NATURE NEWS SEP-OCT 2014 NEWSLETTER OF THE NATURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE) Sep-Oct 2014 MCI (P) 027/08/2013 ISSN: 2010-4308 ACTIVITY CALENDAR CONTENTS Pg Talk: Upclose with the Intriguing Horseshoe Crabs of Singapore Sep 5 Activities 2 The Marine Community Talk: Upclose with the Beautiful Butterflies of Singapore Sep 12 Applauds the Establishment of 5 11th Fall Migratory Bird Census Sep 14 Singapore’s First Marine Park Fraser’s Hill International Bird Birdwatching at Tampines Wood Sep 21 Race 2014 6 International Coastal Clean-up Singapore Sep 27 Revisiting the Code of Ethics for Nature Lovers & 7 Raptor ID Talk Sep 27 Photographers Southern Ridges Ramble Sep 27 Seeking Butterflies at Wallace Dairy Farm Nature Park 8 47-day Raptor Count at Tuas South Oct 1 to Nov 16 NSS Small Grants Scheme for 9 Talk: The Green Corridor Oct 3 Bird Conservation Research 2nd Edition of the ‘Birds of New Birdwatching at Lorong Halus Oct 4 Guinea’ Field Guide 9 NSS Kids’ Fun with Nature at Coastal Clean-up at Mandai Mudflats Oct 11 Upper Seletar Reservoir 10 NSS Kids’ Fun with Forest Giants Oct 12 Announcements 10 Butterfly & Dragonfly Watching at Seletar Oct 18 NSS Directory 11 All Purpose Form 12 Birdwatching at Bidadari Oct 18 Birdwatching at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Oct 19 Talk: Bats in Singapore & Beyond Oct 24 Small Grants Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Oct 25 Scheme for Bird Paddle Sungei Khatib Bongsu Oct 25 Conservation 31st Bird Race cum Dinner Oct 25 & 26 Extraordinary General Meeting Oct 26 Research 7th Raptor Watch Nov 9 Pg 9 Trips Led by NSS Members 4D/3N Lombok Eco-Adventure Oct 2 to 5 Revisiting the Code of Ethics for Nature Lovers & Photographers Pg 7 1 NATURE NEWS SEP-OCT 2014 Activities September FridayFriday 5 5 SundaySunday 21 21 Talk: Upclose with the Intriguing Horseshoe Birdwatching at Tampines Wood Crabs of Singapore Meet Willie Foo (HP: 9675-1089) at 7.30 am at the Horseshoe crabs are some of the last remaining living junction of Tampines Road and Jalan Sam Kongsi. fossils on earth. Unknown to many, we have a thriving Please use http://gothere.sg to help you get there by population of mangrove horseshoe crabs residing right public transport. This site is located behind Tampines here in Singapore. Unfortunately, the global population Industrial area, along Tampines Ave 10. There was once is declining and in need of protection. In this talk, Kerry a Grebe Pond here but it has since been drained. Visit Pereira will introduce this little-appreciated organism this wooded area before it is completely gone. We and highlight its importance to the environment. He will will be looking out for Sooty-headed Bulbuls and other elaborate on NSS’ work in conserving the horseshoe interesting species such as the Red-whiskered Bulbuls, crab and show how you can make a difference in this Bee-eaters, Black-shouldered Kites, Pied Trillers and effort. Venue: Library@Esplanade. Time: 7 pm to 8 pm. Pied Fantails. If we are lucky we can watch mixed flocks Open to the public. of Munias – Black-headed, White-headed and Scaly- breasted – feeding together. Members only. FridayFriday 12 12 SaturdaySaturday 27 27 Talk: Upclose with the Beautiful Butterflies of International Coastal Clean-up Singapore Singapore The NSS-led participation at the annual International Butterflies are more than just a pretty face in nature. Coastal Clean-up Singapore is set to take place at the Like plants and animals, they are part of a complex food Mandai Mudflats from 5 pm to 7.30 pm. Located at the web. Their survival will help in the continuation of all extension of Kranji Road where it intersects with Kranji living things including man. Join Anuj Jain as he outlines Loop, these mudflats are a key habitat for horseshoe the role of butterflies in the web of life and explains why crabs. If you are keen to make a difference here, please they are considered a key indicator in the biodiversity register on our website or email Kerry ([email protected]. and wellbeing of specific habitats and ecosystems. Anuj sg). Details will be emailed upon successful registration. will also share on the variety, distribution and status Dinner and refreshment will be provided after the activity of butterflies found in Singapore. Current efforts to in appreciation of our volunteers. Open to the public. promote their interest will be covered. The talk will SaturdaySaturday 27 27 be accompanied by photos of beautiful butterflies seen in our forests, parks, gardens and other green areas. Raptor ID Talk Venue: Library@Esplanade. Time: 6 pm to 7 pm. Open This talk is for anyone with an interest in birds of prey, to the public. and is useful as a