priceless. He had finally nailed his took to the wing when they saw us. Reports of a confiding Dark-sided nemesis, my Bird #185. I took a few photos of one bird that Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica), a non- appeared darker, and after ensuring that descript brown bird, wafted over social the Japanese Paradise Flycatcher was media during the week. The bird was 14 NOV 2016 absent, left the zoo’s grounds. last found on Friday at Bidadari’s hill- I posted the photo of the ock, where a large arch of creepers grew The male Japanese Paradise Flycatcher aberrant flycatcher on Facebook over what seemed to be part of a tree. (Terpsiphone atrocauda) is an attractive that evening, labelling it as an Asian I dutifully made my way to the former creature with a blue ring around its eyes Paradise Flycatcher. As I shut down cemetery on Saturday morning. and its mantle is a rich purplish hue. the computer, I received a text message I spotted several other hunters When one specimen appeared inside from Francis Yap, who cryptically wrote: near the misty hillock, all converging

Grey-headed Lapwing. Photo: Keita Sin Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, female. Photo: Con Foley

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 9 on the bird’s last known spot. Everyone estate11 forDEC Singaporeans.2016 size of a small-built Javan Myna. The I passed quietly shook their heads. subspecies (P.s. sordida) that inhabits Above us, sunbirds and other small birds With 200 birds in my pocket, and the our shores during the northern winter stirred and chirruped as they foraged in year coming to an end, I was desperate has a jet-black head topped with a the damp morning. An orange-yellow to press as far as I could before New deep chocolate brown crown, and a spark high up in the trees caught my Year’s Eve ended at 2359 hours. There body set in shimmering green. A bright attention. The fiery colours turned out was, however, a hitch. red pair of pants completes this Pitta’s to be a migrating Mugimaki Flycatcher During my perambulations around magnificent outfit. (Ficedula mugimaki)! The males are jet Bidadari, I accumulated more than 20 It was Saturday evening when I black above, with a snowy white spot mosquito bites. Besides conferring me managed to stagger out of home. The behind the eye, a flash of white across with an insatiable desire to scratch, short walk out from my flat, down the black wings and white panels on the the insects also gave me a sensation of lift and to the car took a lot from me. I outer tail feathers, and a brilliant orange- weakness and a dull ache that radiated felt dizzy as I started the car engine and yellow underside. Everyone was happy from the bones. drove at 50km/h for what felt like an with the sighting. As waves of chills broke over my eternity to the Botanic Gardens. I made I continued stumbling about head, I received news of the arrival of my way painfully towards the Ginger until I saw someone hunched over his a Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida) at the Garden. With my energy waning, I camera. Others nearer him followed Singapore Botanic Gardens. Pittas are knew I could not spend more than 30 suit. There was something low on the magical balls of exquisitely coloured minutes outside. I scanned the environs ground that caught their attention. The feathers that have the power to subvert for bird photographers — the fastest bird flitted about and perched on snags the minds of grown men and cause way to find any rarity in Singapore. to sally after insects for breakfast. Then, them to abandon sense and sensibility, To my relief, I spotted the lanky ironically, it landed on one of the many driving many to dive into the deepest form of Eric. We first met during metal rods inserted into the hillock to and dankest forests to search for them. National Service. According to him, mark out spots for destruction. It was a Several of my friends have succumbed I was responsible for selling his soul poignant moment as Bird #200 sat there to this disease. One Englishman, Chris to birds and bird photography. While pondering its next meal, with Bidadari Gooddie, gave up his job in London for serving NS, I discovered a family on the cusp of destruction and remaking one year because of this condition. of Oriental Dollarbirds (Eurystomus from a haven for birds into a housing The Hooded Pitta is about the orientalis) behind our camp and would As a birder on a Big Year, it didn’t matter whether I had seen the resplendent male or the drab and obscure female. All that mattered was that I secured my tick.

Dark-sided Flycatcher. Photo: Keita Sin Mugimaki Flycatcher. Photo: Con Foley Hooded Pitta. Photo: Geoff Lim

10 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 spend my free time watching them. Eric joined me and we would share an old pair of binoculars I brought from home. It was years later when we met again that I made the bizarre discovery about his Mephistophelian moment. Beckoning me quietly to come over, Eric moved his tripod-mounted behemoth so that I could creep over to his side. A few other souls squatted or stood quietly, ringing the clearing full of dried leaves. Eric peered at me from his Coke-bottle glasses and said, “Wait for it to come out. The bird is hungry and it’s dinner time.” I looked into the gloomy undergrowth but could not see anything. Despite their brilliant colours, the bright hues of the pitta allow them to fade into the darkness of the understory where they usually lurk to feed and rest. Moments later, a gentle rustle emerged from the undergrowth and a small bejewelled bird hopped on both legs into view. It cocked its head to check the sky – for regular patrols by the local Brahminy Kites (Haliastur indus), Changeable Hawk Eagles (Nisaetis cirrhatus) and Crested Goshawks (Accipiter trivirgatus) – before coming into the open to forage. The cameras erupted in a full fury of clattering shutters. I took about 1,280 photographs of Bird #201 and left at

6.15pm, satisfied but feeling far worse Oriental Darter. Photo: Con Foley than I had begun. France to spend her year-end holidays Flycatcher (Cyornis rufigastra), the Black with our daughter. One evening, I Hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus) 23 DEC 2016 casually asked if she wanted to visit and the Oriental Darter (Anhinga The illness left me on my back and I Pulau Ubin. Her equally casual reply of melanogaster). lost a precious 11 days, which includ- “Why not?” set me in motion as I began We arrived at Ketam and spread ed a visit to a hospital Emergency to text my usual posse of birding kakis ourselves along the road, straining our Department. The unusual infection had my battle plan. ears to hear the faintest call of the Pitta. somehow taken hold of my heart and The plan was simple – catch (Backtrack to the mid 1990s when caused it to pound madly at the slightest the first ferry to increase our chances I accompanied Subaraj during an Ubin exertion. Vials of blood taken from my of spotting birds and scurry to the bird survey to a patch of mangroves. As veins ruled out Chikugungya, Dengue mangroves of Ketam, near the shrine of we paused to catch our breath under the and Zika. Before we could proceed with the German girl, before visiting Chek hot afternoon sun, the wildlife expert further tests, I recovered. Jawa, and Pekan Quarry. I only had pointed to a spot where the Mangrove By this time, Apolline, our four target birds – the Mangrove Pitta Pitta was last seen ten years before. goddaughter flew over from faraway (Pitta megarhyncha), the Mangrove Blue Barely seconds after that, a faint and

