wild happenings in singapore: September 2010

Photo of the Week is the gorgeous bird on the newly launched The Birds of Singapore - an online book. The website allows and encourages everyone to contribute and thus be actively involved in creating the online book! Read more about the book also on Bird Ecology Study Group blog.

26 Sep (Sun): Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

Free art-and-nature appreciation at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

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Tham Pui San, a volunteer of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is an avid artist who expresses his passion for nature through his art work.

Pui San welcomes artists of all ages or anyone who wants to learn. His objective is to encourage creativity while enjoying nature at the same time. Bring along your favourite drawing or painting supplies and enjoy learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh.

More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Time: 8.30-11.30am, meet at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ticketing counter (Visitor Centre).
Venue: Platform 1.
Admission charges: While the art session is free, usual admission charges to Reserve apply. $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://artinwetlands.wordpress.com/
Contact: Tham Pui Sam at thampuisan@hotmail.com or the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

26 Sep (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

26 Sep (Sun): Birdwatching at Kranji Marsh

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Yong Ding Li leads this walk. From the meeting place, a hired bus will ferry us to our destination. We begin with a pleasant stroll along a countryside road to the Kranji Marsh where we will continue our walk along the PUB Bund. The marsh is designated by URA as a Nature Park and is currently adopted by NSS under the PUB’s ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle and more.

Registration: Email kranji@nss.org.sg by 15 September 2010 (max: 20 pax).

Time: 7.45am
Venue: Meet at Kranji Dam Carpark near the Tidal Gates of Kranji Reservoir (off Kranji Way). Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

26 Sep (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers

A unique and educational dive experience in our local waters. Discover what is truly, uniquely Singapore!

Your support helps us monitor and document Hantu's reef on a regular basis! Let's see what's waiting for us out there this time!

Pre-registration is required.

Organised by the Hantu Bloggers, check out their blog for more details of the upcoming trip and to register online.

From the Hantu Bloggers: "The Hantu Blog Dives are integral to our work on the island. More than just an educational field trip, our dives are also our primary source of funding to develop and maintain public education work in schools and at national events. By joining our dives, you’ll not only be signing up for an insightful and eye-opening weekend, you’ll also be contributing to our efforts to safe guard Pulau Hantu and its marine life."

Join the The Hantu Bloggers Yahoo Group to read the trip itinerary, and to be informed of future dives.

Website: http://www.pulauhantu.org/
Contact: hantublog@gmail.com

25 Sep (Sat): Evolution Garden guided tour

Take a journey through time, from the fiery planet that our world was in ancient times before memory, through the planet of dinosaurs, and into the modern world of 250,000 different flowering plants we enjoy today.

Journey through time with our volunteer guides in this one-hour tour.

Suitable for kids.

This walk is held every fourth Saturday of the month. Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre.

Time: 9am (English tour) and 4pm (Mandarin tour)
Venue: Register at Visitor Centre before the tour starts.
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

25 Sep (Sat): Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

The Naked Hermit Crabs introduce you to Chek Jawa without getting your feet wet. Even though we are not going on to the shore, there is still much to see and enjoy. There are monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, spiders, rare plants, wild boars, mudskippers and lots of fruit trees. If we are lucky, we might even spot the Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea Eagle and the giant Atlas Moth.

Not more than five persons in a group, pre-register at nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

More details on the event and how to get to Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs blog.

Time: 9.30am meet at the Chek Jawa Info Kiosk, Pulau Ubin.
Duration: Two hours
Cost: no charge for now, but donations accepted.
Website: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/
Contact: nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

25 Sep (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am and 3.30pm for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

25 Sep (Sat): Talk on "Discover the wonderful world of insects"

Small as they may be and also often ignored, insects however, are an integral part of our eco-system. Take a peek into the huge diversity that exist in the insect world and be fascinated by how these creatures live and contribute to our world. You may even pick up some fun collecting techniques!

Come join us for an interesting talk by Justin Tan, Senior Conservation Officer at Pulau Ubin, who has worked with and maintains his own collection of insects for the past 8 years.

The talk is free. Pre-registration required, please email choi_yook_sau@nparks.gov.sg by 23 Sep (Thu) 2010.

