NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014 Jan-Feb 2014

MCI (P) 027/08/2013 ISSN: 2010-4308

Activities 2 Birdwatching at Bidadari Jan 11 6th Raptor Watch 4 Asian Waterfowl Census Jan 12 Counting Raptors at Chek 5 NSS Kids’ Fun with Nature at Jan 18 Jawa Birdwatching at Jan 19 Kranji Night Ramble 6 CCNR Ramble Jan 25 Bidadari’s Natural Beauty is 7 Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes Feb 8 Worth Saving Birdwatching at Bukit Brown Feb 9 Butterfly Walk at Bukit Panjang Park & its Forest 8 Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Feb 15 Fringe NSS Kids’ Watery Fun at 4th Parrot Count Feb 15 Kallang River@Bishan-AMK 9 Birdwatching at Feb 22 Park 30th Singapore Bird Race 10 Butterfly Walk Feb 22 Announcements 11 VSG’s Wildlife Blitz@Pulau Ubin Mar 1 NSS Directory 11 All Purpose Form 12

Bidadari’s Natural Beauty is Worth Saving Pg 7

th 6 Singapore Raptor Watch Pg 4 1 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014

Activities January

SaturdaySaturday 11 11 10 am. Please register your children (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria Seow at gloria_seow@yahoo. Birdwatching at Bidadari The former Bidadari Muslim Cemetery, bounded com, stating their names and ages, if they are NSS by Bartley Road on one side and Upper Serangoon members or not, if you need us to loan you a pair Road on another, has proven to be an interesting of binoculars or not (FOC), and let us have your site for migrants and visitors in recent years. mobile number. A fee of $5 per child (member) or Notable sightings include the Blue-winged Pitta, $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on Black-backed Kingfisher, Crow-billed Drongo, the spot. Parents and caregivers are encouraged as well as various cuckoos and flycatchers. to join in at no charge. Details will be emailed to Development work may start soon at Bidadari so those who sign up. Open to the public. join Lee Ee Ling (HP: 9693-5870) in exploring this SundaySunday 19 19 spot while it is still a peaceful haven for birds. Meet at 7.30 am by the Woodleigh MRT Station Entrance Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes C, at the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Meet Gerard Francis ([email protected]) Upper Aljunied Road. Members only. at 7.30 am at Kranji Dam Carpark B near the tidal gates of , off Kranji Way. Reachable by SundaySunday 12 12 Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station. From here, a hired bus will ferry us to our destination. We begin with a Asian Waterfowl Census The annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC) seeks pleasant stroll along a countryside road to the Kranji to obtain information on water bird populations Marshes where we will continue our walk along the at various sites around Singapore. The data PUB Bund. The marsh is designated by URA as a collected will be used as a basis for evaluating sites, Nature Park and is currently adopted by NSS under monitoring bird populations and determining the PUB’s ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights here conditions of wetlands in Singapore. This census include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, also aims to encourage a greater interest in water Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, birds and wetlands, thereby promoting their Changeable Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and conservation. We need your help in carrying out more. We will also look at plants along the way. Please various site surveys. Some experience is required register by 10 January on our website. A registration as we have a fixed census period from 2 pm to 5 form will then be emailed to you. Max: 20 pax. Open pm during low tide (1.1 m, 0.9 m, 1.1 m, 1.3 m). to the public. To register or obtain information on sites and SaturdaySaturday 25 25 their leaders, please contact Lim Kim Keang at HP: 9739-1142 or Lee Ee Ling at HP: 9693-5870 by 6 CCNR Ramble January 2014. Please note that we will not be able Let us ramble and enjoy the fresh morning air to accept any late registrations. Open to the public. as we traverse the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), from MacRitchie Reservoir to SaturdaySaturday 18 18 Peirce Reservoir. Listen to melodious bird songs as NSS Kids’ Fun with Nature at Gardens by the Bay well as music emanating from a myriad of insects Apart from super trees and conservatories, found under the cover of trees towering above Gardens by the Bay has an expansive and verdant our heads This10-km ramble will bring us to the outdoor area. Join us as we stroll through its heart of the forest catchment area, ending at Old manicured grounds to spot wildlife including Upper Thomson Road. Meet Sutari Supari at the resident and migratory birds, butterflies and MacRitchie Reservoir Public Canteen at 7.30 dragonflies. We will also come face-to-face with am. Wear good footwear and bring titbits, fruits, the Brown Anole, a native lizard of the Caribbean, chocolates and drinks. Not suitable for children likely introduced via imported plants. Time: 8 am to below 12 years of age. Members only. Activities February

