NSS Kids’ Fun with Birds at Lorong Halus Wetland

By Gloria Seow, Education Committee Vice Chairperson 

The 8-km long Serangoon River wends its way across the Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol housing estates. It is flanked by the park connector network of cycling and jogging paths and prettified with stylish viewing decks and fishing platforms. The river terminates at the rehabilitated former landfill site of Lorong Halus Wetland, where a dam constructed across its mouth in 2011 converted it into a reservoir. 

While folks went about their morning exercise at Halus, NSS kids and their parents, led by Auntie Lee Ee Ling, gathered on 28 December 2019 to check out its thriving bird life. First up, Auntie Gloria Seow spotted a White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) that had sauntered out of the riverside vegetation onto the footpath. It quickly dived back in when it saw us, and continued to forage on the ground, shielded by thick cover. Auntie Ee Ling then had us tune in to the soothing background coos of the Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata). Soon enough, we found a couple in a nearby tree as they belted out their duet.

Self-taught 9-year old birder Jorge with Auntie Ee Ling (carrying scope).

We saw the usual suspects of garden birds such as the Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) and Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis). One of the participants, 9-year old Jorge, turned out to be an impressive self-taught birder. He had persuaded his parents to buy him a pair of binoculars, read up obsessively on Singapore’s (and other) birds, and even had an app on avian calls. He was able to identify the birds we encountered, dutifully recording them in his notebook. Such kids are as scarce as hen’s teeth.

 The flamboyant blossom of the Sea Poison tree.

One of the trip highlights was the Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri). This large green bird announced its presence as it nosily flew into view with a flourish. It proceeded to do a few energetic swoops and even perched obligingly for us to take a good look. It was not just birds we admired. Auntie Gloria picked up the flamboyant Sea Poison (Barringtonia asiatica) flower from underneath its tree and handed it around. This night-blooming flower is pollinated by moths and bats. Kids were fascinated to learn that the lantern-like fruits of the Sea Poison contain seeds that could be pulped and used to stun fish, hence its name.

At the landmark red Halus Bridge, we encountered a Malayan Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) swimming lazily in the river. Auntie Ee Ling put her scope to good use, giving kids close-up views of a handsome Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica).

Suddenly, Uncle Timothy Pwee drew our attention skywards as a flock of some 30 Asian Openbills (Anastomus oscitans) swirled in the distance towards us. These storks had been in the news with thousands upon thousands observed coming down Peninsular Malaysia. Then they started appearing all over Singapore with the largest flock seen numbering about 1,000 birds, a rare phenomenon indeed. Some were even photographed flying across the sun during the annular solar eclipse on 26 December 2019. 

These storks usually forage for prey such as water snails in the rice fields up north, especially along the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins. However, the drought in countries such as Thailand could have reduced their prey base and triggered their flight south in search of food. The Asian Openbill is so named as adult birds have a gap between their bills to allow them to better handle water snails, much like a nutcracker. Curiously, young storks do not have this gap. As we gawked at the majestic sight, another 30 Asian Openbills flew in from the opposite direction. The two flocks crossed each other before parting again, which set our party all atwitter with excitement.

Some 60 Asian Openbills filled the skies above Halus.

A female Olive-backed Sunbird on the Heliconia flower.

Crossing the bridge, Auntie Lena pointed out the Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans), easily distinguished from other red dragonflies as the only one with reddish wings (versus clear wings). We also enjoyed eye-level views of an Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) when one came to collect nectar from the Heliconia flower. Too bad we ran out of time for the Little Grebe pond, but the morning’s many great sightings well made up for that.