Time: 10-11.30am
Venue: Pulau Ubin – HSBC Volunteer Hub how to get to Pulau Ubin

25 Sep (Sat): Migratory Bird talk and guided tour at Sungei Buloh

The migratory bird season starts from September to March each year in Singapore. Mr Mendis Tan and Mr David Li will present a talk about the migratory birds of the East Asian Australasian Flyway followed by a guided tour to the main birdwatching hide of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Join us as we celebrate the return of these beautiful and amazing birds to Sungei Buloh and other parts of Singapore.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: Theatrette, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Website and contact: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

25 Sep (Sat): HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour

HortPark's latest attraction - Butterfly Garden - is an experimental project that supports efforts for a Butterfly Species Recovery Programme. It aims to breed various butterfly species, including locally extince species using suitable nectar and host plants in the enclosure.

Get up close and personal with the flying jewels, and learn their different stages of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar into butterfly. Observe how pupae emerge into adult butterflies before taking their maiden flight within HortPark's Butterfly Garden.

This walk is held every last Saturday of the month

Time: 10am, please gather at the Butterfly Garden for the tour
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6471 5601

25 Sep (Sat): Guided walk at the Fort Canning Spice Trail

"Revisiting History, Embracing Nature"
Join us as we guide you along The Fort Canning Spice Trail and discover the fascinating world of spices.

This trail sits on the site of Singapore’s first experimental and botanical garden. A small replica of the 19ha garden, it now has a collection of more than a hundred species of plants - spice, herbs, medicinal, economical and ornamentals. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) trees, which were planted extensively in the first garden, can be found there as well.

Other attractions along this trail also includes the Archaeological Dig, which showcases the actual excavation site, the only such exhibition in modern Singapore and Keramat, believed to be a tomb of Singapore’s last king, Sultan Iskandar Syah.

Whether it is botanical or historical, learning about our history is just a walk in the park.

Walk is moderately easy but will involve walking up slopes and steps so do come dressed comfortably. The tour lasts two and a half hours. This walk is held every last Saturday of the month.

You may also opt for the Heritage on the Hill tour, which will bring you around the park and discover the events that have changed and shaped the face of Fort Canning over the years.

Pre-registration required. Call 63321200 or 63321302 or email surinam_sumsudin@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 4-6.30pm
Venue: Meet courtyard opposite NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 63321200 or 63321302 or email surinam_sumsudin@nparks.gov.sg

24 Sep-6 Oct: Wealth of the Rain Forest Exhibition

In Singapore and the Southeast Asian region, terrestrial biodiversity is overwhelmingly represented by tropical rainforest ecosystems.

Rain forests are one of the most critical global life-support systems for all living things. They help maintain water and rain cycles, moderate the climate and maintain ecological balance. They provide humans with food, shelter, cultural and technological materials, and medicines.

In celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is proud to present this special exhibition with displays and stories which highlights our precious rain forest and its ecosystems.

Time: 11am-6pm
Venue: Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens

13-19 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

"Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
Our Kitchen Garden tour at Pasir Ris

Walks in wild places

Guided walk at the Sensory Trail Pulau Ubin
Rainforest walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
National Orchid Garden guided walk.

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Registration now open

6 Oct (Wed): "Our Home, The Mangroves" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
2 Oct (Sat): "Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
26 Sep (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers

Highlights of Singapore nature news

Dolphin Lagoon is too small: SPCA Facility doesn't allow space for 6 dolphins; Underwater World says area exceeds guidelines, Grace Chua Straits Times 10 Sep 10;
Polar bears at the Singapore Zoo: Keep Sheba and Inuka here but... Straits Times Forum 10 Sep 10;
Room for 7.5 million people in Singapore: "there's still Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong" - Ex-HDB chief Neo Chai Chin Today Online 9 Sep 10;
Pasir Ris beach still polluted NEA warns swimmers that waters remain too contaminated with bacterium in faeces, Grace Chua Straits Times 8 Sep 10;
Living large on a little red dot Cheong Suk-Wai, Straits Times 7 Sep 10;