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 11 distant tu-whill, tu-whill! rang out from about 300m away from the Chek Jawa for a Siberian Blue Robin (Larvivora the mangroves. Subaraj went mad with Visitor Centre. cyane), Turut Track for anything excitement. We did not manage to see After determining that the unticked, and the southern coastline to the bird, but it had clearly announced its Flycatcher was nowhere to be found, we check out the rumour of a Mangrove return to Singapore’s shores.) returned to meet Ah Teik, our appointed Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis rufigastra). As we savoured the sulphurous taxi driver, who drove us to Pekan At Venus Drive, there was not fragrance emanating from the sticky Quarry. By then, the sun was hotter and even a single photographer present substrate around us, we were unsure if a bright shimmer reflected off the waters when we reached the “studio” – an we would spot the bird. Several anxious of the disused granite quarry. I scanned overhang comprising tangled branches minutes passed in silence. Then we the tall trees beyond the quarry, hoping and creepers shading a floor as clean as a heard it – the distant two-note call. I to see the solitary Black Hornbill on bowerbird’s display. At Turut Track and made feeble attempts to mimic the bird the island. Alas, the hornbills that flew Kranji, we scanned for the Black-backed with whistles that matched its tones, around had the distinctive white under Swamphen (Porphyrio indicus), wagtails unsure if the ruse would work. Then we parts of the Oriental Pied Hornbill and harriers. I decided to take a pot shot saw a moderately sized bird hurtle into (Anthracoceros albirostris). at a flock of feeding egrets dotting the the mid-canopy of a nearby tree. The Tired from the heat, I scanned the greenery in the distance. Then, we left creature paused and hopped into denser far side of the quarry, hoping to spot the for the southern coast. Our arrival at foliage, and a loud tu-whill, tu-whill scrawny, black Oriental Darter. Related the appointed spot revealed only silent rang out from within. to cormorants, the darter hunts for fish trees swaying in the wind. Though I had I was surprised to see the bird by swimming half-submerged. Only its bagged nothing, I was nevertheless glad so high up in the tree; I had expected snake-like neck and head are seen above for Ben’s kind gesture. to see it skulking and low in the the waterline, making it difficult to spot. While waiting for New Year’s Eve undergrowth like other Pittas. Little But if it perched to dry its wet feathers, dinner to be ready, I combed through did I know that this was its hallmark. it would be fairly visible. It was Alvin’s the photographs taken that morning, By calling from mid-canopy, the bird eagle eyes that spotted the thin bird quite sure I would not have anything ensured that its song would reverberate perched far away on dead branches. I new. I came to the photographs of the far and wide across the mangroves, strained my eyes to locate it. And there feeding egrets at Kranji. Among the thereby informing other interlopers to Bird #204 was – its pale, sinuous neck Little Egrets, one stood out. keep clear of its territory. resembling one of the branches, while It was larger than the Little Egrets, The Mangrove Pitta superficially its black body melted into the shadows which were also distinguishable by their resembles the Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta behind it. black beaks, black legs and yellow feet. moluccensis), another gem that migrates At the end of the day, our Mine was slightly larger, had a yellow into Singapore during the tropical goddaughter Apolline agreed that our beak with a little dark colouration at winter. The Blue-winged has a black madcap hunt produced an adrenaline the tips, and black legs. After conferring mask across its eyes and bears a mixture rush even for a non-birder like her. I with a few seasoned watchers, I of sandy colours along with a brilliant was mollified. concluded that I had managed to end panel of blue across the wings, and the year with an Intermediate Egret an obligatory pair of red pants. This (Egretta intermedia), my Bird #206. I Mangrove Pitta feeds on mangrove 31 DEC 2016 shut down the computer and joined my crabs, and is armed with a massive bill family for a much-needed break from that would cause grief to any crustacean. The year drew to a wet close. I had the crazed chase. Flushed with success, we raced managed to spot #205, a Black-capped towards Chek Jawa, where we heard a Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) when we Geoff Lim started birding when he was White-rumped Shama singing from the had taken Apolline to the zoo the pre- 10. He read Zoology at the National dark trees outside the gates, and hoped vious day. University of Singapore, and is a rabid to see the Mangrove Blue Flycatcher Dawn arrived on New Year’s Eve, birder. Family and career as a civil amongst the mangroves closer to the 2016, accompanied by a drizzle. Ben, servant took its toll for about two decades. coast. After much effort, we only an old friend who had been banging Possibly due to his influence, his wife now managed to see another Mangrove away at his PhD dissertation in England, looks out for birds, while their daughter Pitta, as well as several Grey Plover said he wanted to take me on a spin to has written two picture books about birds (Pluvialis squatarola) perched with improve my score. In his Landrover, we and is now a life sciences undergraduate. other shorebirds at Seduku Rocks, drove to familiar locations – Venus Drive

12 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 WILDLIFE TRADE Singapore’s domestic and international parrot markets Does the international parrot trade coming through Singapore feed the growth of parrot hobbyists? A recent peer-reviewed article* attempted to pull together and evaluate relevant data. Here Anuj Jain, Scott Aloysius, Yong Ding Li and Jessica Lee outline some of the findings.

