MCI (P) 034/08/2016 ISSN: 2010-4308 NovDec 16... · 2016. 11. 1. · N NS N-C 2016 Nov-Dec 2016 MCI (P) ... Richard’s presentation will provide an overview of Arctic wildlife. He

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NATURE NEWS NOV-DEC 2016

Nov-Dec 2016

MCI (P) 034/08/2016 ISSN: 2010-4308

Birdwatching at Dairy Farm Nature Park Nov 13

Talk: Underwater Photography & Marine Biology Nov 15

Talk: Saving India's Wildlife Nov 18

Coastal Clean-up at Mandai Mudflats Nov 26

Tampines Woodland & Pasir Ris Mangrove Night Ramble Nov 26 Talk: Ecology & Conservation of Butterflies in Tropical Forests & Urban landscapes Dec 2

Fun with Nature & Culture at Jalan Kubor Cemetery Dec 3

Birdwatching at Gardens by the Bay Dec 4

Talk: In Search of Arctic Wildlife Dec 9

Birdwatching at Pasir Ris Park Dec 11

Kayaking Mandai Mangroves Dec 11 Talk: Architects of the Reef – Biodiversity & Major Threats to Indo-Pacific Corals Dec 16

Activities 2NSS Wins Charity Governance & Transparency Awards 2016 5

NSS’s Contributions at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016

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32 nd S ingapore B i rd Race Attracts Record Turnout 8

Rich Butterfly Habitat Under Threat with Planned Cross-Island (MRT) Line Geophysical Tests

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NSS Kids’ Fun with Intertidal Marine Life at Sentosa 10

Announcements 11

NSS Directory 11

NSS All Purpose Form 12

4D/3N Lombok & Bali Shark Conservation Trip Mar 3 to 6 2017

7th International Hornbill Conference May 16 to 18 2017

Trips Led by Members

NEWSLETTER OF THE NATURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE)

ACTIVITY CALENDAR CONTENTS Pg

NSS’s Contributions at the IUCN World Conservation

Congress 2016 Pg 6

Upcoming Conference

NSS Wins Charity Governance & Transparency Awards 2016

Pg 5

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Friday 2 Dec Talk: Ecology & Conservation of Butterflies in Tropical Forests & Urban landscapesThe future of Southeast Asian butterflies

depends on how we manage populations in the region's transformed tropical landscapes. Join Dr Anuj Jain, former Chairperson of the Butterfly and Insect Group, as he looks

Sunday 13 NovBirdwatching at Dairy Farm Nature ParkMeet Lim Kim Chuah (HP: 9733-9278) at 7.30 am at Dairy Farm Nature Park's Carpark B. Due to its proximity to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Dairy Farm trail offers an opportunity to encounter forest birds such as the Thick-billed Green Pigeon and Blue-winged Leafbird. On our way to Singapore Quarry, we may find birds of the open woodlands and gardens including the Dollarbird and Lineated Barbet. We will also watch out for winter visitors. Members only.

Tuesday 15 Nov Talk: Underwater Photography & Marine BiologyPhotography was invented in 1826. Following an unsuccessful attempt at underwater (UW) photography by amateur marine biologist William Thompson, the first underwater photos were taken by French marine biologist Louis Boutan. To this day, marine biology and UW photography are closely intertwined. Join marine biologist and UW photographer Dr Steven Weinberg as he traces this 125-year old story, focusing on the biological and technical aspects including the use of photography in marine research. He will also share interesting UW photography tips. Time: 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Venue: NSS office. Open to the public.

Friday 18 Nov Talk: Saving India's WildlifeWildlife SOS co-founders Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani will present exciting video footages of their recent elephant rescues in India. These include the rescue of Mohan, the ‘unluckiest elephant in the world’, now living free after decades chained in captivity; as well as the story of Rhea – her rescue reunited her with two elephant friends she had

been separated from for months. They will also share their personal trials and tribulations, as well as the jubilation of giving captive elephants their well-deserved freedom. Wildlife SOS’s major achievement was abolishing the barbaric practice of dancing bears, where sloth bear cubs poached from the wild were trained using cruel methods to entertain tourists in India. As an extension of this project, the talk will cover the rehabilitation of the Kalandar communities (originally Muslim gypsies famous for their animal mastery) through education and an alternative livelihood programme. Time: 7 pm to 8 pm. Venue: NSS office. Open to the public.

