There are many considerations in mind when choosing a location for your home—from the size of the flat to the lease tenure; the list is endless.
However, if you’re scared of birds, perhaps one more consideration on your list should be whether the area has a “bird problem”.
In fact, you might want to consider eliminating Punggol from the locations you’re considering for your next potential home.
“Bird Problem” at Punggol Allegedly Caused By Residents Throwing Food Downstairs from Their HDB Flats
To live at Sumang Lane in Punggol is to battle birds daily.
A 36-year-old resident at Block 223A Sumang Lane in Punggol, surnamed Tan, shared with Shin Min Daily News that he has filed over 50 complaints about Punggol’s “bird problem” in the past two years.
So what exactly is this “bird problem”?
Mr Tan recounts that since January last year, residents at his HDB block have been tossing various food items out their windows daily—think high-rise littering but with all sorts of food, including bread, rice and other food waste.
You could say there are a couple of bad eggs in the block.
These food items naturally attracted birds to the block, including crows, mynas and pigeons.
Shin Min Daily News also reports that the grass patch facing the said HDB block had significant amounts of litter, with over 20 birds dining into the “free-flow buffet” on the grass patch.
Residents Report Excessive Noise Among Other Issues Caused By “Bird Problem”
With so many birds in the area, you can imagine how noisy the chirping must be at the HDB.
Move aside Bird Paradise, Punggol Sumang Lane is here.
A 65-year-old resident surnamed Jiang shares that the noise begins as early as 7 am when the birds start flocking to the grass patch for “breakfast”. As a result, Mr Jiang can never sleep in.
I guess the early bird doesn’t always catch the worm.
The noise isn’t the only issue caused by the “bird problem”.
Residents have also reported a significant amount of bird droppings in the area and birds flying into the HDB’s rubbish chute in search of “dessert”.
There were even reports of birds flying directly into residents’ homes.
“Bird Problem” So Severe That Birds Were Seen Attacking 70-Year-Old
Perhaps what tops it all off is this: reports of birds attacking residents.
Mr Tan recounts one afternoon when he looked out of his flat’s window and saw a 70-year-old attacked by a flock of crows downstairs. Fortunately, a nearby delivery rider helped the 70-year-old fend off the birds’ attack.
I guess you could say Mr Tan had a bird’s eye view of the attack.
Well, at least the birds didn’t bite the 70-year-old’s ear.
Authorities’ Response to the “Bird Problem”
Authorities have also noted the severity of Punggol’s “bird problem” and have since responded.
According to Shin Min Daily News, notices urging residents not to feed birds or other wildlife have been put up at the HDB void deck and stairwells.
The National Parks Board (NParks) have thus far already taken enforcement action against several individuals identified to be feeding birds in the area. A crow’s nest found in the area was also removed after NParks received reports of a crow attack on 7 June.
Aside from collaborating with town councils and other agencies to control the area’s bird population, NParks will also push for more public education efforts.
Perhaps it’ll be most helpful to remind Singaporeans that feeding pigeons, crows, and mynas is illegal—you can be fined up to $10,000.
After all, we are a fine city.
And now that Punggol’s “bird problem” has been brought to NParks’ attention, the board will increase enforcement efforts by conducting routine patrols and setting up CCTVs in the area.
With any hope, NParks’ stone will “kill” more than just two birds.
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