Monday Morgue: 31st August 2009

Peanut worm (Sipuncula)
Pasir Ris, 7th June 2008

Wild Fact Sheets
Online Guide to Chek Jawa
A Guide to Seashore Life
A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore

Yellow poplar trees add colour to Bt Batok Nature Park

STOMPer Arborist spotted yellow poplar trees in Bukit Batok Nature Park, amongst other wonders of Nature, and shares them here on STOMP. He says:

"These pictures were taken at the Bukit Batok Nature Park.

"As I was jogging in the park one day I saw this tall tree with bright yellow leaves which reminded me of those yellow poplar trees (Liriodendron tulipifera) in the USA.

"Like the yellow poplar this tree grows to a height of about 80m.

"The famous yellow poplar tree bears cone-shaped fruits and they release winged seeds which are eaten by squirrels and beavers.

"The leaves usually turn yellow in autumn but in our tropical climate it is strange to see a tree with only yellow leaves in August.

"On the forest floor I found this bracket fungus (Ganoderma sp).

"This fungus usually attacks timber trees causing wood decay.

"The beautiful lake in the nature park was once a granite quarry. It is now a fresh water lake teeming with fish and tortoises."

If the trees look like yellow poplar but aren't actually yellow poplar, then aren't the title and the introductory paragraph a little misleading?

The yellow poplar, also known as the American tulip tree or tulip poplar, is native to the forests of eastern North America, although it has been introduced to many temperate parts of the world.


American tulip tree on Connecticut College;
(Photo by Seaweed Lady)

Despite its common name, it is not at all closely related to the poplars (Populus spp.). Its closest living relative is the Chinese tulip tree (Liriodendron chinense), which is found in many parts of central and southern China.

The American tulip tree is the tallest hardwood that can be found in the eastern forests.


(Photo by Joel Abroad)


It also has very distinctive leaves.
(Photo by lucycat)


Its flowers bear a very close resemblance to tulips, hence its common name.
(Photo by William_Tanneberge r)


It produces large numbers of winged seeds, which are then dispersed by the wind.
(Photo by ophis)


(Photo by claytonsnatives)

I have no idea which species of tree is represented in the original post on STOMP, although I am quite sure that it is not an American tulip tree.

Another thing that I am quite sure of is that you won't find any tortoises swimming in the lake; I see this person still hasn't learned anything about the differences between turtles and tortoises, which are wholly terrestrial.

Bt Batok's botak trees: Pruned because residents complained about bird nuisance

Hong Kah Town Council says that the trees in a Bukit Batok carpark were pruned as residents had complained about the noise and droppings from the birds which perched on the trees.

This was in response to STOMPer Aborist's earlier post where he stated that the trees looked pathetic and wondered why all the leaves had been trimmed away.

In an email sent to STOMP(August 27), the Hong Kah Town Council says:

"Residents living in the blocks near the carpark at Blk 331, Bukit Batok St 33 had earlier sent feedback to our Town Council about both the noise nuisance and droppings from the birds perching on the trees.

"They requested for us to prune the trees to deter the birds from roosting.

"Pruning was thus carried out and this has greatly reduced the incidence of bird nuisance, thereby creating a more pleasant environment for the residents.

"We thank STOMPer Aborist for the opportunity to clarify matters."

Related story:
No point having trees in carpark if they are 'botak'

Related post: No point having trees in carpark if they are 'botak'

Monday Morgue: 24th August 2009

Reticulated pufferfish (Arothron reticularis)
Changi, 2nd November 2008

FishBase
Fishes of Libong Island
Fishes of Bitung

Trees at Jurong Park connector healthy, so why chop them down?

STOMPer Arborist was saddened to see healthy trees at Jurong Park Connector cut down for no apparent reason. The trees there provide shade for park users, he says, and serve to beautify the park.

In an email today (Aug 23) the STOMPer wrote:

"The tall trees on the edge of the lake at Jurong Park look beautiful and provide much shade for joggers and cyclists.

"It saddens me to see some of these tall trees chopped down.

"These trees look healthy. Unless there are good reasons to cut them down, they should be left alone."