African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Photo: Jessica Lee

* Aloysius S.A., Yong D.L., Lee J. and Jain, A. (2019). Flying into extinction: Understanding the role of Singapore’s international parrot trade in growing domestic demand. Bird Conservation International, 1 – 17. doi:10.1017/S0959270919000182. Readers can access this paper online at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333786246_Flying_into_extinction_Understanding_the_role_of_ Singapore%27s_international_parrot_trade_in_growing_domestic_demand

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 13 outheast Asia’s bird trade as captive-bred, some imports had been has been of global conser- declared as wild-caught. Earlier studies vation concern for many have presumed that the differences in years as it is known to have overall numbers must lie in problems massively depleted wild with certification or with the trade Spopulations of many species. Parrots data, and some birds being retained (Order Psittaciformes) have become espe- for breeding stock. But the recent cially vulnerable — they are the most visibility of local parrot hobbyist groups, heavily traded group of birds globally particularly when flying their birds out under the Convention on International in public parks, suggests that possibly Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) the explanation lies in the demand for lists. At the same time, Singapore’s parrots in the local trade. involvement as a transhipment hub A number of past surveys of bird in this global pet bird trade has been shops exist, although each carried out equally well known and documented, with different methods. The general and again particularly for parrots. findings were that the majority of birds What has not always been so well sold by volume in Singapore’s pet shops documented or consistently quantified is were songbirds, but that various species Indian Ring-necked Parakeets the extent of local bird trading, although (Psittacula krameri). Photo: Anuj Jain of parrots made up around 40% of some studies of birds in pet shops have total bird species recorded in the shops. been made in the last decade. Even The reduction of bird The most common parrots, in terms of less is known about the links between trade in Europe now quantity sold, included the Budgerigar the international trade in and out of (Melopsittacus undulatus), Cockatiel Singapore and the domestic trade in makes Singapore (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Monk birds kept for personal hobby purposes. far more important Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), which The present study attempts to quantify in the global trade are all not CITES-listed. However, the this relationship by comparing bird majority of parrot species on sale were trade data on the CITES database with further strengthening CITES-listed. the past market surveys of pet shops, Singapore’s position Furthermore, parrots comprised and then complement this quantitative as a transhipment hub a substantial proportion (44.4%) of analysis with semi-structured interviews threatened birds recorded in pet shops with 30 parrot owners in Singapore. as more and more that have possibly been wild caught and We first reviewed the Singapore trade is channelled trafficked into the country. They include import and export data of CITES-listed into the region. the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua birds for the period 2005 to 2016. We do sulphurea) and African Grey Parrot not often expect to hear good news about (Psittacus erithacus). international wildlife trade, but in fact, Singapore’s position as a transhipment In addition, a study of wildlife due to actions taken by the European hub as more and more trade is trade advertisements on online Union (EU) in 2005 to ban all trade channelled into the region. platforms by Animal Concerns in wild-caught birds, there has been a Over the same period, because of Research and Education Society huge decline in the total imports into the EU ban and similar bans in other (ACRES) found that a significant Singapore and exports from Singapore of countries globally, the major countries proportion (273 out of 655; 41.7%) CITES-listed species of birds from 2005 from which imports originate have involved were CITES-listed birds. to 2016 (see Figure 1A and B). varied each year and may well continue However, the vast majority of the to do so. The top three import and Interviews with parrot owners birds that are now traded are parrots export countries for Singapore from Between January and August 2017, we and the proportion of parrots in the 2005 – 2016 is shown in Figure 2. conducted 30 semi-structured interviews total trade has increased year on year. Of additional concern is the with parrot owners. They included two So, whilst the decline gives hope for difference between the import and local parrot breeders, a founder of a the future, there is still much to be export figures for Singapore. Over the local parrot hobbyist group and two concerned about. In fact, the reduction period 2005 – 2016, 54,207 fewer parrot sitters. The interviews explored of bird trade in Europe now makes birds were exported than imported, the factors that drive the demand for Singapore far more important in the and although all CITES-listed birds parrots in Singapore by asking the fol- global trade, further strengthening exported from Singapore were declared lowing questions:

14 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 1. Why do you think parrots are Figure 1: (a) increasingly popular as pets in Singapore? If you belong to a parrot Imports and exports of CITES-listed birds and CITES- hobbyist community, please elaborate listed parrots from 2005 to 2016 how you were introduced and the activities conducted?

2. Which factors motivate you to keep parrot(s)?

3. What are your main considerations when purchasing a parrot?

A detailed description of the interview results and analysis will be covered in a separate study. Here, we present results that explore the changing ownership trends in Singapore and how Figure 1: (b) it relates to the country’s international Imports minus exports of CITES-listed birds and trade of parrots. Interviewees were CITES-listed parrots from 2005 to 2016 numbered from 1 to 30 based on the date of the interview. Selected quotes by parrot owners who were interviewed are listed in the box on page 17. Interviews with parrot owners in Singapore revealed that pet shops and hobbyist groups in Singapore function as key platforms that influence the public to keep parrots, and sometimes on impulse. Parrot hobbyist group events such as the free flying of parrots in the open are especially effective at attracting interest from passers-by. A local breeder shared that although the majority These groups also leverage social media of parrots sold consist of the smaller, non-CITES to draw attention and recruit members. Hobbyist group members agreed that listed parrots such as budgerigars and cockatiels, the number of hobbyist groups and the demand for larger parrots has also increased. membership within these groups have increased over the past five years. (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) — have data in a separate article, we hope A local breeder who we increased by 50% in Singapore from that the authorities continue to interviewed shared that although the 2001 to 2016. Furthermore, some tighten checks on import and export majority of parrots sold consist of the owners purchase additional parrots as certifications to have a firmer grasp on smaller, non-CITES listed parrots companions for their first parrots. the present trade and to ensure that such as budgerigars and cockatiels, Local breeders also state that wild-caught birds are not traded locally the demand for larger parrots has also parrots are the most expensive birds sold or internationally through Singapore. increased. Interviewees also shared in Singapore, with their price ranging The domestic demand for parrots may that some parrot owners keep smaller from SGD200 to SGD40,000. This have been previously underestimated parrots to gain handling experience is consistent with anecdotal records and it needs to be more comprehensively before progressing to larger parrots. that suggest the Hyacinth Macaw documented. We suggest that to The breeder confirmed the growing was the most expensive bird, priced manage Singapore’s international and anecdotal evidence which suggests between SGD35,000 (USD26,170) to domestic pet bird trade, there needs that macaw sales — including that SGD40,000 (USD30,000) in 2014. to be a more regulated licensing and of threatened species such as the While we will present a records system to track the movement of globally vulnerable Hyacinth Macaw comprehensive analysis of the interview all traded birds.

