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Events & Activities - 2008 |
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1.
11 January 2008, 7:30pm – The 20 years development
of the Asian Waterbird Census Talk by Mr David Lim Zuowei, Waterbird Conservation Officer for Wetlands International Malaysia at
Sunflower. Wondering how our waterbird census
data help in the big picture ? Mr David Li will share more details with us in
this talk. Wetlands International is the only global NGO dedicated to the
conservation and wise use of wetlands. They work globally, regionally and
nationally to achieve the conservation and wise use of wetlands, to benefit
biodiversity and human well-being. 2.
20 Jan 2008 – Asian Water Fowl Census Whether you
have attended the talk held on 11 Jan 2008, we need your help and support in
this census. The annual census helps to obtain information on an annual basis
of waterbird populations at various sites in Singapore in January. The data
collected would be used as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of
populations as well as to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition
of wetlands that are still existing in Singapore. This census also aims to
encourage a greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst people, and
thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region. We
need your help and support in this exercise to carry out the survey of the
various sites in Singapore. Come join us from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, 20
Jan 2008. If you like to help, send an email to Lim Kim Keang: kklimsg@singnet.com.sg or give him a
call at Hp: 97391142. 3.
27 Jan 2008 – Birdwatching at Rifle Range Central
Catchment Forest with Tan Ju Lin This is
the time of the year where you will find our winter visitors and passage
migrants in the forest. Avian friends like flycatchers, thrushes, babblers,
woodpeckers, sunbirds, spiderhunters, leafbirds, Asian Fairy Bluebirds etc
may be your ticks here. Meet at the junction of Dunearn Rd and Rifle Range Rd
at 7.30 am. Car pooling will be required. 4.
24 Feb 2008 – Birdwatching at Springleaf Woodland
with Ho Hua Chew (Tel: 64571196) This is
a good time to venture into this forgotten charming nook in the Singapore
countryside with the migratory season in full swing. Interesting species that
can seen are: Violet Cuckoo, Grey-headed Fish eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Straw
-headed Bulbul, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, etc. A
walk along the very pleasant Sg Seletar will be followed by a walk
through the woodlands, coming out at
the Springleaf housing estate. Meet at 7.30am at Nee Soon Road. Bring
mosquito repellent and wear preferably long-pants. 5.
2 Mar 2008 (Sunday) – Birdwatching at Bukit Batok
West Ave 2 with Siew Kwang Visit this
habitat of woodlands, scrublands and grasslands to seek out birds with Siew
Kwang. You may meet some surprises besides Baya weavers, Woodpeckers, Pipits,
Yellow-bellied Prinias, bee-eaters etc that inhabit this area. Join in the
quest at 7.30am at void deck of Blk 426 (beside Bt Batok Home for the Aged). 6.
23 Mar 2008 – Annual Bird Census Calling all
volunteers! Annual Bird Census to be held
in 24 Mar 2008 is coming soon. The
annual census data collected is useful for formulating conservation
proposals. The trends data presented helps us pinpointing which bird species
need our attention to protect their habitat in our fast developing Singapore.
Want to find out how our Singapore avian population is faring? Join hand with
our experienced and dedicated birders in this 3-hr census i.e. from 7.30 am
to 10.30 am to take stock of our feathered friends. Email Lim Kim Seng at denislim@starhub.net.sg to take
part. 7.
22ND June 2008 (Sunday) – Bird watching
at Pulau Ubin with Lim Kim Keang Birdwatching
at Pulau Ubin. Pulau Ubin has become
increasingly popular with holidaymakers seeking one of the last greeneries.
This time round, our veteran birder Lim Kim Keang will bring you deeper into
the island where surprises await. Besides rubber plantations and fruit tree
orchards, island hosts like Oriental Pied Hornbills, Oriental Magpie Robins,
Abbott's Babblers, Red Junglefowl, woodpeckers, parakeets etc will welcome us
with their heart-warming calls. Meet at Pulau Ubin Jetty at 7.30am. (Boat
fare per trip cost $2.50 per head to be borne by participants) Bring mosquitoes repellent, hat and ample
water for this trip. 8.