SaturdaySaturday 8 8 Kranji Reservoir, off Kranji Way. Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station. From here, a hired Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes Meet Lee Ee Ling (HP: 9693-5870) at 7.30 am bus will ferry us to our destination. We begin with at Kranji Dam Carpark B near the tidal gates of a pleasant stroll along a countryside road to the 2 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014

Kranji Marshes where we will continue our walk site leaders will be posted on the NSS website along the PUB Bund. The marsh is designated by nearer the count date. Please contact Albert Low URA as a Nature Park and is currently adopted ([email protected]) if you wish by NSS under PUB’s ABC Waters Programme. to take part. Open to the public. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Rusty-breasted SaturdaySaturday 22 22 Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, Changeable Birdwatching at Pulau Ubin Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and more. Meet Lim Kim Keang at Changi Jetty at 7.30 am. Please register by 29 January on our website. A We will take a bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin, an registration form will then be emailed to you. Max: island that never fails to surprise with many new 20 pax. Open to the public. things still waiting to be discovered. We will bird from Ubin Jetty to . Island specialities SundaySunday 9 9 include the Red Junglefowl, Oriental Pied Hornbill Birdwatching at Bukit Brown and the globally endangered Straw-headed Bulbul. Meet Wing Chong (HP: 9227-2020) at 7.30 am at We then return to Ubin Jetty by island taxi. the entrance of Bukit Brown Chinese Cemetery Both bumboat and taxi fares are to be borne by near the junction of Sime Road and Kheam Hock participants. Members only. Road. Join us for a walk around this unique and Saturday 22 quiet corner of Singapore, while it is still relatively Saturday 22 undisturbed. This area is partially open with some Southern Ridges Butterfly Walk huge trees. Expect to see a mix of parkland, open- Join Anuj Jain (HP: 8139-1564) and Gan Cheong country and forest birds such as babblers, bulbuls, Weei for a pleasant walk through the Southern doves, flowerpeckers, parakeets, sunbirds and Ridges. Meet at 9:30 am at the Hort Park visitor woodpeckers. Members only. centre. We will take the forest and hilltop route via the Henderson Waves bridge to reach Telok SaturdaySaturday 15 15 Blangah Hill Park. Tired legs may go off from here Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research while we continue on, ending the walk at Mount Please register with Kerry Pereira (kerry@nss. Faber Park’s Marang Trail. The Southern Ridges org.sg) or at the NSS website stating your name, if is home to over 100 butterfly species including you a NSS member or not, affiliations (eg. school uncommon ones such as the Ambon Oynx and Silver or company), experience if any, and contact details Royal. Let us see which rarities we can spot this time! for this mission to rescue and study the Mangrove SaturdaySaturday 1 March 1 March Horseshoe Crabs (HSC) at the Mandai mudflats. Time: 4 pm to 7 pm. Meet at the extension of Kranji VSG’s Wildlife Blitz@Pulau Ubin Road near the junction with Kranji Loop. Take Bus The Vertebrate Study Group’s (VSG) Wildlife 925 from Kranji MRT station and alight at the first Blitz@Pulau Ubin will introduce you to some of stop as the bus turns from Kranji Road into Kranji Singapore's not-so-conspicuous wildlife including Loop. Cross the road and look for the nameless mammals, lizards, snakes, freshwater fishes track that starts beside Leong Soon Pte Ltd (251 and amphibians. This event is only open to 60 Kranji Road). Bring along a cap, shoes/booties, members including family members. Children must sunblock, repellent, cutter for HSC rescue and a be 6 years old and above. Please register at http:// camera. Washing facilities available. Details will be tinyurl.com/wildlifeblitz. Participants have to take emailed upon registration. Open to the Public. the bumboat from Changi Jetty to Pulau Ubin ($2.50 each way) themselves. Meet in front of the SaturdaySaturday 15 15 Ubin-HSBC V-Hub at 3.30 pm. The walk ends at 4th Parrot Count Ubin at 7 pm. Please bring water and food along. This will be our 4th Parrot Count and we hope Ubin has some Chinese restaurants but no halal to cover more roosting sites. We will start or vegetarian food. Participants are invited to take counting at 5.30 pm just before the parrots return pictures and send their best shots to VSG. The to roost. Both introduced and native species 10 best photos will each win a copy of the book of parrots, parakeets, lorikeets and cockatoos ‘Wild Animals of Singapore’. Winning photos will should be counted. If possible, do note down the also be published in Nature Watch. For enquiries, tree species used as roosts. A list of sites and please contact VSG Chairperson Ng Bee Choo at [email protected]. Members only. 3 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014 th Singapore Raptor Watch 6 By Tan Gim Cheong Photos by Goh Pei Hao he 6t h Common Kestrel at Tuas South. It burst suddenly TSingapore into the open spaces at 3 pm, chasing after the Raptor Watch small birds. The hunt failed and it started to was held on 3 circle, allowing us good looks at it. Less common November 2013, migrants spotted included the Common Buzzard documenting the and Booted Eagle, both at Pulau Punggol. Table 1 autumn migration provides the details of raptor species counted at period. It involved each site. 54 participants across eight sites, see Figure 1. The richest site by migrant species was shared The day started well with fine weather. But rain between Punggol, and Tuas hit CCNR’s Jelutong Tower at 1 pm, forcing the South. They each produced six migrants. All team there to end their count. Luckily, the other other sites had between one to five migrants. The sites were spared. Peak period for raptor activity most numerous migrant was the Oriental Honey occurred between 11 am to 1 pm. The richest Buzzard with 140 birds. Still, this was a drop of site in terms of number of raptors seen was Tuas 70% compared to last year. The Black Baza was South followed by Kent Ridge Park, same as the a distant second at 63 birds. In third place was year before. the Japanese Sparrowhawk with 59 birds, almost We had 292 migrants from nine species and three times last year's numbers. Fourth on the another 31 unidentified but probable migrants. list was the Chinese Sparrowhawk with 21 birds, Tuas South returned the highest counts at 165 similar to last year’s figures. Other migrants seen migrant raptors, followed by Kent Ridge Park (54). included one Common Buzzard, one Booted Japanese Gardens A rarity highlight came in the form of a migrant Eagle, three Peregrine Falcons, three Ospreys and

