Pasir Ris Park - Decreasing Biodiversity Sightings

Pasir Ris Park
East, Singapore
June 2014

It's been some time since Merlion Wayfarer been to the Pasir Ris mangrove swamps. And it has been disappointing how the biodiversity sightings there decreases over the past few years.

|   March 2010   |   January 2013   |   July 2013   |

A male Epeus flavobilineatus (Yellow-Lined Epeus) spider, a bug, an ant, a wriggling caterpillar, and an Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron) were spotted in the 1.5 hour walk...

The decreased variety and number of sightings could be attributed to several factors:

• Impending bad weather, e.g. rain
• Water Pollution
  Fecal matter has been detected in the sea near the mangroves. At times, "No swimming" signs have been put up. (See "Thrown Away By The Kelongs")
• Oil Spills
  (The sand in Pasir Ris often has oil stains among its deeper layers. Sometimes, oil streaks can be seen in the mangrove puddles.)
• Increased number of visitors

Merlion Wayfarer hopes the biodiversity of the area can be restored very soon.
 

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Sungei Buloh - The Dark Dangerous Branch

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

North, Singapore

December 2013

A species of mangroves and coastal forests, the Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus (Shore Pit Viper) has a reputation for being unpredictable and should be approached with caution. Giving no warning signs, this snake will strike readily and far at any threat, and its powerful haemotoxic venom can cause serious illness or even kill. 

This shy snake looks just like another branch in a mangrove tree where it usually coils motionless. A small snake with the typical broad triangular head of a viper, it has large red eyes on a rather angry looking face. It is more active at night.  By day it can be found resting on low branches one or two metres from the ground.

Its colour can vary from a uniform dark grey or purplish-brown to a weakly-patterned brown, with a white stripe along each flank, or even greenish-yellow with dark mottling. The scales are strongly keeled (i.e. ridged). Males grow to a total length of 66.5 centimetres (26.2 inches), females 90 centimetres (35 inches). The maximum tail lengths are then 12.5 centimetres (4.9 inches) and 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) respectively.

Feeding on lizards, frogs and other small animals, possibly small birds, similar to other vipers, it has heat-sensing pits on its lips to detect its prey.

Sources

• "Shore Pit Viper". Ecology Asia. Retrieved from http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/shore_pit_viper.htm (06 July 2014).
• "Shore pit viper". Wild Fact Sheets. Retrieved from http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/purpureomaculatus.htm (06 July 2014).
• "The Dangerously Venomous Snakes of Myanmar, Illustrated Checklist with Keys" by Leviton AE, Wogan GOU, Koo MS, Zug GR, Lucas RS, Vindum JV ( 2003). Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 54 (24): 407-462.
• "Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus". Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimeresurus_purpureomaculatus (06 July 2014).
   
  

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Sentosa - A Billed Visitor

Sentosa

South, Singapore

March 2014

It was a normal hot weekend afternoon at Sentosa when Merlion Wayfarer was startled by a familiar but very unexpected cry from the trees. Looking among the trees above the KFC outlet at Imbiah Station, she spotted this very surprising sight - An Anthracoceros albirostris (Oriental Pied Hornbill) in the urban jungle next to the Resorts World Sentosa!

The Oriental Pied Hornbill disappeared from Singapore in the mid-1800s, possibly due to hunting and loss of suitable habitat. In 1994, a pair was recorded from Pulau Ubin. Once thought to be extinct in Singapore, the bird is re-establishing healthy colonies here, due in large to the collective efforts of the National Parks Board (NParks), Jurong Bird Park, and Singapore Avian Conservation Project (SACP). 

Good to see you enjoying the resorts here in Sentosa, Billed Visitor!

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More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer Goes Green's Picasa at :  Aves - Bucerotidae (Hornbills)

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Sengkang Park - That Thing With The Wayang Feelers

Sengkang Park
North East, Singapore
September 2013

Sengkang Riverside Park is located at Anchorvale Street and is situated alongside Sungei Punggol. The park is home to a unique water feature, a constructed wetland that collects and filters rainwater naturally through its aquatic plants. Despite its man-made features, the park contains a variety of fauna among its aquatic and terrestrial plants.

A well-camouflaged male Plexippus petersi (Common Housefly Catcher) Spider wanders on a tree trunk, gravity no obstacle to its upward climb...

Flitting among the stalks near the water were several male Crocothemis servilia (Common Scarlet) Dragonflies - Startling in their bright red colour...

A fascinating white-and-brown striped bug with wayang feelers three times its body length...

A silent stationary moth with glassy concussed eyes... 

Wandering about the pond was a Amaurornis phoenicurus (White-Breasted Waterhen)...

Lurking in the waters was a Varanus salvator (Water Monitor Lizard) cooling down after a hot day...

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More photos are available on :

Merlion Wayfarer Goes Green's Picasa Web Albums

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Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - Where Lizards Roam

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Central, Singapore

March 2014

Bukit Timah, being a nature reserve, is always full of surprises. Each visit turns up new finds, some interesting, some fascinating, and always refreshing...

Varanus nebulosus (Clouded Monitor) : This terrestrial lizard can be distinguished from its water-based cousin by its Its colouration comprising yellow spots on a brown-grey base...

A Cyclosa Spider hidden in the "debris" on its web...

The Nintendo-sounding male Dicrurus paradiseus 
(Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo), a male with its beautiful tail...

The serene quarry view with its azure-blue water...

Flora with an interesting base...

A Tetragnathidae (Big-Jawed Spider) with a messy leaf-strewn web...

A real Cyclosa Spider on its web - See the difference?

Summiting at 463.63m one degree north of the Equator...

A not-so-usual hideout for an Argiope (St Andrew's Cross Spider) - A leaf instead of its web...

A fast-moving Salticidae (Jumping Spider) wanders about the railings...

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More photos are available on :

Merlion Wayfarer Goes Green's Picasa Web Albums

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