NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 May-Jun 2009 Jan-Feb 2009

Activities 2 The Joys of Dipterocarps Part II with Shawn Lum and the Plant Group May 16 NSS Round-Up: 4 Butterfly Walk at Alexandra Hospital Butterfly Trail with Gan May 17 News from Exco and Pre-AGM Book Launches & Talk by the Bird Group May 23 Council as of April 2009 55th Annual General Meeting May 23 Thoughts from the 5 Green Bird Watching Series 1 May 24 NSS President Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research May 30 Horseshoe Crab 6 NSS Kids’ Fun with Plants that Grow on Other Plants Jun 6 Population & Distribution Survey The Joys of Dipterocarps Part III with Shawn Lum and the Plant Group Jun 6 Results of the HSC 7 Pandan Riverside Ramble with the Nature Ramblers led by Rehan Yusoff Jun 14 Survey & Quadrat Sampling at Mandai Butterfly Walk at with Simon Chan Jun 21 Key Findings in the 8 Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Jun 27 Fishermen’s Survey of Green Bird Watching Series 2 Jun 28 Horseshoe Crabs Go Paperless: Opt- 9 10th Mid-Year Bird Census Jul 11 & 12 out from Receiving Nature News by TRIPS ABROAD Slow Mail NSS Kids’ Fun 9 5N/6D Taman Negara with Raja Jun 21 to 26 at Lower Pierce Reservoir Kranji Reservoir 10 Join Us at (Marsh) Adoption: our 55th AGM & Meet Updates from the Working Committee Fellow Members Go How is Kranji Making 11 Pg 14 Paperless: Waves Over the Net? Opt-out 24th Annual Bird 12 from Census Report 55th Annual General 14 Receiving Meeting & Agenda Nature Announcements 14 News by NSS Directory / 15 Slow Mail Subgroups Pg 9 All Purpose Form 16

1 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 Activities May occurred within since records began in the Saturday 16 19th Century. The Joys of Dipterocarps Part II with Shawn Lum Copies of the two books will be available for sale after and the Plant Group a brief talk on “Challenges in Singapore Ornithology” In February we walked through the Dipterocarp by Lim Kim Seng, co-editor of the first book and Arboretum at to learn about this iconic author of the second one. Kim Seng will provide some group of trees. This time we will combine a garden background to the writing of these books and preview stroll with a forest walk to meet dipterocarps in both certain upcoming trends and challenges in the local a cultivated and natural state. Learn to recognise the birding scene. different genera, spot the leaves, and with luck see Saturday 23 some fruits. Meet at 9.30am at the Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Information Counter area. 55th Annual General Meeting Sunday 17 NSS warmly welcomes all members to our 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 2pm, held at the MOE Dairy Butterfly Walk at Alexandra Hospital Butterfly Trail Farm Adventure Centre located at 30 Dairy Farm with Gan Cheong Weei Road. There will be refreshments available at the end. Alexandra Hospital is one of the best places in The Bird Group will be launching two new books just Singapore to observe butterflies. Species commonly before the AGM at the same venue, see Activity above. encountered here include the urbanised Lime Butterfly, Details of the AGM agenda and how to get there are the graceful Painted Jezebel, the fast-flying Common Tit, provided in the article on page 14. the black-and-white Common Mormon, the slow-and- easy Blue Glassy Tiger and the Autumn Leaf, a foreign Sunday 24 export that has settled in well. If we are lucky, we may Green Bird Watching Series 1 spot visitors from the forest, species like the Green Baron and Ambon Onyx. Meet at the carpark in front The Bird Group is contemplating holding a Green of Alexandra Hospital cafeteria at 9.30am. The walk will Bird Race this year. This is the first of our Green Bird last about three hours. Gan’s HP: 9754-4174. Watching series in preparation for this possibility. Meet Willie Foo at 7.30am at Segar LRT Station. We will Saturday 23 explore part of the Bukit Panjang Park Connector that links up with . These buffer areas along Pre-AGM Book Launches & Talk by the Bird Group the BKE provide breathing space for residents, as well Time & Venue: 1 to 1.45pm at the MOE Dairy Farm as homes for the birds. Do your part to Go Green Adventure Centre’s Meeting Room. Details on how to for this trip! Take public transport, use reusable water get there are provided in the AGM article on page 14. bottles, utilise ‘Green’ batteries for your electronic gadgets…every tiny effort goes a long way. The Bird Group would like to invite all members to a special pre-AGM launch of its two latest publications. Saturday 30 One of these is the “State of Singapore’s Wild Birds and Bird Habitats: Results of the Annual Bird Census 1996- Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research 2005”, edited by Lim Kim Chuah and Lim Kim Seng. Please register with Dr Hsu at hsu_chia_chi @hotmail. This book contains the results of the second decade com, stating your name, if you are a NSS member of the 24-year old Annual Bird Census conducted or not, affiliations (eg. school/company), experience since 1986. It gives insights into trends at the 33 sites (if any) and contact details for this monthly mission monitored, and provides information on the 220 bird to rescue and study the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab species in 43 families counted during the period. (HSC). We have also started an on-going HSC Training The second book, “The Avifauna of Singapore” written & Accreditation Programme for anyone keen to be a by Lim Kim Seng, features colour photos from well- qualified HSC R&Rer. Meet at the extension of Kranji known local photographer Jimmy Chew and over Road, at the junction with Kranji Loop at 9am. Take bus a hundred line drawings from bird artist and birder 925 from Kranji MRT station and alight at the Chinese Yong Ding Li. This book condenses data from the Bird temple along Kranji Loop, cross the road and look for Group’s newsletter Singapore Avifauna, and other the nameless track that starts beside Leong Soon Pte published and unpublished sources, to provide a Ltd (251 Kranji Road). We recommend that you bring a complete summary of the status, distribution, breeding cap, shoes/booties, sun block, repellent, cutter (for HSC seasonality, migration patterns, conservation and rescue) and camera. Washing facilities available. museum collections of every wild bird known to have Activities June species of wild mistletoes (yes, the same one that people Saturday 06 kiss under during Christmas) that typically grow on the branches of tall trees? Learn about mistletoes and other Fun with Plants that Grow on Other NSS Kids’ plants that grow on trunks and branches (ie. epiphytes Plants and parasites), and see them flourishing wild at eye-level Do you know that Singapore has several of our own 2 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