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 15 Figure 2 Singapore's top import and export countries/territories for CITES listed parrots from 2005 to 2016

Tanimbar Corella (Cacatua goffiniana) and Sun Conures (Aratinga A Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) can solstitialis) on display at a parrot hobbyist group gathering in fetch up to S$40,000 in Singapore. Photo: Bjorn Olesen Singapore. Photo: Anuj Jain

16 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 The Nature Society (Singapore) Selected quotes from parrot owners, interviewed is currently producing a position during the study, highlighting their motivations and paper, with support from BirdLife perceptions towards parrot keeping in Singapore International, on the state of Singapore’s parrot trade. The paper raises concerns Note: Quotes have been deliberately left unedited. over the growing trade and parrot “Birds, can fly and come back, the keeping trends and offers specific thrill of that got people interested, recommendations for stakeholders they think it is very cool.” to ensure the sustainability of parrot populations for future generations. Use of social media “Through social media many are introduced and made aware of a Acknowledgements parrot’s capability and how cute, The authors thank Margie Hall who adorable, and intelligent they are.” helped produce this shortened version of “There is greater awareness on the original paper for Nature Watch. parrots because of the Facebook group created, more parrot Anuj Jain has a passion for birds, owners can get together, it is like a butterflies and biomimicry. He obtained community.” his doctorate in conservation biology from Upgrading to larger parrots the National University of Singapore. Anuj “Some people start off with small currently works for BirdLife International parrots, to train their ability to care on Asia’s threatened birds impacted by the for parrots then upgrade to bigger illegal wildlife trade. He has been involved parrots”. in many conservation and education projects through NSS for over a decade. Purchasing companion pets “I wanted to find a male companion Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona Scott Aloysius studied Environmental aestiva). Photo: Jessica Lee for my female bird” Biology at the National University of “To have only one bird is quite sad Role of pet shops Singapore. His research interests include so I got a second one, to accom- “My friend brought me to a pet ecology, conservation and wildlife trade. He pany my first one” is an editorial contributor for Earth.Org shop and I ended up buying two cockatiels.” and The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

“When I went to the pet shop I had Yong Ding Li obtained his doctorate in no intention to buy the parrot but the longer I was there, I knew I would conservation biology from the Australian come out buying something.” National University. He currently works full time for BirdLife International Impulse buying coordinating work on migratory birds “I went to the bird shop to buy in Asia. Ding Li has been involved bird food, I actually had zero with the NSS’s bird group for 20 years, intention of getting a bird but and currently coordinates its annually- then saw one at a bird shop and it looked so cute.” organised Singapore Parrot Count.

“People in the parrot community use Jessica Lee spent most of her life the word “poison”. They play up the growing up with parrot adoptees. Her positive aspects of the birds and passion for parrots led her to a PhD in not the negatives, like the cost” parrot conservation in Australia and her Getting passers-by interested work with BirdLife Australia. She now “When parrot owners meet non- works for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, parrot owners during events, the coordinating research and wildlife non-parrot owners will get to see African Grey Parrots (Psittacus conservation efforts in Singapore and the parrots start getting interested erithacus) are popular for their across Southeast Asia, with a particular in keeping parrots.” ability to mimic human voices. focus on parrots, hornbills and songbirds.

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 17 IN MEMORIAM Subaraj Rajathurai 16 April 1963 – 22 Oct 2019

Text by Morten Strange Photos courtesy of the Subaraj family

14 March 1986, a Singapore I travelled with Subaraj many some PhDs, not just about birds but birdwatching team were on their times after that first expedition: to about every type of animal you can way back from Endau-Rompin in Batam Island, Fraser’s Hill, Kuala think of including insects, mammals, Johor, Malaysia, where we had spent Gula, Kukup and more trips to Panti reptiles, frogs, freshwater fishes as well a week or so surveying the rainforest forest, Johor, than I can remem- as the environment they live in. He and preparing a bird checklist for the ber. Throughout the years, I saw was also an accomplished scuba diver future national park. I took this photo how Subaraj’s knowledge and skills who could competently identify fish, (below, right) as we were about to improved; he was a poster boy for the crustaceans and nudibranches on the leave the jungle camp; I was the only lifelong learning concept. Without coral reefs in the region. one in jeans, the others wore shorts a formal degree, he knew more than Subaraj turned his passion into for the hike across rivers and streams back to the main road. The other team members were Lim Kim Chuah, Lim Kim Seng, R. Subaraj, See Swee Leng and Sunny Yeo. Several decades later, this image “went viral” because one of us had become famous. In the years following the Endau-Rompin expedi- tion, each one of us contributed in important ways to nature appreciation and conservation through photog- raphy, book publishing, authorship, event management, handcraft making, teaching and guiding. Subaraj went on to become one of the most prominent The then Malaysian Nature Society (Singapore Branch) Bird Group team at contemporary naturalists in Singapore. Endau-Rompin, Johor, in 1986. Photo: Morten Strange

18 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 his job, and way ahead of his time tancy and international film projects. VIPs. He treated everyone the same became Singapore’s first licensed nature At some stage during the early way, with humility, humour and guide. Through the years, and with his 2000s, Subaraj was short of a driver respect, and he simply just loved to company Strix Wildlife Consultancy, he to take him out with clients, and I be out there and share his incredible established himself as one of the most would sometimes step in as chauffeur knowledge and experience. Subaraj respected wildlife consultants in the and assistant bird guide. Subaraj was was an ardent conservationist, an country. He managed to provide well incredible at this. He had exceptional active founding member of Nature for his family, but he did not distinguish people skills and could get along with Society (Singapore)’s Vertebrate Study between business and pleasure; he mere- everyone: eco-tourists of all races Group and he offered his time freely to ly did what came naturally to him and and ages (some a bit demanding and surveys and campaigns during virtually reached thousands through his work difficult in my view, but never in every NSS nature conservation effort with guiding, teaching, surveys, consul- Subaraj’s!), as well as school kids and since the 1980s.

