Official Magazine of Nature Society (Singapore) Volume 28 No 3 Jul-Sep 2020 S$5.00

Sulawesi’s Underwater Hanging Gardens of Keppel Bay Conservation along Marine- the World’s Largest Bird Flyway Book Reviews: Puddling Stories of Singapore’s Natural History

MCI (P) 024/04/2020 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT NATURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE) Nature and Wildlife in a Post-COVID-19 World PUB’s Watermark Charity Governance Award 2011 Award 2016 I hope that you and your loved ones have been keeping safe and in good spirits during a very difficult 2020. Charity International While homebound, many witnessed nature’s ubiquity and resilience – from bird Transparency Award Seakeepers Society 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 Asia Achievement song to butterflies and bees visiting wildflowers given a reprieve from relentless grass Award 2017 cutting. Images from across the world featured clear skies and water, and wildlife Patron Professor Tommy Koh venturing into cities. Carbon emissions were way down. This remarkable rebounding of the natural world, however, will last only until we go back to our regular ways. President Dr Shawn Lum Can the global COVID calamity be the alarm we need to refine and reform the

Vice-President way we do things? To build economic, social and ecological resilience? To show that Dr Ho Hua Chew nature and its protection needs to be central to a more stable, sustainable world, and

Immediate Past President a more fulfilling and meaningful life? Dr Geh Min Honorary Secretary Global needs Mr Morten Strange The world cannot keep consuming without restraint. Habitat clearance and Honorary Treasurer Mr Bhagyesh Chaubey degradation and biodiversity loss reduce the ability of ecosystems to provide the essential services and products we take for granted. Encroachment into remote Honorary Assistant Secretary Ms Evelyn Ng places brings wildlife into contact with humans and increases the risk of diseases

Honorary Assistant Treasurer transferring from wildlife to people, as did COVID-19. For human well-being, wild Mr Veerendra Patwa places need protection and buffering, not untrammeled exploitation. Executive Committee Members If Singapore can mobilise its many strengths (biodiversity research, finance, Mr Albert Liu, Mr Goh Ter Yang, Mr Lester Tan technology, policy expertise, communication, urban planning and more), we can help Finance Advisory Group Members Mr Peter Connell, Mr Douglas Elliott, to reconfigure the current global system which presently cannot furnish the socio- Mr Yip Yew Chong economic and environmental stability and resilience we so urgently require.

Co-opted Council Members Singapore depends upon a rules-based international system where countries Assoc Prof P.N. Avadhani, Ms Margie Hall, Mr Ben Szeto, thrive regardless of size or might. We have been influential in advancing such a Dr Liew Kai Khiun course for the international community. Singapore can be a voice for nature and the

Advisory Council Members environment. Our survival depends on it. Mr Warren Khoo, Prof Koh Kheng Lian, Mr Lim Jim Koon, Mr Liu Thai Ker, Prof Ng Soon Chye, Mr Sim Wong Hoo, Regional implications Mr Mason Tan As an affluent urban centre, Singapore’s ecological footprint can be damaging if BirdLife International Coordinator Mr Lim Kim Keang what we procure – which is just about everything – is not responsibly sourced and produced. If we are as mindful of reducing our external environmental impact as we IUCN Coordinator Ms Ng Bee Choo are of keeping our city clean and hygienic, we will enhance regional sustainability for

Green Corridor Coordinator everyone’s benefit. Singapore can help ASEAN promote and secure healthier fisheries, Dr Liew Kai Khiun forests, watersheds and reefs. As an NGO, Nature Society (Singapore) should redouble COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS its efforts to work with partner conservation organisations across Asia to encourage Conservation Committee Mr Leong Kwok Peng and support national and regional biodiversity initiatives and to be vigilant against wildlife poaching and trafficking. Education Committee Mr Goh Ter Yang

Membership & Fundraising Committee Local and Personal Mr Albert Liu Singapore as a City in Nature is a beautiful concept. But we should not discount the SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CHAIRPERSONS imperative of keeping wild places wild. Urban nature is wonderful, but it cannot Bird Group Mr Lim Kim Chuah replicate what natural forests, mangroves, reefs and streams do. Though Singapore is

Butterfly & Group a largely urban country, the bulk of our species are not adapted to urban settings. The Dr Ngo Kang Min NSS should help people see and reinforce the links between the two and then better Jalan Hijau Group protect them. Mr Tan Hang Chong Nature-going throngs during the COVID period showed how deeply people Marine Conservation Group crave exposure to nature. Visiting and using nature areas can, but does not Mr Kua Kay Yaw necessarily lead to nature-centric values and lifestyles. The Nature Society needs to Plant Group Mr Bian Tan engage the wider public, to shift us from a community that likes going to nature to one that actively promotes and protects it. Nature Ramblers Group Mr Pandian Parthasarathy And what does all this mean for us in the Society? I feel that our activities and

Vertebrate Study Group advocacy have never been more important. Busy times lie ahead but we, as ever, will Mr Tony O’Dempsey draw strength from basic experiences – our thoughtful observation of nature. NSS Secretariat Mr Joseph Lim (Accounts & Membership Officer) Mr Kerry Pereira Shawn Lum (Member Programme & Outreach Officer) Ms Sung Mei Yee President, Nature Society (Singapore) (Project Officer for the Every Singaporean JUNE 2020 A Naturalist (ESN) Programme) CONTENTS Official Magazine of Nature Society (Singapore)

July–September 2020 Editor Vol 28 No 3 Gemma Koh

Assistant Editor Margie Hall

Designer 2 6 S.T. Leng Contributors Yong Ding Li, Choy Wai Mun, Esther Ong, Raphael Jordan, Alvin Francis Lok, Jeff Tan, Ian Chew, Tan Gim Cheong, Morten Strange, Lim Kim Seng, Lim Kim Chuah, Yi-Kai Tea, Liu Xiaodong, Alan OwYong & Chuenchom Hansasuta

CONTRIBUTING TO NATURE WATCH We welcome your stories, articles, surveys, observations and photographs. Please discuss your story ideas with us by emailing a proposal to [email protected]. The Marine-Puddling Stories from Singapore’s Do include samples of your photographs (maximum 20 images per submission). Butterflies of Sulawesi Natural History We require good quality, high resolution JPEG images (ideally uncropped) in the largest size available, labelled with a descriptive file name.

10 16 MCI (P) 024/04/2020 ISSN: 0218-6853 Printing by Mainland Press Pte Ltd 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 contributors only and do not necessarily reflect the official views of Nature Society (Singapore) or its members.

Conserving the Keppel’s Underwater Advertisements East Asian-Australasian Flyway Hanging Gardens To advertise in Nature Watch, contact: Nature Society (Singapore) 510 Geylang Road The Sunflower #02-05 Singapore 389466 21 Tel: (65) 6741 2036 Fax: (65) 6741 0871 E-mail: [email protected] 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 ON THE COVER Certification. Mainly recycled paper is Marine-puddling Cream-banded Swallowtail ( gigon) in Sulawesi. used, the rest is pulp from sustainable and controlled sources in Finland, Brazil Photo: Yi-Kai Tea and other European countries.

The Marine-Puddling Butterflies of Sulawesi

Sulawesi has long fascinated travellers with its rich biodiversity. Here Yi-Kai Tea reveals the activities of the beach-going butterflies that his group discovered imbibing sodium directly from the sea.

photos Yi-Kai Tea

2 Nature Watch July–September 2020 f the 557 species of The Swift Peacock is another butterflies known from exquisite beauty, comparable to that of the Sulawesi, slightly under Giant Swordtail, but of a different measure. half are found nowhere At rest, the is unobtrusive, with else. One particular its cryptic undersides resembling those of Ospecies that explorer and naturalist Alfred dried leaves. Its presence is betrayed only Russel Wallace found fascinating was the when the butterfly takes flight. And it is Giant Swordtail (Graphium androcles), a only then that this species’ breathtaking spectacular, green and white tiger-striped beauty can be fully appreciated. The butterfly with long slender tails. dorsal surface of the Swift Peacock While not rare, the species cannot be is a rich sapphire with an iridescent considered common. And it is only within emerald gleam when struck with light. the confines of pristine rainforests that one Tiny microstructures on each scale are can encounter this magnificent species. responsible for this structural brilliance, Its flight is wafting yet erratic, imposing collectively reflecting and diffracting with its heavy sword-like tails dragging incident light to produce a spectrum of sluggishly behind. On bright days it is not blues and greens. Few things in nature unusual to find this butterfly patrolling can rival the glory of this insect in flight, rivers and streams, often in the company and on the wing, it sparkles with the same of other swallowtail species such as the brilliance as a gemstone. Monkey Swordtail (Graphium rhesus) and Although each is spectacular in their the Swift Peacock (Papilio peranthus). own right, these species are united by one

The Giant Swordtail (Graphium androcles) is a large, imposing beauty endemic to the island of Sulawesi.

