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Vol 10 No 1 Feb 2004 A journey through 2003 Experience of a lifetime International Shorebirds Experts meet Bird RInging in the Reserve 2002 Birds in the Wetland Reserves An Uncensored Census at Sungei Buloh Kranji Nature Trail A green corridor Protected Area Wetland Management Course 6-15 Nov Sungei Buloh 10th Anniversary Celebration Nature and me		Birds in the Wetland Reserve “NParks will continue to form fruitful partnerships to promote awareness and appreciation of the natural environment. We hope that projects such as this will serve as a springboard to increase the students’ interest and knowledge of our shared biodiversity and natural heritage. Equipped with a deeper understanding, they will be able to better appreciate the values of wetlands and its biodiversity. As these students assume leadership positions in the years to come, I have no doubt that informed decisions made by them with regards to the environment will augur well for the management and conservation of nature and biodiversity in Singapore. Our hope for a sustainable natural environment lies in the education of our youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow.” Excerpts of the welcome address by Dr Leong Chee Chiew Chief Operating Officer, NParks Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in collaboration with MOE and British Council launched the “Birds in Wetland Reserves” project for 65 students from 13 local schools in 2003. Through this project, the primary and secondary students learned about the diversity of birds that live in our wetland reserve. They also participated in bird-watching trips to observe the abundant bird life, study the birds’ habitats and behaviour and record their findings in an electronic nature journal. In addition, they also participated in forum discussions with each other through the Internet on a specially setup portal. On 5 July 2003, a celebration to commemorate the successful completion of this project was held in the wetland reserve. The students created a colourful display of posters and drawings and prepared interesting computer-based interactive quizzes that helped raise the public’s interest in our biodiversity and engaged them through their active participation. A second batch of students has now embarked on the second phase of the project. “I must congratulate the collaborative effort of the National Parks Board, British Council and the Ministry of Education for coming up with this “Birds in Wetland Reserves Project”. It is through projects and endeavours like these that our students are exposed to the natural wonders of nature and be able to appreciate the delicate environment we all live in. I sincerely hope that these students will continue their good work and to become volunteers of Sungei Buloh. They would then have taken that very first step to ensure that this wetland reserve continues to receive its deserved protection and conservation.” Mr Kenneth Kee, Volunteer of SBWR and keynote speaker for the launch of the “Birds in Wetland Reserves” Project Celebration 5 July 2003 Excerpts from the Students involved in “Birds in the Wetland Reserve” Nature Photography Talk “To get good photographs, Mr David Tan, a volunteer of SBWR advised us to go before high tide because as the tide rushes in, the birds would fly in to the higher grounds found at the reserve. This would be the ideal time to snap them in action. We were also encouraged to read all types of magazines and books on photography to get new ideas and to improve our knowledge. Mr Tan proved to be extremely knowledgeable on the subject and his enthusiasm definitely rubbed off on us. So watch out birds, we shall be capturing you with a vengeance on film!” Balaganesha Balasubramaniam Chongfu Primary School Bird Census “I found out that if we wished to attract the birds to a particular place, the environment must be made suitable so that they like it and there will be a bigger population of them present. We also learnt that counting must be done fast, we have to estimate the number spotted in the binoculars before the birds fly away or change positions. “ Neo Yu Chun Xingnan Primary School Birdwatching “We proceeded to Screen 1.8. At first, we did not notice any birds at all except for the lone ranger, a Little Egret. As we looked harder into the picture in front of us, we noticed that a large number of birds were actually cleverly camouflaged to the surrounding. We were really caught by surprise. ” Lam Pui Yeng Ridge Secondary School
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