in the garden of a classic black-and-white bungalow near com, stating your name, if you are a NSS member or not, . Margie Hall, NSS Honorary Secretary affiliations (eg. school/company), experience (if any) and and professional nature guide, whose house we would contact details for this monthly mission to rescue and be visiting, will personally give us a fun-filled introduction study the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (HSC). We have to these fascinating plants, with insights to their peculiar also started an on-going HSC Training & Accreditation survival strategies. Time: 8am to 10am. Please register Programme for anyone keen to be a qualified HSC R&Rer. your kids (4 to 12 years old) at gloria_seow@yahoo. Meet at the extension of Kranji Road, at the junction com, stating their names and ages, if you are a NSS with Kranji Loop at 8am. Take bus 925 from Kranji MRT member or not and your mobile number. A fee of $5 station and alight at the Chinese temple along Kranji per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will Loop, cross the road and look for the nameless track that be collected on the spot. Parents can sit in at no charge. starts beside Leong Soon Pte Ltd (251 Kranji Road). We Details will be emailed to those who sign up. recommend that you bring a cap, shoes/booties, sun block, repellent, cutter (for HSC rescue) and camera. Washing Saturday 06 facilities available. The Joys of Dipterocarps Part III with Shawn Lum

and the Plant Group Sunday 28 Spot wild dipterocarps! Get to know these plants better Green Bird Watching Series 2 and learn how to recognise different forest types in the The Bird Group is contemplating holding a Green Bird process. Beginners and experienced forest hands alike Race this year. This is the second of our Green Bird should revel in a pleasant afternoon of botanising. Meet at Watching series in preparation for this possibility. Meet 3.30pm at the refreshment kiosk of MacRitchie Reservoir. Wing Chong at 7.30 am at Bukit Gombak MRT Station. We will explore the Connector,

Sunday 14 birding along Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, Bricklands Road Pandan Riverside Ramble with the Nature Ramblers and ending at Choa Chu Kang Park, next to Choa Chu led by Rehan Yusoff Kang MRT Station or Bricklands Road at the junction of Rehan will take us in search of a disused railway track Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3. The newly-opened Bricklands that runs along the left bank of the Ulu Pandan River Road cuts through abandoned farms and army camps. and explore its lower course. Bring your camera and Grasslands and woodlands here attract birds like Barbets, binoculars. This 6km/3hr ramble will end at Jalan Buroh Bulbuls, Doves, Orioles, Parakeets, Starlings and White- near Pandan Reservoir. Please wear proper attire and eyes. Do your part to Go Green for this trip! Take public shoes, and bring along a hat/cap and sunglasses. Meet transport, use reusable water bottles, utilise ‘Green’ at 7.30am at the entrance of the Ulu Pandan Park batteries for your electronic gadgets. Every effort goes a Connector, near Block 343 Clementi Road. long way. Sunday 21 Weekend 11 & 12 July Butterfly Walk at Bukit Batok Nature Park with 10th Mid-Year Bird Census Simon Chan This census of Singapore’s wild bird population will be We will be taking a leisurely stroll in this park which is held over two days to allow birdwatchers to cover their mostly made up of rubber plantations reclaimed by the backyards, neighbourhood parks or home patches. We forest. Butterflies found here include forest species like would like to invite all birders, especially newcomers to the Tawny Palmfly as well as urban species like the Striped the Society, to join in this census. Don’t worry about Albatross, Sometimes one can even find the endangered being unable to identify some birds as each site will be Common Birdwing. Meet at 9.30am at Bukit Batok Nature led by an expert. Such censuses have helped us formulate Park main car park along Bukit Batok East Ave 2. Please conservation proposals to government agencies by bring enough water and insect repellent as the walk will providing us hard data to substantiate our proposals. take about three hours. If you can help from 7.30 am to 10.30 am on Saturday Saturday 27 and/or Sunday, please email coordinator Lim Kim Seng Saturday 27 at [email protected] before 4 July. Let us know which Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research day(s) you are available. Please register with Dr Hsu at hsu_chia_chi @hotmail. Date: 21 to 26 June 2009 Trips Abroad Cost: SGD420 per person 5N/6D Taman Negara with Raja with 10% discount for Activities: Forest trekking, Bird watching, Canopy Walk, Swim at children below 12 staying Lata Berkoh Cascades and Lubok Simpon, Trenggan rapids shooting, with parents. Cave exploration, Visits to Orang Asli settlement, High Hides and Fish Application: Fill out the All sanctuary. Purpose Form (APF) found at the Cost Includes: Transport, accommodation, 4 dinners, all internal back of Nature News, one form per boat trips and fees. person. Make out a cheque for the full Closing Date: 10 May 2009 amount to Nature Society (Singapore). Accommodation: Mutiara or Rainforest resorts, comes with Please mail APF and your cheque to: breakfast, twin sharing or family room. S Rajamanickam, 61 Chestnut Crescent, Transport: By coach and boat Singapore 679412. For enquiries, email Minimum No.: 20 pax [email protected]. 3 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 NSS Round-Up: News from Exco and Council as of April 2009 By Margie Hall, Honorary Secretary