Saturday 26 NovCoastal Clean-up at Mandai MudflatsJoin us to clean up the Mandai Mudflats to benefit its thriving wildlife. Designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), this stretch of coastline is a key habitat for horseshoe crabs and an important feeding site for wading birds. Please register at http://tinyurl.com/nssccreg. For enquiries, contact Say Chong at [email protected]. Details will be emailed to those who sign up. Time: 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Open to the public.

Saturday 26 Nov Ta m p i n e s Wo o d l a n d & Pa s i r R i s Mangrove Night RambleLed by Benjamin Ho, we will explore the woodland at Tampines Eco Green as well as Pasir Ris mangroves by night. We will attempt to find nocturnal wildlife such as nightjars, bats and snakes as we absorb the ambience and sounds of the dark. Meet at 7.30 pm outside Tampines Regional Library. Bring torchlight, insect repellent, poncho, water and light snacks. The trip will take approximately three hours and ends in Pasir Ris. Not suitable for children below 12 years old. Members only.

Activities November

Activities December

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at this concern based on his recently-concluded doctoral work. Using Singapore as a model system, he will share i) how butterfly extinctions and discoveries in the last 25 years compare with historic times in Singapore, ii) the importance of different landscapes for common and rare butterflies, and iii) if butterflies are generalist or specialist nectar-feeders and the implications of feeding on non-native flowers. Meet at 7 pm at the NSS office. Open to the public.Saturday 3 DecFun with Nature & Culture at Jalan Kubor CemeteryJalan Kubor Cemetery is the oldest Muslim cemetery in Singapore. Located at Jalan Kubor (loosely translated as ‘cemetery street’ in Malay), it is close to the intersection of Victoria Street with Jalan Sultan. The graves of many prominent Malays and Muslims from the 19th and 20th centuries can be found here. This peaceful area is also a refuge for garden birds and other wildlife. We will seek out one of the largest fig trees in Singapore, possibly the size of an entire apartment! Time: 8 am to 10 am. Open to all participants including those without children. A fee of $2 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot for kids aged 4 to 12 years old. All adults including parents and caregivers can join in at no charge. Please register all participants at http://tinyurl.com/nsskidsevent by 21 November. Confirmation details will be emailed one week before the activity. For enquiries, contact Gloria Seow at [email protected]. Open to the public.Sunday 4 DecBirdwatching at Gardens by the BayFollowing its opening in 2011, Gardens by the Bay’s plentiful water features have proven attractive to both local and visiting birdlife. Sightings include winter visitors such as the Common Kingfisher and Black Bittern, as well as interesting residents like the Lesser Whistling Duck and Large-tailed Nightjar. Meet Wong Chung Cheong (HP: 9734-8339) at 7.30

am at Satay by the Bay food court. Members only.Friday 9 DecTalk: In Search of Arctic WildlifeThe Arctic is a vast wilderness, home to incredibly specialised wildlife that are high on the wish list of nature enthusiasts. Our presenter Richard White will share some of his experiences in search of these animals. He has had the good fortune of having travelled throughout the Arctic region in the last 12 years. He currently leads Arctic expedition cruises. As a seabird biologist, he has worked on research and conservation programmes in the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and the Seychelles. Richard’s presentation will provide an overview of Arctic wildlife. He will contrast the adaptations of animals that stay year-round in the area, with those that migrate to take advantage of the short but intensely productive Arctic summer. Any discussion of this region cannot ignore the potential threats of climate change to Arctic wildlife. Climate change also opens up new challenges for its human inhabitants, as well as opportunities for those who seek to develop the area. Time: 8 pm. Venue: NSS office. For more information, contact Ee Ling (HP: 9693 5870). Open to the public.Sunday 11 DecBirdwatching at Pasir Ris ParkAs one of the largest parks in Singapore at 70 hectares, Pasir Ris Park offers an interesting mix of habitats for birds . These range from coastal woods and open parkland to mangroves. We will explore a small section to look for residents such as the Red Junglefowl, as well as Grey and Black-crowned Night Herons. At this time of the year, winter visitors like the Arctic Warbler and Asian Brown Flycatcher are possible finds. Meet Willie Foo (HP: 9675-1089) at Carpark C at 7.30 am. Members only.Sunday 11 DecKayaking Mandai MangrovesJoin Huey in exploring the Important Bird and

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Upcoming Conference 7th International Hornbill Conference

With the theme ‘Hornbills: Fly Free Fly High’ , the 7th International Hornbi l l

Conference will be held in Kuching, Sarawak at Riverside Majestic Hotel. Papers presented could cover four subthemes: ‘Conservation Status of Hornbills: Threats, Trade and Population’; ‘Hornbill

Biology and Husbandry’; ‘Habitat Fragmentation and Connectivity’; and ‘Importance of Hornbills: Ecosystem, Culture, Tourism and Awareness’. Visit internationalhornbillconference2017.com for more information and to register. Open to the public.

