15 Mar (Sun): Annual Bird Census by Nature Society (Singapore)

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The very first Annual Bird Census was started by the NSS Bird Group on 20 April 1986 where we recorded nearly 6,000 birds of 129 species. In 2008, at the 23rd census, we counted 9,153 birds comprising 153 species, an improvement on the previous years. Are the wild birds in Singapore doing well? The general trend seems to be improving. In the last ten years, we recorded a total of 220 species, 60% of the known avifauna in Singapore. Based on total counts in the last decade, 42% of these 220 species are on the rise, 28% in decline, 5% showed no changes, while the last 25% could not be assessed due to lack of data.

For the upcoming census, we will start at 7.30 am, covering many birdwatching sites in Singapore. Our members’ enthusiastic participation over the years and the subsequent data collected have assisted the Society in piecing together conservation proposals, in assessing the state of our natural habitats, and have also given us an overview of general bird population trends. So birders, do our feathered friends a favour and participate in this year’s census. All we need is your ability to see and count! Help the site leader at a site near your home or one that you may be interested in.

To participate, please email Lim Kim Seng at ibisbill@yahoo.com before 10 March 2009.

Time: 7.30am
Venue: Various birdwatching sites in Singapore
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.