A) NSS Secretariat: The Search for an Executive also relinquished his volunteer webmaster role. We Officer would like to thank him for his many contributions t’s amazing how much gets done in the Society to the website, and are greatly indebted to him for Iby active members, together with the tireless his various endeavours. We are happy that he will dedication of our Accounts and Membership Officer continue to work in the Editorial Committee and Joe Lim. However, it is difficult to be as efficient and function as NSS Librarian. responsive as we would like, especially at times when The webmaster role has been temporarily taken letters and emails with requests and suggestions over by Low Wee Meng, but he may not be able come in from all directions on a myriad of nature to continue in the near future. As such, we are and/or environmental issues. To all those who have advertising for a volunteer webmaster (look under not, at times, had prompt replies, or perhaps no the Annoucement page). Those who are keen but replies at all, our sincere apologies. Hopefully, not may not wish to take on the full responsibility can only will this be soon a thing of the past, but we will also get in touch with us, as we may instead have also have the capacity for much greater achievements a team of webmasters, including Wee Meng, rather with the boosting up of the NSS Secretariat. The than a single person running the website. We would Society advertised in the Straits Times (print edition like to extend our appreciation to Wee Meng for and online) for an Executive Officer at the end of holding the fort for now. Gan Cheong Weei has also February 2009, and we are working through the volunteered to steer the future development of the process of short-listing and interviewing applicants. website, in particular, the setting up of web-based The procedures involved will be fully documented nature forums, on top of other exciting ideas. and communicated as befits our IPC status. D) New Chairperson for the Butterfly Interest B) An Enlarged Exco for AGM 2009 Group We are also hoping to achieve greater Gan Cheong Weei has also taken over from Simon responsiveness by sharing tasks across an enlarged Chan as Chairperson of the Butterfly Interest Executive Committee (Exco) after the May 2009 Group (BIG). Simon and Gan have worked as a Annual General Meeting (AGM), with the creation team for many years, jointly organising BIG activities of two additional positions: a) Honorary Assistant and producing BIG publications. We owe them a Secretary and b) Honorary Assistant Treasurer. These great deal, especially in helping to conserve local two posts were written into a Proposed Revised butterflies and their work on such projects as the Constitution (PRC), agreed at an Extraordinary Alexandra Hospital Butterfly Garden and Changi General Meeting in August 2007. However, Airport Terminal 3 Butterfly Garden. We would like processing the PRC has taken time, including a to thank Simon for his years as BIG Chairperson, and review by the Commissioner of Charities, Ministry Gan for taking over this responsibility. of Community and Youth Services, and this was E) New NSS Lease of the Green House in Pulau held back until we achieved our Charity Status. The Ubin acceptance finally came through in February 2009. On 1 April 2009, the Society took over the lease of It then had to be reformatted for submission to the the Green House in from the Singapore Registrar of Societies (ROS) and this was completed Environment Council (SEC). Our first year as lease in March 2009. If approval comes from the ROS in holder will be a little experimental as our intention time, we will be able to elect nominated members is to maintain and run the House for the use of for the additional positions at the upcoming AGM. both ourselves and other nature groups. Within the If not, we will have to wait another year to do so. In Society, individuals and subgroups can incorporate the meantime, we have included these positions in use of the House into their activities as relevant. The the Nomination Form with the necessary proviso, Green House was originally set up by the former hoping that they will come to pass. Green Volunteer Network (GVN) of the SEC, C) Changing of NSS Webmasters and Future headed by Grant Pereira. The GVN is now called the Website Development Green Volunteers and is still led by Grant, and they The task of NSS webmaster has always been an will continue to use the House on certain weekends exacting one. We are grateful to Timothy Pwee who to carry out their Ubin-based nature programmes. has worked magnificently, setting up the present We very much look forward to working with the website in 2006 and holding the webmaster role Green Volunteers and developing other such sharing from 2006 onwards, at a time when he was also an arrangements of the House with various green Exco and Editorial Committee member. Timothy groups in Singapore. stepped down from Exco in May 2008, and recently 4 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

Thoughts from the NSS President… Back to Basics: Curiosity in Nature & Its Wonders Dear Fellow NSS Members, wildlife and plant life that live in our green spaces both big and small. Twenty years ago I signed up as a member of the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch). The founders of MNS and NSS were avid (and Many things have happened in the local nature mostly amateur) naturalists, and their publications conservation scene during the past two decades are valuable natural history references to this – the MNS (Singapore Branch) became the day. Over fifty years later, we still have a group of Nature Society (Singapore), and there has amazing naturalists in NSS, and their importance been a proliferation of is more critical today than nature-oriented groups, ever before. Ironically, while e-communities and blogs. Singapore embraces nature, at Singapore now has a well- least as a concept, there are staffed National Biodiversity fewer opportunities to get Centre, and heavyweight to know and fall in love with NGOs of the conservation it. There is less wilderness, world are welcome here. fewer kampungs, bigger urban Gone are the days when the sprawl, and more city dwellers rather simplistic “conservation now than fifty years ago. vs development” dichotomy Students do not learn plants tended to flavour any nature- and animals in detail today as related discussion. Instead, they did in the past. Yes, there economic development has are field trips that take school made way for Sustainable children to nature areas, but Development. these one-off excursions are not the same as spending Do these changes leave the Nature Society in quality time with nature, to better learn its many search of a new identity? In one sense, we have wonders and fully appreciate its beauty. Without had a multiple personality for a long time; whether the deeper affinity with the natural world that can as a hobby group, lobby group or watchdog, only come from spending meaningful time in it, different people have associated NSS with how will we feel the urgency to protect the little many different things over the years. I too have that remains of the earth’s irreplaceable natural wondered to myself what kind of organism NSS heritage? is and how it might evolve in the future. What are our future options given the shifting climate of Who can show the way? Naturalists. I think that nature conservation in Singapore? Do we become naturalists are precious commodities these days, more “corporate”? Do we need to rethink our and we can never have enough of them. Whether Vision and Mission? as beginners or as expert nature watchers, I think that one of the best things we can do for I have now come full-circle in my thinking and Singapore is to celebrate Nature and to show realise that the answer to my questions was in others how to do it. It is pretty basic stuff, but front of me all along – to go back to basics, not unfortunately so easily overlooked or lost. down the path of management theory. I feel that what makes us vibrant, what builds camaraderie between members and links to the rest of society, Best wishes, and what creates a foundation for everything else that we do, is all about our roots in nature appreciation. Not only an “I love nature” kind of nature appreciation, but more importantly, a Dr Shawn Lum curiosity to get to know the amazing array of [email protected] 5 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 Horseshoe Crab Population & Distribution Survey By Dr Hsu Chia Chi

people, for about two hours during the afternoon spring low tide of 0.5m. It was a challenging task as the mud in most of these places was soft and sticky. Their perseverance paid off with fruitful data collected and the SS Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Researchers rescue of entrapped N(HSC R&Rers) conducted our first island- HSC. wide HSC Population and Distribution Survey On 21 March 2009, a dinner get-together for on 8 March 2009, in collaboration with nature volunteers was held. NSS Vice President Leong enthusiasts from NUS, NIE, Nanyang JC, Bukit Kwok Peng graced the occasion and led a convivial View Seconday School and the public. The aim pre-dinner sing-along. After a buffet dinner where was to establish an estimate of the population participants had a chance to mingle, area leaders and distribution of the two species of HSCs shared their experiences, findings and feedback. found in Singapore, namely the Mangrove HSC Lesley Cartwright-Taylor presented a summary (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) and the Coastal of the fishermen survey while Yap Von Bing went HSC (Tachypleus gigas). through the collated data from the seven sites and After recces of possible HSC habitats, eight survey highlighted results from the randomized quadrat areas were identified: Sembawang Park, Lower survey at Mandai. Conservation Committee Seletar Reservoir Dam, , Changi Chairperson Dr Ho Hua Chew presented Point Ferry Terminal, Sungei Pandan, Sarimbun, Lim certificates, a cap and a copy of the book “Singapore Chu Kang jetty and Mandai mudflat. Waters” to Qualified HSC R&Rers. A randomised quadrat search at We would like to thank all volunteers our usual Mandai mudflat haunt, for their enthusiasm and support, as well as exploratory searches especially Chiam Sher-Yi for mentoring at the other seven sites were our younger participants, Cheryl Lao conducted using a combination who surveyed the Changi Point Ferry of visual sighting for exposed Terminal area with her family, and crabs and gentle probing of the Exco member Angie Ng, who besides substrate with gardening forks for assisting with transport, was overjoyed buried HSC. In addition, a survey- to find her first HSC. Kudos too to cum- education questionnaire was our industrious Organising Committee carried out amongst commercial comprising Lesley Cartwright-Taylor, and recreational fishermen at Lim Poh Bee, Alessandra Nardin, Yap the various sites, accompanied by Von Bing, Marian Tay, Reyes Vicente Jr. photos of our two HSC species. Chua, Almie Mazlan, Mohd Iqbal, Mark Our 110 volunteers scoured the Goh, Jing Lei and Ren Jian Xin. eight areas in teams of two to five