Dates: 16 to 18 May 2017Cost: US$100 to US$500 (Student, Asian or International rates). Fees include access to conference

sessions, conference kit, meals (lunch and dinner), and an official tour to Kubah National Park

4D/3N Lombok & Bali Shark Conservation TripDates: 3 to 6 March 2017 (Friday to Monday)Closing Date: 17 February 2017

Cost: $550/$650 per member/non-memberMinimum: 4 pax

Join Kathy Xu on a marine conservat ion responsible holiday. Activities include snorkelling

in pristine waters, beach hopping, mini cliff trekking, as well as nature trail and waterfall trekking. Participants will visit a shark sanctuary for an educational tour and have a chance to snorkel with sharks. Your participation will aid in shark conservation by providing an alternative income to shark fishermen. Cost includes accommodation with WiFi and breakfast, land transfers, full-day

beach hopping and snorkelling boat trip with a visit to Pink Beach's pink sand and dramatic cliffs, full-day waterfall trek, snacks, drinks, packed lunch and snorkelling gear. Cost excludes flights, insurance and dinners. For registration or enquiries, email Kathy at [email protected]. Read Kathy's article 'Reality Bites – A View to Lessen the Kill' in Nature Watch Jan-Mar 2014 for more information. Open to the public.

The private trips here are the initiative of members who wish to travel to nature locations with other members or like-minded people. Arrangements will be made through a travel agency.

Trips Led by Members

Biodiversity Area (IBA) of Mandai mangroves. We will kayak along Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil where large stands of mature mangroves exist alongside abandoned kampongs. This coastal tract is home to a permanent population of horseshoe crabs. We might spot resident Brahminy Kites and White-bellied Sea Eagles circling overhead, or the migratory Osprey and other overwintering birds. This paddle is suitable for beginners as the kayaks used are stable double-seaters. Time: 7.45 am to 11.30 am. Min/Max: 18/28 pax. Participants must be at least 8 years old. Those 12 years old and below must be accompanied by one parent (no guardians) in the same kayak. Closing date: 28 November. Member/Non-member Price: $100/$125 with priority for members. Cheques should be made out to

‘Nature Society (Singapore)’. Please register at http://tinyurl.com/ kayakmandaimangroves. For enquiries, contact Kerry at [email protected]. Open to the public. Friday 16 DecTalk: Architects of the Reef – A Journey of Biodiversity & Major Threats to Indo-Pacific CoralsThe Coral Triangle is home to about 75% of total coral species in the world. This incredible diversity is under extensive pressure due to overfishing, water acidification, climate change and explosive fishing, amongst other threats. Is there still hope for our coral reefs? This talk by Dr Francesco Ricciardi will be a photographic tour of the biodiversity and major threats that are menaces to coral survival. Time: 7 pm to 8 pm. Venue: NSS office. Open to the public.

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NSS is proud to win both the Charity Governance Award

(CGA) and Charity Transparency Award (CTA) 2016. These awards are part of The Charity Council’s efforts to promote and encourage the adoption of good governance and best practices. This in turn will help enhance public confidence and promote self-regulation in the charity sector.

The CTA accolade was given to 35 charities in this inaugural year. In contrast, just three charities received the CGA award, with one recipient

for each of the three income categories. NSS was the awardee in the small category (gross annual receipts of less than $1 million). Women’s organisation AWARE won in the medium category. SPD, formerly known as the Society for the Physically Disabled but now helps people with pan disabilities in Singapore, won in the large category.

Only CTA recipients qualified for consideration in the CGA awards. We were required to complete an exhaustive questionnaire, as well as provide access to financial statements, strategic plans and other governance materials. Almost all of these

materials were already available on our website, a ready demonstration of our transparency. Shortlisted finalists were interviewed by a panel of judges. Representing NSS at the interview were President Dr Shawn Lum, Treasurer Yip Yew Chong and former Honorary Secretary Margie Hall.