Left: A lone Monkey Swordtail (Graphium rhesus) puddling on black sand beaches of Sulawesi’s Tangkoko Batuangus National Park.

For nearly all herbivorous , sodium is a scarce commodity, but particularly so for butterflies that spend much of their lives feeding on leaves (as caterpillars) or flowers (as adults) – plant resources that are rich in sugars but depauperate in sodium.

Nature Watch July–September 2020 3 crucial aspect of their biology – their need for sodium. For nearly all herbivorous insects, sodium is a scarce commodity, but particularly so for butterflies that spend much of their lives feeding on leaves (as caterpillars) or flowers (as adults) – plant resources that are rich in sugars but depauperate in sodium. During their brief lives as winged adults, male butterflies must sequester sodium from a myriad of avenues — including riverbanks, seepages, and even carrion — in a phenomenon called puddling. Puddling butterflies use their proboscis to probe into damp sand or substrate, where liquid is imbibed, filtered The Swift Peacock (Papilio peranthus) is one of several The electric blue of the Sulawesi Bluebottle (Graphium and forcefully ejected out the rear. swallowtail species found in Sulawesi. Its wings both milon) glows like a pane of stained-glass as it puddles on reflect and refract incident light to produce a spectrum of the black sand beaches of Sulawesi. This behaviour bears important iridescent blues and greens. reproductive repercussions, as sodium is essential for the production of pheromones, as well as the successful development of eggs. During copulation, sodium is transferred from the male to the female via the spermatophore. Although puddling is a behaviour common across all insects, it is within the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) that this behaviour is most conspicuously displayed. And, it is for this reason that puddling butterflies are most frequently males, with females never or rarely observed partaking in this activity. On the northeast arm of Sulawesi, puddling butterflies take this approach a step further by imbibing salts directly from the sea. While the ocean would seem like an obvious reservoir for sodium, marine puddling is exceedingly rare, with few, and mostly anecdotal evidence for this behaviour. Given the abundance of sodium present in oceans and seas, why butterflies do not exploit this as a The Sulawesi Commander (Moduza lymire) shines with iridescent wings. The intensity and shade of its wing colours resource remains puzzling. change with the angle of incident light.

Sulawesi’s Mystery Sulawesi is the only South-East Asian island to feature marsupials. It is also home to the tarsier and babirusa, two bizarre types of mammals that would find themselves at home within the whimsical pages of a Dr Seuss’ book. The former is the world’s smallest pri- mate, no bigger than the palm of your hand, and the latter a species of wild pig with recurved tusks that grow upward and through its skull. As charismatic and iconic as these are, Sulawesi’s more subtle, delicate charms — butterflies — captivated even likes of explorer and naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in the mid-1800s. Sulawesi, the world’s eleventh largest island and third largest of the Greater Sunda Islands, is wedged in between the junction of Borneo and the Sulu Archipelago. Like neighbouring Borneo, Sulawesi shares the same notoriety for its immense biodiversity. How- ever, both islands differ not in faunal richness, but in their faunistic relationships. The four-pronged island of Sulawesi lies just east of the Wallace line, an intangible biogeographical boundary separating the In- domalayan and Australasian realms. It is here that Sulawesi plays host to a unique assemblage of Australasian species found nowhere else in the world, echoing the many islands that together make up Wallacea. Nearly 200 years have passed since Wallace first explored Sulawesi. While much of the largest and oldest of the Wallacean island’s mystique has been unshrouded over the years, many of its mysteries still remain. Development and growth has pushed much of the island’s wild areas to its periphery, but one can always find themselves immersed in the ancient atmosphere of Sulawesi’s jungles just hours away from the city. Walk the path that Wallace once paved. You may just find something new.

4 Nature Watch July–September 2020 The Green Dragontail (Lamproptera meges) is among the smallest of the swallowtail butterflies. The species also occurs in Southeast Asia.

Along the black sand beaches of took place between 9am and 12pm. Male in Sulawesi; the paucity of this mineral Tangkoko National Park however, we butterflies of various species would resulting in local adaptation for obtaining observed multiple male individuals of descend from the canopy before flying sodium from the sea. Indeed, the forests 27 Papilionidae, Hesperiidae, Pieridae, up and down the shoreline patrolling of Sulawesi’s Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Nymphalidae, and Lycaenidae species the beach. Often, the puddling males Reserve are bordered by dense coastal engaging in marine puddling. This would rest on wet sand 0 to 10m from the forests that kiss the sea, with obsidian- represents the most taxonomically waterline, flying away only when disturbed coloured beaches made up entirely of black extensive documentation for this by waves. volcanic sand. The unique composition of behaviour yet observed at a single location, Why this phenomenon of marine these beaches may explain why puddling with representation from all but one puddling is locally common at this site is more commonly observed here than (Riodinidae) butterfly families. in Sulawesi is unclear. It is possible that anywhere else. Black sands are typically Most of the puddling observations terrestrial sodium presents a rare resource mineral rich and composed of basalt, which in itself may be rich in sodium. Alternatively, minerals in the sand may neutralise or buffer seawater, increasing its palatability and overall appeal for butterflies. Whether the actual quality of the sand has anything to do with this is still unclear. Hopefully time and more beach holidays may reveal the answer.

References Tea, Y.K., Soong, J.W., Gan, C.W. and Lohman, D.J. (2020). Beachgoing butterflies: marine puddling on black sand beaches of Tangkoko Batuangus Nature reserve, North Sulawesi. Journal of the Lepidopterist’s Society, 74: 127–131.

Yi-Kai Tea is a systematic ichthyology PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, and the Australian Museum Research Institute. Although his research focuses on the and systematics of coral reef fishes, he spends a great deal of time chasing after butterflies in the rainforests of Asia, through which he has developed a profound interest and appreciation The Olive Triangle (Graphium codrus) is a large and powerful flyer. It can be found in several islands of Indonesia, as well for the natural world. as Papua New Guinea.

Nature Watch July–September 2020 5 Book Review

Stories from Singapore’s Natural History Natural History is a human and social endeavour. The stories of how it happens can be as interesting as the results. Ian Chew reviews recent books that relate the first encounters and documentation of local and regional species.

All images from the books courtesy of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum unless otherwise stated.

ingapore may be just a small island, but it is situated in 200: Points in Singapore’s Natural History a region of high biological diversity, which was readily As part of last year’s nationwide Bicentennial celebrations marking apparent to Europeans who journeyed to the port city. Sir Stamford Raffles’ founding of modern Singapore, LKCNHM Two books published by the Lee Kong Chian Natural held the special exhibition 200: A Natural History. Whether or not History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2019 provide detailed you had seen the 200 specially-curated exhibits — one for each Saccounts of what, when and how the myriad of fauna and flora year — the accompanying book is well-worth browsing, providing a came to be discovered, described, and in many cases, used by more in-depth “historical context beyond the 200”, as promised by the British and French and later on by local-born Singaporeans. the introduction. Pictures paint a thousand words and both books are filled with At over 500 pages long, this publication is more than colourful illustrations of specimens and scenes from our rich a collection of interesting factoids and anecdotes. It is a past, serving to inform and delight. comprehensive reference to significant individuals and events

The cover artwork of 200: Points in Singapore’s Natural History.