From left: Subaraj with one of his 1980s Singapore Bird Race teams: Dr Rexon Ngim, Iain Ewing and Sutari bin Supari; with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee; at Fraser’s Hill with son Serin.

BIG HEART FOR NATURE

Just back from a hospital check-up the day before, “I was privileged to meet him a few times, and enjoyed our conver- Subaraj died peacefully in his sleep on 22 October 2019, sations. His passing is a great loss to nature lovers in Singapore.” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong while his wife Shamla had stepped out to get lunch. He was only 56 years old; the big heart simply stopped. The “His advocacy was gentle yet persuasive. Many natural habitats whole nature community in Singapore was in a state of have survived and thrived because of his work – Sungei Buloh, utter shock; the funeral the next day was dignified and Pulau Ubin, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.” Former Minister Mah Bow Tan amazingly organised, but also one of the saddest occa- sions I have ever participated in. Subaraj’s passing was “He was a dear friend of NParks, and I am honoured and blessed such a sudden loss to all of us who knew him. to call him my friend as well. For over 35 years, Subaraj worked tirelessly towards the conservation of Singapore’s natural heritage. You cannot mention Subaraj without mentioning his Rest assured we will continue your good work.” devoted wife and lifelong friend and business partner Minister Desmond Lee Shamla, as well as their two amazing sons Saker (19) and Serin (24). The three of them organised a memorial event “Singapore and nature lovers have lost a great asset and we a very dear friend.” at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 24 November. It was Dr Wee Yeow Chin & Richard Hale attended by a selected group of family, friends, naturalists and nature conservationists from Singapore and Malaysia. “His heart was always about protecting Singapore’s nature.” While the funeral had been sombre and heartbreaking, Adrian Loo National Parks Board the memorial was uplifting and joyful, a serious, yet jubi- “Each teacher who had the pleasure to watch him work his magic lant and at times elated celebration of Subaraj’s life and learned from him. His gift to thousands of students and hundreds accomplishments. Even though the event was graced by of teachers will be passed forward to future generations.” Minister Desmond Lee and former Minister Mah Bow Tan Alice and Steve Early Singapore American School as well as other VIPs, there was a refreshing lack of proto- “He loved Singapore, a patriot who wanted to help create a balance col during the proceedings with everyone mingling freely between development and preservation.” on a first-name basis – completely in Subaraj’s spirit. Shamla Subaraj For the occasion, the family had printed a marvellous “I will uphold his legacy and I will ensure that the knowledge he 68-page illustrated booklet about Subaraj and his life. passed on to me will be passed on to the next generation.” Here are a few selected quotes from the book: Serin Subaraj

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 19 Bird race school participants, flanked by chaperones, discussing the identity of the birds they had just spotted. The Largest Singapore Bird Race Ever The 35th Singapore Bird Race from 16-17 November 2019 attracted a record number of participants, teams, as well as schools.

Text by Geoff Lim, Morten Strange, Tan Gim Cheong and Lim Kim Chuah Event photos by Francis Chia. Bird images by Tan Gim Cheong

The first ever Singapore Bird Race took place in 1984. Today, it is one of the longest running birding and citizen science events in South-east Asia. The annual event brings people from all ages and different walks of life together, getting them outdoors to appreciate birds, biodiversity and the natural environment. A total of 43 teams comprising more than 130 participants took part in the 2019 edition. It was encouraging to see no fewer than 60 eager students from five primary and five secondary schools forming 17 school teams. At least 70 birder/ photographers formed the remaining 26 teams. The Marathon category of birders kicked Winners of the School (Primary) category with Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman off their gruelling 20-hour race at 4:30pm on 16 of Mapletree Investments (left). November, while Sprint, Photographer and School categories were flagged off early the next morning The best bird of the race was arguably a rare at Mapletree Business City. Grey-headed Lapwing at Turut Track, spotted and A combined total of 167 species of birds were photographed by a few lucky teams. The critically recorded — a good number considering that most endangered Straw-headed Bulbul was recorded teams only had the morning to seek out them. The at the Kranji Marshes, Neo Tiew Woods, Gillman Marathon teams scoured the island from Sungei Barracks area, and SBWR. Dairy Farm Nature Park Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) in the west to the turn out to be a hotspot for uncommon birds Central Catchment Nature Reserve and to Pasir Ris such as the Jambu Fruit Dove, Greater Green Park in the east. The Sprint and Photographer teams, Leafbird, Cinerous Bulbul, Blue-rumped Parrot, which had a five-hour time limit, visited bird-rich Red-crowned Barbet, Eye-browed Thrush and areas like SBWR, Kranji Marshes and Dairy Farm Siberian Thrush. The rare Lesser Adjutant was Nature Park. Unlike the previous years, some calls recorded at SBWR. were allowed this year to encourage more birders to The designated race area for the school take an interest in bird calls. teams included West Coast Park, HortPark, Kent