Shawn congratulated all involved in landing this award for their great team effort. In a short video interview of the winners broadcasted during the award ceremony, Shawn traced NSS’s progression from a group of nature hobbyists getting together over 60 years ago, to the well-managed Society we have today. He pointed out how important strong governance processes are to the success of what remains a largely volunteer-run organisation like ours.

President Dr Shawn Lum had a video i n t e r v i e w in re lat ion t o w i n n i n g the Chari ty Governance Award. Watch it here: https://y o u t u . b e /OwV9cw4drP0.

By Peter Connell, Honorary Secretary Photos by The Charity Council and Peter Connell

NSS Wins Charity Governance & Transparency

Awards 2016

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NSS was represented by a six-person team at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) 2016, which took place from 1 to 10 September in Honolulu, Hawaii. IUCN President Zhang Xinsheng summed up the goal of WCC 2016 in his opening remarks, “WCC 2016 is about moving 2015 historical global agreement to action. As we come together to define the path to a sustainable future, our present is most certainly at crossroads. The path we take as a global community, how we choose to work out that path in the next few years, will define humanity’s opportunities for generations to come. There’s a limit to what our earth can provide. It is up to us to make decisions today that will ensure those resources are still here tomorrow.”

NSS was involved in two presentations and a discuss ion forum. Vanitha gave the f irst presentation on ‘Moving towards a Sustainable Mangrove Economy’, in an event organised by the Mangrove Action Project. Her talk focused on the traditional uses of horseshoe crabs in Asia. Two such species can be found in Singapore, the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) and Coastal Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus gigas). She said that some cultures utilise horseshoe crabs as ornaments and to ward off evil spirits. They are eaten in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. She pointed out that few studies have been done on the income derived from the sale of Asian horseshoe crabs or the extent of their contributions to the local economy. However, there is anecdotal evidence of their commercial trade. The underlying implication is that formal studies need to be conducted on

the commercial trade of horseshoe crabs, and ultimately, to identify a sustainable way to manage this trade.

NSS co-hosted a Knowledge Café on the ‘Conservation and Restoration of Estuarine, Beach and Mangrove Habitats: Horseshoe Crabs as a Flagship Species’. Vanitha opened this discussion forum by remarking that in 2012, Resolution M034 was passed at the IUCN Congress in Jeju supporting efforts to conserve horseshoe crabs in Asia. Moving forward, there is a necessity for better coordination of research, conservation efforts, education and outreach for horseshoe crabs and their coastal habitats. She revealed that coastal development has been occurring in Singapore since agricultural times. Development rate has been rapid in the last few decades, with mangrove forests cut down to make way for new buildings and ports.

Vanitha put the spotlight on Mandai Mudflats, located a few kilometres to the east of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). This is an important habitat for C rotundicauda that gather here in high densities, as well as for migratory birds of the East Asian Australasian Flyway that use the mudflats as a feeding pit stop. It is crucial

By J Vanitha, Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Project Leader & Dr Shawn Lum, President

NSS’s Contributions at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016

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to conserve what is left of this habitat for future generations, in order to prevent the extinction of C rotundicauda and to ensure that other marine life continues to thrive. Vanitha displayed a map of Singapore’s remaining mangroves by Friess and Oliver (2014), to which forum participants responded in shock as such habitats have shrunk drastically over the years. She also highlighted the cultural and historical significance of Mandai Mudflats and mangroves.

Dr Hsu Chia Chi opened the second half of the Knowledge Café by revealing that horseshoe crabs have existed on Singapore’s shores for as far back as people can remember. As such, they can be a flagship species for coastal management. The increasing demand for water by Singapore’s five-million strong population has resulted in the damming of many rivers to create water catchment areas. This has led to diminished sedimentation in our vulnerable remaining mangroves. In the past 10 years of monitoring the C rotundicauda population at Mandai Mudflats, NSS’s Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research team has noticed a gradual degradation of the mudflats and the dying back of the adjacent mangrove habitat at SBWR.

Although there is still a sizable population of horseshoe crabs at the mudflats, they depend on the healthy mangrove habitat next door at SBWR for their long term survival. There is a concern that without the protective nursery afforded by mangrove roots, the survival of horseshoe crab hatchlings, as well as that of other fishes and intertidal creatures, will decline. The possible loss of most or even all of the more fragile species in this ecosystem will impact overall biodiversity. Such an event will likely affect the sustainability of the C rotundicauda population. It will also have adverse consequences on the foraging of shorebirds at Mandai Mudflats and SBWR, with both areas sharing the same coastline. Dr Hsu went on to talk about ‘Restore Ubin Mangroves’, a project collaboration between NSS, NParks, and the Geography Department of the National University of Singapore. Its hydrology-based method is an attempt to guide mangrove restoration in an area of degraded shoreline at Pulau Ubin.

