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Last Update 13
March 2010
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While we try to be as forthcoming as we possibly could with
the latest interesting bird sighting, we would also like to remind all
birders and photographers following up on the sightings to always have the welfare
of the bird in mind. We urge birders and photographers to minimise
disturbance to the birds as much as possible. Thank-you for your
co-operation! The birds will appreciate it.
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Please refresh/reload if the photo/pictures does not correspond with
the text!
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(Posted 13 March 2010)
Singapore is home to over 180
resident bird species, a respectable total considering our modest land area
of slightly over 700 sq km. Located in the heart of Sundaic Southeast Asia which
was formerly covered entirely in forest, Singapore’s own forests are no
doubt an important bird habitat supporting rich numbers of resident birds.
More species of birds are found in forests than any other habitats. These
include communities of babblers, bulbuls and woodpeckers. Other important
habitats here include secondary scrub, abandoned plantations, freshwater
marshland, mangroves and grasslands. In Singapore, secondary scrub is still
extensive and may support some bird species that are usually found in
forests (e.g. Rufous woodpecker).
Habitat destruction due to the
rapid pace of Singapore’s urban development has led to the loss of over 95%
of our original forests and mangroves. This has also resulted in the
creation of secondary habitats such as scrub and old plantations which can
only support few bird species, mainly adaptable ones. Consequently, many of
our forest and mangrove birds are now extinct, while a great number are in
danger of extinction. Singapore’s Red Data Book lists over 50 species that
are either critically-endangered, endangered or vulnerable. This comprises
an alarming 30% of extant species. Examples of birds with such worrying
statuses include our largest woodpecker, the White-bellied Woodpecker,
which was last seen definitively in 2004. Sadly, it may already be extinct.
Another example is the Great-billed Heron, a huge heron that persists
precariously on islets south of the mainland which are in increasing
pressure from development.
Despite the presence of extensive
research facilities in Singapore (eg. bird collections, libraries and
labs), it is surprising that so little research has been carried out on our
threatened bird species. Existing research work tends to concentrate on the
overall avifauna situation, highlighting general threats to our resident
birds, but fail to address conservation and ecological concerns of
individual species or groups of species. Furthermore, there are no
long-term scientific studies of population patterns of most of our threatened
species. We continue to speculate how these species are faring, based on
observations sent in by birdwatchers. Furthermore, we lack reliable
population information even for our commonest raptors like the Brahminy
Kite and White-bellied Fish Eagle.
The Bird Group is introducing the “Small Grant Scheme
for Bird Conservation Research” to address the paucity of local
ornithological research, and to complement our existing annual censuses of
Singapore’s avifauna. The key objective is to encourage and provide
financial support for field research of birds in Singapore, with an
emphasis on locally threatened species. Research work may include extensive
field surveys, population counts and
mapping, followed by statistical analysis. Field research will also be
integral to local bird conservation, by generating much-needed updates and
knowledge of local species that are currently at stake and will support
future conservation assessments and measures. The scheme will provide
funding of up to S$2000 to cover transport costs, logistics and purchase of
research equipment and software during the course of research work.
Interested applicants are encouraged to write to the author at zoothera@yahoo.com to enquire and get advice on drafting up a
project proposal.
By Yong Ding Li
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(Posted 24 February2010)
This report covers noteworthy
bird sightings in November 2009 for Singapore and the surrounding region.
In general, the report will include but are not limited to the following categories:
rarities, breeding or nesting records, arrival and departure dates for
migratory species, new locality records, escapees and unusual behaviour.
Singapore Avifauna Vol
23 No 11 (November 2009)
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(Updated 16 February 2010)
·
Singapore Raptor Report January 2009 by Tan Gim Cheong
·
Singapore Raptor Report December 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
·
Singapore Raptor Report November 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
·
Raptor Watch Report November 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
·
Singapore Raptor
Report October 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
·
Autumn
Raptor Migration, Early arrivals for September 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
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(Posted 7 January 2010)
The Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC)
2010 for Singapore is scheduled for 16 January 2010 from 3.30 pm to 6.30
pm.
The following sites will be
count: Lower Seletar Reservoir, Mandai Mudflats, Sungei Buloh Wetland
Reserve, Kranji Dam, Kranji Dam, Pulau Ubin, Pasir Ris and Lorong Halus.