Figure 1: 2013 Raptor Watch Sites (Source: maps.google.com.sg)

Pulau Punggol Chek Jawa

Jelutong Tower JJapanese Gardens Changi BP

Kent Ridge

Marina Barrage Tuas South

4 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014 one Common Kestrel. Table 1: Raptor Species Counted at Each Site The most numerous resident raptor was the SITE Tuas Kent Chek Japanese Changi Pulau CCNR, Marina Grand South Ridge Jawa, Garden Bussi- Punggol Jelutong Barrage Total Brahminy Kite with 52 birds, followed by the Park Jejawi ness To w e r Roof To w e r Park Garden White-bellied Sea Eagle with 36 individuals, and SITE TOTAL 181 65 54 54 37 29 15 5 440 the Changeable Hawk Eagle with 13 birds. There Migrants = Total 292 were 10 Black-winged Kites and three Grey- Osprey 1 1 1 3 headed Fish Eagles. Three Crested Goshawks Black Baza 11 33 10 1 7 1 63 Oriental 107 10 5 12 4 1 1 140 showed up at Kent Ridge. Two of these had Honey been observed over the past two years and were Buzzard Chinese 14 3 1 2 1 21 probably holding territory there. Do note that the Sparrowhawk Japanese 31 6 5 11 2 3 1 59 number of resident raptors may be over-stated, Sparrowhawk Common 1 1 especially for the top two species. The possibility Kestrel of the same birds appearing more than once Common 1 1 Buzzard cannot be ruled out. Booted Eagle 1 1 Peregrine 1 1 1 3 An appreciation dinner was held two weeks later Falcon Residents = where we had a slide show and enjoyed a video 117 Black-winged 5 1 1 2 1 10 of the life of the Black Eagle in Taiwan. Results of Kite the count were also discussed. In addition, Gim Brahminy Kite 7 5 3 15 15 4 1 2 52 White-bellied 2 1 14 6 7 4 2 36 Cheong shared his experiences at the Taiping Sea Eagle Raptor Festival in Perak (Malaysia) as well as the Grey-headed 1 2 3 Fish Eagle Bedong Raptor Workshop in Kedah (Malaysia). Crested 3 3 Goshawk We would like to thank the 54 wonderful people, Changeable 1 2 3 4 1 2 13 Hawk Eagle both leaders and participants, for spending Unidentified = 31 their Sunday counting raptors. NParks staff and Unid Accipiter 1 6 2 1 2 12 volunteers also participated in the count. Unid Raptor 7 4 1 3 4 19 Counting Raptors at Chek Jawa By Jonathan Ee hile We felt lucky to observe the migrant Peregrine Falcon Wmost (Falco peregrinus) at its usual spot, perched atop the families were telecom tower near the Information Kiosk. This still sound particular Peregrine Falcon tended to stick around for asleep, a group of 10 volunteers from NSS and NParks long stretches of time during its annual visits. gathered at the Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub for the annual We even skipped lunch in the hopes of spotting more Raptor Watch on 3 November 2013. The Pulau Ubin raptors. In all, we tallied a total of 54 raptors, 13 of which count was mainly held at Chek Jawa Wetlands’ Jejawi remain unidentified. Forty nine raptors were from Jejawi Tower from 8.50 am to 3.10 pm, led by NParks’ Assistant Tower alone. We had 21 migrants including 10 Black Officer/Conservation Lioe Kim Swee. Bazas (Aviceda leuphotes), five Oriental Honey Buzzards Upon reaching the site, Lioe pasted compass direction (Pernis ptilorhynchus), five Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter( labels on Jejawi Tower. This helped us determine the gularis) and one Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis). flight direction of observed raptors. We then started Our counts contributed valuable data, helping NSS and scanning the blue skies enthusiastically. It was a sunny NParks get a better sense of the migratory raptors morning with about 40% cloud cover. Just five minutes passing through Singapore annually. into the watch, we spotted our first raptor, a Chinese We felt lucky to observe Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis)! the migrant Peregrine Resident raptors seen included the Brahminy Kite Falcon at its (Haliastur indus), White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus usual perch, atop the telecom leucogaster), Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), tower near the and Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus). Information Kiosk.