NSS was privileged to co-host a poster session on ‘Community Participation in International Horseshoe Crab Conservation: Education, Citizen Science and Research in Coastal Habitats’. A multinational team from Singapore (represented by NSS), USA, Hong Kong and Japan collaborated on the poster presentation. Congress participants expressed interest to know more about the community outreach work done in the various localities.

The Members’ Assembly commenced after four days of exciting workshops and forums. This was the ‘business’ part of the WCC 2016. The election of the IUCN President and Treasurer, Chairs of the

six IUCN Commissions, and Regional Councillors for the eight IUCN Regions, was one of the highlights of the Assembly. Mr Zhang Xinsheng was re-elected for a second term as IUCN President, as was IUCN Treasurer Patrick de Haney. Dr Kathy MacKinnon, who has spent a good part of her career in Southeast Asia, was returned as Chair of the World Commission on Protected Areas. Venezuela’s John Paul Rodriguez became the new Chair of the important Species Survival Commission (SSC), replacing long-serving member of the IUCN Secretariat Dr Simon Stuart.

The WCC 2016 deviated from its antecedents in which debates and voting sessions were held online for the bulk of the more than 100 proposed motions. By the time the Members’ Assembly began, over 80 motions had been proposed, voted on, and approved by the Membership. One notable motion (#004) on the Conservation of the Helmeted Hornbill, was proposed by the Malaysian Nature Society with support from NSS’s IUCN Coordinator Vina Dharmarajah who drafted the motion. Although only 20 or so motions were debated and fine-tuned during the Congress, some of these catalysed vigorous debate, none more so than motion #007 on the closure of domestic markets for elephant ivory. Over 90% of members voted to approve the motion in the face of steadfast opposition. We also participated in discussion groups organised around various motions, including motion #90 on ‘A path forward to address the use of lead ammunition in hunting’. An organised and well-rehearsed hunting/munitions lobby had called for the watering down of the original motion. Indeed, the Members’ Assembly provided a crash-course on global conservation policy for anyone who was attending it for the first time.

In part, the Society’s presence at WCC in 2012 and 2016 stems from years of consistent public outreach and research work. This has led to the recognition that a reassessment of the status of horseshoe crabs was necessary. Even though we are a small NGO, NSS has made a big impact on a global scale. From proposing one motion in 2012, we have gone on to give presentations, co-host a discussion forum, and co-sponsor more motions in 2016. Our contributions have put NSS in a good position to be the link between local and global nature conservation.

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The somewhat overcast sky on 16 October 2016 did nothing to dampen the spirit of eager

participants at the annual Singapore Bird Race’s 7.30 am flag-off. Call it a coincidence or simply a great race format – the 32nd Singapore Bird Race attracted exactly 32 teams, a record turnout with close to 100 participants. The overwhelming response was likely due to the rare chance for race participants to visit Kranji Marshes’ restricted-access core conservation area, and a less-daunting five-hour race duration compared to grueling 24-hour races of the past. We had tremendous support from bird photographers with 18 participating teams. The other two race categories of ‘Birder Advanced Category’ and ‘Birder Novice Category’ both had seven teams, including a team each formed by members of the Malaysian Nature Society Johor Branch.

The gloomy early morning start did not seem to deter the bird life either. Teams were soon busy ticking and clicking away. Participants quickly scattered themselves over the race boundaries that encompassed Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji Marshes and the surrounding countryside. Teams were not disappointed. The elusive resident of Kranji Marshes, the Black-backed Swamphen, entertained many with a glorious display. So did a showy Red-wattled Lapwing. The globally-endangered Bar-tailed Godwit that had arrived just the day before decided to stick around Sungei Buloh for a while more, pleasing many racers. However, it took the more eagle-eyed and experienced teams to pick out the tiny Long-toed Stint and Little Ringed Plover, as well as the specks of Pacific Swifts circling the sky.

The furiously-contested race ended promptly five hours later at 12.30 pm. The ‘Tiger Shrike’ team came out tops in the Advanced Category with a bird count of 75 – the highest score for the day. The ‘Weekend Birders’ team won in the Novice Category with a score of 60. In the hotly-contested Photography Category, the ‘Aim High’ team bulldozed the rest of the field with an amazing score of 66 species photographed, coming in third overall.

