New book on migratory birds out in September

Ang Yiying, Straits Times 11 May 09;

BIRD watchers at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, a haven for migratory birds, will have a reference guide to turn to by September.

The guidebook will feature 70 species of such birds, and give information on their migration patterns and the routes they take.

News of the book came yesterday, World Migratory Bird Day, marked on the second weekend of May each year. The book is the product of research done by the National Parks Board (NParks), which manages Sungei Buloh, and a donation of US$10,000 (S$14,730) from Grand Hyatt Singapore hotel.

NParks director of conservation Wong Tuan Wah said the book will have international appeal, as the featured birds come from all over the world.

Retired civil servant Wong Kum Sang, 62, and student Brandon Chia, 15, volunteer guides at Sungei Buloh who have seen sample pages of the book, say its detailed information sets it apart from existing guidebooks.

The price of the book, to have a first print run of 2,000 copies, has not yet been set.

NParks and Grand Hyatt have also organised a photography competition on the flora and fauna at Sungei Buloh. Visit www.nparks.gov.sg/photo competition for more information.