5 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014 Kranji Night Ramble By Sutari Supari rip leaders western twilight sky. Venus was particularly bright and TPandian and yellowish that night, as our walk corresponded with its Sutari welcomed period of greatest brilliance (GB), with the next GB in 22 members to July 2015. the Kranji Night Our torches readily Ramble on 7 picked up the eye December 2013. shine of Large- Warned about the monsoon rains, we had plastic bags tailed Nightjars as encasing our wallets, hand phones and cameras. After a they hovered and safety briefing, the ramble started promptly at 6.30 pm. hawked for insects. Both leaders were armed with spotlights, one leading The orchestrated the front while the other brought up the rear. The calls of frogs, cicadas spotlights helped alert drivers to our presence as we and crickets accompanied us as we rambled along trotted in a single file along the narrow roads. Traffic Jalan Gemala 3. Here, the Nutmeg and Belinjau trees turned out to be light. Thankfully, the stormy-looking were spotted. One particular tree stumped us as to sky somewhat improved and we escaped being rained its identity. It had large mango-like green (unripe) and out that evening. yellow (ripe) fruits. Sutari paused periodically to talk about the history and We sprayed more repellent before tackling the tall points of interest along Neo Tiew Road. We learnt lallang grass area fringing the monsoon drain that led that this road has been gazetted by the government as to Sungei Kangkar. The path here was muddy and a “heritage road”, free from urban development. Farm slippery. As we walked, we kept our eyes peeled on operators here use compost for the eco-farming of the surrounding Acacia trees in the hope of seeing organic vegetables. Sutari then spoke about 'Liang Teh’, some fireflies. Before long, two twinkling blue-green a ‘cooling’ tea made from the leaves of the Chinese lights were observed. This set off a chorus of thrilled Rose plant. These have to be steeped in hot water and "oohs" and "aahs". Later on, more fireflies were the tea is best drunk seen. Sutari explained the life cycle of fireflies and the with a dash of sugar. mating function of the blue-green ‘Christmas tree’ ‘Liang Teh’ is said to be bioluminescence of their lower abdomens. good for treating high We had a well-deserved 20-minute break, snacking blood pressure, arthritis, on coconut and corn buns and guzzling down energy diabetes, migraine, drinks. Dr Ho Hua Chew took the opportunity to poor blood circulation, talk about conservation issues including Bukit Brown, amongst other ailments. Bidadari and the latest Green Master Plan. Members Soon after, Pandian were both responsive pointed out the Hibiscus flower and its edible petals. and supportive. We were surprised to discover that its leaves can be Next, we proceeded eaten as a stewed vegetable. Sutari next showed us to Neo Tiew Lane 2 the bright orange-red flowers of the African Tulip. where loud karaoke Originally from Central Africa and the Congo region, it Hokkien songs greeted was introduced by British horticulturists as a wayside us from the nearby De tree to beautify our roads, parks and gardens. At 7.15 Kranji Farm Resort. We pm, we witnessed a mixed flock of startled Pink-necked continued our stroll to Green Pigeons and Spotted Doves rising suddenly from the end of the road, which led to the edge of Kranji their night roosts, apparently alarmed by something Reservoir. The PUB guards here made us identify unseen. ourselves. They then warned us to the presence of As day transformed into night, we found ourselves "riverine (saltwater) crocodiles" in the vicinity. walking alongside an opaque fenced-up area. Our By now, Venus and the moon were low in the west, leaders said that the other side of the fence held framed by the scenic nightscape of Kranji Reservoir. stockpiles of sand, granite chips and coarse aggregates We took our customary group photo before returning used for road works and building construction. The to the De Kranji Farm Resort for our vehicles and crescent moon and Venus soon became visible in the carpooling arrangements. 6 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014

