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Nature Society (Singapore) hosts the 6th Asian Bird Fair


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The Nature Society (Singapore) hosted the 6th Asian Bird Fair at the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Botany Centre over the weekend. The fair was declared opened by the Guest of Honour - Senior Minister of State for Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Desmond Lee. 22 bird clubs, conservation NGOs societies and affiliates from around the region came down to promote their country’s natural attractions and bird watching activities.


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6th Asian Bird Fair Programme

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Group photo of the delegates representing their Bird Societies, Conservation NGOs and Clubs. Photo: ABF.

The Nature Society organised a series of nature walks & talks for the public around the grounds of the Botanic Gardens to highlight this year Fair’s theme: “For People, For Nature, For Future”. 

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Nature Talks & Nature Walks at the 6th Asian Bird Fair.

There was even a Bird Fair Musical Performance on the opening day led by Dr Robert Casteels.

The main event for Sunday was the Mini Bird Race for the delegates to see which team spotted the most number of bird species within 90 mins. We had two days of slide talks where the delegates presented snap shots of the bird life and nature conservation in their respective country.

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The start of the Mini Bird Race flagged off by Wing Chong the Chair of the Bird Group.

After the fair the delegates let their hair down with a sing along at the Fellowship dinner hosted by the NSS. The Crimson Sunbird was named as the National Bird of Singapore (unofficial) at the dinner based on a public vote in 2002 while the Common Rose, the National Butterfly of Singapore (unofficial) based on the results of the public votes carried out earlier this year. The Turnover Dinner on Sunday was more formal where Andrew Sebastian of the ABF announced that the Jingshan County Birdwatching Association will be next host for the 7th ABF in November 2016. Our congratulations to Jingshan.

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The crooners from the Nature Society (Singapore) getting the sing along started at the Fellowship Dinner. Photo by Mike Lu.

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Our honored guests from the Jingshan County Birdwatching Association and Cun Cao Xin Rural Environment Protection Agency.

12 delegates stayed back for a post birding tour led by Mr Lim Kim Keang, Dr Ho Hua Chew, Ms Lee Ee Ling & Mr Alan OwYong. They visited P. Ubin, Sungei Buloh, the Central Catchment Forest, Pasir Ris Park and Bidadari. The Spotted Wood Owl at Pasir Ris Park was the star bird for the tour.

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The Fair at the Botany Center

Thanks to the clear skies and the hard work put in by the organising committee of the Society and the Bird Group headed by Mr Willie Foo, the 6th Asian Bird Fair was a great success judging from the compliments received from the delegates.

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SMS Desmond Lee declaring the 6th Asian Bird Fair open.

The Nature Society (Singapore) wish to thank The National Parks Board for the use of the Botany Center for the Fair, The Lee Foundation for their generous donation. The Public Utilities Board, Leica Camera Asia Pacific and Swarovski Optics for their sponsorship and support. 

Participating organisations:
1.  BirdLife International Asia
2.  Bird Conservation Nepal
3.  Bird Conservation Society of Thailand
4.  Bitung City Tourism & Creative Economy Office
5.  Bombay Natural History Society
6.  Borneo Bird Club
7.  Burong Indonesia
8.  Chinese Wild Bird Federation
9.  CunCaoXin Rural Environmental Protection Association
10.  Ecotourism Promoting Council of Okinawa
11.  Field Ornithological Group of Sri Lanka
12.  Haribon Foundation
13.  Hong Kong Birdwatching Society
14.  Jingshan County Birdwatching Association
15.  Jingshan County City Government
16.  Malaysia Nature Society
17.  Nature Society (Singapore)
18.  Tangkoko Bird Club
19.  Thailand Cycling Club
20.  Viet Nature Conservation Centre
21.  Wild Bird Club of the Philippines
22.  Wild Bird Society of Tainan
23.  Wild Bird Society of Taipei
24   Leica
25.  Swarovski Optik
26.  Kenko

For more pictures of the event, pls head to our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/naturesocietysingapore/

The original news article is at:
https://singaporebirdgroup.wordpress.com/2015/11/03/nature-society-singapore-hosting-the-6th-asian-bird-fair/

Posted on Nov 06,2015