6 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 Results of the HSC Population and Distribution Survey & Quadrat Sampling at Mandai By Yap Von Bing The horseshoe crab (HSC) counts from all surveyed estimate can be extrapolated to the search area as locations are can be seen in Table 1. Generally, the quadrat may not be representative. Coastal Horseshoe Crabs are restricted to the The search at Mandai mudflat was an attempt to get north-eastern coast, and their numbers are low. This reliable density and size estimates for a modest area: is some evidence that the species is endangered. a rectangle plot east of the bund that goes 50m along The Mangrove Horseshoe Crabs favour the north- the shore and 20m towards the sea. This 1000m2 western coast, and seem much more abundant. It target area was divided into 250 2m x 2m quadrats, seems reasonable to view the sea bordered by the of which 25 were randomly chosen by the statistical Singapore coast stretching from the Immigration software R. A random sample is approximately Complex through the Mandai mudflat and Sungei representative, so results from a total of 100m2 can Buloh Wetlands Reserve to the Sarimbun area and be confidently extrapolated to the whole target area. the corresponding Johor coast as a single habitat. This This scheme sounds simple in theory yet it presents idea should be seriously considered in any future great practical challenges. After a GPS machine management plan of the area. located the target area, the 25 scattered quadrats We estimated the area covered for the various were located using several marked ropes as giant search locations. Dividing the number of crabs found rulers. Each quadrat was clearly labeled, so that data by the whole area gives an estimate of the population could be recorded correctly. The location of these density, but generally such an estimate will often be quadrats was carried out by 10 NUS undergraduates, much too low, as there were insufficient resources while the search was done by 20 Nanyang JC to cover the whole area thoroughly, resulting in students. many missed crabs. For example, in the north end of Sarimbun, dividing 39 HSC by 350m2 gives an The results? The density of Mangrove HSC in the estimate of 0.1 Mangrove HSC per m2. Actual crab 1000m2 target area was estimated to be 0.6 per m2, densities could be as much as 10 times higher based and the uncertainty in this estimate due to random on previous random surveys in Mandai. A more selection was around 0.1 per m2. As such, there were reliable density estimate can be obtained from a about 600±100 Mangrove HSC in the target area on thorough search of a small area known as a quadrat. the afternoon of 8 March. This estimate could still A 5m x 5m quadrat at the north end of Sarimbun be a little low, as some crabs are bound to escape accounted for 9 of the 39 crabs found. As such, this attention, but these numbers should be very small. particular quadrat had a density of 0.36 Mangrove We were also able to estimate the average size of HSC per m2. However, we are not clear if this the males, females and juveniles in the target area as 10.2 ± 0.1 cm, 11.0 ± 0.5 cm and 5.0 ± 0.3 cm Table 1: Horseshoe Crab Counts in 8 respectively. It is important to bear in mind that these Survey Locations figures only apply to those Mangrove HSC found in the target area. They may not tell us much about the Location Search Live Dead Live Dead area Mangrove Mangrove Coastal Coastal other areas, much less about the crabs swimming in (m2) HSC HSC HSC HSC the sea. Changi 200 0 1 6 2 Point The work at Mandai seems inconsequential if we Pasir Ris 150 0 1 0 0 think about obtaining reliable quantitative information Lower NA 3 5 0 3 of a population of HSC scattered over a much larger Seletar area - the walkable area of Mandai mudflat is easily 2 Mandai 100 60 2 0 0 50m x 500m = 25,000 m . Unfortunately, statistical Lim Chu NA 57 0 0 1 theory and practice suggest that there is little hope Kang of doing better than thorough search in a random Sarimbun 350 39 0 0 0 sample of quadrats. On the bright side, however, (N) we can monitor the health of the Mangrove HSC Sarimbun 300 9 0 0 0 indirectly by listening to the pulse of our 1000 (S) m2area regularly. Who knows how much good can Sungei 500 4 1 0 0 come out of such persistent observation? Pandan