Similar stories:
F-minus rating to Hong Kah Town Council for chopping down these trees
Weather so hot, yet why healthy trees at Yew Tee Point cut down?
Truth out about chopping of Yew Tee trees: It was to make way for pasar malam

Pretty to look at, but watch out for sharp thorns on these plants

These plants planted next to a pedestrian walkway are covered with sharp thorns, says STOMPer Resident. Walk too close to them and you could be in for a painful experience.

Here's what the concerned STOMPer wrote in an email today (Aug 23):

"This picture was taken at the junction of Bukit Batok East Avenue 6 and Bukit Batok Street 22.

"Planted beside the walkway are some plants with very sharp thorns and if you are not careful these thorns can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort.

"Plants planted near public walkways should not be a hazard to pedestrians. I hope this plant can be removed."

Similar Stories:
Thorns from overgrown plant at corridor is nuisance to Tampines residents
'Thorns of this desert plant could hurt passers-by'

Related posts: Trees along Tampines park connector are safety hazards in disguise (17th June 2009)
This cactus plant at Kembangan is a danger to passersby (6th June 2009)
Sharp leaves are danger to residents and passersby (30th May 2009)
'Dangerous' plants removed from polyclinic grounds (14th April 2009)
Dangerous plants at polyclinic, says STOMPer (2nd April 2009)
Be careful the next time you're at Clarke Quay (12th March 2009)
Why plant chilli in area accessible by kids? (11th March 2009)
Dead leaves dangling from palm tree can crack your skull! (28th January 2009)

$1000 reward for return of lost parrot

Despite 40,000 flyers being distributed, there has been no news of August, the African Grey Parrot. There will be a reward of $1000 if August is found, says STOMPer Alice.

In an email to STOMP today (Aug 22), the STOMPer says:

"We are still searching for August. 40,000 flyers have been distributed, yet there has been no news. August is an African Grey Parrot.

"August is extremely smart and playful. He is the one that kept us accompanied in 2006, the saddest moment in our lives where we lost one of our immediate beloved family members. Bond and love for August has deepened, as days go by.

"He has grey feathers with a bright red tails and dark black peak. There is a birth identification ring on his leg. He is also very talkative.

"Last seen at Choa Chu Kang Street 51, opposite Warren Golf Country Club, Jul 31, 2009, 10 pm.

"There will be a reward of $1000 if August is found."

The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is one of the iconic species of the trade in pet parrots. Hailing from the rainforests of West and Central Africa, this species is unfortunately still captured from the wild in large numbers.


(Photo by Barra1man)

Parrots are generally considered to be highly intelligent birds, but the African grey parrot stands out as particularly gifted, and research on African grey parrots has helped shed some light on parrots' cognitive abilities and capacity for abstract thought. The talking parrot isn't always dumbly mimicking sounds and noises, but might instead betray complex thought processes. The famous Alex and Einstein are notable examples:







Here in Singapore, the African grey parrot has been recorded on at least 2 occasions. The first ever record was an individual seen at Kent Ridge Park in November 1992, while there have been other sightings in the Changi Beach and Tanglin areas.


(Photo by Orkakorak)

It seems unlikely that this species will ever become established in Singapore; it would appear that escapes occur too infrequently for breeding to occur. However, the fact that African grey parrots can live for as long as 50 years does make it possible for a population to eventually establish itself under the right conditions. If a solitary escapee manages to survive in the wild long enough to eventually encounter a compatible partner of the opposite sex, breeding is a possibility.

Million dollar park connector, but cheapskate pathway

STOMPer Landslide was appalled to see the muddy pathway that passed off as an entrance to the Pang Sua park connector.

Says the STOMPer:

"I stay at Yew Tee and I am very excited to use the new Pang Sua park connector linking Yew Tee to Choa Chu Kang, all the way to Zheng Hua park.

"Yesterday, I decided to go with my family down to the park connector, we made our way using the one and only entrance nearest to our house, which was just beside The Quintet Condo.

“However, we were shocked to see the slippery mud path which was dug to represent a flight of stairs.

"What if some elderly person or kids head down to the park connector this way? What if they slip and fall?