Highlights of Singapore nature blogs

Snails, Solefish, Slugs galore! from Psychedelic Nature
The Letter Of The Day Brought To You @ Big Sisters Island from colourful clouds
Balding mynas from Bird Ecology Study Group
“Mainly the mangrove” – cleanup results from News from the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore with more posts about the cleanup.
The Life History of the Long Banded Silverline from Butterflies of Singapore
New Lantana Bushes @ Toa Payoh Town Park from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature
Mistletoe Taxillus chinensis in Singapore from Flying Fish Friends
Oil-spill check on Tanah Merah, part 1 and part 2 from wild shores of singapore
Monkey menace from Life's Indulgences
5-star shore from The annotated budak
7.5 million population: what it means for Chek Jawa and Ubin from wild shores of singapore
Back to Changi's lively rocky shore from wonderful creation
A quick update for the past months from Water Quality in Singapore
Joseph Lai: A Heart for the Earth from wild shores of singapore
Rambutans from Ubin.sgkopi
Wacky corals growing in our marinas from wild shores of singapore

Photo of the week is this heart-warming photo of the otters at Sungei Buloh, shared by Marcus on his blog post Otter bliss.

19 Sep (Sun): Birdwatching at Tampines Wood

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Veteran birder Willie Foo leads this walk. This area is located behind Tampines Industrial area, along Tampines Ave 10. There was once a “Grebe Pond” here with the highest count of 12 grebes. Alas, it has since given way to development. Visit this wooded area before it is completely gone. We will look out for Sooty-headed Bulbuls, Red-Whiskered Bulbuls, Black-shouldered Kites, Pied Trillers, Pied Fantails and bee-eaters that call this place home. If we are lucky, we can watch mix flocks of munias (Black-headed, White-headed and Scaly-breasted) feeding together! Formerly this road was known to drivers as “Old Tampines Road”.

Time: 7.30am
Venue: Meet Willie Foo at the junction of Tampines Road and Jalan Sam Kongsi.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Sep (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

A good time to visit Pulau Semakau for resident birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions include the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret and Malaysian Plover. There is also the possibility of seeing rare migrants like the Chinese Egret and Ashy Drongo.

Non-refundable $28 fee for boat and administration. Send your cheque to the NSS office by 20 January with the All Purpose Form. Number of persons for this trip: 11, 22 or 33. Book your place with Dr. Ho Hua Chew at hohc@starhub.net.sg. Resident/PR identity card or passport is mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only on a first come first served basis. Under NEA regulations, children below 12 years old are not allowed to come. Please note that your reservation is not automatically confirmed until you hear from your trip leader after the closing date.

Time: 7.30am.
Meet at West Coast Pier near the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Sep (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

18 Sep (Sat): Night Ramble from Mandai Lake Road to Dairy Farm

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Come and experience walking in the dark at Mandai forest under the canopy of the tall trees. The Nature Ramblers will take you through an interesting 6 km ramble. We’ll watch an enchanting sunset as day transforms into night, accompanied by the nocturnal sounds of cicadas and other insects. See Jupiter and Venus at their best and learn about star directional uses. We might even spot nightjars, owls, fireflies and other nocturnal animals. Bring along a good torch or headlamp, some snacks and water. Not suitable for children below 12 years old.

Time: 6pm
Venue: Meet Sutari Supari at Mandai Lake Road bus stop (Mandai Orchid Garden). Bus service no: 138, 926, 927.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

18 Sep (Sat): Our Kitchen Garden tour at Pasir Ris

Excite your senses with our Kitchen Garden Tour. Find out how vegetables are grown before it gets onto your plate! You will also learn about some natural remedies that our grandmothers might have planted in their own backyard.

Suitable for children from K1-P6 levels.

To register, please contact Wei Teng at 64653305 or email chong_wei_teng@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9am - 10am
Venue: Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Green (Carpark C)
Cost: $4 per person
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: chong_wei_teng@nparks.gov.sg

18 Sep (Sat): Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris

Eppy Walk What exactly is a mudskipper? And who is Fiddler crab or Sesamine crab? Does a dog-faced water snake look more like a dog or a snake? Join the team and discover answers to the questions above and more. And if we’re lucky, we may be able to see some of the seashore animals at the river mouth (depending on the tide conditions).

Suitable for kids.

Registration closes two days before the walk date.

This walk is held every third Saturday. More details on the Pasir Ris Park website.

Time: 9-10am
Venue: Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Green (Carpark C)
Cost: $4/person
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact:Lili at lin_lili@nparks.gov.sg

18 Sep (Sat): Rainforest walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the largest surviving primary rainforest in Singapore. Come and join us on a fascinating journey of discovery to learn more about the natural wonders of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and why we should protect and conserve its complex ecosystem and diversity.

