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below Today Online, 7 Jul 05 There's a right royal gathering of birds at Istana by Vinita Ramani The Straits Times, 7 Jul 05 Istana grounds a big draw for winged visitors The number of bird species spotted is now 67, up from 59 eight years ago By Radha Basu Channel NewsAsia, 6 Jul 05 Book archives 67 species of birds spotted at the Istana By Jermyn Chow SINGAPORE : The Istana may be the official residence of the President but it seems other residents too have made the state grounds home. In the midst of bustling Orchard Road, it provides a green haven for some 67 species of birds. A book, commissioned by President S.R. Nathan, captures the colours and sights of these feathered denizens. The stork-billed kingfisher, the blue-throated bee-eater, the White-Bellied Sea-Eagle, and even the yellow-crested cockatoo - originally from Sulawesi, Indonesia - have all taken permanent residence in Singapore together with more than 60 other resident and migratory bird species. The book's colourful illustrations and photographs will get readers acquainted with the Istana and its fine feathered friends. Up from some 50 bird species spotted eight years ago, experts say more might be found amid the seemingly concrete jungle of Orchard Road. James Gan, Senior Conservation Officer, NParks, said, "This is a testament to how much feeding ground and food (is) available for the birds to thrive. And this is all part of the greening of Singapore." 'BIRDS seen at the ISTANA' will be available at the Istana when it opens to the public and at selected bookstores. Proceeds from the sale will go to the President's Challenge and the Singapore Environment Council. - CNA/ms Today Online, 7 Jul 05 There's a right royal gathering of birds at Istana by Vinita Ramani THE sprawling grounds of the 135-year-old Istana need no introduction for Singapore and its visitors. But how many know the area is home to 67 species of birds, despite being located in the heart of town? That is the subject of the book, Birds Seen at the Istana, commissioned by President S R Nathan and written by National Parks Board senior conservation officer James Gan and avid bird-watcher Aileen T Lau. "The book isn't purely representative of what nature can be seen at the Istana, but what an inner city can achieve as a whole," said Mr Howard Shaw, executive director of the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). The 104-page colour hardcover book will be launched tomorrow at the Istana Banquet Hall. It will be available on Istana open house days and at selected bookshops, or through Suntree Media. Proceeds will go towards the President's Challenge and SEC. The Straits Times, 7 Jul 05 Istana grounds a big draw for winged visitors The number of bird species spotted is now 67, up from 59 eight years ago By Radha Basu THE sound of birdsong is getting louder at the lush Istana grounds. Even though the presidential palace is just metres from Orchard Road's urban sprawl, the number of bird species on the grounds is actually growing, the Singapore Environment Council said yesterday. There were 67 species at last count, up from 59 eight years ago. The stories of the winged visitors - their species, where they come from and what they eat - are chronicled in a new book. The 104-page hardcover, Birds Seen At The Istana, will be launched by President S R Nathan tomorrow. The large number of species seeking refuge in the very heart of the city shows that Singapore is progressing quickly from being 'a garden city to a city in a garden', said the council's executive director Howard Shaw. 'To have birds, you need fruits, fruit trees, bees and insects,' said Mr Shaw, whose organisation co-published the book. 'The growing diversity shows that our trees are no longer a matter of aesthetics alone, we have established an entire ecosystem.' The book is a result of meticulous 'bird audits' conducted by a team of nature lovers led by National Parks Board conservationist James Gan. The most recent audits, on which the book is based, took place between August last year and March this year. An earlier audit took place in 1997. Birds spotted range from the tiny scarlet-backed flowerpecker, which weighs less than a 20-cent coin, to the magnificent white-bellied fish eagle, which, at 70cm, is about the average height of a nine-month-old baby. Rare and threatened species such as the yellow-crested cockatoo have also been spotted, said Mr Gan, who co-authored the book, along with avid birdwatcher Aileen Lau. The cockatoo is now a threatened species in its native habitat in Sulawesi and eastern Indonesia, said Mr Gan, but had been known to breed here in Singapore. 'We believe these birds first took up residence here as escapees from the bird trade.' Another rare sight is the yellow-chested, red-beaked, stork-billed kingfisher. 'This bird is a regular at Sungei Buloh, but sightings in the city are really rare,' said Mr Gan. Forest birds such as the coppersmith barbet and birds known for their melodious calls, such as the red-whiskered bulbul, had also been spotted. Early in the mornings and at dusk, the grounds of the Istana are filled with birdsong. 'That just shows that it is wrong to assume that Singapore is a concrete jungle,' said Mr Gan. 'Nature thrives in our midst.' PRICED at $48, Birds Seen At The Istana will be available at selected bookstores and at the Istana on open house days from the end of this week. links Related articles on Singapore's biodiversity status, threats, commercial applications of biodiversity |
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