Api Api River is now too polluted for fishing

STOMPer Ong is sad that the Api Api River, which used to be clean and clear and good for fishing, is now polluted with dirty water.

He hopes that something can be done to stop this.

Says this STOMPer:

"Last time this Api Api River near the HDB, was clean and clear and the residents could still fish.

"Now, we can't fish anymore, look at the water, it's so dirty."

People aren't supposed to be fishing there in the first place...

I'm not sure how he defines the water as 'dirty'; to be honest, Sungei Api Api looks very normal to me here. These photos certainly aren't very strong evidence for pollution. This person's case would probably be much stronger if he had taken pictures of litter and other man-made debris clogging up the river, or if he had been more descriptive of how the water conditions have supposedly changed over the years.

Pollution at Sungei Pandan wreck lovely scenery

STOMPer Boatman was upset when he spotted, what he called 'serious pollution', at Sungei Pandan at Jalan Buroh.

Says this STOMPer:

"These pictures were taken beneath the bridge that crosses the Sungei Pandan at Jalan Buroh.

"You can easily estimate the extent of environmental pollution of our precious waterways.
"There were lots of drink cans, plastic bags, polystyrene boxes and the area was infested with mosquitoes.

"A wooden rickety pier that was probably put up by the fishermen who came to unload their daily catch. You can see a boat moored by the side.

"The image of the setting sun was reflected in the water of the river. The day was coming to an end and the birds were returning to their homes. It was very peaceful at the bank of the river and the crickets in the bushes began their nocturnal chorus to usher in another night."

A cleanup session was held in these mangroves at Sungei Pandan as part of International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (ICCS) in September last year. In fact, it was the first cleanup held at this site. Part of the 1.37 tonnes of rubbish cleared from just a small area of the mangroves included 39 tyres.

3 sets of photos from the session can be viewed at Flickr (1, 2, 3).

You can also view the overall survey results of that cleanup session over at this link, as well as analysis of the amount of trash collected by the 3 participating groups, Oil Spill Response and East Asia Response Limited, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and the NUS Raffles Museum Toddycats.

These mangroves are also the focus of blog posts by Siva (who also has a gallery of his trip at this link), Kok Sheng, and most recently, by Ria.

The sights of Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve

STOMPer Nature Lover shares with STOMPers the beautiful sights of Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve.

Says this STOMPer:

"In picture one, it shows the entrance to the male and female toilets. You can see a male bird and a female bird to indicate which side you are to turn.

"In picture two, this long bridge crosses the Sungei Buloh Besar. The wooden bridge is supported by concrete pillars as the current here is very strong.

"In picture three, this fish sculpture is found at the entrance.

"In picture four, the lake beside the cafe teems with fish, tortoises and monitor lizards.

"In picture five, the tortoise swims in the water and occasionally it comes to the shore to bask in the sun."

I really wonder why this particular person often seems to post about things that frankly don't seem particularly interesting or noteworthy. There's so much to see at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, that I'm really puzzled as to why he even found the toilet signs and the bridge so fascinating in the first place.

And once again, he makes the annoying mistake of calling a red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) a tortoise. It really annoys me, especially when he had previously posted about the differences between tortoises and turtles.

Is environmental pollution killing our flora?

A STOMPer wonders if pollution from the factories near Pandan Reservoir and Jalan Buroh is causing the plants there to wither.

Conservationist told STOMP via email today (Jun 23):

"These pictures were taken at the bicycle track between Pandan Reservoir and Jalan Buroh.

"You can see lots and lots of paper, cigarette boxes, discarded gloves and dead leaves.

"It might appear that the place has not been swept for the last 6 months.

"The plants here do not look healthy as this leaf has lots of holes, possibly eaten by insects.

"As I cycled through this track I could smell acrid smoke and industrial gases from the nearby factories.

"There is much gaseous pollution in this area.

"The healthy plant (Cordyline fruticosa) usually looks bright red but this plant here looks brown and withered.

"The bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) has bright purple bracts but this plant here looks brown and shrivelled.

"The set up of more factories has caused our economy to boom but the downside is that with industrial pollution, our flora will be badly battered."

I wonder what exactly a chewed-up leaf has to do with pollution.

Isn't that just a different-coloured form of bouganvillea?

And I do wish that this particular person would just pick a permanent nickname instead of submitting posts to STOMP under multiple identities. Oh, and by the way, I'm sure real conservationists have much bigger battles to fight.

