What a hairy-looking caterpillar!

STOMPer Beachcomber shares some pictures he took at East Coast Park near the Bedok Jetty, including this one of a yellow and hairy caterpillar. 'The beauty of East Coast Park', he says.

Personally, I fail to see how these photos bring out the beauty of East Coast Park.

Several of my friends have visited the shores of East Coast Park in recent months, and they certainly had a lot of surprising encounters. Here's a list of blog posts done by these bold explorers.

From Ria:

• East Coast Lagoon is alive! (23rd June 2009)


• Living sands of East Coast Park (23rd June 2009)


• East Coast Park Rocks! (23rd June 2009)


• The Great Walls of the East Coast (19th August 2009)


• East Coast Park shores are alive! (20th August 2009)

From Kok Sheng:

• Searching for secret shores at East Coast (4th June 2009)


• Exploring secret shores of East Coast (24th June 2009)


• East Coast is packed with sea fans! (23rd July 2009)


• Lively East Coast Shore (25th July 2009)


• Living walls of East Coast (19th August 2009)


• New East Coast shore = New surprises (20th August 2009)

From James:

• East coast (22nd June 2009)


• East coast lagoon (28th July 2009)


• East coast lagoon - Where are the fish? (1st August 2009)


• East Coast - Worms in the walls. (18th August 2009)

And finally, from Marcus:

• East Coast life (20th August 2009)

Another person who has helped show that these shores are far from sterile and lifeless is Wong Hoong Wei, who has published quite a number of short papers in Nature in Singapore, documenting new records of molluscs found along this stretch of coastline.

• A new record of Cymbovula segaliana Cate, 1973 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Ovulidae) in Singapore.


• A new record of Mitrella moleculina (Duclos, 1840) (Gastropoda: Columbellidae) in Singapore, with notes on colour forms.


• A new record of Coralliophila rubrococcinea Melvill & Standen, 1901 (Gastropoda: Muricoidea) in Singapore.


• A new record of Semele sinensis A. Adams, 1853 (Bivalvia: Tellinoidea) in Singapore.


• The Mactridae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) of East Coast Park, Singapore.

At the same time, however, these coastal environments are very heavily impacted by all sorts of human activities. These range from the actions of individuals, such as fishing and littering, to larger beach 'improvement' projects, development for leisure and recreation, and construction of coastal protection features.

This is a shore that I am certainly quite keen to explore further, especially considering that many of us, such as Liana, James, Kok Sheng, Chay Hoon and I live in the eastern half of Singapore. Hopefully the habitats will be able to withstand and recover from all the development that is going on all the time. The more we explore our shores, the more we realise how easy it is for marine life to colonise formerly barren, artificial shores and establish a thriving ecosystem.

Whether it's for a romantic date or shade, there's a tree trunk for every occasion

Even nature is ergonomical. These tree trunks from various parks in Singapore show how they are designed to fit any occasion, from a romantic date to a leisure outing.

STOMPer Park Lover, the photographer of these photos, said:

"The first picture was taken at the Kallang Riverside Park. This coconut tree has a concave trunk and many courting couples like to sit here to watch the canoeists paddling by.

"The second picture was taken at the Ulu Pandan PCN and this tree has a convex trunk.

"The next two pictures were taken at the East Coast Park and the first tree has a lot of warts on its trunk (photo 3) and the second tree (photo 4) has low branches for people to sit and get some shade from the hot afternoon sun."

EDIT: How weird, this post has been removed from STOMP.

Trees under flyover find a way to grow healthily up to 80m high

These trees planted beneath the Penjuru Flyover are very intelligent as they have found a way to reach 80 metres above the ground by shooting through the gap in between the pair of flyovers.

This way, they can get ample sunlight and grow healthily, says the sender who spotted them.

STOMPer Taxidermist says:

"These pictures were taken at the Penjuru Flyover near Jalan Buroh.

"There is a pair of flyovers and in the middle is a gap.

"The trees planted in the middle seem to be quite intelligent as they shoot straight up into the air and grow to a height of about 80m.

"The trunks are straight and the leaves get plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis.

"I was wondering if the tree had grown sideways beneath the flyover and then grown upwards then it would have taken a longer time to reach the sunlight.

"Anyway if you are driving on the flyover the trees are a sight to behold."

Monday Morgue: 7th September 2009

Belanger's croaker (Johnius belangerii)
Changi, 15th December 2008

A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore
FishBase
Fishes of Bitung

This tree is blocking the street sign

A STOMPer came across this tree that was blocking part of the street signboard and wonders if it will be completely camouflaged behind the tree in 5 years time.

Angela told STOMP via email today (Sep 4):

"Will I still get to see this signboard in 5 years time after the tree has grown taller and bigger?

"I was thinking, which was the first one to be there.

"The tree or the signboard?"

Rebellious bird doesn't care for its safety and goes against the MRT system

An amused STOMPer saw this mynah in an MRT station hopping nearer to the approaching train despite the announcement 'For your own safety, please stand behind the yellow line.'

Alyssa told STOMP via email today (Sep 2):

"Sometimes, there are birds in the MRT station.

"I saw this bird trying to go against the system when the speaker announced 'For your own safety, please stand behind the yellow line.'.

"And when the train came, it hopped closer to the train and pretended to jump, only to fly off.

"Birds nowadays are very smart."

...And in other news, somewhere else in Singapore, a different Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus) pooped on a car.

I've seen quite a number of ridiculous posts on STOMP, but this one seriously sets a new record for sheer inanity.

Storm brings tree crashing down onto bikes near primary school

This tree was brought down by strong winds today (Sep 1) during a storm, landing on motorcycles parked near South View Primary School.

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

"This tree fell this morning near South View Primary School at CCK Central due to the heavy rain!

"It fell onto some motorbikes.

"The authorities are clearing the tree now as of 3:30 pm."

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."