A sumptuous buffet lunch served at the Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre provided a fitting end to a great race. Birders and bird photographers alike had a good time swapping race stories and getting to know each other better. The Bird Group would like to say a big thank you to all participants, supporters, NParks, Swarovski and all sponsors for making this year’s race a huge success. We are also grateful for the help of all volunteers including Ee Ling, Wee Jin, Nisha and Delphine, as well as race arbitrators Morten Strange, Francis Yap, Tan Gim Cheong, Albert Low and Lee Tiah Khee. See you all again next year!

By Lim Kim Chuah, Bird Group Chairperson Photos by Yap Wee Jin

32nd Singapore Bird Race Attracts Record Turnout

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Walking to Jelutong Tower in MacRitchie forest recently, the Butterfly Interest Group

encountered over 50 species of butterflies in one morning including 12 rarities. Two of these rare butterflies – the Great Imperial and Pygmy Posy – are critically endangered according to Singapore's Red Data Book, and hence are on the brink of extinction. We also saw Singapore's largest dragonfly, The Sultan, another rarity. This part of MacRitchie forest in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve remains one of the richest habitats for butterflies.

We are therefore dismayed with LTA's Cross-Island (MRT) Line plans to conduct geophysical tests here, a location which till now is accessible only to a handful of scientist-researchers with special permits. The intent to drill 15 bore holes here from December 2016 will degrade the forest habitat substantially, and impact not only butterflies but all dependent wildlife. The loud drilling noise is also likely to stress wildlife, posing another serious issue. Indeed, the key to saving our butterflies and other rarities from extinction is to preserve their forest home as it is.

An NParks poster proclaims 'Singapore's nature reserves are an important part of our natural heritage. Through careful management, people can enjoy the reserves with the confidence that this natural heritage will be passed on to future generations.' NParks' recent Biodiversity Festival

was a call to 'celebrate Singapore's biodiversity...and be more proactive in conserving our natural heritage'. If this is indeed the government's pledge, why is LTA planning to build a MRT line under our nature reserve, knowing that it will inadvertently damage our precious forest?

Today, Singapore only has 2 km2 of primary dipterocarp forests and 1.2 km2 of wetland forests. As we have lost over 90% of our primary forests in the last 200 years, must we not jealously guard against developments that negatively impact them? While 16.8 km2 of secondary forests exist in our nature reserves, their biodiversity pales in comparison with that of primary forests.

The publ ished EIA (environmental impact assessment) report has assessed the drilling impact 'to be large for highly sensitive areas'. Even with mitigating measures in place, the risks are high and may well lead to substantial degradation of our forest habitat, which in turn may result in the loss of certain rare butterflies and other wildlife. Should our rich natural heritage be lost, we must bear in mind that it cannot be replicated as it involves knowing the native flora and varied wildlife needs, having pristine streams and understanding all co-dependent relationships.

We therefore urge the government to uphold its promises to preserve our natural heritage and promote biodiversity.

By KC Tsang, Nature Photographer

Rich Butterfly Habitat Under Threat with Planned Cross-Island (MRT) Line Geophysical Tests

Photography Category Position Team Name Score

1 AIM HIGH 662 OOF 503 THE 3 ROOSTERS 434 BIRDS PAL 375 EAGLE EYES 326 THE OOOs! 327 ROADRUNNERS 308 CAL 309 FM Birdies 2810 SET 2811 8-KINGS 2612 OTOT 1713 HAWKEYE 14

Advanced CategoryPosition Team Name Score

1 TIGER SHRIKE 752 SANDPIPERS 693 LITTLE TERNS 604 MNSJ TEAM 1 605 WINGS 596 LBJs 587 DAMPLANDERS 48

Novice CategoryPosition Team Name Score

1 WEEKEND BIRDERS 602 BANERJEE FAMILY 513 RAJAWALI 474 FINDING FARFETCH'D 435 PITTA PEEPERS 436 MNSJ TEAM 2 29

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Weekend

i n t e r t i d a l w a l k s a r e few and far between in any given year, as such walks in places like Sentosa and Changi beach are possible on l y i f t h e tide falls to 0 . 2 met re s