Bidadari’s Natural Beauty is Worth Saving By Felix Wong

This letter, in its shortened form, was published in the Sunday Times Forum Page on 10 November 2013. The full version is reproduced below. cannot agree more with the article "Save times of the day. Now, both parks are significantly IBidadari's Bird Haven: Nature Society" published drier and hotter, with people coming through in the Sunday Times only in the early on 3 November 2013. mornings or late On any of my visits evenings to avoid to Bidadari, I would the scorching sun. invariably find interest In its current groups and people state, Bidadari’s from all walks of life green lungs remain searching for beloved inviting at all hours targets like birds or of the day. Most of insects. Others could us prefer natural be seen leisurely areas instead of strolling in the park, neat and manicured seeking a quiet peace parks to fulfil away from the jarring our recreational, crowd. Bidadari has spiritual and become a natural leisure needs. haven that people have come to love and associate This is evidenced by increasing numbers of public with. objections to the clearance of forested areas for What is it that sets Bidadari apart from other development. While accommodating the housing forested areas? Over here, the vegetation is not as needs of Singapore’s ever-growing population, densely packed as that of matured primary forests it is equally important that we leave Bidadari as such as MacRitchie, and the ground is generally untouched as possible, or include the current level. This unique combination allows one to vegetation into development plans. I urge the wander easily through Bidadari’s inviting terrain, authorities and developers to work closely with to take in the natural sights at an intimate level. interest groups including the Nature Society In contrast, MacRitchie’s terrain is too dense and (Singapore), which has given its invaluable feedback steep to do that, and one is confined only to the to preserve as much of Bidadari as possible. designated pathways. Bidadari allows one to enter We need to be responsible stewards of the into the "heart" of the wooded forest. There are natural world. We are also morally obligated to always surprise sightings, in the form of rare avian leave behind beautiful natural legacies for future migrants or even the seldom-seen Common Palm generations to enjoy. How sad it will be if our Civet (also known as the Civet Cat or Musang), children were to relish natural wonders only Singapore’s only wild carnivore. through photographs. If the legacy of Bidadari In developing Bidadari for housing, I urge the is destroyed simply to make way for urban authorities not to chop down the matured trees development, our offspring would be sorely and shrubs to create manicured and sanitised deprived of the chance to see, smell, feel and touch parks. This sad state of sterility is already seen in the priceless experience that is Bidadari. Even places like Park and Pang Sua Park though the ecological and aesthetic value of Bidadari Connector. Here, there used to be tall and shady cannot be measured financially, the sense of well- trees but they have since been removed in an effort being and oneness with nature that it offers is to redesign the place. As such, the butterflies and something that money cannot buy. Indeed, Bidadari birds that once abounded are now gone. So have has the rare attribute of being able to restore our the folks who used to frequent these parks at all lifestyle to a balanced, unhurried pace.

7 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014 Butterfly Walk at Bukit Panjang Park & its Forest Fringe By Amy Tsang

