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WHIMBRELS FEEDING

on 2nd May 2014

“On the late morning of 27th March 2014, I was exploring a river mouth in Singapore when I chanced upon a solitary Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) taking a leisurely stroll along the sandy shore (above).

“As more of the shore was exposed with the receding tide, this Whimbrel became increasingly successful at picking out a number of polychaete worms, which ranged in size from extra short to extra long (above, below). All worms were slurped up eagerly.

“Further along the shore, a small group of Whimbrels had just begun to forage in the shallow waters (image 6).

“A video clip of them feeding in the shallows may be previewed below.

“Soon after, fresh mats of algae and seaweed became exposed (image 7), offering a rich bounty of nutritious invertebrates (such as crustaceans and molluscs) to feast upon.

“So, what is the moral of the story?

“The early bird catches the worm, before it gets too warm.”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
16th April 2014

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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