STOMPer Glin found this bird nest - complete with a bright blue egg - in an electrical box at Block 147, Bishan Street 11. Despite the potential hazards the nest poses, the problem has not yet been solved in a satisfactory manner.
In an email today (May 30) the frustrated STOMPer wrote:
"This bird nest poses an electrical connection and hygiene issue at Block 147 Bishan Street 11.
"I have been complaining to the Bishan Town Council and Singtel (ST) abt the bird nest in the box for the past 8 months.
"Apparently the town council keeps pushing the blame to Singtel. And when Singtel's technician came by to inspect, he actually said that it was ok and that the bird nesting there would not cause any problems.
"No one wants to fix the problem. They simply used a cable tie to fasten the box more tightly, but they had overlooked the fact that the box has a big opening at the top so the bird can enter easily. In fact, now that the box is tightly fastened, the bird nest is even more secure.
"Are Singtel and Bishan Town Council telling us that birds are free to build their nests in electrical network boxes? Isn't hygiene an important concern? I feel that Singtel and Bishan Town Council are 'playing tai-chi' - they never get the work done!"
Related posts: Annoying pigeons make aircon lodge their home and try to camp at my house (9th December 2009)
Confused bird makes nest in wash basin (5th June 2009)
Mynah laid eggs in my air-con wallboard! (21st May 2009)
To be honest, I don't find this a major problem; it's just a matter of either waiting for the egg to hatch and the chick to fledge before sealing up the box, or taking matters into your own hands and clearing out the nest. It appears that this nest was built by a myna (Acridotheres spp.), and the 2 common urban species found in Singapore, the common myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus), are not protected by law. I understand this to mean that a disgruntled homeowner can technically remove the nest without any legal repercussions.
