During the
Batu Maung-Batu Uban coastal reclamation works a depression at Batu Uban near the new
Marine Department Jetty, was not filled in due to the lack of sand. Over the years, runoff
water and seawater filled up the depression. Later the outlet to the sea was closed off,
leaving the water stagnant. As this was a former mangrove area, new mangrove saplings
sprouted around the pool and also other scrub growth sprouted in some sections and acacia
sp trees grew up on the higher ground at the edge of the pool. Although originally the
water in the pool was mostly seawater, the runoff water from the surrounding area soon
diluted the pool making it brackish. At this point in time, there will be very little salt
content in the water. The mangrove is still thriving around the pool and and some of the
trees are over 4 metres tall.
On 2 October
1999 during the MNS National and NTT World Bird Watch, Kanda Kumar sighted a pair of adult
Little Greebe (Tachybaptus
ruficollis) in this man made pool. This is a first record for the whole of
Penang State. On 24th November Tai Keat Eam recorded 2 adult grebes with 4 chicks, which
indicated that the grebes were resident species and not migrants as originally thought. On
the 28th of November, Tai Keat Eam, Hoe Eng Seng and James Ooi did a survey of the grebes
and counted 7 adults and the 4 chicks. It is now known whether the increase in the number
of adult grebes were from migrant species or from resident species from the mainland. A check by Kanda on 24th December 1999 and on the
15th of January 2000, had only 2 sub-adult chicks were spotted. The sub-adults were able
to feed independently but occasionally attended to by the adult pair and there another 2
adults on the other side of the pool. 3 of the adults were in breeding plumage. Although
only 2 of the original 4 chicks were sighted during this observation it is very likely
they were hidden among the mangroves. Only observations in February/March will show
whether all 4 chicks succeeded in reaching adulthood.
Although it is great new that the Little
Grebe has been recorded breeding in Penang, it is also sad news in that, the pool will be
filled up when the reclamation project is completed. Since there had not been any suitable
habitant for the grebes in Penang before the present site came into existence and taking
into account that it is only a temporary one, the grebes will be gone from Penang soon.
see also sighting reports for April 1999 / July 1999 / September 1999 /