Photos by Lena Chow, Tan Kim Huat, Irene Tan & Amy Tsang

ill forest by fringe forest. Both small and medium sized butterflies Wbutterflies were spotted amongst the cultivated beds. They included still grace the the Dark Glassy Tiger (Parantica agleoides agleoides) , secondary Orange Emigrant (Catopsilia scylla cornelia), Lemon forest edges at Bukit Panjang Park, given the ongoing Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona pomona), Peacock Pansy construction of new condominiums nearby? About 30 (Junonia almana javana), Stripped Albatross (Appias libythea curious butterfly and nature watchers, some with family in olferna), Cycad Blue (Chilades pandava pandava), Short tow, sussed out the situation on 31 August 2013. The day’s Banded Sailor (Phaedyma columella singa), Small Branded warm sunshine and clear blue skies definitely upped our Swift (Pelopidas mathias mathias) and Chestnut Bob (Iambrix chances, and we were not disappointed! salsala salsala). Several good forest butterflies were spotted. The Several species of distinctive male Horsefield Baron (Tanaecia iapis puseda) butterflies were seen in turned up on cue, flitting gently and resting periodically a wide range of habitats on lush Simpoh Air plants. It had been seen on all earlier including the forest fringe, trips. Following close behind was its female partner, which grass and scrub areas. lacked the lovely light-blue wing edge, but had markings They were the Chocolate similar to that of the Malay Viscount (Tanaecia pelea pelea). Pansy (Junonia hedonia Soon a Plain Nawab (Polyura hebe plautus) settled amongst ida), flying around in the tall shrubs, still within shot of our cameras. Next, a its characteristic jerky Bigg’s Brownie (Miletus biggsii biggsii) zipped by. Previously, manner and various we had observed this species sipping nectar on Mahang species of Grass Yellows, saplings, alongside some ants. Bush Browns, Common Rings and Grass Blues. Other butterflies seen along the forest strip We next explored the grassland fronting the community include the Baron (Euthalia garden. Here, we encountered the attractive and bright aconthea gurda), Lime orange Tawny Coster (Acraea violae), Grass Demon Butterfly (Papilio demoleus (Udaspes folus), and Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide malayanus), Psyche (Leptosia bisaltide). The lower elevation pathways beyond the nina malayana) and a pair grassland revealed a pair of Grey Pansies (Junonia atlites of Painted Jezebels (Delias atlites), Common Blue Bottle (Graphium sarpedon luctatius), hyparete metarete). The Common Mormon (Papillio polytes romulus), Palm Dart Psyche was observed flying (Cephrenes acalle niasicus) and a pair of mating Tiger Moths slowly near ground level which somehow landed on a member’s pants, providing but it hardly ever stopped. unmatchable views. This posed a challenge to Indeed, we had a productive two and a half hours walk. our photographers. Then We saw a total of 28 species: six from the Pieridae family, we found a dead female Green Baron (Euthalia adonia five from Nymphalidae, three from Lycaenidae, four from pinwilli) with wings quite intact, the third Baron species Hesperiidae, and one from Pallionidae. It is our hope that for the day. This indicates that Bukit Panjang Park’s forest the construction of fringe remains new condos will not attractive to the degrade or disturb the Baron family. environment further. More excitement We are particularly awaited us as we left concerned with the the forest pathway new pathways being for the Bukit forged in the forest Panjang Community fringe as this could Vegetable Garden, impact butterfly which is also backed diversity and density. 8 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014

NSS Kids’ Watery Fun at Kallang River@Bishan-AMK Park By Gloria Seow, Education Group Chairperson Photos by Lena Chow Water water out to be a lone Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus albus) everywhere, but its suspended in the cool stream. This 40-cm long critter value is nowhere lifted its head out of the water occasionally to gulp air near appreciated and had an abandoned glass bottle as its hidey hole. enough.With Then came the pièce de résistance of the excursion the support of – the super-fun water testing session – with test kits Singapore's National supplied by PUB. The kids first checked out the river’s Water Agency PUB, turbidity (cloudiness). Our collected water sample we brought home was clear enough to see the faintest number on a disc the importance of placed at the bottom of a filled white container. Next Singapore’s water up was the pH test. We placed two large tablets into management to a a watery test tube and waited. Soon, it turned a light small group of NSS Kids and their families at the Kallang greenish-yellow, indicating an ideal pH of 7. The final River at ABC Waters@Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park on 21 test was for dissolved oxygen levels. We carefully September 2013. dropped a pill into a filled-to-the-brim tube of river PUB has turned the once concretised river channel water and capped it. Everybody had a good laugh when running straight alongside Bishan Park into a wending the kids shook and danced with their tubes until the languid river complete with attractive aquatic plants, pill finally dissolved. By then, stepping stones and open flood plains. Thanks to the water took on a reddish innovative bioengineering tint, indicating good oxygen techniques, the newly- levels of approximately 8 created habitat has in turn ppm (parts per million). Our attracted a host of wildlife. conclusion? Kallang River is We easily spotted the clean and healthy! conspicuous Little Egret in Kids then learnt some salient its all-white plumage and facts about Singapore’s ‘Phua Chu Kang’ yellow feet water story. Our little island contrasting with black legs; has four national taps, namely reservoir water, piped the Paddyfield Pipit running water from Malaysia, reclaimed water (ie. NEWater) merrily along grassy plains and desalinated (sea) water, the last two sources to hunt for food; and a pair obtained through reverse osmosis. Kallang River itself of twittering Olive-backed originates near Bukit Kalang and flows out of the Lower Sunbirds drinking nectar and flitting about playfully. The Pierce Reservoir into the park. It runs on south and small Opticron binoculars that we loaned out proved finally empties itself into the Marina Reservoir. This, useful in observing wildlife up close. Before long, some Singapore’s 17th and newest reservoir, was formed when of the kids were finding their own birds, and were well the Marina Barrage was erected to separate the sea on track to becoming bona fide birdwatchers! from the once brackish water. Overtime, its salinity has We made our way down the gentle banks to the been slowly reduced by rainfall to eventually become river’s edge. Here, we saw the pink-clustered eggs of fresh water. In fact, kids discovered that rain water is the Apple Snail, plastered on rocks and at the base of harvested from 69% of Singapore’s land area via our plants. Soon enough, Auntie Gloria hauled two slimy vast drainage network! Apple Snails out of the water. They were tightly locked On our walk back, Auntie Lena pointed out the park’s together in the act of procreation. We snapped our butterflies, including the Plain Tiger, Common Grass photos before returning them back to their home. Being Yellow and Striped Albatross. We also encountered a regulars at this park, two of the NSS kids spontaneously good number of dragonflies such as the Blue Dasher rolled up their pants and waded into the inviting waters and Crimson Dropwing, as well as damselflies like the in their sandals. Other families had fun catching the male and female Variable Wisp. The kids were thrilled ‘longkang’ (drain) fishes with tiny nets and pails. There to observe a Changeable Lizard as it scaled a small tree were also larger fishes such as snakeheads lurking in the to escape our camera lenses. It was truly a delightful deeper parts. Then one of the families tipped us to the morning learning about nature and water in a popular presence of a ‘snake’ on the opposite bank. It turned heartland park. 9 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014 30th Singapore Bird Race By Lee Ee Ling Photos by Willie Foo, Sutari Supari & Wong Chung Cheong

