Attracted to the fruit from the estate's palm trees, residents at Country Park Condominium have been treated to the sight of oriental pied hornbills since the start of the year. Easily identified by their size, distinctive yellow horn-topped beaks, and black and white plumage, the native Singapore birds were once thought to be extinct. There are now about 100 all over the island. If you are lucky enough to see them, do not get too close and definitely do not feed them. "By not feeding them, we can ensure they continue to disperse seeds and help with forest regeneration," says Dr Lena Chan, group director of the National Biodiversity Centre of the National Parks Board (NParks).
What: Oriental pied hornbills
Where: Country Park Condominium, Bedok
When: Since January 2017
On Wednesday thirty-two hawksbill turtle hatchlings were seen at East Coast Park trying to find their way to sea. A critically endangered species, these turtles are more commonly found in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, and have also been regularly sighted along the Singapore Strait.
What: Turtles
Where: East Coast Park
When: Wednesday
There have been three separate sightings of crocodiles near Changi Beach Park this month. The latest was on Wednesday by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer Yusaini Abdul Rahim, 41, while out on patrol. The first time crocodiles were spotted this month was by retired engineer and and photographer Ted Lee, 60, at Pasir Ris Park.
What: Crocodiles
Where: Changi Beach Park
When: Monday and Wednesday
Sometime in early April, a nest of blue-crowned hanging parrots were sighted near Pek Kio Market and Food Centre. Apart from the adults, chicks were also spotted in the nest. It is believed that the nest was left by other birds such as woodpeckers as parrots cannot make their own holes to nest in.
What: Parrots
Where: Opposite Pek Kio Market and Food Centre
When: Early April
This article was originally published in The Straits Times.