6 Nature Watch July–September 2020 associated with the natural such as: What were seen, collected environment of Singapore. and described from Singapore? Which Soon after the British arrived, scientific publications had their origins here? detailed accounts of the flora When and how were iconic institutions like and fauna of the island and its the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Singapore immediate environs were formally Zoo and the Raffles Museum founded? It described in scientific journals. also addresses the history of local wildlife These range from the Neptune’s conservation and protection policies. In Cup coral (Cliona patera) to Malayan the thoroughly researched work, all items Tapir (Tapirus indicus) and the Green — photographs, drawings and text — are Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis) referenced in a detailed section for further to the Singapore Fern (Tectaria follow up if desired. singaporiana). Quite expectedly, the documentation of Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) skeleton displayed in Unlike the exhibition, the Raffles Museum, early 1900s. the natural history of Singapore is to a large the book is not organised in extent tied to the history of the LKCNHM, or chronological order from 1819 to 2019, but into 18 thematic Raffles Museum as it was known for almost a century. The people, chapters. These include the economic products of empire, hunting events and story of the zoological specimens are already the subject and related recreation, famous travellers, history of nature of another book Of Whales and Dinosaurs: The Story of Singapore’s conservation and development of local research and publications. Natural History Museum (Tan, 2015), so the last few chapters may feel While the contents jump from year to year seemingly at random, a a little extraneous to those already familiar with the museum’s story. handy chart on the inside book flap makes clear the timeline, while But they are understandably a necessary inclusion to complete the an index at the end links the years to the relevant pages. Each year journey up to 2019. is also given an enjoyable, informative two-page spread of rare Only with an understanding of our history and heritage can historical illustrations and figures. we truly appreciate how precious our natural environment and The book is a useful jumping-off point for more thorough biodiversity is today. And 200 is an important educational resource research on a multitude of subjects. It addresses diverse inquiries for conservation efforts in this century and beyond.

Download the book here: https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2020/06/200-e-book-Low-MEY-Pocklington-K-2019-200-Points-in-Singapore-s-Natural-History.pdf

Nature Watch July–September 2020 7 Voyageurs, Explorateurs et Scientifiques The British were industrious in efforts — such as the scientific marine cataloguing the flora and fauna of their expeditions to the vicinity of Panglao imperial territories, and developed the Island in the Philippines in 2004 and Raffles Museum in Singapore for this 2005 — that spurred the publication of purpose. One could be forgiven for the book tracing the history of France’s thinking that knowledge of the natural relationship with the natural history history of Singapore was the sole domain of Singapore. of the English, who colonised Singapore Divided into four parts, the almost for more than 120 years. Voyageurs, 400-page book attempts a sequential Explorateurs et Scientifiques serves to chronology of relevant people and events. dispel the notion, detailing involvement Surprisingly, this began as early as Sir of the French with the biota of our island. Stamford Raffles’ arrival on the island in Today, the LKCNHM, custodian 1819 — there were two French naturalists of thousands of animal specimens from in the landing party. Alfred Duvaucel Singapore and the region, has strong ties and Pierre-Medard Diard were hired by with the Museum National d’Histoire Raffles from India to help him collect and Naturelle (MNHN) in Paris, collaborating describe the fauna during the subsequent on taxonomic research for the past voyage to Sumatra and Malaya. The two several decades. It is the strength of joint gentlemen were responsible for first

Alfred Duvaucel and Pierre-Medard Diard were hired by Raffles from India to help him collect and describe the fauna during the subsequent voyage to Sumatra and Malaya. The two gentlemen were responsible for first describing and illustrating local species — like the Common Treeshrew (Tupaia glis) and Spiny Hill Turtle (Heosemys spinosa) — found in Singapore. Photo: Biodiversity Heritage Library / Internet Archive Photo: Biodiversity Heritage Library / Internet Archive

Diard’s Trogon (Harpactes diardii) Scarlet-rumped Trogon (Harpactes duvaucelii)

8 Nature Watch July–September 2020 describing and illustrating local species — like the Common Treeshrew (Tupaia glis) and Spiny Hill Turtle (Heosemys spinosa) — found in Singapore. I found the section on Duvaucel and Diard most fascinating. Though their activities in Singapore proved to be short lived, both led exciting lives full of adventurous escapades in the then largely unknown and exotic East Indies of the early 19th century. Their legacies live on in the names of many species such as the Scarlet-rumped Trogon (Harpactes duvaucelii), Diard’s Trogon (Harpactes diardii), Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diairdii) and Barasingha Deer (Cervus duvaucelii). However, most of the Frenchmen who visited Singapore in the 100 years since 1819 are less known. They and the ships that they arrived in are listed and described in Part 2. Not every individual contributed to natural history collections on the island, and more than a few seemed to have rather tenuous Hedgehog crab (Acanthodromia-margarita).

connections. For instance, one only studied material collected from other expeditions. Also included were French tin miners and agriculturalists who stopped over, and rich and famous elites of the day in the form of two Comtesses. Interesting, but perhaps only in a tangential way. Part 3 interrupts the chronology with chapters for major animal groups like molluscs, insects, jellyfish, reptiles, birds, mammals and crustaceans — the last of which LKCNHM is particularly known for, with crab expert Peter Ng as its head. These would no doubt prove to be absorbing for specialists wishing to trace the development of collections of specific taxa. Finally, Part 4 brings the relationship of LKCNHM and the French up to speed Prince of Monaco Reef Crab (Actaea grimaldii) from the post war years to present day. Personalities that drove collaborative research between the two institutions are described, and importantly how the current generation of researchers and scientists came to be influenced by, and combined efforts with their French counterparts. The fruits of this labour can be readily seen in the numerous scientific publications that resulted from the Philippines and other regional expeditions in the 21st century. One can enjoy the colourful collection of illustrations without delving into the text for details, unless one needs an authoritative reference work on the subject.

A finance industry professional by training, Ian Chew now helps out at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum sorting specimens. He Spider Crab (Oxypleurodon fortis) also volunteers with various wildlife conservation groups and enjoys exploring and studying the Download the book here: rich, yet imperilled, natural history of the region. https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/publications/books-by-the-museum/

Nature Watch July–September 2020 9 Bird Life

Conserving the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Many bird species travel vast distances to avoid the harsh conditions of winter in their breeding grounds, as well as to find more stable food supplies. On their annual migrations, they move along a number of regular routes. Yong Ding Li looks at threats and efforts to preserve the largest of the world’s eight major flyways: the East Asian- Australasian Flyway, of which Singapore is a part.

Photos Choy Wai Mun, Esther Ong, Yong Ding Li and Raphael Jordan

10 Nature Watch July–September 2020 Conserving the East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) and Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) on the Yalu River estuary, Liaoning, one of the most important area of wetlands in the region. Studies using satellite tags have shown that some Bar-tailed Godwit individuals made a non-stop flight from their breeding grounds in the high arctic tundra of Alaska to where they winter on the shores of New Zealand, covering a staggering 11,000 km one way. Photo: Yong Ding Li

Nature Watch July–September 2020 11 ince time immemorial, migra- tory birds have evolved to brave mountains, oceans, deserts and Map: Yong Ding Li Map: Yong storms on their journeys, travel- ling thousands of kilometres Sfrom their breeding grounds to warmer parts of the world to spend their winter. The corridors of migratory routes taken by bird species are generalised by ornithologists as migratory flyways. The largest of the world’s eight major flyways is the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), which includes Singapore. This vast flyway links Alaska, north-western Canada, eastern Russia and much of eastern Asia to the Indonesian archipelago, Australia and New Zealand. The EAAF is also recognised by conservationists to be the most species- rich. A few billion individuals of nearly 600 bird species regularly travel along this flyway on their annual migrations between their breeding and non-breeding areas. They range from familiar birds such as sandpipers, robins, warblers, flycatchers and eagles to less-known species such as the highly threatened Swinhoe’s Rail (Coturnicops exquisitus). The majority of migratory birds in the EAAF are boreal, temperate-tropical or intra-tropical migrants that move southward during the boreal (northern) winter. Many of these species breed in the tundra and coniferous forest of eastern Russia, or the mixed deciduous forests of China, Korea and Japan. But about 40 species are austral migrants: these species breed on continental Australia and New Zealand, and migrate northwards to Southeast Asia and the northern reaches of A few billion individuals of nearly 600 bird species Australia during the austral winter. Some of the migratory birds using the travel along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway on their EAAF are indeed the world champions of annual migrations. animal migration. One of the best known migrants here is the Bar-tailed Godwit return flights in spring, these birds took In 2018, a team of researchers led by (Limosa lapponica). Studies using satellite another six to eight days to cover the Wieland Heim, working in eastern Russia tags have shown that some Bar-tailed 10,000 km journey from New Zealand to the tracked the migration of the Siberian Godwit individuals made a non-stop flight Yellow Sea coast of China to stage. Rubythroat (Luscinia calliope), a small from their breeding grounds in the high Not as well studied are the passerine passerine weighing no more than 25g, for arctic tundra of Alaska to where they winter migrants, although the recent work of the first time in Asia. They found that these on the shores of New Zealand, covering a scientists in Russia, Japan and Korea are little birds could cover up to 10,000km in a staggering 11,000 km one way. On their beginning to shed light on many of them. round-trip journey, flying mostly at night,

