Each year, millions of tourists flock to Singapore to enjoy the clean and green island, experience the cosmopolitan lifestyle, see the places of interest, savour the food and shop for bargains. One other aspect of Singapore may yet be a great attraction - her distinctive and colourful wildlife.

Singapore is as much a haven for birds as for humans. Her strategic location, lush green vegetation, tropical sunshine and food availability draw birds from places as far away as Siberia. Singapore serves as a stopover for such migratory birds which come to escape from the harsh climate back home. These birds account for much of the island's rich birdlife. As many as 100 species can be sighted in a single day - amazing for such a tiny island.

Apart from offering shelter to migratory birds, Singapore is also home to at least 120 species of birds. The entire island which was thick with mangrove swamps, tidal mudflats and tropical rainforest, was once a sanctuary for birds. Much of the original vegetation has now been lost. However there still remain areas such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Water Catchment area and offshore islands like Pulau Ubin, which are natural bird habitats. Birds can also be found in bird sanctuaries developed within parks like East Coast Park and Pasir Ris Park. Town centres, roadside trees, parks and gardens are also roosting grounds.

The Bird Series - Garden Birds stamp issue depicts four birds commonly found in open forests, parks and gardens. The birds are the Common Tailorbird (20 cents), Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (35 cents), Black-naped Oriole (75 cents) and Common Iora ($1). The scientific name of the Common Iora is Aegithina tiphia singapurensis. This is the only bird whose name is derived from Singapura.

This stamp issue is co-sponsored by HongkongBank as part of its Care-for-Nature (CFN) environment conservation and education programme. Through this programme, HongkongBank hopes to create a greater awareness of the wealth of Singapore's natural heritage (flora and fauna) so as to preserve this for future generations. A brief write-up of this programme is in the stamp booklet of this issue.

This issue is special in many ways. It is the first stamp issue ever to be co-sponsored and the first special issue bearing a corporate advertisement on the stamp booklet. For the first time too, collectors can buy two types of pre-cancelled covers: Singapore Philatelic Bureau's first day covers ($2.70 each) and HongkongBank's CFN covers ($9.90 each). Both types of covers are attractively designed and reflect the bird theme. The CFN covers are printed from re-cycled paper and will have a special cachet in addition to the official first day of issue datestamp.

Collectors who buy the CFN covers are contributing to the efforts to conserve our natural resources. Proceeds from the sales of the CFN covers will be channelled to a CFN Endowment Fund managed by a committee comprising executives from the private and public sectors. This committee will plan programmes to develop a greater consciousness of the environment among Singaporeans.

Nature and birdlovers can look forward to the joys of stamp collecting and birdgazing through this issue.