At this walk, the guide will introduce you to the common native flora and fauna found in the primary rainforest.

This guided walk is suitable for families with children and groups of not more than 5. Along a slightly undulating natural path, the trail is not accessible to prams and wheelchairs.

More about the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Central Nature Reserve and is held every third Saturday of the month.

Registration is required at least a week before the walk. Contact Vanessa Chang at 6554 5127 or Vanessa_CHANG@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 9.30am. Meet at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, at the ranger counter.
Tour duration: About one hour.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

18 Sep (Sat): Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin guided walk

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail, the trail will brought you to the patch of herbs and spices and a "Secret Garden" to feel the original garden used to be on the island. Much more along the trail for you to explore.

This walk is held every third Saturday of the month.

Booking now online until 12 June.

For more details about this walk, see the NParks website More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: Walks starts 9.30am and lasts for about 1.5 hours. Meet at the Pulau Ubin Main Information Kiosk next to the Ubin Jetty. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 6 groups
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

18 Sep (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided walk

Explore the beauty and diversity of orchids in the National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Since 1859, orchids have been closely associated with the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The products of the Gardens' orchid breeding programme, which began in 1928, deserve a place where they can be displayed in their full splendour. The very design of these orchids is, one could say, 'hand-crafted' by the Gardens' horticultural staff, dedicated to bringing out the finest in any hybrid cross.

Over 1000 species and 2,000 hybrids are now found in the Gardens' collection, with about 600 species and hybrids on display. Every year, more vibrant and enduring hybrids are added on. So that all may admire and enjoy their diversity, richness and beauty, the National Orchid Garden now offers a permanent showcase, the largest display of tropical orchids in the world.

This walk is conducted by the volunteers of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every third Saturday of the month.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), register at Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the tour starts. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Tour duration: One hour.
Cost: While the tour is free, admission charges to the Orchid Garden applies: $5/adult, $1/student, $1/senior citizens (above 60 years) , Child below 12 years - Free
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

18 Sep (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am and 3.30pm for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

15 Sep (Wed): "Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place

This lesson takes us on a tour of a grassland home. We will learn about how grass and wildflowers grow, and who lives among them. Bugs, slugs, frogs, toads, snakes, skinks, and some birds make grasslands their cosy home. Find out why in this lesson!

Just as we treasure Singapore as our home, so too do many native (local) plants and animals call Singapore’s wild habitats their home. Sadly, most kids and grown-ups know very little about our natural areas like our forest, grassland, freshwater swamp, mangrove and seashore habitats, where many species of native wildlife live. Through “Our Home” lessons on Singapore’s natural habitats, kids will learn about animals, plants and ecology of Singapore’s wild habitats.

This environmental education program is suitable for kids aged 5 to 10, from kindergarten to primary school.

Time: 2.30-4.30 pm
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
Cost: $15 which includes a custom-made button-badge and information pamphlet will be given to all registered kids.
Contact: Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

6-12 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

"Our Home, The Rainforest" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
All about edible plants at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
"Creatures in Nature" Drama workshop for kids
Let’s Discover Plants & Animals

MORE school holiday fun! Check out the special biodiversity activities for kids and the family. And more school holiday events.

Long weekend tip: to avoid the huge crowds that can develop, visit our wild places early in the morning. This is also when it's cooler, and the animals are more active. More info for exploring our wild places on your own.

Walks in wild places

Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail
Trees of the Fort at Fort Canning Park
Wallace Education Centre Gallery walk
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

Film

8 Sep (Wed): "Earthlings" in aid of ACRES

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Registration now open

6 Oct (Wed): "Our Home, The Mangroves" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
2 Oct (Sat): "Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
26 Sep (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers
15 Sep (Wed): "Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Highlights of Singapore nature news

Howard Shaw: green crusader akshita nanda Straits Times 6 Sep 10;
Last kampung in Singapore a tourist draw Huang Huifen Straits Times 5 Sep 10;
You can't separate climate from economy Grace Chua Straits Times 5 Sep 10;
Singapore in final stages of developing world's first City Biodiversity Index Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid Channel NewsAsia 3 Sep 10;
Sand dredging in Cambodia wraps up as firms await contracts from Singapore Vong Sokheng and Sebastian Strangio Phnom Penh Post 2 Sep 10;
Flaring from Bukom refinery worries some Victoria Vaughan Straits Times 2 Sep 10;