12 Nature Watch July–September 2020 The shy Lanceolated Warbler (Locustella lanceolata) is among nearly 50 species of passerine migrants that visit Singapore. Photo: Raphael Jordan and crossing both desolate deserts and many who live in densely populated cities the intertidal wetlands, such as mudflats mountains (of the Tibetan plateaux). in close proximity to globally important and salt marshes in the Yellow Sea region, areas of wetlands. has been reclaimed and converted to Conserving the Flyway One such area is the Yellow Sea (see urban, industrial and agricultural land. The The numbers of birds travelling along the map), which is fringed by large areas of remaining areas are affected by numerous EAAF have been declining year on year for wetlands on the coasts of eastern China ongoing and planned land conversion the past few decades. Some of the causes of and the Koreas. The loss and degradation projects (although somewhat less so in the decline have to do with specific factors in of coastal wetlands here due to rapid past few years). breeding grounds, but other causes relate to developmental expansion has been flagged In Southeast Asia, coastal wetlands what is happening along the Flyway. by conservationists and scientists to be the are increasingly reclaimed for development The importance of conserving habitat single most important cause of the rapid or converted into aquaculture ponds. The for birds along the Flyway, of whatever sort decline witnessed for many shorebird species loss of coastal wetlands is especially acute of habitat, has been recognised for as long in Asia, with some species — such as the in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam as the awareness of decline, and thankfully now rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris and the Inner Gulf of Thailand. What were many sites are now better conserved. A pygmaea) and the Nordmann’s Greenshank formerly vast areas of natural wetlands are number of key wetland sites for migratory (Tringa guttifer) — severely affected. now vast areas of fish and prawn ponds, birds are recognised by governments as In the past few decades, over half of and rice paddies. Flyway Network Sites under the East Asian- Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) while many more have become Ramsar Sites, under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Many of these sites have also been gazetted as protected areas at the national level, becoming national parks and strict nature reserves.

Loss and degradation of wetlands However, there are still many threats to wetlands. The East Asian-Australasian Flyway covers some of the most densely populated parts of the planet. It is Among shorebirds most severely affected by the loss and degradation of coastal wetlands due to human activity in Asia is inhabited by well over 2 billion people, Nordmann’s Greenshank (Tringa guttifer), seen here at Pak Thale, Thailand. Photo: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand

Nature Watch July–September 2020 13 Less is understood about how One of the best known case studies of a deforestation affects migratory songbirds, migratory bird being affected by large-scale although evidence from research in Japan hunting in Asia is the Yellow-breasted reveals that migratory songbirds that use Bunting (Emberiza aureola). forests in their wintering grounds are Recent reviews show that populations declining more than others. of this migratory species have declined by up Because many of the migratory to 90% globally, and its breeding range has shorebirds would travel along a chain of contracted eastward from Scandinavia. The ‘connected’ wetland sites as they migrate to global decline of the Yellow-breasted Bunting their wintering grounds, the loss of even a few is thought to be driven by demand for its areas of wetland habitats on their migratory consumption as a delicacy in southern China, routes could have major repercussions on which has resulted in extensive hunting their populations as a whole. pressure across much of China. In many parts of Southeast Asia, local The threat of hunting people continue to put up many metres Hunting along the Flyway is a major threat of mist nets (often illegally) on mudflats to birds. In many parts of Asia, local people or along the edge of fishponds and salt have opportunistically harvested large pans to capture migratory shorebirds. Waterbirds hunted for food in Southeast Asia. congregations of migratory birds for food. Photo: Yong Ding Li The birds harvested this way are either

BirdLife’s work on the Flyway The conservation of coastal wetlands in the Yellow Sea and in Southeast Asia have been a conservation priority for BirdLife International and its national partners, who work closely with EAAFP and other stakeholders. Some key projects are in:

China. At Yancheng numbers. MNS also been expanded to Thailand. In the salt of awareness-raising, National Nature Reserve, annually organises cover over 160,000ha pans of Khok Kham and advocacy and outreach two significant areas of Raptor Watch in Tanjung in 2020. Work with the Pak Thale, partner Bird to the government. wetlands, including the Tuan (Melaka), which villages around the Gulf Conservation Society Further advocacy is Tiaozini flats, were finally draws large numbers of has also established of Thailand (BCST) has needed to secure the inscribed as UNESCO participants (including local conservation worked for many years protection of coastal World Heritage Sites, many school children) work groups to engage to engage local people wetlands such as thanks to the advocacy and has raised the local communities and monitor shorebird Khatib Bongsu as well of many stakeholders. profiling and awareness to participate in populations. It recently as to protect sufficient They include universities of raptor migration conservation activities, established a brand forested areas for and UK partner, the in Malaysia. including patrolling new nature reserve at migratory passerines. Royal Society for the important areas and the latter site. BCST also Attempts to conserve Protection of Birds Myanmar. harvesting natural regularly organises bird wooded slopes at (RSPB). Such inscription In the Gulf of Mottama, resources sustainably. festivals, educational Bidadari, frequented boosts the existing layers south-east of Yangon, and awareness activities by passerines and of protection. Myanmar partner the South Korea. to promote the bird destined for housing Biodiversity and Nature At Geum estuary, one of conservation. development, had Malaysia. At the Conservation Association the most important sites limited success. coastal mudflats of (BANCA), has worked for migratory shorebirds Singapore. Research is underway mainland Penang and with the government on the Korean Peninsula, The work of partner to address the problem at Bako-Buntal Bay in to successfully secure BirdLife Australia, Nature Society of night-migrating Sarawak, the partner an area of more than the Seocheon county (Singapore) was passerines, such as Malaysian Nature Society 40,000ha of coastal government and BirdLife instrumental in driving Blue-winged Pittas (MNS) has worked with mudflats in 2017 as a International, work to work to conserve the (Pitta moluccensis) and the government, its Wetland of International strengthen monitoring, mudflats and mangroves various flycatchers and volunteer base, and Importance under the raise awareness, and of both Sungei Buloh kingfishers which collide, researchers to regularly Ramsar Convention. establish artificial trial and Mandai. This was often fatally, with lit monitor waterbird This Ramsar site has roosts for shorebirds. achieved through years buildings at night.

From left: The author (third from right) at the International Workshop for Flyway Site Managers in South Korea; at the Pak Thale Nature Reserve launch in Thailand with Bird Conservation Society of Thailand; raptor count on Pulau Ubin, Singapore. Photos: Yong Ding Li; Bird Conservation Society of Thailand; Esther Ong

14 Nature Watch July–September 2020 consumed domestically or traded for food resources and technical expertise in Asia to the Ramsar Convention). Adopted in 1971 in in markets as an additional source of strengthen efforts on the ground and at the the Iranian city of Ramsar, the Convention income. The scale of this hunting has been policy level for migratory bird conservation. provides a framework for international increasingly revealed in surveys by local International NGOs – such as cooperation on wetland conservation, conservationists, and its potential impact BirdLife International (BirdLife), Wetlands while advancing the sustainable usage of on migratory bird populations is International, Wildlife Conservation Society wetland resources. Contracting parties list especially worrying. – and the International Union for the and recognise wetland sites that fulfil the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) all have a Convention’s criteria, as Ramsar Sites, many Inconsistent legal protection role to play on migratory bird conservation. of which are important to globally important Inconsistencies in legal protection across In the region, Wetlands International numbers of migratory birds. different countries in a species’ distribution has provided the driving force for the Asian potentially weaken conservation efforts of Wetland Census (AWC)* since its inception Looking ahead the same species in the Flyway. For instance, in the 1980s, which has provided a strong Building awareness of migratory bird some species may be fully protected under foundation of scientific data on waterbirds conservation through science and outreach the national legislation of one country, to support conservation efforts. Other NGOs activities is important, and has underpinned but lack adequate legal protection in other are involved in managing wetlands, tracking much of the successful conservation work countries. One example is the Great Knot species’ migration and more importantly, to date. Such work has to continue, and (Calidris tenuirostris) which is protected in reaching out to local people to secure their may sometimes be helped by the birds Australia, but not in neighbouring Indonesia. buy-in for migratory species conservation. themselves. In late 2019 to early 2020, the Many governments in the Asia-Pacific appearance and arrival of large flocks of Cooperative frameworks region have also signed and ratified the the Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) Conserving migratory birds can be more Convention on Wetlands (better known as and Himalayan Vultures (Gyps himalayensis) effective if the different international created a surge of interest in migratory stakeholders, and stakeholders from coun- birds among the mainstream media, as well tries along the Flyway join forces and work as the wider Singaporean public. together to share knowledge, and to syner- But it is also very necessary to keep gise and complement each other’s conser- track of the emerging threats faced by vation efforts. migratory species. The bits and pieces of A leading player in the Flyway information out in the news and various is the East Asian-Australasian Flyway reports suggest that hunting of migratory Partnership, which consists of a coalition birds is an increasingly severe threat, on of both government, non-government and top of habitat loss. To fill in the underlying corporate stakeholders with an interest knowledge gaps, BirdLife continues to work in conserving migratory waterbirds. with regional partners to better understand Coordinated by a secretariat headquartered how hunting is threatening migratory in Incheon City, South Korea, the species in the region, where the worst areas Partnership not only offers a platform of hunting are, and how local people and The Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvalis fulva) used to winter for international cooperation, but has in Singapore in flocks of many hundreds, but their numbers governments can be better engaged to deal massively contributed to redistributing appear to have declined greatly. Photo: Choy Wai Mun with these in conservation challenges.

References Choi, C. Y., Battley, P. F., Potter, M. A., Rogers, K. G., & Ma, Z. (2015). The importance of Yalu Jiang coastal wetland in the north Yellow Sea to Bar- tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica and Great Knots Calidris tenuirostris during northward migration. Bird Conservation International 25(1), 53-70. Heim, W., Pedersen, L., Heim, R., Kamp, J., Smirenski, S. M., Thomas, A., Tøttrup, A.P. & Thorup, K. (2018). Full annual cycle tracking of a small songbird, the Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope, along the East Asian flyway. Journal of Ornithology 159(4): 893-899. Higuchi, H. (2005). The Journey of Birds: Satellite- tracking Bird Migration. NHK Publishing Co. Ltd

Yong Ding Li is the science advisor in Nature Society (Singapore)’s Bird Group. He works full time for BirdLife International, is a representative on the Oriental Bird Club’s Council, and is associate editor of Forktail: Journal for Asian The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) are among the most numerous regularly occuring shorebirds in Singapore, often Ornithology. Ding Li has advocated for the arriving in flocks of hundreds. Photo: Yong Ding Li conservation of migratory birds in Asia for many years. * See ‘Counting Asian Waterbirds in Singapore’ Nature Watch (28)2:12-15.

Nature Watch July–September 2020 15 Marine Life

Keppel’s Underwater Hanging Gardens There is more to some of Singapore’s towering condominiums than meets the eye. Where they involve a waterfront, there may be another world below. Alvin Francis Lok reveals the wonders below Keppel Bay.

Photos Alvin Francis Lok unless otherwise stated.

A myriad of marine life encrusts the structure of the marina’s pontoons, creating artificial reefs in little over a decade.

Round Sea Grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera). Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp.). Photo: Marina at Keppel Bay

16 Nature Watch July–September 2020 Keppel’s Underwater Hanging Gardens

Feathery Green Seaweed (Caulerpa taxifolia). Stinging Hydroids (Macrorhynchia sp.)

Nature Watch July–September 2020 17 ity in a Garden is what comes to mind when people think of Singapore, but Singapore has so much more to offer than just its lush terrestrial gardens Cand parks. From ages 5 to 11, I used to take SBS Bus 40 service every Saturday afternoon from town to my parents’ home in the West Coast area. I would stick my head out of the window of the top deck once the bus passed the old World Trade Centre, just

before what is now Caribbean at Keppel Present-day Keppel Bay. Photo: Jeff Tan Bay. I was fascinated by the ships being repaired in the area. Especially the ones I could see up close in the dry King’s Dock, right beside the road. This was followed by a stretch of shipyard, and a large patch of Adinandra shrubland which had grown over an abandoned nutmeg plantation. Now I’m 43 and these sights are long gone. As I recall, the first to disappear was the Adinandra regrowth vegetation beside the road. It was cleared in 1982, for the expansion of the smaller greens at Keppel Club to an 18-hole competition course. Then the World Trade Centre was replaced with VivoCity and HarbourFront Centre. The only familiar landmark is the still-operational The old Keppel Shipyard at Keppel Bay. Photo: Keppel Corporation cable car tower, but with both building and cable cars upgraded with a modern look. An ecologist by training, I was amazed by the diversity Most changed of all, the shipyard that so fascinated me has been replaced of marine life at the pontoons. It rivalled some of my by three waterfront condominiums — most memorable snorkelling trips abroad. While not as Caribbean, Corals and Reflections at Keppel vast as a pristine reef, they make up for it in diversity Bay — and the dry docks have made way for considerably cleaner waterways. The — a microcosm of life clearly visible by just looking Keppel Group has been responsible for this down into the water from the pontoons’ edges.

Bottlebrush Green Seaweed (Caulerpa webbiana). Mermaid’s Fan Seaweed (Padina sp.). Omelette Soft Coral (Sacrophyton sp.). Photo: Marina at Keppel Bay

18 Nature Watch July–September 2020 amazing transformation of the Keppel Bay area from a bustling shipyard to a world- class waterfront precinct. Over the years, I would occasionally jog the publicly-accessible waterfront promenade along the condominiums — from Labrador Park via the boardwalk crossing Berlayer Creek. During low tide, the marine life growing on the seawalls of the condominium waterways would never fail to attract my attention. I would also see plate corals and urchins, plus many species of coral fish, including the occasional pelagic species like the queenfish that are coveted by so many anglers. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the area around the pontoon of the Marina at Keppel Bay (MKB). It can be accessed via Keppel Bay Drive and across Keppel Bay Bridge to Keppel Island (once called Pulau Hantu). Large Mazed Sea Fan (Echinogorgia sp.) growing under the pontoon. Photo: Marina at Keppel Bay An ecologist by training, I was amazed by the diversity of marine life at surprisingly common on the pontoons is Red seaweeds are also very common, the pontoons. It rivalled some of my most the Feathery Green Seaweed (Caulerpa but are difficult to spot and often mistaken memorable snorkelling trips abroad. While taxifolia), which forms large colonies, almost for species of soft coral. They include the not as vast as a pristine reef, they make mesmerising to watch as they swish around Ribbon and Frilly Red Seaweeds (Halymenia up for it in diversity — a microcosm of life with the waves. The unusual Big Coin spp.), as well as a variety of Hypnea prickly clearly visible by just looking down into the Seaweed (Halimeda sp.) can also be seen red seaweed species. water from the pontoons’ edges. spread conspicuously across the pontoon reef, The backbone of the reefs found Marine life around and under the together with small colonies of Bottlebrush on the pontoons seems to be formed by pontoons include a wide array of green, Green Seaweed (Caulerpa webbiana). Staghorn Coral (Acropora sp.). Other species brown and red seaweed species, soft and Brown seaweeds, while not as brightly of hard corals while not as extensive, are hard corals, sea cucumbers, zoanthids, coloured as their green counterparts, also Plate Coral (Montipora sp.) which are more anemones, hydroids, fan worms and, of make interesting study specimens. One common on the seawalls, as well as the course fish. The pontoons boast a good oddity is the Mermaid’s Fan Seaweed small and harder to spot species such as selection of green seaweed; the genus (Padina sp.), which resembles a kind of the mushroom corals, brain corals and the Caulerpa dominates. keropok (local cracker) I remember buying beautifully coloured cave corals. Two species of sea grapes can be found: from Mama shops at HDB void decks. The A wide array of other cnidarians can Round Sea Grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera) other common brown seaweed which takes be seen along the pontoon edges. Weird, which forms larger colonies of tightly-spaced on a different form while anchored, is the grotesquely shaped Leathery (Sinularia sp.) green spheres, and Oval Sea Grapes (Caulerpa Sagassum Seaweed (Sargassum sp.), which is and Omelette Soft Coral (Sacrophyton sp.) racemosa) which seems to grow more spaced more familiar to most of us as large floating seem plastered on to the reef structure, out, with larger loosely spaced spheres. Both seaweed mats out at sea. Interestingly, both while delicate and beautiful pink Flowery species are often seen for sale in seafood the Sargassum and Padina species are often Soft Coral (Dendronephthya sp.) sway in markets of Thailand and Philippines. made into fertilisers or used as additives for the currents. Other coral-ish, anemone/ Also, incredibly beautiful and animal feed. jellyfish-like organisms, common at the

Grooved Brain Coral (Symphyllia sp.). Purple sponge (Callyspongia sp.) seen here with several Banded (left) and Orange (right) Fanworms (Family Photo: Marina at Keppel Bay Sponge Synaptid Sea Cucumbers (Synaptula sp.) foraging Sabellidae; awaiting identification) seen emerging from on its surface. amongst Staghorn Coral.

Nature Watch July–September 2020 19 to see from the pontoons during the day and require a dive. These creatures spend their day times resting under coral ledges or in crevices, becoming more active when the sun goes down. The colourful oddities are grazers feeding off microscopic algae. A rather varied assemblage of fish swirl about the slower or entirely sessile animals and plants at the pontoon. Large visiting pelagics such as needlefish, queenfish, barracuda and eagle rays often pop by to join the more common coral fish, which are closely associated with the reef. These include Copperband (Chelmon rostratrus) and Eight-banded Copperbanded Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratrus). Seagrass Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus). Photo: Marina at Keppel Bay (Parachaetodon occelatus) Butterflyfishes, Seagrass Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus), Blue-ring Angelfish (Pomacanthus annularis), a variety of wrasse, damselfish, parrotfish and batfish. Beside pelagic and reef fishes, the pontoon is also visited by species more commonly associated with estuarine/ mangroves ecosystems. These include Spotted Scats (Scatophagus argus), Silver Mooneys (Monodactylus argenteus), Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix), Streaked Rabbitfish (Siganus javus), as well as Orbiculate Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia orbicularis) which love to hang around in the shade underneath the gangway to the pontoons. The occasional Estuarine Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) can also be encountered. A variety of Nudibranchs can be found under coral overhangs and in crevices. Photos: Marina at Keppel Bay But these are rarely seen from the pontoons, since they seldom leave their Sargassum bed pontoons, are cerianthids, frilly anemones, their long giant cousins, these specialised habitat closer to the seawalls. pink button zoanthids and the delicate sea cucumbers are very tiny — just a few stinging hydroids. cm long — and only found on sponges. Under an initiative known as City Reef, MKB Even more beautiful are the sea fans The exact reason for this association is currently opens up its pontoons to the public or gorgonians, which are usually found not known. A hypothesis is that as the for small guided tours a few times a year, but growing underneath the pontoons and not sponges filter water, these sea cucumbers is planning on running a more regular week- visible from the surface. These gorgonian take advantage of the food particles that end tour called Coral Walk. This tour will be fan corals, unlike the other coral species, accumulate on the sponge surface, and at suitable for families with children. It will be require little sunlight and spread out the same time keep it clean.Other species available after the COVID-19 situation set- precariously into the currents, filtering off of sea cucumbers need extra effort to spot tles; check the Marina at Keppel Bay’s website planktonic microorganisms which drift into because they move around more. (marinakeppelbay.com) for an announcement. their elaborate arms. Two main types of Fanworms can be seen growing out of gorgonians are found at MKB: the Mazed Staghorn Coral. They retract at the slightest References (Echinogorgia spp.) and Skinny (Astrogorgia disturbance. The segmented worms use their Wild Singapore Fact Sheets retrieved from spp.) Sea Fans. feathery appendages to filter feed, sieving wildsingapore.com (accessed Apr 2020). Other non-coral related organisms off organic material from the water, helping which can be encountered with some to keep the water clear. Two common types, Alvin Francis Lok is a botanist effort are: sponges, fanworms, bivalves, the Banded and Orange Fanworms, from the by training. His interest in the natural world and nature nudibranchs, sea cucumbers and urchins. family Sabellidae, are easily differentiated photography has taken him The sponges found at the pontoons occur in from each other by the colour and patterns across the globe. He worked with a myriad of colours and nondescript shapes. on their feathery appendages. Like many National Parks Board for a couple of years before going back to An interesting symbiotic relationship species of fanworms in Singapore, they are National University of Singapore to do ecological seems to occur with many of the sponges still awaiting identification. research and environmental impact assessments for six years. He has been with Keppel Land for at the marina. If you look closely, you will Some may say that nudibranchs or the past eight years and has just started a new see small worm-like creatures which are sea slugs are among the sexiest pontoon role at Marina at Keppel Bay. sponge synaptid sea cucumbers. Unlike inhabitants. But these are often impossible

20 Nature Watch July–September 2020 The 35th Annual Bird Census By Lim Kim Seng

The Asian Openbill, the 19th most abundant bird in the count. Photo: Lim Kim Chuah

The 35th Annual Bird Census (ABC) was conducted on 29 March 2020 just before the nationwide Circuit Breaker kicked in. Organised by the NSS Bird Total Total birds species Group, it saw the involvement of 39 members and volunteers at 26 sites. This counted counted is an increase from last year’s 39 counters covering 20 sites, which possibly explains the total of 6,342 birds and 147 species counted this year as compared to 5,496 birds and 143 species in 2019. 6,342 147 So what’s Singapore most abundant bird? If you are guessing the Javan Myna, you’re close! The myna (737) takes second spot to the Asian Glossy Starling (847). Third was Pink-necked Green Pigeon (358), followed by a resurgent House Crow (256). The nationally threatened Grey Heron takes 10th Most abundant species spot (149). Last year’s 5th placing Pacific Golden Plover came in 11th with 136 birds, Asian Glossy Starling down from 198. The globally near-threatened Long-tailed Parakeet (100) was 18th. In 19th place was the Asian Openbill (98) which invaded Singapore in huge numbers in late 2019. In 20th place was the ever-increasing introduced

Red-breasted Parakeet (80). Photo: L iu Xiaodong

Top 20 Species in ABC 2020 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 Asian Glossy Starling 847 Javan Myna 737 Pink-necked Green Pigeon 368 House Crow 258 Yellow-vented Bulbul 250 Little Egret 186 Most diverse site Common Redshank 170 Black-naped Oriole 164 Kranji Marshes Spotted Dove 152 Grey Heron 149 Pacific Golden Plover 136 Collared Kingfisher 124

Olive-backed Sunbird 113 Photo: Gemma Koh Olive-winged Bulbul 108 Pin-striped Tit-babbler 107 Common lora 103 Rock Dove 101 Long-tailed Parakeet 100 Asian Openbill 98 Red-breasted Parakeet 80

Nature Watch July–September 2020 21 2020 Top 10 Sites - By Species 0 20 40 60 80 Kranji Marsh (Neo Tiew Lane 2) 70 Sungei Buloh Route 2 56 Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre (Kranji Dam) 47 Telok Blangah Hill Park 45 Springleaf Nature Park 43 Malcolm Park 42 Ubin East 41 Sungei Buloh Route 1 40 Serangoon 40 Lorong Halus Wetland 40

2020 Top 10 Sites - By Numbers of Birds Counted 0 200 400 600 800 Sungei Buloh Route 1 495 Sungei Buloh Route 2 460 Kranji Marsh (Neo Tiew Lane 2) 456 Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre (Kranji Dam) 380 Lower Seletar Reservoir 375 Ubin East 333 Springleaf Nature Park 298 Sungei Mandai Estuary 292 Malcolm Park 275 Dairy Farm Nature Park 243

The most species diverse site was Kranji Marshes (70 species) where the mixed habitats of marshland, grassland and open woodland provided for a high biodiversity, whilst Sungei Buloh Routes 1 and 2 provided the greatest numbers. Rare and interesting migratory species found included Peregrine Falcon, Grey Plover, Drongo Cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Blue- winged Pitta, Red-rumped Swallow, Yellow-browed Warbler, Eastern Crowned Warbler and Black-browed Reed Warbler. Globally threatened species included Lesser Adjutant (2 at Mandai Estuary), Straw-headed Bulbul (77) and Greater Green Leafbird (2). Nationally threatened specialties included Little Grebe (2), Great-billed Heron (5), Changeable Hawk Eagle (9), Red-wattled Lapwing (11), Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (3), Mangrove Pitta (2 on Pulau Ubin), Asian Red-eyed Bulbul (7), Chestnut-winged Babbler (2), Oriental Magpie-robin (30) and White-rumped Shama (18). Our thanks to the 39 volunteer counters who braved the elements for our 35th year of census. The full report, including names of volunteers can be found on the website of the Singapore Bird Group, singaporebirdgroup.wordpress.com

66th Annual General Meeting – via Zoom Due to COVID-19 prevention measures, the 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nature Society (Singapore) was conducted online on Wednesday 20 May 2020.

By Morten Strange, Honorary Secretary

NSS’s AGM has to take place in May every year according to Membership Officer Joe Lim eased participants onto the our constitution. But due to COVID-19 prevention measures, platform between 6.50pm and 7.30pm, and Outreach Officer a physical meeting was obviously not possible. However, Kerry Pereira displayed the agenda and reporting documents as permitted by the Registry of Societies, we were able continuously onto the shared screen. The Honorary Secretary to conduct the meeting virtually, using the Zoom video occasionally helped move the meeting along and made sure conferencing platform. It was hosted by Dr Ngo Kang Min we adopted the necessary motions. The meeting ended with (Kang Min is, incidentally, the new Chair of the Butterfly & a friendly informal chit-chat among members, which lasted Insect Group, a post long vacant.) until 10.10pm. Sixty-eight members of the The official minutes from the Society, as well as seven members AGM, with a list of important decisions of the Executive Committee, logged made, will be circulated later via in to the meeting, which was carried e-newsletter Nature News as is the out smoothly in a good spirit of norm. Those suffering from cabin camaraderie in spite of the difficult fever can be assured that the new times we are going through. Executive Committee and Council will President Dr Shawn Lum do their utmost to make up for the lost presided over the AGM in his usual opportunity for members to mingle and passionate and convincing manner, socialise as soon as conditions allow.

22 Nature Watch July–September 2020 Event Asian Raptor Symposium The 11th symposium of the Asian Raptor Research & Conservation Network (ARRCN), held in Bali from 10 to 12 October 2019, attracted more than 200 participants from 14 countries. Tan Gim Cheong, NSS representative at the event, distills some key findings from the many presentations. All photos: Tan Gim Cheong (unless otherwise specified)

Species conservation Javan Hawk-Eagle – increased habitat. Thirteen presentations on the Nisaetus bartelsi, reflected the status of the endangered national bird of Indonesia as a designated priority species for conservation action. Previously thought to be restricted to higher elevations, the raptor has been captured by camera traps at the lowland Ujung Kulon National Park. The area of suitable habitat is probably more than twice that previously estimated but fragmented, and two-thirds is outside protected Grey-faced Buzzard. Watching migrating raptors at Mt Sega, Bali. areas. Research is underway on the need for corridors between fragmented patches. 2,783 to 5,423 km to their breeding grounds in size of Singapore at these two areas. Their limited The current estimated population of 511 central and north China, at times flying more than observations in 2018 recorded 654 Oriental Honey pairs is around 50% more than the estimate two 1,000 km non-stop over the open seas. Buzzards, 674 Chinese Sparrowhawks, 2 Grey-faced decades ago. As little is known of its breeding Buzzards and 1 Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes). biology,Taman Safari Indonesia embarked on a Raptor migration counts captive breeding project and successfully raised Sumatra. Spring migration at Tanjung Tuan, The Philippines. Counts at two sites in the far several chicks, gathering important information Malaysia, is well known for large numbers of north for spring migration and two sites in the far on significant milestones in chick development. Oriental Honey Buzzards coming across the Malacca south for autumn migration – have become regular This leaves an option open to raise sufficient Strait from Pulau Rupat (Sumatra, Indonesia), where events. They are carried out through community individuals for eventual release into the wild to some limited investigations had been conducted. involvement of six local government units, two bolster the population. Elsewhere on Sumatra, little is known about raptor national government units, three universities, one migration. Since 2016, small scale annual raptor college, and one high school. Originally encouraged Grey-faced Buzzard – declining migration observations have been made at Kampar from 2013 by the Raptorwatch Network Philippines, numbers. The 1st International Summit on Peninsula (120 km southwest of Singapore) and they are now community-led and have fostered local Grey-faced Buzzards 2019, Japan, brought Pulau Padang (130 km west of Singapore). They are raptor conservation efforts and a festival. Through together stakeholders from Japan, Taiwan and conducted by Restorasi Ekosistem Riau, a private awareness of the ecological functions provided by the Philippines, countries along the flyway of sector initiative that aims to protect and restore migratory raptors, coupled with the support of the Butastur indicus, to promote research, education an area of lowland peat swamp forest twice the towns’ mayors, hunting of migratory Grey-faced and conservation of this raptor. It appears to be Buzzards has been much reduced. declining in numbers in the breeding areas. Bali. During autumn migration, more than Variability in raptor migration 90,000 raptors pass the 760m high mountain Migrating Oriental Honey Buzzards take ridge Mt Sega in east Bali before crossing the the long way round. Most of the migrant Pernis sea towards Lombok and beyond, the peak ptilorhynchus to Southeast Asia continue their period being the middle of October to early autumn migration south, down Sumatra, hopping November. The three main species are the Chinese across the short stretches of seas to the islands of Sparrowhawk (flocks of over 500 individuals Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores and Timor. But have been counted), Oriental Honey Buzzard and From left: Delegates from Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, many others make the relatively longer sea crossing Japan, Indonesia and moderator during a Q&A session. Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis). from Sumatra to Borneo. Some even continue as far Also in Bali, in 2017, a well-received north as Palawan and Mindanao in the Philippines, inaugural raptor migration watch festival targeting taking a long fishing-hook-shaped route of 9,000 km young people, featured activities such as a raptor from Japan. A theoretical direct route from Japan, watch at Mt Sega and seminars and workshops for through Taiwan and Luzon (Philippines), would only students and public communities. The subsequent span 4,000km, less than half the distance! year’s festival drew a marked increased in participant numbers. Chinese Sparrowhawk routes beyond Taiwan. Fourteen individual Accipiter soloensis The symposium was organised by the Indonesian were tagged at the southern tip of Taiwan in Ministry of Environment & Forestry, Indonesia autumn. From there, the birds flew another 1,519 Ornithological Union, Raptor Indonesia, Udayana to 3,719km via various routes to their wintering University (the symposium site), and other sponsors. grounds in the Philippines and eastern Indonesia. The author (middle), with participants from Philippines, Tan Gim Cheong is the Vice-Chair of the NSS Bird They took between 16 to 78 days to arrive at their Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan. wintering sites. In spring, the birds flew between Photo: Chuenchom Hansasuta Group and their raptor coordinator for Singapore.

Nature Watch July–September 2020 23 List of Donors 2019 Donations received from 1/1/2019 to 31/12/2019. NATURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE)

$20,000 - $69,999 $200 - $999 $100 - $199 $50 - $99 THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING KHO CYNTHIA MARIA BERNADETH ALAGARSAMY NAIDUKANDASAMY NAIDU ANA CRISTINA BRUGH CORPORATION LIMITED BAIN & COMPANY SE ASIA INC KEERTHIBAN ANG ZIQIAN LUC MONGEON ALBERT SIN YEW TEK ATSUKO KAWASAKI QBE INSURANCE (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD CHIA EN CI SAMUEL JOHN ANG ENG KIAT AU AI TI MAPLETREE INVESTMENTS PTE LTD ANONYMOUS BEATRIX PHANG YUET SIM CHAE JEAN CHAN WEE MING BENJAMIN POOLE CHAN WAI KEONG PK EVENTS PTE LTD CHIA HUI CHENG GRACE CHEE GUAN CHYE CHIANG CHEE PUN HAN YA NI CHEONG PIT NGAN CHOO XIANGMIN KOH MING ZHEN CHEOT XIU QIN JULIA CHUI LAI YEE $10,000 - $19,999 LI KOK WEE BRICE CHEW ANN YING CONNIE DOMINIK TORSTEN OLIVER BECKER LIM YOON CHIN CHIA HSIH CHEN GREGORY EDMUND FONG KOK HAO ANONYMOUS WONG CHUNG CHEONG CHONG ZHI XIAN TIMOTHY GANTIGANAHALLI SATHYANARAYANA CHUA CHUN HSIEN, NELSON GIRISH BLOOMBERG (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD YAP SWEE PENG YEO JER SIONG CHRISTOPHER CHUN PETRA GOH CHEE KEN JOSEPH CHUA LEE HUANG LISA VON TANG PTE LTD DEON GAN LEE SIANG GREGORY CHIA ONG LIN TING HO SIN EE HO MINRU PETER CONNELL HO WEI KANG HO SHU FEN $5,000 - $9,999 YEO KHENG HOCK ALVIN HONOR HARGER HOI LEONG LEE RAJAGOPALAN MURALI KRISHNAN JILL ELIZABETH GAMMON HONG SHIBAO SAP PTE LTD CHONG YI DONG JOSEPH ONG HUE AN LI IVY SINGH & LIM HO SENG LEE WHEI MENG KEE MEW IVAN AH SOONG JOHN KNIGHT SPENCER LOW DERJIN RUTH LAI YUEN SEONG JOY HAUGHTON PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE SIM CHOON HEOK LEE CHONGYI NICHOLAS KOH MEI LIN ANGELIN COMPANY SINGAPORE WANG LAY YIAM LEE XIN XUAN KWEK CHIN CHENG KWEK SIEW JIN LEONG SIEW KAI LAI KAH MAN BALAJI NATARAJAN LIM HUEY YUEE LAM KIT WING $1,000 - $4,999 PARIKH SUCHIT LIM PING SUEI LAU CHOI EE LIM WEE LING LEE JOEL ANONYMOUS SASA & SISI CHANG MING YU & TAY MI LIAN LIM WEI CHUAN LEE KEE LEON, JASON YAN YI WEI & YANG YUE CHEAM JESSICA LIM YAQIAN, EVA LEE SIAW YEAN WORKDAY SINGAPORE PTE LTD CHEONG CHEE THAM LIM YUEN TUCK LEE YONG KIAN STEVEN & PATRICIA MILLER CHER SIEW SIN LINDEN FOO VARGISH LEW GITSION CHUA LENG SIM & NG SU-RAN CHIONH SIOK BEE LITING LI JIAXUAN MARCEL FINLAY LIM CHIOU YUIN YOUTH FOR CAUSES 2019 (TEAM GAIA) CHOY YIN PHING KAREN CHRIS WARD NAFEESA BINTE FAZAL MOHAMED LIM HAI CHIEW DONATIONS VIA THE BENEVITY CAUSES NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY LOH YEOW LEONG ANDREW PORTAL ELLOUISA CHEN EVELYN & TIAN SOO NATARAJAN KANNAN LOO PEI YI CONOCOPHILLIPS ASIA VENTURES PTE NG KECK SIM LOW WEI WEI LTD GERALD M MINJOOT JOSEPH JAMES CABRERA REYES OH LAY HWA KAREN LUA SWEE SIANG MARTIN MICHAEL JOHN LEE LAY TIN ONG KIEM KIOK MUHAMMAD NURSHAZNY RAMLAN GOH SI GUIM LEE MIIN SUM ONG SWEE TECK NATASHA GEIS CHUI CHEE CHEON LEONG CHUNG YAN OOPIX LLP NG JIA WEI KHATIJAH TAY ABDULLAH LIM JING HONG QUEK BOON SHAN NG RONG SEN LEE HUNG YOUNG LIM LIAN SIM VERONICA REGINALD NGAI MING YING RUVINI ARIYARATNE NUR ABIIDAH BINTE MOHD UMARUDDIN LYE LIN HENG LIN DAOWEI LOW HORNG SEN ALVIN SAI RAM NILGIRI ONG KIAN BOON MEREDITH HASKO ONG KIAN THIAM SEETHA & BALRAM SHARMA ONG KOK HIN PROFESSOR TOMMY KOH QUEK I-GEK SIM KIAN WEE OOI PENG LEE JOHN TAN SIOK NING YVONNE SENG CHOON KIAT SIMON FISHER PUAR SI WEI CHIA AH KEOW DAWN SUM SUI CHENG SOH DIN LIM SAY SIEW MAI SUSAN SHUTTLEWORTH STEVEN EARLY SIN MELIA TAN KOK YEANG SUSANA TAMIN SUM LI YING ELAINE TAN MEI JUN TAN KOK WEI SUMEET GANDHI TAN PERNG YIH TAN MING LI TAN FOOK ONN ANDREW TAN WEN SZE TANG POH ING TAN GIM CHEONG TAN YAN MUI TAY AI KHIM TAN HUI EN TANG WEI LIANG TAY GUAN HOCK TAN WAN LIN TAY SONG TA, BENJAMIN TENG SIAW WEI TAN XEAUWEI THOON CHOY WAI THAM KWEE LING TAN YAN LING (CHEN YANLING) YAACOB BIN IBRAHIM WALTER EDGAR THESEIRA TEO SHAO WEI ANDREW YAM KEAN TUCK YEE LAI KUAN THIAN MEI LENG YEO HUI LIN, LYNN YIP KIT FONG MONICA TOK SOCK LING ONG HUI QING TRUDY TAN JIE YING KALIMUTHU R V GYANA SAMBANDAN OON CHEN YEN VICTOR CHNG VICKEY NGUYEN VISALI D/O VERAPPAN ONG CHUAN LEONG WANG JI AVERY TIEH SIENG HUI WONG CHOON MENG ADRIAN SOH YUNG HWE WOO DA HUA JACQUELINE TAN XIN HUIWEN NGIAM XIN YING (YAN XINYING) YEO WEN HUI MELVIN PROFESSOR TIMOTHY P BARNARD YEONG SWEE CHI TAN NEE SEET MOLLY YSIN JUN TING WENDY CHIA SRIVANI LABHISHETTY AMIR HAMZAH BIN ABDUL KHALID ANASUYA D/O DHORAISINGAM LIM KOK PHENG ASHISH RAI CHI CHENG HOCK CHOY DAVID TAY BENG GUAT IRINA While it is not possible to include TOH SWEE KIM YAP SWEE CHENG everyone here, Nature Society SHUM PING TAY HUA CHUN (Singapore) would like to say a big JUZER VASZ RALEIGH SINGAPORE thank you to all donors. ANG AIK LEONG

WONG CHIN KONG 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. Singapore is the global stronghold for the charismatic Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus), like this parent and juvenile (right). NSS works to protect the last remaining natural habitat of this critically endangered species. Photo: Alan OwYong

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.