and below. Another inconvenience involves the tendency of ultra-low tides to be in the pre-dawn hours and on weekdays. So we counted ourselves lucky to be out jaunting around Tanjong Rimau, a rare natural shore located just beyond Rasa Sentosa Resort, on the clear Sunday morning of 24 July 2016 just after the sun had peeked above the horizon.Uncle Marcus Ng was our erudite lead guide, assisted by Auntie Juria Toramae and Uncle Ivan Kwan who moved ahead as scouts. First up, we found an ethereal Blue-lined Flatworm (Pseudoceros concinnus) in the shallows, a regular encounter on many of our intertidal habitats. Continuing the blue theme, we saw a Pimply Phyllid Nudibranch (Phyllidiella pustulosa), a sea slug around 4 cm long with a hard body sporting clustered bumps called tubercles. Some tubercles even come in colours such as pink, red, grey or green. Kids and their parents were intrigued by the profusion of soft and hard corals, anemones, sponges, seagrass and seaweed that characterise this stretch of wild rocky shoreline.

Next, Auntie Gloria came across an exposed Snapping Shrimp (family Alpheidae). Unfortunately, this nervous critter was so stressed by our presence that it dropped its pincer as it ducked under a rock. Thankful ly, lost pincers can regenerate with time. Like many crustaceans, the Snapping Shrimp can willingly shed its claws when threatened or attacked, as it is better to lose a pincer than its life. Of its two pincers, the enlarged one can produce a one-of-a-kind sound, so loud

that it can stun tiny fish prey and even crack the shells of small clams. Snapping Shrimps are responsib le for the regular pops that one hears around intertidal areas.We h a d a r e a l l y adorable baby Reef O c t o p u s ( f a m i l y Octopodidae) swimming around our booties and we l l i e s . Unc l e Marcus gently lifted it

out of the water to the delight of many. In general, octopus can survive for between 30 to 60 minutes on land, as oxygen diffusion can still take place t h r o u g h m o i s t skin. It is known to crawl around to get from intertidal pool to pool, or to feed on shellfish or snails found above the waterline.

One of the kids repor ted see ing a ‘ s n a k e ’ . U p o n investigation, it turned out to be a shudder-inducing metre long Giant Reef Worm (Eunice aphroditois). Uncle Marcus said that this was a fierce predator best left alone as it can deliver a nasty bite. Equally crabby creatures populate the intertidal environment. In quick succession, we found the Spotted-belly Forceps Crab (Ozius guttatus) that had both pincers raised in attack-defence mode, as well as the highly poisonous Red Egg Crab (Atergatis integerrimus) that took on a crouched defensive stance. Our seekers Auntie Juria and Uncle Ivan brought back several interesting finds including a huge Spider Conch Shell (the classic looking shell that people can hold to their ears to ‘hear’ the sea), as well as a Giant Top Shell Snail (Tectus niloticus), an enormous snail with a pyramidal shell. Other marvellous encounters included the Black Long Sea Cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota), Blue Jorunna Sponge (Neopetrosia spp) and Leather Coral (Sarcophyton spp). Fortunately or unfortunately, we had our most significant sighting when the group had already dispersed. Auntie Gloria noticed a strange ‘unicorn’ crab barely 3 cm across on a sandy substrate between the rocks. Uncle Marcus promptly identified it as the rare Masked Burrowing Crab (Gomeza bicornis). He pronounced that this was likely the first sighting for Sentosa. The perceived ‘unicorn’ is actually a pair of long antennae joined together with interlocking hairs. The united antennae are speculated to form a breathing tube,

used when the crab buries itself in the sand with only the tip of its antennae visible . We were jubilant at this find, a cool lifer for Auntie Gloria, Uncle Tim and Auntie Lena.

T h e r a r e M a s k e d Burrowing Crab we found is likely the first sighting for Sentosa.

Text and Photos by Gloria Seow, Education Committee Vice Chairperson

NSS Kids’ Fun with Intertidal Marine Life at Sentosa

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Announcements NSS DIRECTORY

PatronPROF TOMMY KOH

PresidentDR SHAWN LUM – Office: 6790-3835

Vice-PresidentMR LEONG KWOK PENG – Mobile: 9766-7047

Honorary TreasurerMR YIP YEW CHONG

Honorary Assistant Treasurer - - -

Honorary SecretaryMR PETER CONNELL

Honorary Assistant SecretaryMR PAUL WONNACOTT

Executive Committee MembersMR GOH SI GUIM, DR HO HUA CHEW, DR HSU CHIA CHI

Finance Advisory Group MembersMR ALBERT SIN, MR TERRY HEPPELL, MR T SELVARATNAM

Immediate Past PresidentDR GEH MIN

Co-opted Council Members PROF P N AVADHANI, MR BEN SZETO, MS MARGIE HALL,

MR LIEW KAI KHIUNAdvisory Council Members

MR WARREN KHOO, PROF KOH KHENG LIAN, MR LIM JIM KOON, MR LIU THAI KER, PROF NG SOON CHYE, MR SIM

WONG HOO, MR MASON TAN, MR RICHARD HALEBirdLife International Coordinator

MR LIM KIM KEANGEnvironmental Law and Policy Coordinator/IUCN Coordinator

MR VINAYAGAN DHARMARAJAH

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Conservation CommitteeActing Chairperson MR LEONG KWOK PENG