hile this forest treks, the racers managed to spot several Wwas the uncommon and interesting species including the 30th anniversary Bar-tailed Godwit, Greater Painted Snipe, Eurasian of the Curlew, Gull-billed Tern, Spotted Wood Owl and Singapore Bird Booted Eagle. Despite the overt rivalry, strong Race, it was camaraderie prevailed, with teams sharing tips and also a celebration of many firsts. For even pointing out birds to each other. the first time, the competition had a From the lively chatter and stories Photography Category where racers being swapped at the closing lunch, it had to submit a picture of every bird was obvious that everyone had fun. species seen. Our prize-giving-cum- In celebration of the race’s 30th closing ceremony was held in a hotel anniversary, each participant received with a scrumptious buffet lunch of a T-shirt featuring a Crested Goshawk local delicacies, an unheard of luxury drawn by well-known bird illustrator in all the years of the Bird Race Alan Pearson. Local bird artist Teo Nam since 1984! The race itself received Siang donated five exquisitely-painted widespread publicity when The resident birds. These were presented Straits Times did a prominent feature article on it, as tokens of appreciation to race supporters. One another first for us! Last but not least, the Minister of his paintings was auctioned off and the proceeds of State for National Development Desmond Lee donated to the Society. We would like to thank our entered as a participant, a historic honour for race sponsors Leica Cameras Asia Pacific and Sungei the race. His team even won second place in the Buloh Wetland Reserve for their generosity; PUB Advanced for its support; the Organising Committee chaired Category. by Alan Owyong for its splendid work; our Guest- In all, the of-Honour Faizah Jamal for her help and support; field of 12 as well as all participants for making this a truly teams packed memorable occasion! a good deal of birding in the 24-hour race held on the weekend of 19 to 20

October Clockwise from top 2013. From left: Champions in the late night Advanced Category ‘Little Terns’, Photography owling to Category ‘Sparrowhawk’ pre-dawn and Novice Category ‘The Shanks’. Results of the 30th Singapore Bird Race NOVICE ADVANCED 1.The Shanks (Ann Ang, John Ang & Khoo Kar Hoe) – 64 species 1. Little Terns (Lim Kim Keang, See Swee Leng & Tan Ju Lin) – 110 species 2.Tailorbirds – 37 species 2. Crimson Sunbird – 106 species 3.Little Barbet – 37 species 3. Malay Pot-bellied Laughingthrush – 102 species 4. LBJs – 98 species PHOTOGRAPHY 5. Wingspirations – 95 species 1. Sparrowhawk (Francis Yap & Lawrence Cher) – BIRD OF THE DAY – Greater Painted Snipe spotted by 76 species Wingspirations 2. Lao Jiao – 73 species 3. Weekend Warriors – 62 species CENTURY SHIELD – First 100 birds clocked at 8.25 4. Pajaro Loco – 57 species am by Little Terns Compiled by Bird Race Arbitrators: Kenneth Kee, Yang Pah Liang & Willie Foo 10 NATURE NEWS JAN-FEB 2014