"It is very evident from the photos that this is an opening to the park connector but the authorities were probably short of funds or just cannot be bothered to build a concrete pathway and staircase for residents.

"This is a million dollar park connector which took nearly one-and-a-half years to complete.

"But this new park connector is furbished with a lousy, cheapskate mud path and stairs!

"I hope the National Parks Board can explain why."

I don't think that's even an official path to the park connector; it's most likely just the result of scores of people creating a path by taking a convenient shortcut and trampling all over the grass.

I believe that instead of complaining about lack of funding or apathy to explain the lack of a proper path in this location, this person should take the initiative to find out where the actual entrances are in the first place.

No point having trees in carpark if they are 'botak'

STOMPer Aborist noticed that the trees in this Bukit Batok carpark have their leaves all trimmed away, and wonders what is the point of having 'botak' trees.

He says:

"These pictures were taken at the carpark at Blk 331, Bukit Batok St 33.

"As I was passing the car park I noticed that the trees were all 'botak' and they looked so pathetic.

"I understand there is a need to trim the trees if the branches are overgrown or when the crown blocks out the light from the street lamps.

"By all means trim the branches but why make them bald?

"Now in the afternoon the carpark is as hot as an oven."

Windless day, yet tree branch suddenly crashes onto car at Airline House

A STOMPer saw this huge tree branch that had fallen onto a car parked at Airline House in Changi at about 3pm yesterday (August 20), even though it was windless day.

He said:

"There was no wind at all, but this branch feel on top of the car.

"I don't think the car was damaged in any way, though."

Such a big rat spotted in a HDB block at Simei!

STOMPer Adam was shocked to see such a big rat scurrying around in a HDB block at Simei.

The STOMPer is concerned about the hygiene standards and level of cleanliness in that area.

He says:

"Saw this rat at Simei Estate today(August 18).

"Spotted near the lifts, when it scurried away to one of the supporting pillars.

"What if it got into the lifts with some old aunty or uncle?"

Related posts: What's happening to Hougang Point festival market? Rats on rampage there! (8th August 2009)
Get rid of the rats infesting this Jurong West block, says STOMPer (19th June 2009)
Mouse found at Vivocity's Giant. Where's the standard of hygiene? (31st May 2009)
Pest control efforts intensified to curb Woodlands Circle rat problem, says TC (18th May 2009)
Rats run wild in Woodlands Circle! (17th May 2009)
Rat plays peek-a-boo at East Point Banquet food court (11th March 2009)
Dead rat found lying on Maxwell Market performers' stage (9th March 2009)
Shocking to find rat at Changi Airport's T3! (8th March 2009)

Truth out about chopping of Yew Tee trees: It was to make way for pasar malam

STOMPer Ang Kong Kia believes that the palms trees in Yew Tee were chopped down to make way for the pasar malam, despite the explanation by the Hong Kah Town Council. Seven palm trees were removed from the hard court.

The town council had explained that they were taking a long term view of the future use of the hardcourt and condition of the trees, before removing them.

In the STOMPer's email:

"The area was designed to accommodate the royal palm trees with special drainage.

"If not for the pasar malam tents which affected the growth of the trees, the trees would have been grown to the same height of remaining 3 palm trees near to the roof of MRT station and other palm trees next to the nearby HDB block.

"The truth about cutting down the trees is to allow pasar malam operator to erect the tents for pasar malam.

"A pasar malam was immediately held as soon as the trees were gone and the area retiled. The place of the trees were covered with tiles while the drainage for the trees remained."

Related stories:
Eight more trees were planted: Town Council replies
F-minus rating to Hong Kah Town Council for chopping down these trees
Weather so hot, yet why healthy trees at Yew Tee Point cut down?

Related posts: Eight more trees were planted: Town Council (18th June 2009)
F-minus rating to Hong Kah Town Council for chopping down these trees (13th June 2009)
Weather so hot, yet why healthy trees at Yew Tee Point cut down? (11th June 2009)

Monday Morgue: 17th August 2009

Horn-eyed ghost crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus)
Sentosa, 13th June 2009

Wild Fact Sheets
A Guide to Seashore Life in Singapore
Land Crabs of the Seychelles Islands
A field guide to Kenyan mangroves

Punggol anglers left poor owl caught in fishing line to die

This pitcher plant captures insects for their nutrients!

