Sighting of rare birds brings thrills at Sungei Buloh

Birds could have been blown off-course or their numbers could have risen, says guide
Grace Chua, Straits Times 5 Dec 08;

BIRDWATCHER Danny Lau, 53, was so excited when he spotted the rare Nordmann's Greenshank that he forgot to have lunch.
After a false alarm a month earlier, Mr Lau was thrilled when on Nov 15, he, together with his two friends and his son, saw the rare bird at Sungei Buloh around midday. 'It was the real McCoy,' he said. 'We were so excited we missed our lunch.'

Later, another Nordmann's Greenshank was seen there as well.

Mr Lau's sighting was the first time the 30cm-tall bird had been spotted in Singapore since 1981. The bird breeds in Siberia and usually winters in East and South-east Asia, but can range as far as Australia.

Only 600 to 1,000 Nordmann's Greenshanks (Tringa Guttifer) are believed to exist in the wild.

Their wintering and breeding habitats are at risk, as coastal mudflats in Asia are being developed and wetlands in Russia are being degraded by reindeer.

The Nordmann's Greenshank is often confused with its less endangered cousin, the Common Greenshank, another migratory bird which has longer legs and a single-coloured bill instead of the Nordmann's bi-coloured beak.

Differentiating them is particularly tricky when the two species feed together. 'There are a few hundred waders and you have to spot the one weird-looking guy,' Mr Lau said.

His group spotted the bird during very high tide around 1pm, which forces shorebirds inland to search for crabs, invertebrates, shellfish and worms.

According to wildlife consultant Subaraj Rajathurai, an experienced guide who leads nature trips, the Nordmann's Greenshanks could have strayed into Singapore for several reasons.

Accidents could have blown the birds off-course, while colder winters, fiercer monsoons or loss of feeding grounds could have driven them further south.

Alternatively, there is a small chance that their numbers could be on the rise again.

'It's too early to say if there are any adverse reasons for them turning up,' Mr Subaraj said.

In 1981, the Nordmann's Greenshank was last sighted by a Briton named Richard Arlington at Changi, near what is now the Tanah Merah golf course, he added.

'In terms of VIP status, this bird rates as a once-in-a-lifetime sighting,' he said.

This year's sighting coincides with Sungei Buloh's 15th anniversary, which the reserve will mark this weekend.

'Maybe Sungei Buloh is getting world-renowned, so the birds have heard about it,' Mr Subaraj quipped.

More about Sungei Buloh's Anniversary celebrations this weekend on the wildsingapore happenings blog