20 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 Ridge Park and Mount Faber Park. The students had plenty of fun and for many, this was the first time visiting these parks, and also their first time seeing species such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill, the globally endangered Straw-headed Bulbul (pictured on the T-shirt given to participants), Crimson Sunbird (our unofficial national bird) and the migratory Japanese Sparrowhawk. The winner of the primary school category, Yumin Champs One from Yumin Primary School recorded a respectable score of 20 species while the winner of the secondary school category, Goated- Spotters from Dunman Secondary School recorded 35 species. The teams turned out a great set of results. The Jambu Fruit Dove (left) and Lesser Adjutant. Champion of the Marathon category — The Weekend Birders — logged an impressive 121 species, well Acknowledgements ahead of the competition. It was a close fight The organising committee wishes to thank the following: between the remaining teams with placings • Main sponsor Mapletree Investments’ generous contribution made it possible for more determined by teams having just one more species schools to participate. This is especially important as the young will inherit our natural than the next. heritage. Despite the Sprint category’s five-hour • Other sponsors — Leica, Swarovski Optik, Public Utilities Board, National Parks Board, time limit, Team Darters came in first, logging an John Beaufoy Publishing and Wild Vigil Networks. impressive 73 species. • Supporting partner BirdLife International, and all volunteers. Also, all participants for The defending champions of the Photographer making this year's bird race the biggest ever. category — Where Where Where? — were so well • Juying Primary School, Singapore Chinese Girls School (Pri & Sec), Teck Whye Primary ahead of the pack, their score was close to the top School, West Grove Primary School, Yumin Primary School, Dunman Secondary School, Hwa Chong Institution (Sec), ISS International School (Sec), and Unity three placings for the Sprint category. Secondary School. 2019 Yellow & Bohai Sea Wetlands International Conference Sung Mei Yee, member of NSS’ Secretariat, reports on her first international conference attended on behalf of the Society.

The author (fourth person from right) speaking on managing NSS’ Every Singaporean A Naturalist (ESN) programme. Photo: Sean Yeat/Cambodia Bird Guide Association As a fresh graduate with only slightly more than a discussion as a panellist for one of the three seminars on year’s working experience, I was excited to attend the 2019 improving ecological education and public participation, Yellow & Bohai Sea Wetlands International Conference sharing my experience of managing NSS’ Every Singaporean in China as the only representative from Nature Society A Naturalist (ESN) programme. (Singapore) (NSS). This conference provided a perfect Another unforgettable moment was seeing the platform for me to interact with and learn from many local world’s most endangered shorebird, the Spoon-billed and international experts and scholars. I contributed to the Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea), along with many other

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 21 migratory waterbirds at Tiaozini Wetland Park as part of the 2019 Yancheng International Bird Race. It is proof that the wetlands along the coast of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf are important sanctuaries for migratory waterbirds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The conference, held in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province from 28 to 30 September, celebrated the initial inscription of the two-phase nomination of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China as natural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The inscription recognises the critical importance of the sites to migratory waterbirds. Phase 1 was inscribed on 5th July 2019. The Phase 2 nomination of at least 14 additional sites is scheduled for 2022. The main focus of the conference was to Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Photo: Yann Muzika develop and improve plans for the conservation, management and sustainable development of the it struck me that China and the local various Phase 1 wetland sites. It also sought to government are committed and serious about deepen exchange and enhance cooperation among making the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf a leader in cities along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, of coastal wetland conservation and management. With which Singapore is one such city. Three days of the inscription of these sites, crucial refuelling areas seminars brought together local and international for waterbirds along these coastal areas are now experts and scholars and Chinese government protected from development and reclamation, giving officials. Apart from Nature Society (Singapore), us great hope in the conservation of the migratory several other BirdLife International partners were waterbirds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. also represented. seminar topics at the conference included The Yancheng Municipal People's Government concern with scientific conservation and restoration had gone to great lengths to ensure the of the Yellow Sea wetland habitats; issues of public participation of the international community. Its interest and participation in the conservation of mayor made passionate speeches about the need flyways for migratory birds and wetlands; and long- to protect the coastal wetlands — in line with term sustainable development with local coexisting China President Xi Jinping's call to “speed up the economies and potential new activities like construction of a system of ecological civilisation” ecotourism. For more details on the seminar topics, by 2035. see report of 03/12/2019 at nss.org.sg/report.aspx.

NSS Members Help with Mandarin Wildlife TV Show Come March 2020, watch out for Garden City Explorers which airs on Singtel TV’s Jia Le Channel. Host Benjamin Heng takes viewers on an adventure with nature experts to learn about Singapore’s wildlife.The Mandarin show seeks to encourage Singaporeans to cherish, preserve and co-exist with our natural treasures. The experts include NSS members such as Anuj Jain for butterflies, Alan Owyong and Wing Chong for birds, Lester Tan for horseshoe crabs, and Andie Ang for Raffles’ Banded Langurs. Earlier, NSS members also helped with Channel 8’s three-episode Tuesday Report: The Migratory Birds. Catch it online on Toggle (renamed meWatch from January 2020).

Benjamin Heng, host of Garden City Explorers, talks about the tropical swallowtail moth population explosion that happened a few years ago, with a specimen from Anuj Jain in hand. Filming of the episode on butterflies took place at Telok Blangah Hill Park and HortPark. Photo: Anuj Jain

22 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 Book Launch

Sungei Ulu Pandan Hedges: Facing southwards. Photo: Brice Li The Green Rail Corridor: A Biodiversity and Ecological Overview This new book, a must for local conservationists, provides a statement and illustrations of habitats and species along the Rail Corridor. It will also be distributed to relevant government and non-government organisations thanks to support from a generous donor. The hope is that the modest-sized but vital areas highlighted in the book will be conserved when development plans are shaped in the coming years.

