KIM SENG PARK

I have not been here for years now. It looks too shady at some areas and some trees need to be removed or transplanted out to let more light in. Due to the heavy shade, some parts of the ground become bare.

Even the Calliandra tergemina var. emarginata and Cordia sebestena need to be transplanted out to a sunnier location for it to grow and flower well. Some of the Murraya paniculata were also terribly chlorotic with few and reduced leaves and I do not know how long they have been so. Some of the older leaves looked normal sized and healthy green. There is a need to pump in a lot of fertilizers to enrich the soil to rejuvenate these plants.

YELLOW VENTED BULBUL

When I started pruning the Cordia cylindristachya near the foreground of the photo on 20 May 10, I startled a bird that flew out from amongst the branches and perched itself on the white-flowered Calliandra towards the right.

Upon closer inspection, I saw a nest with 2 brown mottled eggs. Ah, so this must be the parent bird, presumably female, trying to hatch the eggs. Apparently, it loves to build its nest amongst thick dense vegetation, so I stopped pruning the Cordia to provide some form of shade, screen and cover for the nest.

As I stepped away towards a corner, the mother bird flew right back to its nest. Only a doting parent would provide such dedicated attention to its young. Unfortunately, days later, the eggs were damaged and the parent was nowhere in sight. The eggs never had a chance and neither did I get to see the nestlings. What a pity!