2nd land survey at Semakau - 4 Dec 09

I was back at Semakau over the weekend for a land survey and a hunting-seeking survey. Shall leave hunting-seeking to another post.

Similarly to our last trip, all the volunteers were split into 3 teams - the bird , insect and forest team. This time round, the bird team ventured out to a different location for this survey. We nearly aborted the mission because of the unexpected tall, thick and wet grassland, but still decided to stick to the area and were blessed with lots of exercising opportunties (my legs are aching!).

With great teamwork, we set up the nets. Because of the wetness, we tied the guy strings to the plants for support instead of using pegging the strings to the ground.

We were not expecting business on the first day, but were pleasantly surprised to find a Zitting Cistocola (Cisticola juncidis). Coincidentally, we also found 1 bird of this species on the first day of our previous trip. Before heading back to the visitor's centre to process the survey subject, we furled up all the nets and call it a day.

We set out at 6 am the next morning. After unfurling the nets, we adjourned to the rock bund before checking the nets 30 minutes later. Hoping that we will be as lucky as our previous trip, we did a round of chasing by spreading ourselves in 1 line while approaching the nets .

Try spotting the heads amongst the tall grassess!

Business was not good that morning though, we only found 2 subjects - a Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) and a Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca).

During the 30 minutes interval, we had more than enough to complete the survey. First, we weigh the bird (by weighing the bird+bag first before weighing the bag alone). The Zitting Cisticola on the first day weighed only 6.5g!

Next, using the vernier calipers, we measure the length of the tarsus.

Followed by the the measurement of the upper mandible. I'm most fearful of this because there is that small possibility that I'll poke its eyes! The Zitting Cisticola must have felt the same, because it closed its eyes when I was measuring. Hopefully, practice will make perfect!

We also measure the length of its wings.

And the tail.

The length of its body will also be measured.

After the all the measurements are collected, we'll give the bird its passport to Singapore! The bird is ringed to allow future tracking.

Sometimes, the birds are also treated with a small dosage of syrup. I guess it must be an acquired taste, because the first Zitting Cisticola refused to take a single drop.

Presenting the 3 stars of the entire survey: here is the 6.5g Zitting Cisticola on the first day which I measured under many pairs of eyes. Immense stress.

Another Zitting Cisticola which I measured on the second day, this fellow was slightly heavier at 8g.

July's subject, the Black-head Munia who pecked a small hole out of the bird bag, either that or the hole was already there, and this smart kid managed to find the hole. Must have thought that it is an escape route.

All birds were then released after the neccesary data is recorded down.

We also saw many pretty flowers at the landfill cell where we conducted the bird survey, including this wild Orchid, which bloomed on the second morning.

The insects team had better luck and found a few interesting insects. I only managed to take a few photos, thanks to Dr Chua who took them out of the containers for a photo shoot.

Here is a very beautiful Common Tiger butterfly (Danaus genutia).

Here's another butterfly, not sure of its species though.

While business for the bird team was not so good this time round, trips to Semakau are always fun and interesting!