Highlights of Singapore nature blog

Blue dragons from The annotated budak
Whimbrel feasting on fiddler crabs from Bird Ecology Study Group
Observation Notes on Forest Hopper/Coon from Butterflies of Singapore
Walk in Sengkang forest from Urban Forest
Hog run from The annotated budak
A Long-tailed Beauty @ AHBT from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature
Stork-billed Kingfisher fishing from Bird Ecology Study Group
Smooth Otters at Pasir Ris Park from Nature Spies
Snake eats crab - a first report in natural conditions from wild shores of singapore
NEA comments on flaring at Bukom from wild shores of singapore
The Smell of Death from My Itchy Fingers
Chronicle of Mr & Mrs King from Life's Indulgences
Asian Dowitcher from Biodiversity Singapore
The Flower Crab is Now Four from Darwinian Left. Of all things evolved
Black-naped Oriole’s 16 different calls from Bird Ecology Study Group
Chek Jawa and volunteers in the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech from wild shores of singapore

Photo of the week are stunning shots of our fireflies by Colleen Goh in the latest issue of Wetlands, a magazine of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Read more about it on wild shores of singapore.

12 Sep (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

11 Sep (Sat): Dragonfly Walk at Venus Drive

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Following our successful inaugural dragonfly trip in July, our second dragonfly walk will take place at the Venus Drive trail, conducted by 16-year old Cheong Yu Jia and supported by her 13-year old brother Cheong Yi Wei. Binoculars will come in useful for this three hour trip.

Time: 9am
Venue: Venus Drive carpark located near the junction of Upper Thomson Road and Venus Drive.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 Sep (Sat): All about edible plants - a tour for kids

Learn where healthy, yummy fruits and vegetables come from! Be amazed by the many different types of fruits and vegetables that we have in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden! Give your eyes a visual treat! Join us to learn interesting and amazing fruit and veggie facts.

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg . Online registration is available on www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education")

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying parent
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Sep (Sat): Wallace Education Centre Gallery walk

Learn more about our forests, from the 18th century until today and find out how you can play a part in biodiversity conservation.

This guided walk is held every second Saturday of the month.

More details about the Wallace Education Centre on the NParks website.

Please call 3 days in advance at 65545127 to register for the walk.

Time: 9.30-10.30am
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park, Wallace Education Centre
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Sep (Sat): Trees of the Fort

Embark on this adventure and discover the secret lives of our heritage trees and more!

Our nature-loving guides from The Green Volunteers will walk you through this public park that has undergone a series of historical transformation through the centuries. Although much of the original vegetation has disappeared due to these changes, active greening efforts have converted this once formidable fort into an idyllic respite from the hustle and bustle of city life amidst lush and magnificent trees. Meet the Towering Kapok, Flaky Gelam, Gnarled Madras Thorn and many more.

Learn how plants and animals have co-existed and to a certain extent become co-dependant on one another for survival. Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature orchestrated by chirping birds and shrilling cicadas as you walk along the trail.

In a vastly developed urban jungle, Fort Canning offers that unique pocket of biodiversity to appreciate the greenery within our vibrant city.

This is a free public outreach programme in the park, held every second Saturday.

Time: 4-6 pm
Venue: Meet at courtyard, opposite NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6332 1200 or lee_weiling@nparks.gov.sg or or visit thegreenvolunteers.blogspot.com

11 Sep (Sat): Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail

A free guided nature walk through a rainforest right in the heart of the city! Along paved trails, under the shade of giant trees, learn about our rainforests, spot forest creatures and strange plants.

Suitable for young children.

More about the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail on the wildsingapore website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NPark's Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every second Saturday of the month.

A special Mandarin version of this tour is at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (Enligsh) and 4pm (Mandarin); Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

11 Sep (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am and 3.30pm for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

10 Sep (Fri): Istana Open House for Hari Raya

The Istana grounds are open to the public in celebration of Hari Raya. View the Istana gardens while a variety of performances on the grounds provide entertainment. You may also have the chance to have your photos taken with the President and First Lady when they come by to greet visitors.