7 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 Key Findings in the Fishermen’s Survey of HSC By Dr Lesley Cartwright-Taylor olunteers asked 22 fishermen present at while in Chinese it is “da pang xie” (hanyu pinyin). Vthe survey sites, via a questionnaire, if they No. of Questionnaires in Survey Areas had seen or caught horseshoe crabs before. Changi Pt Lim Chua Kang L Seletar Res There seemed to be no real knowledge that C. 3 1 2 rotundicauda (Mangrove HSC) and T. gigas (Coastal S Pandan Sarimbun Pasir Ris Sembawang HSC) are separate species or that horseshoe crabs 0 4 3 9 are endangered or vulnerable. Many of the answers 1. Have you ever seen horseshoe crabs? they gave applied to horseshoe crabs in general C. rotundicauda: All sites except Pasir Ris, 19 said yes. and many of the questions were unanswered for T. gigas: All sites except LCK, 10 said yes T. gigas. This means that fishermen perceived little 2. If yes, where? difference between the species in both habits and C. rotundicauda: Beach=8, Mangrove=5, At sea=6 habitats. T. gigas: Beach=6, Mangrove=4, At sea=1. Based on size alone as a differentiating factor 3. When did you last see them? between the two crabs, both species were C. rotundicauda: Within last 3 months=12, 3-6 reported at all sites with the exception of C. months ago=2, One year ago=1, Long time ago=1 rotundicauda being absent from Pasir Ris and T. T. gigas: Within last 3 months=4, 3-9 months ago=2, gigas being absent from Lim Chua Kang. T. gigas >One yr ago=2, Some not so recently was mostly seen on the beach rather than in the 4. When do you see them most often? mangroves, and more often in deeper waters C. rotundicauda: Mostly day=4, At night=2, At high than C. rotundicauda. Both species were sighted tide, low tide, spring tide and in nets, all but at neap throughout the tidal cycle at all tide times except tide during neap tides. Unexpectedly, T. gigas was also T. gigas: Mostly day=4, At night=3, High tide=5, Low reported from areas that are typically inhabited by tide=2, Spring tide=3, all but neap tide day or night. C. rotundicauda, such as in Sarimbun, although it is 5. At what months of the year do you see not seen as commonly as C. rotundicauda. Several them? fishermen commented about always observing C. rotundicauda: Jan=1, Feb=2, March=3, June/July, horseshoe crabs in pairs, as well as them appearing Oct, All year round=2 seasonally, with the January to March and the mid- T. gigas: Mid year, Monsoon, Feb/Mar, All year round= year period most commonly cited. 2, not many responses Horseshoe crabs are caught in nets as by-catch, but 6. At the peak season how many do you see most fishermen typically throw them back into the each time? sea. However, one reported that he keeps the large C. rotundicauda: Many, 3-5=1, In pairs=4, Singly=2 ones to eat. Others said that the eggs can be eaten, T. gigas: Many=2, 3-5=1, In pairs=2, Singly= 2, but in general, there seemed to be little enthusiasm 7. If you have caught horseshoe crabs, how far to consume these crabs. were you from shore at high tide? We did not collect sufficient questionnaires to C. rotundicauda: Within 50m=Most answers, draw any firm conclusions, but at least we gained Within 100m=1, Everywhere an impression of the HSC situation in Singapore. T. gigas: Within 50m=1, 100-200m= 1, Everywhere=2 It is clear that fishermen need to be informed 8. Are they edible? that these species are threatened, and they should C. rotundicauda: Most did not know. No=2, Yes=2 always release them if caught. We already know If yes, eggs and possibly softer parts. that there are Mangrove HSCs around Singapore’s T. gigas: Yes=5, No=3 northern and western shores, but fishermen also 9. Any other information claimed to have seen the Coastal species along C. rotundicauda: Most throw them back if they are these same shores. caught. One at Sarimbun catches sea horses too, seen at Sembawang Park. Not so many HSC now due to Results of Fishermen’s Survey water pollution. Total of 22 questionnaires. HSC in Malay is “belangkas” T. gigas: No. 8 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 NSS Kids’ Fun at Lower Pierce Reservoir By Leshon Lee, 12-year old Nature Guide Barely taller than the children he guided, Leshon gave a briefing before we started out. Photo by Goh Si Guim. t was one of the most memorable trips I have ever We e m e r g e d Iguided. My little audiences, the children present f r o m t h e on 29 March 2009 for my botany and wildlife forested trail walk at the Lower Pierce Reservoir, were both to the scenic knowledgeable and inquisitive. Auntie Gloria and the v i e w s o f t h e Education Group led a simultaneous birding session L owe r P i e rc e with helpers like Uncle Si Guim, Auntie Lena, Uncle Reservoir where Benjamin and Auntie Luyan. the boardwalk We started off at the Casuarina entrance of the continued along Lower Pierce boardwalk, strolling along the Hevea the water edge. Trail where I pointed out plants like the spiny-trunked Over here, Auntie Gloria and the other guides Nibong (Oncosperma pointed out birds like soaring White Bellied Sea tigillarium), and talked Eagles and Brahminy Kites, and showed the kids about its traditional use as through the scope, close-up views of an Oriental construction material for Honey Buzzard, a Purple Heron, Blue-tailed Bee fishing stakes in kelongs, Eaters, and the highlight of a Changeable Hawk once the trunks have been Eagle at its nest, first spotted by Uncle Si Guim. stripped of their black We were indeed lucky to find four raptors in one spines. We also came morning! across the Fishtail Palm We a l s o p a s s e d (Caryota mitis), which has mischievous Long- leaflets shaped like fishtails, t a i l e d M a c a q u e s looking as if they had been eaten before by some and Plantain Squirrels animal. This is the plant’s defense strategy against scurrying along the trees, herbivores, as typically, animals avoid eating leftovers obser ved a jumping A spider breakfasting on a too! This palm also has a unique flowering pattern spider and its leaps, and juvenile forest cockroach. – the first flowering cluster emerges at the top of witnessed another spider Photo by Gloria Seow. a mature palm, with subsequent clusters appearing breakfasting on a juvenile below this level and so on. After the final flowering forest cockroach. All in all, we had a wonderful time. cluster, which sprouts near the ground, the palm dies.

Go Paperless: Opt-out from Receiving Nature News by Slow Mail By Margie Hall, Honorary Secretary

It has been frequently discussed that the Society should copy by email, or whether you will read the Nature News stop printing hard copies of Nature News so as to save online. trees, or at least allow some members to opt out of Those with no access to emails will continue to receive a receiving hard copies so as to save postage costs. Members hardcopy. Regrettably, since the present minimum print- could instead receive the latest issue in PDF format in run for Nature News is larger than our membership base, their emails, or read it off the NSS website, which often opting-out will not save any trees in the short term, but appears in advance of the mailed-out printed copies. will help us save on postage costs, and give us a larger We now feel that this is possible. Members who are happy number of copies to use for promotional purposes. to get an emailed PDF copy (up to 5MB) of Nature News, However, if a large percentage of members opt to read or download it from the NSS website, and who wish to Nature News via emails or online, we might be able to opt-out from receiving hard copies by slow mail, should somehow reduce our print-run to start saving trees. Rest email or call Joe at [email protected] or Tel: 6741-2036. assured that very old issues of Nature News are sent for Please make clear whether you wish to receive a PDF recycling.

9 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

Kranji Reservoir (Marsh) Adoption: Updates from the Working Committee By Dr Ho Hua Chew