5-6 July – 9th Mid-Year Bird Census Happily, we are into the ninth year of this census of Singapore’s wild bird population. Unlike the other censuses which are all held on a single day, this census has been extended to two days to allow birdwatchers to cover their backyards, neighbourhood parks or home patches. The ever-changing landscape and deterioration and clearance of bird habitats are all cause for concern. Such censuses have assisted us to formulate conservation proposals and provide hard data to substantiate them. Helpers are needed for site counts which will be led by an experienced birdwatcher. Please let us know which day you are available, better still if you can make it for both days. If you can help, please email coordinator Lim Kim Seng at 63695072 at denislim@starhub.net.sg before 1st July. 9. 13th July 2008 (Sunday) –Birdwatching at
Tagore Lane If you have missed the birding
trip in May, join Siew Kwang for a revisit to this ex-kampong patch with the
abundance of Rambutans and Durian trees not to mention the lively bird life
there. Besides getting to admire Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Bublbuls,
White-eyes, Common Iora, Woodpeckers, Parakeets, we hope that this visit
would be in time for our members to get a chance to savour the ‘wild’ durians. Meet at
7.30am at the junction of Tagore Road and Upper Thomson Road. We will
car-pool and drive to the end of Tagore Lane to start our walk. Note to
drivers: There is NO free parking at this area. Parking Coupons are required. 10. 16th August 2008 (Saturday) 5:30pm at
Sunflower – Bird Talk on 5th
Raptor Symposium at Tam Dao by Alan OwYong Alan
representing the Bird Group attended the 5th Raptor Symposium at Tam Dao in
April this year. This year's Symposium
was organised by Raptor Research Group of Vietnam. He will
shared with you some of the aim and topics presented at this once
every 2 years Symposium through some slides taken there. The 2 day event was followed by a raptor
watch for returning raptors passing over Tam Dao. Alan will also gave a brief talk on birding
at Tam Dao as he stayed over the weekend to bird along the forest road behind
the town. There will also be a short
video on the symposium celebration night and raptor migration in Asia. We will
have a Geylang Zi Char and cold crab dinner at Lorong 33 after the talk. Hope you will come and join us for both. 11. 24th August 2008 (Sunday) – Birdwatching
at Tampines Wood This
area is located behind Tampines Industrial area along Tampines Ave 10. There
was once a “Grebe Pond” with highest record of 12 grebes. Alas, it has been
drained and given way to development. Visit this wood area before it is
completely gone. We will be looking out for Sooty-headed bulbuls that call
this area home. Other interesting species that can be seen are Red-Whiskered
Bulbuls, Bee-eaters, Black-shouldered Kites, Pied Trillers, Pied Fantails,
etc. If we are lucky we can watch mix flocks of Munias – Black-headed,
White-headed and Scaly-breasted feeding together! Meet
our veteran birder Willie Foo at the junction of Tampines Road and Jalan Sam
Kongsi at 7.30am. Formerly this road is known to drivers as “old Tampines
Road”. 12. 5th September (Friday) 7:30pm at Sunflower –
Bird Talk on Birds and Natural History of the Tanimbars and South
Moluccas – talk by Yong Ding Li and his friends Many of us are aware of the
Tanimbar Cockatoo, a common introduced bird in Singapore's urban
landscape, but few are aware of its home in a forsaken corner in Indonesia.
Join us as we explore some of the remotest island frontiers in eastern
Indonesia in our search for endemic wildlife as well as some of the
unfortunate “mis”adventures along the way. For those planning to visit the
South Moluccas, you are more than welcome! 13. 14th September (Sunday) – 5th Fall Migration Bird Census In September 2004, we conducted our first bird
census covering the autumn migration period, something we have never done
before. 55 people were involved in the country-wide effort counting a total
of 25 sites. The 2004 census unveiled 8,035 birds from 135 species, or
roughly 35% of Singapore’s avifauna. Last year, we recorded 7,159 birds from
134 species. Will we see a decline or upsurge of species and numbers of wild
birds in 2008? Well, join us for this important census and help find out the
trends affecting the wild birds of Singapore. All birdwatchers are welcome.