Bands from Zhonghua Secondary and Deyi Secondary will perform at the Open House.

There will also be a Malay dance performance put up by People's Association talents.

Visitors can also get their faces painted by make-up artists from Cosmoprof Academy.

Admission is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. Other visitors must pay a $1 fee each. Entrance to the grounds will be via the main gate on Orchard Road.

Selected function rooms with displays of gifts presented to the President and Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries can be viewed for a fee of $2.

All proceeds from entrance fees and the sale of Istana souvenirs will be donated to charity.

Time: 8.30am - 6pm
Venue: Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road.
Charges: Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Others, including foreign visitors, are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person.
Website: http://www.istana.gov.sg/

9 Sep (Thu): "Creatures in Nature" Drama workshop for kids

Frieda Frog is Hopping about Forgiveness

Discover nature and its creatures through story, dramatization and the use of props in this drama series! Centered on nature and creatures whose habitat are gardens and rainforests, each workshop will feature a creature and a character building value to educate children to emulate the good value in their lives.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Online registration is available on www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education")

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $10 per child
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

8 Sep (Wed): Screening of "Earthlings" in aid of ACRES

Join ACRES in this special screening of EARTHLINGS and be inspired to make a difference.

Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary produced on the relationship between nature, animals, and human economic interests.

The film, directed by Shaun Monson, is narrated by two-time Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.

All proceeds from this screening will be fully channeled to making a positive difference for the animals.

6:30pm - Registration at level 4
7:15pm - Welcome speech
7:30pm - Screening of EARTHLINGS

There are limited seats so make your bookings now by emailing leanora@acres.org.sg

Venue: Cathay Cineleisure, Level 4, 8 Grange Road
Price: $30
Website and contact: http://www.acres.org.sg/

8 Sep (Wed): Let’s Discover Plants & Animals - a guided tour for kids

Apart from plants, we often come across many animals in the Gardens, such as, birds, frogs, squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies, ants, earthworms. Be amazed by the many different types of animals in Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden! Learn fascinating facts about wildlife in the Garden and pick up tips on respecting them in nature and our environment. You may even have the chance to get up-close-and-personal with an oriental whip snake and a monitor lizard too!

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg . Online registration is available on www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education")

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying parent
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

7 Sep (Tue): "Our Home, The Rainforest" with Cicada Tree Eco Place

The rainforest is home to an incredible diversity of living things. Giant trees soar into the sky and the ground is thickly carpeted with a multitude of ferns, creepers, climbers, rainforest herbs and fungi. Colourful birds zoom from branch to branch high up in the canopy while the Mousedeer and Horned Frog live in the leafy undergrowth. Learn all about our rainforest friends in this lesson!

Just as we treasure Singapore as our home, so too do many native (local) plants and animals call Singapore’s wild habitats their home. Sadly, most kids and grown-ups know very little about our natural areas like our forest, grassland, freshwater swamp, mangrove and seashore habitats, where many species of native wildlife live. Through “Our Home” lessons on Singapore’s natural habitats, kids will learn about animals, plants and ecology of Singapore’s wild habitats.

This environmental education program is suitable for kids aged 5 to 10, from kindergarten to primary school.

Five topics will be offered in a series of 5 lessons. Children who register for all 5 sessions will enjoy a discount of $15 (Attend 5 lessons, pay for 4). Registration is subject to space availability. More details on http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

Time: 2.30-4.30 pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Cost: $15 which includes a custom-made button-badge and information pamphlet will be given to all registered kids.
Contact: Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

7 Sep (Tue): Talk on "Singapore’s Dragonflies" by Cheong Yu Jia

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Interested to know more about Singapore’s dragonfly and damselfly species? Yujia will share with us on the different families of the order Odonata, their identification markers, as well as their ecology and life history. This illuminating talk will be followed by a field trip on 11 September.

Time: 8pm
Venue: The Sunflower (NSS office). 510 Geylang Road #02-05,Singapore 389466
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

31 Aug - 5 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family: school holiday fun!

Young Naturalists Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
Our Kitchen Garden tour at Pasir Ris Park
HeART for Nature Workshop for kids
The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh

MORE school holiday fun! Check out the special biodiversity activities for kids and the family. And more school holiday events.