A) Kranji Marsh Blog C) Restoration of the Marshy Pond he new Kranji Marsh Blog at http://kranjimarsh. he plan for the restoration of the Marshy Tblogspot.com has been set up to feature the TPond at Neo Tiew Lane 2 has been finalised ecology and rich biodiversity of Kranji Marsh by the Working Committee. The Marshy Pond was and its environs, as well as interesting activities originally a large body of open water where birds related to the Adoption Programme. Anuj Jain is its like the Red-wattled Lapwing, Lesser Whistling webmaster. We welcome contributions and photos Duck, Common Moorhen, Black-capped Kingfisher to this blog to make it a success. Read more about (migratory), Black Drongo (migratory) were it in the next story. regularly present in the past. Now, the open water is gone, and instead is swamped over by a profusion B) Baseline Biodiversity Survey of plants such as Water Bananas, Water Mimosas etc. The aim of the Marshy Pond restoration is e will conduct a baseline biodiversity survey to lure back the various birds mentioned earlier, Wfrom April to December 2009 covering the and to increase the visibility of extant bird species following wildlife: Birds, Plants, Reptiles, Amphibians, like the Purple Swamphen. With its enhancement, Fish, Mammals, Butterflies and Dragonflies. These we also hope to attract amphibians, terrapins, leaders will coordinate the survey: dragonflies, butterflies etc. a) Plants ------Dr Shawn Lum The Small Clearwater Pond with its shallow open b) Birds ------Dr Ho Hua Chew water will be left as it is. However, its fringe of aquatic vegetation (eg. Cattail, Common Reed etc.) c) Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish & Mammals - Yeo Suay will be allowed to grow to become denser than Hwee its present form. This will serve as perches for dragonflies, butterflies etc. The Pond Bund will also d) Butterflies ------Gan Cheong Weei remain, but work will be done to make it attractive e) Dragonflies ------Dr Cheong Loong Fah as a resting area for water birds and other wildlife like terrapins. The baseline transect will cover the marshy areas at the Reservoir shoreline and the habitats westward to Neo Tiew Road, from the Canal at D) The Field Station-cum-Rain the southern fence of the Kranji Transmission Shelter & Eco-Toilet Station in the north to the Sg. Kangkar Shoreline The Working Committee will use a refurbished in the south, up to the Poultry Farm. Total survey container as a field station that will also double- area is approximately 300 hectares. After this up as a rain shelter, complete with anti-lightning baseline transect, regular monitoring surveys will device. If permission is granted by SLA, this will be be initiated. placed at the entrance of the track leading to the We hope to obtain a comprehensive knowledge Marshy Pond, just off Neo Tiew Lane 2. The rain of the plant and wildlife biodiversity at Kranji shelter is necessary because of lightning hazards, Reservoir and its environs, with the objective of and also because the PUB Pumping Station (another providing ecological information that can serve as possible shelter) is off limits to the public for guides to any future developments in the area, as security reasons. well as generate further public interest in the area’s rich wildlife. In addition, the Committee has decided to set up an eco-friendly and self-recycling toilet for At the survey’s completion, we plan to publish a the convenience of guides, volunteers and trip book which will collate all information gleaned participants. A conventional portable toilet will be in an accessible form. This tome will be targeted temporarily put up while permit is being sought at the general public, nature lovers, managers, from NEA for the eco-toilet. This eco-toilet is planners etc. 10 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

Architectural drawing of the Eco-Toilet which is self-recycling desirable as, apart from its function as a washroom, Soon from Akitek Tenggara for his generous help it can also take on an educational focus in showing in designing both the field station-cum-rain shelter how human excreta can be processed in an eco- and the eco-toilet. friendly way. We would like to thank Tay Kheng

How is Kranji Making Waves Over the Net? By Anuj Jain he new Kranji Marsh blog is at http:// enthusiastic Tkranjimarsh.blogspot.com. guides and all others The Kranji Reservoir Adoption under the PUB w h o a r e ABC Waters Programme on 22 November 2008 h e l p i n g was a historic event for NSS as this is the first t o m a k e time the Society is taking care of a Nature Park. K r a n j i As outlined by Hua Chew in the article above, the M a r s h a Working Committee aims to restore its marshy success. habitat to attract more birds and wildlife. As it Through this blog at http://kranjimarsh.blogspot. is, Kranji Marsh already boasts a stunning birdlife com, we would also like to open up the Public’s population and what was once the only nesting site eyes to the beauty and biodiversity of the Marsh. for the Grey Heron in Singapore. We are looking for interesting stories, photos and Hua Chew and others are training new nature sighting records as we document the Marsh. The guides for the Marsh, and these newly-minted blog aims to be a quick reference for novices and guides will start giving nature tours towards the experts alike, to find out more about its habitat end of the year. As such, public walks will become and wildlife offerings, and get excited about it. more frequent by year-end, taking participants into Whenever you visit the Marsh and see something places like Kranji Bund, a little-known and beautiful worth sharing, please email the writer at part of our countryside. [email protected] with photos and your story, With the slew of upcoming activities, blogging about and we will post it up on the blog. Suggestions on them as they happen would be like patting the back what you would like to read are also welcome. of the Working Committee, the Advisory Panel, the

11 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

24th Annual Bird Census Report

By Lim Kim Seng

he NSS Bird Group conducted its 24th Annual Due to a lack of observers and other extenuating TBird Census (ABC) on 15 March 2009 in circumstances, these sites were not covered in generally fair weather. This saw the involvement of this year’s census: Bukit Batok Nature Park, Kranji 40 people at 23 sites, down from 46 observers at Dam, Marina City Park, Marina East, Nee Soon, 27 sites in 2008. In all, 7,135 birds from 144 species Pasir Ris Park, Sentosa, Simpang Grassland and were recorded, the lowest count since 2005. . We hope that the pool Of the 23 sites, Ubin West and Neo Tiew Lane 2 of site leaders can be increased soon, with the (Kranji Marsh) had the best bird diversity with 57 involvement of more people from the birding species each, followed by Buloh 2 with 53 species. community. The least diverse sites were Telok Blangah Hill What then was Singapore’s most numerous bird? Park (27 species), Sime Road (30 species) and This was none other than our ubiquitous sturnid, Sembawang the White- Park (31 vented species). Myna, which The highest retained its bird-populated pole position site was for the third Sungei Mandai successive year as expected, running with with 665 birds 1,161 birds counted, a counted, down tremendous from 1,364 fall from the birds in 2008. 1,896 birds T h e s e c o n d recorded in place went 2008. Whether to the Asian this drastic Glossy Starling drop is a one-off occurrence will depend on future with 481 census results, but this is the first time in recent birds recorded versus 2008’s 607 birds. Coming years that numbers have dropped below 1,000 in third to fifth positions were the Pink-necked birds. In second place was Neo Tiew Lane 2 with Green Pigeon (389 birds), Yellow-vented Bulbul 590 birds, while the third spot went to the Botanic (382 birds) and Black-naped Oriole (190 birds). All Gardens with 433 birds. The least populous sites counts of species in the top five positions were were (180 birds), Mount less compared to 2008’s figures (Lim, K.S. 2008). Faber (205 birds) and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve See Table 1 below for the top 20 most numerous (213 birds). birds counted in 2009 compared to 2008. As mega-biodiversity areas, Pulau Ubin and Perhaps the most dramatic fall was that of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve were assigned two Pacific Golden Plover, with just 136 birds counted, transect routes each for ABC 2009. Sungei Buloh dropping from 2nd to 13th position in a single returned a higher bird diversity with 71 species year. This decline was also reflected in the other heard and seen, compared to Pulau Ubin’s 67 waterbirds. Only the Little Egret, and no other species. However, in terms of abundance, Ubin was wader, appeared in the Top Ten list this year. well ahead with 766 birds counted compared to Whether this is just a blip or the start of a decline Buloh’s 489 birds. trend is unknown. 12 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