Nature Society (Singapore) maps to make its argument. The (NSS) was quite literally the front overview shows how the combined runner in suggesting the retention of former KTM and Jurong railway lines the former KTM railway line as a green run through or close to larger forested corridor for nature and recreation. reserves or parkland areas, from No sooner was the announcement north to south to west. The map also made in May 2010 about the cessation names the vital patches such as Maju of trains in June 2011, than our then Forest and Alexandra Woodland to Vice-President and Acting Chair of the be conserved. Each of these areas is Conservation Committee, Leong Kwok then treated in detail with maps, aerial Peng, shot off a letter to The Straits and ground photographs and details Times’ Forum page. It got published and illustrations of the species there. the very next day. NSS photographers have pooled their Since then, as many others have contributions for this book. The book come on board to support the idea opens with a foreword by Speaker of retaining the track as a corridor for of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, on the walkers, cyclists and various community national effort to make it a meaningful activities, NSS has had to continually space for the community. stress that the corridor should not NSS President, Shawn Lum, just be a long path with a line of trees launched The Green Rail Corridor on at the side. As a green corridor, it The Green Rail Corridor: 17 November 2019 at the Bird Race has to retain the adjacent patches of A Biodiversity and Ecological Overview prize-giving. For those who have vegetation that have grown almost By Ho Hua Chew, Anuj Jain and walked some or all of the former track, unnoticed over the years, link them Alan Owyong (2019). the aerial photographs in particular together and thus ensure connections Published by Nature Society (Singapore). are fascinating, as are the photos of to nearby much larger nature parks and Available from nss.org.sg at $28.00 (including all the species not yet seen. The book reserves. This will facilitate necessary postage charges for delivery within Singapore). encourages further exploration now, NSS members get a $5 refund. A brochure/map wildlife dispersal and sustainability, NSS created with the Singapore Heritage Society and hopefully it will ensure that there is especially of threatened species. is also available through the NSS webshop. a truly green corridor for generations of The book is well supplied with the future to tread. The Tan Teck Guan Fund John Tan Jiew Hoe agreed for NSS to use money from the Tan Teck Guan Fund to publish The Green Rail Corridor and distribute it to key stakeholders. John Tan originally donated the Fund in the 1990s to the Society to provide for the annual award of a gold medal for a thesis on environmental issues. As the awarding of a gold medal proved increasingly difficult to administer, the purposes of the Fund were widened in scope. Tan Teck Guan was John Tan’s great grandfather, and the third son of Tan Tock Seng. John Tan also donated the misthouse to the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the name of his father Tan Hoon Siang, who earlier had created and named a prize-winning hybrid orchid, Vanda (now Papilionanthe) Tan Chay Yan for his father, a pioneer rubber planter in the region. Tan Chay Yan donated the Tan Teck Guan building to the first medical school in the region. The building still stands in the grounds of Singapore General Hospital.

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 23 List of Donors 2019 Donations received from 1/1/2019 to 30/11/2019.

NATURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE)

$20,000 - $69,999 $1,000 - $4,999 $100 - $199 $50 - $99 MAPLETREE INVESTMENTS KHATIJAH TAY ABDULLAH LEE XIN XUAN LAM KIT WING PTE LTD LEE HUNG YOUNG SEETHA & BALRAM SHARMA TAN YAN LING QBE INSURANCE (SINGAPORE) PROFESSOR TOMMY KOH SOH DIN LIM CHAE JEAN PTE LTD CHUI CHEE CHEON LEE CHONGYI NICHOLAS MUHAMMAD NURSHAZNY RAMLAN THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI TAN SIOK NING YVONNE SIM CHOON HEOK SAY SIEW MAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED MEREDITH HASKO CHEW ANN YING CONNIE OOI PENG LEE JOHN GOH SI GUIM TENG SIAW WEI LOO PEI YI MARTIN MICHAEL JOHN LIM HUEY YUEE NGAI MING YING CONOCOPHILLIPS ASIA VENTURES MARCEL FINLAY GOH CHEE KEN JOSEPH $10,000 - $19,999 PTE LTD CHUA LEE HUANG THAM KWEE LING EDMUND FONG KOK HAO YOUTH FOR CAUSES 2019 (TEAM GAIA) ONG KIEM KIOK SUMEET GANDHI PK EVENTS PTE LTD DONATIONS VIA THE BENEVITY CAUSES NG KECK SIM NG JIA WEI PORTAL ANONYMOUS CHEOT XIU QIN JULIA JOHN KNIGHT SPENCER BLOOMBERG SINGAPORE PTE LTD JOSEPH ONG LAU CHOI EE YAN YI WEI & YANG YUE BENJAMIN POOLE V GYANA SAMBANDAN STEVEN EARLY LIM HAI CHIEW $5,000 - $9,999 $200 - $999 NATARAJAN KANNAN NATASHA GEIS LIM WEI CHUAN GREGORY CHIA CHANG MING YU & TAY MI LIAN IVY SINGH & LIM HO SENG SIM KIAN WEE ATSUKO KAWASAKI SENG CHOON KIAT LITING SUM LI YING ELAINE PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE GERALD M MINJOOT COMPANY SINGAPORE SUSANA TAMIN ALAGARSAMY NAIDUKANDASAMY NAIDU LIM LIAN SIM VERONICA YEE LAI KUAN KEERTHIBAN TAN KOK YEANG DEON GAN LEE SIANG ONG KOK HIN LEE LAY TIN LINDEN FOO VARGISH AU AI TI SUM SUI CHENG SIMON FISHER KOH MEI LIN ANGELIN CHEONG CHEE THAM CHEE GUAN CHYE VISALI D/O VERAPPAN EVELYN & TIAN SOO JACQUELINE TAN NUR ABIIDAH BINTE MOHD UMARUDDIN SUSAN SHUTTLEWORTH CHEONG PIT NGAN SIN MELIA YAACOB BIN IBRAHIM QUEK BOON SHAN TAN HUI EN CHEAM JESSICA ALBERT SIN YEW TEK TAN FOOK ONN ANDREW LEONG CHUNG YAN ONG SWEE TECK WANG JI YEO HUI LIN, LYNN NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY CHUI LAI YEE ELLOISA CHEN HONOR HARGER NG RONG SEN SASA & SISI SAI RAM NILGIRI TRUDY TAN JIE YING PARIKH SUCHIT CHONG ZHI XIAN TIMOTHY HONG SHIBAO CHONG YI DONG KEE MEW IVAN AH SOONG XIN HUIWEN KWEK SIEW JIN LEONG SIEW KAI LEE YONG KIAN RAJAGOPALAN MURALI KRISHNAN CHUN PETRA ANA CRISTINA BRUGH LOW DERJIN RUTH HO SIN EE TAN XEAUWEI ONG LIN TING TAN KOK WEI HO SHU FEN PETER CONNELL ONG HUI QING YSIN JUN TING LISA VON TANG PTE LTD KALIMUTHU R LOH YEOW LEONG ANDREW ANONYMOUS JOSEPH JAMES CABRERA REYES THIAN MEI LENG CHIA HUI CHENG GRACE LIM KOK PHENG TAY HUA CHUN YAP SWEE PENG AMIR HAMZAH BIN ABDUL KHALID CHI CHENG HOCK WONG CHUNG CHEONG NGIAM XIN YING TAY BENG GUAT IRINA CHAN WEE MING TIMOTHY P BARNARD ANASUYA D/O DHORAISINGAM HAN YA NI TAN nee SEET MOLLY TOH SWEE KIM YEO JER SIONG CHRISTOPHER WENDY CHIA ASHISH RAI LIM YOON CHIN SHUM PING CHIA EN CI SAMUEL JOHN JUZER VASZ LUC MONGEON RALEIGH SINGAPORE BAIN & COMPANY SE ASIA INC ANG AIK LEONG WORKDAY SINGAPORE PTE LTD - VICKEY NGUYEN Earth Day Green Run Donation Event WONG CHIN KONG