Walks in wild places

Guided walk at the Sensory Trail Pulau Ubin
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday with Marine Fish tour at 9.30am and Sunday with special Mandarin walk at 9.3ocm.
Up Close and Personal @ Peirce a guided walk in the forest
Edible and Medicinal Plants tour at the Botanic Gardens

Talk and workshop this week

3 Sep (Fri): Workshop for Nature Guides - Dragons and Damsels by the Leafmonkey Workshop
4 Sep (Sat): "The Human - Monkey conflict in Singapore"

Registration now open

6 Oct (Wed): "Our Home, The Mangroves" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
2 Oct (Sat): "Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
26 Sep (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers
15 Sep (Wed): "Our Home, The Grassland" with Cicada Tree Eco Place
7 Sep (Tue): "Our Home, The Rainforest" with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Highlights of Singapore nature news

Model city Singapore shows symptoms of urban stress Philip Lim (AFP) Google News 25 Aug 10
Feels like the year-end wet season? You're right Victoria Vaughan Straits Times 26 Aug 10;
13 turtles released in waters off Big Sister's Island for conservation study Milton Sau Channel NewsAsia 24 Aug 10;
YOG athletes on Pulau Ubin English.news.cn 24 Aug 10;

Highlights of Singapore nature blogs

ReefFriends Reef Survey Dive @ Pulau Semakau Instead from colourful clouds
Learning outdoors survival skills @ ICCS Briefing? from News from the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore
Life History of the Studded Sergeant from Butterflies of Singapore
Encounter with a family of Dark-necked Tailorbird from Bird Ecology Study Group
Videos from Pulau Hantu from wonderful creation
Giant lizards from Life's Indulgences
Parasouls from The annotated budak
Fight fight fight! from Psychedelic Nature
A group of ingenuous Little Terns from Life's Indulgences
National Day Outing to Lornie Trail from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature
Sea turtle release at Big Sisters: will they make it? from wild shores of singapore
It's all about increasing.... Numbers! from Psychedelic Nature
Anatomy of a Coppersmith Barbet’s nest from Bird Ecology Study Group

5 Sep (Sun): Get Up Close and Personal with the Butterflies of Teck Whye

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Simon Chan leads this walk. Hidden behind the small backyard of Teck Whye Secondary School is a pretty butterfly garden fronted by a canal with a wooded area on the opposite side. Supported by NParks, this garden boasts no less than 20 species of butterflies including the Common Mime, Painted Jezebel, Striped Albatross, Lemon Emigrant, Common Grass Yellow, Plain Tiger, Leopard Lacewing, Peacock Pansy and more.

Time: 9.30am-12noon
Venue: Meet Simon Chan at the Park Connector between Blk 160A and Gracefield Kindergarten off Jalan Teck Whye.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

5 Sep (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Special mandarin guided walk at 9.30am

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

5 Sep (Sun): The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh

Origami is not only fun, but is also an artistic way of interpreting animals, plants, objects, or basically anything you can think of! The focus of this origami workshop will be on animals that can be found in our nature areas.

For more details see the Purple Mangroves blog.

Time: 2-3.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, meet at the Information Counter at the Visitor Centre
Entry charges: While the event is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website and contact: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

4 Sep (Sat): Guided walk at Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail, the trail will brought you to the patch of herbs and spices and a "Secret Garden" to feel the original garden used to be on the island. Much more along the trail for you to explore.

This walk is held every third Saturday of the month.

Booking now online until 28 Aug.

For more details about this walk, see the NParks website More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: Walks starts 9.30am and lasts for about 1.5 hours. Meet at the Pulau Ubin Main Information Kiosk next to the Ubin Jetty. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 6 groups
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Sep (Sat): Plant Walk at Lower Peirce Reservoir

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Yap Von Bing leads this walk. Lower Pierce Reservoir is one of Singapore’s oldest water catchment areas. The site’s original rainforest that was cleared to make way for plantations has since regenerated. Today, it shelters some trees older than 100 years old. We will get to see a mature Brazil Nut tree, a mysterious but magnificent Cratoxylumn, Nibong, Rambai, figs, pitcher plants as well as remnant rubber trees and saplings. We will continue our plant stroll along the boardwalk and exit near Casuarina Road.

Time: 9am
Venue: Car Park of Lower Pierce Reservoir
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

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