The most spectacular rise was shown by the We recorded 37 migrant species, making up 25.7% White-headed Munia – no birds were counted of the 144 species total. The other 106 species in 2008 but 120 birds were recorded this counted were resident birds, while one species year, enabling it to rise to 18th position. Also was a non-breeding visitor. Of the 56 nationally- noteworthy was the increase of the migrant threatened species, 20 species (down from 21 in sturnid the Daurian Starling with 188 birds heard 2008) or 35.7% of the total were heard and seen. and seen, causing it to rise to 9th position, a The most abundant nationally-threatened species remarkable performance considering that only 5 was the Grey Heron with a count of 98 birds, birds were present in 2008. down from 115 birds in 2008, causing it to fall to 21st position. The only globally-threatened species encountered was the Straw-headed Bulbul (55 Table 1: Singapore’s Top 20 birds), up slightly from 51 birds in 2008, putting Most Numerous Birds in ABC it in 32nd position. This bulbul is also the second most numerous nationally-threatened species 2009 & 2008 recorded this year, with the third place going to No. SPECIES ABC 2009 ABC 2008 the Oriental Magpie Robin (31 birds), placing it in 1 WHITE-VENTED 1161 1364 (1) 49th position. It took 50th place in 2008 with a MYNA similar score of 34 birds. 2 ASIAN GLOSSY 481 607 (3) The most exciting birds observed were a Barn STARLING Owl at , a Grey Nightjar at 3 PINK-NECKED 389 448 (5) Chinese Garden, a Mangrove Pitta at Ubin Central, GREEN PIGEON White-shouldered Starlings at Bishan Park (1 bird) 4 YELLOW- 382 468 (4) and Punggol (8 birds) and a Grey Wagtail at Bukit VENTED BULBUL Batok West. 5 BLACK-NAPED 190 243 (6) We would like to thank the following people who ORIOLE led or assisted in ABC 2009: 6 PACIFIC 190 162 (13) SWALLOW Doreen Ang, Chan Kim Cheng, Chan Mei Yee, Chen 7 SPOTTED DOVE 188 210 (8) Jinwen, Alfred Chia, Geoffrey Davison, SC Fang & 8 DAURIAN 188 5 (107) family, Con Foley, Willie Foo, Margie Hall, James STARLING* Heng, Ho Hua Chew, Kenneth Kee, Nessie Khoo, 9 LITTLE EGRET* 150 190 (11) Maurice Kwan, Danny Lau, Lee Ee Ling, Jimmy Lee, 10 COMMON 143 112 (20) Lim Kim Chuah, Lim Kim Keang, Lim Kim Seng, PIGEON Alan Owyong, Peng Ah Huay, SK Phang, Rehan 11 HOUSE CROW 141 191 (10) Yusoff, Jane Rogers, John Spencer, Tan Ju Lin, Tan Kok Hui, Mendis Tan, Tan Siew Kwang, Tan Soon Im, 12 COMMON 137 202 (9) Teh Kiam Poh, Wee Sau Cheng, Wing Chong, Wong GREENSHANK* Chung Cheong and Yang Pah Liang. 13 PACIFIC 136 1038 (2) GOLDEN PLOVER* References 14 COLLARED 131 165 (12) Lim, K.C. (2005). Annual Bird Census 2005. Singapore KINGFISHER Avifauna Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 36-37. 15 OLIVE-BACKED 124 127 (17) SUNBIRD Lim, K.S. (2006). Report on the 21st Annual Bird Census. 16 ASHY MINIVET* 123 128 (16) Singapore Avifauna Vol. 20 No. 1, pp 19-20. 17 COMMON IORA 120 132 (15) Lim, K.S. (2007). Report on the 22nd Annual Bird Census. 18 WHITE-HEADED 120 0 On-line report accessed on 9 April 2009 at http:// MUNIA (unplaced) wildbirdsingapore.nss.org.sg/indexE.html 19 WHIMBREL* 106 232 (7) 20 ASIAN KOEL 102 100 (22) Lim, K.S. (2008). Report on the 23rd Annual Bird Census. Note: Species marked with an asterisk (*) indicate migrants. Singapore Avifauna Vol. 21 No. 3, pp 20-22.

13 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009 55th Annual General Meeting & Agenda By Margie Hall, Honorary Secretary ature Society (Singapore) warmly welcomes all 7. Election of the 2009 – 2010 Finance Committee Nmembers to the 55th Annual General Meeting (or Finance Advisory Group) Members. (AGM) on 23 May 2009, Saturday at 2pm, held at the 8. Any Other Business. MOE Dairy Farm Adventure Centre located at 30 Dairy Farm Road. Refreshments will be available at the end of the Meeting and provide a chance for catching up with AGM Agenda: fellow Members. If the Meeting for any reason is 1. Minutes of the 54th Annual General Meeting held very lengthy, refreshments will be at the interval. As on 24th May 2008 - Amendments & Approval. stated in the Activities List, the Bird Group will be launching two new books at the same venue from 1 2. President’s Report for NSS year 2008 – 2009. to 1.45 pm. 3.Treasurer’s Report for 2008, including presentation and adoption of the Audited Accounts for 2008, How to Get There: & presentation of Society and of Subgroup & Ample parking space is available on the small road Committee Budgets for 2009. immediately outside the Centre. Public Transport By Bus: Take TIBS 171 from Orchard Road or SBS 170 4. Appointment of Auditor for the Society from Newton Circus. Alight at the bus stop after Accounts 2009. Railway Mall outside Hillview Avenue and opposite 5. Subgroup and Committee Reports for NSS year the Salvation Army building. Walk in the direction 2008 to 2009, in alphabetical order. of the traffic lights and cross over to Dairy Farm 6. Election of the 2009 – 2010 Executive Committee Road. Walk up Dairy Farm Road and turn into the Members. first small road on the right to reach the Adventure Centre.