A STOMPer was trekking through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve when he saw all these rare and exotic plants with leaves so huge that they left him amazed.

Trekker told STOMP via email today (Aug 12):

"These pictures were taken near the forest trails of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

"This pitcher plant grows near sandy soil where there is little water.

"While plants get their energy from sunlight, air and water, they still need nitrogen and phosphorus to grow.

"In some places they are so rare that it is hard for plants to grow.

"Some plants have resorted to getting nitrogen from living insects.

"With slippery pitchers they catch insects like ants and mosquitoes and digest them to get precious nutrients.

"The pitcher plant can grow in extreme habitats where there is a lack of nutrients.

"This leaf from a giant tree is almost 1m long and if you look at the pen you can gauge the size of the leaf.

"This leaf is big and if you look at the $1 coin you can assess the size of the leaf.

"The forest abounds rare plants like the African spiral flag (Costus lucanusianus) which blooms flowers the whole year round.

"This plant grows in dark and damp places and its brightly-coloured flowers attract bees and butterflies."

Related posts: Meet the carnivorous pitcher plant (28th June 2009)

Monday Morgue: 10th August 2009

Window-pane clam (Placuna sp.)
Pasir Ris, 7th June 2008

Wild Fact Sheets
Online Guide to Chek Jawa

What's happening to Hougang Point festival market? Rats on rampage there!

It's rats galore at Hougang Point festival market, as STOMPer Evets shows with these two disturbing videos. The pests were so bold they did not even try to run from the camera.

Here's what the STOMPer had to say of the situation:

"Bold rats are running everywhere around the mall at night.

"The mall is heavily infested with these rodents and they were running around the carts which we use in the day.

"I do not think these carts even get cleaned. These are the very carts which we used to put our food in.

"They weren't even afraid of us when I filmed this video, this shows the nerve the rats have.

"Some of these rodents were even running in and out of the fast food restaurant.

"I think the NEA should really come down to check on this before a repeat of the Geylang Serai market incident where more than 80 rats were caught happens again."

Do check out the video posted on STOMP.

Related posts: Get rid of the rats infesting this Jurong West block, says STOMPer (19th June 2009)
Mouse found at Vivocity's Giant. Where's the standard of hygiene? (31st May 2009)
Pest control efforts intensified to curb Woodlands Circle rat problem, says TC (18th May 2009)
Rats run wild in Woodlands Circle! (17th May 2009)
Rat plays peek-a-boo at East Point Banquet food court (11th March 2009)
Dead rat found lying on Maxwell Market performers' stage (9th March 2009)
Shocking to find rat at Changi Airport's T3! (8th March 2009)

So beautiful, but what is this mystery insect?

This bizarre - but rather cute - creepy-crawly was spotted by STOMPer Goh. Unusually, it appears to have only four legs, as compared to other insects which have six.

Here's what the STOMPer had to say of his unique find:

"I spotted this beautiful and strange insect on my main door. I stay in Lorong 1 Toa Payoh.

"It appears to have only 4 legs, and was about 2 cm in length.

"These pictures were taken on Aug 7 at about 6:30 pm."

I think it's some sort of moth, although I have no idea as to which species it could possibly be. The coloration of its wings gives me the impression that this is a species that hides amongst vegetation, where the coloration makes it blend in with the leaves.

As for the number of legs, I'm pretty sure that there's another pair hidden by the wings.

Is this monkey raising our national flag?

What an amusing sight! At first glance, it seems as if this monkey is raising Singapore's national flag, while a cat looks on.

STOMPer Pekakbadak, who observed this at Changi Village, says:

"Thought of sharing this interesting photo taken at Changi Village yesterday morning of a monkey and a cat.

"Looks as if the monkey just conducted a morning flag raising ceremony with the cat looking on.

"And since we are in a midst of celebrating our National Day, I think this shot looks appropiate for the occasion.

"Happy National Day!"

I wonder if this is the same long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) that I saw at Changi Village on 31st May.