Announcements NSS DIRECTORY Patron NSS Welcomes Tax-Exempt Donations PROF TOMMY KOH If you believe in the importance of nature appreciation and President conservation in Singapore, help us keep our work going DR SHAWN LUM – Office: 6790-3835 with a donation to NSS. All donations are tax-exempt. Please Vice-President MR LEONG KWOK PENG – Mobile: 9766-7047 make out your cheques to “Nature Society (Singapore)”. Honorary Treasurer For individual donors, do write your full name, contact MR SOO CHOON KIAT number and NRIC/FIN number at the back of your cheque. Honorary Assistant Treasurer Giving us your NRIC/FIN means that tax deduction claims MR DAVID TEO are automatically reflected in your tax assessment. We look Honorary Secretary MS MARGIE HALL – Mobile: 9730-5562 forward to your financial support! Honorary Assistant Secretary Paperless Nature News MR TAN HANG CHONG If you wish to opt-out from receiving hard copies of Nature Executive Committee Members News to save trees, please inform Joe at [email protected]. MR GOH SI GUIM, DR HO HUA CHEW, DR HSU CHIA CHI Please state if you prefer: A) get your copy of Nature News Finance Advisory Group Members MR LEE CHIU-SAN , DR LEE LAY TIN, MR LIM CHIN KHENG via an emailed PDF file (less than 5MB), or B) download the Immediate Past President same PDF file from the NSS website. DR GEH MIN Wanted: Used Stamps for the NSS Stamp Fund Co-opted Council Members The Stamp Fund is boosted by members and friends who PROF P N AVADHANI, MR GAN CHEONG WEEI, MS FAIZAH JAMAL, MR TONY O’DEMPSEY collect and send us used postage stamps. These are then sold Advisory Council Members to an overseas collector once or twice a year. Simply cut MR IAIN EWING, MR WARREN KHOO, PROF KOH KHENG LIAN, out the stamps from the envelope without cutting into their MR KWEK LENG JOO, MR LIM JIM KHOON, MR LIU THAI KER, PROF NG SOON CHYE, MR SIM WONG HOO, MR MASON TAN, edges. No need to soak the stamps off the envelope paper. MR. RICHARD HALE Keep sending your stamps to the NSS office in an envelope BirdLife International Coordinator marked “Stamp Fund”! Our grateful thanks to all contributors. MR LIM KIM KEANG The NSS Stamp Fund now stands at $19,782.26. Environmental Law and Policy Coordinator/IUCN Coordinator MR VINAYAGAN DHARMARAJAH NSS Nature Forum The NSS Nature Forum, found at http://www.nss.org.sg/ COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS forum/, is a virtual gathering place that serves to facilitate Conservation Committee discussions on a whole range of nature-related topics. You can Acting Chairperson MR LEONG KWOK PENG share photos and ideas, ask questions and forge friendships Vice Chairperson DR HO HUA CHEW Education Group with fellow nature lovers. The forum is open to both members Chairperson MS GLORIA SEOW and non-members. Register now for a free account! New Members: Join us in our Special Interest Group SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CHAIRPERSONS & Other Activities Bird Group All members are welcome to participate in any of our listed Chairperson MR WING CHONG activities. Most events do not require prior registration. Simply Secretary MR WILLIE FOO turn up at the appointed time and place, and you will be off to Butterfly Interest Group discover and learn about Singapore’s natural offerings. Do not Chairperson MR ANUJ JAIN be nervous about your lack of nature knowledge. Just let your Vice Chairperson MR GAN CHEONG WEEI trip leader(s) know that you are new and he/she/they will Jalan Hijau gladly guide you. Chairperson MR TAN HANG CHONG NSS Membership Benefits Marine Conservation Group Show your NSS membership card to enjoy discounts! Please Chairperson DR HSU CHIA CHI contact us if your business is interested in offering NSS Plant Group Membership Benefits. Acting Chairperson DR SHAWN LUM 1) Nature’s Niche The Nature Ramblers 29 Transit Road, #04-13, S 778905 Tel: 6475-2319 Chairperson MR PARTHASARATHY PANDIAN * 10% discount at the online store www.naturesniche.com for Vertebrate Study Group nature books, gifts and optics (eg. binoculars). Discount applies Chairperson MS NG BEE CHOO for self-collection only and not for postal orders. Secretary DR LEONG TZI MING 2) Pharmaplus Nature News Editorial Committee 1 Orchard Boulevard, Camden Medical Centre #01-04 S248649. Tel: 6887-3456. www.pharmaplus.com.sg MS GLORIA SEOW – [email protected] * Up to 10% discount for walk-in customers only MR TIMOTHY PWEE – Mobile: 9791-8300 MR GOH SI GUIM – Mobile: 9758-9125 Contributions for Nature News Secretariat Please send in your contributions for the Mar/Apr 2014 issue MR JOSEPH LIM, Accounts & Membership Officer by 5 February 2014. Email them to [email protected]. MR KERRY PEREIRA, Member Programme & Outreach Officer All original photos should be in JPEG format with a minimum Secretariat Contact Details size of 1 MB. The Editorial Committee reserves the right to 510 Geylang Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore 389466 select and edit appropriate contributions for use. Tel: 6741 2036 Fax: 6741 0871 Email: [email protected]

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