Announcements NSS Welcomes Tax-Exempt Donations Typically, we need people to help set-up the booth, as If you believe in the importance of nature appreciation well as be there helping to sell NSS merchandise and and conservation in Singapore, help us keep our work to interest the public in becoming NSS members. If you going with a donation to NSS. All donations are tax- can help, please volunteer yourself by emailing Joe at exempt. Please make out your cheques to “Nature [email protected]. We will keep you informed via email of Society (Singapore)”. For individual donors, do write upcoming exhibitions that will have a NSS booth, to see your full name, contact number and NRIC/FIN number if you are available to volunteer. at the back of your cheque. Giving us your NRIC/ New Members: Do Join Us in Our Various FIN means that tax deduction claims are automatically Subgroup Activities reflected in your tax assessment. We look forward to New Members, and indeed all members, are welcome your financial support! to join any of our listed activities, no matter which Wanted: Volunteer NSS Webmaster subgroup, project or person is the organizer. Most We are looking for a volunteer webmaster to maintain activities do not require prior registration – simply turn and update the NSS website and forums, and be up at the appointed place and time. Don’t be nervous involved in the exciting changes planned for it. If about your lack of nature knowledge as we are all there interested, please email Gan at [email protected]. to learn from each other. Just let your trip leader(s) know if you are “new” and they will gladly guide Wanted: Volunteer Library Assistants you. Some subgroups have email forums, their own NSS needs several volunteer library assistants to help websites or blogs, where there is sharing of up-to-date our librarian classify and label our numerous nature sightings and postings. Check these out on the NSS books by topic, and administer to the borrowing and website which collates the various subgroup links etc. returning of books. If you can help, please contact Joe at Subgroups do not have clear boundaries as to who is or Tel: 6741-2036. is not a subgroup member. Each arose when individuals Wanted: Volunteers to Help at NSS Booths with similar interests got together to propose to Exco NSS increasingly receives requests to set-up our to form a new subgroup. Subgroups have their own booth at various nature and environmental events in committees with chairpersons who represent them on Singapore. These exhibitions happen on an ad-hoc basis. the NSS Council. 14 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

Report Your Recent Wildlife Sightings! NSS DIRECTORY

The following sub-groups and organisations would love Patron to know what uncommon local wildlife (dead or alive) PROF TOMMY KOH you saw recently, as this would help them understand President what and where animals are found in Singapore, and DR SHAWN LUM - Office: 6790-3835 determines the habitats that need conservation. Do Vice President include these information in your email: Observer(s) MR LEONG KWOK PENG - Mobile: 9766-7047 Treasurer name, species, size & length of animal(s) seen, date, MR SOON TZE CHIEN time, location, behaviour, habitat and photograph(s) if Honorary Secretary any. These groups are: MS MARGIE HALL - Mobile: 9730-5562 1. Vertebrate Study Group – Email sightings of unusual Executive Committee Members MR GOH SI GUIM, DR HO HUA CHEW, MS CHUA LENG SIM vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, amphibians and Finance Committee Members freshwater fishes) to sighting-records@ecologyasia. MR C S KONG, MR BEN LEE com. Immediate Past President 2. Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Team (HSC DR GEH MIN R&R) – Email sightings of both Mangrove and Coastal Co-opted Council Members ASSOC PROF P N AVADHANI, MR STEPHEN LAU, Horseshoe Crabs (cross-section of tail is round for DR HSU CHIA CHI, MS FAIZAH JAMAL Mangrove HSC and triangular for Coastal HSC) to Honorary Legal Advisor [email protected]. Do include additional MR VINAYAGAN DHARMARAJAH details like tide levels (low, mid or high), numbers seen, NSS Advisory Council Members and HSC size (width at widest part of carapace in cm). MR IAIN EWING, MR WARREN KHOO, PROF KOH KHENG LIAN, MR KWEK LENG JOO, 3. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) – MR LIM JIM KHOON, MR LIU THAI KER, Roadkills of snakes, birds and other animal specimens PROF NG SOON CHYE, MR SIM WONG HOO, are welcome. Please inform RMBR by filling out a MR MASON TAN, MR RICHARD HALE BirdLife International Coordinator Roadkill Report Form at http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/ MR WILLIE FOO — Mobile: 9675-1089 contact/roadkillreportform.php. If you are brave enough, help RMBR collect the dead specimen by NSS SUBGROUPS (in alphabetical order) sealing it in a plastic bag, freezing it, and dropping it off Bird Ecology Study Group at its NUS facility. However, please understand that Chairperson DR WEE YEOW CHIN Home: 6466-0736 RMBR reserves the right to decline your specimen Bird Group with regrets due to space and manpower constraints. Chairperson MR LIM KIM KEANG Mobile: 9739-1142 Upcoming Green Birdwatching Trips Secretary MR WILLIE FOO Mobile: 9675-1089 The Bird Group is contemplating running a Green Butterfly Interest Group Bird Race this year. In line with this, we will conduct Chairperson MR GAN CHEONG WEEI several Green Bird Watching Trips from May 2009. Conservation Committee Participants are encouraged to Go Green in these Chairperson DR HO HUA CHEW Home: 6457-1196 outings. Take public transport, use reusable water Education Group bottles, utilise ‘Green’ batteries and more! Do join Chairperson MS GLORIA SEOW us in our upcoming Green Birdwatching Trips, see Marine Conservation Group Activities list for more details. Chairperson MR EDZRA ISKANDAR Wanted: Used Stamps for the NSS Stamp Fund Plant Group The Stamp Fund is boosted by members and friends Chairperson DR SHAWN LUM Office: 6790-3835 who collect and send us used postage stamps that The Nature Ramblers are then sold to an overseas collector once or twice Chairperson MR REHAN YUSOF Mobile: 9674-8283 a year. There is no need to soak and separate the stamps from the envelopes, simply cut the stamps off Vertebrate Study Group Chairperson MR R SUBARAJ Mobile: 9650-5183 without damaging them. Keep sending your stamps to Secretary MS CELINE LOW Mobile: 9693-2554 the NSS office in an envelope marked “Stamp Fund”! Our grateful thanks to everyone who has contributed. Nature News Editorial Committee The Stamp Fund now stands at $15,535.01. MS GLORIA SEOW - [email protected] MR TIMOTHY PWEE - Mobile: 9791-8300 Contributions for Nature News MR GOH SI GUIM - Mobile: 9758-9125

Please send in your contributions for the Jul/Aug 2009 Accounts & Membership Officer issue by 5 June 2009. Email them to gloria_seow@ MR JOSEPH LIM - Tel: 6741-2036 yahoo.com. All emailed photos should be of an original NSS SECRETARIAT minimum size of 1 MB. The Editorial Committee 510 Geylang Road #02-05 The Sunflower Singapore 389466 reserves the right to select and edit appropriate Tel: 6741-2036 Fax: 6741-0871 Email: [email protected] contributions for use. 15 NATURE NEWS MAY- JUN 2009

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