While it is not possible to include everyone here, Nature Society (Singapore) would like to say a big thank you to all donors. Photo: Chenxing Lyu/Pexels Join Nature Society Nature Society (Singapore) Membership Form Please return this form Annual Subscription (photocopies acceptable) to: Ordinary Member $40 (Singapore) and get Nature Society (Singapore), (18 years old and above) 510 Geylang Road, Family Member $75 Nature Watch free! #02-05 The Sunflower, (You, your spouse and children below 18 years old) Singapore 389466. Junior and Student Members $18 Please note that when your (12-18 years and full-time students 18-35 years) application is processed, Life Member $1,000 you will receive your (Only applicable to those who have been Ordinary Members membership card, Nature for 10 or more years) Watch magazine and a AffiliateM ember $200 bi-monthly e-newsletter. (Non-profit organisations and schools) Corporate Member $4,000 (Nominal fee of $200 plus annual donation of $3,800. NATURE SOCIETY Donation is tax-exempted) (SINGAPORE) Membership Information Name:______Sex:______Address:______Nature Society (Singapore), NSS, is ______dedicated to the study, conservation Contact Tel. Number:______and enjoyment of the natural heritage of E-mail:______Singapore, its neighbouring countries and Occupation:______Planet Earth. Company/Organisation:______The Society is a non-profit, non-government Nationality:______organisation and its members work with Date of birth (Date/Month/Year): ______/______/______commitment and altruism to conserve Singapore’s remaining nature areas, Payment mangroves, rainforest and wetlands. The amount $______is for (please tick) one two three year(s) membership subscription. Membership type: ______NSS was formerly known as the Singapore Branch of the Malaysian Nature Society Cheque Enclosed is Cheque No:______(MNS). The Branch was formed in 1954 and made payable to: Nature Society (Singapore) became independent in 1991. Both societies Credit Card (We accept Visa or MasterCard only) still maintain strong links with each other. Visa or MasterCard No: NSS organises guided nature walks, bird-watching, butterfly-watching, plant Visa/MasterCard Expiry Date:______walks, surveys, diving trips, slide talks and Amount to be charged:______Authorised signature:______overseas eco-trips for its members.

An NSS outing brings you in touch with not only nature’s wonders but also with people Nature Watch Subcription Only of all ages, from all ethnic backgrounds and If you just want to subscribe to Nature Watch but not join Nature Society (Singapore), please fill in this nationalities, and from all walks of life with form. Annual subcription (four issues) inclusive of postage is Singapore S$24. Malaysia & Brunei S$28. one common passion – to appreciate and Countries in Asia S$38. Rest of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, America, Europe & Middle East S$45. Please return this form (photocopies acceptable) to: Nature Society (Singapore), 510 conserve Nature. Geylang Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore 389466.

The Society also publishes books on nature, Name:______and organises conferences and workshops Occupation:______on the conservation and preservation of our Company/Organisation:______dwindling natural habitats. Address:______Join Nature Society (Singapore) for ______Fun, Fellowship and Fulfilment Contact Tel. Number:______E-mail:______The values that NSS upholds and promotes are a bulwark against the excesses of our Payment ultra-materialistic society. Cheque Enclosed is Cheque No: If you too feel that protecting our Natural for (please tick) one two three year(s) subscription Heritage is important, join NSS and support made payable to: Nature Society (Singapore) the Society in its work. Credit Card (We accept Visa or MasterCard only) Members get an e-newsletter and Nature Visa or MasterCard No: Watch, a quarterly magazine, free and get to participate in outings that are fascinating Visa/MasterCard Expiry Date:______and which enable you to forge friendships Amount to be charged:______Authorised signature:______with fellow nature-lovers. NSS works to protect future habitats for animals in Singapore, such as the critically endangered Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica). Photo: Norman Lim.

How to make a gift to the Society in your will Have you loved You can inform us if you have considered us in your will, but you do not have to. nature all your life? Just please ensure that your solicitor writes in the full name of the Society. Below is a suitable form of words for you to suggest: Then help our I give to Nature Society (Singapore) (hereinafter called NSS), Unique Entity Number future conservation S61SS0142H, ____ % of the residue of my estate work with a gift to OR Nature Society a specific gift of ______(Singapore) in and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used for the general purposes of NSS and your will. (ii) a receipt signed by a person for the time being authorised by the Executive Committee of NSS shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors.