NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013 Nov-Dec 2013

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

Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes Nov 24

NSS Activities 2 Kids’ NSS Kids’ Fun with Forest Wildlife at Venus Drive Guide Dec 1 NSS’ Alternative Proposal 4 Kranji Night Ramble Dec 7 for Birdwatching at Rifle Range Dec 8 Twilight Ramble from 6 Birdwatching at Botanic Gardens Dec 14 Mandai to Dairy Farm NSS Kids’ Fun with Nature Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes Dec 15 7 at The Rail Corridor Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Dec 15 3rd Annual Parrot Count 8 Birdwatching at Bidadari Dec 21 2013 Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill Dec 22 Inaugural Butterfly & 10 Dragonfly Walk Announcements 10 NSS’ Alternative NSS Directory 11 Proposal for All Purpose Form 12 Bidadari Park Pg 4 3rd Annual Parrot Count 2013 Pg 8

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Activities NOVEMBER

SundaySunday 24 24 Bund. The marsh is designated by URA as a Nature Park and is currently adopted by NSS under Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes PUB’s ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights Meet Albert Low (halmaherastandardwing@gmail. here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple com) at 7.30 am at Kranji Dam Carpark B near Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed the tidal gates of , off Kranji Way. Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station. Eagle and more. Please register by 14 November From the meeting point, a hired bus will ferry us 2013 on our website. A registration form will then to our destination. We begin with a pleasant stroll be emailed to you. Max: 20 pax. Open to the public along a countryside road to the Kranji Marshes but children below age 12 are not allowed for where we will continue our walk along the PUB safety reasons. Activities DECEMBER

SundaySunday 1 1 NSS along packed food and drinks. Meet at 6 Kids’ Guide pm at the junction of Lim Chu Kang and NSS Kids’ Fun with Neo Tiew Roads. TIBS 975 and SBS 405 Forest Wildlife at Venus Drive LTA’s proposed Cross Island MRT ply this route from Choa Chu Kang and line will destroy a swathe of forest Boon Lay bus interchange respectively. harbouring a rich variety of wildlife Car owners can park at Neo Tiew Lane and result in forest fragmentation. 2 near De’ Kranji Chalets. Transport Join Uncle Si Guim to understand the will be arranged to ferry participants to issues concerned, and get to see for Kranji MRT station from Neo Tiew Lane yourself the many species of plants, 2 at the end of the ramble. This 8 km/5 birds, vertebrates and insects residing hour ramble is not suitable for children here. The walk will start and end at below 12 years old. Members only. Venus Drive. Time: 8 am to 10 am. Please SundaySunday 8 8 register your children (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria Seow at gloria_seow@yahoo. Birdwatching at Rifle Range com, stating their names and ages, if they Meet Tan Ju Lin at 7.30 am at the are NSS members or not, if you need us junction of Rifle Range Road and to loan you a pair of binoculars or not, Dunearn Road. We will carpool to the and let us have your mobile number. A starting point of the walk. This is a good fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per time to look for wintering birds like the child (non-member) will be collected Forest Wagtail, Arctic Warbler and maybe, on the spot. Parents and caregivers the elusive Ferruginous Flycatcher! We are encouraged to join in at no charge. will also be looking out for resident Details will be emailed to those who sign birds like the Asian Fairy Bluebird, Blue- up. Open to the public. winged Leafbird and Short-tailed Babbler. Members only. SaturdaySaturday 7 7 SaturdaySaturday 14 14 Kranji Night Ramble Led by P Pandian and Sutari Supari, we Birdwatching at Singapore Botanic will take you through an interesting Gardens route to experience an enchanting Meet Wong Chung Cheong at the Visitor sunset, look at fireflies and watch Jupiter, Centre of the Singapore Botanic Gardens Saturn and Mars at their best and learn at 7:30 am. We will take an early morning about star directional uses. We might stroll through one of the best botanical spot some nocturnal birds and mammals gardens in the region. Many species of along the way. Bring along a good torch birds make this park their home and we light. Please have an early dinner or bring may have a chance of spotting colourful

2 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013 species like the Long-tailed Parakeet, rescue and a camera. Washing facilities Crimson Sunbird, Banded Woodpecker, available. More details will be emailed Common Iora, Pink-necked Green Pigeon upon registration. Open to the Public. and Stork-billed Kingfisher. We may also SaturdaySaturday 21 21 get to see some migrants. Members only. Birdwatching at Bidadari SundaySunday 15 15 The former Bidadari Muslim Cemetery, Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes bounded by Bartley Road on one side Meet Lee Ee Ling ([email protected]. and Upper Serangoon Road on another, sg) 7.30 am at Kranji Dam Carpark B has proven to be an interesting site near the tidal gates of Kranji Reservoir, for migrants and visitors in recent off Kranji Way. Reachable by Bus 925 years. Notable recent sightings include from Kranji MRT Station. From the the Blue-winged Pitta, Black-backed meeting point, a hired bus will ferry Kingfisher, Crow-billed Drongo, as well us to our destination. We begin with a as various cuckoos and flycatchers. pleasant stroll along a countryside road Development work at Bidadari may start to the Kranji Marshes where we will soon so join Yong Ding Li in exploring continue our walk along the PUB Bund. this spot while it is still a peaceful haven The marsh is designated by URA as a for birds. Meet at 7.30 am by Woodleigh Nature Park and is currently adopted MRT Station Entrance C, at the junction by NSS under PUB’s ABC Waters of Upper Serangoon Road and Upper Programme. Birding highlights here Aljunied Road. Members only. include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple SundaySunday 22 22 Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and more. December is a good time to visit Please register by 5 December 2013 Semakau for its varied birdlife. In on our website. A registration form addition to resident attractions like the will then be emailed to you. Max: 20 Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret pax. Open to the public but children and Malaysian Plover, it is possible to see below age 12 are not allowed for safety rare migrants such as the Chinese Egret reasons. and Ashy Drongo. Meet Lee Ee Ling (HP: 96935870 / [email protected]) at SundaySunday 15 15 7.30 am at the West Coast Pier near the Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. Parking Please register with Kerry Pereira is available in front of West Coast Pier ([email protected]) or at the NSS or at nearby . Return website stating your name, if you a NSS to the mainland by 2 pm. Register at the member or not, affiliations (eg. school or NSS website. A non-refundable fee of company), experience if any, and contact $30 per pax for boat and administration details for this mission to rescue and is required. Please make payment online study the Mangrove Horseshoe Crabs via PayPal (an additional $2 is required (HSC) at the Mandai mudflats. Time: 2.30 for bank charges for online payment) or pm to 5.30 pm. Meet at the extension send your cheque together with the All of Kranji Road near the junction with Purpose Form by 12 December 2013. Kranji Loop. Take Bus 925 from Kranji Number of persons per trip: 11 or 22 or MRT station and alight at the first bus 33. Identify card (for Singaporeans/PRs) stop as the bus turns from Kranji Road or passport is mandatory for boarding. into Kranji Loop. Cross the road and Children under age 12 are not allowed look for the nameless track that starts by NEA regulation. Please note that beside Leong Soon Pte Ltd (251 Kranji your registration is not confirmed until Road). Bring along a cap, shoes/booties, you hear from your trip leader after the sunblock, repellent, cutter for HSC closing date. Members only.

3 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013 NSS’ Alternative Proposal for

BidadariBy Dr Ho Hua Chew, Park Conservation Committee Vice Chairperson Introduction unmistakable indication that the sense of being he Nature Society is not against development cluttered and hemmed in by high density concrete Tin the Bidadari zone, but would like to blocks is getting onto the nerves of Singaporeans. propose to HDB to tweak its plans so as More and more Singaporeans are looking for to accommodate a larger variety of needs natural areas to live near to, to fulfill their and purposes that will in turn better serve recreational, leisure and even spiritual needs. These Singaporeans. To our disappointment, the HDB’s days, people no longer gravitate towards neat planned park in the future Bidadari estate sits in an and manicured parks, as evidenced by increasing area that is sparsely wooded and not as interesting numbers of public protests and objections to the or rich in birdlife compared to NSS’ proposed clearance of forested areas for development. alternative area. The Bidadari section we are looking at has a well- NSS’ proposed alternative is given in light of the wooded area that is extremely rich in migratory recent ‘Our Singapore Conversation’ exercise, birds during the winter season from September concerning the preference of Singaporeans for to April each year. Its luscious green landscape is more green spaces over more infrastructure shady and cool, a feast for the eyes and soul. Since development. About 60% of Singaporeans surveyed the exhumation of the former Muslim cemetery, preferred having more green spaces against 20% this part of Bidadari has become very attractive who favoured more infrastructure development, to birdwatchers, bird photographers, joggers and with 25% taking a neutral stance. This is an walkers from neighbouring housing estates.

Figure 1

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Since such recreational, aesthetic and ecological be low-rise in nature, not exceeding the canopy assets are already extant, absolutely free of charge, level of the wooded portion marked out for they should be appreciated and accommodated conservation. This will then be in harmony with in any development plan. This is especially so for both wildlife and the existing charming landscape. a nation that professes to be striving towards The main rationale is to minimise lighting from sustainable development. In this feedback, the high-rise buildings causing intense and widespread Nature Society seeks a compromise solution illumination in the proposed park. This in turn between preserving an area with such invaluable would disrupt the natural routine of local and assets and the need for housing development. migratory wildlife. In fact, the existing HDB plan Location & Size of NSS’ Proposed Park calls for high-rise buildings surrounding the central park, which is likely to make park users feel The NSS proposed park at Bidadari is more or claustrophobic instead. less the same size as the HDB planned park. However, we would like it to be located nearer to The New Road and hugging Bartley Road. The proposed location Please see Figure 1 for the new road alignment. comprises the densely wooded portion of the The major new road crossing the Muslim former Muslim cemetery. It has a compact and Cemetery to Bartley Road has been retained in integrated shape, rather than the elongated and the NSS proposal. However, the re-alignment scattered shape in the HDB plan. The principle of the boundary of the NSS proposed park ecological rationale for this is that there will be will necessitate the road being shifted south- less edge effects and more interior space for eastwards so as not to slice off a fragment of the wildlife, ideal too for people wanting easy access woodland within the proposed park. Roads are to real quietness and serenity to relieve the extremely harmful to wildlife both day and night, stresses of urban life. This is particularly important as evidenced by the many road kills happening all given the high built-up density of the entire over the world. This slightly different alignment Bidadari development zone, which also includes of the road will nevertheless still preserve HBD’s the former Christian Cemetery area. plan to link Upper Serangoon Road with Bartley Road and Serangoon Ave 1 (north of Bartley). Re-alignment of Housing along Bartley Road The Water Retention Pond Please see Figure 1 for the HDB development plan NSS recommends that this water body and its and the NSS proposed alternative for Bidadari surrounding green area, currently located south Park. The major housing that will be affected by of Upper Aljunied Road, be shifted north to the the NSS alternative proposal is the stretch along former Muslim Cemetery area. It can be sited just Bartley Road. This housing can be shifted to the north of Upper Aljunied Road, where there is southern flank of the Muslim Cemetery. Taking already low ground and a stream. The placement out the HDB flats here will preserve the existing of this pond and its extra green area in the former well-wooded high ground, and allow migratory Muslim Cemetery will enlarge and open the space birds coming in from the north to land without here for both people and birdlife. The high-rise being blocked or frightened off by high-rise housing displaced from this location can be shifted concrete buildings and lights. The mostly low-rise to the vacated pond area instead. housing estate across Bartley Road does not cause A Park for Nature & General Recreation such a problem. After development, the area will inevitably involve a change for the worse as far The park that NSS is proposing is for everyone, be as wildlife is concerned. However, the rationale they nature lovers or residents out for exercise is to still try to attract as many migratory birds or relaxation. NSS proposes that existing trees as possible to come back annually so as to retain and undergrowth be left untouched. There is no some of Bidadari’s present biodiversity interest need to build any new trails within the heart of the and charm. area. Some of the more open patches of woodland could be made tidy with benches and picnic areas, We accept the planned housing and infrastructural especially along the southern and eastern flanks development in the open areas flanking Serangoon accessible directly from the new road. Road, Maris Stella School, Mount Vernon This report was formulated in consultation with the Bird Group. The Columbarium and Upper Aljunied Road. But original (longer) version of the NSS’ alternative proposal was submitted over here, we would advocate that the housing to the HDB on 25 September 2013. 5 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013 Twilight Ramble from Mandai to Dairy Farm By Sutari Supari Led by sky. The bright yellowish planet of Jupiter and the Pandian constellation of Lyra and Cygnus were like jewels and Sutari, in the heavens. We observed the gibbous moon, about together with the planets Saturn and Mars, as they 26 NSS ascended in the east. members When answering nature's call, Sutari advised us to ask turned up for the twilight ramble from Mandai Lake the "forest guardians" for permission first. Apparently, Road to MOE Dairy Farm Adventure Centre on 24 this is a standard SAF ritual as a form of respect August 2013. The walk commenced as the evening for the spiritual realm. At one juncture, we walked sun slowly descended, while the forest landscape parallel to the Kranji and Bukit Timah expressways remained warm and humid. Our spirits were high until we hit the Gangsa track. We then trudged as we strolled along Mandai Lake Road. Near the through the nearly pitch black trail in a single file, entrance to Mandai Track 15, the group settled down using just our night vision to navigate, helped by city at an army training shed for a safety briefing. lights reflected by the low clouds. Rambling on, we The continuous shrilling of the cicadas added on to spotlighted many fascinating wildlife, including stacked the forest cacophony of bird, frog and insect calls. bracket fungi, luminous fungi, fireflies, forest ants and The tranquil countryside was soon engulfed in semi- reflections from spiders’ eyes and their shiny webs. darkness, heralding the cool night. The ambience was Sutari then explained the lifecycle of fireflies, and the both relaxing and restorative. Occasionally, we paused mating function of their blue-green bioluminescence for Sutari or Pandian to point out edible plants such flickering like Christmas lights at irregular intervals as betel-nut leaves, bamboo shoots, tapioca, taro, from their lower abdomens. sweet potato, banana, tomato, Indian pygmy eggplant, At a stand of rubber trees, Pandian picked up its durian, cocoa, mangosteen and more. Shortly after, we mottled brown seeds and pods, and spoke about reached the pipeline path. Here, Sutari told us more the plant’s explosive dispersal methods. At 8 pm, we about cicadas, and how they make their effortless arrived at the triple junction of Scorpion, Chestnut non-stop calls using vibrating muscles in the upper and Gangsa tracks. We took a short break and abdomen like a built-in tuning fork. The calls are then replenished ourselves with tidbits and drinks. amplified in the lower abdomen which serves as an acoustic chamber. Resuming the ramble, we found ourselves moving along leafy Chestnut trail. At 9 pm, we came to Before long, the a water pumping station where we spied several sky was dark Long-tailed Macaques roosting on an Albizia tree. and overcast. Just before 10 pm, we stopped for another break We could hear at Chestnut Drive, before moving on towards Petir the occasional Road, now characterised by many newly-completed roosting calls glittering condominiums. We took a customary group of birds settling photo before saying our goodbyes. down for the night. They included the White-vented Many spiders and insects Myna, Yellow- were seen vented and Olive- during the ramble. winged Bulbuls, Long-tailed Parakeet, Emerald Dove, Oriental Magpie Robin and the Changeable Hawk- eagle. Large-tailed Nightjars were seen hawking for insects. We savoured Algerian sweet dates courtesy of Soh Lay Bee, as we gazed upwards at the night 6 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013

NSS Kids’ Fun with Nature at The Rail Corridor By Gloria Seow, Education Group Chairperson a term used by birdwatchers to denote birds seen for the very first time. Other feathered delights that came our way included the gregarious White-crested Laughingthrushes, bright flashes of green from Long-tailed Parakeets, and flocks of Asian Glossy Starlings. The trail is characterised by the huge heart-shaped leaves of the Giant Taro or Wild Yam (Alocasia macrorrhiza). Kids had fun feeling its waxy texture and playing amongst its foliage. Native to the region, its edible root has to be cooked for a long time to get rid of the needle-like calcium oxalate crystals. Likewise, its sap is unning 26 km from Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar, a skin irritant. The Rthe north-south oriented Rail Corridor presents an Orang Asli use its unbroken extent of gratifying greenery. It allows wildlife to humongous leaves move freely between adjoining nature areas. The former as impromptu KTM railway line has since been stripped of its tracks in umbrellas. Another most parts, providing near obstacle-free access to nature familiar root lovers, cyclists, joggers and trekkers. vegetable plant seen An energetic group of NSS Kids, along with their parents everywhere was and caregivers, got to explore the 2 km stretch near the Tapioca. To the the old Bukit Timah Railway station on the morning of older generation, 25 August 2013. We congregated at King Albert Park this plant reminded Macdonald’s them of the war years when it was one of the most Place, itself an dependable food sources around. iconic landmark Uncle Ben then singled out the distinctive purple flowers of at the junction of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) Bukit Timah and and its edible deep purple fruits. He also showed the kids Clementi Roads. the Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea), one of the most Sadly, it will common pioneer secondary forest trees in Singapore. Its soon make way sapling has a specialised relationship with ants that live for yet another inside the hollow stems and feed on its food bodies. In condominium. return, the ants appear to protect the young plant from Given Singapore’s being eaten and from competition from climbers. relentless pace of After a bout of nature rambling, we stepped into the development, we shade of the old Bukit Timah station where kids saw how are thankful that complicated the railway track shifting mechanism was. the government will be preserving the Rail Corridor in its We then strolled across the classic truss bridge that spans entirety. Bukit Timah and Dunearn Roads, bringing us over to the After a safety briefing by trip leader Uncle Benjamin Ho, start of Rifle Range Road. Uncle Ben had the kids race each we proceeded to the nearby trailhead. The continuous other across the bridge back to the other side, balancing greenery that stretched before us put everybody in a on the tracks that have been left in situ. The kids were relaxed mood. A number of fruit trees lined our path. First clamouring for up was the banana, heavy laden with, unfortunately, unripe more action, fruits. Some wild bananas have huge seeds in them, unlike so they found the seedless ones we get in our supermarkets. Kids learnt themselves that banana flowers are a favourite source of nectar for playing ‘Dog birds. We came across a flowering mango tree, but not a and Bone’ and single mango was in sight. Next, Uncle Ben found an Oil other games, a Palm covered in epiphytes. rousing end to Auntie Gloria then located a Pacific Swallow in her scope. a lovely walk. It perched cooperatively, long enough for a good number of kids to observe it up close. For many, the bird was a lifer, 7 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013

3rd Annual Parrot Count 2013 By Yong Ding Li & Alan Owyong Introduction total count. It was recorded in more than half The World Parrot Count was initiated three years the sites surveyed. The Long-tailed Parakeet ago by Michael Braun and Roelant Jonker from (P longicauda) was a distant second with 115 the parrot researchers’ group of the International individuals logged (20.8%). In addition, 16 Tanimbar Ornithological Union (IOU). A key objective of the study was to document the status and abundance of feral and non-native parrots in urban environment globally where populations are established. Being part of this study provided an excellent opportunity for us to also monitor native parrot abundance and diversity in Singapore beyond our nature reserves. Given that some species such as the non-native Red- breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) are now increasingly abundant Corellas (C a c a t u a across Singapore, goffiniana) (2.9%) and it is also timely to 14 Coconut (Rainbow) identify areas where Lorikeets (Trichoglossus these species are haematodus) (2.5%) concentrated and were counted. Other their roost sites. species seen included the Rose-ringed Results & Parakeet (P krameri), Conclusions Blue-crowned Hanging Coordinated annually Parrot (Loriculus galgulus) by the Bird Group and a single Salmon- since 2011, this crested Cockatoo (C year’s Parrot Count moluccensis), which is took place on 23 likely a recent escapee. February 2013. Interestingly, not a Fourteen sites across single Yellow-crested mainland Singapore Cockatoo was observed, were covered by at least 32 surveyors. Thanks becoming the second consecutive year of non- to relatively good weather, we were able to sighting. This suggested that feral populations are document 554 parrots within the main count in rapid decline or are already locally extirpated at period from 5.30 pm to 7 pm, a figure higher many sites. than any count total of the past two years. An additional 221 parrots were recorded by teams A worrying trend is the rapid decline of the who stayed beyond 7 pm, including many Red- breasted Parakeets and 63 unidentified parakeets. Based on this year’s data, well-wooded Portsdown Road was the most species rich site, with four species recorded. Changi Village came up tops in terms of abundance with 115 individuals of two species seen. In accordance with recent years’ trends, the Red-breasted Parakeet appeared to be the most abundant suburban parrot in Singapore, with 397 individuals seen, forming 71.7% of the

8 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013 native Long-tailed Parakeet, corresponding to an In view of this, we are considering extending future increase in the Red-breasted Parakeet population parrot counts by an extra half hour to capture (correlation coefficient = -0.989). Total abundance parrots flying back to their roosts after 7 pm. and proportion of the Red-breasted Parakeet has been consistently increasing since the first parrot On behalf of the Bird Group, we would like to count in 2011. It may provide evidence that the thank the following for sacrificing their weekend native Long-tailed Parakeet is being outcompeted, evening for parrot monitoring. Site leaders: Alan at least in suburban areas and woodlands outside OwYong, Ali Jaafar, Barindra Sana, Doreen Ang, the central nature reserves. The proportion of Kenneth Kee, Lee Ee Ling, Lim Kim Chuah, Lim Long-tailed Parakeet has fallen from 33.5% in 2011 Kim Keang, Margie Hall, Peng Ah Huay, Rehan to the current 20.8%. Although our three years Yusoff, Subha Narayanswamy, Willie Foo, Wing of data is only suggestive, long term trends are Chong, Yang Pah Liang and Yong Ding Li. Assisting needed to detect genuine declines and thus it counters: Amaury C Gassiot, Ann Ang, Bruce is important to continue monitoring our parrot Gong, Chen Deh Chien, Chiam Chye Hock, populations in the coming years. Deirdre Chua, Joanna, John Ang, Joseph Jachin Beh, Lena Chow, Lim Kaiqi, Michael Quinn, Pui During the census, parrot numbers peaked from Cui Fen, Tan Hang Chong, Toh Hwee Lian and Yan 6.30 pm to 7 pm where more than half the total Jiejun. Finally, we thank Roelant and Michael for count was obtained (290 individuals). Low numbers inviting us to be part of their study. were recorded from 5.30 to 6 pm (107 individuals). Table 1: Summary of Count Data across All Sites Sites King Buona SG Sembawang Eng Neo Portsdown Pasir Ris Albert Vista Botanic Park Avenue Road Park Species Park MRT Gardens Red-breasted 0 0 15 22 0 0 39 Parakeet Long-tailed 0 50 26 2 0 5 0 Parakeet Rose-ringed 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 Parakeet Blue-crowned 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 Hanging Parrot Coconut 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Lorikeet Tanimbar Corella 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 Sites Pasir Ris Changi Nanyang Choa Chu Neo Tiew Parsi Gymkhana Species St 52 Village area Avenue Kang Way Lane 2 Cemetery Avenue Red-breasted 0 131 110 18 17 45 0 Parakeet Long-tailed 0 0 5 8 17 0 2 Parakeet Rose-ringed 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Parakeet Blue-crowned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hanging Parrot Coconut 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 Lorikeet Tanimbar Corella 0 7 0 0 0 0 2

As the next parrot count is less than four months from now, do check the Jan-Feb 2014 issue of Nature News for more details. 9 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013 Inaugural Butterfly & Dragonfly Walk By Lena Chow

eavy head first, with the prey still struggling for dear life. H It was all over in a matter of minutes when the overnight damselfly was swallowed whole. This jaw-dropping rains episode starkly brought home to everyone the and an carnivorous and sometimes cannibalistic appetite overcast morning did not stop an enthusiastic of dragonflies. bunch from gathering at for NSS’ first Butterfly and Dragonfly Walk on 8 September 2013. We proceeded quickly to the park’s Kitchen Garden, part of which is now a Butterfly Garden. This Lepidoptera haven is a fruition of the deliberate planting of butterfly-attracting nectar plants which butterflies feed on, and caterpillar- specific food or host plants on which butterflies lay their eggs. Despite the gloom and short burst of rain, we saw a few eye-catching orange-and-white Barely recovering from our excitement, we had Plain Tigers fluttering around and their striped another shot of adrenaline when a rare Scarlet caterpillars munching on the leaves of the Crown Adjutant dragonfly made a brief appearance. This Flower. To our delight, individuals of Dark Glassy was quickly followed by a Yellow-barred Flutterer Tiger, Peacock Pansy, Leopard, Lemon Emigrant, gracing the pond with its pretty yellow-and-black Common Mime, Dark Brand Bush Brown, and wing patterns and a Scarlet Basker posing nicely Ciliate Blue also showed up to feed on the many by the pond’s edge. All in all, it was a rather fruitful nectar plants. There were plenty of good photo walk right at the start of the monsoon season! opportunities all around. The skies finally began to clear when we moved on to the little pond next to the Butterfly Garden. Blue Sprite and Common Bluetail damselflies were as ever present. Some formed mating pairs in tandem or in a delicate heart-shaped pattern. Several male Blue Perchers were seen zipping around, fighting each other off their particular patch of the pond. A large Variegated Green Skimmer then appeared, and was immediately the centre of everyone’s attention. We watched captivated as it swooped in on a damselfly and proceeded to chomp on it, We were lucky to observe first-hand a Variegated Green Skimmer hunting and finishing off a damselfly. Announcements Celebrating the Life of Alfred Russel Wallace exhibition at the Singapore Science Centre in end November The 100th anniversary of Alfred Russel Wallace’s death on 7 2013, and a play staged by Theatr na nÓg called You Should Ask November is being marked with conferences and exhibitions Wallace. More details at the Science Centre’s website: http:// in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the UK, as well as with the www.science.edu.sg/events/Pages/wallace.aspx. Mr George unveiling of a statue of Wallace by Sir David Attenborough at Beccaloni, curator of orthopteroid insects and director of the AR the Natural History Museum in London. The statue is crafted Wallace Correspondence Project, Natural History Museum, will by acclaimed sculptor Anthony Smith. Local highlights include an be in Singapore on 3 December 2013 to give a talk on Wallace 10 NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2013

Announcements NSS DIRECTORY Patron at the Science Centre. PROF TOMMY KOH NSS Welcomes Tax-Exempt Donations President If you believe in the importance of nature appreciation and DR SHAWN LUM – Office: 6790-3835 conservation in Singapore, help us keep our work going with Vice-President MR LEONG KWOK PENG – Mobile: 9766-7047 a donation to NSS. All donations are tax-exempt. Please Honorary Treasurer make out your cheques to “Nature Society (Singapore)”. MR SOO CHOON KIAT For individual donors, do write your full name, contact Honorary Assistant Treasurer number and NRIC/FIN number at the back of your cheque. MR DAVID TEO Honorary Secretary Giving us your NRIC/FIN means that tax deduction claims MS MARGIE HALL – Mobile: 9730-5562 are automatically reflected in your tax assessment. We look Honorary Assistant Secretary forward to your financial support! MR TAN HANG CHONG Paperless Nature News Executive Committee Members If you wish to opt-out from receiving hard copies of Nature MR GOH SI GUIM, DR HO HUA CHEW, DR HSU CHIA CHI News to save trees, please inform Joe at [email protected]. Finance Advisory Group Members MR LEE CHIU-SAN , DR LEE LAY TIN, MR LIM CHIN KHENG Please state if you prefer: A) get your copy of Nature News Immediate Past President via an emailed PDF file (less than 5MB), or B) download the DR GEH MIN same PDF file from the NSS website. Co-opted Council Members Wanted: Used Stamps for the NSS Stamp Fund PROF P N AVADHANI, MR GAN CHEONG WEEI, MS FAIZAH JAMAL, MR TONY O’DEMPSEY The Stamp Fund is boosted by members and friends who Advisory Council Members collect and send us used postage stamps. These are then sold MR IAIN EWING, MR WARREN KHOO, PROF KOH KHENG LIAN, to an overseas collector once or twice a year. Simply cut MR KWEK LENG JOO, MR LIM JIM KHOON, MR LIU THAI KER, PROF NG SOON CHYE, MR SIM WONG HOO, MR MASON TAN, out the stamps from the envelope without cutting into their MR. RICHARD HALE edges. No need to soak the stamps off the envelope paper. BirdLife International Coordinator Keep sending your stamps to the NSS office in an envelope MR LIM KIM KEANG marked “Stamp Fund”! Our grateful thanks to all contributors. Environmental Law and Policy Coordinator/IUCN Coordinator MR VINAYAGAN DHARMARAJAH The NSS Stamp Fund now stands at $19,782.26. NSS Nature Forum COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS The NSS Nature Forum, found at http://www.nss.org.sg/ Conservation Committee forum/, is a virtual gathering place that serves to facilitate Acting Chairperson MR LEONG KWOK PENG discussions on a whole range of nature-related topics. You can Vice Chairperson DR HO HUA CHEW Education Group share photos and ideas, ask questions and forge friendships Chairperson MS GLORIA SEOW with fellow nature lovers. The forum is open to both members and non-members. Register now for a free account! SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CHAIRPERSONS New Members: Join us in our Special Interest Group Bird Group & Other Activities Chairperson MR WING CHONG All members are welcome to participate in any of our listed Secretary MR WILLIE FOO activities. Most events do not require prior registration. Butterfly Interest Group Simply turn up at the appointed time and place, and you Chairperson MR ANUJ JAIN will be off to discover and learn about Singapore’s natural Vice Chairperson MR GAN CHEONG WEEI offerings. Do not be nervous about your lack of nature Jalan Hijau knowledge. Just let your trip leader(s) know that you are new Chairperson MR TAN HANG CHONG and he/she/they will gladly guide you. Marine Conservation Group NSS Membership Benefits Chairperson DR HSU CHIA CHI Show your NSS membership card to enjoy discounts! Please Plant Group contact us if your business is interested in offering NSS Acting Chairperson DR SHAWN LUM Membership Benefits. The Nature Ramblers 1) Nature’s Niche Chairperson MR PARTHASARATHY PANDIAN 29 Transit Road, #04-13, S778905 Tel: 6475-2319 Vertebrate Study Group * 10% discount at the online store www.naturesniche.com for nature Chairperson MS NG BEE CHOO books, gifts and optics (eg. binoculars). Discount applies for self-collection Secretary DR LEONG TZI MING only and not for postal orders. 2) Pharmaplus Nature News Editorial Committee 1 Orchard Boulevard, Camden Medical Centre #01-04 MS GLORIA SEOW – [email protected] S 248649. Tel: 6887-3456. www.pharmaplus.com.sg MR TIMOTHY PWEE – Mobile: 9791-8300 * Up to 10% discount for walk-in customers only MR GOH SI GUIM – Mobile: 9758-9125 Contributions for Nature News Secretariat Please send in your contributions for the Jan/Feb 2014 issue MR JOSEPH LIM, Accounts & Membership Officer by 5 December 2013. Email them to gloria_seow@yahoo. MR KERRY PEREIRA, Member Programme & Outreach Officer com. All original photos should be in JPEG format with a Secretariat Contact Details minimum size of 1 MB. The Editorial Committee reserves the 510 Geylang Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore 389466 right to select and edit appropriate contributions for use. Tel: 6741 2036 Fax: 6741 0871 Email: [email protected]

11 NATURENATURE NEWS NEWS NOV-DECSEP-OCT MAR-APR 2013 2013 2010

I understand that payment is non-refundable once a place has been booked for me on this trip. I also understand and agree that all risks, injury, damages or other losses whatsoever and howsoever arising caused or suffered by any person or to any property during this trip, including but not limited to, any disruption to my work/business, personal inconvenience or extra expenses arising from unforeseeable alterations in travelling arrangements, or other unexpected events, shall be borne entirely by me . To the fullest extent permitted by law, under no circumstances shall the Nature Society (Singapore) nor its contractor or employee or servants or agents or workmen or leaders be held liable for any personal injury, accident happening or other losses whatsoever and howsoever arising caused or suffered by any person arising out of or in connection with the trip, any act or omission of Nature Society (Singapore) nor its contractor or employee or servants or agents or workmen or leaders during the trip at any time.

MEMBERSHIP TYPE AND ANNUAL RATE: ORDINARY ( ) $40 FAMILY ( ) $75 JUNIOR ( ) $18 (between 12 & 18 years old) STUDENT ( ) $18 (full-time students between 18 & 35 years old) AFFILIATE ( ) $200 CORPORATE ( ) $4000 To further support your Society in its work do include a donation if you can! All donations are double tax-exempt. II wouldwould likelike toto addadd aa donationdonation of:of: (( )) $10$10 (( )) $20$20 (( )) $30$30 (( )) $$50 ( ) $80 ( ) $100 $ (amount(amount ofof youryour choice)choice) ( ) GIRO FORM REQUEST : Please send me a GIRO form for payment of my membership subscription.

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