Why were all these trees chopped down?

A STOMPer was having lunch at the Ubi Ave 1 area when he noticed that many trees were felled there and wondered why this was the case.

In an email to STOMP today (June 23), the STOMPer wrote:

"I was having lunch at Ubi Ave 1 when I came across these.

"I wonder why the authority felled so many trees when the weather is getting so hot?"

The STOMPer added that this was at the open space near block 301.

Fallen tree rips canal railings apart at Sungei Pandan

STOMPer Explorer says this tree could have fallen due to bad weather or due to its roots being attacked by termites.

In an email to STOMP today (June 23), the STOMPer says:

"This is a beaten track which runs by the side of the Cycle and Carriage factory and it runs from Pandan Loop to the Sungei Pandan. Beside this track is a long canal.

"A big tree has crashed and ripped open the railings on the side of the canal.

"It could have fallen due to stormy weather or because of a weak base when the roots were attacked by white ants."

Got any? 1,300 balloons containing myths and secrets about a woman's body freed at Siloso

Kotex® held a party celebrating womanhood at Siloso Beach on Jun 20. To mark the event, over 1,300 balloons were set free, setting a new record in the Singapore Book of Records.

A spokesperson for Kotex® says:

"Kotex® set free over 1,300 balloons containing myths and secrets about a woman's body this Saturday (Jun 20) at the Life's a Beach party at Siloso Beach!

"This is a brand new record in the Singapore book of Records!

"This was done in an effort by Kotex® to get the conversation going with women, encouraging them to talk about issues concerning their body and life.

"Kotex® believes that women today are confident, sassy and smart; they excel in their careers, studies and hobbies.

"However, Kotex® thinks that women fall behind when it comes to awareness on body knowledge because it is still taboo among many to discuss their bodies openly.

"Besides dispelling the myths, Kotex also had four Learn About Truths stations (about Body, Periods, Sex & Sexuality and Love & Relationships) where women were engaged in an entertaining and fun learning adventure on their body and health.

"Kotex® hopes that by increasing body life IQ awareness of women and creating an avenue for self expression, the world will be a much better place for women.

"The young women, now empowered with life knowledge, can now go on to live their lives to the fullest, without being held back by any taboo."

Check out more photos of the fun-filled afternoon here!

Oh dear. I just don't quite understand the rationale behind such an act. Sure, it looks pretty and all that, but it's a lot like tossing confetti without all the hassle of sweeping up the mess.

Ria has done an excellent short series of posts on the threat that balloons pose to marine life.

Mass balloon release kills
Reactions to mass balloon release
Documented reports of Death-by-Balloon?

Besides Ria, Darryl Kang aka DK has also blogged about this before, in response to past mass balloon releases.

Why release 60 balloons into the air to launch Earth Hour Singapore?
Releasing 1000 balloons into the sky as a symbol of soaring love
Celebrate marriage without balloons
Pink Dot – Freedom to love, not mass balloon release

The balloon release at Pink Dot wasn't the fault of the organisers though, who apparently had volunteers going around telling attendees not to release the balloons. Unfortunately, it does go to show just how long we have to go before more of us realise that balloon release is a form of deliberate littering, just that the litter goes up first before landing goodness knows where.

Shame on you, Kotex. Sanitary pads and tampon applicators are already a source of marine pollution. True, it's not exactly the fault of the companies who manufacture these products, but I do wish that more could be done to develop biodegradable substitutes that would actually decompose after some time. And now, we can thank Kotex for adding over 1,300 balloons. I wonder how many marine creatures are going to choke on them?

Should we do anything about such instances of corporate-sanctioned mass littering?

Update: Ria has blogged about this latest incident of mass balloon release, while DK has also shared his thoughts about this completely unnecessary publicity stunt.

Monday Morgue: 22nd June 2009

Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)
Lim Chu Kang, 30th December 2008

This probable hybrid tilapia was found floating in a concrete tank full of its live counterparts at Jurong Frog Farm.

Global Invasive Species Database

The tilapia species commonly encountered in our ponds, rivers and canals, and even in our mangroves and estuaries is likely to be the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).

A Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Singapore
A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore
A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore
FishBase
Global Invasive Species Database

However, many tilapia raised for aquaculture in Singapore are hybrids between the Mozambique tilapia, blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Consequently, it is probable that many tilapia populations found in the wild also contain the latter 2 species, as well as captive-bred hybrids (such as the 'red tilapia').

Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)
FishBase
Global Invasive Species Database

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
FishBase
Global Invasive Species Database

The glory and the sad end of a giant tree

STOMPer Arborist is upset that this magnificent tree at Kranji Reservoir Park beach has been uprooted.

In his email to STOMP today (June 20), the STOMPer wrote:
"These pictures were taken at the Kranji Reservoir Park beach which faces the Strait of Johor.

"You can see a tall, healthy, giant tree with its stilt roots magnificently displayed. However, its days are numbered.

"The pounding of the waves against the base of the tree has taken its toll and most of the roots are now exposed. It lies precariously on the edge of the water.

"The strength and holding power of the roots are no match for the pounding of the waves which continue relentlessly day and night.

"Now the giant has fallen and we see the end of its glory and majesty.

"Only the skeleton of the giant remains to this day.

"On its roots and trunk are thousands of tiny barnacles which have chosen to make this corpse of the dead hero their permanent homes."

Related posts: Serious soil erosion at Pasir Ris Park (14th June 2009)
More trees will be destroyed by waves hitting shoreline (5th June 2009)
Waves seriously eroding our northern shoreline at Kranji Reservoir (31st May 2009)

A little melodramatic, isn't it?

The nearby Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve has been experiencing quite a bit of erosion, which is some cause for concern. There is also an excellent paper in the journal Applied Geography, which provides some historical background on how the coast in this part of Singapore has been affected by erosion.

Dead fish at Kranji beach: Poisoned by polluted waters?

STOMPer Angler saw all these dead fish washed ashore the beach at Kranji Reservoir Park, and wonders if they were poisoned by the polluted waters. He says:

"These pictures were taken during low tide at the beach at Kranji Reservoir Park at Kranji Way.

"I was surprised to see so many dead fish washed ashore on the beach.

"Were these fish poisoned or did they die because of the polluted waters?

"A crab and a mussel have died but they leave behind the carapace and the shells.

"The Johor coast can be seen from here as the Johor strait is very narrow."

Related posts: Marine life destroyed by massive pollution at Kranji Reservoir (30th May 2009)

If the pollution was really so bad, I'm sure a lot more marine life would be dying and washing up on the beach.

It's very hard to draw conclusions based on these few pictures, but I think it's far more likely that these fishes were discarded by anglers. The colour of the bits of crab shell suggests that they have gone through some cooking, while I think the solitary mussel shell isn't notable enough to be evidence for or against pollution. If the entire shore is carpeted with dead fishes and crabs and mussel shells, than maybe we can consider pollution to be a likely cause.

6 dead fish, a crab, and a mussel certainly do not make a mass death.

Get rid of the rats infesting this Jurong West block, says STOMPer

STOMPer Anti-rats was disgusted to see rats running around the rubbish chute at this Jurong West block. Rats are destructive and are health hazards, he warns.

Says the STOMPer:

"These pictures were taken at Block 533, Jurong West St 52.

"While visiting a friend living in this block, I was shocked to see rats around the rubbish chute foraging for food.

"Even when I was taking its picture it was staring at me as if I was the intruder.

"Rats are destructive as they are capable of gnawing wires and cables and this may cause breakdowns of telephone and computer systems, short circuiting which can result in equipment breakdown and even fires.

"Rats can pose a threat to human health and can transmit disease to humans by a variety of means: One is contamination of food with rodent urine or faeces resulting in diseases such as salmonella food poisoning, Weil's disease, and infectious jaundice.

"Another is contamination by direct contact of urine or faeces where bacteria enters the skin through small scratches.

"I hope NEA will carry out operations to rid this block of such dangerous rodents."

Related posts: 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)

The heartlands should be clean and green too, not just Orchard or Sentosa

This waterway next to Kembangan MRT Station is clogged with rubbish. STOMPer Lordlad feels that these heartland areas deserve to be as well-maintained as tourist areas too.

Here's what the concerned STOMPer had to say:

"I've always heard my non-Singaporean friends say that 'Singapore is such a clean city.'

"But look at the condition of this drain that's just beside Kembangan MRT Station.

"These pictures were taken this evening when I was going back home from work.

"I suggest the Ministry of Environment or the relevant authorities try to clean up those places that true blue Singaporeans really stay in rather than keep spending money beautifying Orchard Road, Sentosa and such places."