The census will start at 7.30 and end around 10.30 am. If you can help,
please email coordinator Lim Kim Seng at denislim@starhub.net.sg before 30th August.
Good luck! 14. 28th September (Sunday) – Birdwatching at Bt Brown Cemetery
with Sutari Supari Meet at
7.30 am at the entrance of the cemetery (near junction of Lornie Rd and Kheam
Hock Rd). Enjoy this morning walk to explore this vibrant site that is filled
with resident birds like laced woodpeckers, common goldenbacks and migrants
like flycatchers, cuckoos and raptors that seek shelter from the woods.
Remember to bring hat/sunscreen for the strong sunlight and mosquitoes
repellent for the persistent mozzies. 15. 28th September (Sunday) – Birdwatching at Semakau with Ho
Hua Chew Meet at
7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal near the Republic of Singapore Yacht
Club. This is a good time to visit Semakau for migrant surprises and old
favourites. Resident attractions include the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef
Egret and Malaysian Plover. There are possible sightings of rare migrants
such as the Chinese Egret and Oriental Pratincole. Return to mainland by
2.00pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Non-refundable
fee of $28 for boat ride and administration. Send your cheques to NSS office
by 20 September with the All-Purpose Form. Number of persons per trip: 11, 22 or
33. Book your place with Hua Chew at hohc@starhub.net.sg.
IC or Passport is mandatory for boat boarding. Strictly for members only on a
first come first serve basis. Children under 12 years old are not allowed
(NEA regulation). 16. 12th October (Sunday) – Birdwatching at Semakau with
Willie Foo Meet at
7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal near the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
This is a good time to visit Semakau for migrant surprises and old
favourites. Resident attractions include the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef
Egret and Malaysian Plover. There are possible sightings of rare migrants
such as the Chinese Egret and Oriental Pratincole. Return to mainland by
2.00pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Non-refundable
fee of $28 for boat ride and administration. Send your cheques to NSS office
by 4 October with the All-Purpose Form. Number of persons per trip: 11, 22 or
33. Book your place with Willie at willie.foo@kbr.com.
IC or Passport is mandatory for boat boarding. Strictly for members only on a
first come first serve basis. Children under 12 years old are not allowed
(NEA regulation). 17. 25th (Saturday) to 26th
(Sunday) October– Singapore Bird Race 2008 It's the
time of the year again when we rush about all day and night across Singapore
looking for as many birds as possible. Get into the field, embrace the great
outdoors, the mud, the sun, maybe even the rain and not to mention, the
birds. Experience the competitive spirit, the banter, the camaraderie and the
company of familiar birdwatching friends, as well as make new ones. 18. 9th November (Sunday) – Autumn Raptor
Migration Watch 2008 The Bird
Group is organising this social event for all birders and to contribute
to the study of migrating raptors for the Asian Raptor Migration Survey
of the ARRCN. This full day event will
be at Bukit Timah, lead by Yong Ding Li and at Telok Blangah Hill, lead by
Alan Owyong and Lim Kim Seng. 19. 7th December (Sunday) – Birdwatching at
Kranji Marshes with Dr. Ho Hua Chew Meet at
7.30 am at the junction of Neo Tiew Lane 2 and Neo Tiew Road. We will take a
pleasant walk along a countryside road to Kranji Reservoir where the
freshwater marsh is located. The marsh is designated by URA as a nature park
called “Kranji Marsh Park”, and will come under NSS adoption within the PUB’s
ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled
Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake,
Changeable Hawk Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle and more. Your ideas and
suggestions as to how we can conduct a variety of activities at the marsh
land for the promotion of nature appreciation and education amongst the
public are most welcome. |
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All rights reserved – Nature Society Singapore Bird Group |
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