Vice Chairperson DR HO HUA CHEWEducation Committee

Chairperson MR GOH TER YANGVice Chairperson MS GLORIA SEOW

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CHAIRPERSONS

Bird GroupChairperson MR LIM KIM CHUAH

Secretary MR WILLIE FOO

Butterfly & Insect Group Chairperson - - -

Jalan HijauChairperson MR TAN HANG CHONG

Marine Conservation GroupChairperson MR STEPHEN BENG

Plant GroupActing Chairperson DR SHAWN LUM

The Nature RamblersChairperson MR PARTHASARATHY PANDIAN

Vertebrate Study GroupChairperson MS NG BEE CHOOSecretary DR LEONG TZI MING

Nature News Editorial Committee

MS GLORIA SEOW – [email protected] TIMOTHY PWEE – Mobile: 9791-8300

MR GOH SI GUIM – Mobile: 9758-9125

SecretariatMR JOSEPH LIM, Accounts & Membership Officer

MR KERRY PEREIRA, Member Programme & Outreach Officer

Secretariat Contact Details510 Geylang Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore 389466

Tel: 6741 2036 Fax: 6741 0871 Email: [email protected]

NSS Welcomes DonationsI f you believe in the importance of nature appreciation and conservation in Singapore, help us keep our work going with a donation to NSS. As we are a registered Charity and an Institution of Public Character, your donation will qualify for tax deduction, which will be automatically reflected in your income tax assessment. Please make your cheques payable to ‘Nature Society (Singapore)’. For tax exemption purpose, please write your full name, contact number and NRIC/FIN number at the back of your cheque. We look forward to your financial support.Paperless Nature News If you wish to opt-out from receiving hard copies of Nature News to save trees, please inform Joe at [email protected]. Please state if you prefer: a) Get your copy of Nature News via an emailed PDF file (less than 5MB), or b) Download the same PDF file from the NSS website.Wanted: Used Stamps for the NSS Stamp FundThe Stamp Fund is boosted by members and friends who collect and send us used postage stamps. These are then sold to an overseas dealer once or twice a year. Simply cut out the stamps from the envelope without cutting into their edges. No need to soak the stamps off the envelope paper. Keep sending your stamps to the NSS office in an envelope marked "Stamp Fund"! Our grateful thanks to all contributors. The NSS Stamp Fund now stands at $21,276.61.NSS Nature ForumThe NSS Nature Forum, found at http://www.nss.org.sg/forum/, is a virtual gathering place that serves to facilitate discussions on a whole range of nature-related topics. You can share photos and ideas, ask questions and forge friendships with fellow nature lovers. The forum is open to both members and non-members. Register now for a free account! New Members: Join us in our Special Interest Group & Other Activities All members are welcome to participate in any of our listed activities. Most events do not require prior registration. Simply turn up at the appointed time and place, and you will be off to discover and learn about Singapore’s natural offerings. Do not be nervous about your lack of nature knowledge. Just let your trip leader(s) know that you are new and he/she/they will gladly guide you. NSS Membership Benefits Show your NSS membership card to enjoy discounts! Please contact us if your business is interested in offering NSS Membership Benefits. 1) PharmaplusTel: 6887-3456. www.pharmaplus.com.sg* Up to 10% discount for online purchasesContributions for Nature NewsPlease send in your contributions for the Jan/Feb 2017 issue by 5 December 2016. Email them to [email protected]. All original photos should be in JPEG format with a minimum size of 1 MB. The Editorial Committee reserves the right to select and edit appropriate contributions for use.

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Documents

MCI (P) 034/08/2016 ISSN: 2010-4308 NovDec 16... · 2016. 11. 1. · N NS N-C 2016 Nov-Dec 2016 MCI (P) ... Richard’s presentation will provide an overview of Arctic wildlife. He