Related Stories:
Bishan canal left dirty and choked since clean-up more than a year ago
Kudos in keeping our canals garbage-free

Rare sight of weaver bird nests in Bt Batok, which last for only 3 months

A STOMPer caught this rare sight of a weaver bird nest on a tree in front of Block 289E Bukit Batok Street 25.

The STOMPer said:

"This picture was taken at Block 289E Bukit Batok Street 25.

"It shows nests built by the weaver bird.

"This bird feeds on grass seeds and it forages in flocks.

"The males usually build the nests which have a nesting area with a long tube that leads to a side entrance.

"The tube makes it difficult for snakes to enter and devour the young birds.

"This nest can last about three months, which is the period of the breeding season."

These are nests built by the baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus), a sparrow-like bird that is widely distributed throughout India and Southeast Asia. This is a relatively common species in Singapore, and can be found in grasslands, cultivated areas, and scrub and secondary growth close to water.


Male baya weaver in breeding plumage, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve;
(Photo by w_yiwen)


(Photo by hiker1974)
Compared to the male, the female is much more drably coloured.

Weaver birds are well-known for their skill at nest-building; there is an excellent account on the breeding habits of the baya weaver over at this page.

The Baya Weaver's nest is an architectural feat. It hangs from a palm frond or branch and looks like an upside down flask. The general features are a central nesting area with a long tube that leads to a side entrance. This tube makes it difficult even for snakes to enter the nest. Although they look precarious, most nests are very well attached and are impossible to remove without almost destroying the nest. The nests last well through the 3-month breeding season, sometimes even up to a year. After the breeding season, other small birds may roost in the abandoned nests. The nests are made entirely out of strips of grass which the birds collect by cutting a notch in a tall grass, then stripping off a 30-60cm length.

No stalks or entire grass blades are used. The birds then use their strong beaks to weave and knot the strips of grass. A newly-made nest is green with fresh grass and turns brown as the grass dries. A bird may make up to 500 trips to complete a nest. Madoc reports that a "male" nest he examined comprised 3,437 strips of grass 4-50 cm long.

The males are promiscuous and try to attract females by building several nests halfway. These half-built "male" nests look like motorcycle helmets complete with chin strap! Lumps of dry clay may be inserted around the rim to stabilise the nest in strong winds. The male performs displays and songs on these half-built nests to attract a mate. This type of nest is also called a "cock-swing"!

A female bird first inspects the male's handiwork of a nest before signalling her approval to him. Once a female chooses to mate with him, he might finish the nest. But often, the female completes the nest. When the female lays and is preoccupied with incubating the eggs, the male abandons her and immediately uses his other half-finished nests to woo a new female. Most males mate with two females, but sometimes three. The males defend his nests from other males. Meanwhile, the female is left to incubate and raise the brood on her own. 3-4 white eggs are laid and the nestlings are fed insects.

(Photo by Lip Kee)

Like many other weaver bird species, baya weavers are known to nest in colonies.


(Photo by Ace Gautam ...)

There are several interesting accounts of baya weaver nesting behaviour over at the Bird Ecology Study Group.

Baya Weavers
Anatomy of a nest: Baya Weaver
Baya Weaver - Hornets
Baya Weaver: Nest building, hornets and poaching
Baya Weavers: Nest building and after
Sophisticated architecture of Baya Weaver's nest
Details of the Baya Weaver's nest

There is also an excellent gallery of baya weavers nesting over at this gallery by James Wong.

Besides the baya weaver, 3 non-native species of weaver have been recorded in Singapore.

The streaked weaver (Ploceus manyar), which is native to other parts of Asia, was first recorded in Lorong Halus in 1997. A second population was reported at Marina East in 2003, and breeding is known to have occurred.


Streaked weaver, Gurgaon;
(Photo by Abhishek unplugged!)

A second Asian species, the Asian golden weaver (Ploceus hypoxanthus), was recorded in 2003 at Lorong Halus, where 2 males were spotted.


Asian golden weaver, Bangkok;
(Photo by somchai@2008)

2 male individuals of the yellow-crowned bishop (Euplectes afer) spotted in a marsh in Tanah Merah in 2001 are the only records of this African species of weaver bird in Singapore.


Yellow-crowned bishop, Estarreja;
(Photo by jvverde)

The weaver birds are closely related to several families which are quite similar to one another, such as the sparrows (F. Passeridae), munias (F. Estrildidae), buntings (F. Emberizidae) and finches (F. Fringillidae). More about these in another post...