refresher for those helping out at Raptor Count and Raptor Watch. The key ID features SundaySunday 14 14 and behaviour of raptors will be highlighted, as well as the differences between confusing species such as the 11th Fall Migratory Bird Census Japanese and Chinese Sparrowhawks, the Changeable Since September 2004, we have been conducting our Hawk-eagle and Oriental Honey Buzzard and more. yearly bird census covering the autumn migration period. Meet at the NSS Office at 7 pm. Open to the public. Our first count in 2004 had 8,035 birds from 135 Saturday 27 species at 25 sites. Join us to help determine the trends Saturday 27 affecting our wild birds. All birdwatchers are welcome Southern Ridges Ramble but some experience is required as we have a fixed Pandian and Soh Lay Bee will lead us through a maze of census period in the morning from 7.30 am to 10.30 walkways and trails at Mount Faber and Telok Blangah am. If you can help, please email coordinator Wing Hill. Enjoy a fantastic view of the harbour and the Southern Islands from the highest points in these two Chong at [email protected] before 5 September parks. Bring along your binoculars for close-up views 2014. He will inform you about available sites and site of interesting birds and your camera to capture the leaders. Only those who sign up before the closing date beautiful scenery. Meet at 7.30 am at Harbour Front will be assigned to a site. Open to the public. MRT station Exit D near Marang Road. This 7-km/4-hour ramble ends at the HortPark in Kent Ridge. 2 NATURE NEWS SEP-OCT 2014 Activities October 1 1 October October to 16 toNovember 16 November SaturdaySaturday 11 11 47-day Raptor Count at Tuas South Coastal Clean-up at Mandai Mudflats Volunteers wanted! We hope to find enough Join us at Mandai Mudflats to make a difference volunteers for this 47-day observation period at by helping to clean up our coast. Located at the Tuas South Ave 16, located at the end of Tuas South extension of Kranji Road where it intersects with Ave 5, and learn more about raptor migration in Kranji Loop, these mudflats are a key habitat for Singapore. In the last migratory season, more than horseshoe crabs and an important feeding ground 700 Oriental Honey Buzzards were seen in a single for wading birds. Please register with Kerry Pereira day. Tens of thousands of Sparrowhawks migrate ([email protected]) or at the NSS website stating down the Malay Peninsular in autumn, but few are your name, if you are a NSS member or not, recorded here. Are they missed because they are affiliations (eg. school or company) and contact overlooked? We hope to find answers to questions details. Time: 4.30 pm to 7 pm. Open to the public. such as this. Observers could be rewarded with SundayS 12 12 rarities such as the Short-toed Snake Eagle and unday Greater Spotted Eagle. We need volunteers NSS Kids’ Fun with Forest Giants especially on weekdays to make this effort a Join the Plant Group in this walk and share success. Please contact Tan Gim Cheong (elleb@ their passion for Singapore’s forest giants. Easily singnet.com.sg) if you can help. Open to the public. hundreds of years old, the trees at MacRitchie Reservoir boast huge buttress roots, trunks with FridayF 3 3 riday amazing girths and heights, topped by a canopy Talk: The Green Corridor that looks like fresh broccoli. Time: 8 am to 10 Coordinator for the Rail Corridor Watch Group am. Please register your children (4 to 12 years Paul Wonnacott will present a potted history old) with Gloria Seow at gloria_seow@yahoo. of the KTM railway, from its inception in the com, stating their names and ages, if they are NSS early 1900s by Sultan Iskandar to its closure and members or not, if they need to loan binoculars repurposing as a current day public space. Paul will (FOC) or not, and let us have your mobile number. describe some of the work of the Watch Group. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child Details of the proposed Murnane Pipeline by PUB (non-member) will be collected on the spot. will be shared, including how PUB intends to carry Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in out this work with minimal disruption to public at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who access and the existing flora and fauna. Venue: NSS sign up. Open to the public. Office. Time: 7 pm to 8 pm. Open to the public. SaturdaySaturday 18 18 SaturdaySaturday 4 4 Butterfly & Dragonfly Watching at Seletar Birdwatching at Lorong Halus Seletar Country Club boasts a well-nurtured Meet Jimmy Lee ([email protected]) at 7.30 am butterfly garden that has attracted at least beside Popeye Restaurant at Tebing Lane off Punggol 82 butterfly species over the past two years.