The census covers all waterfowl and also birds associated with wetlands
such as raptors and kingfishers in Asia. This year additional site
information will be collected to monitor Important Bird Area (IBA) sites.
If you are interested please email the AWC 2010 Singapore Coordinator, Lim
Kim Keang at <kklimsg@singnet.com.sg>
or sms to 97391142 before 11 January 2010.
Thanks n Regards,
Kim Keang
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(Posted 7 January 2010)
Click
to read this report by the Records Committee of the NSS Bird Group.
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(Posted
7 January 2010)
Hurrah, I graduated! The much
awaited Basic Birdwatching Course (BBC) was held from 24th Oct
to 29th Nov taught by our dear instructor Lim Kim Seng. This 6
week course comprised of a 3 hour classroom session on Saturday afternoons
followed by Sunday morning field trips for the entire duration of the
course.
In Kim Seng’s words – ‘The
course was designed to provide students with a firm foundation in basic
ornithology and core competencies for improving their birdwatching skills
as well as some knowledge on the major bird habitats in Singapore and the
complex relationships between birds and humans’.
21 of us
who graduated from the course felt that the objectives were duly
met. Thanks to our instructor the course was superbly designed. In 6 weeks
we learnt so much that few among us even called it the ADVANCE Birdwatching
Course.
Click to read full report by
Anuj Jain
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(Updated 4 December 2009)
Ten teams participated in the
26th Singapore Green Bird Race 2009. There were two categories: Full Race
(24hrs) and Sunday Race (10hrs). The Full Race started on 17th
October at 1700hrs and ended on 18th October at 1700hrs. The Sunday Race
started on 18th October at 0700hrs and ended on the same day at 1700hrs.
For the first time, teams had to forego the luxury of private cars or taxis
and use public buses and MRT instead or opt to race on bicycles.
Click to read report
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Latest
Reports
Click to go to
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Singapore Raptor Reports
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Raptor Watch Report, January 2009 by Tan Gim Cheong
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Raptor Report, December 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
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Singapore Raptor Report, November 2009 by Alan OwYong,
edited by Kenneth Kee
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Raptor Watch Report, November 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
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Singapore Raptor Report, October 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited
by Kenneth Kee
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Autumn Raptor
Migration, Early arrivals for September 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
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Singapore
Raptor Report, Spring Migration, Mar 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth
Kee
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Singapore
Raptor Report, Spring Migration, Feb 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth
Kee
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Singapore Raptor
Report, Spring Migration, Jan 2009 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
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Singapore
Raptor Report, Autumn Migration, Dec 2008 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth
Kee
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Singapore
Raptor Report, Autumn Migration, Nov 2008 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth
Kee
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Autumn Raptor
Migration Report, Full-day Raptor Count, 9th November 2008 by
Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
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Singapore
Raptor Report, Autumn Migration, Oct 2008 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth
Kee
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Early Autumn
Raptor’s Report: Compiled by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
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Summary report on the Raptor Migration in Singapore from
Autumn 2007 to Spring 2008 by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
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2008
Mar Singapore Raptor Report by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
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2008
Feb Singapore Raptor Report by Alan OwYong, edited by Kenneth Kee
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2008 Jan Singapore Raptor Report by Alan OwYong, edited by
Kenneth Kee
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2007 Dec Singapore Raptor Report by Alan OwYong
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2007 Nov Singapore Raptor Report by Alan OwYong
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--------------------
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Bird Census Reports
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Report on the 6th Fall Migration Bird Census by
Lim Kim Seng
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2009 (10th)) Mid-Year Bird Census Report by Lim
Kim Seng
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2009 Annual Bird Census Report by Lim Kim Seng
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Report on the 5th Fall Migration Bird Census
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2008 (9th)) Mid-Year Bird Census Report by Lim Kim
Seng
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2008 Annual Bird
Census Report by Lim Kim Seng
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2007 (8th) Mid-Year Bird Census Report by Lim Kim
Seng
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2007 Annual Bird Census Report by Lim Kim Seng
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--------------------
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General Reports
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An arbitrator’s
report on the Singapore Bird Race 2007 by Kenneth Kee
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